NutterButter
Footballguy
Embrace your inner Jack Sparrow
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Ditching Cable- Teach me (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Chadstroma
- Start date
skol asylum
Footballguy
Our Internet is Cox Gigablast. Pretty fast but expensive. Both work from home though and the 4 of us stream alot with the youngest being a gamer. Think it's around $150-$160 a month just for the Internet. Can't wait to switch over to Google Fiber once it's available in the next year or whatever. Should be cheaper and even faster.
Have pretty much everything.
YouTube TV with Sunday Ticket Max
NBA package
MLB.tv
Netflix
HBO Max
Hulu
Disney +
Paramount+ with ShoTime
Peacock
Prime Video
Apple TV+
Criterion Channel
YouTube
Fire sticks everywhere.
Have pretty much everything.
YouTube TV with Sunday Ticket Max
NBA package
MLB.tv
Netflix
HBO Max
Hulu
Disney +
Paramount+ with ShoTime
Peacock
Prime Video
Apple TV+
Criterion Channel
YouTube
Fire sticks everywhere.
skol asylum
Footballguy
Also if important to you, no MLB network on YouTube TV. They dropped the channel last year or so as they couldn't come to an agreement.
ffjunk
Footballguy
Recommendation for a router that's xfinity compatible?
joker
Footballguy
We have Firesticks on all our TVs as well, but all our TVs are Roku TVs so all the apps sync on them. That means we can go from one TV to the next and pick up where we left off like the Firestick. Just a thought if the OP already has some smart TVs that are the same and didn't want to spend the $$. Of course, with all the sales Amazon has on Firesticks it's sooo cheap to just grab one for each TV.
Getting rid of cable was one of the best things we've ever done, and we're going on 7+ years now of ditching cable. Going from $384/month to just over $100/month is so sweet.
That was a bummer. I like the Quick Pitch show every night as a nice recap of all the games.
Scoresman
Footballguy
RE: Stremio
This is the best thing that's happened to my TV for a while. Essentially the next evolution of Kodi/Cinema HD. It hides things like having to choose a stream, has auto play next episodes, etc. It looks and feels just like any streaming service.
The setup has a few steps, but it's super easy. It's essentially Download Stremio to your computer and download the torrentio plugin. Download the Stremio app to your fire stick or tv that's on the same network.
Then you signup for real debrid. It's basically $10 for 90 days. It acts as a VPN and source for the best quality streams.
Googling Stremio and RD setup is your best bet
Yes, it's questionable in terms of legality, but from what I understand, using it with a real-debrid account protects you in a sense. You're viewing copyrighted material but not distributing it. And I sleep ok at night after being fleeced by media/cable companies for so long.
This is the best thing that's happened to my TV for a while. Essentially the next evolution of Kodi/Cinema HD. It hides things like having to choose a stream, has auto play next episodes, etc. It looks and feels just like any streaming service.
The setup has a few steps, but it's super easy. It's essentially Download Stremio to your computer and download the torrentio plugin. Download the Stremio app to your fire stick or tv that's on the same network.
Then you signup for real debrid. It's basically $10 for 90 days. It acts as a VPN and source for the best quality streams.
Googling Stremio and RD setup is your best bet
Yes, it's questionable in terms of legality, but from what I understand, using it with a real-debrid account protects you in a sense. You're viewing copyrighted material but not distributing it. And I sleep ok at night after being fleeced by media/cable companies for so long.
Peggy
Footballguy
All of it comes down to the legality of watching a stream. Something nobody has ever been charged for so there is no case law. It's completely different than downloading songs or movies which you take full possession of. There is zero doubt though that the servers putting up the streams possess copyrighted material and are illegal.
Peggy
Footballguy
From the other cut the cable thread:
OTA locals and more. $0
Samsung TV Plus, Recorded free internet channels. $0
Prime. I count it as zero because we'd have it anyway. $0
ESPN+ for UFC and golf. $11
Cinema HD / TeaTV new tv series and movie streams $0. Always looking for new and better, Stremio on the list.
