We've cut the cable (4 Viewers)

[matttyl]

So I just purchased a Silicon Dust Prime TV tuner. Anyone have any familiarity with them?

For those who don't, my limited understanding is this - it's a TV tuner that you connect to your incoming cable (so you're not really "cable cutting") and then to your home's network. You can then receive any channels that you get on any computer in your house (or laptop, or smartphone, or dlna device as I understand it). I currently have a "home theater computer" (HTPC) connected to one TV in the house, and I can now use it as an HD DVR via Windows Media Center. The tuner actually has 3 tuners, so I could record up to 3 things at once - which my current cable company provided box won't do, which I'd soon be paying ~$20 a month to continue using. I can also use an xbox 360 as an "extender" at other TV locations to view live TV, access recordings from the HTPC, or other stored video/audio, and pictures.

As I live too far from any TV stations, going OTA isn't really an option for me, but getting basic cable through my high speed internet provider only adds 20-30 a month on top of what the internet alone would cost me. If you do live close enough to use an antenna, though, the company does make a similar tuner that can be used with OTA rather than incoming cable.

 

[culdeus]

So I just purchased a Silicon Dust Prime TV tuner. Anyone have any familiarity with them?

For those who don't, my limited understanding is this - it's a TV tuner that you connect to your incoming cable (so you're not really "cable cutting") and then to your home's network. You can then receive any channels that you get on any computer in your house (or laptop, or smartphone, or dlna device as I understand it). I currently have a "home theater computer" (HTPC) connected to one TV in the house, and I can now use it as an HD DVR via Windows Media Center. The tuner actually has 3 tuners, so I could record up to 3 things at once - which my current cable company provided box won't do, which I'd soon be paying ~$20 a month to continue using. I can also use an xbox 360 as an "extender" at other TV locations to view live TV, access recordings from the HTPC, or other stored video/audio, and pictures.

As I live too far from any TV stations, going OTA isn't really an option for me, but getting basic cable through my high speed internet provider only adds 20-30 a month on top of what the internet alone would cost me. If you do live close enough to use an antenna, though, the company does make a similar tuner that can be used with OTA rather than incoming cable.

I'll look into this, but I don't see the value here unless it has DVR capacity for OTA

 

[Dippa]

So I just purchased a Silicon Dust Prime TV tuner. Anyone have any familiarity with them?

For those who don't, my limited understanding is this - it's a TV tuner that you connect to your incoming cable (so you're not really "cable cutting") and then to your home's network. You can then receive any channels that you get on any computer in your house (or laptop, or smartphone, or dlna device as I understand it). I currently have a "home theater computer" (HTPC) connected to one TV in the house, and I can now use it as an HD DVR via Windows Media Center. The tuner actually has 3 tuners, so I could record up to 3 things at once - which my current cable company provided box won't do, which I'd soon be paying ~$20 a month to continue using. I can also use an xbox 360 as an "extender" at other TV locations to view live TV, access recordings from the HTPC, or other stored video/audio, and pictures.

As I live too far from any TV stations, going OTA isn't really an option for me, but getting basic cable through my high speed internet provider only adds 20-30 a month on top of what the internet alone would cost me. If you do live close enough to use an antenna, though, the company does make a similar tuner that can be used with OTA rather than incoming cable.

I have the HDHomerun OTA and it works very well. Picture quality even seems slightly better than when I had cable. The only issue I've had is that some devices, such as my PS3, buffer a lot over Wifi, but that's really more a general Wifi streaming issue. Solved by connecting via ethernet.

The DLNA feature is nice, as it's easy to stream with a lot of different devices.

 

[mquinnjr]

http://qz.com/263950/hbo-is-now-seriously-considering-whether-to-offer-hbo-go-without-cable-tv/

So awesome.

I think this is the kind of ground-breaking move that moves the market. It'll be slow and take a long time, but if HBO successfully pulls this off, it's a big step towards other content providers breaking the shackles of TV provider middle-men and offering a la carte programming direct to the consumer.

ETA: I have Comcast and have been using the ESPN app on my Apple TV, and it works beautifully for live ESPN content. Thus leading me to believe, it's no longer the technology at all holding back a la carte, simply the middle-men providers.

 

[Dippa]

So I just purchased a Silicon Dust Prime TV tuner. Anyone have any familiarity with them?

