Cutting The Cord on Cable/Satellite TV Service?

HoyaSoxa

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Dec 4, 2003
1,251
Needham, Mass
I am old enough to remember the salad days of streaming TV, when you could subscribe to PSVue for $35/month and get every sports channel you could need, including NESN and NBCSB. The user interface wasn't great, but the DVR was pretty reliable and the picture was good. That was in 2017. PSVue is gone (it was $50 by 2018), every remaining streaming live TV provider is more than $70/month, and there is no single source you can go to for all of the sports networks if you care about watching your local teams and national games. Nothing gold can stay.
 

edoug

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Jul 15, 2005
6,007
Another PSVue fan. At first, I didn't think I'd like the vertical channel guide. But it was perfectly fine. After it went away and trying the other others . I tried all of them. None were as good.
 

Zomp

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Aug 28, 2006
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So I bought an Apple TV 4K, the newest generation, for my new family room set up.

so far I’m loving it. It’s noticeably faster than my Roku ultra and because the interface is apple it’s pretty easy for my family to pick up.

there is one problem though, I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

My Apple TV remote is synced to my Sony tv. It controls the volume and power. After turning the tv off and then turning it on again, it’s takes yttv and YouTube about 5 minutes before recognizing the internet connection. It’s the only apps that have that problem. Anyone else?
 

cornwalls@6

Less observant than others
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Apr 23, 2010
6,235
from the wilds of western ma
Something of a technical question, but putting it here to start as it pertains to streaming: Every time I open HBO Max on my MacBook Air, I get an error message for any show I try to watch, telling me title can't be played, check internet settings, or try later. This has been happening for 2 days. Yet, it streams perfectly fine on my TV, and on my iPhone. All of them using the same home WiFi network. Is there any easy fix to this that doesn't involve going through 100 effing possibilities? which seems to be the rabbit hole my google search has led me down. Thanks in advance.

Edit: No issues with any other streaming service. FUBO, YouTube, Prime Video, etc.
 
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Vinho Tinto

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Dec 9, 2003
7,044
Auburn, MA
So I bought an Apple TV 4K, the newest generation, for my new family room set up.

so far I’m loving it. It’s noticeably faster than my Roku ultra and because the interface is apple it’s pretty easy for my family to pick up.

there is one problem though, I’m wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

My Apple TV remote is synced to my Sony tv. It controls the volume and power. After turning the tv off and then turning it on again, it’s takes yttv and YouTube about 5 minutes before recognizing the internet connection. It’s the only apps that have that problem. Anyone else?
I’ve got the same model in my office and don’t have this issue. I used the support app a few weeks ago for an issue with my older model. The CSR did admit they don’t get a ton of Apple TV help requests, but she resolved my issue.
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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Jul 12, 2008
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New England
Something of a technical question, but putting it here to start as it pertains to streaming: Every time I open HBO Max on my MacBook Air, I get an error message for any show I try to watch, telling me title can't be played, check internet settings, or try later. This has been happening for 2 days. Yet, it streams perfectly fine on my TV, and on my iPhone. All of them using the same home WiFi network. Is there any easy fix to this that doesn't involve going through 100 effing possibilities? which seems to be the rabbit hole my google search has led me down. Thanks in advance.

Edit: No issues with any other streaming service. FUBO, YouTube, Prime Video, etc.
What happens if you try playing in a private window? I'm asking because my half-formed guess is to try clearing your cache and cookies, then logging into HBO Max again.
 

Sille Skrub

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Dope
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Mar 3, 2004
5,930
Massachusetts
Here we go again with YouTubeTV... wtf?

