Kodi or XBMC is really the way to go (unless you have moral or ethical issues with it). I also keep Amazon and Netflix even though you don't need it... I like the ease of their apps.
Anyone cut the cable completely?
- Thread starter bigloum
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Kodi or XBMC is really the way to go (unless you have moral or ethical issues with it). I also keep Amazon and Netflix even though you don't need it... I like the ease of their apps.
I've got Sling, but I'm going to try Vue too. I really don't dig the Sling interface at ALL, and it's always been a bit glitchy to me, on a couple different devices. Going to see if it's worth another $10 for a few more channels and the DVR.
I have Kodi, and have some ethical issues with it. I will use it for certain things, and not others depending on how I rationalize it. When I started off cord cutting, I was highly dependent on it, but always said I'd go legit as options came along.
I will use it no problem to watch something that's just not reasonably available otherwise, which surprisingly still sometimes happens. I don't have an issue using it for something that my only other option is importing a foreign DVD for $40 and waiting two weeks from it. Maybe something on a channel that doesn't make itself available to be streamed at a reasonable price and ease. I use it WAY less now that there are more channels on Sling (and Vue). Bascially, if I can purchase it legally and reasonably, I do. If it's only available on iTunes, and in a $50 season purchase...eh, my conscience doesn't bother me much. I also don't really worry about using it on something that I pay for the service, but just missed it. If I miss something I want to see on AMC, since I pay for it on Sling, doesn't bother me too much to catch up on it on Kodi.
Never use it for movies that are available to rent on Vudu or Prime, except on rare occasions when I just want to check something out and see if I like it and fear I wont. I sometimes I went back and rented a movie that I ended up enjoying, but in all honestly not 100% of the time. I've also bought movies on Prime that expired because of their damn 30 day/2-day window and I couldn't finish it, and paid for movies more than once, so I don't feel too bad.
One reason I'd like to get Vue is to give me "ethical" access in my mind to the FX content, which I don't pay for on Sling.
I do use it for sports as well, which isn't really legit, and I can't really rationalize.
I'm probably up to about 80% legit, 10% grey area, 10% illegit. It was probably 80% illegit 3-4 years ago when I dropped DirectTV. It's been a good measure of how far the industry has come very quickly. While there's certainly a lot of turmoil around the industry now, I think that's what will keep it from cratering like the music industry did in the face of Napster. They are adapting rather than hopelessly fighting for the status quo.
(and yes, I'm aware that's full of rationalizations. Not justifying anything, just saying where I am on it)
One thing to note if you're big on the Viacom channels, PS Vue recently dropped all of them due to a dispute. It's a good chunk of channels to lose, but it doesn't bother me since I barely watched any of those channels. The biggest loss was probably Comedy Central, but even that I barely watched. Didn't care for MTV or Spike, and my little ones only watch Netflix, so the Nickelodeon channels weren't missed.
That is correct, in terms of how you mostly hear about it now.
But it's basic function started as, and still is, a media server, so send media you own (ripped movies, music, etc) to your home theater in an awesome interface. In addition, there are plenty of sources like youtube and so forth that are totally legit.
I used it on my FireTV to create a way awesome interface, and launch the FireTV apps from Kodi. I thought the FireTV interface sucked, and what I set up was awesome.
But most of the people that refer to it vis a vis cord cutting are not talking about legit programming.
Just checked Vue on my Amazon Fire TV and realized the source if my confusion. The guide is called "channels" on Amazon Fire TV and you start at the explore menu instead of the last channel you watched like you do with ps4.
Roku was my first experience with Vue and it was awful.
$35 for PS Vue. $75 for Comcast internet Blast plus, which I think is 50 Mbps down. I was paying that much when I still had direct tv, but I think it's way too much for Internet. Just haven't figured out a better option in my area that provides a better speed to price ratio.
That's expensive for 50MBPS. Time Warner has 50 for 34.99 with your own modem. ATT is offering 300 MBPS for $50.
Comcast on their site right now is offerring Bkast of 75mbps for 49.99 per month with 12 month contract and 59.99 per month without contract. If you have your own modem you wont have to pay the additional fee for their rental.
