We've cut the cable (2 Viewers)

[culdeus]

I think Aereo will lose on the "re-broadcast" restriction. Doesn't matter if everyone has their own antenna or not. It's pretty cut and dry and I'm not sure why the SC even decided to hear this.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Like, are there other services or sites I should familiarize myself with? I know crackle. Does espn have the draft on Xbox etc or do I need to look elsewhere?

what is wrong with nfl.com/live ?

Nothing. I was asking where it was live online.

 

[culdeus]

Like, are there other services or sites I should familiarize myself with? I know crackle. Does espn have the draft on Xbox etc or do I need to look elsewhere?

what is wrong with nfl.com/live ?

Nothing. I was asking where it was live online.

I think that's gonna be your best bet. They haven't launched a roku channel yet, but apparently that is coming soon.

 

[Balco]

Like, are there other services or sites I should familiarize myself with? I know crackle. Does espn have the draft on Xbox etc or do I need to look elsewhere?

what is wrong with nfl.com/live ?

Nothing. I was asking where it was live online.

I think that's gonna be your best bet. They haven't launched a roku channel yet, but apparently that is coming soon.

Any chance the nil package would be available on roku, like mlb, nba, and nhl? That would be awesome. Even just the redone channel would be great.

 

[mquinnjr]

I think Aereo will lose on the "re-broadcast" restriction. Doesn't matter if everyone has their own antenna or not. It's pretty cut and dry and I'm not sure why the SC even decided to hear this.

I agree, unfortunately. Was reading up on this at work today.

Apparently it has to do with re-broadcast rights fees, which is a huge sticking point for cable/satellite company bottom lines, as rebroadcast revenue is a major revenue stream for the networks that is charged out to the cable/satellite companies to provide OTA local channels to their respective subscribers. Aereo is pretty much circumventing the vigorish or tribute paid to the broadcast networks to re-broadcast their content via the use of their own antennas to capture the OTA content and re-broadcast it over the internet to Aereo's subscribers. The respective network/cable lobbyists are not about to just let Aereo slide on this, as it's speculated the precedent would severely hurt the revenue stream networks are currently enjoying from cable/sat providers for the right to re-broadcast of their networks on their respective systems. What Aereo is doing seems (as far as I can understand from what I've read) to be a legal gray area. That's why this "issue" has been parked in front of the US Supreme Court tout suite.

Hail, hail our network and cable/satellite overlords!

 

[Sinn Fein]

Like, are there other services or sites I should familiarize myself with? I know crackle. Does espn have the draft on Xbox etc or do I need to look elsewhere?

what is wrong with nfl.com/live ?

Nothing. I was asking where it was live online.

I think that's gonna be your best bet. They haven't launched a roku channel yet, but apparently that is coming soon.

Any chance the nil package would be available on roku, like mlb, nba, and nhl? That would be awesome. Even just the redone channel would be great.

I'd say its unlikely given the deal they have with directv.

 

[culdeus]

Like, are there other services or sites I should familiarize myself with? I know crackle. Does espn have the draft on Xbox etc or do I need to look elsewhere?

what is wrong with nfl.com/live ?

Nothing. I was asking where it was live online.

I think that's gonna be your best bet. They haven't launched a roku channel yet, but apparently that is coming soon.

Any chance the nil package would be available on roku, like mlb, nba, and nhl? That would be awesome. Even just the redone channel would be great.

I'd say its unlikely given the deal they have with directv.

Why? They have a better redzone channel on nfl network than the directv one and anyone can get it (anyone with a cable package that is) and they want to expand it's access. A Roku channel is the best way to do this.

 

[culdeus]

I think Aereo will lose on the "re-broadcast" restriction. Doesn't matter if everyone has their own antenna or not. It's pretty cut and dry and I'm not sure why the SC even decided to hear this.

I agree, unfortunately. Was reading up on this at work today.

Apparently it has to do with re-broadcast rights fees, which is a huge sticking point for cable/satellite company bottom lines, as rebroadcast revenue is a major revenue stream for the networks that is charged out to the cable/satellite companies to provide OTA local channels to their respective subscribers. Aereo is pretty much circumventing the vigorish or tribute paid to the broadcast networks to re-broadcast their content via the use of their own antennas to capture the OTA content and re-broadcast it over the internet to Aereo's subscribers. The respective network/cable lobbyists are not about to just let Aereo slide on this, as it's speculated the precedent would severely hurt the revenue stream networks are currently enjoying from cable/sat providers for the right to re-broadcast of their networks on their respective systems. What Aereo is doing seems (as far as I can understand from what I've read) to be a legal gray area. That's why this "issue" has been parked in front of the US Supreme Court tout suite.

Hail, hail our network and cable/satellite overlords!

The problem is that they are in a real slippery slope. If they block this they may potentially block lots of sites like youtube, etc. It may be easier to just pass on the decision and let the legislature take it up.

 

[Quez]

It appears to me like aero is doing something that anyone can do, but they made a convenient and easy way to do it.

