Ditching cable

[Sigma_Cane_7]

In my pursuit to cut he cord I started with sling tv. But as a sports fan trying to be frugal and get all he can YouTube tv is the best bang for your buck of sports is your goal from a streaming service. Only thing missing is ACC network but if you know someone with a cable account you’ll fix that. But I have all espns, fs1 and fs2, Sun sports, tnt, and all local channels (abc, cbs, Fox, abc). As a Miami sports fan living in Orlando it doesn’t get any better than that. It’s $40 a month but you can share it with 6 users if you wanted.

Also to add to my florida Cane fans, we always get blocked out of watching ACC network games due to it showing on CW locally. YouTube Tv has CW. I haven’t tried it yet since b-ball and Football are over but I think it will solve that problem as well.

Everything else media wise I use Kodi.

 

[d--1]

To answer the original OP, you do need some sort of subscription or service to access WatchESPN. Unlike others here, I like the WatchESPN app and have had no issues watching my Canes or other college football. I switched to PSVue about 1.5 years ago. While clunkier than cable, I love the flexibility. I am not a DVR user but it does have unlimited cloud DVR that stores for 28 days. It has a pause/play feature that I use regularly.

I have the Sports Pack and pay about $70/month, which includes local channels. Internet is through the local cable company, $90/month with 150 Mbps down/12Mbps up. Fast, and reliable.

What I love most about PSVue is the flexibility. I'm sitting on my patio right now, smoking a cigar, watching How the Universe Works, and webbing with yous. Inside TV runs off PS3 while the outdoor TV runs through an AmazonFirestick. I can also stream to any of my computers or my iPad.

https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/faq/features/

I'm open to cutting the cord, but typically think any non-cable solution robust enough to give me what I actually want would end up costing me just as much as I'm paying now for cable. for example, what you listed for what you pay is what I already pay for cable/internet now, and I can keep DVR as long as I want. Haven't seen a solution that doesn't involve me sacrificing something I'd rather not sacrifice.

 

[g8rh8rMD]

DTV Now 2.0 is currently in beta. It includes cloud DVR. Series recording is a little buggy right now but single episode recording and playback works just fine. The guide is also much improved. My only complaint is the smoothness of the video quality and sharpness as well in streaming period no matter the service. I find it really noticeable in sports. There is basically a judder effect and it isn’t my speed because I have a 1000mbps connection. The sharpness makes me scratch my head because I can watch a movie streamed in 1080p or 4K and it looks great but I can switch over to something live and it looks all washed out. Both are buffered so I don’t get it.

Did you get invited to beta 2.0? Having the DVR availability would probably make the difference for me as to whether I keep DirecTV Now or not. Thus far, the viewing experience has really been quite good with cable free streaming since I got the AppleTV and then just this past weekend got the base model 55" TCL with Roku. I'm pretty happy now with the viewing experience. If I can DVR my shows and watch commercial free without having to search through a bunch of different apps to find them, and then also be able to seamlessly pause, rewind and fast-forward live sports, then for $35/m I'm in, and there would be no reason that I can think of to go back to cable.

Would love to try out the beta if there is some way to get invited in.

 

[g8rh8rMD]

Why do Millennials hate cable so much? I love my cable!

Don't put me in with that lot, bro. I am NO ******* millennial. I love DirecTV, especially in years when they give me free Sunday Ticket, but their monthly fees are outrageous. If you can get the same or similar viewing experience for $50/month instead of $225, why wouldn't you do that?

 

[Shogungts]

Why do Millennials hate cable so much? I love my cable!

Not a millennial, so I can't speak for them, but for me I was sick and tired of Comcast making me buy packages that I didn't want 90% of (triple play, etc) just to get the few things I did, charging absurd rental and additional fees (HD fee, DVR fee, etc) and then the constant having to call them to give me a new 'deal'. If Comcast could offer me the same service (or better) for the same price (or close) as YouTube TV I would have stayed with them.

 

[GOCANES05]

Don't put me in with that lot, bro. I am NO ******* millennial. I love DirecTV, especially in years when they give me free Sunday Ticket, but their monthly fees are outrageous. If you can get the same or similar viewing experience for $50/month instead of $225, why wouldn't you do that?

Directv is like Disney you want top service nice product you'll pay for it , paying rent to hundreds of channels isn't cheap.

GOCANES

 

[Calinative]

cut the chord three years ago. Went with Sling TV, Netflix, and an HD Antenna I bought on Amazon for $25 that gives me access to all local channels in HD. I pay $40 a month for 100mbps internet with AT&T + $25 for Sling TV + $12 for Netlfix and $100 yearly for Amazon Prime. So $72 gets me really anything I need. I do subscribe to the full package on Sling TV during football season to get NFL Redzone but that is only $10 more and can be canceled any month you want but it also comes with access to a bunch of channels for college football so it's worth it. Only way I kind of cheat is using my parents login for HBO. Other than that, regular cable doesn't make much sense to me when considering the alternatives

Using DirecTV Now. Seems to be fine. Used Sling last season and it was great for college football, but didn't have all the channels the wife wanted so we're trying something else. DTVN seems to have a better menu system and guide than the rest. I'm going to see how it goes this season, but it's month to month, so I could always switch back to Sling if necessary.