For those who don't, my limited understanding is this - it's a TV tuner that you connect to your incoming cable (so you're not really "cable cutting") and then to your home's network. You can then receive any channels that you get on any computer in your house (or laptop, or smartphone, or dlna device as I understand it). I currently have a "home theater computer" (HTPC) connected to one TV in the house, and I can now use it as an HD DVR via Windows Media Center. The tuner actually has 3 tuners, so I could record up to 3 things at once - which my current cable company provided box won't do, which I'd soon be paying ~$20 a month to continue using. I can also use an xbox 360 as an "extender" at other TV locations to view live TV, access recordings from the HTPC, or other stored video/audio, and pictures.

As I live too far from any TV stations, going OTA isn't really an option for me, but getting basic cable through my high speed internet provider only adds 20-30 a month on top of what the internet alone would cost me. If you do live close enough to use an antenna, though, the company does make a similar tuner that can be used with OTA rather than incoming cable.

I'll look into this, but I don't see the value here unless it has DVR capacity for OTA

It's compatible with DVR software. I tried to set up a DVR backend on my Linux server and I couldn't get it to work, but I know it's possible, and probably much easier to configure on a Windows machine.

Right now, I just use it to have 2 live tuners to stream to whichever device I want to use. It's worth it to me.

 

[culdeus]

So I just purchased a Silicon Dust Prime TV tuner. Anyone have any familiarity with them?

For those who don't, my limited understanding is this - it's a TV tuner that you connect to your incoming cable (so you're not really "cable cutting") and then to your home's network. You can then receive any channels that you get on any computer in your house (or laptop, or smartphone, or dlna device as I understand it). I currently have a "home theater computer" (HTPC) connected to one TV in the house, and I can now use it as an HD DVR via Windows Media Center. The tuner actually has 3 tuners, so I could record up to 3 things at once - which my current cable company provided box won't do, which I'd soon be paying ~$20 a month to continue using. I can also use an xbox 360 as an "extender" at other TV locations to view live TV, access recordings from the HTPC, or other stored video/audio, and pictures.

As I live too far from any TV stations, going OTA isn't really an option for me, but getting basic cable through my high speed internet provider only adds 20-30 a month on top of what the internet alone would cost me. If you do live close enough to use an antenna, though, the company does make a similar tuner that can be used with OTA rather than incoming cable.

I'll look into this, but I don't see the value here unless it has DVR capacity for OTA

It's compatible with DVR software. I tried to set up a DVR backend on my Linux server and I couldn't get it to work, but I know it's possible, and probably much easier to configure on a Windows machine.

Right now, I just use it to have 2 live tuners to stream to whichever device I want to use. It's worth it to me.

Oh, I see. you take ota streams and push to laptops, etc.. That is nice.

 

[matttyl]

So I just purchased a Silicon Dust Prime TV tuner. Anyone have any familiarity with them?

For those who don't, my limited understanding is this - it's a TV tuner that you connect to your incoming cable (so you're not really "cable cutting") and then to your home's network. You can then receive any channels that you get on any computer in your house (or laptop, or smartphone, or dlna device as I understand it). I currently have a "home theater computer" (HTPC) connected to one TV in the house, and I can now use it as an HD DVR via Windows Media Center. The tuner actually has 3 tuners, so I could record up to 3 things at once - which my current cable company provided box won't do, which I'd soon be paying ~$20 a month to continue using. I can also use an xbox 360 as an "extender" at other TV locations to view live TV, access recordings from the HTPC, or other stored video/audio, and pictures.

As I live too far from any TV stations, going OTA isn't really an option for me, but getting basic cable through my high speed internet provider only adds 20-30 a month on top of what the internet alone would cost me. If you do live close enough to use an antenna, though, the company does make a similar tuner that can be used with OTA rather than incoming cable.

I'll look into this, but I don't see the value here unless it has DVR capacity for OTA

It's compatible with DVR software. I tried to set up a DVR backend on my Linux server and I couldn't get it to work, but I know it's possible, and probably much easier to configure on a Windows machine.

Right now, I just use it to have 2 live tuners to stream to whichever device I want to use. It's worth it to me.

Oh, I see. you take ota streams and push to laptops, etc.. That is nice.

Yup, they have one that's used for OTA incoming - and it's got 2 tuners. The one I got is for any and all cable channels you subscribe to, including HBO and such (which I don't have). Your HTPC (via Windows Media center) utilizes the tuners and can access all the channels and record whatever you want, up to 3 shows at once.

One reason I got it is because I was able to get an old used office projector for cheap - then built a projector screen for under $30. I can now pick up "the game" on my laptop, connected to the projector and watch the game while on my deck during BBQs and cookouts and such. I'm sure it won't be in super quality HD or anything, but it's something.

 

[Politician Spock]

http://qz.com/263950/hbo-is-now-seriously-considering-whether-to-offer-hbo-go-without-cable-tv/

So awesome.

