We've cut the cable (8 Viewers)

[matttyl]

Could somebody give me the summer-2015-super-up-to-date concise list of what I need to purchase to do this right?

And a followup question - what's needed on the internet side of things? I have comcast high speed with a 30 down / 6 up, but I seem to be getting all types of various network issues popping up. Some of my devices can't see my wifi network, whenever netflix is streaming wifi drops on phones and such, constant stops and reboots required for chromecast when streaming and phone always loses connection with it. I have an older dlink 615 (n only) router, and most things are connected wirelessly. I have a second router 2 floors away that connects to the first via wifi and then repeats it to devices in that part of the house and connects a few devices via hard wire. What's the current "go to" router, and what settings should one look into adjusting? Thanks!

The 30Mbps from comcast is plenty so it is issues with your network.. Too difficult for me to trouble shoot with all your variables. I got a TP Link Archer C7 (ac) router and it was works great. I also installed gigabit switches. It was cheap money for me to avoid any network bottle necks.

Well, we do have a lot of internet drops out our way (they are attempting to expand their network). Likely 2-3x a week the internet will totally go out for a few hours at a time - infuriating, especially when your wife works from home. Thinking about just getting an ASUS AC router in the coming months and seeing what that does.

 

[mquinnjr]

So that Element Ti4 box I ordered recently just flat out died while watching something on Kodi :(

I bought via Amazon LLC, so I'll get a free replacement but I'll be out a box for a week or so. Hopefully this was just a bad apple, but if this happens again I apologize to anyone who bought one of these if this happens to them. What can you do, I read the user reviews and there are tons of them lauding this thing, and it is great when working. Just hoping it's a one off

 

[mquinnjr]

Did some more digging/researching, and just went with the $99 Amazon Fire TV unit here: http://www.amazon.com/Fire-TV-streaming-media-player/dp/B00CX5P8FC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1431528949&sr=8-2&keywords=amazon+fire+tv

Conceding 8GB of storage space (which I likely wouldn't use anyways) for almost the same specs and a stable platform (I actually trust Amazon's build quality, all the other Android TV boxes are non-name brands out of China).

It looks like there's a little more work to side load Kodi (old name was XBMC), but not really splitting the atom. And it's $20 cheaper than the other box above. Also, if you're cutting the cord and are interested in Sling/don't already have it, if you subscribe for 3 months of Sling service @ $60, Amazon will give you a $50 credit towards the Amazon Fire TV box. I don't need Sling (I'm just supplementing cable right now), but not a terrible option: https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1002997141&ref=DP_TV_Bueller_NA_Bundlex_DishHQP

Will report back, I feel alot more confident this time around though.

 

[culdeus]

Slightly off topic, but the amount of TV deals lately have been very small and pretty meh. Not sure why the screaming deals on panels went away.

 

[Rooster]

My setup:

TabloTV (4 Tuner, but I think 2 probably would've worked) (One Time: $275 box, $150 lifetime sub)

AmazonBasics Antenna: $25

Old External Hard Drive: $0 ($99 or less if you have to buy one new)

Amazon Prime ($100/yr, but paying for that before because of shipping)

Netflix ($9/mo)

Roku x 2 (One Time: $200)

One Time: $650

Monthly: $17.33

I'm saving $65/mo on my previous promotional price, so my breakeven is 650/(65-17.33) = 14 months

I'm saving $115/mo on the non-promotional price, so that breakeven is 650/(115-17.33) = 7 months

This doesn't include internet, which I was paying for before. I'm really missing sports (baseball right now), but otherwise I've been just as happy as I was with cable. My wife, who isn't techie at all, is happy with the setup (we have an Amazon Fire, but she likes the Roku better). It's not as slick as cable+DVR, but it's not $50-$100/mo worse for sure and my wife actually likes that she doesn't have to switch inputs on the TV anymore, it's always on the Roku. We tried sling, wasn't convinced it was a good value and had some technical issues (on demand stuff that wouldn't stream, getting some permissions error in the middle of a live show and having to restart the channel, etc.). One thing I am noticing is that with 2 kids and a stay at home mom, I'm pulling roughly 250-300GB/mo (my provider doesn't have caps, but I'm keeping an eye on it anyway).

