Cutting the cord

The Whistle Is Screaming · Thu Aug 01, 2019 1:41 pm

Anyone here drop their cable? I need some input on what apps I'm going to need. I just cant deal with Spectrum anymore and I'm returning all my cable boxes on Saturday. I have Netflix, Hulu and access to Amazon prime, what else will I need to fill in the "sports" gap & I don't care about local channels.

Go...

The Whistle Is Screaming · Thu Aug 01, 2019 2:14 pm

I'm not opposed to paying for other apps (it's actually what I expected to do) as long as I'm not paying as much as I did with Spectrum.

The Whistle Is Screaming · Thu Aug 01, 2019 2:32 pm

Not considering satellite, friends have them and aren't any happier as well as being chained to the contracts. All I'm keeping is my internet service, dropped phone for a magic jack around year ago.

Kierland · Post by **Kierland** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 3:16 pm

Cut the cord five years ago. Hulu for the kids. NBC sports app for cycling. YouTube for everything else. So 50$ a year for the nbc app, 30$/mo for the WiFi and 10/mo for the Hulu.way cheaper.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 4:06 pm

The Whistle Is Screaming wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 1:41 pm Anyone here drop their cable? I need some input on what apps I'm going to need. I just cant deal with Spectrum anymore and I'm returning all my cable boxes on Saturday. I have Netflix, Hulu and access to Amazon prime, what else will I need to fill in the "sports" gap & I don't care about local channels.

Go...

https://www.reddit.com/r/MLBStreams/

https://www.reddit.com/r/nflstreams/

Reddit college football streams.

Onhockey.TV

ESPN+ for college basketball, worth the $5/month

livetotal.net for obscure international sports

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 4:12 pm

Papa Willie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 2:23 pm If it weren’t for sports, I would have cut my shit years ago. I will say you can get some decent deals through DirectTV if you’ve got your cells through AT&T, but they still fuck you. If I knew I could watch the Braves, Falcons, Hawks & Auburn football & basketball without their assistance, I’d drop ‘em in a second...

You can get all that online for free nowadays. See my last post.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 6:04 pm

Papa Willie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 5:06 pm I've tried some of these rooms and things in the past (certainly for CF), but a lot of times the feeds were kind of shitty. I kind of dig the HD without the jumps. Mind you, these were all sort of not legal sites, but... Might have to check into it. Direct has about a gazillion channels of nothing but shit.

The reddit MLB and NFL and, for the most part, CFB, links are 99.9% perfect. Onhockey.tv is 100% perfect.

Livetotal.net is not, but I like it for the international club soccer.

The Whistle Is Screaming · Thu Aug 01, 2019 6:48 pm

Thanks Screwy, decision is final. Spoke to Mrs Twis at lunch and this is happening.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:20 pm

The Whistle Is Screaming wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 6:48 pm Thanks Screwy, decision is final. Spoke to Mrs Twis at lunch and this is happening.

I recommend it. You can always go back if don't like it. Sling and playstation vue are also good if you want to pay for cable like service.

The Whistle Is Screaming · Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:54 pm

I was looking at sling, but may go with hulu live. Seems to have more (of course more $) but still will save 70-80 per month.

As for all the sports I really need nhl, nfl, MLB

Kierland · Post by **Kierland** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:59 pm

I have been saving $100 a month.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 8:06 pm

The Whistle Is Screaming wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 7:54 pm I was looking at sling, but may go with hulu live. Seems to have more (of course more $) but still will save 70-80 per month.

As for all the sports I really need nhl, nfl, MLB

I think YouTubeTV has good sports coverage. Might wanna check them out.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 9:48 pm

Been thinking about doing this for a while. We pay Spectrum over $200 per month for internet, TV and VoIP. We don’t really watch much network TV anymore and could probably get by with 100% streaming services. Spectrum is the only real broadband option here.

Let us know how it works out.

I’m actually thinking of dropping the TV service but switching from Sprint to Spectrum for cellular. Anybody have Spectrum phones?

Wolfman · Post by **Wolfman** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:01 pm

I have bundled TV, net, and mobile phones with Xfinity for $135 a month. Works for me and Mrs.O. Memory of our first cable (community antenna TV) in a place where TV reception was not possible in the northern Catskill mountains. Paid $5 a month for 3 channels out of the Albany NY area.

Shlomart Ben Yisrael · Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:07 pm

Screw_Michigan wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 6:04 pm ...reddit...

Damn right. Just hit up Reddit 10 minutes before any game. Any game.

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:21 pm

It sucks to be in areas where there isn’t competition. We had nothing but Comcast for years in the Northeast and hated it.

Now we have an alternative called Grande and they rock. Fraction of the cost of the big guys for the same or better service.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:04 am

Left Seater wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:21 pm It sucks to be in areas where there isn’t competition. We had nothing but Comcast for years in the Northeast and hated it.

Now we have an alternative called Grande and they rock. Fraction of the cost of the big guys for the same or better service.

We're pretty lucky in my part of DC to have cable competition, it's really limited Comcast from jacking up my rate for internet over the years. I'm at $50 for 50 MB/month and for years I was paying only $40.

