Politician Spock
Footballguy
Aren't those four generations old?
The latest generation is the Bolt. Prior to that was the Roamio. Prior to that was the Premier (which is my second one). Was the Series 3 the generation before the Premier?
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We've cut the cable (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Addai's Adidas
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The latest generation is the Bolt. Prior to that was the Roamio. Prior to that was the Premier (which is my second one). Was the Series 3 the generation before the Premier?
Politician Spock
Footballguy
Depends on what you mean by "basic indoor antenna". The reason the Mohu Leaf was invented is because most basic indoor antennas suck donkey balls. They exist because a lot of people are within 10 miles of the towers they want to hit. Start getting farther away, with hills and such, and you start to see why they are so cheap. I'd recommend the Leaf, and with the hill to consider you might want to get the amplified Leaf.
themeanmachine
Footballguy
Yeah, I tried the Leaf, but still had trouble, no more than 2 major networks without readjustment, even after trying it on the 2nd story.
Politician Spock
Footballguy
Maybe there is some industrial interference between you and the towers that's weakening the signal in between. Do you live near any odd kind of factories?
themeanmachine
Footballguy
Not really, just a bunch of tract homes, then a small hill, then more tract homes. Others in my area have the same complaint, so at least I know it's not just me, but it's frustrating.
CGRdrJoe
Footballguy
http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Sling-TV-to-add-Warriors-Giants-A-s-Sharks-10972347.php
I'm guessing other cities will have similar additions.
Sling TV, an online streaming service, announced Thursday that it will add the NBC regional sports channels that broadcast Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, Oakland A’s and San Jose Sharks games by April 2 — baseball’s opening day.
The addition of NBC’s Regional Sports Networks to Sling TV’s $25 per month online subscription service could encourage more cable subscribers to decamp to the lower-cost streaming service. It also includes CSN Chicago and CSN Mid-Atlantic. The channels will be available to subscribers of the Sling Blue level of service who live in those areas.
Sling TV, owned by satellite TV service Dish Network, and NBC announced last summer that they planned to include the regional sports networks. Sling TV launched two years ago with ESPN, but one big hole that kept subscribers from signing on was the lack of local sports
I'm guessing other cities will have similar additions.
Sling TV, an online streaming service, announced Thursday that it will add the NBC regional sports channels that broadcast Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants, Oakland A’s and San Jose Sharks games by April 2 — baseball’s opening day.
The addition of NBC’s Regional Sports Networks to Sling TV’s $25 per month online subscription service could encourage more cable subscribers to decamp to the lower-cost streaming service. It also includes CSN Chicago and CSN Mid-Atlantic. The channels will be available to subscribers of the Sling Blue level of service who live in those areas.
Sling TV, owned by satellite TV service Dish Network, and NBC announced last summer that they planned to include the regional sports networks. Sling TV launched two years ago with ESPN, but one big hole that kept subscribers from signing on was the lack of local sports
CletiusMaximus
Footballguy
There was a transition phase for my family that was a bit rough for a few weeks, due to missing some things we were accustomed to with cable - including the guide and the way we used our dvr. We're well past that now and are not looking back. One thing I find is we rarely just turn on the television and aimlessly surf for something to watch. I kind of like that - when we turn on the television, its to watch a specific show we've decided to watch. We use PSVue, which has a decent guide, but I almost never find myself paging through it looking for something to watch "live". 90% of the time we're watching something on Netflix, Prime or a show we saved using the PSVue's dvr function.
JoeSteeler
Footballguy
Politician Spock
Footballguy
This is one of the reasons we love Tivo so much. The guide and interface is better than anything cable or directv provided. We had a Tivo as a DVR for Directv before Directv had their own DVR. When Directv came out with their own DVR and were going to start charging us extra to use the Tivo, we switched to the directv dvr, and really missed the Tivo's interface. So when we were talking about cutting the cord and learned we could use a Tivo to DVR OTA channels, it was a no brainer. We were glad to have the Tivo interface back.
That being said, the streaming apps, like Netflix, Amazon, Youtube, et al.... SUCK on the Tivo we have. It's a Roamio model. Maybe the bolt has better streaming apps, but I'm not spending $300+ to find out, when simply using a Roku for those apps is great.
We use PS Vue so I can get my live sports from ESPN and Fox local, and the interface sucks. But I know exactly what I'm going to watch when I use PS Vue. It's definitely horrible for the channel surfer. The Sling TV interface was better than PS VUE, but still not good for channel surfing. When I channel surf, I use the Tivo and the two dozen OTA channels. I'd say 15 of them are pretty decent, even though a handful of them only show 20+ year old shows. What can I say, I still like watching Cheers and Star Trek.
