Cutting The Cord on Cable/Satellite TV Service?

MikeM

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So I plan on selling my extra Firestick to a friend and will be giving my mother the Fire TV.

If I didn't want to spend the $200+ on a Nvidia Shield does anybody have a specific android box recommendation that offers an overall upgrade to Fire TV without spending more then like $150 tops (preferably less)? Really just need something for IPTV/Kodi, and it seems some of those boxes I see on Amazon/Geekbuying/Gearbest that I never gave much of a look at the first time offer features the Fire TV doesn't at a similar cost. Android 6.0, more ram/memory, ect..
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
If possible, buy from Amazon, fulfilled by Amazon, in case the box has issues. Those that ship from China (or require to send returns to China) economically become paper weights if anything goes wrong. Boxes with the newest s912 chip can be found for $60-$65, I've seen a few dip into the mid to low $50s. Min 2gb of Ram, min 16gb of rom (3gb/32gb can be found for $90-$110), you'll want the full 1000Mbit ethernet, and 2.4/5.0 wifi. OTA updates is desirable.

I found one of these in the Warehouse a few weeks back for under $50:


Edit: and grab a cheap keyboard w trackpad/USB dongle , or maybe a mouse and dongle if space is an issue near your TV.
 
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Norm loves Vera

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Thanks Omar.. I am still researching and the Fire TV looked like it might be a good way to get my feet wet. I have a PS3 so I can get access to Vue for NESN which is a relief.

I keep seeing listings like this on Amazon that have boxes that are fully Unlocked and offer premium and pay per view for free. That seems too good to be true right?

http://www.xbmcmart.com/mx.html

Edit.. the link function would not show the amazon link for some reason so here is the actual product on the company website.
 
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SumnerH

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Jul 18, 2005
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Thanks Omar.. I am still researching and the Fire TV looked like it might be a good way to get my feet wet. I have a PS3 so I can get access to Vue for NESN which is a relief.

I keep seeing listings like this on Amazon that have boxes that are fully Unlocked and offer premium and pay per view for free. That seems too good to be true right?

http://www.xbmcmart.com/mx.html

Edit.. the link function would not show the amazon link for some reason so here is the actual product on the company website.
xbmc is the original name for kodi. The illegality of these devices is discussed above.
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
I havent spent all that much time going thru all the addons, but I have NEVER seen the real interface for a pirated Netflix or HBO or Hulu or anything of that nature. I found an addon that claims to be WWE Network which has more of a formal UI, but never having seen the real WWE-N UI, I have no idea if they are the same. To my knowledge, most TV boxes allow for you to add the legit apps of those services from the the Play store (Amazon Prime takes a little more work, but it's completely legit), and use the services with your paid -for subscription login.

That said, I've found what's essentially the CONTENT for those services no problem, and then some. And since Oscars noms just came out, you can easily find Industry screeners for any number of titles.

EDIT: no idea if it's true or not, but every few years you hear stories that it's a studio or PR firm that leaks screeners of certain (usually, smaller) titles to generate Industry and public buzz/work of mouth.
 
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wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
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I am finally ready to get on board I think.

I plan to switch from FIOS to Comcast - looks like I can lock in 12 months internet only (25MBPS) for $30/month
https://www.xfinity.com/internet-service.html

Playstation Vue - Core Slim plan, including NESN, ESPN, etc - $35/month

Total - $65/month (maybe plus some fees), significant savings

Any issue with the above? I also have an antenna in place which works well
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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Folks signing up for Vue, do you see NESN as an available channel on https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/channels/ ? (Or in the "Add to Cart" page after selecting "Start Free Trial?" I ask because I don't see it. I know that I'm within the NESN broadcast range. NESN is available in every cable package. When I look at the Vue Channel lineup (for the Slim or greater packages), I see my local CBS affiliate, but not NESN.

Vue is useless to me without it. If I can't get NESN, I'll spend the money on MLB.TV and a VPN instead.

I'll probably answer my own question (I'm going to do a free trial of the "elite" package to get HBO when John Oliver comes back on Feb. 12th), but just curious if anyone has been pleasantly surprised to find NESN in their channel lineup despite not seeing it on the site.
 