Do you have AT&T for Phone/Internet?
That honestly seems like the only reason to use DTV NOW - because the discount makes it worth it. Otherwise I think PS VUE is just better and maybe even Youtube TV (good sports package) or Hulu.

 

[Calinative]

One thing not mentioned is the type TV you have is important...not all Smart TV's are the same. I just bought a Vizio 4K Smart TV and love the options plus I can cast from my computer or cell phone which opens up many more options then a regular TV, I am still exploring all the options before I cut the cable...as a retired ATT manager I get discounts but still find it out of balance when comparing my options. Nice having both but I am not that much into watching just to have the TV on...I want options and substance

As long as your TV has an HDMI port or just a USB port, it doesn't matter what kind of TV you have though. You don't NEED a SmartTV to cut the cord. Though If you do have a Smart TV and it has an ethernet port on it, it does make it pretty easy for sure.

 

[PanteraCanes]

What's the difference with a mesh home wifi system and a $20 range extender? I had a range extender in the past, but it was required devices to choose between the home network and the extender network which had a different name. It was not ideal for a phone or ipad which you could carry from room to room. Not really an issue for a smart TV, but then the extender is really only serving the TV and not helping with dark spots for other devices. On the other hand, I don't really want to spend $300+ on a mesh router system if I don't have to.

Thanks in advance for the help, or if there is a good website resource you could point me to where I can learn more.

I don't think anybody answered this already. At least that I have seen. From my understanding the advantage of mesh is that it all looks like one router to your devices. Not sure if it gives any other benefits as I don't have either but have been looking it up for possible future use.

 

[MainLineCane]

Pay for the increased bandwidth and stream!!! Its the best for getting the games that you actually want to see. The versatility and cost savings over cable you'll have with live streaming can't be beat.

I finally did this because I got tired wearing out the knees of my pants from praying that my cable here in the NE would be carrying this week Miami games.

If I were a Penn State fan up here I could be getting not only the games, locker room interviews, coaches shows and probably even seeing Sandusky in his jail cell, etc etc ad nauseum.....BUT I hate Penn State.

Just wish that the Miami sports media was as obsessed with their local Canes as these clowns are up here with PSU

 

[segundo82]

Not a millennial, so I can't speak for them, but for me I was sick and tired of Comcast making me buy packages that I didn't want 90% of (triple play, etc) just to get the few things I did, charging absurd rental and additional fees (HD fee, DVR fee, etc) and then the constant having to call them to give me a new 'deal'. If Comcast could offer me the same service (or better) for the same price (or close) as YouTube TV I would have stayed with them.

and to top it off their equipment sucks. I got my own modem and my speeds instantly went up. Cutting the cable portion from them is saving about 80 dollars a month.

 

[GOCANES05]

and to top it off their equipment sucks. I got my own modem and my speeds instantly went up. Cutting the cable portion from them is saving about 80 dollars a month.

If there was a way to get local channels without disconnecting and connecting the maze of wires and ******** things up and have to call some IT guy to get it all back to normal I'd do it. But right now I got cheapest DIRECTV package local channels with CSPAN crap and my NETFLIX with Prime I'mm good to go...for now.

GOCANES

 

[Loose Cannon]

Do you have AT&T for Phone/Internet?
That honestly seems like the only reason to use DTV NOW - because the discount makes it worth it. Otherwise I think PS VUE is just better and maybe even Youtube TV (good sports package) or Hulu.

I've herd good things about PS VUE, and I may give it a go at some point. I'm satisfied currently, but the real test won't come until September. YouTube TV is not yet available in my market, but a friend who has had it says the interface is trash compared to DTVN and PSV.

 

[Calinative]

I've herd good things about PS VUE, and I may give it a go at some point. I'm satisfied currently, but the real test won't come until September. YouTube TV is not yet available in my market, but a friend who has had it says the interface is trash compared to DTVN and PSV.

yeah idk about YoutubeTVs interface, just seen like the channel package and stuff, which is pretty solid.

And PSVUE is especially good with bigger families, up to like 5 screens at once, which is more than all the rest offer in their normal package.
But I think DTVNOW is like a $15 discount when you got AT&T phone/internet, which makes it really worth it, especially if you plan on getting premium channels which are at discounted rate only for DirectTVNow (HBO is $5 instead of $15/month). Like with DTVNOw and getting HBO, you'd be saving $30 over PSVUe ($5 savings just because base price is cheaper + $15 savings from AT&T +$10 saving from HBO subscription). So yeah that could really add up and push DTV over Vue. ...Either way anyone cord cutting should have Netflix + Amazon Prime Video.

