Does anyone have a free streaming site they use for games? I used Streameast for NFL games in the fall, and it worked nearly flawlessly. Now, I've been trying to use it for baseball and it's not working for me.
Cutting The Cord on Cable/Satellite TV Service?
- Thread starter LoweTek
- Start date
One of our Directv boxes has stopped working, and they want $99 to come out and look at it, so this time we are seriously considering moving to YouTube TV, with the problem remaining of the Sox. I have the impression that those of you who use NESN360 dislike it. How would that work? It isn't just for out-of-market people, is it? I need it to watch the games live; otherwise, I am satisfied with the long summaries the next day on YouTube. Our problem with cutting the cable is our very low bandwidth. We have had the same DSL internet via Verizon for cheap $ for years. We can't get FIOS, and our house is so far from the road that cable seems out. (When I built the house, we had the electric and phone cables buried, but I don't think they can pull another cable through that.)
So, my questions are: is NESN 360 the answer to seeing the Sox w/o satellite TV, and what service might you recommend to provide more bandwidth?
Of course satellite internet is another option, and there are other services that seem to come through one's cellphone. So many options, and I understand none of them.
So, my questions are: is NESN 360 the answer to seeing the Sox w/o satellite TV, and what service might you recommend to provide more bandwidth?
Of course satellite internet is another option, and there are other services that seem to come through one's cellphone. So many options, and I understand none of them.
Is moving to DirectTV streaming an option for you? We have Smart TVs throughout the house that have DirectTV apps and have mostly been happy with it (some of the older TVs show a lag when watching football).
Again, the main problem would be band-width. I haven't even looked into DirecTV streaming, though. Will now. I guess they work via roku?
Yes. We have Roku on two of our sets. It actually works better than using the Samsung interface.
And... they have a week tryout period. Fubu does as well but I'm not sure if they have NESN or the Turner stations (for basketball... for now).
We have less than one megabyte now. What amazes me is that it's actually adequate for the way we use it. But it would clearly not be enough if we were using it for watching "television." The trouble is that when you add up the cost of better internet with some sort of streaming service, it's not at all clear that we would be saving money.
Some thoughts:
1) I'd tell Directv you want them to ship you a new box and you'll ship them the old/broken one back, there shouldn't be any $99 involved. They're usually pretty good about that. The only downside I remember is that it can defer/reset your contract terms with them, but that's usually for hardware upgrades, not repair/replacement.
2) your DSL provider may have upgraded things on their end and you could get potentially a faster connection by replacing your DSL modem. You might call and ask if there are any options. Bandwidth is a function of distance to the CO (central office) and the modulation scheme used (basically, what kind of modem). If the CO supports a newer modulation scheme than your modem that's an easy upgrade.
3) Until you start streaming video, it turns out that a modest amount of bandwidth is more than adequate - because almost all connections have reasonable latency, which the thing you notice, and much higher bandwidth only reduces the latency marginally. As far as bandwidth, audio needs ~300kbit (=0.3 megabit) at most. The only other time you'd really notice a low-bandwidth connection is updating firmware or software on your devices, it will take a good while to do so, but normally you could start one of those before you go to sleep and it'll be done well before the morning.
4) I think Directv has some kind of bundling arrangement with AT&T DSL, if that's who your ISP is. You might check to see if you are getting the best deal.
@cgori thanks for that thoughtful response. My husband says that the last time we got a new box from Directv (after the house was hit by lightning) we had to sign a longer contract, and he doesn't want to do that. Meanwhile, he is waiting to see if one from Ebay is the answer.
I think we will get back to Verizon about seeing if we can upgrade to a better DSL. We tried that once before and it made no difference, but that was a long time ago. I don't know if the distance from the pole at the street, the distance from the CO, the quality of the phone line, etc. is the determining factor. As it is, I can watch videos on Kanopy, TCM app, YouTube, etc. The problem comes when we both want to watch videos. And it certainly would be a huge issue if we went to streaming all the TV we now get from Directv.