If they were to kill this then you would likely see a bunch of sites like firstrowsports, or aero like sites that aren't as organized or secure fill the void.

 

[matttyl]

All Roku's (not just the 3) apparently can do youtube now for anyone interested. They also now have the Fox app for anyone (like me) with Comcast.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Well I'm finally doing this. Called Dish to cancel a few minutes ago. New dual band router (mine was single band n300 and weak in the living room, but will now be a repeater with dd-wrt), Roku 3, Chromecast... all delivered yesterday. Excellent OTA outdoor antenna up and wired through five rooms (old cable lines).

I doubt I'll pursue this to the lengths some of you have but it's a pretty interesting thread and maybe I'll want more, but we're just not a big tv household. My concern like many is the NFL. I read last night there will be no Roku or otherwise for it any time soon. But I also pickup NFL GameRewind every year and can watch every game a day or more later. So, I'll get half the Thursday games, three every Sunday and figure out Mondays. OTA is enough NFL.

 

[MattFancy]

Might be a reason to look more into Amazon Prime than Netflix: http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/23/5643148/hbo-shows-coming-to-amazon-prime-instant-video

Amazon and HBO have signed an extensive, multi-year agreement that will bring many of the premium channel's greatest shows including The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and The Wire to Amazon Prime Instant Video. The deal also includes "early" seasons of Boardwalk Empire and True Blood. Newer shows like Girls, The Newsroom and Veep will eventually be made available to Prime subscribers, but not until three years after they've first aired on HBO. And other hits like Game of Thrones aren't even mentioned as part of the deal, so HBO may be holding at least some popular content away from Amazon's on-demand streaming.

The first wave of HBO content is due to arrive on May 21st. In addition to regular shows, Prime subscribers will also gain access to miniseries classics like Band of Brothers, select original movies including Game Change, HBO documentaries, and comedy specials from the likes of Louis CK, Ellen DeGeneres, and Lewis Black.

 

[matttyl]

Well I'm finally doing this. Called Dish to cancel a few minutes ago. New dual band router (mine was single band n300 and weak in the living room, but will now be a repeater with dd-wrt), Roku 3, Chromecast... all delivered yesterday. Excellent OTA outdoor antenna up and wired through five rooms (old cable lines).

I doubt I'll pursue this to the lengths some of you have but it's a pretty interesting thread and maybe I'll want more, but we're just not a big tv household. My concern like many is the NFL. I read last night there will be no Roku or otherwise for it any time soon. But I also pickup NFL GameRewind every year and can watch every game a day or more later. So, I'll get half the Thursday games, three every Sunday and figure out Mondays. OTA is enough NFL.

How do you get your internet? If cable, you can get a basic cable package for like $20 a month extra - that's what I do, which gets me ESPN.

Also, why did you get both a roku and a chromcast? Different TVs?

 

[snogger]

Well I'm finally doing this. Called Dish to cancel a few minutes ago. New dual band router (mine was single band n300 and weak in the living room, but will now be a repeater with dd-wrt), Roku 3, Chromecast... all delivered yesterday. Excellent OTA outdoor antenna up and wired through five rooms (old cable lines).

I doubt I'll pursue this to the lengths some of you have but it's a pretty interesting thread and maybe I'll want more, but we're just not a big tv household. My concern like many is the NFL. I read last night there will be no Roku or otherwise for it any time soon. But I also pickup NFL GameRewind every year and can watch every game a day or more later. So, I'll get half the Thursday games, three every Sunday and figure out Mondays. OTA is enough NFL.

How do you get your internet? If cable, you can get a basic cable package for like $20 a month extra - that's what I do, which gets me ESPN.

Also, why did you get both a roku and a chromcast? Different TVs?

For me it is for Different T.V.'s.. and my 3rd T.V. has a XBox hooked up for streaming also.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Well I'm finally doing this. Called Dish to cancel a few minutes ago. New dual band router (mine was single band n300 and weak in the living room, but will now be a repeater with dd-wrt), Roku 3, Chromecast... all delivered yesterday. Excellent OTA outdoor antenna up and wired through five rooms (old cable lines).

I doubt I'll pursue this to the lengths some of you have but it's a pretty interesting thread and maybe I'll want more, but we're just not a big tv household. My concern like many is the NFL. I read last night there will be no Roku or otherwise for it any time soon. But I also pickup NFL GameRewind every year and can watch every game a day or more later. So, I'll get half the Thursday games, three every Sunday and figure out Mondays. OTA is enough NFL.

How do you get your internet? If cable, you can get a basic cable package for like $20 a month extra - that's what I do, which gets me ESPN.

Also, why did you get both a roku and a chromcast? Different TVs?

