agproducer said:

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We have cord cutting threads all the time, and maybe its time to put the information in one place. I've learned a lot about it through research, and honestly, I'm pretty passionate about trying to save others money. I felt like I was throwing cash away each month, and by making the switch, I'm saving $1000 a year.

Setup

Streaming Sticks
Each TV in your house needs a streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV or stick, Chromecast, etc.) to get the internet streams. Most plug right into your TV's HDMI ports. If you have a smart TV, you can download apps straight to your TV. From what I've read, Samsung Smart TVs may have issues downloading some of the streaming services due to Samsung's proprietary Smart TV builds. In that case, to access an app like PSVue, you'll need a streaming device for your Samsung TV.

Internet
I've read 25 mb down is enough, but I went with 100 down -- since we stream on several devices at once. I found a deal with xfinity that locked me into a $50 rate. Now, you can buy your own modem with wifi and hook it up to the xfinity network. That way, you will avoid the company's modem rental fee each month. It will cost you about $200 up front for a good one (I have a Netgear Nighthawk), but you will make that money back in about two years.

OTA TV
You want your local channels? Invest in an antenna. The website, tvfool.com, will let you know the specific antenna range you need. You can put an exterior antenna on your house or in the attic and and wire it to your TVs, or get individual antennas for each TV (more expensive). I put an exterior antenna outside my home. I used to have DirecTV, and the dish was accessible. So, I popped off the cone from the dish, strapped the antenna to the dish and used the pre-existing wiring to my TVs. I followed the process I found here: Turn your satellite dish into HD Antenna

Streaming Services

To get the shows you want, you'll want to pick a streaming service app. A subscription will also help you log into other apps like Disney, etc. Here are the options:

PSVue
Options as low as $40/month. 28 day cloud DVR -- can be hinky but is improving. Lots of sports options. You aren't missing any Aggie football with this app (all the ESPNs, except ESPN3 but you'll have credentials for it. SEC Network is included) You can also get your local channels in several markets. For sports, you cannot DVR a game, jump in say at halftime and start from the beginning and fast forward through commercails until you catch up. Also, there is no way to extend the end time to catch the end of the game. (Full disclosure -- I use Vue).

SlingTV
This is one of the cheapest options, but to me the channel setup is weird. It costs as little as $20-$25/month. There is limited DVR available for live channels. Most of the live channels do not have DVR functionality. (thanks hatchback)

DirecTVNow
Lots of channel options here, but it seems to be a little pricier. People who got in on the ground floor were grandfathered in at $35/month. But, there's no DVR service -- though DirecTV says it is working on it. You can get a $25 credit if you have AT&T unlimited mobile plan. (thanks candyland02) Also, the service runs month-long free trials with a code (from aggielax48). This month's code as of 9/28 is RULESFREE9.

YouTubeTV (from Civen)
currently available in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio and expanding. All the local channels are available along with ESPN/SEC Network, but the overall offering is slimmer. It's one of the least expensive and has DVR service. There is currently no app for streaming devices like Roku or Amazon Fire. You can stream it from your phone to TV on Chromecast, and the service offers a free Chromecast after you pay for the first month.

Hulu Live (from zurcaled11)
Provides live TV and does have a standard DVR functionality. It also has an expanded DVR add- on and a reduced ads add-on. The channel lineup is not as robust as other options, but it has the entire Hulu back library of shows.

Netflix -- we all know about that.

Amazon Prime -- lots of free video and content with your Prime membership

XFinity Instant -- (info from Pman17)
Comcast is offering its own pseudo streaming service to its internet customers only. It's basic service is $18 for channels you can get over the air. Then, you can play add-on for extra cash: +$30 for sports and news,
+$10 for all of the kids channels, +$15 for your entertainment and reality TV channels and then additional for the premium ones. DVR is included. It's pitched basically as a skinny bundle -- not a direct competitor to PSVue, DirecTVNow or others mentioned above. Read more here: https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/27/15095464/comcast-xfinity-instant-tv-stream-abc-cbs-fox-nbc

Other Apps (from Aggie MHA)
These channels don't appear to be on the streaming services. So, if you want them, you'll have to get them individually.

CW App: -- Free, shows posted after airing
PBS App -- Free, shows posted after airing
PBS Kids App -- Free, cartoons posted
Hallmark -- Starting stand alone app October 1 (make those wives happy with Christmas movies!)
History Channel Vault - $4.99 standalone paid app for documentaries and specials
CBS All Access - $5.99 standalone paid app including live sports (you can use this if CBS is not available on Vue or other services in your market)


Free movie apps that run ads:
- Popcorn Flix
- Fright Pix
- Crackle
- TubiTV


What about sports?