I'll have to look into it again. I think where I live it's only Comcast or AT&T, and last I checked they weren't offering such high speeds. Google Fiber is supposed to get here eventually. I'm in Decatur, Georgia by the way. I also have double play with basic tv, which I don't even use. It was cheaper than internet only when I signed up. They bumped up my speed and threw in HBO, Cinemax and showtime, which I access through Roku apps the little that I watch anything from any of those. I would dump all that for just fast internet for cheap.
I have my own modem. I basically pay $60 for the internet and another $12-$15 for the tv service which is basic sd locals. I don't even have that crap attached to my tv.
Yeo. That is basically the same boat I have been in is the double play to get some TV stations just a few more than basic local, so I get USA, Disney and Nick for the kids is $80. Of course this doesn't have the ESPNs and sports channels but could get for $20 -$30 more, which is about what I would have to pay for Vue. That is why it is hard for me to justify getting Vue or Sling because I could take that same money for Vue and add it to my double play package and get almost the same channels and have the 5.1 surround.
I have had to switch between UVerse and Comcast several times to get the lowest price and best deals as many times they give better deals to new customers including even giving prepaid visa promos for switching after you haven't had them for 6-12 months.
I think that's the issue is I am an existing customer, so I don't qualify for those promo deals. Last time I checked AT&T, they were cheaper but their speeds were terrible. Not sure if they've improved since then, so I'll check it out again.
$11 for Netflix, $10 for Hulu, $20 for Sling, $8 for Prime. So about $50.
But even if I had cable, I'd still want Netflix and Prime.
AT&T speeds will be more consistent though. But you definitely want to make sure they have the faster tier service available which can be determined based on how close you are to their hub in your neighborhood. When it was first available here they tried to default service for 6 mbps but I think I could get up to 12 or 18 mbps. They have enhanced the network since then so now I can get 45 mbps and right now it is $40 per month if I switched with 1 terrabyte data and $10 more for each 50 GB you exceed but they will not charge more than $100.
The reason I say they are more consistent is because they don't speed boost like comcast does. The first so many GBs of a download for comcast they temporarily boost your speed and then throttle after you reach that GB threshold so larger file downloads and uploads may start off fast and then throttle down the speed. This also helps your speed tests when you do them. Uverse doesn't do this so your speeds shouldn't go through ups and downs, it should remain consistent. And if the new AT&T Fiber is available in your area, you should be able to get even faster speeds. Gosh I wish Google internet was available here too.
Partially inspired by this thread, I decided to try Vue yesterday, signed up for the free trial, and it doesn't work on the app on my Bravia. I get a no network connection error. Network is fine and all other apps work. Very disappointing it took them so long to get Vue on Sony's own TVs, and now that they do, it doesn't work.
Depending on the company you go with, it might be worth it. I think the idea that we are "trapped" because of price is a mental one. I've been feeling it too. It's such a hassle to switch and the company feeds off of that. For example, in my area, Goldsboro, NC - I can switch to TWC as a new customer and pay $34.99 if I have my own equipment. But this means I have to buy and support my own wifi modem/router. It would be so much easier to pay them another $15 to get their wifi modem/router and their support. But, I could do it without using their modem, add Vue and pay a whopping $70. Right now I'm paying ATT $137 a month for cable/internet.
I could also lower my ATT package to $50 a month and not have any TV. They keep telling me that I can add local channels and the such for certain cost. I just keep pushing back and telling them I only want internet and I want my internet to be fast enough to stream. So, I could stay with them, and pay about $90 a month.
I'm leaning heavily towards TWC, but I have to wait until 02/15 to do anything.
In same boat as many, i want to cut cable chord but the options are hard to wrap my head around.
Trying to figure out exactly which content I want and what i can play through smart tv and xbox and not have 5 controllers and all different interfaces that friends are putting up with who cut chord.
On internet, i also pay $75 for comcast as my only option, supposedly 75mb download, it averages 32 mb. That's comcast.
Trying to figure out exactly which content I want and what i can play through smart tv and xbox and not have 5 controllers and all different interfaces that friends are putting up with who cut chord.
On internet, i also pay $75 for comcast as my only option, supposedly 75mb download, it averages 32 mb. That's comcast.
