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May 23, 2024 23:28:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 15:14:37 GMT
Finally did it! We had directv and got tired of paying $130 / month for hundreds of channels we never watched and not being able to watch while it's raining. We switched to playstation vue streamed on Roku. It gets us all of the channels we want for $49 / month! Yay savings!
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Post by lemondrop on Oct 17, 2018 15:24:47 GMT
Good for you! Very tempting...
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Post by MichyM on Oct 17, 2018 15:27:51 GMT
I know How you feel  I dropped cable maybe 6 months ago. I now use a digital antenna and Hulu live. It felt SO good to take that cable box back to Comcast! Like I wanted to do a *happy dance in the parking lot* good  |
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Post by peano on Oct 17, 2018 15:28:50 GMT
So inquiring minds want to know: which channels are these? Every time I see one of these threads, I peek my nose in, get confused and overwhelmed, back out, and continue paying ridiculous fees for cable.
Do you get the premiums like HBO, Showtime, Starz? Package or pay for each individually? Maybe you can stream these via Amazon, but not sure if it is with the same immediacy e.g. I want to watch Game of Thrones when it premiers, not the next day.
Neflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu? These can be streamed as long as your tv has that function, right? Individual subscription cost for each, correct?
Besides Roku, who else provides a similar service?
Local channels only available through installation of an antenna?
Seriously, I would pay someone to hold my hand and walk through this wilderness with me.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Oct 17, 2018 15:38:08 GMT
So inquiring minds want to know: which channels are these? Every time I see one of these threads, I peek my nose in, get confused and overwhelmed, back out, and continue paying ridiculous fees for cable. Do you get the premiums like HBO, Showtime, Starz? Package or pay for each individually? Maybe you can stream these via Amazon, but not sure if it is with the same immediacy e.g. I want to watch Game of Thrones when it premiers, not the next day. Neflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu? These can be streamed as long as your tv has that function, right? Individual subscription cost for each, correct? Besides Roku, who else provides a similar service? Local channels only available through installation of an antenna? Seriously, I would pay someone to hold my hand and walk through this wilderness with me. Me too.. Although I don't need all the channels, I m liking CNN, MSNBC and a few others............ CSPAN .......... but I am more behind the times, how do you get internet? |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 17, 2018 15:39:44 GMT
Congratulations! We cut the cord 2 years ago next month and haven't missed cable at all. Over that time we've tried several streaming services and love the ability to cancel immediately when we want to change. Local channels only available through installation of an antenna? We started with a digital antenna for local tv. Now that Hulu Live carries all of our local channels, we mostly use it to watch them. The one exception is our ABC station. For some reason, watching it through Hulu Live results in a very low volume. So we switch to the antenna for that channel as the sound is normal. It's just the oddest thing! Premiums are available for additional costs on all the streaming services. You just need something to stream with, either a Roku, AppleTv or one of the other devices available. All of the streaming services offer a 7 day free trial so you can check them all out and figure out which works best for your area. |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 17, 2018 15:41:23 GMT
Me too.. but I am more behind the times, how do you get internet? We still have our internet through AT&T and just pay the monthly bill for that. Even with that and the streaming services our bill is less every month. If you plan to stream, my advice is get the fastest internet speed available in your area. |
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Post by Really Red on Oct 17, 2018 15:42:13 GMT
Me, too, peano . Me, too. |
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Deleted
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May 23, 2024 23:28:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 15:42:51 GMT
So inquiring minds want to know: which channels are these? Every time I see one of these threads, I peek my nose in, get confused and overwhelmed, back out, and continue paying ridiculous fees for cable. Do you get the premiums like HBO, Showtime, Starz? Package or pay for each individually? Maybe you can stream these via Amazon, but not sure if it is with the same immediacy e.g. I want to watch Game of Thrones when it premiers, not the next day. Neflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu? These can be streamed as long as your tv has that function, right? Individual subscription cost for each, correct? Besides Roku, who else provides a similar service? Local channels only available through installation of an antenna? Seriously, I would pay someone to hold my hand and walk through this wilderness with me. So here is what worked for us. I used www.recode.net to enter the channels I wanted and it gave me a list of what streaming services carry them. We're big sports fans so we wanted ESPN, SEC and BTN. Not all services carry them. We had previously tried youtube tv simultaneously with directv to see if we could really do it, but found that youtube tv doesn't have food network or HGTV plus a few others we wanted. Vue is only $9 per month more and does include them. We're not premium channel people, so I don't know how HBO or showtime work. I assume you can add them for additional monthly fees. Once I figured out which streaming service we wanted to go with, I went to their web site to see what device I would need to use. Playstation vue works on many devices, like Apple TV, Sony Playstation (which we don't have), Amazon fire stick, Roku and others. We had an amazon fire stick and a Roku stick. I tried both and discovered I like the interface of the Roku better. Some have told me that if you have a lot of Mac products that an Apple TV may be best, but they are expensive at $199 each. Roku for a basic 4k stick is $49 I think. If you switch to a streaming service, you need decent internet download speeds. Netflix can be streamed through a smart TV or through a Roku stick, amazon fire or Apple TV device. Same with Amazon Prime. I found that the Roku sticks automatically suggest many of those. You just have to sign in to your account on it. Most streaming services I looked at also include local affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX. I hope this helps. |