 

[Brady Marino]

So that Element Ti4 box I ordered recently just flat out died while watching something on Kodi :(

I bought via Amazon LLC, so I'll get a free replacement but I'll be out a box for a week or so. Hopefully this was just a bad apple, but if this happens again I apologize to anyone who bought one of these if this happens to them. What can you do, I read the user reviews and there are tons of them lauding this thing, and it is great when working. Just hoping it's a one off

Hmm. I have been a little frustrated with the Element box because it seems to not want to play YouTube videos sometimes and just flat out refuses to play HBOGo videos.

 

[mquinnjr]

So that Element Ti4 box I ordered recently just flat out died while watching something on Kodi :(

I bought via Amazon LLC, so I'll get a free replacement but I'll be out a box for a week or so. Hopefully this was just a bad apple, but if this happens again I apologize to anyone who bought one of these if this happens to them. What can you do, I read the user reviews and there are tons of them lauding this thing, and it is great when working. Just hoping it's a one off

Hmm. I have been a little frustrated with the Element box because it seems to not want to play YouTube videos sometimes and just flat out refuses to play HBOGo videos.

It's great for Kodi and the related repo apps, but outside of that not as great as I thought. I'm flipping back to Amazon for the Fire and $20 back net, as per my post above. I'll post when I get my hands on it and try Kodi out, but I'm expecting to have a much better experience platform/hardware wise. Just a bit more work to get Kodi going, but I jailbroke an Apple TV 2 when I had one, so it's not my first rodeo with that process.

 

[tonydead]

My setup:

TabloTV (4 Tuner, but I think 2 probably would've worked) (One Time: $275 box, $150 lifetime sub)

AmazonBasics Antenna: $25

Old External Hard Drive: $0 ($99 or less if you have to buy one new)

Amazon Prime ($100/yr, but paying for that before because of shipping)

Netflix ($9/mo)

Roku x 2 (One Time: $200)

One Time: $650

Monthly: $17.33

I'm saving $65/mo on my previous promotional price, so my breakeven is 650/(65-17.33) = 14 months

I'm saving $115/mo on the non-promotional price, so that breakeven is 650/(115-17.33) = 7 months

This doesn't include internet, which I was paying for before. I'm really missing sports (baseball right now), but otherwise I've been just as happy as I was with cable. My wife, who isn't techie at all, is happy with the setup (we have an Amazon Fire, but she likes the Roku better). It's not as slick as cable+DVR, but it's not $50-$100/mo worse for sure and my wife actually likes that she doesn't have to switch inputs on the TV anymore, it's always on the Roku. We tried sling, wasn't convinced it was a good value and had some technical issues (on demand stuff that wouldn't stream, getting some permissions error in the middle of a live show and having to restart the channel, etc.). One thing I am noticing is that with 2 kids and a stay at home mom, I'm pulling roughly 250-300GB/mo (my provider doesn't have caps, but I'm keeping an eye on it anyway).

By not having to switch inputs does that mean that the Roku has an app for Tablo TV?

ETA: Never-mind. Didn't know what Tablo TV was.

 

[Tick]

I need some help, and the people in this thread should be able to help out.

My daughter is in the national spelling bee. The preliminary round is on ESPN3, and the finals are on ESPN2. I'll be in the audience, not at a TV.

Can someone record both of those events on both those channels, then transfer the file to me in a format that I can watch on my PC?

PM me if you can help, please!

 

[Brady Marino]

So that Element Ti4 box I ordered recently just flat out died while watching something on Kodi :(

I bought via Amazon LLC, so I'll get a free replacement but I'll be out a box for a week or so. Hopefully this was just a bad apple, but if this happens again I apologize to anyone who bought one of these if this happens to them. What can you do, I read the user reviews and there are tons of them lauding this thing, and it is great when working. Just hoping it's a one off

Hmm. I have been a little frustrated with the Element box because it seems to not want to play YouTube videos sometimes and just flat out refuses to play HBOGo videos.