Now what some are already doing is limiting data if you just get internet to say like 1 TB, then charging extra if you exceed it. I wouldn't be surprised if they start throttling users down after they exceed so much data too, very similar to what the cell phone companies did with unlimited data.
Yes, comcast rates have gone up the last 3 years ive had them, annually say $5-10 per month which is a lot imho. They say its the licensing fees, i doubt that.
With Sling, I get limited access to WatchESPN, because I've got the basic Sling with just ESPN and ESPN2. I think adding the additional ESPN channels is an extra $5. I've had lended WatchESPN logins on the occasion I had to watch something on U.
The Fox sports channels, including regionals, is a tougher nut to crack. You can get it through Sling, but its an add on to a totally different package that doesn't include ESPN. Both together adds up. The $35 Vue package includes ESPN stations and Fox stations including regionals, so that's one reason I'm looking to switch.
HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc are available in stand alone packages, or can be added on to Prime, Hulu, Amazon, Sling, etc. I've swapped activations with someone for those from time to time (gray area depending on what you think of sharing logins). Many older HBO shows are on Amazon Prime, but not their ongoing shows as they're happening.
Depending on the cable/sat deal you have, if you do it legitimately, it doesn't take long to approach what you're paying, especially on a time limited "new subscriber deal".
The big difference is the control you have over what you get and where you watch it, and getting out from under all the crap fees.
I really think the whole issue of how much cable companies get from programming, especially ESPN, is really a red herring. I think where the cable companies really have broken the trust with consumers is with charging $10 for "HD access", $10 "DVR fee", $12 per box for every tv in the house, and then all the taxes and fees. If you've got a few TVs in the house, that's what pushes up a $60 advertised price to $100+.
"Cord cutting" makes all that go away. If you're doing it legally, you're probably spending $40-50 for what you replace it, but it's on every TV and device in the house, taxes/fees are hidden, etc.
The cable companies will survive, because they're already adapting to that reality with OTT systems that are app-based over the internet, and even some "all inclusive" packages. Dish Network at least for a while had a very attractive $50 package, everything included, guaranteed for two years. That had me thinking very hard about giving up the whole cord cutting thing.
There's no doubt the cable companies will take a haircut by not being able to charge say $120 a year to authorize the HD feeds to you, etc. They'll make some of that up on fewer installations, not servicing boxes, and less hardware development and tech support. It will settle out when they reach equilibrium offering what consumers are willing to pay.
I've mentioned this before, but right now I get every channel with direct TV and two genie boxes for $93 all in. I think when it gets a little simpler, I may jump on the cord cutting bandwagon.
That's not a bad price with premiums. Do you know how much of that is box/hd/dvr fees?
Windstream got hammered with customer losses in my hood and offered 100mbps for $55 month(including taxes). Locked in for life.
Been DTV customer for 15 years and with loyalty credits paying $73 month for Basic Plus package, no movies. Every ESPN channel, FS1, NFLN, NHLN, local RSN's, Disney, Nick, TBS, TNT, AMC etc....
Seems easier to pay $73 month than have four contraptions to watch TV.
Been DTV customer for 15 years and with loyalty credits paying $73 month for Basic Plus package, no movies. Every ESPN channel, FS1, NFLN, NHLN, local RSN's, Disney, Nick, TBS, TNT, AMC etc....
Seems easier to pay $73 month than have four contraptions to watch TV.
Playing the game with DTV gets old. Yes, you can probably get a great deal if you jump through enough hoops. I just got tired of paying for a billion channels I don't care about just to get the one channel I do care about. Plus the box rental. Plus the additional box(es) for every other tv. Plus the HD fee. Plus the DVR fee. Plus the contract. I pay $35 and get just about everything you mentioned (all ESPN channels, NFL Net, RSN's and others), can watch on up to 5 devices with one subscription, unlimited recording to cloud DVR. Oh, and I have less connected to my tv than you have with your DTV box (and all the ancillary wi-fi stuff that I had to remove when I canceled). I have a Roku TV, so my tv remote controls everything. I could hook up another device to use for streaming PS VUE, but I don't need to. I will admit it's not as channel-flipper friendly as DTV or cable, but for the cost savings I can live with it.
Same experience here.