EJPats

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I read in this forum that NESN was available on Vue. Entered my zip code (northern CT) and it did not show up in the channel lineup. Decided to roll the dice and sign up anyway. Happy to report that I have both NESN and CSN even though neither appeared in the lineup on the website.
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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I read in this forum that NESN was available on Vue. Entered my zip code (northern CT) and it did not show up in the channel lineup. Decided to roll the dice and sign up anyway. Happy to report that I have both NESN and CSN even though neither appeared in the lineup on the website.
Just what I was looking for. Thanks!
 

Ed Hillel

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Just cut the cord myself. I was able to:

1. Pick up Fios internet and 75 local channels via streaming from Verizon for $60/month, which includes HBO for 3 monhs free trial.

2. Trying Playstation Vue $35/month package.

3. Finally picked up Prime to go with the Fire Sticks.

Everything looks good for me except the ability to tape episodes of Jeopardy. It will be available live via the Fios streaming app, but the timing is bad for me because baby. Hopefully Jeopardy eventually works out a deal with these guys. CBS, too.

Overall, saving about $100/month. Not bad.
 

yecul

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Is there any good way to watch The Walking Dead? Amazon sells them. Any other legal options?
 

LoweTek

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I have both Roku and Fire sticks. Has anyone else noticed they sometimes show up in a wireless device such as a PC or tablet as available WI-FI networks when they are powered on? I can't find a reference to this behavior online.
 

Red Sox Physicist

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I have both Roku and Fire sticks. Has anyone else noticed they sometimes show up in a wireless device such as a PC or tablet as available WI-FI networks when they are powered on? I can't find a reference to this behavior online.
The Roku and FireTV remotes use Wi-Fi direct (not Bluetooth). The remote connects to the network you're seeing to control the device.
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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Just a heads up for people in the Champlain Valley: NESN is available through PlayStation Vue. So is local CBS.

Pros:
  • NESN. That alone makes it the only choice for New England based, Sox-obsessed cord cutters.
  • 50 GB of cloud DVR is great.
  • "My Shows": Automatically adds new episodes of a show to your DVR, and prioritizes them when channel surfing.
  • If you have a Chromecast you can use mobile apps (which are great) and bypass the Roku app (which is awful) to do everything.
  • Access to all apps (HBO, Showtime, FX, etc.) that come with your TV package.

Cons:
  • The Roku app is just terrible. No guide. No Explore feature (to filter programming based on genre, length, network, etc), (I'm told the Fire app doesn't suck. I went Roku because my local cable company has a Roku-exclusive app to offer over-the-air local channels).
  • My Shows is all or nothing. I can't figure out how to record one episode of a show. Similarly, I can't figure out how to delete one episode.
It's priciest package ($65/mo for basically every channel except Viacom) includes HBO and Showtime but at that price it's comparable to cable. At least it's month-to-month and you're not paying to rent a box.
 

Marceline

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Just a heads up for people in the Champlain Valley: NESN is available through PlayStation Vue. So is local CBS.

Pros:
  • NESN. That alone makes it the only choice for New England based, Sox-obsessed cord cutters.
  • 50 GB of cloud DVR is great.
  • "My Shows": Automatically adds new episodes of a show to your DVR, and prioritizes them when channel surfing.
  • If you have a Chromecast you can use mobile apps (which are great) and bypass the Roku app (which is awful) to do everything.
  • Access to all apps (HBO, Showtime, FX, etc.) that come with your TV package.
Are you sure the cloud DVR is limited to 50gb? I haven't seen any indication of a limit. It doesn't even seem like a real "DVR", it's just more like you add a show to favorites and you then have access to any/all episodes of that show at any time.

if there is a limit I haven't seen any way to 1) monitor usage, or 2) only record certain episodes as you pointed out, or 3) selectively delete things.

One frustration I have with the DVR is there's no fast forward/rewind if you start a show late but it's still currently airing (which is essential for sports).
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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Are you sure the cloud DVR is limited to 50gb? I haven't seen any indication of a limit. It doesn't even seem like a real "DVR", it's just more like you add a show to favorites and you then have access to any/all episodes of that show at any time.
You're right, I was mistaken. It's SlingTV that had a 50 GB limit (now 100). Vue has no size limit, but it does have a time limit: shows are saved for 28 days. So I better get my fill of James White.
 