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Tick
Footballguy
I have an old Tivo with a lifetime subscription that hasn't been hooked up to anything for years. I can't really see how I'd use it any more.
I have the best winegard there is and it works great 40 miles out. I use an amp because I send the signal through a long run of coax. Amps magnify the signal to help with loss in long runs and splits. If you had your antenna attached directly to your tv an amp wouldn't do you any good because the signal is what you get. It's best that you put the amp right on the antenna before it picks up noise in the coax run which would get amplified too. That means you need a power source to reach up there. Other than trusting tvfool you won't know until you try. Good coax, good connections and minimize splitting all helps. It also matters what is in between you and the signal, mountains etc.
matttyl
Footballguy
So what's the difference between an "amp" and a "pre-amp"? I believe the hand me down antenna I have in the shed is a winegard 8000 (or similar, it doesn't have any model number on it that I can see, but it's HUGE). I'm going to set it up on the deck this weekend and only hook it up to one TV with maybe 25' of RG6 coax. If it pulls in some channels, I'll take the next step.....if not I'll have to stay with cable or wait until some streaming service includes my locals.tonydead said:
Well with the $70. Full strength WiFi everywhere in the house and out on the deck. Much better route than an extended.
Man In The Box
Footballguy
I'm in the process of figuring out if cord cutting is a realistic possibility for us, so I've been trying some different things.
For those of you that use your cable company for internet, and are having trouble with OTA antennas for local channels, you may be able to get them by splitting the coax and running it to the TV. I tried this the other day and was able to pull in 50+ channels, including all my locals in HD.
ETA: I should clarify that we don't use our cable company for TV, just internet. We have Directv for TV.
For those of you that use your cable company for internet, and are having trouble with OTA antennas for local channels, you may be able to get them by splitting the coax and running it to the TV. I tried this the other day and was able to pull in 50+ channels, including all my locals in HD.
ETA: I should clarify that we don't use our cable company for TV, just internet. We have Directv for TV.
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Rattle and Hum
Footballguy
If I understand this correctly, you successfully used the cable line as an OTA antenna?Man In The Box said:
Man In The Box
Footballguy
I'm not sure exactly. I don't know whether these channels I'm getting are OTA or if the cable coming into my house for internet is providing them from the cable company itself. One of the channels I'm getting is called the Optimum Channel, which is the name of my cable internet provider, and there is also a channel that is a scrolling guide of channels for Optimium, so I'm guessing it's the latter.
Tick
Footballguy
This works for us as well - we can get some basic channels through the cable modem cord. I can't remember why I don't have that set up on the TV - need to consider it again.
matttyl
Footballguy
matttyl
Footballguy
I think it's called "clear QAM" or something like that. It's some basic (mainly local) channels that come "standard" on any service that goes live to your house. I thought they were doing away with them but maybe you still have them at your place. This will obviously vary place to place.
beer 30
Footballguy
2 things:
1. Big ups to the folks who recommended the Mohu Leaf 50
Simple install and WA LA! Have 50ish HD channels.
2. Just inherited an Apple TV black box. I have no subscriptions to anything (Netflix, Hulu, etc). I did bump around on it a bit and managed to put free CBS news on so I know there are some free options. My question, what can I do with this thing? Probably not buying iTunes movies etc. so just looking for free stuff. Any insight appreciated on how to best use this really cool device.
1. Big ups to the folks who recommended the Mohu Leaf 50
Simple install and WA LA! Have 50ish HD channels.2. Just inherited an Apple TV black box. I have no subscriptions to anything (Netflix, Hulu, etc). I did bump around on it a bit and managed to put free CBS news on so I know there are some free options. My question, what can I do with this thing? Probably not buying iTunes movies etc. so just looking for free stuff. Any insight appreciated on how to best use this really cool device.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Politician Spock
Footballguy
Crackle is free. Will have commercials, but it's essentially a poor man's Netflix. I watch it sometimes and I have both Netflix and Amazon Prime. Sometimes Crackle has something they don't.beer 30 said:2 things:
1. Big ups to the folks who recommended the Mohu Leaf 50
2. Just inherited an Apple TV black box. I have no subscriptions to anything (Netflix, Hulu, etc). I did bump around on it a bit and managed to put free CBS news on so I know there are some free options. My question, what can I do with this thing? Probably not buying iTunes movies etc. so just looking for free stuff. Any insight appreciated on how to best use this really cool device.
