Cable, Streaming or Satellite?

Reddit and TPB.

 

I sense this thread turning into a total nerd session where a lot of things will be said that the average person can't follow.

Can
Not
Wait!

 

I've had a streaming box for three years. It runs the Kodi player and automatically installs and updates every free streaming source available. There is a learning curve to navigate them - I usually suggest keeping cable for a month or two after buying it so you can get used to the system without being blacked out - but it gets everything. Live sports and live tv (both domestic and abroad), and archives of every tv show episode and movie ever made. After buying the box and dumping your cable, you'll have no ongoing costs except for your monthly internet bill.

 

I have PlaystationVue and enjoy it. Decent lineup for the price, but I don't live in a Sinclair area. You might checkout YoutubeTV to see if they carry Sinclair. They have a good sports lineup, but less of what the wife likes (HGTV/A&E/etc). price point is about the same.

 

Know what pisses me off about cutting the cord? End of the day, cost of streaming vs cable isn’t that much, if there’s any difference at all. And online DVRs are still far inferior to in-home hardware IMO.

 

I’ve had the Kodi app on my tablet for a while but it’s so cumbersome to navigate and constantly crashes and needs to be reinstalled.

I have looked at the android boxes on amazon but never knew enough to know which to buy.

Which box do you have and where did you get it?

 

Never had an issue with crashing in these. All the installs and updates come through each time you power it on. I had StreamSmart but they got bought out and the company that acquired them (StreamStation) stopped pushing updates to old units. I've got SkyStream Two now. SkyStream isn't as easy to navigate as StreamSmart was, but it was much less expensive and still gets everything in HD (unless the broadcast is only in SD like Crew games). It also has a FB group for troubleshooting common problems or for suggestions on what sources to stream from. I read through tech site reviews and web forums to make my decision on both. You'd want to buy directly from the company website to ensure it comes with a full warranty. Buying from a reseller like Amazon voids the warranty. I'd also echo what the previous guy recommended about having the HD antenna as well for local broadcasts.

 

We have kept Spectrum even though it has gotten extremely expensive just so we can watch Crew away games! Hope a station in Dayton will carry games. It's going to be a damn shame if I can watch fc Cincinnati game but not a Crew away game in South West Ohio!

 

YouTube TV and an Amplified antenna mounted in the attic pointed towards channel 53.

Crew was not allowed to be streamed live on YouTube TV. The antenna worked wonders. And I always had a recording of the match from YouTube TV.

 

The antenna web page will show you the locations of different tv stations, along with the distance to the station, and the types of antenna that you need to receive the station. The url is:

https://antennaweb.org/Address

The nice thing about digital TV is that if you can get a signal, you get a great picture without any ghosting like with analog signals. If the signal is bad, it pixelates or macroblocks.

There are a variety of different multi-channel streaming services that have slightly different line ups. Choose the one that best matches your needs. Also, these services have agreements with the cable networks that allow authentication so you can watch the network's content on any device using an app or a web browser.

Cable bundles with internet are typically low cost, but typically go up in price in year 2. You may have to switch services regularly to get the new customer discount.

 

For those of us that live in more rural areas with less cable options, it's still decent savings.

 

For those of us who live in rural areas and in pockets where Suddenlink refuses to string coax, sat tv is the only option. Don't let anyone tell you that Hughesnet is even remotely close. You can't stream a damned thing and even if you could they'd murder you at bill time. Which they do anyway.

I'm a hostage to the soulless bastards at DirecTV

 

I loved DirecTV, but I hated paying the $130/mo + my $75 internet from Spectrum. And I hated calling them every 9-12 months to haggle for a new only slightly better deal.

We cut the cord, bought an Apple TV, and moved to Playstation Vue. It took a bit to get used to, but we loved it. The only drawback was they only had 10tv and Fox 28. They added WSYX, but then took it away. In a matter of a year, the price went from $35 to $45 over two price increases. We switched to YouTube TV about 9 months ago because it was $40 and included all the local stations (sans WOSU). The interface isn't as convenient as the PS Vue, but it's sure nice having the OTS stations.

Still need the antenna though since CW is blacked out for Crew games last year. If they lift the blackout, I'll actually buy ESPN+.

Also, pro tip..... Go buy a Smart TV that has the apps already loaded. We bought ourselves a new 55" Samsung from Costco at Christmas. Hung it where our 10 year old 46" Sharp went. Not only is the picture WAYYYYYY better, but it was almost HALF the weight.