Yeah it's cable. I want to go with OTA, AmPrime, Netflix for awhile and see what gives. Dish tried to keep me on one tv with a minimum service for 28.76 after all charges. Local cable won't do that for under 40. I may go Direct and NFL Ticket with a negotiated freebie, but I'm curious to see if this current setup is an issue. I suspect it's fine. Not counting Amazon Prime and Netflix, TV has been on less than two hours in the last 72 hours in this house.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Well I'm finally doing this. Called Dish to cancel a few minutes ago. New dual band router (mine was single band n300 and weak in the living room, but will now be a repeater with dd-wrt), Roku 3, Chromecast... all delivered yesterday. Excellent OTA outdoor antenna up and wired through five rooms (old cable lines).

I doubt I'll pursue this to the lengths some of you have but it's a pretty interesting thread and maybe I'll want more, but we're just not a big tv household. My concern like many is the NFL. I read last night there will be no Roku or otherwise for it any time soon. But I also pickup NFL GameRewind every year and can watch every game a day or more later. So, I'll get half the Thursday games, three every Sunday and figure out Mondays. OTA is enough NFL.

How do you get your internet? If cable, you can get a basic cable package for like $20 a month extra - that's what I do, which gets me ESPN.

Also, why did you get both a roku and a chromcast? Different TVs?

For me it is for Different T.V.'s.. and my 3rd T.V. has a XBox hooked up for streaming also.

Me too. The Roku is in my bedroom, the chromecast in the family room, my kid has wii and xbox for streaming in her room and really uses an Ipad for TV 95% of the time.

 

[matttyl]

Well I'm finally doing this. Called Dish to cancel a few minutes ago. New dual band router (mine was single band n300 and weak in the living room, but will now be a repeater with dd-wrt), Roku 3, Chromecast... all delivered yesterday. Excellent OTA outdoor antenna up and wired through five rooms (old cable lines).

I doubt I'll pursue this to the lengths some of you have but it's a pretty interesting thread and maybe I'll want more, but we're just not a big tv household. My concern like many is the NFL. I read last night there will be no Roku or otherwise for it any time soon. But I also pickup NFL GameRewind every year and can watch every game a day or more later. So, I'll get half the Thursday games, three every Sunday and figure out Mondays. OTA is enough NFL.

How do you get your internet? If cable, you can get a basic cable package for like $20 a month extra - that's what I do, which gets me ESPN.

Also, why did you get both a roku and a chromcast? Different TVs?

Yeah it's cable. I want to go with OTA, AmPrime, Netflix for awhile and see what gives. Dish tried to keep me on one tv with a minimum service for 28.76 after all charges. Local cable won't do that for under 40. I may go Direct and NFL Ticket with a negotiated freebie, but I'm curious to see if this current setup is an issue. I suspect it's fine. Not counting Amazon Prime and Netflix, TV has been on less than two hours in the last 72 hours in this house.

I'm not really in range of any OTA, so I have to get my locals via my cable internet provider, but I think their basic cable package is like $20 net (as you get a discount on the internet rate when you add TV).

 

[fasteddie_21]

Looking for recommendations for either a better router w/ a stronger signal or a good wifi signal booster. Got the Roku thumbstick and to say it's intermittent is an understatement....

 

[Chaos Commish]

Looking for recommendations for either a better router w/ a stronger signal or a good wifi signal booster. Got the Roku thumbstick and to say it's intermittent is an understatement....

What speed are you bringing into the house?

 

[The Goat]

My old setup:

Digital Cable with a couple premium channels.

Home phone

Digital Cable

Internet

Netflix (DVD and streaming)

My current setup:

No home phone, cell phones only.

Basic Cable (channels 1-20ish) for local news.

Internet

Hulu Plus

Netflix (streaming only)

Amazon Prime

A borrowed HBOGO subscription (yeah, I'm that guy. Sorry.)

We have an Apple TV in the family room through which we stream downloaded and ripped movies (I ripped much of my DVD collection to a dual-redundant network drive; also the destination for downloads). Xbox One in the playroom for streaming Netflix movies for the kids. We're probably going to ditch Netflix shortly.

I pay about $120 less per month than I used to, and I don't miss what I used to have.

 

[fasteddie_21]

Looking for recommendations for either a better router w/ a stronger signal or a good wifi signal booster. Got the Roku thumbstick and to say it's intermittent is an understatement....

What speed are you bringing into the house?

supposed to be upwards of 20M, but probably closer to 10-12M. I was thinking of using a 2nd router (which was retired by us) as a WAP as explained in this link: http://www.labnol.org/software/add-router-to-wireless-network/19716/

Good idea? Our router and soon-to-be-upgraded modem (soon as in tomorrow, to a docsis 3.0 modem) are in the basement. There are 2 rooms in the house (ranch style house) that the wifi signal sucks...one of which is the MBR which is where the Roku thumbstick is located.

Open to better ideas though....

 

[lumpy19]

Looking for recommendations for either a better router w/ a stronger signal or a good wifi signal booster. Got the Roku thumbstick and to say it's intermittent is an understatement....