Email today:



Hi Skrub, ‌ We are writing to inform you of a few changes to our channel lineup. The following channels will no longer be made available on YouTube TV starting today, Friday, December 31, 2021, and you will no longer be able to watch live or access content you may have recorded in your Library from these channels:
  • CNBC World
  • New England Cable News
  • NBC Sports Network
‌ Please note that NBC Sports Network is ceasing operations for all distributors, but much of its programming will be transferred to USA Network, which is available on YouTube TV. ‌ We are sorry to share this news, but please know that at this time no other changes have been made to your YouTube TV service. ‌ As always, thank you for being a YouTube TV member. ‌ Sincerely, The YouTube TV team

 

Vinho Tinto

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Dec 9, 2003
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Auburn, MA
NBCSN is shutting down. It was announced last year.
I don’t think I’ve watched NECN since the days of Mike Adams having a show. I hadn’t heard of CNBC World.
 

gtmtnbiker

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Jul 15, 2005
1,696
NBCSN is shutting down. It was announced last year.
I don’t think I’ve watched NECN since the days of Mike Adams having a show. I hadn’t heard of CNBC World.
has no effect on me as well. Perhaps YTTV is able to confirm this is true for most people from the viewership numbers.

Last weekend, I was in VT skiing and wanted to watch the Pats-Bills game a couple of hours after it started. I went to the game and there was no option to watch the in-progress DVR recording. I had to watch it live until the game is over. Then I could access the recording. Does anyone know the logic behind this?
 

kfoss99

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Jul 15, 2009
1,175
Is this the right place to ask for help with the ESPN app? I'm using it on Google TV.

From what I see there's no Continue Watching list. I'm watching "Man in the Arena," the search feature sucks, and when I find my current episode, it defaults to the start.

I love that it has 30 for 30 and UMaine basketball. But, the interface is atrocious. I'm sure I'd find other great stuff, too.

Can't the Disney+ programmers fix ESPN's interface?
 

Cesar Crespo

79
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Dec 22, 2002
21,588
Is this the right place to ask for help with the ESPN app? I'm using it on Google TV.

From what I see there's no Continue Watching list. I'm watching "Man in the Arena," the search feature sucks, and when I find my current episode, it defaults to the start.

I love that it has 30 for 30 and UMaine basketball. But, the interface is atrocious. I'm sure I'd find other great stuff, too.

Can't the Disney+ programmers fix ESPN's interface?
Disney+ has an awful interface too.
 

Cesar Crespo

79
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Dec 22, 2002
21,588
It does. It's not as bad as ESPN but it's bad.

The continuing watching function should be a slam dunk on every streaming app.
I've never used ESPN, have they at least made some improvements?

Disney+ used to be even worse but now I'd give them a... D+? Not even trying to be punny, it seems an accurate grade. I don't think any of them are that great though, at least on Roku. I set up my old computer to my tv in the living room so I could use mouse and browser. Only drawback is the computer doesn't support 4k. On the rare chance something is 4k, I'll just watch it through Roku.

Maybe it's just me, but I cant stand navigating with a remote. It's so clunky.

edit: Well, another drawback is having 2 mice on my computer desk for 2 different computers. Sometimes, I'll end up moving the wrong mouse.
 

Nator

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OK. I am an ornery Gen Xer who is ready to cut the cord, or sever the satellite link to my DirecTV sub, if you will. Sunday Ticket was the initial draw. Now it means less since close to 50% of the Patriots games end up being on an accessible broadcast when they are good. When they suck, I probably won't watch as much, or find myself some quasi-legal links to watch games on our beater lap-top.

Anyway which is the better platform? My wife has Fubo as her favorite, but I am not sure if Sling TV or YouTube TV is a better option.

Please help a dinosaur out.
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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Jul 12, 2008
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OK. I am an ornery Gen Xer who is ready to cut the cord, or sever the satellite link to my DirecTV sub, if you will. Sunday Ticket was the initial draw. Now it means less since close to 50% of the Patriots games end up being on an accessible broadcast when they are good. When they suck, I probably won't watch as much, or find myself some quasi-legal links to watch games on our beater lap-top.

Anyway which is the better platform? My wife has Fubo as her favorite, but I am not sure if Sling TV or YouTube TV is a better option.
You answered your own question. Go with Fubo.

I prefer YouTube.TV. I like the interface and most importantly the picture quality when bandwidth is poor is still great. Fubo is OK. The interface and picture quality are both worse than Fubo, IMO. But Fubo's got NESN, so I'll watch it April through October.
 