The other thing that sucks about cable is the way they nickle and time you.
for instance, DirecTV advertises a deal as a low price, but that goes up every 12 months and you have to keep calling to fight to lower it. I did that for 2 years and then went back to the devil (Comcast).
$20 for HD DVR boxes adds up quick, as do the fees and taxes.
An $80 package suddenly becomes $140 after you add 2 HD DVR boxes (main + add't box), HD service package, taxes and fees.
With Comcast, same thing. Advertised price of the bundle I had was $89 for internet + TV. Add in $10 modem fee, 2 HD DVR boxes ($18/each), sports package ($5), HBO + Showtime ($30), taxes and fees and it's back to $200.
Got rid of the fees, have just one box and one remote now (PS4) and it does everything. Streams local media, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime, NBA TV and the other channels I already pay for, as well as PS Vue.
PS Vue package I have includes HBO and Showtime, as well as sports package and is $65 flat. Add in internet (after fees) is $80, that saves me about $60/mo. PS4 was $240 after tax, pays for itself after 3 months. And I don't have to constantly call and bitch about my bill to whoever my cable provider is. It also works on my other devices that I already owned, and getting TV without needing to run cable to wherever the TVs are is a plus.
Only knock is lack of local channels, which is a problem for basketball. During football season, most games are available via Watch ESPN app. Hoping PS Vue continues to expand their markets for local networks.
Given, I still rely on Comcast for my internet, but I can manage those items online on my own with their self-service app.
I was a little off, here is the breakdown:
Previous Balance $0.00
Payments Received Since Last Bill 0.00
New Charges:
DIRECTV Channels 106.99
DIRECTV Equipment Services 27.99
Other Discounts -45.00
Other Charges, Adjustments & Taxes 8.98
Total New Charges 98.96
Total Amount Due 98.96
Not sure when it happened, but just noticed WCTV (Tallahassee local CBS affiliate) got added to my PS VUE channel list. So that's 1 of the 4 major basic networks added. Would have rather it been NBC since CBS already has an app but it's a start in the right direction.
They must have struck a deal with a bunch of CBS affiliates, because they've been rolling out CBS in a bunch of cities lately. Atlanta got it a couple months ago. So I have FOX and CBS. ABC would be nice to complete the ESPN/ABC sports channels for DVR purposes. I do use an antenna for my locals and prefer the picture quality OTA, but the ability to watch and record all in one place would be nice. I'd rather they didn't add locals if it means they'll bump the price up $10 for every tier like they do in cities where they provide all the local channels.
Are CBS, Fox, NBC and ABC available as on demand? I watch a few of the shows on these channels. Usually via DVR now and a few days later. So I don't need to watch them live, just want to know if I have the option to watch it the next day or a few days later.
Yes. With PS VUE, the affiliates that are not available live are available on demand. I rarely watch anything on the networks other than sports, but I do see NBC and ABC on demand listed in my channel lineup.
Perfect. That's what I wanted to double check. If not, we'd need to also get Hulu. A majority of our shows are on the major networks.
I don't watch either. So no big difference for me. I'll start my week trial today.
Great points. I work for a cable provider and there are several areas that the industry will try to mitigate the number of "cord cutters". The primary way that I believe they will battle these numbers is the data caps as someone mentioned previously. Secondly, buy the content....as the cable corporations seem to be snatching up all the smaller providers at a feverish rate, they are setting themselves up to either purchase the content "not allowing these other services to stream it", and/or they are buying shares into the cord cutting tech itself. Hulu for example is co-owned by Disney and Comcast. According to Leichtman data, cable providers lost 100,000 subscribers in 2013, 15,000 in 2014 and 385,000 in "15. With cable companies providing services to 94 million in the U.S. cable companies lost 0.7% of their customers (CNBC, 2016). Granted, some companies are already offering greatly reduced packages, and as many people get caught up with the "fees", those can also be reduced/relabeled so that it is not a sticking point. Bottom line, unless something more significant happens, I don't see the market changing that much. The poster that said that cable companies would be ruined in the next few years doesn't understand that with this amount of money involved and coupled with the leverage these mega-companies have, it makes them agile...they will re-posture when it becomes a significant issue. You can bet on the fact that they are well aware of it and are talking among themselves as how to safeguard the industry.
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