I think this is the kind of ground-breaking move that moves the market. It'll be slow and take a long time, but if HBO successfully pulls this off, it's a big step towards other content providers breaking the shackles of TV provider middle-men and offering a la carte programming direct to the consumer.

ETA: I have Comcast and have been using the ESPN app on my Apple TV, and it works beautifully for live ESPN content. Thus leading me to believe, it's no longer the technology at all holding back a la carte, simply the middle-men providers.

It's just a matter of when.

HBO (and other cable channels) would be stupid to just stand by and watch Netflx and Amazon Prime continue to do what they are doing.

 

[KiddLattimer]

This looks interesting...

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2468402,00.asp

Verizon is looking to roll out its Internet TV service by mid-2015, with an offering that will allow viewers to pick and choose the channels they want.

During a Thursday appearance at a Goldman Sachs technology conference, Verizon Communications chief Lowell McAdam said the service will likely include access to the "big four" broadcast networks, as well as "custom channels."

"No one wants to have 300 channels on your wireless device," McAdam said. "And I think everyone understands. It will go to a la carte."

Major cable and pay TV services have long resisted an "a la carte" approach that would let customers pick and choose the channels they want to pay for rather than pay for a bundle of 300+ channels. For about a decade, they have argued that a la carte would result in increased pricing and less channel diversity.

And while that probably won't change for traditional cable customers anytime soon, McAdam acknowledged that when it comes to the Web and mobile, a different approach is necessary.

"We do see that the millennials really want to look at...content over the iPads and other tablet devices and their smartphones," McAdam said. Attitudes in the industry about accessing content online is "changing dramatically," he said, and execs are more open to the idea now than they were two years ago.

"I don't think there is any one that would stand up here and say the only way it's going to be offered five years from now is linear and it's going to be tied to your TV set because frankly they will miss the market and they will be the ones left behind," McAdam said.

In January, Verizon Communications bought Intel's TV business for an undisclosed sum, picking up the intellectual property rights and other assets that powered Intel's OnCue Cloud TV platform. At the time, Verizon said it planned to integrate IP-based TV services with FiOS video as well as expand its mobile video offerings.

As for what type of custom channels viewers can expect, McAdam pointed to AwesomenessTV, which DreamWorks acquired last year, but didn't delve too much more into possible partners, except to say that they will probably be "out of the West Coast, where a lot of this is more home grown content."

 

[ForWhoForWhat]

We cut the cord! Our triple play bill (cable/phone/internet) was about 192/month total now with just internet we’re down to 58/month plus taxes. We got a $50 HD antenna from Amazon and it works great. We ordered another one for downstairs.

It felt do good dropping off the equipment at Comcast. I had tried to negotiate a better deal with them but they kept saying the offers were only for new customers. Of course I dropped off the equipment and the guy said that for only another 10/mo I could get cable TV back with HBO, for a year or two. It’s ridiculous that they make you go through with the threat to give you the sweetheart deal. But after questioning him he did admit that the 10/mo extra didn’t include the 10/mo High Def fee and the cost of the DVR/boxes so I didn’t fall for the trick. The last straw was our cable box didn’t work so I called tech support, was on hold for 26 minutes, and then got disconnected to a fast busy signal. Did anyone call me back? Of course not. No more Comcast! I will not pay for your bloated TV and terrible customer service.

 

[Drifter]

Put DirectTV on account hold starting today to try things out. Amazon, Hulu Plus and Amazon Basics Mohu Leaf knockoffs.

We'll see how it goes but DTV is just a phone call away if the experiment doesn't work out.

 

[joker]

Are there any indoor antennas that get VHF signals? I can get all my local stations except NBC due to it broadcasting in VHF. Also, I plugged in my Chromecast for the first time downstairs and the picture quality leaves much to be desired. I didn't even play around with it yet, but the lag was noticeable and it wasn't playing on the entire screen. Is there a User Guide for dummies that I can check out?

Just to update this: I took the antenna downstairs to watch network TV last Thursday night (I haven't ordered any additional antennas yet as I was still trying to figure out which one will work best for us), plugged it in, and did the channel search. Guess what popped up on the channel search? NBC, of course! So I watched the Thursday Night football game in perfect picture. Then, I took the antenna back upstairs and plugged it back into the bedroom TV and moved the antenna to a new position, and NBC popped up there, too. I guess it really does depend on where you have it positioned. Now I can feel pretty good about ordering another antenna since it appears as if they'll pick up NBC (the one I have is an older Terk but it works flawlessly, so I'm guessing any of the ones that have been mentioned recently should be as good or better). I just don't miss cable at all at this point, and am saving over $200/month

 

[KiddLattimer]

More good news... ESPN is looking in to more digital content. (Theres also a video interview in the original post)

http://recode.net/2014/09/12/espns-john-skipper-wants-to-add-web-tv-without-losing-pay-tv-the-full-codemedia-interview/

Right now you can’t watch ESPN without paying for cable TV, or satellite TV, or telco TV.