What speed are you bringing into the house?

supposed to be upwards of 20M, but probably closer to 10-12M. I was thinking of using a 2nd router (which was retired by us) as a WAP as explained in this link: http://www.labnol.org/software/add-router-to-wireless-network/19716/

Good idea? Our router and soon-to-be-upgraded modem (soon as in tomorrow, to a docsis 3.0 modem) are in the basement. There are 2 rooms in the house (ranch style house) that the wifi signal sucks...one of which is the MBR which is where the Roku thumbstick is located.

Open to better ideas though....

The second router should work fine for extending range. What router do you have? Another option would be to hack your router http://www.dd-wrt.com/site/index and see if that helps the signal at all.

 

[seahawk 17]

Any tricks or tips on watching the fight tonight?

 

[Tick]

For those who have disconnected, but are looking to watch the World Cup, here's what I just learned:

The WC is 6/12-7/13 on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2. http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/02/espn-schedule-2014-fifa-world-cup/

For my purposes, I don't plan to watch every game, but I'd like to watch one per day. Based on that, I felt ESPN2 was optional, so my requirement was to get ESPN for 2 months as inexpensively as possible.

Theoretically, if you get ABC on an antenna, the final game is on ABC on 7/13, so you could get service for just one month. I'm not messing with that - I'll get signed up a little early and pay for up to 2 months.

In my area, there are three services available: DirecTV, Dish, and Charter cable.

I currently have Charter cable modem for something like $50/month after all fees.

DirecTV required a 24 month contract, so I eliminated them.

Dish required either a 24 month contract or a goofy system where I'd pay $350 for hookup, then $55/month. At 2 months of service, that would be around $450 total.

Charter had no required contract. $30 to hook up TV, and $50 extra per month (after all fees) to get a package that includes ESPN. Total will be $130 for two months.

I signed up for Charter's TV service. $130 is fine to watch the WC in my opinion.

I forgot to ask whether that included ESPN2.

 

[culdeus]

I would think a VPN and a streaming service would have been far cheaper. There are tons of legit streamers in HD that should serve the world cup. Hell with some VPN the first month is free as a demo.

 

[Tick]

I would think a VPN and a streaming service would have been far cheaper. There are tons of legit streamers in HD that should serve the world cup. Hell with some VPN the first month is free as a demo.

Too much work - I don't really have the time over the next month to learn this and get it set up. I'll pay for this convenience this time. Long-term, I'll have to do some learning and tackle this. When that happens, I'll be hitting you up for info!

 

[Andrew74]

Some newbie questions advice.

1. I have a PS3 and have used for Netflix. Does one need a Roku or will the PS3 serve the same function?

2. I watch NFL and some cable sparingly (History channel, etc). Any thoughts on the best setup to get that? Get an OTA antenna and NFL Rewind to couple with Netflix and/or Amazon?

3. Some mentioned getting a basic/broadcast cable package when they have internet service via cable provider. How do I check that? Just plug a coax into my TV?

ETA: I have DirecTV currently but tired of all the bills for so little TV watching.

 

[Balco]

Some newbie questions advice.

1. I have a PS3 and have used for Netflix. Does one need a Roku or will the PS3 serve the same function?

2. I watch NFL and some cable sparingly (History channel, etc). Any thoughts on the best setup to get that? Get an OTA antenna and NFL Rewind to couple with Netflix and/or Amazon?

3. Some mentioned getting a basic/broadcast cable package when they have internet service via cable provider. How do I check that? Just plug a coax into my TV?

ETA: I have DirecTV currently but tired of all the bills for so little TV watching.

The roku player has a history channel station. Not sure which shows are available, but I know they had Vikings season 2 on there. And I believe amazon prime has several earlier seasons of history channel shows (i.e. American Pickers).

For nfl, the OTA antenna works fine. I miss red zone channel, but not bad enough to get cable again.

Depending on the show, you can also buy episodes of some series on amazon prime. It is how I am watching Turn and Walking Dead.

 

[Chaos Commish]

I want to build an htpc. I've never built a pc from scratch and I am looking for a project. I've done a bunch of reading and looked at parts for hours, even put various bundles together in my cart and haven't been able to proceed to check out. I keep adding more power than it sounds like I need. From reading I get the feeling integrated graphics from Intel and AMD will both do the job. So I guess that's my first question, do I need a graphics card or will decent processors cover htpc. Second, is either company seriously better than the other? Intel or AMD. Each has 1 refurbished up to date motherboard at a deep discount on Amazon, and I can't make up my mind. They'll both probably be gone before I pull the trigger.

 

[MattFancy]

For those who have disconnected, but are looking to watch the World Cup, here's what I just learned:

The WC is 6/12-7/13 on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2. http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/02/espn-schedule-2014-fifa-world-cup/

For my purposes, I don't plan to watch every game, but I'd like to watch one per day. Based on that, I felt ESPN2 was optional, so my requirement was to get ESPN for 2 months as inexpensively as possible.

Theoretically, if you get ABC on an antenna, the final game is on ABC on 7/13, so you could get service for just one month. I'm not messing with that - I'll get signed up a little early and pay for up to 2 months.