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Deleted
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May 23, 2024 23:28:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 15:46:30 GMT
Good for you! Very tempting... My dh told me not to do it during football season. Obviously I didn't listen! 😂 No complaints from him yet. |
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DEX
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by DEX on Oct 17, 2018 15:49:08 GMT
I think today is the day I am going to pull the cord. I am paying $233 a month for Internet and cable. I have Netflix and DirectTV Now. I am nervous but it is something I need to do. Wish me luck!  |
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Post by Mel on Oct 17, 2018 15:50:25 GMT
All of the alternatives require a good strong internet connection though, don't they?  Our internet SUCKS!! I mean, we can't even have more than one device on at a time... |
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Post by leftturnonly on Oct 17, 2018 15:50:49 GMT
I've been using DirectTVNow over the Internet. I don't have a TV right now, so I watch on my computer.
There are different packages that include different channels.
It may be my service, my computer, or them, but the signal does get snarled. I think most of the time it's because I'm watching on my laptop.
One thing I do really like, though, is that like some cable services, you have the ability to watch some past shows - even some past seasons - for shows that are currently being shown.
I miss a real TV far more than I miss cable.
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Deleted
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May 23, 2024 23:28:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 15:51:13 GMT
So inquiring minds want to know: which channels are these? Every time I see one of these threads, I peek my nose in, get confused and overwhelmed, back out, and continue paying ridiculous fees for cable. Do you get the premiums like HBO, Showtime, Starz? Package or pay for each individually? Maybe you can stream these via Amazon, but not sure if it is with the same immediacy e.g. I want to watch Game of Thrones when it premiers, not the next day. Neflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu? These can be streamed as long as your tv has that function, right? Individual subscription cost for each, correct? Besides Roku, who else provides a similar service? Local channels only available through installation of an antenna? Seriously, I would pay someone to hold my hand and walk through this wilderness with me. Me too.. Although I don't need all the channels, I m liking CNN, MSNBC and a few others............ CSPAN .......... but I am more behind the times, how do you get internet? We have a local internet provider. Depending on where you live, you may be able to get Comcast, ATT, or other local providers. We are limited in our selection. |
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Deleted
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May 23, 2024 23:28:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 15:51:59 GMT
If I can get MSG on a streaming service for a reasonable amount, I can convince DH to cut the cord. He needs the Buffalo Sabres like I need coffee.
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Deleted
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May 23, 2024 23:28:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 15:52:27 GMT
I think today is the day I am going to pull the cord. I am paying $233 a month for Internet and cable. I have Netflix and DirectTV Now. I am nervous but it is something I need to do. Wish me luck! Good luck! If you like directvnow, there's no reason to keep cable! |
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Post by yoursweetwhimsy on Oct 17, 2018 15:56:03 GMT
It is a great feeling! We started using Sling a couple months ago and I love it! The only thing I used to listen so in my car on Sirius radio was the MSNBC channel but couldn’t justify the cost for just that. Now I can listen to the same exact thing through the Sling app.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 17, 2018 16:01:15 GMT
Some have told me that if you have a lot of Mac products that an Apple TV may be best, but they are expensive at $199 each. Roku for a basic 4k stick is $49 I think. If you switch to a streaming service, you need decent internet download speeds. We are all Mac products here and have had Apple Tv for almost 10 years. We found that Apple and our new smart tv with built-in Google assistant don't always play nicely together. They tend to get into a control competition.  Our solution was to purchase the Roku Ultra. So most streaming is done through the Roku, though the Apple Tv does get used some as well. I think having both is overkill, but when you let an engineer loose with the electronics that's what happens!  I've been using DirectTVNow over the Internet. I don't have a TV right now, so I watch on my computer. That's another thing I love about streaming. I can watch on my computer or from an app on my iPad or phone. So many more options than with a regular tv. |
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Post by leftturnonly on Oct 17, 2018 16:06:48 GMT
PS - Our cable started at $12 a month, back in the day.  |
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Deleted
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May 23, 2024 23:28:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 16:10:26 GMT
PS - Our cable started at $12 a month, back in the day. Wow. That's amazing. I love your idea of watching on a laptop instead of a TV. I feel glued to a seat with TV but can roam around if I'm watching on an iPad. |
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Post by MichyM on Oct 17, 2018 16:20:33 GMT
All of the alternatives require a good strong internet connection though, don't they? Our internet SUCKS!! I mean, we can't even have more than one device on at a time... Find out what DL speed you currently pay for, then do a check to see if you’re getting close to that. If not, check and see if it’s a router/modem issue. A lot of people use old ones that are not able to handle most current DL speeds. Also check in you ISP’s website. They’ll have recommended speeds depending on how many devices you want to use at a time. |
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Post by yoursweetwhimsy on Oct 17, 2018 16:41:06 GMT
My world changed a couple weeks ago when I lost my Roku remote and a friend told me about the Rokie app and using your phone as your remote control. I found the original remote but it’s not as fast or easy as the phone app.
