Cutting the cord

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by Dog Face Pony Soldier

Cord cutters should add an over-the-air (OTA) DTV antenna if they can get reception.

Another "free" OTA option, if you can't get a signal and are in one of their service areas:

https://www.locast.org/

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't include a disclaimer that their NYC receiver antenna is located on top of Trump Tower in Manhattan.....

[infinitekidM2C]

I'm going to stick with threatening my cable company. I was paying $180 as well for fiber optic internet and a decent cable package. I got them down to $110, so that's workable and relatively reasonable. I've tried cutting the cord but i won't save all that much at this point.

[Mason Hatcher]

I cut the cord years ago. OTA I get many channels, and my Samsung Smart TV gets additional internet only channels. I use the Hulu $5 a month for other stuff.

[BMW F22]

I started a thread on this years ago when cutting the cord. Bought an antenna for each TV for $15 and they’ve worked well. I haven’t really watched TV in so long. Mostly been using Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime. Only thing I pay for is internet which is $60 a month for 250mbps. It’s more than enough for streaming.

On a related note. I also switched to Ring alarm few years ago for $100 a year instead of paying $40-50 a month for ADT/Bay Alarm. That saves $400-500 a year in addition to not paying for cable TV.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

Another "free" OTA option, if you can't get a signal and are in one of their service areas:

https://www.locast.org/

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't include a disclaimer that their NYC receiver antenna is located on top of Trump Tower in Manhattan.....

Anyone caring that the company's antenna is on Trump Tower is clearly in need of therapy.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Dog Face Pony Soldier

Cord cutters should add an over-the-air (OTA) DTV antenna if they can get reception. The antennas aren't very expensive and provide great picture quality... Plus you get live local programming. I'm constantly amazed by how many cord-cutters never even consider adding an OTA DTV antenna.

FCC provides a reception map tool: https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps

Looked into that while doing my research but youtube tv now carries all my local channels live so no need for the OTA.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Looked into that while doing my research but youtube tv now carries all my local channels live so no need for the OTA.

I think the viewing experience and definitely picture quality is way better with OTA, but do acknowledge that OTA requires unique hardware where YouTube doesn't.

[shadowfax]

Most of the OTA channels I would want are blocked by a tall noise wall next to my house. Do you think a (soon to be) Interstate exit sign would work as an antenna?

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by infinitekidM2C

I'm going to stick with threatening my cable company. I was paying $180 as well for fiber optic internet and a decent cable package. I got them down to $110, so that's workable and relatively reasonable. I've tried cutting the cord but i won't save all that much at this point.

I do the same. Every quarter to six months, I call em up and threaten to leave. I get a combination of bill credits and free premium channels.

The biggest problem that I don't see a solution to, is a "reliable method of recording Live TV".
My wife has to be able to record her Novelas and my kids their own shows and my many different shows at various times of the day and week.
This is why I feel stuck with DirecTV and their very reliable DVR service.

[vreihen16]

Originally Posted by shadowfax

Most of the OTA channels I would want are blocked by a tall noise wall next to my house. Do you think a (soon to be) Interstate exit sign would work as an antenna?
Attachment 2347698

Probably not, since it is grounded.

I would let the workers finish first, and then use a few C-clamps or carpenter's clamps over the top lip of the wall to hold a small square of plywood on the back side. Screw a J-pole satellite dish mount to the plywood, and try to keep it set back from the wall and as low as possible so that it doesn't attract any attention from the highway side.



If you have the stones to do an intrusive/permanent mount, leave off the clamps/plywood and just Tap-Con the J-pole mount directly into the wall using an impact drill. Personally, I would be afraid to tamper with the wall, since those pre-fab panels were built by the lowest bidder and I assume they used foam or honeycomb mesh sandwich core construction to keep weight down and further deaden the sound.....

[infinitekidM2C]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

I do the same. Every quarter to six months, I call em up and threaten to leave. I get a combination of bill credits and free premium channels.

The biggest problem that I don't see a solution to, is a "reliable method of recording Live TV".
My wife has to be able to record her Novelas and my kids their own shows and my many different shows at various times of the day and week.
This is why I feel stuck with DirecTV and their very reliable DVR service.

Didnt even think of that. And i record a lot of English Premier league games.

[Fakemike]

You guys should also look into Philo TV for $20/mo (an an alternative to Youtube TV). But no local channels, you would need an antenna

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by shadowfax

Most of the OTA channels I would want are blocked by a tall noise wall next to my house. Do you think a (soon to be) Interstate exit sign would work as an antenna?
Attachment 2347698

I'm not sure the wall would really obstruct the signal, but you could always sneak an antenna onto that telephone pole when nobody's looking.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

The biggest problem that I don't see a solution to, is a "reliable method of recording Live TV".
My wife has to be able to record her Novelas and my kids their own shows and my many different shows at various times of the day and week.
This is why I feel stuck with DirecTV and their very reliable DVR service.

I am a FiOS devotee, but last time I checked TiVo was the DVR (and program guide) solution for OTA users. The problem with this is by the time you pay for internet, streaming services, and TiVo, you could probably be around the same price as cable.

[kscarrol]

I have not played with it as we never record shows but YouTube TV does offer recording of shows. Need to do some research on the product but might be worth a look.

[saeyedoc]

Recently moved and got a fast fiber connection and Hulu+ live. Had all the channels I want and a huge cloud DVR.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by hl0m4n

the other crazy thing i found during my research is these new 'all in one' boxes that have modem, tv, and wireless router built in being offered at discounted bundled price is also a scam. from a business perspective smart strategy, but on the consumer end the box creates a secondary public wifi increasing the company's hot spot coverage. keep in mind this is using your bandwidth let alone having a secondary network open to the public.

The secondary WiFi AP in those boxes does not consume the household's bandwidth, and it does not pose any risk in terms of how it is used by others. It is a completely separate entity, network-wise.

[shadowfax]

Originally Posted by infinitekidM2C

Didnt even think of that. And i record a lot of English Premier league games.

I heard that fuboTV has a cloud DVR as well as on demand EPL games.

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

The biggest problem that I don't see a solution to, is a "reliable method of recording Live TV"

Huh?

YouTubeTV has unlimited DVR included...you could literally record every piece of content they offer if you wanted. It couldn't be easier.

Moved to YouTubeTV after leaving DirecTV Now...which was $hit. But they did give me 2 free Apple TV 4k boxes, so can't really complain.

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Huh?

YouTubeTV has unlimited DVR included...you could literally record every piece of content they offer if you wanted. It couldn't be easier.

Moved to YouTubeTV after leaving DirecTV Now...which was $hit. But they did give me 2 free Apple TV 4k boxes, so can't really complain.

Uhhhm.... Youtube is not Live or Regular Broadcast TV.

[corn18]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Uhhhm.... Youtube is not Live or Regular Broadcast TV.

YouTube TV is.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Uhhhm.... Youtube is not Live or Regular Broadcast TV.

I've had YouTubeTV for a couple months now and love it. $50 per month, has all my local channels live and all the major channels I watched on cable. The only channel missing is the History channel but it has everything else. Also has cloud DVD... you should check it out.