I’m Done With Cable TV. Have You Cut The Cord?

[Handey0465]

Cut the cord 2 years ago...And quit watching TV...

Haven't missed it at all....Wow, what free time we truly uncover when there is no TV...

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by swils8610

Local channels are my hang up...I may get an Antenna for that. Any services or other ways to get the locals?

Hulu Live has all of the local Fargo affiliates for the major networks in my area.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

The Roku devices appear to solve my issues and allow me to use a wired ethernet cable into each TV. Thanks for the input!!!

Why would you use Ethernet cables ?

Internet > WiFi router > smart tv (most have Roku app)

I have three smart tv’s with preloaded Roku, a good NetGear Nighthawk router, and the only cables are the tv power cords.

[Chewbacca]

Jeebus! I’m not cancelling any cable or streaming during isolation.

[Cloudchaser]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Why would you use Ethernet cables ?

Internet > WiFi router > smart tv (most have Roku app)

I have three smart tv’s with preloaded Roku, a good NetGear Nighthawk router, and the only cables are the tv power cords.

I believe because ethernet is still faster than Wi-Fi.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by DLRIDES

Why would you use Ethernet cables ?

Internet > WiFi router > smart tv (most have Roku app)

I have three smart tv’s with preloaded Roku, a good NetGear Nighthawk router, and the only cables are the tv power cords.

Ethernet is faster than wireless with less latency. Ethernet is more secure and harder to hack into than WiFi. Connections are dropped much less often. The wired connection isn’t as susceptible to interference from other household electronics. When the microwave is running, I lose video connections frequently. I have the wire already installed in every room. I can’t think of a reason not to use it.

[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Ethernet is faster than wireless with less latency. Ethernet is more secure and harder to hack into than WiFi. Connections are dropped much less often. The wired connection isn’t as susceptible to interference from other household electronics. When the microwave is running, I lose video connections frequently. I have the wire already installed in every room. I can’t think of a reason not to use it.

Hmmm .........

I can stream three movies, surf the web, run my security cameras, etc. simultaneously on my Knighthawk router, and never drop signal.

[GradyPhilpott]

I have a limited cable account bundled with my internet, but I have no TV connected to it. I don't miss any of it a bit.

I'd have it removed, but my bill would increase. It's ridiculous, but it's not worth pursuing.

[superdog]

Couldn’t cancel it all. I have a contract.

But I cancelled all premium channels.

It’s such a scam anyway. I have directtv. It’s truly the worst service I’ve ever had.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

I have a limited cable account bundled with my internet, but I have no TV connected to it. I don't miss any of it a bit.

I'd have it removed, but my bill would increase. It's ridiculous, but it's not worth pursuing.

That's actually the same for me... Basic cable is bundled (and less expensive that canceling it), but haven't had cable hooked to a TV since 2005 or 2006.

[antbkny]

HD antenna, amazon prime video, Disney plus, Hulu and Netflix

[daveo5]

Never had a cord to cut


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[swils8610]

Fire stick...
Antenna...

What do I plug the antenna into?


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[Al1969]

Originally Posted by antbkny

HD antenna, amazon prime video, Disney plus, Hulu and Netflix

What antenna are you using? Going after the same set up minus Hulu.

[SMD]

Originally Posted by swils8610

Local channels are my hang up...I may get an Antenna for that. Any services or other ways to get the locals?


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YouTube Tv. Locals, nationals, sports, etc. live unlimited storage.

https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/

[antbkny]

Originally Posted by Al1969

What antenna are you using? Going after the same set up minus Hulu.

Im using the Moho leaf antennas. In the living room, it lays on one of the shelfs in the entertainment center. Bedroom, I have it hidden behind the tv. Works great for me. One tip I have it to keep the coax cable away from outlets (degrades the signal)

Mohu Leaf 50 Indoor HDTV Antenna, Amplified, 60 Mile Range, Original Paper-Thin, Reversibl... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HSMK59E...sms_tai_gnaFEb...

[swils8610]

Originally Posted by Al1969

What antenna are you using? Going after the same set up minus Hulu.

Haven’t bought one yet...


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[DLRIDES]

Originally Posted by swils8610

fire stick...
Antenna...

What do i plug the antenna into?