It's great for Kodi and the related repo apps, but outside of that not as great as I thought. I'm flipping back to Amazon for the Fire and $20 back net, as per my post above. I'll post when I get my hands on it and try Kodi out, but I'm expecting to have a much better experience platform/hardware wise. Just a bit more work to get Kodi going, but I jailbroke an Apple TV 2 when I had one, so it's not my first rodeo with that process.

If it means anything, I jumped from a Fire Stick to the Element. Lots of cache issues with the Stick which resulted in buffering galore. Maybe the Fire TV box is better.

 

[Drifter]

So that Element Ti4 box I ordered recently just flat out died while watching something on Kodi :(

I bought via Amazon LLC, so I'll get a free replacement but I'll be out a box for a week or so. Hopefully this was just a bad apple, but if this happens again I apologize to anyone who bought one of these if this happens to them. What can you do, I read the user reviews and there are tons of them lauding this thing, and it is great when working. Just hoping it's a one off

Hmm. I have been a little frustrated with the Element box because it seems to not want to play YouTube videos sometimes and just flat out refuses to play HBOGo videos.

It's great for Kodi and the related repo apps, but outside of that not as great as I thought. I'm flipping back to Amazon for the Fire and $20 back net, as per my post above. I'll post when I get my hands on it and try Kodi out, but I'm expecting to have a much better experience platform/hardware wise. Just a bit more work to get Kodi going, but I jailbroke an Apple TV 2 when I had one, so it's not my first rodeo with that process.

If it means anything, I jumped from a Fire Stick to the Element. Lots of cache issues with the Stick which resulted in buffering galore. Maybe the Fire TV box is better.

Zero of those types of issues with Fire TV stick or box. I've had some quality issues with edge flickering on the stick but no problems in relation to smooth streaming

 

[matttyl]

I need some help, and the people in this thread should be able to help out.

My daughter is in the national spelling bee. The preliminary round is on ESPN3, and the finals are on ESPN2. I'll be in the audience, not at a TV.

Can someone record both of those events on both those channels, then transfer the file to me in a format that I can watch on my PC?

PM me if you can help, please!

Assuming you get those channels, a sling box should work for this. I don't have one so I don't know specifics about it.

 

[No. 16]

Just got the Winegard Flatwave amplified.

In the Bay Area I'm pulling in 60+ channels OTA. However, I can't seem to get all the big networks at once.

Where the antenna is placed I can get Fox, CBS, ABC but I can't get NBC and CW. If I move the antenna to get NBC, I lose CBS and ABC. Can never get CW. I tried every wall of my apartment and it's a no go.

Any other option here? Can you run two OTA antennas? Try the mohu or RCA antennas? It's not a huge deal I just wanted OTA for NFL, but it annoys the #### out of me.

 

[culdeus]

Just got the Winegard Flatwave amplified.

In the Bay Area I'm pulling in 60+ channels OTA. However, I can't seem to get all the big networks at once.

Where the antenna is placed I can get Fox, CBS, ABC but I can't get NBC and CW. If I move the antenna to get NBC, I lose CBS and ABC. Can never get CW. I tried every wall of my apartment and it's a no go.

Any other option here? Can you run two OTA antennas? Try the mohu or RCA antennas? It's not a huge deal I just wanted OTA for NFL, but it annoys the #### out of me.

Yes, you run two antennas. there are DIY guides on the intertubes on how to set this up. It's not that hard.

 

[Zegras11]

Seriously thinking of cutting cable out. Have not read the thread

We have a Roku. We pay for Netflix.

We see sling can give us ESPN and a few channels. we can get the local TV ant. Is there a better way to do this?

Do we need anything else?

 

[tonydead]

Seriously thinking of cutting cable out. Have not read the thread

We have a Roku. We pay for Netflix.

We see sling can give us ESPN and a few channels. we can get the local TV ant. Is there a better way to do this?

Do we need anything else?