I think we will get back to Verizon about seeing if we can upgrade to a better DSL. We tried that once before and it made no difference, but that was a long time ago. I don't know if the distance from the pole at the street, the distance from the CO, the quality of the phone line, etc. is the determining factor. As it is, I can watch videos on Kanopy, TCM app, YouTube, etc. The problem comes when we both want to watch videos. And it certainly would be a huge issue if we went to streaming all the TV we now get from Directv.
How much does it cost? would you be better off with one of those unlimited 5g plans from verizon or whoever?
I’m surprised by this. even my in laws in the boonies of VT were getting 7mb/s 5-6 years ago. That is with fairpoint who has been moving people to fiber in the past few years. It’s possible that Verizon just does not want to put any money into their infrastructure
What about cable? Is that an option?
We are very far from the road and would have to pay beaucoup bucks to get the cable buried. When the house was built, the phone and electric were buried. (At that time, cable was not up on this hill.) We had a tech savvy friend look at the situation and he doesn't think they could pull another cable through. If I didn't mind seeing wires and possibly a post in the middle of the meadow we would get cable for both tv and internet. But that would be so ugly. Not doing it. I am wondering if I shouldn't trust our friend and ask Comcast to come out and have a look.
I'm afraid I don't understand those 5G plans. Do they come through your cellphone? They include the phone and the internet? Does the cellphone have to be on all the time? Ms. Google tells me those 5G waves can be blocked by trees. We have a lot of trees. In the summer I have trouble with some of my HD stations b/c of the maple leafing out. I love that maple. The wind planted it and now it's huge.
I do appreciate all the ideas here. I know we'll do something by football season, b/c my husband is in love with the Patriots and must have them. We installed the Directv ourselves in the middle of a snow-storm about 20 years ago, or whenever the Pats were about to do something wonderful.
I have a friend with T-Mobile Internet. You get a device that receives the signal and I believe it connects to your router. She’s happy with the service
Oh, that sounded good, but when I put our address in they said it wasn't available in our area yet.
Verizon has been phasing out their copper lines and replacing everything with fiber optic services. A fiber cable is very, very thin and may be able to go through your existing conduit depending on the sheath around it. Talking to Verizon about Fios would be your best bet as far as that goes. They could also offer you a TV package to go with it.
I used it for a while. Negatives are the speed varies greatly based on your location, weather and how many people are on the network. They openly admit the cellar users get preference over home internet. My phone routinely gets over 400 download on the ultra-wide band; but home internet sat between 50-100 with the mesh system. May reconsider in the future, but it wasn't mature enough of a product for my work needs.
Again, "not currently available at your address." Sigh. There are some liabilities to living out in the boonies, but it's worth it.
Have you contacted DirecTV about the possibility of sending you a replacement box?
They did that for me ages ago when I used them. You can always use the bluff of "We really love you guys, but there are other options for us, now".
That is really your only option if you want to watch NESN it appears.
That's too bad. At some point they're going to want to stop servicing the copper line at your place and they'll replace it with fiber. But it doesn't seem like you're on the list yet. You could call them to find out if there's a schedule available yet.
I wish my husband had asked them. Instead, he just let it go at "$99.00 to come out." Meanwhile, if the replacement box he ordered from Ebay doesn't do the trick, I will push him to use your bluff before we give up on them. The last time we looked, Dish didn't carry NESN.
All my previous experience with DirecTV (I had it for ~10 years) was that they *hated* to send someone out and were extremely happy to send you a new device to install self-service, with a box to return the old one, usually for no cost. Like I said earlier just verify it won't reset your contract (they are famous for doing that somewhat stealthily).