In my area, there are three services available: DirecTV, Dish, and Charter cable.

I currently have Charter cable modem for something like $50/month after all fees.

DirecTV required a 24 month contract, so I eliminated them.

Dish required either a 24 month contract or a goofy system where I'd pay $350 for hookup, then $55/month. At 2 months of service, that would be around $450 total.

Charter had no required contract. $30 to hook up TV, and $50 extra per month (after all fees) to get a package that includes ESPN. Total will be $130 for two months.

I signed up for Charter's TV service. $130 is fine to watch the WC in my opinion.

I forgot to ask whether that included ESPN2.

Can't you just watch the games on ESPN3? That's what I've been doing and it doesn't require a cable log-in.

 

[Sabertooth]

How much money can I truly expect to save from "cutting the cord"

I am down with Magicjack for the phone. That should know a lot off the bill. Wife needs Bravo for sure (she loves to watch the housewives of wherever) and kids will need their channels. Already have netflix.

Is there a good primer out there for a guy who wants to cut the cable? I will keep Charter for internet, but the cable/phone(wife is adamant about keeping a landline)/internet is like $190.

 

[Politician Spock]

Update:

For those with Xbox, Microsoft no longer requires a Gold Live subscription to run streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc...

The real benefit is that it now makes the Xbox's ESPN app free. That was really the only reason I was paying $60 a year for a Gold Live subscription as I have Netflix, et al apps on Roku and Tivo devices.

There is a recently new ESPN app for Roku, but it sucks compared to the Xbox ESPN app.

 

[Chaos Commish]

I'm having no problem with espn 3 on roku and since I entiendo spanish Univisions steam has worked for world cup just fine.

Still awaiting htpc advice. I'll probaby just order the mobo today, so FM2 or LGA 1150 (intel or amd)?

 

[Politician Spock]

How much money can I truly expect to save from "cutting the cord"

I am down with Magicjack for the phone. That should know a lot off the bill. Wife needs Bravo for sure (she loves to watch the housewives of wherever) and kids will need their channels. Already have netflix.

Is there a good primer out there for a guy who wants to cut the cable? I will keep Charter for internet, but the cable/phone(wife is adamant about keeping a landline)/internet is like $190.

Best way of knowing is to write down the shows you have to have. If all of them are on broadcast channels, then you can save a ton. If you have 50+ cable shows you have to have, then it could be a wash buying them all from Amazon or iTunes. Most people are somewhere in the middle, and how much they save depends on where they are on the spectrum. My wife and I only had half a dozen shows we needed to buy and stream, and the kids literally get everything they watch from Netflix. Our DirecTV bill was over $100 a month. Now we pay around $500 per year for Netflix, Tivo, Amazon Prime, MLB.tv, and the shows we buy from Amazon. So we save about $700 a year. Makes for a nice Christmas. We could save another $180 a year by getting the lifetime subscription on our Tivo box.

 

[Hastur]

We've decided to pull the trigger on this.

We grabbed a Roku, dropped cable, and have Netflix, Hulu+, and AmazonPrime.

I am stunned with the selection on hulu! Just watched Voltron, WKRP in Cin., and am going thru Arrested Development now.

 

[joker]

We dropped the cable a little over a month ago. Was paying around $285/month for cable, internet, and phone that then dropped to $185/month for the last month after speaking to Comcast.. We now pay $72/month for DSL with no contract and another $10/month for Hulu Plus, for a total of $82 per month. Already had three Roku boxes and blu-ray Wi-Fi DVD players in each room, as well as an antenna in the master bedroom.

About the most I'll have to buy is another antenna or two for two other rooms and possibly another newer Roku for one of the rooms, but that's about it. Total output maybe $200. I haven't missed anything yet, and the kids watch Netflix almost exclusively. I'm aiming towards seeing if I can get the Comcast Internet Plus package that they offer for basic cable + internet for around $50/month. I thought i read that you had to be a non-customer for three months to get it, but am not sure if it's still offered. If it is, I'm all over it, and if not I'll keep on with what I've got and continue to save over $100/month. I've had some minor backlash from the family but nothing crazy, and if that's as bad as it gets I'm cool with saving dough.

ETA - currently powering through "Castle" on Hulu Plus. Love the show and Beckett (Stana Katic) is incredibly hot. This whole burning through entire seasons is pretty cool.

 

[Bogart]

Update:

For those with Xbox, Microsoft no longer requires a Gold Live subscription to run streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc...

The real benefit is that it now makes the Xbox's ESPN app free. That was really the only reason I was paying $60 a year for a Gold Live subscription as I have Netflix, et al apps on Roku and Tivo devices.

There is a recently new ESPN app for Roku, but it sucks compared to the Xbox ESPN app.

####, I just dropped 60 bucks on another year. I guess I'll have to start playing more Team Fortress 2 to make sure I get my value.

