OT: Cord cutting questions

[CoachHines3]

The big thing that people don't do when comparing is calculating the cost of internet if they don't stream. Most of us would be paying for internet even without streaming. So if you could get by with the basic $35 CenturyLink without streaming, but decide you need the Mediacom 100Mb plan to get the higher data cap and it costs $85, your net add is $50 plus your streaming charge of ~$55. Total is $105 vs $140 for the total cost of internet and streaming. At least that's how I justify it. I have to have solid internet as I work from home.

Yeah, I see what you mean.

Do I NEED to pay the $80 for internet or could I get by with cheaper internet if I don't use it. Streaming and playing online games is probably the reason to have the internet I have. So maybe it does make sense to actually stream live TV and save the extra $40/$50.

I do run into issues at night and the internet may cut out from time to time, which would annoy the F out of me if I was watching live tv, especially a game.

 

[Trice]

Yeah, i'm not sure what i'll do.

I assumed it would be $140/$150 for internet only and YTTV. Right now, my mediacom bill is pushing $200. But that is still $600 or so in savings.

I have mediacom 100 for internet right now, usually never any issues when I have to stream something. You ever run into lagging behind or anything while watching live sports?

First let's define what you mean by lag. Are you referring to the fact that the streaming broadcast will lag behind the regular broadcast? That will happen - it's probably about 30-60 seconds. So if you're on social media or text your friends a lot during live games you might get some spoilers a few seconds before you see it "live."

But I assume you're talking about buffering in the streaming broadcast. And I think the answer here depends on your situation. Apartment? Small home? Kids? Multiple heavy-usage devices going at once?

I've had a bit of occasional buffering at 100Mbps on a new Roku TV that sits a floor above where I keep the router. (I have one router, with no mesh network or other access points.) My networking equipment is probably due for an upgrade and I'm reasonably sure that when I do that it will solve the problem.

But as @stateofmind said, I don't think you'll go wrong planning for needing better internet speeds over time. More devices, smart home stuff, more content you can only access via streaming (Netflix) even if you keep cable...the need will always be there.

 

[stateofmind]

Yeah, I see what you mean.

Do I NEED to pay the $80 for internet or could I get by with cheaper internet if I don't use it. Streaming and playing online games is probably the reason to have the internet I have. So maybe it does make sense to actually stream live TV and save the extra $40/$50.

I do run into issues at night and the internet may cut out from time to time, which would annoy the F out of me if I was watching live tv, especially a game.

I'm going to guess that you have a router/modem combo. This is the issue for most of us. Get a dedicated modem, ethernet from that to a good router and out to a mesh network will probably fix you right up.

 

[CoachHines3]

I'm going to guess that you have a router/modem combo. This is the issue for most of us. Get a dedicated modem, ethernet from that to a good router and out to a mesh network will probably fix you right up.

Yeah, I have the combo.

Upstairs in my home (1500 sq ft) in the office. The desktop computer is directly linked in along with a gaming console.

When I stream, say, Netflix, downstairs on living room tv I never have any issues with buffering or picture quality. Recently started streaming bball games on ESPN+ and same goes for that.

Right now its just my wife and I and, at most, we will have 3/4 things activated at once that requires Wifi and usually no issues.

 

[neiacy]

Hey folks......I am a directv customer and my agreement is up & hoping they will give a offer I can't refuse. Instead, they are making Bobby Knight angry.

My question is......my main TV is a smart tv. Have a tv in my kitchen & bedroom are not? What do you do? Buy a Smart TV or a Roku or firestick for them?? What have you done?

Just curious......any help or advice would be appreciated.

THANKS

 

[KnappShack]

Hey folks......I am a directv customer and my agreement is up & hoping they will give a offer I can't refuse. Instead, they are making Bobby Knight angry.

My question is......my main TV is a smart tv. Have a tv in my kitchen & bedroom are not? What do you do? Buy a Smart TV or a Roku or firestick for them?? What have you done?

Just curious......any help or advice would be appreciated.

THANKS

Roku is an easy and inexpensive way to go. We have a "smart TV" but still use a Roku because we like the interface and range of available aps.

Next step is choosing the streaming services you want.

 

[Trice]

Hey folks......I am a directv customer and my agreement is up & hoping they will give a offer I can't refuse. Instead, they are making Bobby Knight angry.

My question is......my main TV is a smart tv. Have a tv in my kitchen & bedroom are not? What do you do? Buy a Smart TV or a Roku or firestick for them?? What have you done?

Just curious......any help or advice would be appreciated.

THANKS

Aside from your existing smart TV, you will either need to replace your other TVs with smart TVs. Or for much less money you could buy a Roku or Amazon device to connect to your existing TVs. Within each line you have a few choices so it's just a matter of picking what you want based on your expected usage.

