What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

We've cut the cable (5 Viewers)

Kodi No Limits Build

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but I've switched over a few devices to this build over the past week. Solid build with lots of pre-customized setups. Much better than the vanilla Fusion install. 

 
Going on vacation to Mexico in a week and would like to be able to stream the college games on my chromebook (and connect to larger TV via HDMI) through watch espn.  Can anyone recommend the right VPN subscription to do this?  It would be a one day use...so free trial would work.

Thanks!
The FFA seems to mostly use PIA (private internet access).  I absolutely love it.  I can't remember if it has a free trial period but it is so inexpensive, it may not matter.

It is extremely plug and play.

 
Thanks. Three more questions for you or anyone:

1) So you need a streaming device on every TV? Or is there something (Tablo?) that will stream through your home network? Would WiFI work or that, or just hard wired?

2) OTA antennas - Am I correct that connecting an antenna to HDHomeRun and that to my network allows all networked TVs to get OTA channels?

3) DVR - I have Plex, so I know I can record OTA stuff through HDHomeRun using Plex. But what about stuff on other channels that I would get on Vue or Sling? Is there a DVR capability on those? Like recording a football game on ESPN on Vue.

Thanks for any help.
1) One way to do that is use Media Portal on a HTPC.  I've never used Tablo, but, the streaming devices are so inexpensive now days that most people just have several fires or rokus.

2) I believe that's exactly what HDHomeRun does, although again, I've never used HDHomeRun.  You only need to do this if you don't have co-ax going to where you want to watch tv.

3) I'm surprised there aren't more options out yet for recording streams.  There are several ways you can do it on a HTPC by using software like PlayLater or ReplayVideo.  Once again I haven't tried this but, another options is to choose a device that has A/V outputs and just connect them to a DVR.  Some of the Roku models have composite outputs as do the older playstations.  I suppose you could always use a HDMI-A/V converter.

 
Probably not news, but, I nice revelation I discovered yesterday:

Last year I couldn't get the VPN-NFL Gampass to work on a POS iPad.  Obviously iPads don't support flash so you can't view directly from NFL.com.  Last year when I tried to install the Gamepass app the USA version wouldn't accept my log in.  When I went to Turkey my USA Apple account wouldn't download the Turkey version of Gamepass.  I gave up because I'm always home on Sunday anyway.

This year it appears the NFL app is now universal.  VPN with the USA NFL app works like it should.  Will be nice since I'll be on an airplane all day this Sunday.   :thumbup:

 
NewlyRetired said:
The FFA seems to mostly use PIA (private internet access).  I absolutely love it.  I can't remember if it has a free trial period but it is so inexpensive, it may not matter.

It is extremely plug and play.
thx.  will check it out

 
Finally received my Directv $200 gift card last Thu (spent on Christmas gifts already) and called DTV yesterday to cancel. I have the Fire TV box hard wired to my modem on my main TV, Fire Stick on my bedroom TV, and PS3 hard wired in the basement. Running playstation vue on all three and loving it. OTA antenna for my locals and I am missing nothing from DTV at a third of the cost. Loaded Kodi on my Fire TV box last night and I'm blown away at the content available. 

One question. Do I really need a VPN for Kodi? That seems to be beyond my tech capabilities. 

 
What is a good, relatively cheap, HDTV indoor intenna?

I am mostly looking for the local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) and don't need 50 channels.  Suggestions?

 
Finally received my Directv $200 gift card last Thu (spent on Christmas gifts already) and called DTV yesterday to cancel. I have the Fire TV box hard wired to my modem on my main TV, Fire Stick on my bedroom TV, and PS3 hard wired in the basement. Running playstation vue on all three and loving it. OTA antenna for my locals and I am missing nothing from DTV at a third of the cost. Loaded Kodi on my Fire TV box last night and I'm blown away at the content available. 

One question. Do I really need a VPN for Kodi? That seems to be beyond my tech capabilities. 
If you are going to use Kodi to stream pirated things then yes.  Its really easy to setup too in Fire tv.  You can use something like PIA (privateinternetaccess) and side load the app on thi the firetv box.  Took me all of 5 mins to setup.  Can now stream my nfl gamepass directly to my tv. 

