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I want to screw the cable company

Old Lion

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Also, for live tv try Mobdro. I mentioned that in my thread. Just like cable but not as good quality picture. Even has HBO and some other premium channels. It is currently only for Android systems AFAIK. Also, try the TVlistings app to use for a guide. That is the one thing it is missing.

Get Bokada. It blocks most of the adds. Especially the pop ups. Just double check that it is on. It mysteriously shuts off on its own sometimes.
 

Old Lion

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More apps to try. I started a thread for this already too. Morpheus and FreeFlixHQ for on demand type content like Terrarium has. Also, add SwiftStreamz to the list of live tv channels. FreeFlixHQ actually has both.
 

ATL96Steeler

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Well...after about a yr in the making, we have cut the cord on cable and have been a 100% streaming household for about 4 days now.

ATT Fiber Internet 1000 is a ethernet only speed, but wifi is 200-400 dwn...to keep all of our most watched channel in play we did go with a paid streaming service...YoutubeTV and I have to say it's pretty smooth. The interface to change channels, search, etc is different, but with an Android Sony TV you don't need a stick or anything.

In 1 yr alone we'll pocket $1100 in savings over Comcast...thereafter about $850 a yr.
 

ATL96Steeler

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Checking back in after our 1st full week 100% streaming.

AT&T put the modem in a spot that made for the easiest installation instead of the most centrally located spot where the Comcast modem was. They gave us a wifi extender with a couple of ports to increase the signal to the areas furthest away from the modem.

I added a Roku stick to the kitchen TV last night and we had 3 TVs going (all on the main floor, where the modem/router is located), 3 phones on wifi and 3 other devices at 9p...the NBA playoff game on TNT. A few choppy points on the game, but nothing concerning.
 

night

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Checking back in after our 1st full week 100% streaming.

AT&T put the modem in a spot that made for the easiest installation instead of the most centrally located spot where the Comcast modem was. They gave us a wifi extender with a couple of ports to increase the signal to the areas furthest away from the modem.

I added a Roku stick to the kitchen TV last night and we had 3 TVs going (all on the main floor, where the modem/router is located), 3 phones on wifi and 3 other devices at 9p...the NBA playoff game on TNT. A few choppy points on the game, but nothing concerning.
YouTube TV has a good selection for sports and they have added a lot of channels in the past few months. It will be interesting to see how it will look 6 months from now.
 

Mondo Jay

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I now stream Sling TV with Orange and Blue packages with HBO. For 5 bucks a month it has a cloud DVR. My total is 59.99. Plenty of channels that I like and can add more packages (sports mainly) if I choose to Ala-cart. We have Netflix, Amazon Prime and I have MLB.tv too (free from T-mobile this year).

Shitton of options and it works well. I think I can actually get HBO cheaper on Amazon, so I may switch that from Sling. I have a smart tv in the living room with it all built in (Roku) while using Roku sticks on the other 2 tv's.

I was paying 135.00 a month with Direc TV. Most of the bullshit channels I never watched, but the ones I liked were always in the more expensive packages with those bastards.

I am very happy I finally shit-canned them!
 

ATL96Steeler

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YouTube TV has a good selection for sports and they have added a lot of channels in the past few months. It will be interesting to see how it will look 6 months from now.

So far, I'm pleased...the retention rate probably will have a lot to do with their channel expansion, but the current scale made it a fairly easy sell for the wife.
 

night

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So far, I'm pleased...the retention rate probably will have a lot to do with their channel expansion, but the current scale made it a fairly easy sell for the wife.
I canceled it for the summer since I can't think of a single show I want to see for the next few months. I'll turn it back on once football and some decent shows are back on in the fall. Besides, I should be outside enjoying the summer anyways.
 

Old Lion

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I now stream Sling TV with Orange and Blue packages with HBO. For 5 bucks a month it has a cloud DVR. My total is 59.99. Plenty of channels that I like and can add more packages (sports mainly) if I choose to Ala-cart. We have Netflix, Amazon Prime and I have MLB.tv too (free from T-mobile this year).

Shitton of options and it works well. I think I can actually get HBO cheaper on Amazon, so I may switch that from Sling. I have a smart tv in the living room with it all built in (Roku) while using Roku sticks on the other 2 tv's.

I was paying 135.00 a month with Direc TV. Most of the bullshit channels I never watched, but the ones I liked were always in the more expensive packages with those bastards.

I am very happy I finally shit-canned them!

Be careful. You start adding all these individual pay services and it adds up fast. No need for Amazon, Hulu, or netflix if you have Terrarium. That is $27/month right there. There are more TV apps and sites coming out with HD too now but it is still a little thin so I understand wanting to have Youtube or Sling.
 

ATL96Steeler

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Be careful. You start adding all these individual pay services and it adds up fast. No need for Amazon, Hulu, or netflix if you have Terrarium. That is $27/month right there. There are more TV apps and sites coming out with HD too now but it is still a little thin so I understand wanting to have Youtube or Sling.