 

[lumpy19]

I have everything necessary to cut the cable but 1 issue I haven't solved. How do I make this wife friendly(or babysitter friendly)? I want any person off the street to be able to run this thing and I just don't know how to make that happen.

 

[MyLeftHand]

Add the LeftHand household to those who have cut the cable. Dropped our $140/month directv habit in exchange for chromecast, amazon prime, hulu+, and a (soon to be installed) OTA antenna. We already had Prime for the quick shipping, so total ongoing cost is going to be $8/month. That gives us $1584 per year to either buy shows with or just save

Few questions for those who are in the know:

1. How do you get the OTA signals to all of your TVs? Separate antennas for each?
2. The Xbox EPSN app that Spock mentioned above, what exactly is that? Do i need a qualifying cable/dish subscription to make it work?
3. Anybody use PlayOn? I've heard mixed reviews, how is it working for you?

Once the OTA stuff is up I think we'll be good to go except for: TBS, TNT, The Discovery Channel, and HBO (i think i may end becoming one of those borrowed hbogo guys)

FTR, we have a comcast biz class Internet account that my work pays for. Latest Speedtest result is 57.42Mbps down and 11.66Mbps up

 

[Tick]

Update:

For those with Xbox, Microsoft no longer requires a Gold Live subscription to run streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc...

The real benefit is that it now makes the Xbox's ESPN app free. That was really the only reason I was paying $60 a year for a Gold Live subscription as I have Netflix, et al apps on Roku and Tivo devices.

There is a recently new ESPN app for Roku, but it sucks compared to the Xbox ESPN app.

Thanks. This will be useful when I drop cable again after the WC. It's also the only reason I have Gold Live, and really the only reason I got an xbox to begin with.

 

[Tick]

I have everything necessary to cut the cable but 1 issue I haven't solved. How do I make this wife friendly(or babysitter friendly)? I want any person off the street to be able to run this thing and I just don't know how to make that happen.

Make a guide to using the remote controls. Laminate it.

 

[Tick]

For those who have disconnected, but are looking to watch the World Cup, here's what I just learned:

The WC is 6/12-7/13 on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN2. http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2014/02/espn-schedule-2014-fifa-world-cup/

For my purposes, I don't plan to watch every game, but I'd like to watch one per day. Based on that, I felt ESPN2 was optional, so my requirement was to get ESPN for 2 months as inexpensively as possible.

Theoretically, if you get ABC on an antenna, the final game is on ABC on 7/13, so you could get service for just one month. I'm not messing with that - I'll get signed up a little early and pay for up to 2 months.

In my area, there are three services available: DirecTV, Dish, and Charter cable.

I currently have Charter cable modem for something like $50/month after all fees.

DirecTV required a 24 month contract, so I eliminated them.

Dish required either a 24 month contract or a goofy system where I'd pay $350 for hookup, then $55/month. At 2 months of service, that would be around $450 total.

Charter had no required contract. $30 to hook up TV, and $50 extra per month (after all fees) to get a package that includes ESPN. Total will be $130 for two months.

I signed up for Charter's TV service. $130 is fine to watch the WC in my opinion.

I forgot to ask whether that included ESPN2.

Can't you just watch the games on ESPN3? That's what I've been doing and it doesn't require a cable log-in.

That can work for some things, but I wanted every game in HD on my TV. It's once every 4 years, and I'm good with paying $130 this time.

 

[skol asylum]

We've decided to pull the trigger on this.

We grabbed a Roku, dropped cable, and have Netflix, Hulu+, and AmazonPrime.

I am stunned with the selection on hulu! Just watched Voltron, WKRP in Cin., and am going thru Arrested Development now.

lol

 

[snogger]

Add the LeftHand household to those who have cut the cable. Dropped our $140/month directv habit in exchange for chromecast, amazon prime, hulu+, and a (soon to be installed) OTA antenna. We already had Prime for the quick shipping, so total ongoing cost is going to be $8/month. That gives us $1584 per year to either buy shows with or just save

Few questions for those who are in the know:

1. How do you get the OTA signals to all of your TVs? Separate antennas for each?
2. The Xbox EPSN app that Spock mentioned above, what exactly is that? Do i need a qualifying cable/dish subscription to make it work?
3. Anybody use PlayOn? I've heard mixed reviews, how is it working for you?

Once the OTA stuff is up I think we'll be good to go except for: TBS, TNT, The Discovery Channel, and HBO (i think i may end becoming one of those borrowed hbogo guys)

FTR, we have a comcast biz class Internet account that my work pays for. Latest Speedtest result is 57.42Mbps down and 11.66Mbps up

Our plan is to take down the DirectTV dish, get an outdoor OTA and just attach it to the existing cable running into the house. Should work fine

 

[kneeshooter]

Add the LeftHand household to those who have cut the cable. Dropped our $140/month directv habit in exchange for chromecast, amazon prime, hulu+, and a (soon to be installed) OTA antenna. We already had Prime for the quick shipping, so total ongoing cost is going to be $8/month. That gives us $1584 per year to either buy shows with or just save

Few questions for those who are in the know:

1. How do you get the OTA signals to all of your TVs? Separate antennas for each?
2. The Xbox EPSN app that Spock mentioned above, what exactly is that? Do i need a qualifying cable/dish subscription to make it work?
3. Anybody use PlayOn? I've heard mixed reviews, how is it working for you?