Sportsurge live sports and PPV streams $0
OTA locals and more. $0
Samsung TV Plus, Recorded free internet channels. $0
Prime. I count it as zero because we'd have it anyway. $0
ESPN+ for UFC and golf. $11
Cinema HD / TeaTV new tv series and movie streams $0. Always looking for new and better, Stremio on the list.
Sportsurge live sports and PPV streams $0
Mookie
Footballguy
I ditched Directv for YouTubeTV due to Sunday ticket going away and my yearly frustration with having to beg for a better deal from DTV. YTTV works just as well, you can set it up so the guide is only for channels you want (no political, shopping, religious, public access = about 50 channels I never see), and you get unlimited storage for dvr. Picture quality is just as good.
We then supplement with Prime, Netflix, Paramount, Peacock, and sometimes (we pay for a month, binge, then turn off) Max/ESPN+/Hulu if we want to watch something in particular. If I didn't watch sports so much and wasn't hooked on the dvr, I could see us going without YTTV, but it's not something I want to give up.
I just took the dish off the side of the house, so it's the end of an era!
We then supplement with Prime, Netflix, Paramount, Peacock, and sometimes (we pay for a month, binge, then turn off) Max/ESPN+/Hulu if we want to watch something in particular. If I didn't watch sports so much and wasn't hooked on the dvr, I could see us going without YTTV, but it's not something I want to give up.
I just took the dish off the side of the house, so it's the end of an era!
We did the same. I still keep getting calls asking why I left after 25+ years and I tell them it's cost and because they lost the Sunday Ticket. They always pause and say something like losing the ticket was unfortunate but we have other things. I just tell them I am not interested and hang up.
Riffraff
Footballguy
Cut cable years ago, so I use older models of these brands. Gigabit combo modem + dual band router. I'm sure there are better things out now.
Netgear Dual Band Gigabit Wifi Router
ARRIS SURFboard
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
I cut it all back to just high speed internet thru Xfinity, I do get a base cable package thru my HOA but I was paying about $200 and just slashed it to $80 a month for high speed internet, I doubled my current speed for agreeing to 12 months, I've been using them for years if not longer so 12 months, wife and I work from home 4 days a week, easy decisionMy cable/internet bill is ridiculous with XFinity. We don't have any movie channels (HBO or whatever) but I have whatever package has the few channels my wife and I care about and pretty fast internet speed as I work from home and need to make sure that is always going at high speeds even if my wife and kids are all streaming stuff or playing games. My current download speed is 425 mbps and 115 mbps upload via testing. By the way, I have no idea what that means but it says it is 'very fast'.
My kids almost exclusively watch either Youtube or one of the streaming services we currently have (Netflix, Disney + and Prime)
My wife watching nearly exclusively Hallmark Channelx) with some cooking stuff thrown in here and there. As long as she had Hallmark, she would be happy.
I watch mostly football (NFL and some college) and college basketball with some NBA or MLB sporadically thrown in (but wouldn't miss it if I didn't have it). I would definitely want access to Olympics every two years when they are on. I like history and leaning towards military history so the channels that have that stuff may get my attention. I don't watch much news but if I do it is generally BBC or CNBC, sometimes Fox Business.
Occasionally there are shows on the networks that we watch here and there so I would want access to the local channels for weather watch stuff too.
So, I was thinking.... time to kill what I have and look at alternatives versus paying for 400 channels that I never watch at all and then a dozen we do while the family spends most of it's watching time on streaming services and youtube.
First, thing is the internet. I did some poking around and it seems like most of the internet options are not hard wired stuff but on phone data which I assume is not as fast? Also, I did talk to the AT&T guy when we switched our phones (saving a significant amount of money) about their internet but I don't think that is an option at all because if their network goes down, I would be screwed as my phone and internet would be down. I must have speed and reliability. What are good options for internet and how do I find them for my area? Is there a good hard wired alternative to XFinity? Are the phone internet just as good? Should I stick with XFinity and see how much just internet would be?