You got the basics. With Roku you'll have to use your TV as the OTA receiver which requires a "switch inputs" (you already do this anyway between cable tv and the Roku). The catch is if you currently have cable tv and Roku going through a receiver for surround sound you'll have to patch your TV's sound sound out to the receiver (another switch inputs probably). I really like Sling and pay for HBO through them too.

The things that a HTPC or one of the TV boxes allow you to do that the Roku doesn't is primarily DVR capabilities, ability to get *free* stuff and streams, and avoids the switch inputs.

As a lot of people have suggesting in this thread is try Plex, if you haven't already checked that out for Roku. That will let you play movies and shows you might have stored on a PC.

Just do it, ask in here if you have any issues or questions.

 

[mquinnjr]

So that Element Ti4 box I ordered recently just flat out died while watching something on Kodi :(

I bought via Amazon LLC, so I'll get a free replacement but I'll be out a box for a week or so. Hopefully this was just a bad apple, but if this happens again I apologize to anyone who bought one of these if this happens to them. What can you do, I read the user reviews and there are tons of them lauding this thing, and it is great when working. Just hoping it's a one off

Hmm. I have been a little frustrated with the Element box because it seems to not want to play YouTube videos sometimes and just flat out refuses to play HBOGo videos.

It's great for Kodi and the related repo apps, but outside of that not as great as I thought. I'm flipping back to Amazon for the Fire and $20 back net, as per my post above. I'll post when I get my hands on it and try Kodi out, but I'm expecting to have a much better experience platform/hardware wise. Just a bit more work to get Kodi going, but I jailbroke an Apple TV 2 when I had one, so it's not my first rodeo with that process.

If it means anything, I jumped from a Fire Stick to the Element. Lots of cache issues with the Stick which resulted in buffering galore. Maybe the Fire TV box is better.

Zero of those types of issues with Fire TV stick or box. I've had some quality issues with edge flickering on the stick but no problems in relation to smooth streaming

Kodi on the Fire TV is awesome, very smooth streaming and good performance (I have a wired connection with 100/10 internet). It's a small learning curve to load, but a whole lot easier than doing something like an Apple TV2 Jailbreak. When you start the Fire TV, it takes a few clicks to open Kodi due to the infrastructure of the Fire OS which annoys some people, but really a non-issue, maybe 15-20 seconds tops to click around and open up Kodi. The remote in combo with the Fire TV app is all you need to pretty easily navigate within Kodi, you will only need to use your phone to run searches on TV or movie titles. My iPhone 5c linked up with the Fire TV in about 5 seconds, easy as cake.

I'm a heck of a lot more confident in this box holding up vs. the Element Ti4 over the long run. The Element box is powerful and highly rated on Amazon with lots of reviews, I just had a bad experience with a hardware failure in my case. I'd make this your Plan B if something were to happen to that box.

 

[Brady Marino]

So that Element Ti4 box I ordered recently just flat out died while watching something on Kodi :(

I bought via Amazon LLC, so I'll get a free replacement but I'll be out a box for a week or so. Hopefully this was just a bad apple, but if this happens again I apologize to anyone who bought one of these if this happens to them. What can you do, I read the user reviews and there are tons of them lauding this thing, and it is great when working. Just hoping it's a one off

Hmm. I have been a little frustrated with the Element box because it seems to not want to play YouTube videos sometimes and just flat out refuses to play HBOGo videos.

It's great for Kodi and the related repo apps, but outside of that not as great as I thought. I'm flipping back to Amazon for the Fire and $20 back net, as per my post above. I'll post when I get my hands on it and try Kodi out, but I'm expecting to have a much better experience platform/hardware wise. Just a bit more work to get Kodi going, but I jailbroke an Apple TV 2 when I had one, so it's not my first rodeo with that process.

If it means anything, I jumped from a Fire Stick to the Element. Lots of cache issues with the Stick which resulted in buffering galore. Maybe the Fire TV box is better.