Once the OTA stuff is up I think we'll be good to go except for: TBS, TNT, The Discovery Channel, and HBO (i think i may end becoming one of those borrowed hbogo guys)

FTR, we have a comcast biz class Internet account that my work pays for. Latest Speedtest result is 57.42Mbps down and 11.66Mbps up

Our plan is to take down the DirectTV dish, get an outdoor OTA and just attach it to the existing cable running into the house. Should work fine

That is going to be my plan as well. Interested to hear if anyone has successfully achieved this?

 

[lumpy19]

Add the LeftHand household to those who have cut the cable. Dropped our $140/month directv habit in exchange for chromecast, amazon prime, hulu+, and a (soon to be installed) OTA antenna. We already had Prime for the quick shipping, so total ongoing cost is going to be $8/month. That gives us $1584 per year to either buy shows with or just save

Few questions for those who are in the know:

1. How do you get the OTA signals to all of your TVs? Separate antennas for each?
2. The Xbox EPSN app that Spock mentioned above, what exactly is that? Do i need a qualifying cable/dish subscription to make it work?
3. Anybody use PlayOn? I've heard mixed reviews, how is it working for you?

Once the OTA stuff is up I think we'll be good to go except for: TBS, TNT, The Discovery Channel, and HBO (i think i may end becoming one of those borrowed hbogo guys)

FTR, we have a comcast biz class Internet account that my work pays for. Latest Speedtest result is 57.42Mbps down and 11.66Mbps up

Our plan is to take down the DirectTV dish, get an outdoor OTA and just attach it to the existing cable running into the house. Should work fine

That is going to be my plan as well. Interested to hear if anyone has successfully achieved this?

Pretty sure that won't work. DTV cable splitters and OTA cable splitters are not the same. I know OTA cable splitters won't work with DTV signal. Also depending on how many times you split the OTA signal you'll probablly need amplified OTA splitters.

 

[Politician Spock]

Add the LeftHand household to those who have cut the cable. Dropped our $140/month directv habit in exchange for chromecast, amazon prime, hulu+, and a (soon to be installed) OTA antenna. We already had Prime for the quick shipping, so total ongoing cost is going to be $8/month. That gives us $1584 per year to either buy shows with or just save

Few questions for those who are in the know:

1. How do you get the OTA signals to all of your TVs? Separate antennas for each?
2. The Xbox EPSN app that Spock mentioned above, what exactly is that? Do i need a qualifying cable/dish subscription to make it work?
3. Anybody use PlayOn? I've heard mixed reviews, how is it working for you?

Once the OTA stuff is up I think we'll be good to go except for: TBS, TNT, The Discovery Channel, and HBO (i think i may end becoming one of those borrowed hbogo guys)

FTR, we have a comcast biz class Internet account that my work pays for. Latest Speedtest result is 57.42Mbps down and 11.66Mbps up

To watch live games with the app, you would need a qualifying cable/satellite subscription.

What I like about the app is I can customize nearly any sport down to the team/school I care about. With that set, it will then automatically stream the latest news clips from Sportscenter and any of their shows when I launch the app. Kind of like when you go to the ESPN webpage for the CIncinnati Reds (or whatever team), it automatically streams the latest news clips for the Reds, but in this case it's ALL the sports and teams/schools you set in the app, and it's on your TV.

I turn it on most mornings and get 30 minutes or so of sports news only about sports I care about. Even if I still had ESPN on cable/satellite, I'd prefer the app instead, because watching sportscenter means having to get news on sports and teams you don't care about in order to wait for the ones you do.

If the new Roku app was this customizeable, I would just start using it. But it's not even close to how customizeable the xBox ESPN app is.

As for the antenna, I'd recommend a seperate antenna for each. Unless you are out in the boonies and needs a $100+ antenna strong enough to pick up the weaker signals, it would be just as expensive to split the signal from one as it would be to just buy additional antennas, and splitting the signal weakens it, even with amplifiers. Even Amplifiers can weaken the signal by strengthening it too much. Splitting and/or amplifiying is more an art than it is a science.

 

[snogger]

Add the LeftHand household to those who have cut the cable. Dropped our $140/month directv habit in exchange for chromecast, amazon prime, hulu+, and a (soon to be installed) OTA antenna. We already had Prime for the quick shipping, so total ongoing cost is going to be $8/month. That gives us $1584 per year to either buy shows with or just save

Few questions for those who are in the know:

1. How do you get the OTA signals to all of your TVs? Separate antennas for each?
2. The Xbox EPSN app that Spock mentioned above, what exactly is that? Do i need a qualifying cable/dish subscription to make it work?
3. Anybody use PlayOn? I've heard mixed reviews, how is it working for you?

