Including wifi?
Wifi costs extra money? How is that possible?aTm2004 said:
I paid for wifi regardless, so I don't see why I should include that in the cost of TV service. Since I had DTV and not cable, I wasn't getting any bundle deal either.
Prince_Ahmed said:
As I'm skimming through posts here and seeing references to a DirectTV DVR box, PlayStation Vue, subscriptions to youtube, hulu, HBO, and references to all content being tied to the internet, may I point out that most of you haven't succeeded in "cutting the cord?" You just found yourselves a new cord.
If you truly want to cut the cord and actually realize some of the savings people talk about, go get (or build) yourself an antenna and if you want to splurge, maybe a DVR to record content off your antenna. Make sure to find one that doesn't depend on streaming content (like the ChannelMaster).
People who say it's not worth it to cut the cord are still tethered to cable companies because they can't give up their cable content. All people are doing when going to paid steaming content rather than cable/satellite content is restructuring their pay model. I'm not surprised it doesn't result in massive savings; if you want cable content, cable companies are going to get their pound of flesh.
agproducer said:
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.
rynning said:
YouTube TV now has an Apple TV app. Anyone try it yet?
Good post. I have my cable, internet, and land line bundled with Suddenlink. The cable includes my router rental, sports package upgrade, and all HD channels (standard now). The internet is now unlimited high speed. I upgraded because we have 5 phones, 3 PC's, 1 smart TV, 2 firesticks, and 10 tablets. I keep a phone line because I'm an old fogie. Anyway, the total is $158/month including all taxes and fees. I also have Netflix, hulu, and Amazon Prime - but those are the same either way. Bottom line is that I probably wouldn't save much money at all. I'd just make everything 10 times more complicated.Quote:
I cut the cord in the fall of 2012.
Essentials
~$50 - OTA antenna, may need an amplifier depending on where you live. Amazing when they are working at peak.
~$100 each - I use ROKUs - like the interface, performance, and channel availability (Aggie owned or designed?)
~$40/mo - I have a Cable internet 50Mb download speed which is more than enough.
Need a good WiFi connection and/or Ethernet connections.
I prefer external devices as opposed to builtin streamers.
BTW, We travel with a Roku stick in our suitcase.
Services I always use
~$10/mo - Amazon Prime - would own it with the streaming, but streaming is nice since it provides a show buying service. Lots of older shows available via Prime.
~$12/mo - Netflix - essential channel with good shows, occasionally great shows and some duds.
~$12/mo - Hulu - I get it without commercials for a few more bucks.
~$40/mo - PSVue - Access level for Live cable news mostly. Price just went up.
Services I upgrade or purchase month to month or for Football season
~$5/mo - PSVue - Core level for All ESPN channels for College Football
~$15/mo - HBO Now - when our show are running
~$10/mo - Starz via Amazon - When our shows are running
~$100/yr - CRTV - Mark Levin's conservative news service <-- I wanted FoxNews to do this 4 years ago
Note: I originally did this save money over my $150/mo cable plan + $40 cable internet + Netflix, Amazon and Hulu+, but I really wanted to change how people watch TV and that has happened. The only live TV we watch is Aggie football and the world series. I still save a little but care more about the ala cart service.
Quote:
I have tried Vue, and I didn't care for the interface,
jay040 said:Quote:
I have tried Vue, and I didn't care for the interface,
FYI, The UI for Vue has been updated - Roku, Firestick, etc all now have the traditional channel guide that the PS4 Vue had. I have a 2016 Roku stick - it's a little slow but works fine.
Quote:
(Try switching to TNT if TNT is not a favorite.)
They are changing the format this year to a more traditional channel guide.chigger said:
Cancelled Sling last night for Hulu full service. Not a fan of Hulu's interface at all but my wife loves Hulu so we are just going with that.
Honestly the interfaces for all of the major ones are terrible. At least on Roku. I've had PSVue, Sling, and Hulu now and I'd give the nod to Sling but not by much.
As of now we just have Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime. That covers pretty much everything my family watches. I watch basically nothing but Aggie football in the fall and Netflix.
Regarding your #4, I believe that YTTV does provide different profiles. They call that a Family Group. I haven't set up the Family Group yet, because I'm not sure we're keeping YouTube TV, due to the channel selection.rynning said:
Well I signed up for a YouTube TV trial with Apple TV.
First impressions:
1. The YouTube DVR is more intuitive than PSVue's, mainly because it has its own "Library" tab. PSVue has the DVR located four rows down under the "Home" tab.
2. The YouTube video quality is not quite as good as PSVue. It's very hard to tell without a side by side comparison, but I swear I see artifacts with YouTube that I don't see with PSVue.
3. The YouTube guide is worse that PSVue's. The channels are rows instead of columns, which is fine, but the font is much bigger so you see fewer channels at the same time. It's also easier to quickly scan over the PSVue's guide for shows. I'm not sure it's possible to make a great guide with the AppleTV remote.
4. YouTube doesn't support separate profiles for different people, i.e., each person has their own favorites and DVR.
I'll keep trying it for a few days...
Check out tvfool.com. It will let you know what you can pick up with what antenna.fta09 said:
So I think I'm going to take the jump and dump DirecTV because I'm paying way too much for what I get. I hardly watch TV outside Aggie sports, and my wife only DVRs some shows. All of the networks we watch would be on PS Vue.
That said, it appears the only local channel I can get is CBS. I know I can get an OTA to get more, but I know quality can vary by location. Anyone in Midland/Odessa use one and have any luck?