The only thing I do like about cable is the new cable box interface that Comcast has rolled out (finally) after 20 years of that shitty one. Holy shit. You can verbally change the channel (and it works fast). Having DVR would also be nice, but I find a lot of the sports networks' online streaming interfaces allow for easy replays, which is great.

Left Seater · Post by **Left Seater** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:29 am

Damn Screwy I feel for ya. We pay $85 per month for HD cable (270 channels), and internet (800 mbps).

That includes one DVR box and Netflix. We pay a bit more for an additional DVR.

Previous it was closer to $200 in Boston and Philly.

Dr_Phibes · Post by **Dr_Phibes** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:21 am

What Screw said.

Ditched everything and went free to air (in a good geographical spot though). For sport, just deleted 500 links and now go through Reddit. You can get anything, picture-perfect.

Not sure what bodes for the future, most general English Football pages were wiped from Reddit, things to come?

Dr_Phibes · Post by **Dr_Phibes** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 5:13 am

Pffft. Steal away. People will always play sport and others will always watch them play.

Welcome to the CFL. Sport pre-dates the profit-motive, I'm afraid :(

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 5:20 am

Papa Willie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:45 pm
Mikey wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 9:48 pm Been thinking about doing this for a while. We pay Spectrum over $200 per month for internet, TV and VoIP. We don’t really watch much network TV anymore and could probably get by with 100% streaming services. Spectrum is the only real broadband option here.

Let us know how it works out.

I’m actually thinking of dropping the TV service but switching from Sprint to Spectrum for cellular. Anybody have Spectrum phones?
I think Cocks is prevalent down in San Diego. Mostly Spectrum in North County - used to be TWC before they were bought. Our only other choice is AT&T, which is much slower DSL.

That's weird. I figured SD would be nothing but Cox, since that's where their HO is (I thought). That's all we have here, and like Lefty said - there's no competition, and they've been ass-raping us for years.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 5:21 am

Papa Willie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:45 pm
Mikey wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 9:48 pm Been thinking about doing this for a while. We pay Spectrum over $200 per month for internet, TV and VoIP. We don’t really watch much network TV anymore and could probably get by with 100% streaming services. Spectrum is the only real broadband option here.

Let us know how it works out.

I’m actually thinking of dropping the TV service but switching from Sprint to Spectrum for cellular. Anybody have Spectrum phones?
That's weird. I figured SD would be nothing but Cox, since that's where their HO is (I thought). That's all we have here, and like Lefty said - there's no competition, and they've been ass-raping us for years.

I think Cocks is prevalent down in San Diego. Mostly Spectrum in North County - used to be TWC before they were bought. Our only other choice is AT&T, which is much slower DSL

FiatLux · Post by **FiatLux** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 6:09 am

I laughed....

We haven't paid for cable for 10 years

San Francisco is 20 years ahead of the rest of the world...which makes me laugh

the truth

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:04 pm

Left Seater wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:29 am Damn Screwy I feel for ya. We pay $85 per month for HD cable (270 channels), and internet (800 mbps).

That includes one DVR box and Netflix. We pay a bit more for an additional DVR.

Previous it was closer to $200 in Boston and Philly.

That's a good deal.

Softball Bat · Post by **Softball Bat** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:18 pm

A KC Scott post...

The Whistle Is Screaming · Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:21 pm

Thanks friends, good stuff here. I think we will see how things go with roku, Netflix, Amazon prime, hulu and add on if needed. I will have to get familiar Reddit (you can't expect someone who can't navigate around the photobucket watermark to know anything about it).

Mikey, the 1st thing you can do is drop voip and get a magic jack. It will cost an extra $20 to keep your current #. I have been using it for 9 months and have had no problems. Saves about $25 per month on your bill and it costs $39 a year.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:20 pm

The Whistle Is Screaming wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 1:21 pm Thanks friends, good stuff here. I think we will see how things go with roku, Netflix, Amazon prime, hulu and add on if needed. I will have to get familiar Reddit (you can't expect someone who can't navigate around the photobucket watermark to know anything about it).

I sent you two links. Also search "college football streams" or CFB streams, etc.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:25 pm

KC Scott wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:30 pm Reddit stream - it's great for NFL, but then you've got to connect your TV to laptop or tablet via HDMI and deal with the ads and re-directs. NHL was so-so

The reddit streams for NHL are good, but onhockey.tv is more convenient and 99.9% perfect.

I was going to touch on this earlier....I would suggest for anyone "cutting the cord" to get a cheap used (or cheap new) Chromebook (or any sort of laptop or cheap CPU), a long HDMI cord, and wireless keyboard and mouse. Chromebooks make great media players, and they can be great used because you can wipe them and start out with a just like new CPU.

I did buy a Roku 3 when I cut the cord and it's good, but I'm 50/50 as to whether I'd buy another one or just buy another Chromebook. I do enjoy Roku's seamless display when it comes to youtube and ESPN and HBO, Showtime, other sports networks, etc. I do hate how Roku does not allow for a straight up web browser nor allows a keyboard and mouse. Doing everything with your thumbs kind of sucks.