Zero of those types of issues with Fire TV stick or box. I've had some quality issues with edge flickering on the stick but no problems in relation to smooth streaming

Kodi on the Fire TV is awesome, very smooth streaming and good performance (I have a wired connection with 100/10 internet). It's a small learning curve to load, but a whole lot easier than doing something like an Apple TV2 Jailbreak. When you start the Fire TV, it takes a few clicks to open Kodi due to the infrastructure of the Fire OS which annoys some people, but really a non-issue, maybe 15-20 seconds tops to click around and open up Kodi. The remote in combo with the Fire TV app is all you need to pretty easily navigate within Kodi, you will only need to use your phone to run searches on TV or movie titles. My iPhone 5c linked up with the Fire TV in about 5 seconds, easy as cake.

I'm a heck of a lot more confident in this box holding up vs. the Element Ti4 over the long run. The Element box is powerful and highly rated on Amazon with lots of reviews, I just had a bad experience with a hardware failure in my case. I'd make this your Plan B if something were to happen to that box.

So basically my original plan BEFORE the Element should be my backup plan lol.

The Element still plays Kodi like a boss and I can hook up my wireless keyboard and mouse to it, so it still wins out for me. It'd be nice if it did other things right (HBOGO> hi), though that could be my ad blocker that I put on the device playing havoc with it.

 

[mquinnjr]

I loved the Element until it died on me, it's a great unit. I just can't personally vouch for it anymore after having to return one so soon. I hope it's just a one-off and it kicks out the jams for along time for you, BM!

 

[culdeus]

I wonder at what point does Roku get in bed with samsung tv and manage their UI and firmware? Or just any TV maker. I mean roku probably sees the writing on the wall that their UI advantage ultimately will be overlooked for the simplicity of a set based UI.

 

[matttyl]

I wonder at what point does Roku get in bed with samsung tv and manage their UI and firmware? Or just any TV maker. I mean roku probably sees the writing on the wall that their UI advantage ultimately will be overlooked for the simplicity of a set based UI.

...and one remote.

 

[matttyl]

Anyone here tried to work with a "raspberry pi" and use it as a HTPC? If I can *easily* get one to talk to a networked TV tuner and do netflix and play content stored on my local network that seems like a slam dunk for $70.

 

[Zasada]

Anyone here tried to work with a "raspberry pi" and use it as a HTPC? If I can *easily* get one to talk to a networked TV tuner and do netflix and play content stored on my local network that seems like a slam dunk for $70.

I had a Raspberry Pi (prior generation) working with OpenELEC (Kodi) and a networked tuner (HDHR). That covered networked content and OTA TV. Didn't try Netflix, though. I'm sure Google can tell you the latter.

The newest, more powerful Raspberry Pi should be even better with Kodi.

 

[matttyl]

Anyone here tried to work with a "raspberry pi" and use it as a HTPC? If I can *easily* get one to talk to a networked TV tuner and do netflix and play content stored on my local network that seems like a slam dunk for $70.

I had a Raspberry Pi (prior generation) working with OpenELEC (Kodi) and a networked tuner (HDHR). That covered networked content and OTA TV. Didn't try Netflix, though. I'm sure Google can tell you the latter.

The newest, more powerful Raspberry Pi should be even better with Kodi.

That's the biggest thing I'm trying to figure out how to do. I've seen mixed results online. I have the silicondust prime (3 tuner, with cablecard). Is it fairly easy to get Kodi to see and tune into it?

 

[tonydead]

Memorial Day Deals

 

[tonydead]

Just went and talked to my favorite gal at the Xfinity store now that my billing cycle has reconsiled since I cut the cable. Cut my internet from $66 to $44 a month no contract no strings no questions. 50Mbps.

 

[mquinnjr]

Just went and talked to my favorite gal at the Xfinity store now that my billing cycle has reconsiled since I cut the cable. Cut my internet from $66 to $44 a month no contract no strings no questions. 50Mbps.

Nice! OK so I just looked this up, since I've never been to a physical store front. They have listed on the website "Customer Service Centers," which I've been to in the past to pick up equipment, and "Xfinity Stores," which I assume you are talking about the latter. So you just walk in and play the "I like the service, but it's too much $, can you see if you can help me out for Internet only" card I'm guessing? I have to try this out when my contract is up if so.