 
What is a good, relatively cheap, HDTV indoor intenna?

I am mostly looking for the local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) and don't need 50 channels.  Suggestions?
I don't have personal experience (too far for indoor to work for me), but Mohu Leaf seems to be one of the most recommended.

 
PS Vue is now available on Apple TV. Nice addition.  

It's been less than a year since I cut the cable and I can't believe the day of reckoning that I suspected MIGHT be coming such a short time ago has now seemingly showed up on the doorsteps and is pounding away on the door.  

The next 2-3 years should be very interesting in the world of "IP TV".  

 
What is a good, relatively cheap, HDTV indoor intenna?

I am mostly looking for the local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC) and don't need 50 channels.  Suggestions?




 




 
I had this one and it worked great. It was easily pulling in stations from 30-35 miles away.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Any comments on the VPN? 
You don't need to worry about a vpn for kodi. Kodi  is open source and 100% legal. There isn't anything illegal, technically, about watching a stream.  No one has EVER been prosecuted for watching a stream.  If you're using kodi for downloading or anything else that is considered copyright infringement etc. then using a vpn is a very very good idea. 

 
This could be an interesting development

====================

CNBC NowVerified account‏@CNBCnow

BREAKING: Amazon explores possible premium sports package w/ Prime membership; has held talks w/NBA, MLB, NFL, MLS for live game rights - DJ

 
Launching on Nov 30th.

$35 - 60+ channels

$50 - 80+ channels

$60 - 100+ channels

$70 - 120+ channels

If you sign up during the introductory period you get the 100+ channels for $35 and that rate is grandfathered until you cancel.

HBO and Cinemax are $5 each per month.

Prepay 3 months and get an Apple TV

Limited to two streams I think.

 
Launching on Nov 30th.

$35 - 60+ channels

$50 - 80+ channels

$60 - 100+ channels

$70 - 120+ channels

If you sign up during the introductory period you get the 100+ channels for $35 and that rate is grandfathered until you cancel.

HBO and Cinemax are $5 each per month.

Prepay 3 months and get an Apple TV

Limited to two streams I think.
I cut the cord with ATT Uverse about 6 months ago, but still use them for internet. The internet charges when up a bit after I canceled the tv service, but still way cheaper and I get everything I need using an Amazon Fire + Playstation Vue @ $35/mo.

So my two questions are:

1) which specific channels are included in the different packages? and

2) Will they discount my internet service if I bundle it with their streaming service?

 
Launching on Nov 30th.

$35 - 60+ channels

$50 - 80+ channels

$60 - 100+ channels

$70 - 120+ channels

If you sign up during the introductory period you get the 100+ channels for $35 and that rate is grandfathered until you cancel.

HBO and Cinemax are $5 each per month.

Prepay 3 months and get an Apple TV

Limited to two streams I think.
Limited to two streams makes this a non-starter for me along with no DVR until later in 2017. PS Vue is working for me right now. $5 HBO is a nice perk though. Good to see competition in this arena. 

 
Of all the things I miss about cable, DVR is probably 7th or 8th down the list.  I thought it would be 1.1 but really you'll wonder why you ever needed it the second you stop using one.

 
You don't need to worry about a vpn for kodi. Kodi  is open source and 100% legal. There isn't anything illegal, technically, about watching a stream.  No one has EVER been prosecuted for watching a stream.  If you're using kodi for downloading or anything else that is considered copyright infringement etc. then using a vpn is a very very good idea. 
Comcast traffic shapes without a VPN if you use the private server sports streaming services via Kodi, I use a SmoothStreams affiliate. If I have the VPN started on my router I'm fine. Turn off the VPN and they shut down the internet to my house within 5 minutes, it's amazing. Would have to unplug and restart my router to get it going again if I watch their streams without VPN like clockwork. :comcastfinger:

For the $35 DTVNow is charging, I need to see the full channel list but so far so good. That's a price point I'd consider and $5 for HBO I'd do for convenience and all in one app. I stopped downloading music when Spotify went $10 all-in for premium. Middle-ground all-in price point for media and you have my attention, like I'd presume for alot of people. Disappointing to see no CBS/Showtime or NFL Network/RZ at first glance, but we'll see what happens when the full channel list comes out on Wednesday.