Aggie Football
As I said -- if you subscribe to one of these streaming services above (especially Vue) you should not miss any Aggie football. You may run into DVR trouble on Vue because the service doesn't extend the game windows on recordings -- but apparently the service is working on it.

NFL
You can watch Texans or Cowboys OTA or through the streaming services. Vue and other streaming services have RedZone and NFL Network available. The only trouble with streaming and NFL are blackouts in the preseason due to rights issues. Those are usually solved with OTA channels.

MLB
This is tricky. I don't think Rangers fans have an issue with this because Rangers games are on FSSW. That channel is available on some of the streaming services -- like Vue. But, people in Houston need to use a workaround to get the Astros. ATTSW is not on the streaming services as of now. So, if you don't have a friend's login to use their app, you'll have to do the workaround.

First, I suggest subscribing to a SMART DNS service. It will cost you $5/mo. I use overplay.net. The service hides your location, so you can have privacy online. You could do the same with a VPN and you can find deals for the VPN by signing up for a year. I tested both and Smart DNS does not buffer for me the way VPN does.

As for Overplay, it lets you set your location for different services. You can setup in the US for Netflix and Amazon, and the UK for MLB to avoid the blackout.

Next, download the MLB.tv app. You can buy the season pass for the Astros for a one-time fee of $89 at the beginning of the season. I bought the month-to-month one first to see if it would work -- and it did. I later switched to the full season. I've watched the Astros all season at my home in Houston with the app.

NBA
I'm not sure about this one and the blackout, but I'm guessing the NBA League Pass will work with the workaround method mentioned in the MLB section. Maybe someone can help me here, and I'll update the post.

Issues

This is a warning for the Smart DNS service and MLB.tv. You could have problems with this method depending on your streaming devices. Smart TVs shouldn't have issues.

The workaround does not work with Android-based devices. It does not work on Amazon Fire TV or with Chromecast because those require location services.

It does work with Roku, PS4 and (I believe) XBOX. You have to make adjustments on your router, but sites like overplay.net have easy walk-throughs to show you how to do it.

OTA DVR Options (from Jasomania)

Tivo Roamio OTA
The best and most expensive. 4 channel tuner. Works like a traditional DVR that you are already used to and has a super simple interface. Can also connect to Hulu and Netflix and for series you watch it will fill in gaps in recordings with the streaming episodes if they are availible, really nice for series if you want to watch the whole thing and its distributed through various services. Has 1 Tb Hard drive. Also has apps on phones so you can add shows to record when you are not at home. Cons are that it is expensive (400) but it is a one time fee and there is no subscription cost. Also only works on 1 TV. You can get additional Tivo minis that will extend your DVR to other TV's but they need to be hard wired through ethernet to work.

Tablo
Less like a traditional DVR and more like netflix in how it works. 4 channel tuner. You hook up the tablo (and will need to buy an external HD for it) to your router and then download the tablo app on your Fire TV / Apple TV / Roku and watch the shows streaming through the app. There is no subscription to use it at your home but I believe that there is a subscription you can pay for to watch your shows streaming away from your home. Cost is 250 but you will need to buy an external HD to plug in to it (or if you have an extra one around use it) so really more like 350. Interface is clean and nice but really simple and lacking some features of the Tivo. Good if you want to watch your shows on multiple tv's. Also has phone apps for adding shows when away from home (i believe)

Channel Master
Similar to the Tivo it is a more traditional DVR that has a guide and is directly plugged into a single tv. 2 channel tuner. Like the tablo you need to get your own external DVR. Seems ok but is the lowest rated of the 3 and doesn't have a clean of interface as Tivo. It costs 300 but again without the external dvr you might need to add another 100 to the cost which puts you back in tivo territory. No phone app.

What to expect

Changing between channels is not as easy as cable -- but the way you change channels depends on the device and service you are using to stream. You won't just punch in a channel number to have your TV go to the next channel.

For example, PSVue has a guide that works on PS4s and Amazon Fire devices, where you can call it up and switch channels. There is lag time between switching channels, and there is channel recall.

On Roku, you have to hit "Back" to get out of a channel, then find the tile of the new channel you want to watch. It can be cumbersome, but once you are used to it, I haven't found it to be a problem.

Also, it you are switching between your OTA to streaming device, you'll have to change inputs on your TV. Streaming will come down an HDMI port, the OTA signals will come down the co-ax.


Overall

I'm glad I've cut the cord. I'm not looking back. My wife was reluctant to do it at first -- but now she says she'd never go back to watching TV the old way again.

Cord cutters -- if you have other information to add -- please do! I'll update the post accordingly.

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