Nator

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You answered your own question. Go with Fubo.

I prefer YouTube.TV. I like the interface and most importantly the picture quality when bandwidth is poor is still great. Fubo is OK. The interface and picture quality are both worse than Fubo, IMO. But Fubo's got NESN, so I'll watch it April through October.
I am in the Chicago Suburbs, so I will likely not get NESN, but a man can dream.
 

jayhoz

Ronald Bartel
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Jul 19, 2005
17,329
What device are you planning to use to stream? I am using the Chromecaast w/ Google TV and Youtube TV is obviously fully integrated. My home screen shows suggested live shows, Youtube TV shows up in search results, etc. Fubo is integrated, but less so. That plus the interface differences would push me to suggest YTTV over Fubo.

The good news is that all these services have free trials so you can sign up and try them out risk free. You can also add or drop them whenever you want so you aren't making some big commitment whichever you choose.
 

wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
4,031
Try them both

Fubo trial is free for a week, Youtube TV for 2 weeks. See what you like at the end of those
 

wilked

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Jul 17, 2005
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Or if you use two of your three TVs about equally, install both in parallel, run a 7 day parallel trial on them
 

RSN Diaspora

molests goats for comedy
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Jul 29, 2005
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I am in the Chicago Suburbs, so I will likely not get NESN, but a man can dream.
If all of your team’s games are out-of-market (I live in DC and root for all the Boston teams), then YTTV is probably your best bet. I need to get the various sports packages to watch the Sox/Pats/Cs/Bruins anyway, so YTTV’s superior interface and non-sports selections made the choice easy for me.
 

Red Averages

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Apr 20, 2003
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Between two houses we have 12 TVs and pay close to $600 a month in cable and internet bills. We also tend to heavily use Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max. Am I being a total moron for not switching from cable to YouTubeTV, which could be shared between the two houses? Does YTTV have a limit on the number of TVs that can be using the service? I'm wondering if we should be only moving forward with internet + YTTV, along with a few extra apps. Is there a downside I'm missing? I assume we'd need to ensure each TV could get YTTV, but other than that is there something I should be checking? Goal is to watch live sports, record some shows we'd typically watch on cable TV, but that's about it.
 

Bertha

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YouTube TV allows up to 3 streams at a time. DVR space is good, I believe a few hundred hours. The potential issue with two homes sharing is their requirement for a device to log in from the billing zip code at times. I used it to watch sports on my tablet after traveling for work all day, and needed to remember to login from tablet occasionally while home.
 

BostonFanInCanesLand

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Between two houses we have 12 TVs and pay close to $600 a month in cable and internet bills. We also tend to heavily use Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max. Am I being a total moron for not switching from cable to YouTubeTV, which could be shared between the two houses? Does YTTV have a limit on the number of TVs that can be using the service? I'm wondering if we should be only moving forward with internet + YTTV, along with a few extra apps. Is there a downside I'm missing? I assume we'd need to ensure each TV could get YTTV, but other than that is there something I should be checking? Goal is to watch live sports, record some shows we'd typically watch on cable TV, but that's about it.
Yes, I’d consider switching. You’d need to invest in roku/chrome casts (for tvs that don’t have an internet connection) but you can stream 3 devices simultaneously (they advertise 6 users per household and 3 simultaneous streams). And you can also watch on tablets, phones, laptops…

I don’t love YouTubeTV like I did when I first switched but ditching the extra fees per box/tv has been worth it.
 

tims4wins

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Jul 15, 2005
36,920
Hingham, MA
YouTube TV allows up to 3 streams at a time. DVR space is good, I believe a few hundred hours. The potential issue with two homes sharing is their requirement for a device to log in from the billing zip code at times. I used it to watch sports on my tablet after traveling for work all day, and needed to remember to login from tablet occasionally while home.
DVR is unlimited I believe?
 