But that could change soon: The sports powerhouse has signed on to sell its programming as part of a Web TV service that Dish wants to sell this year. It’s also in discussions with several other services that want to do something similar.

And ESPN is mulling another digital change as well: It is considering selling some sports programming over the Web directly to consumers, just like Netflix does.

These are big moves for the most powerful programmer in pay TV. They are also tricky, because ESPN still plans on making almost all of its money from the pay-TV system — so it wants to try adding digital revenue without upsetting the lucrative business it already has.

 

[17seconds]

I may still try cutting but I have to wait until NFL is over. Busy parent means RedZone = crack. Without it I'd hardly see any football on sunday

 

[th3f00l]

I have also cut the cable and purchased an Antenna. I get 15 channels, but I live in a rural area. I get the broadcast games in HD. The crappy part is streaming games using free sites for Mon, Thu, and out of market games. Right now the best ones for me are A T D H E . S X and R A J A N G A N . M E. The quality is poor, if you want high quality there are several pay options, even sunday ticket is being offered online.

 

[Tick]

My thoughts on NFL Now as a Red Zone replacement:

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=710054&p=17265050

 

[Politician Spock]

I have also cut the cable and purchased an Antenna. I get 15 channels, but I live in a rural area. I get the broadcast games in HD. The crappy part is streaming games using free sites for Mon, Thu, and out of market games. Right now the best ones for me are A T D H E . S X and R A J A N G A N . M E. The quality is poor, if you want high quality there are several pay options, even sunday ticket is being offered online.

Thursday is broadcast by CBS.

 

[th3f00l]

I have also cut the cable and purchased an Antenna. I get 15 channels, but I live in a rural area. I get the broadcast games in HD. The crappy part is streaming games using free sites for Mon, Thu, and out of market games. Right now the best ones for me are A T D H E . S X and R A J A N G A N . M E. The quality is poor, if you want high quality there are several pay options, even sunday ticket is being offered online.

Thursday is broadcast by CBS.

I thought maybe it was just promotional for the first couple of weeks to get interest. Good to know.

 

[hotdogcollars]

My thoughts on NFL Now as a Red Zone replacement:

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=710054&p=17265050

not bad but sounds like watching the NFL in the style of Memento

 

[hotdogcollars]

I have also cut the cable and purchased an Antenna. I get 15 channels, but I live in a rural area. I get the broadcast games in HD. The crappy part is streaming games using free sites for Mon, Thu, and out of market games. Right now the best ones for me are A T D H E . S X and R A J A N G A N . M E. The quality is poor, if you want high quality there are several pay options, even sunday ticket is being offered online.

Thursday is broadcast by CBS.

I thought maybe it was just promotional for the first couple of weeks to get interest. Good to know.

It is just a promotional thing, lasts another 4 weeks though

 

[Politician Spock]

I have also cut the cable and purchased an Antenna. I get 15 channels, but I live in a rural area. I get the broadcast games in HD. The crappy part is streaming games using free sites for Mon, Thu, and out of market games. Right now the best ones for me are A T D H E . S X and R A J A N G A N . M E. The quality is poor, if you want high quality there are several pay options, even sunday ticket is being offered online.

Thursday is broadcast by CBS.

I thought maybe it was just promotional for the first couple of weeks to get interest. Good to know.

It is just a promotional thing, lasts another 4 weeks though

Plus Thanksgiving.

 

[beer 30]

What antennas are you guys using to pick up channels? Need to get something stat, prefer not to break the bank. TIA

 

[KiddLattimer]

AT&T U-verse is offering broadband internet, HBO, HBO-GO, and a year of Amazon Prime for $39/mo. Only good for 12 months though.

I was very interested in this til I saw that last part. DirecTV already suckered me in with the one year price so I'm not buying in to that again.