Well, he rec'd the new box from Ebay. It even had a card in it. But it gave the same error, 775, saying couldn't communicate with the satellite. So, this time, my husband crawled under the back porch (a very unpleasant thing to do) and found that a rodent had chewed on the cable. So now he's going to replace the cable (we have some extra old coaxial cable) and see if that does it. I think he ought to buy some up to date great cable, but he wants to try this. Right now he is mowing with his new, highly satisfactory battery riding mower to "take a break" from all this before trying the other cable. Thanks for your input, highly appreciated. (I think he ought to call Directv and ask them for the exact name and number of the ideal cable, but he thinks they are programmed to come back with, "we can only send a technician out to the house for $99.00.")
Well, it definitely will have trouble communicating with the satellite if the cable is chewed through
FYI DirecTV uses RG6 coax (there are different kinds) - it's 99% likely that this is the type of coax you have extra of, but just in case. The type is usually printed on the jacket of the cable.
Thanks! Guess what! It's working; Happy Ending! (Unless you think paying beaucoup bucks to ATT/Directv is not the most joyful of outcomes.)Well, it definitely will have trouble communicating with the satellite if the cable is chewed through
FYI DirecTV uses RG6 coax (there are different kinds) - it's 99% likely that this is the type of coax you have extra of, but just in case. The type is usually printed on the jacket of the cable.
We will continue to look into options, but for now, the biggest problem is figuring out how to return the box to Ebay and to get the "new" cable into the basement and up into the den. (We have it going directly into the den through the window at the moment.) I will look at the cable for the RG6, but I reckon that's what it is. Thanks, all, for the help.
I have T-Mobile Internet here at home as well. The only issue that I’ve had with it in the two years that I’ve had it is that it doesn’t play with YouTube TV or Hulu live TV. Because it uses a Sim card in the modem it sometimes changes our location and thinks that we’re sharing our password.
Aside from illegal streams, Fox Sports and Fubo are your only options. I don't think Fox Sports has a stand-alone sub service and only comes with a service like YTTV, DirecTV, etc.
Anyone interested in a slot on my YouTube 4K TV plan? Currently sharing with my Mom & a friend with each person getting 1 slot for $28.50. Send me a PM if you want to be in the group. Been doing this for about 4+ years now.
Random live TV streaming service question… if you’re service is billed to a zip code that is in a market, but you stream in a different zip code that is part of a different market, what local channels would one have access to?
More specifically… I live Fairfield, CT, which is in the NYC TV market. So for a YTTV or Hulu Live I’d get the local NYC broadcast stations. My mother in law lives a few towns away, in the Hartford-New Haven TV market. With cable (Optimum) in Fairfield I get locals from both NYC and Hartford.
During NFL season most Pats games are aired on the CBS or FOX affiliate in Hartford (not in NYC obviously). The one thing that’s kept me from dumping Optimum for a live streamer is access to CBS/FOX in Hartford.
If I were to order YTTV or Hulu using her address but viewed it at my house, I’m wondering if I’d get her locals or mine? I’m guessing mine, but wondering if anyone has had experience with this.
**edit** If I could use an antenna to access WFSB-CBS in Hartford that would also do the trick. But that transmitter is 50 miles away from me. Short of putting a tower on my roof (not happening) are there digital antennas that pull signals from that distance?
More specifically… I live Fairfield, CT, which is in the NYC TV market. So for a YTTV or Hulu Live I’d get the local NYC broadcast stations. My mother in law lives a few towns away, in the Hartford-New Haven TV market. With cable (Optimum) in Fairfield I get locals from both NYC and Hartford.
During NFL season most Pats games are aired on the CBS or FOX affiliate in Hartford (not in NYC obviously). The one thing that’s kept me from dumping Optimum for a live streamer is access to CBS/FOX in Hartford.
If I were to order YTTV or Hulu using her address but viewed it at my house, I’m wondering if I’d get her locals or mine? I’m guessing mine, but wondering if anyone has had experience with this.
**edit** If I could use an antenna to access WFSB-CBS in Hartford that would also do the trick. But that transmitter is 50 miles away from me. Short of putting a tower on my roof (not happening) are there digital antennas that pull signals from that distance?