Bertha

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May 3, 2016
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Unlimited does sound right. I record every pats, Sox, and Celtics game, and have never deleted anything. Been a subscriber for at least 3 years.
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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Between two houses we have 12 TVs and pay close to $600 a month in cable and internet bills. We also tend to heavily use Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max. Am I being a total moron for not switching from cable to YouTubeTV, which could be shared between the two houses? Does YTTV have a limit on the number of TVs that can be using the service? I'm wondering if we should be only moving forward with internet + YTTV, along with a few extra apps. Is there a downside I'm missing? I assume we'd need to ensure each TV could get YTTV, but other than that is there something I should be checking? Goal is to watch live sports, record some shows we'd typically watch on cable TV, but that's about it.
Yes, you should probably switch. Two possible constraints:

1. How many people watching different TVs at a time? YouTube.TV allows for 3. Other streaming services let you pay more for more simultaneous users. YouTube.TV does not.

2. Are both houses in the same TV market? YouTube.TV has this concept of “home location.” You mark one zip code as your home location. When you’re watching outside of that you get different channels and different access to your recordings. You can change your home location a couple times per year, but if you regularly bounce between Florida and New England (like my dad visiting his grandchildren), you can’t change it every few weeks.

But you could conceivably beat both of those constraints by paying for 2-3 YouTube.TV accounts and still come out ahead.
 

gtmtnbiker

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Jul 15, 2005
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1. How many people watching different TVs at a time? YouTube.TV allows for 3. Other streaming services let you pay more for more simultaneous users. YouTube.TV does not.
Supposedly if you get the HD version of YTTV for $19 more/month, you get unlimited streams on the home network plus 3 external streams.
 

Red Averages

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Apr 20, 2003
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Supposedly if you get the HD version of YTTV for $19 more/month, you get unlimited streams on the home network plus 3 external streams.
Looks like this is correct.

Get extra features with 4K Plus
Our 4K Plus add-on lets you add extra viewing options to your YouTube TV Base Plan. With 4K Plus, you can unlock 4K Ultra High Definition playback for certain live and on-demand programs on YouTube TV. You can also enjoy unlimited simultaneous streams at home, and use our mobile app to view your recordings offline using your phone or tablet.
What you get with 4K Plus
When you purchase 4K Plus, you get these features added to the channels in your Base Plan:
  • 4K viewing on available content
  • Unlimited concurrent streams at home
  • Ability to view DVR recordings offline for available content (mobile devices only)
 

johnmd20

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Dec 30, 2003
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Between two houses we have 12 TVs and pay close to $600 a month in cable and internet bills. We also tend to heavily use Netflix, Disney+ and HBO Max. Am I being a total moron for not switching from cable to YouTubeTV, which could be shared between the two houses? Does YTTV have a limit on the number of TVs that can be using the service? I'm wondering if we should be only moving forward with internet + YTTV, along with a few extra apps. Is there a downside I'm missing? I assume we'd need to ensure each TV could get YTTV, but other than that is there something I should be checking? Goal is to watch live sports, record some shows we'd typically watch on cable TV, but that's about it.
As someone with two houses and two different spectrum accounts, (similar bill) switching to Youtube TV will be great but it will limit your screens in your home that isn't your main home.(assuming you do the 4K plan) I also use Youtube TV because I have screens everywhere and use it all the time, in conjunction with cable. For me it's perfect because then I'm never locked out of anything. But you pay for it.

One thing about YTTV is that you don't get local sports. In my Ohio house, you cannot watch the Indians or Cavs on YTTV. (I'm not even sure about the NY sports because I have an apartment and less TVs all over the place and a lot of cable boxes)

I think you could probably cancel one of your cable accounts and use YTTV in one of your homes and it will save you money and then you could use YTTV at either house. I absolutely love YouTubeTV. The DVR, in particular, is amazing. Top to bottom, it's easy to record, it's easy to watch, it's easy to fast forward, it's unlimited. I haven't used my Spectrum DVR in years because if I do record something, YTTV does the trick.
 
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johnmd20

mad dog
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How does the zip code YTTV thing work if you're on a boat (that's not anchored)?
On a Rokue or a FireTV, it doesn't matter, it doesn't geotag.(even the newest ones, it will always be your main channel lineup)

On an iPad or phone, it does geotag and it will always default to where you are no matter what your home base is. I don't know about a boat but it would work and just use your main channels. It's not like being on a boat would lock you out.
 

