Need advice on cutting cable cost.

[ThatRaceCardGuy]

My last bill from Att was $215...sick of paying that much to watch only a few shows. I dont want to cut the cord from cable entirely. I would like to keep basic cable and internet, but still be able to watch the shows I like on HBO and showtime. I`m already a netflix subscriber, any other suggestions ? Can you buy season passes for most of the shows on HBO and Showtime?



Thanks!

[hometeam]

And it seems like 80% of these links in navi x are broken for live streams

[hometeam]

Side note, I dont think I saw this discussed in here, but I have figured out how to cast directly from my PC to my chromecast using no plugins whatsoever, just google chrome.

Basically you just hit your chromecast icon on the top right of your browser, choose the little tiny arrow, and choose the 'cast entire screen' beta option, then choose the monitor you want to cast out of (you can choose monitors OR specific windows. You need to chose the full monitor capture for this to work) and then open up your XBMC in that monitor and bam your on tv.

Very useful.

https://www.google.com/url?

[Shag]

Looking at options to potentially cut the cord (still concerned about live NHL, open to suggestions there). Sounds like the FireTV devices are the way to go right now. Is there a compelling reason to go for the box vs the stick? What does the additional horsepower of the FireTV give you over the stick? Is the USB port usable for local storage?

[Fish]

Originally Posted by Shag

Looking at options to potentially cut the cord (still concerned about live NHL, open to suggestions there). Sounds like the FireTV devices are the way to go right now. Is there a compelling reason to go for the box vs the stick? What does the additional horsepower of the FireTV give you over the stick? Is the USB port usable for local storage?

If you're seriously considering it, then you should absolutely get the box. It performs considerably better. It offers ethernet, which I would also highly recommend. And much more RAM, which is an important factor in performance of these types of setups. Using the latest firmware, the USB port does allow for local storage. You can install games on the external for additional space.

The stick is OK, but I wouldn't really recommend it for your main setup. Nice for on the go or an easy bedroom setup or something.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Shag

Looking at options to potentially cut the cord (still concerned about live NHL, open to suggestions there). Sounds like the FireTV devices are the way to go right now. Is there a compelling reason to go for the box vs the stick? What does the additional horsepower of the FireTV give you over the stick? Is the USB port usable for local storage?

Are you looking for NHL games for free or just not via cable? I ended up subscribing to NHL Gamecenter Live - you don't need cable for that. You can use a Smart DNS service to get around local blackouts if that's an issue. I use Adfreetime for $1.50 per month, and it works great, but there are a variety of options.

[Shag]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Are you looking for NHL games for free or just not via cable? I ended up subscribing to NHL Gamecenter Live - you don't need cable for that. You can use a Smart DNS service to get around local blackouts if that's an issue. I use Adfreetime for $1.50 per month, and it works great, but there are a variety of options.

I just want to be able to watch the Wild in good quality, whether that be free or paid, I'm up for either. Local blackouts are definitely the concern with a gamecenter/center ice type of package, but figured there was a way around that. Do you know if the DNS geolocation affects where you stream from?

How's the streaming quality if you push it to a large tv?

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Shag

I just want to be able to watch the Wild in good quality, whether that be free or paid, I'm up for either. Local blackouts are definitely the concern with a gamecenter/center ice type of package, but figured there was a way around that. Do you know if the DNS geolocation affects where you stream from?

How's the streaming quality if you push it to a large tv?

The SmartDNS just makes it seem like you're streaming from out of the country (I believe - not sure of the exact location), but the actual data stream comes directly from the NHL. I've used it to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year with no issues, though it can be a minor hassle to go on the site and update your IP address from time to time if you're on a dynamic IP.

As for the quality, I'm watching it through a Roku box hooked up to a 55" HDTV, and it's very, very good, but not perfect. Occasionally I will see a little "puck flutter," and if there's a glitch in the matrix that is the internet, your quality will drop temporarily here and there. You're also a minute or two behind true "live" TV, so you have to tread a little carefully when participating in online discussions.

Still, I can't imagine you would find a better-quality option for streaming games - this is as good as it gets without being an actual cable/satellite feed.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Shag

Looking at options to potentially cut the cord (still concerned about live NHL, open to suggestions there). Sounds like the FireTV devices are the way to go right now. Is there a compelling reason to go for the box vs the stick? What does the additional horsepower of the FireTV give you over the stick? Is the USB port usable for local storage?