How did I just find out about this?
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Post by anniefb on Oct 17, 2018 16:42:20 GMT
Good for you. The sum of my expense for viewing is $10/month for Netflix. I've never had cable because it costs the earth here in New Zealand.
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Post by papersilly on Oct 17, 2018 16:49:46 GMT
i read your post, fainted a bit and now have come to. you are brave! as much as Directv is bending us over, i can't imagine not having it. we have Netflix, Hulu and Amazon prime too (and admittedly don't have time to watch much of those) but i still can't imagine not having cable or satellite tv.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,141
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Post by iowgirl on Oct 17, 2018 16:51:08 GMT
Rural internet - I am lucky to get a blazing 3 Mbps on a good day. Streaming . Is . A . Very . Hit . O....r .... miss option.
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Deleted
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May 23, 2024 23:28:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 17:08:13 GMT
My world changed a couple weeks ago when I lost my Roku remote and a friend told me about the Rokie app and using your phone as your remote control. I found the original remote but it’s not as fast or easy as the phone app. How did I just find out about this? What?!?!?! Off to get the app! THANK YOU! |
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Deleted
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May 23, 2024 23:28:33 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2018 17:11:41 GMT
i read your post, fainted a bit and now have come to. you are brave! as much as Directv is bending us over, i can't imagine not having it. we have Netflix, Hulu and Amazon prime too (and admittedly don't have time to watch much of those) but i still can't imagine not having cable or satellite tv. 😂 I must confess that directv is a much easier process to watching tv (although I admittedly have not used the Roku app mentioned above) but the last straw was when I first called them to cancel, they offered to take $40 per month off my bill. I initially agreed until the fine print email came that said I had just agreed to a 24-month contract! Took me a NY minute to make that cancellation call. |
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Post by papersilly on Oct 17, 2018 17:18:00 GMT
i read your post, fainted a bit and now have come to. you are brave! as much as Directv is bending us over, i can't imagine not having it. we have Netflix, Hulu and Amazon prime too (and admittedly don't have time to watch much of those) but i still can't imagine not having cable or satellite tv. 😂 I must confess that directv is a much easier process to watching tv (although I admittedly have not used the Roku app mentioned above) but the last straw was when I first called them to cancel, they offered to take $40 per month off my bill. I initially agreed until the fine print email came that said I had just agreed to a 24-month contract! Took me a NY minute to make that cancellation call. I think the easy and instant access to Directv is what keeps me with them. i hate all the steps to access Netflix, etc. even with a smart tv. DH is fed up with the cost of Directv but i'm glad he keeps it for me. |
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Post by leftturnonly on Oct 17, 2018 18:06:35 GMT
i read your post, fainted a bit and now have come to. you are brave! as much as Directv is bending us over, i can't imagine not having it. we have Netflix, Hulu and Amazon prime too (and admittedly don't have time to watch much of those) but i still can't imagine not having cable or satellite tv. FWIW - I have Netflix & Amazon Prime. I watch them over the Internet and have really excellent transmission. I've just never tried Hulu, so can't speak to that personally. i hate all the steps to access Netflix, etc I have them signed in to my laptop and my Kindle and only very rarely need to re-enter the password. |
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LeaP
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,939
Location: Los Angeles, CA where 405 meets 101
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Post by LeaP on Oct 17, 2018 18:10:25 GMT
Welcome to the dark side. We are on our fourth year. While I still miss my 600 lb. life and various other offerings on TLC, there are many, many far superior alternatives.
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I dropped cable maybe 6 months ago. I now use a digital antenna and Hulu live. It felt SO good to take that cable box back to Comcast! Like I wanted to do a *happy dance in the parking lot* good 
Our internet SUCKS!! I mean, we can't even have more than one device on at a time... 