Second, once I got the internet figured out then what do I do for access? I think Hulu or Sling get me access to the local channels and more, right? Then add in maybe the NFL+ and Hallmark streaming and might as well do Max or other streaming that would easier to spend on since we weren't spending so much on cable. What would be the recommendations of setting that all up and which things to do and not do? The Hallmark streaming is not negotiable, that is all my wife cares about so as long as I have access to that or just do their streaming. I would like to see ALL the Raider games versus trying to find pirate channels that I can see them when they are not on national TV (which is a lot).
I am not very tech savvy though I am also not a complete tech moron but figuring this all out seems like a big job and something I really need to get advice, guidance and coaching on. Please help.
I did lose a lot of channels and when football rolls around i might regret it but I bought the ticket thru YT last year and will so the same this year.
-$120 a month savings x 10-12 months, I can almost take a mini vacation on the savings or go to some live Dolphins games
Peggy
Footballguy
Based on the router you listed I'm guessing you have an older version of the surfboard. Because that model is relatively new.
It's worth checking both your router and modem to make sure they're up to date with your internet provider's speed and standards. Especially if you run a speed test and find you're not getting what you're paying for.
Only the modem has to b compatible with the service provider, not the router. The modem listed there by Riff is only certified to get 800mbps by xfinity for some reason even though it's a gigabit modem. Go up to the S33 if you have 1.0 or 1.2 gigabit service.
For routers I like and use TP-Link. Again just make sure it has channels big enough to match internet/modem speeds. Check per wifi channel because there will be at leat two per router and they add them together in the name/description to make them sound faster than they really are
fantasy stud
Footballguy
Me too, exactly the same situation. I don't miss it at all. Especially all the nickel and diming for extra boxes and stuff like that .
NutterButter
Footballguy
Or a smaller house. That's some real savings there.
Hawks64
Footballguy
IPTV is the best
Hawks64
Footballguy
dickey moe
Fingerpicker
Didn't realize you get mlb tv with T-Mobile. Do you have to watch the games on your phone or is there also a smart TV app for that?
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
there is!
BLOCKED_PUNT
Footballguy
or I misspoke. I have an x-box and I downloaded the mlb tv app and I can watch on there. I assumed that it was. It might not be, I'm not sure. sorry
NutterButter
Footballguy
It's pretty crazy how good it is.
Ted Stickles
Footballguy
I'd be interested in a PM. Thank you.
Peggy
Footballguy
Torrentio addon? Just making sure I'm down the correct path.
I like that it doesn't make you use RD. I'm not going to pay to watch streams, that defeats the whole purpose imo.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Just cut almost all the cable off and agreed to their 12 month promotion on high speed internetMy cable/internet bill is ridiculous with XFinity. We don't have any movie channels (HBO or whatever) but I have whatever package has the few channels my wife and I care about and pretty fast internet speed as I work from home and need to make sure that is always going at high speeds even if my wife and kids are all streaming stuff or playing games. My current download speed is 425 mbps and 115 mbps upload via testing. By the way, I have no idea what that means but it says it is 'very fast'.
My kids almost exclusively watch either Youtube or one of the streaming services we currently have (Netflix, Disney + and Prime)
My wife watching nearly exclusively Hallmark Channel
I watch mostly football (NFL and some college) and college basketball with some NBA or MLB sporadically thrown in (but wouldn't miss it if I didn't have it). I would definitely want access to Olympics every two years when they are on. I like history and leaning towards military history so the channels that have that stuff may get my attention. I don't watch much news but if I do it is generally BBC or CNBC, sometimes Fox Business.
Occasionally there are shows on the networks that we watch here and there so I would want access to the local channels for weather watch stuff too.
So, I was thinking.... time to kill what I have and look at alternatives versus paying for 400 channels that I never watch at all and then a dozen we do while the family spends most of it's watching time on streaming services and youtube.
First, thing is the internet. I did some poking around and it seems like most of the internet options are not hard wired stuff but on phone data which I assume is not as fast? Also, I did talk to the AT&T guy when we switched our phones (saving a significant amount of money) about their internet but I don't think that is an option at all because if their network goes down, I would be screwed as my phone and internet would be down. I must have speed and reliability. What are good options for internet and how do I find them for my area? Is there a good hard wired alternative to XFinity? Are the phone internet just as good? Should I stick with XFinity and see how much just internet would be?