I would wait a week to see what Apple unveils. Maybe even a week after that, in case the competitors then release similar features, if there are any really good ones that are going to be announced.

If not, I'm going Fire TV.

[Shag]

Originally Posted by DaFace

The SmartDNS just makes it seem like you're streaming from out of the country (I believe - not sure of the exact location), but the actual data stream comes directly from the NHL. I've used it to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year with no issues, though it can be a minor hassle to go on the site and update your IP address from time to time if you're on a dynamic IP.

As for the quality, I'm watching it through a Roku box hooked up to a 55" HDTV, and it's very, very good, but not perfect. Occasionally I will see a little "puck flutter," and if there's a glitch in the matrix that is the internet, your quality will drop temporarily here and there. You're also a minute or two behind true "live" TV, so you have to tread a little carefully when participating in online discussions.

Still, I can't imagine you would find a better-quality option for streaming games - this is as good as it gets without being an actual cable/satellite feed.

Awesome - thanks for the info! I'm surprised they don't use geographically local CDNs for delivery, but all the better for this model. Just wish they'd get rid of the blackout BS altogether.

Have you solved the Thurs night NFL Networks problem?

[Shag]

Originally Posted by Silock

I would wait a week to see what Apple unveils. Maybe even a week after that, in case the competitors then release similar features, if there are any really good ones that are going to be announced.

If not, I'm going Fire TV.

Is Apple announcing a new Apple TV or something? I'm in no huge hurry, so can definitely wait it out...

[DMAC]

So we cut the cord about 6 months ago and went with:

Netflix
Hulu
Chromecast
mlb.tv with Unlocator for Royals games

Here is what I have noticed. We watch 30 minutes of TV per night if that. Royals games are usually on now, but the kids don't even care anymore about TV. We are all getting along better than we used to (family of 5), cooking better meals, having great discussions, etc. I recommend cutting the cord and replacing it with very little.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Shag

Is Apple announcing a new Apple TV or something? I'm in no huge hurry, so can definitely wait it out...

Maybe. No one knows. Speculation is that the hardware isn't ready yet, but that doesn't mean that they won't announce something. It's only 4 days from now, anyway.

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by hometeam

So i went ahead and cut DTV, have the fusion easy config version of XBMC, am able to find lots of archived stuff, but not a ton of lives tuff. I do have the Navi-X, phenoix, 1channel and other addons.

Is there somewhere i can watch LIVE NBC/ABC/CBS/FOX ? (dont tell me to get an antenna~ I am watching this on PC)

Wait for DTV to send you an email about renewing with them. It might take a couple of weeks or more. If they treat you like they treated me... it's a win.

I pay $50.99/month ($57.09 after fees/taxes) for their 210+ channel package and free Sunday Ticket. They know KC has WAY more options for TV and are willing to make a deal.

[hometeam]

Originally Posted by Stewie

Wait for DTV to send you an email about renewing with them. It might take a couple of weeks or more. If they treat you like they treated me... it's a win.

I pay $50.99/month ($57.09 after fees/taxes) for their 210+ channel package and free Sunday Ticket. They know KC has WAY more options for TV and are willing to make a deal.

I gave them a shot the day i cancled. I doubt it ever gets back on. We watch very little tv compared to the way it used to be, and even less now.

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by Shag

Awesome - thanks for the info! I'm surprised they don't use geographically local CDNs for delivery, but all the better for this model. Just wish they'd get rid of the blackout BS altogether.

Have you solved the Thurs night NFL Networks problem?

You can get NFL Game Pass (NOT Sunday Ticket) for $199 for the year, $130 for just the regular season, and $99 for just Chiefs games using the same process (here's a list of all the sites that can be "unblocked" using a SmartDNS). It worked reasonably well for me last year, though not as smoothly as NHL Gamecenter has - more buffering here and there. They also don't have a Roku app - only Chromecast - so you're more limited on your control options. (I've read there's a way to get it to work through Roku using a Plex app, but haven't tried it.)

It's the path I'll likely go this year, though.