It does seem like a la carte TV is right around the corner though so that would be great

 

[hotdogcollars]

What antennas are you guys using to pick up channels? Need to get something stat, prefer not to break the bank. TIA

I got the Winegard GS2200 along with a GS Wing upgrade for less than $100. Paid someone to install it but that was due more to the stuff going on inside my house than the actual antenna part

 

[KiddLattimer]

What antennas are you guys using to pick up channels? Need to get something stat, prefer not to break the bank. TIA

I used the Amazon basics digital antenna... there are 3 models of varying strengths, but the cheapest one ($18) worked for me with crystal clear picture. I'm between 10-20 miles from most of the TV stations so I didn't need anything more.

 

[Tick]

My thoughts on NFL Now as a Red Zone replacement:

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=710054&p=17265050

not bad but sounds like watching the NFL in the style of Memento

I almost mentioned Pulp Fiction...

 

[culdeus]

After having nearly 12 months of perfect reception on everything in my metro area I've started to get a little issue on ABC all of a sudden. sigh. Looks like a trip to the attic is in order.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

Does anybody have experience placing indoor antennas on interior walls. My TV is on an interior wall. I don't want to run cable across the room and I would like to the easy route and not run something down the inside of the wall.

 

[Politician Spock]

Does anybody have experience placing indoor antennas on interior walls. My TV is on an interior wall. I don't want to run cable across the room and I would like to the easy route and not run something down the inside of the wall.

Mohu Leaf is designed for this.

 

[FBG26]

Does anybody have experience placing indoor antennas on interior walls. My TV is on an interior wall. I don't want to run cable across the room and I would like to the easy route and not run something down the inside of the wall.

Do you have a cable jack on the interior wall? I placed the antenna on a shelf on an exterior wall (not even in the same room as my TV) and ran the cable from the antenna to the wall outlet. But all of my cable lines run into a single splitter in the furnace room, so I simply made sure the cable line from the spare bedroom was the input into the splitter. That way I can use one antenna for all my TVs simultaneously.ETA: Spock mentioned the Leaf. Great antenna! It still didn't work for me that well on the interior wall, but it is what I'm using on my shelf and the whole setup works really well.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

If I go the complete other way, anybody have experience with the Mohu sky?

 

[17seconds]

What antennas are you guys using to pick up channels? Need to get something stat, prefer not to break the bank. TIA

I can get anything within 50 miles with a Mohu Leaf in the window.

A long coax run to the TV can be a factor. If it is more than 50ft or so you may not get channels that are 40+ miles away.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

It appears I'm pretty much out of luck in using an OTA antenna, given my distance from a major market and the fact that I live surrounded by mountains. I've gone to those sites where you plug in your address and they tell you what you should be able to pick up - not good. I bought an indoor Leaf just to try it: got a couple of local PBS/HSN-type channels and a really fuzzy Washington DC station (I could just barely get it to stay in color in one spot). I guess those high-powered outdorr antennae would do better but I'm not spending the money on a bunch buying blind trying to find the best one.

I can get the DC locals through the phone company here at $29.95/mo (plus "associated fees" ). That may be my best compromise. Even if it comes out at $50 with the add-on fees, I'm still saving over $100/month.

I just don't watch that much cable anymore - "Game Of Thrones" & "The Americans" would be the only two series I wouldn't get and I should be able to catch them through other means (right?). Other than that, it's local news and sports that are mainly shown on the locals. Most of the rest of the time, my TV may be on but it's background noise.

My biggest loss would be not seeing the Orioles (they're on MASN on cable). Is there a cost-effective workaround where I could stream their games? If not, I could listen to them on satrad, I guess. I don't care about watching other teams.

I already have a Roku, Netflix, Chromecast, and Amazon Prime.

 

[Drunken Cowboy]

I bought an RCA mulch-directional from Lowes, so that I could try and likely return it. I receive 3 channels placed on the interior wall. The reception is pretty bad. Will a Leaf be a significant enough upgrade over this or should I give up on an indoor antenna and put one in the attic.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

It appears I'm pretty much out of luck in using an OTA antenna, given my distance from a major market and the fact that I live surrounded by mountains. I've gone to those sites where you plug in your address and they tell you what you should be able to pick up - not good. I bought an indoor Leaf just to try it: got a couple of local PBS/HSN-type channels and a really fuzzy Washington DC station (I could just barely get it to stay in color in one spot). I guess those high-powered outdorr antennae would do better but I'm not spending the money on a bunch buying blind trying to find the best one.

I can get the DC locals through the phone company here at $29.95/mo (plus "associated fees" ). That may be my best compromise. Even if it comes out at $50 with the add-on fees, I'm still saving over $100/month.

I just don't watch that much cable anymore - "Game Of Thrones" & "The Americans" would be the only two series I wouldn't get and I should be able to catch them through other means (right?). Other than that, it's local news and sports that are mainly shown on the locals. Most of the rest of the time, my TV may be on but it's background noise.