 

[tonydead]

Just went and talked to my favorite gal at the Xfinity store now that my billing cycle has reconsiled since I cut the cable. Cut my internet from $66 to $44 a month no contract no strings no questions. 50Mbps.

Nice! OK so I just looked this up, since I've never been to a physical store front. They have listed on the website "Customer Service Centers," which I've been to in the past to pick up equipment, and "Xfinity Stores," which I assume you are talking about the latter. So you just walk in and play the "I like the service, but it's too much $, can you see if you can help me out for Internet only" card I'm guessing? I have to try this out when my contract is up if so.

I think so. There used to be a Customer Service Center that was more like a warehouse (like a UPS warehouse or post office) with a couple people that would exchange your equipment etc. Now that has been replaced at a different location (in the same area) with a Xfinity Store (like an Apple or Verizon store) in a strip mall. The service center closed.

All I know is that both times I went in there, once to cut the cord and then today, they treated me totally different than talking to the people on the phone. The first time I dropped off all my equipment, prepared for a salesmanship battle, and said all I wanted was internet. She didn't ask any questions and took care of me. She was the one that told me that I was stuck paying $66 for 30 days until my billing cycle caught up, but, to come back in and she'd give me a better deal. She told me to come back in and don't call anyone on the phone. Done deal.

 

[NutterButter]

Just went and talked to my favorite gal at the Xfinity store now that my billing cycle has reconsiled since I cut the cable. Cut my internet from $66 to $44 a month no contract no strings no questions. 50Mbps.

Nice! OK so I just looked this up, since I've never been to a physical store front. They have listed on the website "Customer Service Centers," which I've been to in the past to pick up equipment, and "Xfinity Stores," which I assume you are talking about the latter. So you just walk in and play the "I like the service, but it's too much $, can you see if you can help me out for Internet only" card I'm guessing? I have to try this out when my contract is up if so.

I think so. There used to be a Customer Service Center that was more like a warehouse (like a UPS warehouse or post office) with a couple people that would exchange your equipment etc. Now that has been replaced at a different location (in the same area) with a Xfinity Store (like an Apple or Verizon store) in a strip mall. The service center closed.

All I know is that both times I went in there, once to cut the cord and then today, they treated me totally different than talking to the people on the phone. The first time I dropped off all my equipment, prepared for a salesmanship battle, and said all I wanted was internet. She didn't ask any questions and took care of me. She was the one that told me that I was stuck paying $66 for 30 days until my billing cycle caught up, but, to come back in and she'd give me a better deal. She told me to come back in and don't call anyone on the phone. Done deal.

Yeah, the store is remarkably different. I had the same experience when I dropped off my stuff and told them I was dropping cable.

 

[17seconds]

Anyone here tried to work with a "raspberry pi" and use it as a HTPC? If I can *easily* get one to talk to a networked TV tuner and do netflix and play content stored on my local network that seems like a slam dunk for $70.

I had a Raspberry Pi (prior generation) working with OpenELEC (Kodi) and a networked tuner (HDHR). That covered networked content and OTA TV. Didn't try Netflix, though. I'm sure Google can tell you the latter.

The newest, more powerful Raspberry Pi should be even better with Kodi.

A friend of mine has been using RasPlex for a while - Plex on Raspberry Pi. It used to be buggy but the updates the last few months have made it pretty stable. The UI is really nice too. You need to figure out what you want to do for a remote though. USB-IR dongle would work with a Harmony. My friend uses a wifi keyboard remote and that is kind of klunky.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

We had Comcast Triple Play. We were paying about $162 a month. After our 2 yr contract ended, it went up to $184. I was able to go into the Comcast Store and get Basic cable (plus free HBO and Streampix for a year) and internet (25 Mbps) for $81/mo (we dropped land line). When I called Comcast, or checked online, that deal was only good for new subscribers. The in-store employees were able to make it happen. I know this doesn't make us "cable-cutters," but we're getting closer.

 

[rascal]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

 

[tonydead]

I still don't see the need for a HTPC. Seems a lot of money to spend to get something very marginally better than what an Xbox gives you and you don't get the games.