JoeSteeler
Footballguy
EPIX has like 4 streaming movie channels you dont have to pay for. Not new movies, but some decent ones.
Telling you guys - check out Xtv if you have roku...may be available on other platforms not sure
https://www.rokuguide.com/private-channels/xtv
Telling you guys - check out Xtv if you have roku...may be available on other platforms not sure
https://www.rokuguide.com/private-channels/xtv
matttyl
Footballguy
So I took out the huge antenna (I believe a winegard 8200 or similar) and just set it on a table on the back deck and pointed it at the TV towers, roughly ~50 miles away with a mountain and trees and such in between. Received ABC and CBS very well, plus a bunch of channels I don't care about. Tweaked it a bit and was able to barely get FOX and NBC. I believe if I can mount it somehow (this thing is a monster), I'll be alright.
Anyone have experience with antenna masts or similar? I'll try it in the attic first, but I doubt it will be able to get a clear enough signal through the roofing. So getting it pointed properly, while hopefully 25' or so off the ground may be an issue (no chimney or similar to attach it to on house, and really don't want to install anything through the roofing).
Anyone have experience with antenna masts or similar? I'll try it in the attic first, but I doubt it will be able to get a clear enough signal through the roofing. So getting it pointed properly, while hopefully 25' or so off the ground may be an issue (no chimney or similar to attach it to on house, and really don't want to install anything through the roofing).
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Which side of that mountain are you on? You may have to trial-and-error it.
I'm screwed here for an OTA antenna as I have three ridges then another 50 miles between me & DC. I could get WHSV (ABC out of Harrisonburg), but that's it other than a few public channels out of the smaller towns closer into my location. Hell, just Massanutten is blocking me to the east (and is staring me straight in the face), as I'd need a 200 foot mast just to begin to peek over the top of it. Getting any kind of line-of-sight beyond that is just as bad.
matttyl
Footballguy
The good side. That said, there is still that one last ridge between me and DC. I was out in your neck of the woods a few weeks back mountain biking. Pretty country out there, but hell for OTA reception. I may have to look into a telephone pole installation.
beer 30
Footballguy
Thanks, I watch a lot of movies on either Solarmovies or Putlocker. Looks like Crackle is about the same thing.
Also found a list of the free content offered for Apple TV which is pretty solid
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Joe, I added this private channel via the Roku website but I don't see it showing up on my Roku. Is there some sort of update I need to perform on the Roku to get this channel to show up?
1.beer 30 said:2 things:
1. Big ups to the folks who recommended the Mohu Leaf 50
2. Just inherited an Apple TV black box. I have no subscriptions to anything (Netflix, Hulu, etc). I did bump around on it a bit and managed to put free CBS news on so I know there are some free options. My question, what can I do with this thing? Probably not buying iTunes movies etc. so just looking for free stuff. Any insight appreciated on how to best use this really cool device.
2. Throw the apple in the garbage (sell it on ebay and buy something that isn't so restrictive for content).
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
JoeSteeler
Footballguy
go into system-system update and it should show up (typing this from work so may be one more step in there) will update once i get home
eta-
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I have mine anchored to a 5 foot pole that connects to the ridge of the highest rafter. Wherever you can mount it as high as you can get it will work, you can use any extra material you have on hand or buy stuff at the hardware store. You just need to be able to run a wire to ground though if you want to protect against lightning (you'll find it in the documentation from winegard; I think 8 gauge minimum recommended).
matttyl
Footballguy
That's ~30 feet off the ground (sloped ground at that) on my house. Would need to hire a pro most likely.
matttyl
Footballguy
Not on the side of the house that the antenna would need to be on for best reception (and to hide it a bit). Just 30' up a straight exterior wall with a sloped hillside beneath you. I'll try in the attic first (I wonder if the radiant barrier I install will interfere with it). That's at least easy, and wouldn't require any grounding. If that doesn't get the four major channels, then I'll try other means.
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But you can physically get up on top of the roof? I mean how do you clean the leaves out of the gutters? With a helper you should be able to anchor it from up top. You'll also want it where you can get at it to make minor adjustments. That thing is like 8 feet long and 4 feet wide, I wouldn't worry about trying to hide it.
matttyl
Footballguy
I don't think I could physically get up there. Never tried. Don't think I'd want to (pretty steep up there and already 25' off the ground in front, and probably 30'+ off the ground in back of house). I'll let you know how attic goes first....then I might try this dangerous stuff.....