My biggest loss would be not seeing the Orioles (they're on MASN on cable). Is there a cost-effective workaround where I could stream their games? If not, I could listen to them on satrad, I guess. I don't care about watching other teams.

I already have a Roku, Netflix, Chromecast, and Amazon Prime.

assuming that you are technically outside of Baltimore TV home-market, you can get mlb.tv on Roku.

 

[matttyl]

Finally got my HD Homerun prime up and running. I know it's technically not "cord cutting", but it is allowing me to return the HD DVR to the cable company and save me $20 a month. I live too far from any stations for OTA to be an option....and basic cable from my broadband provider is only like $40 more a month than internet alone would be.

Anyway, getting the HD Homerun set up and connected to my computer(s) means that I can watch/record up to 3 things at once, and have as much recording space as I have hard drive space (currently a few terabytes, and can expand at any time). It's also a "whole house" DVR with laptops connected to the other TVs and all recordings "shared" on the network. So far so good, still showing the wife how it all works together.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

It appears I'm pretty much out of luck in using an OTA antenna, given my distance from a major market and the fact that I live surrounded by mountains. I've gone to those sites where you plug in your address and they tell you what you should be able to pick up - not good. I bought an indoor Leaf just to try it: got a couple of local PBS/HSN-type channels and a really fuzzy Washington DC station (I could just barely get it to stay in color in one spot). I guess those high-powered outdorr antennae would do better but I'm not spending the money on a bunch buying blind trying to find the best one.

I can get the DC locals through the phone company here at $29.95/mo (plus "associated fees" ). That may be my best compromise. Even if it comes out at $50 with the add-on fees, I'm still saving over $100/month.

I just don't watch that much cable anymore - "Game Of Thrones" & "The Americans" would be the only two series I wouldn't get and I should be able to catch them through other means (right?). Other than that, it's local news and sports that are mainly shown on the locals. Most of the rest of the time, my TV may be on but it's background noise.

My biggest loss would be not seeing the Orioles (they're on MASN on cable). Is there a cost-effective workaround where I could stream their games? If not, I could listen to them on satrad, I guess. I don't care about watching other teams.

I already have a Roku, Netflix, Chromecast, and Amazon Prime.

assuming that you are technically outside of Baltimore TV home-market, you can get mlb.tv on Roku.

I should be out of the Baltimore market as I'm 120 miles away with the Nats' home in between. Just glancing at mlb.tv's page, looks like it's $130/season without whatever that upgrade package is added in. I'll have to think on that - I rarely watch weekday night games.

I thought I read something somewhere (maybe here?) about some of the content providers (HBOGo or WatchESPN, I think) blocking viewers from using - say, their brother's cable/sat account info to stream in their own homes. Is that a real thing? And is it in effect now? That would put another crimp into my master plan.

 

[cubd8]

if you subscribe to NBA League Pass, NHL or MLB's service, can you do this through netflix, apple, etc.? And, if so, you'd get live games?

I haven't studied this much yet because I do watch ESPN games a lot, and I think I'd miss live sports during the week in the evenings the most, but it sounds like that is moving in the right direction as well.

What do people of Roku (spelling?) for the box to use for this?

 

[culdeus]

if you subscribe to NBA League Pass, NHL or MLB's service, can you do this through netflix, apple, etc.? And, if so, you'd get live games?

I haven't studied this much yet because I do watch ESPN games a lot, and I think I'd miss live sports during the week in the evenings the most, but it sounds like that is moving in the right direction as well.

What do people of Roku (spelling?) for the box to use for this?

wat?

 

[KiddLattimer]

MLB.tv works pretty well... it lags once in a while and goes out of HD a little, but I haven't had many problems with it. I have an above average internet connection (30 down / 5 up) though because I work out of my house so I don't know how it would do on a standard internet package.

The only issue with it is you can't watch your local team's games on it, but that's not an issue for me. They also don't show the TV stream's commercials in breaks, so sometimes it just goes silent. I work in marketing so I find out of area commercials interesting, but most people probably won't care.

I haven't tried NHL or NBA packages but I assume they work in a similar way.

Cubd8 - On a Roku (or AppleTV or Chromecast) you just add the MLB.tv "channel" and you go online to get a code to enter to prove you have a subscription... it's really pretty easy. Netflix/Hulu/Amazon etc are separate services on their own channels so they're not involved.

Uruk-Hai - Sounds like HBO Go might soon be available without a cable subscription so Game of Thrones might not be an issue, but at the moment it's not available.