 
Found the full DTV Now channel list via Reddit: http://imgur.com/a/kN42X

Off the bat, no NFL Network, NFL RedZone, or CSN Philly (Legacy non-carriage spill-over from DTV disputes with Comcast for markets like Philadelphia, Houston, etc).

I can't do this until those 3 are resolved personally, all on Vue :(

 
Of all the things I miss about cable, DVR is probably 7th or 8th down the list.  I thought it would be 1.1 but really you'll wonder why you ever needed it the second you stop using one.
Yeah, this surprised me too.  

2001: "I don't get it - DVR sounds just like a VCR.  What's the big deal?"

2004: "Whoa, DVR totally changes how I watch TV.  It frees me from schedules and removes channel surfing - I can sit down whenever I want and watch something I like from my bank of recorded shows."

2011: "I can't drop cable/satellite because I wouldn't have a DVR.  How would I ever go back to watching things when they air?"

2012: "I don't miss DVR at all - I just stopped watching some of the crap that I used to DVR.  On-demand or sports, that's all I really care about."

 
Comcast traffic shapes without a VPN if you use the private server sports streaming services via Kodi, I use a SmoothStreams affiliate. If I have the VPN started on my router I'm fine. Turn off the VPN and they shut down the internet to my house within 5 minutes, it's amazing. Would have to unplug and restart my router to get it going again if I watch their streams without VPN like clockwork. :comcastfinger:

For the $35 DTVNow is charging, I need to see the full channel list but so far so good. That's a price point I'd consider and $5 for HBO I'd do for convenience and all in one app. I stopped downloading music when Spotify went $10 all-in for premium. Middle-ground all-in price point for media and you have my attention, like I'd presume for alot of people. Disappointing to see no CBS/Showtime or NFL Network/RZ at first glance, but we'll see what happens when the full channel list comes out on Wednesday.
That's ridiculous. I use smoothstreams as well and I don't have a problem with cablevison. As long as you're below their cap, I wonder why they care.    

 
Surprised to see even Comcast throttle a stream. But in the end you didn't get a cease and desist letter?  They don't have a legal fight I presume. If I were bold, which I'm not, I'd call and complain any time my service was throttled. 

Although pay services deserve more scrutiny, imo, that's the pirate's point. 

 
Limited to two streams makes this a non-starter for me along with no DVR until later in 2017. PS Vue is working for me right now. $5 HBO is a nice perk though. Good to see competition in this arena. 
Limiting streams is definitely a tough sell. Could probably get by with 3, but 2 will be tough.

 
Found the full DTV Now channel list via Reddit: http://imgur.com/a/kN42X

Off the bat, no NFL Network, NFL RedZone, or CSN Philly (Legacy non-carriage spill-over from DTV disputes with Comcast for markets like Philadelphia, Houston, etc).

I can't do this until those 3 are resolved personally, all on Vue :(
You can stream NFL network or pay ~100 for NFL gamepass and get every NFL game in HD and stream it to your TV.  Not sure about CSN but i suspect you could find most things that it broadcasts.

 
Surprised to see even Comcast throttle a stream. But in the end you didn't get a cease and desist letter?  They don't have a legal fight I presume. If I were bold, which I'm not, I'd call and complain any time my service was throttled. 

Although pay services deserve more scrutiny, imo, that's the pirate's point. 
Comcast sends those cease and desists via the browser if they spy you doing something they dont like.  Since then i have used a VPN ever since.  for ~35 a year there really is no reason not to use a VPN. 

 
I've gotten the cease and desists from cablevision, but that was only for torrents.  They don't seem to care about all the streaming I do with kodi.  

 
Found the full DTV Now channel list via Reddit: http://imgur.com/a/kN42X

Off the bat, no NFL Network, NFL RedZone, or CSN Philly (Legacy non-carriage spill-over from DTV disputes with Comcast for markets like Philadelphia, Houston, etc).

I can't do this until those 3 are resolved personally, all on Vue :(
That won't move me off PSVue, but I'm happy to see some competition. I'm sure euro soccer fans are a small market, but even the top package from ATT can't compete with the PSVue basic tier for my needs. 

