Another Cord Cutting Thread

JDHoss

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Jan 1, 2003
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A decent app to try is PlutoTV. I just downloaded it the other day to see what it was about. There are probably 100 or more free channels on there. Of course most are likely garbage, but I found a handful that I liked. Plus it has a bunch of free movies you can watch as well. You have to deal with commercials though (that is how it is free). Worth a look.

If for nothing else, Pluto is worth getting for the channel that airs Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode 24/7.
 
May 6, 2002
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I like the Man Up channel (has Monster Garage and a bunch of History Channel like shows), Impact Wrestling Channel, and the Science Channel (my son and I watch some shows on there together). My son also watches IGN (video game channel). I still haven't tried very many channels yet.
 
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vhcat70

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If you have a narrow range of viewing, cutting probably works. If you're all over the map - my wife's several areas (old movies, cooking, homes, clothes, drama) & me several different (sports, news, finance, history, antiques) with about 10-20% overlap - not cutting is way to keep all happy.
 
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JDHoss

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If you have a narrow range of viewing, cutting probably works. If you're all over the map - my wife's several areas (old movies, cooking, homes, clothes, drama) & me several different (sports, news, finance, history, antiques) with about 10-20% overlap - not cutting is way to keep all happy.

Nope....we're cord cutters and we get all that.
 

theoledog

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I subscibed to HuLu Live TV yesterday and felt like I was watching regular TV for the most part... Enough to satisfy me.... The format take some getting used to... Dish and DTV have had enough of my dime over the years thought I's give someone else a try.... Hard to find one that offered Golf Channel as a part of it's package... I'll survive that... So far so good. Best thing, the customer is only on the hook one month at a time.
 
Jun 24, 2009
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I subscibed to HuLu Live TV yesterday and felt like I was watching regular TV for the most part... Enough to satisfy me.... The format take some getting used to... Dish and DTV have had enough of my dime over the years thought I's give someone else a try.... Hard to find one that offered Golf Channel as a part of it's package... I'll survive that... So far so good. Best thing, the customer is only on the hook one month at a time.

I had Netflix for years, and cable, but once I tried Hulu, I was so pleased I canceled my cable as soon as I could.

I did them a solid and doubled our internet speed, but even after that, I was still saving $30/mo now that I wasnt paying for their TV service or paying to rent their boxes.

Now I've got the fastest internet they offer to play xbox on.

Win/win.
 
Jun 24, 2009
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Got royally pissed off at Direct yesterday and ended it with cutting the cord. They had a service apt to come to the house between noon and 4...at 2pm get a call that they would be there by 4 (lie #1). At 4 I called to get status update and was told the technician was in route and was 15-20 minutes away(lie #2). When they didn't arrive by 5 I called again...was told they would contact the technician and return my call in 10-15 minutes(lie #3)... at 6pm when there was no technician and no call I called again. They started me down the "let us call the technician and return your call" route I informed them I could wait no longer, I had someplace to be at 7pm. Since I couldn't be there they said they would have to reschedule and the first appointment would be Wednesday. I told them if they couldn't make it tomorrow (today) then just cancel my subscription. They sent me to a supervisor who basically repeated all the same BS ...I repeated my terms and if they couldn't meet them I was done... and I'm now done with Direct!

I feel better to get that rant off my chest...and now to my question. I've got 4 tvs in the house but only one is a "Smart tv" that has the Netflix/Roku/Amazon etc interface built in. What's the setup hardware needed on the other tvs?
I've been considering cord cutting for a while...it just took wasting 6.5 hours and being lied to 3 times to push me over the edge.

In case nobody had answerd you yet...

You can buy a Roku box for like $25. Plug it into your TV, and now you have a smart tv.
 
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Violent Cuts

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I wish someone would create a "master guide." you enter your subscriptions, for example we have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Youtube TV and it gives you a master guide of everything available. Sometimes I forget where I have HBO or AMC - which ones I can fast forward through commercials, which one I have stuff DVR'd etc.
 
Mar 23, 2012
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You lived in just a single room in a house provided by your employer? Is that as awful as it sounds?
It's a pretty big room. I haven't officially measured it, but it's probably 3x bigger than the room I grew up in. Have my own bathroom and full refrigerator, and the hallway connecting the bathroom to my bedroom is basically all mine as well (that's where my fridge is). Only space I share in the house is the kitchen and the washer/dryer.

It's actually a pretty nice setup. Got enough space for a closet, a garment rack since the closet is not big enough (I have way too many clothes), a couch, a coffee table for the couch, a queen size bed, an end table, something I use to hang my coat and store my shoes, a table for my TV, an extra chair for guests, and two chest of drawers. And I still have quite a lot of open space in the middle. In the room I grew up in, a full-size bed is as big as I can fit. If I tried to stick a queen size bed in there I'd barely be able to fit anything else.