Apples and oranges.Short answer. Unlimited PVR storage, integrated live tv, full computer access. Oh, and pretty sure gaming on a computer rig is a thing.

I just have no need for a PVR anymore. I mean what the hell would I record? I either watch live sports or streaming content that I pull primarily from streaming sites I hardly ever even need to torrent crap anymore.

I can't think of a show on that I'm like "Oh wow I need to record this or I'll never be able to watch it" seems so 2006 to me.

I work on Sundays. If I can figure out an inexpensive way to DVR OTA stuff, that means I can watch more than the prime time Seahawks games again. Kind of wish I'd have bought the Tvio Roamio OTA with lifetime for $300 a month or two ago.

I recorded the last Dave Letterman show last night because I didn't want to stay up past mid-night. Plus it was the last Dave Letterman show.

 

[tonydead]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

I don't have any experience with the fire stick, but, I think the consensus in here for a simple plug and play device is Roku 3. You'd need one for each TV, just as you would with the fire stick. If you paid $5 for a Plex app you could stream content from your PC to any TV.

 

[tonydead]

We had Comcast Triple Play. We were paying about $162 a month. After our 2 yr contract ended, it went up to $184. I was able to go into the Comcast Store and get Basic cable (plus free HBO and Streampix for a year) and internet (25 Mbps) for $81/mo (we dropped land line). When I called Comcast, or checked online, that deal was only good for new subscribers. The in-store employees were able to make it happen. I know this doesn't make us "cable-cutters," but we're getting closer.

Good example. Try dropping the land line and getting out of triple play over the phone....impossible.

Now that you got rid of the phone you can buy your own modem for $45 and stop paying rent too.

The $81 sounds like a pretty good deal, but, I'm guessing you're stuck in another contract now and guess what happens next.

 

[rascal]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

I don't have any experience with the fire stick, but, I think the consensus in here for a simple plug and play device is Roku 3. You'd need one for each TV, just as you would with the fire stick. If you paid $5 for a Plex app you could stream content from your PC to any TV.

How would DVR work with roku for ota?

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

I don't have any experience with the fire stick, but, I think the consensus in here for a simple plug and play device is Roku 3. You'd need one for each TV, just as you would with the fire stick. If you paid $5 for a Plex app you could stream content from your PC to any TV.

I'd definitely recommend Roku 3 too. Very good device. Tons of available channels. (More & more local news stations are being added as well)

I actually just did another 3 month Sling again today & got Fire TV for Kodi. Got Roku 3 back in Feb with same 3 month Sling deal & haven't had a single issue with it.

 

[rascal]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

I don't have any experience with the fire stick, but, I think the consensus in here for a simple plug and play device is Roku 3. You'd need one for each TV, just as you would with the fire stick. If you paid $5 for a Plex app you could stream content from your PC to any TV.

I'd definitely recommend Roku 3 too. Very good device. Tons of available channels. (More & more local news stations are being added as well)I actually just did another 3 month Sling again today & got Fire TV for Kodi. Got Roku 3 back in Feb with same 3 month Sling deal & haven't had a single issue with it.

What is kodi?

 

[Brady Marino]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

I don't have any experience with the fire stick, but, I think the consensus in here for a simple plug and play device is Roku 3. You'd need one for each TV, just as you would with the fire stick. If you paid $5 for a Plex app you could stream content from your PC to any TV.

I'd definitely recommend Roku 3 too. Very good device. Tons of available channels. (More & more local news stations are being added as well)I actually just did another 3 month Sling again today & got Fire TV for Kodi. Got Roku 3 back in Feb with same 3 month Sling deal & haven't had a single issue with it.

What is kodi?

Google it and Youtube it. Both will tell you and show you more than any of us could.

 

[rascal]

Looked at the webpage for kodi and I'm still not sure...lol

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

I don't have any experience with the fire stick, but, I think the consensus in here for a simple plug and play device is Roku 3. You'd need one for each TV, just as you would with the fire stick. If you paid $5 for a Plex app you could stream content from your PC to any TV.