 
I've gotten the cease and desists from cablevision, but that was only for torrents.  They don't seem to care about all the streaming I do with kodi.  
I believe some add ons do use torrent streaming.  But from what i hear most dont.  I would be curious to know if they ever do start cracking down on the streams.  it wouldnt surprise me with Comcast.

 
Really want to explore this. I'm sure it's been asked and answered a million times, but where do I even start??

Currently have 4 TV's with Comcast.

 
Surprised to see even Comcast throttle a stream. But in the end you didn't get a cease and desist letter?  They don't have a legal fight I presume. If I were bold, which I'm not, I'd call and complain any time my service was throttled. 

Although pay services deserve more scrutiny, imo, that's the pirate's point. 
Nope, and I think it's because it's hard to prove what it is. They see a ton of video data coming across from a "ghost" server and have servers (same ones to throttle if you use BT without a VPN turned on) setup to detect this and do the equivalent of injecting noise into pirated music back in the day via auto shut off of service (until you restart everything physically). It's automated, so this will keep happening unless one uses a VPN to combat this. Comcast stinks.

 
I wonder why someone hasn't built up a router that is pre-configured for a VPN account. Seems like that's a market that could be worth a fairly large amount of money.

Note:The above post is patent pending.

 
I wonder why someone hasn't built up a router that is pre-configured for a VPN account. Seems like that's a market that could be worth a fairly large amount of money.

Note:The above post is patent pending.
Well they do, and they in and of themselves are not illegal just like an Amazon box that runs Kodi by virtue of the same argument. They're not "commercially" available because it encourages the masses to look into this approach, and that's what matters to the media empires. You can find pre-configured Tomato and DD-WRT routers (open source VPN router firmware solutions) at sites like this: https://www.flashrouters.com/vpn-types/earthvpn

The markup is ludicrous, but it saves you the time of setting up yourself which from my own experience is frustrating to say the least, and can fry your router if done incorrectly, so I get the markup in the end. When i ran PIA through this setup, it crippled my internet connection speeds, but PIA worked fine on a stand-alone PC/Mac via the app. I now use ExperssVPN and L2TP protocol via the stock firmware on my router (Express VPN supports this), and on a 150mbps connection hit 60-80 mbps which is more than adequate. With DD-WRT and PIA I was hitting ~10mbps or less, but on the app I'd hit my normal ~100mbps or so via PIA.

If all of that sounds insane complex, that's sort of my point. This level of VPN detail and the related rabbit hole with trial and error is what you get with VPN at the router. I luckily found a setup that works for me, but this is not for everyone for sure as I had the time/patience/wherewithal technically (or ability to teach myself via the internet) to push on through the frustrations at more or less every turn tinkering with this idea.

 
Really want to explore this. I'm sure it's been asked and answered a million times, but where do I even start??

Currently have 4 TV's with Comcast.
I'm sure it's starting to get a little bit outdated, but, here is a guide we wrote a while back for the thread to answer that question: LINK

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Comcast sends those cease and desists via the browser if they spy you doing something they dont like.  Since then i have used a VPN ever since.  for ~35 a year there really is no reason not to use a VPN. 
You know someone that's got a cease and desist letter for watching a stream?  Of course they send them if the MPAA makes a complaint that they see someones IP downloading a torrent, because that's illegal, and that's the agreement they made like 7 years ago to keep them positioned bewtween the MPAA and the illegal downloaders without getting dragged into court every time the MPAA fealt like making a big deal about it. 

Im surprised to see even Comcast throttle a stream. I'd be absolutely shocked if they sent out cease and desist letters, because, their isn't anything illegal about it. 

 
Yeah, this surprised me too.  

2001: "I don't get it - DVR sounds just like a VCR.  What's the big deal?"

2004: "Whoa, DVR totally changes how I watch TV.  It frees me from schedules and removes channel surfing - I can sit down whenever I want and watch something I like from my bank of recorded shows."

2011: "I can't drop cable/satellite because I wouldn't have a DVR.  How would I ever go back to watching things when they air?"

2012: "I don't miss DVR at all - I just stopped watching some of the crap that I used to DVR.  On-demand or sports, that's all I really care about."
I miss DVR ing sports. Nothing like sitting down into a game an hour late and still catching the whole game. 

 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top