Not familiar with Terrarium but I will look into that one...There is a lot of overlap so having one fee based bundler I think is plenty...I think for easing into 100% streaming...apps like YouTube TV provide less of a shock factor...it has at our house.

I've already started grabbing some of the more noted individual free apps...CBS, Golf Channel, etc...at some point I can see abandoning YouTube TV.
 

Old Lion

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Not familiar with Terrarium but I will look into that one...There is a lot of overlap so having one fee based bundler I think is plenty...I think for easing into 100% streaming...apps like YouTube TV provide less of a shock factor...it has at our house.

I've already started grabbing some of the more noted individual free apps...CBS, Golf Channel, etc...at some point I can see abandoning YouTube TV.

You may want to use a vpn at least or maybe an ad blocker(although there is now an ad free version). It is much faster that way and more difficult to be throttled.
 

ATL96Steeler

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You may want to use a vpn at least or maybe an ad blocker(although there is now an ad free version). It is much faster that way and more difficult to be throttled.

Thanks. Free and ad less don't seem to good business model though...something has to give..right:D

My new wifi speed is good, but I really wish I'd ran Ethernet to more locations.

I'm also learning some devices can only handle so much speed regardless if what you have piped in.
 

Old Lion

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Thanks. Free and ad less don't seem to good business model though...something has to give..right:D

My new wifi speed is good, but I really wish I'd ran Ethernet to more locations.

I'm also learning some devices can only handle so much speed regardless if what you have piped in.

Unfortunately yes. The adless is a very recent development and puzzling.

Also correct. You can only go as fast as your slowest server speed (along the route) or slowest device. Using the ethernet on the device you are streaming will reduce buffering as well.
 

BigKen

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Like anything.....it's always cheap to start, but then the providers have to start paying for the stuff their stealing. Word is thsat the major networks may start charging higher rates and if you're not connected to Warner, Comcast, Dish or DirecTV you'll nee4d a box for each network.

Why take hundreds of millions when you can get hundreds of billions??
 

Old Lion

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ATL96Steeler

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Yep...It's only been a couple of weeks but so far I'm pleased with YTTV.

I haven't used many other streaming provider/bundlers but from what I looked at, YTTV was the best in terms of channel content, interface use...made the transition away from fairly smooth.

With growing competition from DirectvNow, among the smaller ones that @Old Lion mentioned, it will be interesting to see if YTTV can sustain their pricing.
 

ATL96Steeler

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Tons of smaller providers popping up too. EternalTV, IdealTV, Vaders, Area 51 and 1 or 2 others. All charge only around 10/month plus or minus depending on options. Not to mention there are tweeners too like GearsTV.

Big Cable will soon only be in the internet business.

I've gotten 4 calls now from the Comcast retention dept. Let's just say they may have expanded the head count in that dept.

There's always going to be a segment of the population that will have cable...especially older people that just don't want to change. Most companies would prefer to save money and send monthly bills out via email, but surprisingly there are a lot of people that don't have email, or internet.

We may be a decade or more away from a streaming critical mass that would change the way the cable companies operate, but we're getting there. Most are expanding their internet offerings.
 

Old Lion

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I've gotten 4 calls now from the Comcast retention dept. Let's just say they may have expanded the head count in that dept.

There's always going to be a segment of the population that will have cable...especially older people that just don't want to change. Most companies would prefer to save money and send monthly bills out via email, but surprisingly there are a lot of people that don't have email, or internet.

We may be a decade or more away from a streaming critical mass that would change the way the cable companies operate, but we're getting there. Most are expanding their internet offerings.

I agree that they are very slow to adapt but I think it will be less than 10 years. I honestly think they will give cable away free with internet contracts at some point. Their overhead is too large to compete with IPTV in their current state. Their biggest problem is they need to get out of the Equipment business somehow. Its one of their biggest revenues though it will continue to shrink dramatically.
 

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I agree that they are very slow to adapt but I think it will be less than 10 years. I honestly think they will give cable away free with internet contracts at some point. Their overhead is too large to compete with IPTV in their current state. Their biggest problem is they need to get out of the Equipment business somehow. Its one of their biggest revenues though it will continue to shrink dramatically.

Actually I think the cable companies see what's on the horizon...at the end of the day it's about headcount for them.

I agree ridding equipment cost will be one of their biggest undertakings I just don't know if the buying public will move towards streaming in big enough numbers to force them into any drastic measures within 10 yrs. Based on the streaming data that's out there, there needs to be a big swing towards streaming for 50 & older age group to have a serious impact within 10 yrs.

Comcast is already giving away their streaming app for free...ATT has the DirectvNow app.

Long term...their biz model needs to adapt...much like the AT&T has absorbed the reduction in home phone lines and moved into other segments within the communication realm.
 
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