Once the OTA stuff is up I think we'll be good to go except for: TBS, TNT, The Discovery Channel, and HBO (i think i may end becoming one of those borrowed hbogo guys)

FTR, we have a comcast biz class Internet account that my work pays for. Latest Speedtest result is 57.42Mbps down and 11.66Mbps up

Our plan is to take down the DirectTV dish, get an outdoor OTA and just attach it to the existing cable running into the house. Should work fine

That is going to be my plan as well. Interested to hear if anyone has successfully achieved this?

Pretty sure that won't work. DTV cable splitters and OTA cable splitters are not the same. I know OTA cable splitters won't work with DTV signal. Also depending on how many times you split the OTA signal you'll probablly need amplified OTA splitters.

Our house was built with splitters installed in the basement, which was before we hooked up Dish and then DirectTV..

When we switched from Dish to DirectTV they used the same splitters and the existing wire that had already been run through the house..

Guess we'll know come September

 

[Politician Spock]

Add the LeftHand household to those who have cut the cable. Dropped our $140/month directv habit in exchange for chromecast, amazon prime, hulu+, and a (soon to be installed) OTA antenna. We already had Prime for the quick shipping, so total ongoing cost is going to be $8/month. That gives us $1584 per year to either buy shows with or just save

Few questions for those who are in the know:

1. How do you get the OTA signals to all of your TVs? Separate antennas for each?
2. The Xbox EPSN app that Spock mentioned above, what exactly is that? Do i need a qualifying cable/dish subscription to make it work?
3. Anybody use PlayOn? I've heard mixed reviews, how is it working for you?

Once the OTA stuff is up I think we'll be good to go except for: TBS, TNT, The Discovery Channel, and HBO (i think i may end becoming one of those borrowed hbogo guys)

FTR, we have a comcast biz class Internet account that my work pays for. Latest Speedtest result is 57.42Mbps down and 11.66Mbps up

Our plan is to take down the DirectTV dish, get an outdoor OTA and just attach it to the existing cable running into the house. Should work fine

That is going to be my plan as well. Interested to hear if anyone has successfully achieved this?

Pretty sure that won't work. DTV cable splitters and OTA cable splitters are not the same. I know OTA cable splitters won't work with DTV signal. Also depending on how many times you split the OTA signal you'll probablly need amplified OTA splitters.

If the antenna is just connected to one OTA tuner, this works fine, and is how I did it with my outdoor Mohu.

But you are right that cable/satellite splitters are not the same as OTA splitters.

 

[snogger]

Add the LeftHand household to those who have cut the cable. Dropped our $140/month directv habit in exchange for chromecast, amazon prime, hulu+, and a (soon to be installed) OTA antenna. We already had Prime for the quick shipping, so total ongoing cost is going to be $8/month. That gives us $1584 per year to either buy shows with or just save

Few questions for those who are in the know:

1. How do you get the OTA signals to all of your TVs? Separate antennas for each?
2. The Xbox EPSN app that Spock mentioned above, what exactly is that? Do i need a qualifying cable/dish subscription to make it work?
3. Anybody use PlayOn? I've heard mixed reviews, how is it working for you?

Once the OTA stuff is up I think we'll be good to go except for: TBS, TNT, The Discovery Channel, and HBO (i think i may end becoming one of those borrowed hbogo guys)

FTR, we have a comcast biz class Internet account that my work pays for. Latest Speedtest result is 57.42Mbps down and 11.66Mbps up

To watch live games with the app, you would need a qualifying cable/satellite subscription.

What I like about the app is I can customize nearly any sport down to the team/school I care about. With that set, it will then automatically stream the latest news clips from Sportscenter and any of their shows when I launch the app. Kind of like when you go to the ESPN webpage for the CIncinnati Reds (or whatever team), it automatically streams the latest news clips for the Reds, but in this case it's ALL the sports and teams/schools you set in the app, and it's on your TV.

I turn it on most mornings and get 30 minutes or so of sports news only about sports I care about. Even if I still had ESPN on cable/satellite, I'd prefer the app instead, because watching sportscenter means having to get news on sports and teams you don't care about in order to wait for the ones you do.

If the new Roku app was this customizeable, I would just start using it. But it's not even close to how customizeable the xBox ESPN app is.

As for the antenna, I'd recommend a seperate antenna for each. Unless you are out in the boonies and needs a $100+ antenna strong enough to pick up the weaker signals, it would be just as expensive to split the signal from one as it would be to just buy additional antennas, and splitting the signal weakens it, even with amplifiers. Even Amplifiers can weaken the signal by strengthening it too much. Splitting and/or amplifiying is more an art than it is a science.

to the bold part..

30+ miles to nearest local channels so already decided to go with external.. Just haven't decided which one yet..

One that we are thinking of

Or this one with a 360 degree Motor and remote to rotate it