This part is personal preference so do as you like, but I prefer to have a consistent experience across all my TVs, so if it were me I'd make sure all my purchases were from the same line - ie, all Rokus or all Fire TV Sticks. For this reason, as @KnappShack stated, you may wish to add a device to your existing smart TV so that everything functions the same across all devices. Then you can manage them all through one Roku account.

 

[06_CY]

Just bought a Roku Ultra today in preparation for dropping Dish this summer when my contract is up. This also will allow me to watch Disney +, WWE Network, and Netflix in the basement without moving my PS4 between the living room and the basement. Easy setup and looks good so far. Probably going to get rid of my DISH Joey in the basement soon, since I rarely use it.

I have been thinking about Hulu Live, but this talk of YTTV has me curious about it.

 

[KnappShack]

Just bought a Roku Ultra today in preparation for dropping Dish this summer when my contract is up. This also will allow me to watch Disney +, WWE Network, and Netflix in the basement without moving my PS4 between the living room and the basement. Easy setup and looks good so far. Probably going to get rid of my DISH Joey in the basement soon, since I rarely use it.

I have been thinking about Hulu Live, but this talk of YTTV has me curious about it.

WWE Network is fun. Watching old 4 Horsemen stuff from the mid 80s. Pretty sure my boy's first word will be "Whoo!" followed by flashing the 4

 

[awd4cy]

Just bought a Roku Ultra today in preparation for dropping Dish this summer when my contract is up. This also will allow me to watch Disney +, WWE Network, and Netflix in the basement without moving my PS4 between the living room and the basement. Easy setup and looks good so far. Probably going to get rid of my DISH Joey in the basement soon, since I rarely use it.

I have been thinking about Hulu Live, but this talk of YTTV has me curious about it.

I personally really like YTTV. I like the recording for it, it’s user friendly, and has any sports channel you could want. Hulu does have a good platform for sports too though.

 

[cycloneG]

Just bought a Roku Ultra today in preparation for dropping Dish this summer when my contract is up. This also will allow me to watch Disney +, WWE Network, and Netflix in the basement without moving my PS4 between the living room and the basement. Easy setup and looks good so far. Probably going to get rid of my DISH Joey in the basement soon, since I rarely use it.

I have been thinking about Hulu Live, but this talk of YTTV has me curious about it.

We just switched from Hulu Live to YTTV because Hulu just increased its price. YTTV has more channels but Hulu has a much bigger on-demand library and original content.

 

[aeroclone]

Thinking of cutting the cord from Xfinity (Comast) for TV - have to keep the internet as top provider in my area. My only concern is that I have 2 TVs connected to surround sound and I haven't heard streaming services support. Is this the case? Also, the 2 surrounds are Bose hard-wired and Sonos wifi systems.

Lack of 5.1 support was the biggest issue I had with YTTV. Everything else was good. I'll be back when they work that out.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

YTTV user for about 9 months now. It’s awesome and I ain’t ever looking back.

That and Netflix has me good though I’m considering adding or switching to the Disney+ Hulu and ESPN+ combo

 

[CoachHines3]

I've got it narrowed down to YoutubeTV and Hulu Live

I didn't mind YYTV's layout. Thought it was easy to navigate. Anyone have Hulu Live? I think I'm going to try the free trial and see how that is. It may be nice to have a huge bank of tv shows/movies.

 

[CoachHines3]

Lack of 5.1 support was the biggest issue I had with YTTV. Everything else was good. I'll be back when they work that out.

What did you go with, then?

 

[CoachHines3]

Just bought a Roku Ultra today in preparation for dropping Dish this summer when my contract is up. This also will allow me to watch Disney +, WWE Network, and Netflix in the basement without moving my PS4 between the living room and the basement. Easy setup and looks good so far. Probably going to get rid of my DISH Joey in the basement soon, since I rarely use it.

I have been thinking about Hulu Live, but this talk of YTTV has me curious about it.

I'm with you. I've tried the YYTV trail and will start a Hulu one here shortly. Not sure what to go with.

 

[06_CY]

I'm with you. I've tried the YYTV trail and will start a Hulu one here shortly. Not sure what to go with.

I actually pulled the plug this weekend. Doing hulu trial right now, then YTTV next week.

 

[CoachHines3]

I actually pulled the plug this weekend. Doing hulu trial right now, then YTTV next week.

Hows the hulu trial? I've read some things that makes it seem like nothing compares to YYTV.

 

[aeroclone]

What did you go with, then?

ATT ultimately played ball and gave me another year on my promo rate, so I am back with UVerse. I still prefer a lot of things with cable, just not the price. As long as they can keep it close I'll stay put.

 

[CoachHines3]

ATT ultimately played ball and gave me another year on my promo rate, so I am back with UVerse. I still prefer a lot of things with cable, just not the price. As long as they can keep it close I'll stay put.

Yeah, I'm with ya on that