Second, once I got the internet figured out then what do I do for access? I think Hulu or Sling get me access to the local channels and more, right? Then add in maybe the NFL+ and Hallmark streaming and might as well do Max or other streaming that would easier to spend on since we weren't spending so much on cable. What would be the recommendations of setting that all up and which things to do and not do? The Hallmark streaming is not negotiable, that is all my wife cares about so as long as I have access to that or just do their streaming. I would like to see ALL the Raider games versus trying to find pirate channels that I can see them when they are not on national TV (which is a lot).
I am not very tech savvy though I am also not a complete tech moron but figuring this all out seems like a big job and something I really need to get advice, guidance and coaching on. Please help.
Bill dropped from $200 to $80 and the operator who actually spoke English and worked from home here in the States, he said just ask next year same time and they'll find a new promotion for us, in other words they will always give us whatever promotion they are running for new customers.
Off sets some of that interest on a new 6.9% car loan I had to take, I won't be taking 60 months to pay this one off but still, saves me some bacon
Peggy
Footballguy
Ditto
Cowboysfan8
Footballguy
MLB tv app. Beware the blackouts
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You can rewind and pause but I don't know how much control you have over the frame by frame movement. For me, it seems to jump X seconds when I try and move forward or backward after pausing. But I don't really care about frame by frame or slow mo rewatching.
Hawks64
Footballguy
No PM needed. You subscribe to an IPTV service and a VPN service. Then use one the Tivimate app on an android streaming device like a roku, firestick, or nvidia shield TV. There is a cut the cord thread here with tons of info and providers.
NutterButter
Footballguy
I know i'm in the minority but the vpn is optional. I haven't used one in almost 15 years and i'm still alive to tell about it. If you can swing the 10 bucks a year, upgrade to the tivimate premium.
Scoresman
Footballguy
Yes, torrentio, but this addon might require RD, not sure.
You should reconsider your stance on RD. It's a fraction of the cost of streaming services and the quality of streams is many factors higher than non-RD. It also means you dont have to use a VPN to protect yourself.
Yambag
Footballguy
I second this. I refused RD for a long time. However, I just set up Stremio with Torrentio recently and decided to try RD. For me, it made a huge difference in the quality and speed of the streams. It's dirt cheap. I'm doing a full trial run of a bunch of shows and movies. If everything works as is, I will be getting rid of all my streaming services.
NutterButter
Footballguy
RD is an absolute must have and its like $16 for 6 months. I pay for that, my iptv was $75 for the year (50% off deal at new years) and the tivimate premium for a grand total of ~$120 for the year for everything there is to watch.
Hawks64
Footballguy
Why do you use RD on top of IPTV?
NutterButter
Footballguy
Not for that. I use it for on demand with kodi.
Ted Stickles
Footballguy
Ted Stickles
Footballguy
I'll take a PM of the IPTV service you are subscribed to. Thanks.
Peggy
Footballguy
So you pay a one time/yearly fee for Tivimate then pay an IPTV service provider a monthly/yearly fee for a M3U URL to plug into Tivimate?
Yeah, that's not channeling your inner Jack Sparrow. That's hiring Jack Sparrow off the street. I'm sure there are forums full of free apps and places to get M3U URLs. Although admittedly I'm getting a lot older and when I swing by those places it feels like a bunch of kids talking code. But, at least I know what a M3U URL is now.
It's good knowing it's an option, but, I don't have any trouble finding a steam for live sports and get live OTA for regular TV. I'll mess around with the free versions of IPTV.
Yeah, that's not channeling your inner Jack Sparrow. That's hiring Jack Sparrow off the street. I'm sure there are forums full of free apps and places to get M3U URLs. Although admittedly I'm getting a lot older and when I swing by those places it feels like a bunch of kids talking code. But, at least I know what a M3U URL is now.
