Cut the Cord… Anyone?

[Goergs]

Looking for some advice on how people have cut the cord on cable/DirecTV?

How have you done it and how much are you spending per month?

I was thinking of going the digital antenna and signing up for Netflix/Hulu Plus/etc. What about Roku? Any suggestions?

 

[anon_snp6dc585nnj4]

We did it awhile back. Did the Netflix, Hulu + and HBOGo on an apple tv. Make sure you get a good antenna, if need be an outdoors one (if possible). Paid for 50mbps internet to make sure streaming HD was no issue, while being able to run other devices/comps at the same time on wifi. If you can AppleTV allows an ethernet cord so you connection would be much more reliable (not sure about Roku and Chromecast), if possible go that way! Find someone with BTN, HBO, ESPN...etc that will let you steal their password to use those apps. A lot of ISPs offer ESPN3 now anyway so you would probably be covered at least for a good chunk of sports. We spent:

AppleTV - $75 (sale) 1 time fee
Internet - $19.99 (12 month promo)
Netflix - $7.99
Hulu - $8.99
Antenna - $39.99 1 time fee

So all for under $50, no issues streaming ever and anything we couldn't get we could either find free online (bootleg obviously) and plug into TV. Or just head to a friends house for a game or even better your local sports bar. Really was worth it....sadly wife wanted to head back to hear DVR so we are back up to $120 a month for cable package.

I forgot to mention, which I might try to cut the cord again...they have an OTA Tivo DVR! Technology looks pretty sweet.

 

[Goergs]

Gold, Jerry. Gold. Thanks.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Caveat:

Internet capable of reliably streaming video to replace cable will not be $19.99. Maybe $40/month on a discounted basis, but likely more than that. CenturyLink in Iowa (if available to you) is like $40 for new signups for up to 50Mbps, you probably "need' about 15-25Mbps.

Things have really improved with chromecast/fire/appletv in even just the last year. But, if you don't have a cable/sat subscription you are largely locked out of all of it. If you have someone with a DirecTV login you can get BTN, ESPN, FS1, and basically all cable networks: Comedy Central, FX, Fox, ABC, NBC, AMC, etc. and can stream directly to your TV via chromecast/fire/appletv.

 

[theIowaHawk]

But really, if you have a friend with DirecTV, even paying them say $20/month will be extremely cost effective, allowing you to stream pretty much anything you want, non-live, and sports live.

For Iowa fans: Big Ten Network being paired with chromecast was fantastic news this year. You should, likely, get all basketball, wrestling, and even football games on a great stream directly on your TV now....with a BTN (cable/sat) subscription.

 

[anon_snp6dc585nnj4]

Caveat:

Internet capable of reliably streaming video to replace cable will not be $19.99. Maybe $40/month on a discounted basis, but likely more than that. CenturyLink in Iowa (if available to you) is like $40 for new signups for up to 50Mbps, you probably "need' about 15-25Mbps.

Things have really improved with chromecast/fire/appletv in even just the last year. But, if you don't have a cable/sat subscription you are largely locked out of all of it. If you have someone with a DirecTV login you can get BTN, ESPN, FS1, and basically all cable networks: Comedy Central, FX, Fox, ABC, NBC, AMC, etc. and can stream directly to your TV via chromecast/fire/appletv.

Yeah true, we got a hell of a deal at the time. Like I said though, if you hardwire ethernet with a capable streamer (I believe Roku works) you will see much better quality even at the lower end 10-15 mbps.

 

[Herkmeister]

We did it awhile back. Did the Netflix, Hulu + and HBOGo on an apple tv. Make sure you get a good antenna, if need be an outdoors one (if possible). Paid for 50mbps internet to make sure streaming HD was no issue, while being able to run other devices/comps at the same time on wifi. If you can AppleTV allows an ethernet cord so you connection would be much more reliable (not sure about Roku and Chromecast), if possible go that way! Find someone with BTN, HBO, ESPN...etc that will let you steal their password to use those apps. A lot of ISPs offer ESPN3 now anyway so you would probably be covered at least for a good chunk of sports. We spent:

AppleTV - $75 (sale) 1 time fee
Internet - $19.99 (12 month promo)
Netflix - $7.99
Hulu - $8.99
Antenna - $39.99 1 time fee

So all for under $50, no issues streaming ever and anything we couldn't get we could either find free online (bootleg obviously) and plug into TV. Or just head to a friends house for a game or even better your local sports bar. Really was worth it....sadly wife wanted to head back to hear DVR so we are back up to $120 a month for cable package.

I forgot to mention, which I might try to cut the cord again...they have an OTA Tivo DVR! Technology looks pretty sweet.

Do you get the Big Ten Network?

 

[anon_snp6dc585nnj4]

Do you get the Big Ten Network?

Through parents (still lol) DirectTV account.

 

[anon_snp6dc585nnj4]

This adds another $14.99 a month but it serves as your media player while allowing for DVR over the OTA antenna.

http://www.amazon.com/TiVo-Roamio-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B00OLDNNRO

 

[Herkmeister]

Through parents (still lol) DirectTV account.

My bill has been making me sick too. I'm sure major changes are in store the next few years.

 

[anon_snp6dc585nnj4]

I would imagine more and more networks will go to ala carte online streaming. HBO and Showtime have.

 

[moral_victory]

Cord cutter reporting. Antennae/Roku/Chromecast/Firestick (my preference is the Chromecast)

Hulu, Netflix, and Plex (on a private tracker )

 

[belezabro]

Sling TV is an option for ESPN family and a few other sports stations: https://www.sling.com/

Very easy to sign up and cancel. No contracts. I've used the 7 day free trial a couple of times now and it works great.