I'd have to drop $1200+ on rent around here (which is A LOT for the area) to get a bedroom as big as this. Of course obviously that $1200 comes with more square footage than my bedroom but you'd have to add utilities (electricity, heat/AC, water, etc.), internet, and TV on top of that $1200+.

I'd gladly stay at this house and pay the rent, which would be less than $400 a month (which includes everything - utilities, internet, tv, etc.), if they would allow me so I can save up the money to eventually buy a house or townhouse. Wouldn't even think twice about continuing to do this if I got the promotion. Alas, that will not be an option. I'd only move out to rent someplace else if I wanted to live with a serious girlfriend/fiance/wife.
 
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cricket3

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May 29, 2001
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The beauty of having an actual house is your don't need a bedroom big enough for a couch and a refrigerator, they have their own room.
 
Mar 23, 2012
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The beauty of having an actual house is your don't need a bedroom big enough for a couch and a refrigerator, they have their own room.
My fridge is not in my bedroom. But I kinda like having everything but the kitchen and bathroom consolidated in one room. Pretty convenient that way. Give me a place to live that's nothing but a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom and toss a washer and dryer in a closet somewhere and I'll be plenty happy.
 
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May 6, 2002
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I wish someone would create a "master guide." you enter your subscriptions, for example we have Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Youtube TV and it gives you a master guide of everything available. Sometimes I forget where I have HBO or AMC - which ones I can fast forward through commercials, which one I have stuff DVR'd etc.

It isn't a guide, but Roku lets you search for a show and then it will tell you which apps you can watch it on. For instance, I can type in The Big Bang Theory and it shows it on CBS All Access or you can purchase episodes on like 4 other apps. I'd love it if they would let you favorite shows on different apps to where you have a list of all your shows regardless of what they are streaming from.

It then will show you episodes that are available and notify you when a new episode comes out. That is similar to how Hulu works, but Hulu doesn't give you every network or show that you can get from other sources. For instance if I want to keep up with superhero shows, I could favorite The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow from The CW, Agents of Shield on ABC, The Punisher and Daredevil from Netflix, Cloak and Dagger from Free Form, and Runaways on Hulu (there are others but you get the point). That is a whole lot of shows to try and keep up with.

I'm sure it will never happen, but I never thought there would be cross platform gaming and it is starting to happen. Maybe cross app streaming is next.
 
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Pickle_Rick

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I got a Roku, jail broke it, but haven't watched anything but what I got before the jailbreak. Gonna look at Hulu. You guys seem pleased with it.
 

LadyCaytIL

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Oct 28, 2012
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I have playstation vue ....55$ a month and good antenna for local stations.. (of course it helps when the st louis area has many local stations within 50 miles.) beats the hell out of the 145$ a month I was paying for directv.

My one question is.... does any of the other options have the dvr like capability that playstation vue has?? like Hulu tv, sling etc? so many shows to watch and you cant watch them all live.... gotta have that dvr like ability
 

Free_Salato_Blue

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I have playstation vue ....55$ a month and good antenna for local stations.. (of course it helps when the st louis area has many local stations within 50 miles.) beats the hell out of the 145$ a month I was paying for directv.

My one question is.... does any of the other options have the dvr like capability that playstation vue has?? like Hulu tv, sling etc? so many shows to watch and you cant watch them all live.... gotta have that dvr like ability

I've tried PSVUE early and have switched to Hulu Live. Vue put SEC network in an upgraded pack and raised the price. While Hulu it's part of the standard package $39.99 at the time being. You can have 2 devices running and 50 hours recorded on the cloud, unless you want pay for unlimited devices and 200 hours record time.
You may want to see what channels you like, PSvue had AMC/Discovery while Hulu has A&E/History live streams. Some channels have a East and West feed on Hulu.
The standard Hulu service is a great bonus though. Shows on Discover I miss, can been seen on it's library.

One point is Hulu seemed to buffer more on live events. Not sure it's the service or the crappy ISP in the BFE.

Doesn't hurt to give the Hulu 7 day trial a go and decide.
https://www.cnet.com/news/live-tv-streaming-services-channel-lineups-compared/
 
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CastleRubric

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How about watching the game weirdo


9th grade business math class.- Middlesboro High School (and bastion of the arts)

I farted in a hesitant.....unsteady "lava hot" kind of way....and IMMEDIATELY smelled the stench of a thousand open graves


I was MORTIFIED at my own blast yield and ....as you could SEE the disturbance spreading though Margaret "Tiny" Marsee's classroom.......I quickly old the people next to me that I was "The Source".....but it wasn't Flatulence (tm) .......

I told them I had "SULFUR ROCKS" that created this sickly, grim cloud of stink-fire

The whole class came to a standstill .....


As we filed out to find clearer air -- I had a fit of conscious and told Brian Fultz that the entire travesty came from my natural digestive processes........sometimes I'd call it......"Prophecies Spoken by THE OLD TOOTHLESS ONE"


He flat out refused to believe that the smell was NATURAL and kept asking for "Sulfur Rocks"




so.......things could have been worse for you guys today.....
 