Shutout
Footballguy
My 86 year old grandmother told me how to fix this type of issue. Of course, she took an hour to get to the meat of the story but I'll spare you guys that and only make you suffer for a few minutes. Her story is:
Back in the day, people would run their antennas to high ground AWAY from the house and to a high point to eliminate interference from the actual homes as much as other things. So, here's grandfather literally walking up a mountain with hundreds of yards of wire n tow on a spool. It worked to get to a high point away from the brick of the house.
Fast forward to 5 years ago, she sees these people hanging Christmas lights waaaay up in trees; hundreds of feet. "How do they get up there?" She wonders. She finds out that the kids are stuffing the lights in potato guns and shooting them up into the trees. They show her and it reminded do her of grandfather's wire that goes flying in the air when they shoot wads of lights into the trees and the wire follows.
So, she tells me, you take a rod that can be your antenna, you attach your wire, and you shoot it up into that oak tree out back. I do. I clean it up and have a wire running from house to top and then a straight wire from there into the tree. Great reception.
Shutout
Footballguy
I have come to realize over the past year and a bit of not having cable that a lot of these things that we (including me) have griped about in this thread are truly SUCH nit picky little things that really can be moved on from once we make the decision to cut the cable. Maybe it's because I'm getting older and am more willing to not be a slave to my phone and computer and technology as much, in general, but WHEN I think about saving $100+ a month PLUS NOT having to periodically fight with a cable company trying to inch my bill up every few months (and basically just knowing I don't have to deal with these guys AT ALL), I quickly decide that I can easily live without the channel menu being super easy to surf or the DVR being able to hold more hours than I have left on the planet or me being actually forced to look in more than one place to find two different things.
In general, I think of that dough in my pocket and the idea that it's okay if I have to actually think for a minute before turning on the television and my life somehow actually seems a bit better most times. My life won't end on that day I can't find the Cubs/Cards game and I end up spending some time doing something else. It's not awful when I spend three straight hours on a given random evening doing anything else other than watching 40-50 two minute segments of 40-50 different programs. It just somehow becomes okay, and I've grown to like that.
In general, I think of that dough in my pocket and the idea that it's okay if I have to actually think for a minute before turning on the television and my life somehow actually seems a bit better most times. My life won't end on that day I can't find the Cubs/Cards game and I end up spending some time doing something else. It's not awful when I spend three straight hours on a given random evening doing anything else other than watching 40-50 two minute segments of 40-50 different programs. It just somehow becomes okay, and I've grown to like that.
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RC94
Footballguy
I have been thinking about cancelling TV although I would still have to deal with the cable company for internet. Cancelling TV would save me about $90 a month. As I watch TV tonight, I have been getting increasingly annoyed with the commercials so I decided to keep track of how long the commercials are compared to how long the show is. 7 minutes of show and then 5 minutes of commercial. Pretty soon the commercials will be longer than the actual TV shows. On top of that, there is rarely anything good on TV. I wind up watching reruns of the Simpsons more than anything else. I have already seen all of these episodes several times over the years and yet it's still more entertaining than most of what else is on. I am going to cancel my TV tomorrow. I don't have a replacement plan and Kodi seems like a pain in the neck, so I might just go without TV altogether. Any recommendations? Is Kodi worth buying a fire stick for? I have Netflix and PS4 and would like to use my PS4 for everything if possible.
culdeus
Footballguy
I still just use my gaming console for most everything.
I pay for everything I use now which isn't all that much and I'm totally fine for my needs. YMMV
Garrett
Footballguy
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RC94
Footballguy
RC94
Footballguy
What do you pay for? I like the thought of using the PS4 for everything.I still just use my gaming console for most everything.
culdeus
Footballguy
Amazon Prime - Sort of call this free but this is massive
HBOGo when Thrones is on, or I guess Westworld. I cancel it when they don't have any content I am currently watching
SlingTV when I am interested in college football or there are a string of games on ESPN I want to watch, a month or two here and there.
Netflix - When they have enough content built up and I can't find anything on amazon
MLB.tv - But this takes a DNS unblocker to watch local games and last year I didn't bother with either.
There are some other stuff for kids like disney and crap like that which are free
RC94
Footballguy
Never mind. Checking it out now. It's a little better than cable but still gets you little for a lot of money (for what you get). Is it at least commercial free?
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RC94
Footballguy
Interesting. Takes a little effort to cancel and then re-signup but something along this line is something I may try