 

If you have DirecTV via satellite, you have about 10-15 years with your current setup. They've stopped launching satellites and are transitioning to an Android-based streaming setup.
https://qz.com/1480089/att-just-declared-the-end-of-the-satellite-tv-era-in-the-us/

My eye is on the prices of the streaming providers. There seems to be no one provider which is perfect. Some lack certain channels that others may have. As they get more popular, will their customers start clamoring for more channels or will people be content to have YouTube TV for certain channels that PlayStation Vue may not have and vice-versa?

Maybe things have improved, but I've noticed that when I tend to start/stop certain streaming video, there can be a delay. A ten-second rewind button may not do anything at times, making me hit it 3-4 times to actually have an effect.

Nobody is denying the technology is in its infancy. Let's see what happens long-term.

 

You can always move to a bigger, better place. May I suggest Columbus, Ohio?

 

Oh, you mean like civilization? No no, I love living out here fighting off the bears and washing my clothes on a rock in the creek.

 

I live in the Short North and my antenna cannot pick up the CW which is maddening.

I may get MLS Live this year depending on if our home and away games are blacked out. I've had it in the past and enjoyed it.

 

I'm in Grandview and my antenna will not pick it up either. MLS Live is no more and it's now ESPN+ and Crew games were blacked out last season.

 

Step 1: Get a good antenna ($50-$70). With a new TV, that us all you need. With an old TV, you will need a converter box ($35). With these, you will get all the locals (4, 6, 10, 28, 34, 53) and their sub channels as a base. Sometimes, you can lose locals in some packages for cable/satelitte/streaming. If you have the antenna, you have your locals, and under the present TV deal, Crew away games.

This is a one time purchase. Once you are good, you are good. Local networks do still carry a lot of sports (college football, Sunday NFL, NFL playoffs, Sunday NBA, some NBA POs, Olympics, some MLB POs, college hoops & some March Madness). With a local antenna, you get all that, no matter what choice you make later, or what dispute the provider gets in with local channels.

Step 2: Do not get into anything long term. Especially now. Stuff is changing too rapidly. Packages. Streaming options. On Roku, you used to have a cable subscription to access content on many channels. Now, a lot take Sling as a provider. Also, there are a lot weird cross synergies wuth stuff. My mom has AT&T phone service, and you can get limited access to ESPN App (ESPN3 stuff) for free with that. It gives you everything on delay and big events usually have magacasts live (though you may get the ALA/CLEM call rather than Herby).

For stuff you know you really want (ESPN, Big Ten, Sunday Ticket) look to see if there are ways to get it on the side (individual streaming options, synergies, add on packages at $5-$10, etc).

3. You sound like you want ESPN & BigTen Networks for certain (Buckeyes). And probably need Sunday Ticket for Bengals. Whatever choice you make, make sure these networks are included.
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I have an antenna + Roku box ($50 one time). I pay for Sling Blue ($25 no ESPN).

Sling Orange ($25): ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, TNT, TBS, ACC ESPN Network.

Sling Blue ($25): TNT, TBS, FS1, FS2, Fox Sports Ohio & Cincy, Fox SportsTime, NBCSN, NFL Network.

Sling Orange + Blue = Both ($40).

Orange Sports extra ($5): ESPNU, ESPNNews, NBATV, NHL Network, BeInSpirts, SEC Network, Pac12, Goal Line, Bases Loaded, Tennis.

Sling Blue Sports extra ($10): NFL Red Zone, NBATV, NHL Network, BeIn Sports, Pac 12, Tennis, NBC Golf, Olympic Channel.

No Sunday Ticket (miss some Bengals) and no BigTen Network (not maximim Bucks viewing).

I am sure there are other options out there. Sling had a special where you got any extra pack for $5 so I got the sports pack.$30 monthly.

Can miss some live Buckeyes & Bengals. But ESPN on replay covers most Bucks football. Sling Orange ir the $40 oack would cover it.

Leave it to others to describe other options.

 

Local games are blacked out, period. Won’t be changing.

 

Even if you buy MLS Live? I have YTTV and couldn't get Crew games last year. Was hoping to get them this year without having to go to a bar.

 

You sir, need to exert your considerable influence and work on this. If you accept this challenge and are successful, @Kyle Crew personally guarantees a Land Grant Brew with your Avatar on it regardless of cost.