Matty005

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Aug 28, 2005
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On a Rokue or a FireTV, it doesn't matter, it doesn't geotag.(even the newest ones, it will always be your main channel lineup)

On an iPad or phone, it does geotag and it will always default to where you are no matter what your home base is. I don't know about a boat but it would work and just use your main channels. It's not like being on a boat would lock you out.
On my Roku it does find my current location now. The first 2-3 years I used the Roku it never did, but now all of them do (my old and new ones). Not sure about FireTV though.
 

Scott Cooper's Grand Slam

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This support article implies that the primary function of home area is to determine how much to tax you on your subscription, and where you can record. You're always able to watch whatever is available wherever you are, but some recordings may only be allowed or watchable in your home area. There's no recording the Pats game on local CBS if you're outside of New England, but if the Pats game is broadcast nationwide you can watch it anywhere. If it's an SNF or MNF game nationally, you can probably record it nationally.
 

Red Averages

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Apr 20, 2003
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You can't watch local sports on YTTV? So if you're in MA or NH you cannot watch the Red Sox or Patriots, etc? How are people watching their sports teams with YTTV?
 

The Talented Allen Ripley

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YTTV doesn't have NESN, so you can't watch the Sox or Bruins. It does have NBCSportsBoston, so you can watch the Celtics.

Patriots are on network TV, which YTTV carries (it also has the ESPNs, NFL Network, etc), so no issues there.
 

gtmtnbiker

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Jul 15, 2005
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Patriots are on network TV, which YTTV carries (it also has the ESPNs, NFL Network, etc), so no issues there.
Yes, I was able to watch the Patriots recently in Chicago and northern VT. The only issue I had was at Jay Peak when I could only watch the Bills/Pats game live. After the game finished, I could access the DVR recording. My usual mode is to start watching the DVR recording 1-2 hours after the game has started and catch up at the end. That wasn't possible in VT.
 

Marceline

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This support article implies that the primary function of home area is to determine how much to tax you on your subscription, and where you can record. You're always able to watch whatever is available wherever you are, but some recordings may only be allowed or watchable in your home area. There's no recording the Pats game on local CBS if you're outside of New England, but if the Pats game is broadcast nationwide you can watch it anywhere. If it's an SNF or MNF game nationally, you can probably record it nationally.
If you travel outside your home area you get whatever the local broadcast networks are where you are watching from, but the RSNs are "sticky" so if your home network was Boston and you were visiting LA, you'd still get NBC Sports Boston etc. At least that's been my experience.
 

Saints Rest

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So I’m about to pull the plug in cable TV. I just got my internet from Frontier fiber and it’s way faster than Optimum cable.
So now I have to figure out how to get my live TV.
I live in Stratford CT, which has meant that I got both NYC and Hartford CBS affiates (but only NYC for Fox) so I got to see every Pats game (except if they were on Fox at same time as Giants). It seems that YTTV would give me only NYC affiliates for the networks which would kill my ability to watch the Pats.

I also own a house on Cape Cod. Could I call that my “home area” even though my billing zip code (I assume that’s tied to your credit card???) is CT?

Or should I look at Fubu or Sling instead?
Bonus if any of them would give me access to NESN.

At the moment, I wouldn’t be using this at all on the Cape, but that could change if I can get decent internet down there without cable tv bundled in (stuck with Xfinity now).
 

Jim Ed Rice in HOF

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Jul 21, 2005
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NESN is not going to come with YTTV, it's only through Fubu. I've been using Roku and YTTV along with the NESN app and a friend's login. It's a bit of a pain in the ass since every so often I have to log in to the NESN app which requires a few texts with my friend due to text confirmation codes to his phone, etc. PItA aside I did a 7 day trial with Fubu and I liked YTTV better. If you look through the thread you'll see some more in depth discussions of pros/cons of Fubu vs. YTTV.

If you're keeping the Cape with cable then you've got your NESN option covered and would be able to due the YTTV/NESN app option I believe.