I sometimes will take my Chromecast with me when I travel. YTTV shows me the stations of where I am travelling to so I am guessing this won't work for you.
You’d get your locals. It’s geo-located when you open the app. Your best bet to get what you want would be a vpn that terminates in the market that you want, but that option comes with its own tradeoffs and considerations.
Yeah, YTTV asks if you're traveling or if you live there now if you open the app in a new location and programs affiliates accordingly.
Thanks all! I figured this would be the case but never hurts to ask.
What’s wild is that even if I’m left with having to get Sunday Ticket, I’ll still save an outrageous amount of money changing my internet and TV provider.
And I may give a good outdoor antenna a shot. Seems unlikely I’ll get signal from Hartford but who knows.
One thing I found out when I took a trip to CA... if you open your iPhone, it will rat you out to DirectTV and you will get the local CA channels (with NESN being unavailable). My laptop still thought I was in WMass so I was good on that front.
Has anyone here used TabloTV? Using an antenna is awesome but one of the drawbacks is DVR.
This product apparently hooks up to an antenna and allows DVR of OTA broadcast. It's really the only product I have found that does this. I would have thought there would be several out there. Unless I'm missing them.
Seems like a good deal for one time cost of a hundred bucks for the equipment.
https://www.tablotv.com/how-it-works/
This product apparently hooks up to an antenna and allows DVR of OTA broadcast. It's really the only product I have found that does this. I would have thought there would be several out there. Unless I'm missing them.
Seems like a good deal for one time cost of a hundred bucks for the equipment.
https://www.tablotv.com/how-it-works/
I record live TV with Plex. I don’t use an antenna but have tested it, you likely need a USB one if you go that route. I switched away from traditional TV to a sketchy IP TV service a year or so ago
Yeah, it looks like those are the 2 that are out there. Looks like Tablo is preferred. Was wondering if anyone had used them. I'm definitely gonna give it a shot.
So you would still need an external device, correct? And a Plex subscription? I may just go with the Tablo for a one time fee for both. Thanks.
You only need the Plex subscription if you want to use hardware transcoding and a few other non-essential items. If you are not then the free one will do the trick. But if it’s just locals then yours is better. The IPTV services are ethically-challenged…..and I’ll leave it at that
AFAIK you need some (external) device to do the recording, yes - basically that device will act like a video library for you. For example if you rip your old blu-ray/dvds then you can store/index them into your library and bring them up on any client device connected to your Plex library. (Can be Rokus, smart TVs, iPads, laptops, etc)
There is a free tier of Plex and a paid tier (Plex Pass). I think the DVR feature is only on Plex Pass, but I could be wrong about that. (Looks like I am, if what Nip says is correct above)
I don't have Plex Pass but I assume it would work similarly to the library content where things you recorded are stored/index and then accessible from any Plex client.
I may be guessing too. I've had Plex Pass for like 15 years so could be ignorant about exactly what it includes.
Thanks. Yeah, if I need the external device it looks like Tablo is the way to go for me. It has the HD and the service for a one time fee.
I had a dream where I was using it to get RedZone and stuff that I was unwilling to pay for for another season. I'm almost always ethical with my content in dreams, however my hand was forced. Then I woke up.
Well I ended up getting the Tablo and it's pretty awesome so far. Put my indoor antenna at the highest point upstairs with the Tablo and able to watch and record antenna channels on all my devices. Channel guide and DVR interface are surprisingly really good as well.
Amazing. Going from rabbit ears on my black and white TV in my room as a kid to now watching antenna channels in HD on a wireless device in my hand that also makes phone calls. I may not have a flying car, but this is pretty cool.
Amazing. Going from rabbit ears on my black and white TV in my room as a kid to now watching antenna channels in HD on a wireless device in my hand that also makes phone calls. I may not have a flying car, but this is pretty cool.
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