ElUno20

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Jul 19, 2005
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Some questions for those who've gone through the cord cutting process..

How is Sling TV? Is it reliable?

Boxing is a main reason I still have cable, sad I know, but recently Showtime introduced the Showtime anytime app which enables streaming. Does HBO have this?

Is it possible to order fights in home as a cord cutter?
 

edoug

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I don't think there is a legal way to watch PPV's through cord cutting. Eventually the fights end up on the apps but usually at least a week later. I've never used Sling so I can't say. How's your internet. You get to try it for a week for free. I think it should be for a month but free is free.
 

yecul

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Cut the cord only recently, so very new to Sling. So far I like it a lot. Got Walking Dead on demand and cast some live TV. No issues. I am using the ChromeCast to get it to my TV, which may or may not be best.

Hulu has largely been a waste though.
 

TallerThanPedroia

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My Vue in Boston now has the new NBC10 station as a live feed, instead of On Demand, though the DVR hasn't gotten the message it seems, as any shows I save still show up as on demand only.

Still waiting on ABC and FOX.
 

MikeM

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As it stands now that is a lot of potential trial subs Google is going to leave on the table when the people checking in see they won't be getting AMC/Walking Dead.
 

Spelunker

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As it stands now that is a lot of potential trial subs Google is going to leave on the table when the people checking in see they won't be getting AMC/Walking Dead.
It's what will keep me from dropping Sling, which easily has the worst app experience.
 

TallerThanPedroia

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I read in this forum that NESN was available on Vue. Entered my zip code (northern CT) and it did not show up in the channel lineup. Decided to roll the dice and sign up anyway. Happy to report that I have both NESN and CSN even though neither appeared in the lineup on the website.
I'm in Boston on Vue. After not knowing what people were talking about with getting NESN, suddenly this weekend I have it, and more importantly: Turner Classic Movies!
 

Montana Fan

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I cut the cord on cable a few years ago and am now looking at cutting the cord on wifi since there is a 4G tower pretty close to where I live. Any thoughts on the Verizon unlimited plan and whether a good 4G signal could feasibly replace wifi for streaming TV?
 

mt8thsw9th

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I cut the cord on cable a few years ago and am now looking at cutting the cord on wifi since there is a 4G tower pretty close to where I live. Any thoughts on the Verizon unlimited plan and whether a good 4G signal could feasibly replace wifi for streaming TV?
No. After 22GB you're going to get dropped down to speeds which streaming would be next to impossible. It's a great plan, but not one that could handle streaming more than 5 or 6 movies, and a handful of shows a month.
 

johnmd20

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I cut the cord on cable a few years ago and am now looking at cutting the cord on wifi since there is a 4G tower pretty close to where I live. Any thoughts on the Verizon unlimited plan and whether a good 4G signal could feasibly replace wifi for streaming TV?
As noted, you'll get throttled on this plan once you go over 20GB's. The amount of data HD video requires is massive. Doing it over 4G will lead to a abysmal experience, even if you're not getting throttled, there will always be wireless bottlenecks even if you're close to a tower. And when you get throttled, it's useless.
 

garlan5

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As noted, you'll get throttled on this plan once you go over 20GB's. The amount of data HD video requires is massive. Doing it over 4G will lead to a abysmal experience, even if you're not getting throttled, there will always be wireless bottlenecks even if you're close to a tower. And when you get throttled, it's useless.
Where I live folks have gone to Verizon unlimited and the 3g will still stream movies in HD but I was told the reasoning is because of the limited traffic in the 3g due to our rural area. So basically no slowing down for us country folk. I guess in the city where many are streaming from the same tower things slow down more. I'm able to stream from our 4g via firestick with kodi/exodus app.
 