Disney is going to be unveiling their new streaming service next yr, even though they own 60% of HULU now and just released the ESPN+ service. And apparently their interface is going to be super smooth, because its from the same company that made the MLB and NHLs streaming service (which Disney bought out). If Disney really puts money into HULU, I could see that overtaking the other cable replacement options too tbh. Then have their Disney Streaming service as a main Netflix competitor while Hulu competes with PsVue, DtvNOw, etc. Or they could just sell HULU to like Comcast, who would then own like 90% and be a heavy competitor in the streaming game.
But I think Disney definitely wants to separate their kid friendly assets with their more adult content - Like separating Pixar and PG Marvel stuff from Deadpool and like the Punisher, which is why 2 Disney owned streaming services could be a thing.

 

[Loose Cannon]

yeah idk about YoutubeTVs interface, just seen like the channel package and stuff, which is pretty solid.

And PSVUE is especially good with bigger families, up to like 5 screens at once, which is more than all the rest offer in their normal package.
But I think DTVNOW is like a $15 discount when you got AT&T phone/internet, which makes it really worth it, especially if you plan on getting premium channels which are at discounted rate only for DirectTVNow (HBO is $5 instead of $15/month). Like with DTVNOw and getting HBO, you'd be saving $30 over PSVUe ($5 savings just because base price is cheaper + $15 savings from AT&T +$10 saving from HBO subscription). So yeah that could really add up and push DTV over Vue. ...Either way anyone cord cutting should have Netflix + Amazon Prime Video.

Disney is going to be unveiling their new streaming service next yr, even though they own 60% of HULU now and just released the ESPN+ service. And apparently their interface is going to be super smooth, because its from the same company that made the MLB and NHLs streaming service (which Disney bought out). If Disney really puts money into HULU, I could see that overtaking the other cable replacement options too tbh. Then have their Disney Streaming service as a main Netflix competitor while Hulu competes with PsVue, DtvNOw, etc. Or they could just sell HULU to like Comcast, who would then own like 90% and be a heavy competitor in the streaming game.
But I think Disney definitely wants to separate their kid friendly assets with their more adult content - Like separating Pixar and PG Marvel stuff from Deadpool and like the Punisher, which is why 2 Disney owned streaming services could be a thing.

I don't have AT&T and my DTVN HBO add on is only $5. Might be because I live in a market where AT&T is not an option, though. I network systems engineer for an ISP--won't say which one, and I know we have different pricing tiers for competitive and non-competitive markets and also different price tiers based on whether we are the incumbent telco or a CLEC.

 

[Loose Cannon]

I don't have AT&T and my DTVN HBO add on is only $5. Might be because I live in a market where AT&T is not an option, though. I network systems engineer for an ISP--won't say which one, and I know we have different pricing tiers for competitive and non-competitive markets and also different price tiers based on whether we are the incumbent telco or a CLEC.

Consequently, I get a 50% employee discount on my internet package.

 

[g8rh8rMD]

Maze of wires? As long as you live near a decent city, buy a cheap over the air HD antenna and plug it in. That’s it. The TCL 55” I just bought for 300 bucks has a really nice OTA guide and even allows you to pause, rewind and fast forward over the air tv for up to 90 minutes.

 

[OriginalCanesCanesCanes]

Pay for the increased bandwidth and stream!!! Its the best for getting the games that you actually want to see. The versatility and cost savings over cable you'll have with live streaming can't be beat.

I finally did this because I got tired wearing out the knees of my pants from praying that my cable here in the NE would be carrying this week Miami games.

If I were a Penn State fan up here I could be getting not only the games, locker room interviews, coaches shows and probably even seeing Sandusky in his jail cell, etc etc ad nauseum.....BUT I hate Penn State.

Just wish that the Miami sports media was as obsessed with their local Canes as these clowns are up here with PSU

That Paterno cult is something, isn’t it.

He’s like a religious figure. I just don’t get it.

 

[Savannahcane]

You guys never heard of Mobdro!!??? Everything is for free on that streaming app. I got it setup on my phone and fire sticks. Set TV is a **** good service too like $40 a month for 3 devices it includes every channel. Mobdro and kodi is a must have.

 

[Calinative]

I don't have AT&T and my DTVN HBO add on is only $5. Might be because I live in a market where AT&T is not an option, though. I network systems engineer for an ISP--won't say which one, and I know we have different pricing tiers for competitive and non-competitive markets and also different price tiers based on whether we are the incumbent telco or a CLEC.

So you work for the enemy! haha.
But actually though, This whole Net Neutrality thing is such ******* BS man. Just funny the ONLY people that want Net Neutrality to be repealed are the ISPs. What do you think about it? Would be interesting to hear from an actual engineer who works for one, though I'd bet you support Net Neutrality like the other 90%+ of the country..