 

[cstu]

My wife was a big Food Network/HGTV fan before we cut the cord over two years ago. She's now a big fan of Create TV. For us, it's one of the local PBS station subchannels.

I second Create TV. Even my 6 yo daughter has started getting interested in cooking after watching that. The Food Network is too loud and flashy.

While I miss some things, I don't miss my wife leaving the Kardashians/Real Housewives running in the background at the time.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

MLB.tv works pretty well... it lags once in a while and goes out of HD a little, but I haven't had many problems with it. I have an above average internet connection (30 down / 5 up) though because I work out of my house so I don't know how it would do on a standard internet package.

The only issue with it is you can't watch your local team's games on it, but that's not an issue for me. They also don't show the TV stream's commercials in breaks, so sometimes it just goes silent. I work in marketing so I find out of area commercials interesting, but most people probably won't care.

I haven't tried NHL or NBA packages but I assume they work in a similar way.

Cubd8 - On a Roku (or AppleTV or Chromecast) you just add the MLB.tv "channel" and you go online to get a code to enter to prove you have a subscription... it's really pretty easy. Netflix/Hulu/Amazon etc are separate services on their own channels so they're not involved.

Uruk-Hai - Sounds like HBO Go might soon be available without a cable subscription so Game of Thrones might not be an issue, but at the moment it's not available.

So is it currently unavailable by using someone else's cable account?

 

[KiddLattimer]

MLB.tv works pretty well... it lags once in a while and goes out of HD a little, but I haven't had many problems with it. I have an above average internet connection (30 down / 5 up) though because I work out of my house so I don't know how it would do on a standard internet package.

The only issue with it is you can't watch your local team's games on it, but that's not an issue for me. They also don't show the TV stream's commercials in breaks, so sometimes it just goes silent. I work in marketing so I find out of area commercials interesting, but most people probably won't care.

I haven't tried NHL or NBA packages but I assume they work in a similar way.

Cubd8 - On a Roku (or AppleTV or Chromecast) you just add the MLB.tv "channel" and you go online to get a code to enter to prove you have a subscription... it's really pretty easy. Netflix/Hulu/Amazon etc are separate services on their own channels so they're not involved.

Uruk-Hai - Sounds like HBO Go might soon be available without a cable subscription so Game of Thrones might not be an issue, but at the moment it's not available.

So is it currently unavailable by using someone else's cable account?

Sorry I should have been more clear. I meant the stand alone subscription to HBO Go (without a cable sub) is not currently available.

As far as I know you can still use HBO Go with someone else's password, but I haven't done it in a while so I cant say if they cut it off or not. I don't see how they could cut it off unless two people are logged in simultaneously.

 

[culdeus]

MLB.tv works pretty well... it lags once in a while and goes out of HD a little, but I haven't had many problems with it. I have an above average internet connection (30 down / 5 up) though because I work out of my house so I don't know how it would do on a standard internet package.

The only issue with it is you can't watch your local team's games on it, but that's not an issue for me. They also don't show the TV stream's commercials in breaks, so sometimes it just goes silent. I work in marketing so I find out of area commercials interesting, but most people probably won't care.

I haven't tried NHL or NBA packages but I assume they work in a similar way.

Cubd8 - On a Roku (or AppleTV or Chromecast) you just add the MLB.tv "channel" and you go online to get a code to enter to prove you have a subscription... it's really pretty easy. Netflix/Hulu/Amazon etc are separate services on their own channels so they're not involved.

Uruk-Hai - Sounds like HBO Go might soon be available without a cable subscription so Game of Thrones might not be an issue, but at the moment it's not available.

So is it currently unavailable by using someone else's cable account?

Sorry I should have been more clear. I meant the stand alone subscription to HBO Go (without a cable sub) is not currently available.

As far as I know you can still use HBO Go with someone else's password, but I haven't done it in a while so I cant say if they cut it off or not. I don't see how they could cut it off unless two people are logged in simultaneously.

Depends on what cable service you use for internet.

 

[KiddLattimer]

MLB.tv works pretty well... it lags once in a while and goes out of HD a little, but I haven't had many problems with it. I have an above average internet connection (30 down / 5 up) though because I work out of my house so I don't know how it would do on a standard internet package.

The only issue with it is you can't watch your local team's games on it, but that's not an issue for me. They also don't show the TV stream's commercials in breaks, so sometimes it just goes silent. I work in marketing so I find out of area commercials interesting, but most people probably won't care.

I haven't tried NHL or NBA packages but I assume they work in a similar way.