It's good knowing it's an option, but, I don't have any trouble finding a steam for live sports and get live OTA for regular TV. I'll mess around with the free versions of IPTV.
snellman
Footballguy
Tivimate premium is a MUST HAVE. It is about as close to a directv/dish/cable interface that you can have and has so many more features. I am not using a VPN either and have had no issues.The Tivimate premium is a one time fee. It cost $25 if I remember right and I can have it on 5 devices.
Phil Elliott
Footballguy
Frame by frame of the frame by frame replay by the network?
Wingnut
Footballguy
Another IPTV subscriber here, but I have it as well as YouTube TV. I like YTTV for recording and live pause/rewind, etc and the wife likes it. The IPTV I have is $9/month and I use it for movie channels, sports packages, PPVs, and 24 hour channels (w/no commercials) like The Simpsons and Seinfeld (as well and hundreds of other shows). I look at it like an extra $9/month for everything YTTV doesn't offer, including NFL Sunday Ticket. I have Real Debrid for movie & TV on demand apps. I Can literally watch anything at anytime.
I've never used a VPN and don't plan to, so I can't speak on that, other than the fact that I don't think it's necessary.
I could cut YTTV out completely and I'd be in for about $12/month for every channel and PPV imaginable. I couldnt imagine life without it now.
I've never used a VPN and don't plan to, so I can't speak on that, other than the fact that I don't think it's necessary.
I could cut YTTV out completely and I'd be in for about $12/month for every channel and PPV imaginable. I couldnt imagine life without it now.
Hawks64
Footballguy
Using HoneyBee and Epic right now, HoneyBee the longest but Epic is great.
Wingnut
Footballguy
Why are you posting here right now, you're in Key West!!! Put the phone away and relax!!
Osaurus
Footballguy
Tivimate is the ultimate IPTV app imo
Hawks64
Footballguy
Because it was in the morning...just like now lolWhy are you posting here right now, you're in Key West!!! Put the phone away and relax!!
McBokonon
Footballguy
I get Paramount+ free with my Walmart+ which is free with my AMEX Platinum. I really only watch soccer on it. I wouldn’t pay for this one. The app is garbage no matter what device you’re using and the content just isn’t for me.
Peacock I also get reimbursed by the Plat. Mainly soccer again. I’d pay for this just for Premier League but otherwise never watch anything on it, with the exception of Oppenheimer and maybe other one-offs.
I get the Disney Bundle. I watch the Star Wars stuff, some Marvel, and ESPN for soccer again, and college sports. ESPN+ is great value for those two things alone - you don’t have to watch the shows where everyone yells at you. We watch Hulu a little but if the forthcoming sports package with ESPN+ is a good deal, I may dump this package. Right now I get $84 back a year with an AMEX blue cash.
Prime because I have it anyway.
I had Apple TV as part of Apple One but just canceled that and only subscribe to Apple music now. There was the occasional show, might churn it once or twice a year.
YTTV for most everything else - add sports package for red zone.
Don’t currently have HBO, Netflix, or anything else. I tend to just let shows I want to watch pile up on those and order them for a month or so, then cancel.
Peacock I also get reimbursed by the Plat. Mainly soccer again. I’d pay for this just for Premier League but otherwise never watch anything on it, with the exception of Oppenheimer and maybe other one-offs.
I get the Disney Bundle. I watch the Star Wars stuff, some Marvel, and ESPN for soccer again, and college sports. ESPN+ is great value for those two things alone - you don’t have to watch the shows where everyone yells at you. We watch Hulu a little but if the forthcoming sports package with ESPN+ is a good deal, I may dump this package. Right now I get $84 back a year with an AMEX blue cash.
Prime because I have it anyway.
I had Apple TV as part of Apple One but just canceled that and only subscribe to Apple music now. There was the occasional show, might churn it once or twice a year.
YTTV for most everything else - add sports package for red zone.
Don’t currently have HBO, Netflix, or anything else. I tend to just let shows I want to watch pile up on those and order them for a month or so, then cancel.
odin33
Footballguy
Regarding YTTV, are you subject to blackout rules or goofy regional designations?
Live in Cincy and no restrictions using local digital to watch the games, problem is I can't get a strong enough signal regardless of the internal antenna I buy.
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