I'd definitely recommend Roku 3 too. Very good device. Tons of available channels. (More & more local news stations are being added as well)I actually just did another 3 month Sling again today & got Fire TV for Kodi. Got Roku 3 back in Feb with same 3 month Sling deal & haven't had a single issue with it.

What is kodi?

I'm sure others can give you better description, but in short it's an open source media player software. (Watch movies, live TV & sports)

I would go to Youtube and watch a video on it. Type in 'Kodi Fire TV' (or 'Kodi Fire stick'). Kodi aka XBMC

 

[tonydead]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

I don't have any experience with the fire stick, but, I think the consensus in here for a simple plug and play device is Roku 3. You'd need one for each TV, just as you would with the fire stick. If you paid $5 for a Plex app you could stream content from your PC to any TV.

How would DVR work with roku for ota?

There is no recording with Roku. You have to build a HTPC or install kodi (open source xmbc) on one of the tv boxes. If you get a htpc Windows Media Center will record too.

Roku doesn't do OTA at all. If you go the Roku route you have to use your tv to receive OTA.

 

[tonydead]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

I don't have any experience with the fire stick, but, I think the consensus in here for a simple plug and play device is Roku 3. You'd need one for each TV, just as you would with the fire stick. If you paid $5 for a Plex app you could stream content from your PC to any TV.

I'd definitely recommend Roku 3 too. Very good device. Tons of available channels. (More & more local news stations are being added as well)I actually just did another 3 month Sling again today & got Fire TV for Kodi. Got Roku 3 back in Feb with same 3 month Sling deal & haven't had a single issue with it.

You got the three month deal twice with the same account?

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

I have fire stick, but not a box. Have Netflix and amazon prime. Good area for ota. What is the best set up for multiple TVs? Im not loyal to a fire stick if something is better

I don't have any experience with the fire stick, but, I think the consensus in here for a simple plug and play device is Roku 3. You'd need one for each TV, just as you would with the fire stick. If you paid $5 for a Plex app you could stream content from your PC to any TV.

I'd definitely recommend Roku 3 too. Very good device. Tons of available channels. (More & more local news stations are being added as well)I actually just did another 3 month Sling again today & got Fire TV for Kodi. Got Roku 3 back in Feb with same 3 month Sling deal & haven't had a single issue with it.

You got the three month deal twice with the same account?

No

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Got Kodi installed with add-ons on Fire TV. Surprised at the picture quality and availability of channels/shows. Pretty much anything you could want is here.

 

[rascal]

Got Kodi installed with add-ons on Fire TV. Surprised at the picture quality and availability of channels/shows. Pretty much anything you could want is here.

Which add-ons and sources are u using?

 

[Brady Marino]

Got Kodi installed with add-ons on Fire TV. Surprised at the picture quality and availability of channels/shows. Pretty much anything you could want is here.

Which add-ons and sources are u using?

Watch the first half of this video. In one fell swoop, I pretty much got everything I could ever ask for.

Edit: Don't bother with the second half, it never works right.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Got Kodi installed with add-ons on Fire TV. Surprised at the picture quality and availability of channels/shows. Pretty much anything you could want is here.

Which add-ons and sources are u using?

Think I used this link to install: Brady's link I believe contains most of the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK16KbfFlT4

Primarily using SportsDevil so far.

 

[Brady Marino]

Got Kodi installed with add-ons on Fire TV. Surprised at the picture quality and availability of channels/shows. Pretty much anything you could want is here.

Which add-ons and sources are u using?

Think I used this link to install: Brady's link I believe contains most of the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK16KbfFlT4

Primarily using SportsDevil so far.

Right. Mine just shows a way to get a lot of it installed all at once. Yours is also a good video.

 

[tonydead]

What I did today :

VPN-PIA

Provider-Newsdemon

Reader-SABnzbd

Search-NZB.is (seems like everything on binsearch is taken down)

What are the best places to find reliable nzbs?

Next-sickbeard and couchpotato

Haven't even messed with kodi yet. I am happy with WMC as long as I can find files I want. I don't miss sports streaming and might try out of US subscription to NFL if that still works.

Any advice or recommendations appreciated.