Cubd8 - On a Roku (or AppleTV or Chromecast) you just add the MLB.tv "channel" and you go online to get a code to enter to prove you have a subscription... it's really pretty easy. Netflix/Hulu/Amazon etc are separate services on their own channels so they're not involved.

Uruk-Hai - Sounds like HBO Go might soon be available without a cable subscription so Game of Thrones might not be an issue, but at the moment it's not available.

So is it currently unavailable by using someone else's cable account?

Sorry I should have been more clear. I meant the stand alone subscription to HBO Go (without a cable sub) is not currently available.

As far as I know you can still use HBO Go with someone else's password, but I haven't done it in a while so I cant say if they cut it off or not. I don't see how they could cut it off unless two people are logged in simultaneously.

Depends on what cable service you use for internet.

Just out of curiosity... which companies won't let you do it?

 

[hotdogcollars]

officially cancelled DirectTV today so we are all-in on the cut the cable movement. well, unless we just restart DirectTv at some point

 

[Bojang0301]

I will never go back until they let me go a la carte. They can screw right off with the way they treat me on my internet service let alone paying those gangsters $ for the use of 3 to 7 channels I want.

 

[culdeus]

MLB.tv works pretty well... it lags once in a while and goes out of HD a little, but I haven't had many problems with it. I have an above average internet connection (30 down / 5 up) though because I work out of my house so I don't know how it would do on a standard internet package.

The only issue with it is you can't watch your local team's games on it, but that's not an issue for me. They also don't show the TV stream's commercials in breaks, so sometimes it just goes silent. I work in marketing so I find out of area commercials interesting, but most people probably won't care.

I haven't tried NHL or NBA packages but I assume they work in a similar way.

Cubd8 - On a Roku (or AppleTV or Chromecast) you just add the MLB.tv "channel" and you go online to get a code to enter to prove you have a subscription... it's really pretty easy. Netflix/Hulu/Amazon etc are separate services on their own channels so they're not involved.

Uruk-Hai - Sounds like HBO Go might soon be available without a cable subscription so Game of Thrones might not be an issue, but at the moment it's not available.

So is it currently unavailable by using someone else's cable account?

Sorry I should have been more clear. I meant the stand alone subscription to HBO Go (without a cable sub) is not currently available.

As far as I know you can still use HBO Go with someone else's password, but I haven't done it in a while so I cant say if they cut it off or not. I don't see how they could cut it off unless two people are logged in simultaneously.

Depends on what cable service you use for internet.

Just out of curiosity... which companies won't let you do it?

Att and comcast so far that i know

 

[hotdogcollars]

MLB.tv works pretty well... it lags once in a while and goes out of HD a little, but I haven't had many problems with it. I have an above average internet connection (30 down / 5 up) though because I work out of my house so I don't know how it would do on a standard internet package.

The only issue with it is you can't watch your local team's games on it, but that's not an issue for me. They also don't show the TV stream's commercials in breaks, so sometimes it just goes silent. I work in marketing so I find out of area commercials interesting, but most people probably won't care.

I haven't tried NHL or NBA packages but I assume they work in a similar way.

Cubd8 - On a Roku (or AppleTV or Chromecast) you just add the MLB.tv "channel" and you go online to get a code to enter to prove you have a subscription... it's really pretty easy. Netflix/Hulu/Amazon etc are separate services on their own channels so they're not involved.

Uruk-Hai - Sounds like HBO Go might soon be available without a cable subscription so Game of Thrones might not be an issue, but at the moment it's not available.

So is it currently unavailable by using someone else's cable account?

Sorry I should have been more clear. I meant the stand alone subscription to HBO Go (without a cable sub) is not currently available.

As far as I know you can still use HBO Go with someone else's password, but I haven't done it in a while so I cant say if they cut it off or not. I don't see how they could cut it off unless two people are logged in simultaneously.

Depends on what cable service you use for internet.

Just out of curiosity... which companies won't let you do it?

Att and comcast so far that i know

I have comcast and have a friend logged in to his HBOGo account when visiting just the other day

 

[KiddLattimer]

FCC strikes down blackout rule

So the FCC is no longer allowing blackouts for NFL (or other sports) games to help the average consumer, but there is concern this will drive NFL to broadcast on a cable channel.

The NFL could continue to blackout games on its own without the FCC's support. And repealing the rule probably wouldn't change much for streaming video services, either. But agency chairman Tom Wheeler indicated earlier this month that he's incredulous at some of the arguments the league has put forward to defend the rule. The NFL has hinted that if the rule were repealed, it could drive sports games to be shown exclusively on cable networks, forcing some fans to start paying for cable packages instead of getting to watch the games for free on broadcast TV.