BSmack · Post by **BSmack** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:33 pm

KC Scott wrote:Dumped Dish and replaced with Roku (lots of free content) - the Roku Ultra is well worth the price

Subscriptions for Roku:

youtubeTV (most sports channels included by far also includes all local stations for $49 mo)
Prime
Netflix (thinking about dumping this) - With Disney starting their own streaming they'll be losing a lot of content

Reddit stream - it's great for NFL, but then you've got to connect your TV to laptop or tablet via HDMI and deal with the ads and re-directs. NHL was so-so

I was thinking about the YouTube TV. How's the UI on that?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:59 pm

Screw_Michigan wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 2:25 pm
I was going to touch on this earlier....I would suggest for anyone "cutting the cord" to get a cheap used (or cheap new) Chromebook (or any sort of laptop or cheap CPU), a long HDMI cord, and wireless keyboard and mouse. Chromebooks make great media players, and they can be great used because you can wipe them and start out with a just like new CPU.

Not a bad suggestion. But most newer laptops (which isn't a "CPU," but does in fact have a CPU) have bluetooth, as do most newer TVs. No HDMI cable necessary (although I still use a HDMI cable with my ancient setup).

The Whistle Is Screaming · Fri Aug 02, 2019 8:21 pm

So I have a new roku TV (primary), but I don't think it has bluetooth. I currently run hulu, Netflix, Amazon prime etc. What is the purpose of the chromebook? Will I need it for Reddit?

Upstairs in our bedroom we have a fire stick and the basement has Jr's xbox attached.

I don't care too much about the other 2, but the livingroom one needs the most capability. Also need to figure out a replacement for the DVR.

Kierland · Post by **Kierland** » Fri Aug 02, 2019 8:51 pm

I used an old iPad to run the net on my TV using the Apple TV.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Sat Aug 03, 2019 1:11 am

The Whistle Is Screaming wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 8:21 pm So I have a new roku TV (primary), but I don't think it has bluetooth. I currently run hulu, Netflix, Amazon prime etc. What is the purpose of the chromebook? Will I need it for Reddit?

Your new roku probably has bluetooth. The chromebook is for internet streaming flexibility that you can't get with your roku. You can run all your over the top box stuff on the Chromebook just as good as over the Roku, but you have way for flexibility to access any normally available webpage.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Sat Aug 03, 2019 1:12 am

Kierland wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 8:51 pm I used an old iPad to run the net on my TV using the Apple TV.

How? Ipads don't have HDMI last time I checked.

Kierland · Post by **Kierland** » Sat Aug 03, 2019 2:27 am

It doesn’t work for all vids, but it’s a pretty high percentage.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Sat Aug 03, 2019 3:05 am

Screw_Michigan wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 1:12 am

How? Ipads don't have HDMI last time I checked.

Uhm... bluetooth?

A friend of mine has an IPad (yuck) as his only source of TV.

And I don't do Apple (even though I work on tech devices for a living... Apple is garbage), I'm pretty fucking sure they make docks for IPad... (Ok, "pretty fucking sure" was a joke... they do).

Kierland · Post by **Kierland** » Sat Aug 03, 2019 3:10 am

My kid uses his Bluetooth to play stuff from his IPad I just have never found the need. I’m sure I’ll use it one of these days.
My Mac stuff all works great for what I need if for.

Dinsdale · Post by **Dinsdale** » Sat Aug 03, 2019 3:18 am

Screw_Michigan wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 1:12 am
Kierland wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 8:51 pm I used an old iPad to run the net on my TV using the Apple TV.
How? Ipads don't have HDMI last time I checked.

And Apple TV is a separate unit( which is essentially a dock), has all kinds of outputs.

Screw_Michigan · Post by **Screw_Michigan** » Sat Aug 03, 2019 2:43 pm

Dinsdale wrote: ↑Sat Aug 03, 2019 3:18 am And Apple TV is a separate unit( which is essentially a dock), has all kinds of outputs.

Thanks, yes, I'm a bit slow on the technology uptake.

Mikey · Post by **Mikey** » Mon Aug 05, 2019 12:35 am

Papa Willie wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 10:45 pm
Mikey wrote: ↑Thu Aug 01, 2019 9:48 pm Been thinking about doing this for a while. We pay Spectrum over $200 per month for internet, TV and VoIP. We don’t really watch much network TV anymore and could probably get by with 100% streaming services. Spectrum is the only real broadband option here.

Let us know how it works out.

I’m actually thinking of dropping the TV service but switching from Sprint to Spectrum for cellular. Anybody have Spectrum phones?
That's weird. I figured SD would be nothing but Cox, since that's where their HO is (I thought). That's all we have here, and like Lefty said - there's no competition, and they've been ass-raping us for years.

On Friday I replaced our old Netgear WiFi router and range extender with three Google WiFi devices. Suddenly we went from a max of about 25 Mbps and frequent buffering delays on the Amazon Fire to 200+ Mbps near the cable modem and minimum of 90 in the rest of the house. Feeling a lot better about streaming right now.

I’ve been walking around the house for the past couple of days running speed test on my iPhone