May 6, 2002
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I have playstation vue ....55$ a month and good antenna for local stations.. (of course it helps when the st louis area has many local stations within 50 miles.) beats the hell out of the 145$ a month I was paying for directv.

My one question is.... does any of the other options have the dvr like capability that playstation vue has?? like Hulu tv, sling etc? so many shows to watch and you cant watch them all live.... gotta have that dvr like ability

I have Sling TV and it has a DVR as well. I haven't used it lately though and it was in beta when I did. I mainly used it for AMC shows like The Walking Dead, Talking Dead, and Comic Book Men, but haven't used it since those seasons ended.

It costs $5 a month I believe with 50 hours on the DVR. I don't know if it is the same for all services, but I can't DVR anything on a channel that is owned by Disney. That is a big downside, but at least I can watch games afterwards on ESPN3.
 
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ThwKentuckyKid

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On android you can download an app called Web View Caster and stream from your phone to a Roku and other streaming devices. If you find the right websites you can stream about anything.
 

Ukbrassowtipin

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I had Netflix for years, and cable, but once I tried Hulu, I was so pleased I canceled my cable as soon as I could.

I did them a solid and doubled our internet speed, but even after that, I was still saving $30/mo now that I wasnt paying for their TV service or paying to rent their boxes.

Now I've got the fastest internet they offer to play xbox on.

Win/win.
Did the exact same thing
 
Jan 3, 2003
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I dropped cable a couple weeks ago and have been using YouTubeTV since. The Roku interface has taken some getting used to. Overall, I’m very pleased with it and really like the unlimited cloud DVR feature.
 
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Apr 24, 2009
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No plans to cut the cable, as I have a 9 yo grandson that has to be able to browse his kiddie channels.

However, I have been planning on down loading the Terrarium app onto my Firestick. For anyone that has this app, can you really watch the newer movies, or just the old ones that you can find on cable anyway?
 

cricket3

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May 29, 2001
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[laughing]

100% chance the 9 year old grand kid can use a streaming cable service better than the grandpa.
 
Jun 24, 2009
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[laughing]

100% chance the 9 year old grand kid can use a streaming cable service better than the grandpa.

I thought the same thing.

If anything, get an app like Hulu and let the kid have on demand programming all day.

On second thought, dont do that. Make him go outside every now and then. Lol
 
Apr 24, 2009
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I thought the same thing.

If anything, get an app like Hulu and let the kid have on demand programming all day.

On second thought, dont do that. Make him go outside every now and then. Lol

Don't need on demand programming, we get about every channel known to man on cable. And he's outside plenty, I think I have a torn rotator cuff from throwing footballs and baseballs. Waiting on fall baseball season to start as we speak.

So, does anyone have an ANSWER as to what is truly on terrarium TV? I love cable, not cutting any cords! Just looking at options.
 

catsfanbgky

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Well i kind of cut the cord. Went with Direct TV wireless. Also have Spectrum for internet and locals, Firestick, Google Chrome, and Netflix. Sorry, but one pleasure of life is being able to watch some quality TV and not have to worry about saving $50 a month.
 

thebluestripes

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No plans to cut the cable, as I have a 9 yo grandson that has to be able to browse his kiddie channels.

However, I have been planning on down loading the Terrarium app onto my Firestick. For anyone that has this app, can you really watch the newer movies, or just the old ones that you can find on cable anyway?
Added it to my friends firestick the other day. It worked very well imho.
Honestly though, if a movie is still in theaters, don't waste your time unless crappy quality and chinese subtitles don't bother you. If it's on dvd you're golden though
 

warrior-cat

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Oct 22, 2004
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If for nothing else, Pluto is worth getting for the channel that airs Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode 24/7.
Been watching it everyday for the last 2 weeks.

Now for a question about cutting the cord. I have cut the cord and have Sling with the sports package and DVR capability but, DVR does not work with ESPN for this weekend game. I will watch it live but, for future games that I may have to miss, how can I record them on Sling and if not, where?
 

UK 82

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Feb 27, 2015
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I cut the cord a few weeks ago and I'm happy so far with Playstation Vue. My only real gripe with cord cutting is that there's limited surround sound programming. I don't think Vue has any to my knowledge.
 
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May 6, 2002
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Been watching it everyday for the last 2 weeks.

Now for a question about cutting the cord. I have cut the cord and have Sling with the sports package and DVR capability but, DVR does not work with ESPN for this weekend game. I will watch it live but, for future games that I may have to miss, how can I record them on Sling and if not, where?

You can blame Disney for that. All of their channels can't be recorded on SlingTV. You should be able to watch replays like an hour after the game on demand unless they changed things. Just log in to the WatchESPN app and use your SlingTV sign in and you should be able to watch recent games.
 

Rock_Cat78

Well-known member
Dec 30, 2002
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Okay, so Terrarium just officially shut down and is no longer working. Anyone got anything similar?