 

[jscott78]

Cut it. Just Netflix now. 8 bucks a month. With the hawks playing a super weak schedule this year, good time to do it. If you like football.

Looking for some advice on how people have cut the cord on cable/DirecTV?

How have you done it and how much are you spending per month?

I was thinking of going the digital antenna and signing up for Netflix/Hulu Plus/etc. What about Roku? Any suggestions?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Other than specials, it's almost impossible to get internet for under $40 in America (according to an article I read a while back). At least if you want speeds sufficient to watch Netflix in HD.

Many places internet will run you closer to $70.

My bill after I cut the cable was $67 for internet. Plus $9 for Netflix (the extra buck is for HD). I use a Roku as my Netflix player and for some other channels (especially news channels).

Roku has a new model out, the Roku 4. Unless you need 4K, I don't know if it's worth the extra over the price of the Roku 3. Cheaper models work well (I also have a discontinued model that's fine) but they are sluggish (in operation only, the video is great).

With basketball season approaching, I tried Sling. Canceled before the free trial was over when it kept freezing on sports shows. Was fine for non-sports, including HBO.

So I'm back on cable (Comcast) for as long as UNC is in the hunt. Which should be until at least the Final Four.

Getting back on cable costs me around $60 more. Not really worth it, in my opinion, except for 2 things: sports (obviously) PLUS you can use On Demand to catch up on favorite shows.

Frankly, I was happy just having Netfix. I might have felt differently when Game of Thrones started back up. And I might have added Hulu Plus eventually.

My guess is that if you weren't a sports junkie, you could probably satisfy all your TV needs by getting cable for a couple of months a year and just binging on On Demand while you have it.

 

[Rustys Dad]

I dumped DISH about 6 months ago and best decision I have made... Here is what I do now:

-Purchased a basic antenna to still get the local channels
- Purchased a Roku box for about $70 or so
- Through the Roku Apps, I subscribe to Sling TV ($20 a month and I get about 20 channels including 4 ESPN channels and the SEC Network
- Subscribe to Netflix for $8.99
- Subscribe to Amazon (averages about the same per month of $7.99 or so)

I went from spending $120 a month on 150 channels that I never watched ... And now spend about $50-$60 a month (and I don't have to be exposed to 5 Telemundo channels).

 

[theIowaHawk]

I would imagine more and more networks will go to ala carte online streaming. HBO and Showtime have.

I'm not so sure, at least not in the short term (decade, maybe), because HBO/Showtime are distinct animals from the other networks, and program with that in mind. Even AMC with their biggest shows count on the sheer number of overall subscribers, not ppv like HBO. Big difference being that people have to pay extra for HBO/SHO regardless, where they can simply flip to the others.

 

[unIowa]

We did it awhile back. Did the Netflix, Hulu + and HBOGo on an apple tv. Make sure you get a good antenna, if need be an outdoors one (if possible). Paid for 50mbps internet to make sure streaming HD was no issue, while being able to run other devices/comps at the same time on wifi. If you can AppleTV allows an ethernet cord so you connection would be much more reliable (not sure about Roku and Chromecast), if possible go that way! Find someone with BTN, HBO, ESPN...etc that will let you steal their password to use those apps. A lot of ISPs offer ESPN3 now anyway so you would probably be covered at least for a good chunk of sports. We spent:

AppleTV - $75 (sale) 1 time fee
Internet - $19.99 (12 month promo)
Netflix - $7.99
Hulu - $8.99
Antenna - $39.99 1 time fee

So all for under $50, no issues streaming ever and anything we couldn't get we could either find free online (bootleg obviously) and plug into TV. Or just head to a friends house for a game or even better your local sports bar. Really was worth it....sadly wife wanted to head back to hear DVR so we are back up to $120 a month for cable package.

I forgot to mention, which I might try to cut the cord again...they have an OTA Tivo DVR! Technology looks pretty sweet.

If you like sports and you like beer you are better off just keeping DTV and passing on the bar bill (which will be higher than your TV bill).

 

[theIowaHawk]

I dumped DISH about 6 months ago and best decision I have made... Here is what I do now:

-Purchased a basic antenna to still get the local channels
- Purchased a Roku box for about $70 or so
- Through the Roku Apps, I subscribe to Sling TV ($20 a month and I get about 20 channels including 4 ESPN channels and the SEC Network
- Subscribe to Netflix for $8.99
- Subscribe to Amazon (averages about the same per month of $7.99 or so)

I went from spending $120 a month on 150 channels that I never watched ... And now spend about $50-$60 a month (and I don't have to be exposed to 5 Telemundo channels).

This seems to ignore internet, but presuming you are at ~$30-$40/month.

I'm not a cord cutter and here is my general cost:

DTV $100
50 Mbps $40
Netflix $8
Amazon for prime $8 (but rarely use for streaming, just for regular Amazon use)

I then have multiple chromecasts and a fire stick, so say another $100.

But I share my DTV stuff with family, so it gets good use. Also, I travel a lot so I use the apps outside of my home on a very frequent basis. I feel it is worth it, right now, but I won't be disappointed the day I do not.

 

[theIowaHawk]

Cord cutter reporting. Antennae/Roku/Chromecast/Firestick (my preference is the Chromecast)

Hulu, Netflix, and Plex (on a private tracker )

Why private tracker? And what do you actually use plex for. Not what is Plex, but what do YOU use it for?

 

[Fan In Black]

I cut the cord and lasted about a week. I effing hated it. Good luck. I hope someday I can try again.

 

[moral_victory]

Why private tracker? And what do you actually use plex for. Not what is Plex, but what do YOU use it for?

To stream media from my PC to my devices.