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tv

[77T]

Joey
I didn’t cut my cable thus far. But I have helped those who do. Some random thoughts if you haven’t already covered them.

Is your current router your own? Or does it belong to cable co? If you remain with them as ISP, then perhaps not an issue. If you do any video conferencing on top of the new cord-cutting media streams, a faster router could be in your future.

For you this may not matter, but for others reading this who have kids now on-line for school, Mom & Dad on-line for work, and cord-cutting for infotainment - some can’t do all of that on a basic internet cable router no matter how “fast” the advertised line rate. If you’re not believing me, just check the stats at Padcaster and complaints with high-speed ISPs.

Your path ahead (if I kept up with your choices) seems to be Amazon Fire hardware connected to existing Cat5 plus a Hulu App.

If true, you may need to help your family members who are least comfortable with technology. They will have to learn the Apps - yes, Amazon Prime & Hulu use separate Apps - and how to stream from their different choices.

Once they get the hang of those fairly good GUI’s, then train on hardware resetting of HDMI, Amazon, Hulu via the TV remote, and upgrading the two Apps on their devices - then things ought to be fine.

Will you use one of these at each TV if you go Fire & Cat5? https://aax-us-east.amazon-adsystem....58d66c6cd68b55



Last thing - and this is about layers 8 & 9 in the OSI model - the political and religious layers

Your setup should be fairly good as long as Hulu and Amazon stay friends. If the current Hulu Disney/Comcast 67/33% model doesn’t go into tailspin with Bezos then all is well. No drumbeats thus far, but any consolidation/takeovers could obviate all your good work.

Nobody can say that the future would be rosy if you stay with cable either, but now you are the media aggregator so change is inevitable. Your $ savings in just 12 months should be a decent payback for any future disruption.

Just my 2¢


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[joeychitwood]

Thanks, Paul. I bought two Roku Ultra boxes so I can use the Ethernet connections. Picking them up today and setting up the TVs. I won’t cancel the cable until I know I have everything set up. Given that Mrs. Chitwood still occasionally struggles with the universal remotes after years, I’m expecting difficulties in operating streaming TV.

[benvh]

I've been off cable since 2010 and have been using Apple TVs ever since. Prime, Hulu, Netflix, HBO and a HD antenna. No regrets here.

Ben

[AF_Rob]

Cut the cord a few years ago. Subscription services and a Firestick get me by just fine.

I never realized how much of a time suck tv was, until I got rid of it.


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[Blansky]

It's good to see what some people are using since the technology and players in the game seem to change every year or sooner.

On top of that the bills keep going up, for the dozens/hundreds of channels I never look at.

And the interesting thing about streaming services is that you can bail out if you've seen everything they offer, and switch to a different one.

[gmh1013]

Nope....im an idiot paying 185+ a month to ATT uversefor internet and cable....i have every channel there is and still have trouble finding anything to watch.

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by gmh1013

Nope....im an idiot paying 185+ a month to ATT uversefor internet and cable...

Fear not, most of us are.

My internet is 80 something and Dish is 140 and the add ons are probably 20.

I don't worry about it, I don't go out to movies anymore and like what we have.

But you do have to look at everything every few years to see perhaps a better way.

[joeychitwood]

Picked up two Roku Ultra devices at the Walmart Kiosk. Hooked them up and set up a Hulu Live account. I'm streaming!

Last thing to do is bump up my internet speed and cancel cable.

[Ny325]

My bill went over $200 recently. I changed my plan. Now it's below $200. However. It's a matter of time I cut it. The majority of shows are just a waste of time. Cable is a total rip-off in the tristate area.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by joeychitwood

Picked up two Roku Ultra devices at the Walmart Kiosk. Hooked them up and set up a Hulu Live account. I'm streaming!

Last thing to do is bump up my internet speed and cancel cable.

Joey, make sure your modem can support your increased speeds.

[raclaims]

I use roku and it's a bit buggy at times...I'm swapping out for apple tv...biggest issue for me is lack of sports...trying to find a good solution for that...

[SMD]

Originally Posted by raclaims

I use roku and it's a bit buggy at times...I'm swapping out for apple tv...biggest issue for me is lack of sports...trying to find a good solution for that...

Biggest issue for me with Apple TV is the remote.