ElUno20

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I'm looking to cut the cord soon but a little lost with all the devices. I currently use a Chromecast for Spotify, netflix, etc. Should I just browse Amazon sold devices in my price range ? Or are there leaders of the pack?
 

garlan5

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I'm looking to cut the cord soon but a little lost with all the devices. I currently use a Chromecast for Spotify, netflix, etc. Should I just browse Amazon sold devices in my price range ? Or are there leaders of the pack?
i'm data limited per month but my firestick is pretty sweet. you can download kodi and from there add on other apps and get just about any t.v, movie, sports that you want. with my internet being from a 4g hotspot I sometimes buffer on live sporting events. other than that the movies stream great.
 

dirtynine

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On one hand I'm glad to see new companies coming in with bundles (like Google). In the abstract, options are good.

On the other, we're now getting beyond the original "cord cutting" ethos, which was to forget about hopping through TV channel buffets and, for the most part, to forgo live TV altogether - and to replace it with deliberately watching particular episodes of TV on one's own schedule. One goal was being free from Big Wire, sure, but another was being more purposeful about what one consumed. I don't think the Google bundle or others like it really help with that second part. But I am glad they're available, as another wedge against traditional options (if that makes sense).
 

ElUno20

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On one hand I'm glad to see new companies coming in with bundles (like Google). In the abstract, options are good.

On the other, we're now getting beyond the original "cord cutting" ethos, which was to forget about hopping through TV channel buffets and, for the most part, to forgo live TV altogether - and to replace it with deliberately watching particular episodes of TV on one's own schedule. One goal was being free from Big Wire, sure, but another was being more purposeful about what one consumed. I don't think the Google bundle or others like it really help with that second part. But I am glad they're available, as another wedge against traditional options (if that makes sense).

Some people like knowing something is on or out there. It shouldn't apply to cord cutters but I think it does.
 

Ed Hillel

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What experience have you all been having regarding sports streaming? I have Vue and, while everything else is great, my sports are oftentimes choppy. I ran a test and have between around 50 MBPS coming in. Has anyone had a chance to test out various apps for sports streaming quality?

Thanks!

Edit - Actually, wonder if it might be a Firestick issue?
 

Ed Hillel

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Got it. Seems Vue and Fire Stick can only perform 30 FPS, whereas the Fire TV Box can do 60. I will have to upgrade.
 

drbretto

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Hopefully this hasn't been asked a thousand times, I haven't read the whole thread.

Does anyone know what the best device is for streaming from the sites that don't actually have apps? Specifically MLB Network, which seems to have the web based stream that won't work on a PS4, even if you're going in through the web browser. Will a chromecast do the trick? Is there an android based device that has a built in web browser for this kind of thing?

I'd also want to use it for all of the other network streaming services that aren't on their own apps, like the ones that you need to sign into your cable company to get access to. Like FXX, which I think uses flash, if that helps.

Trying to stay cheap as possible.
 

gtmtnbiker

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Any recommendation on a VPN solution/setup to use with a Roku? I have a Netgear R8000 router. I guess I could setup VPN on it and route Roku traffic through it? Anyone has done this?

Looking to cut the cord later this year. Just tried Sling and it works great.
 

wilked

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Any recommendation on a VPN solution/setup to use with a Roku? I have a Netgear R8000 router. I guess I could setup VPN on it and route Roku traffic through it? Anyone has done this?

Looking to cut the cord later this year. Just tried Sling and it works great.
just curious, as I am sure I am missing something. I have a a ROKU and simply connect it via WIFI. What is the reason for a VPN? Is it for MLB app / blackout stuff?
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
just curious, as I am sure I am missing something. I have a a ROKU and simply connect it via WIFI. What is the reason for a VPN? Is it for MLB app / blackout stuff?
Viewing blacked out games in-market, and masking your identity for some of the "questionable" content found on other Roku apps. (see my earlier post about X-TV)
 

HoyaSoxa

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One frustration I have with the DVR is there's no fast forward/rewind if you start a show late but it's still currently airing (which is essential for sports).
This is my issue. I am pretty well set to cut cable and go with Vue via Roku now that it has NESN/Sox, but I have become quite accustomed to watching sports on delay, and the Vue experience just does not stack up to what I am used to with RCN/Tivo. Is there anything out there to add to my set-up that would allow me start a game from the beginning while it is still going on, then FFWD through breaks, and also to extend the recording window beyond what is in the program guide for inevitable games running long? How about for over-the-air (antenna) content (e.g. Pats games/golf majors)?