Cutting the coax...........

[fred cook]

I am in the process of converting all of our TVs to run off of Hulu/Disney+/Espn+, etc instead of Directv. We haven't had any problems/issues with Directv except for the occasional rain cloud, but they have priced themselves out of the (my) market! By using the streaming source, it will save about $100+ per month and will offer more movie and sports choices. So far I have replaced an old 24" and an old 32" tv with new Fire TVs and have a 43" 4K ordered for the Den that should be here on Monday. The old 43 will move into the master bedroom and get a Firestick adapter. The 43" is the last one to be converted, after which it is goodbye Directv. So, after being a loyal customer for about 20 years, technology changes are allowing us to say "goodbye" and move on down the road.

[cabmandone]

Something to consider for folks doing the same,

I recently bought a Roku. I have multiple Firesticks. I just found out that Roku doesn't support bluetooth speakers, it has to be a Roku speaker. where firestick will allow you to connect any bluetooth speaker to the system. I have my Galaxy Buds paired to my firestick. My son tried connecting his Samsung bluetooth speaker to a Roku and it would not work.

As DTV and Dish lose customers to streaming services, some services they actually own, you'll see streaming services getting more and more expensive. I've used DTVNow, Hulu, Sling, Fubo and Youtube TV. I've watched their prices all go up. You're not going to get away from rising prices and as they add new channels or services that "enhance" your service, you'll pay more.

[dad911]

PlutoTV - free

Locast for local channels free.

Latest TV came with Roku built in. I like the convenience.

TV's are so cheap, it may be worth ditching the older sets, rather than buying the boxes.

[Baz]

More info here - some is dated - but there's still a lot of info:

CUTTING THE CORD - MASTER THREAD - transitioning away from cable TV & various options

[Sooner or later]

For me I use Sling, phone, and a tablet with no other internet. Completely cut all the cords.

[asphaltgambler]

Have DirecTV (sat dish) for programming- Cox cable for IE access. We live in a semi- rural area and for us best / lowest cost solution. Cox does resell DirecTV but charges more. I think the other streaming services are just not 'there' yet for us.

[wdfifteen]

I don't see how Direct TV is not going the way of Blockbuster Video in the near future.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don't see how Direct TV is not going the way of Blockbuster Video in the near future.

Dish as well. That's why they've both hedged their bets. Direct TV has a streaming service and Dish owns Sling.

[fred cook]

The only real tricks to using a streaming service is to make certain you have enough download speed and that your wifi is good everywhere you want to put a tv. The Fire TVs are really easy to set up!

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by fred cook

The only real tricks to using a streaming service is to make certain you have enough download speed and that your wifi is good everywhere you want to put a tv. The Fire TVs are really easy to set up!

It's more than download speed. We mostly depend on internet for emergency event information from the local TV stations, but if the event is a power outage in our area, Frontier's server (or whatever device it is that provides DSL service to us) goes down. I don't know where this "box" is located, but it is very local to us, because it goes down whenever there is an outage in our local area. I was not aware of this and got a UPS for our router so we could still have internet access in a power outage. Nope.
We have apps on our phones for local news broadcasts for tornado or thunderstorm warnings, so it isn't a game changer.

[biosurfer1]

I have switched to Roku devices. Had Fire sticks for a while and they are painfully slow, lagged and buffered constantly.

Roku is like getting a Ferrari after driving a VW beetle, not to mention I don't have to deal with the Amazon bloatware anymore

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

It's more than download speed. We mostly depend on internet for emergency event information from the local TV stations, but if the event is a power outage in our area, Frontier's server (or whatever device it is that provides DSL service to us) goes down. I don't know where this "box" is located, but it is very local to us, because it goes down whenever there is an outage in our local area. I was not aware of this and got a UPS for our router so we could still have internet access in a power outage. Nope.
We have apps on our phones for local news broadcasts for tornado or thunderstorm warnings, so it isn't a game changer.

I worked for a communications company for 32 years as an engineer/planner. One of my jobs was to design the hardware layouts for the switches that provide the internet service for each area. Initially each of these remote serving areas was linked back to a central office via T1 circuits. Eventually the bandwidth requirements became large enough that fiber optic cable was extended to each site with the internet service going over copper cables for the last mile or so. If there is an area blackout, the remote switch and its associated hardware will run off of imbedded batteries for about 6-8 hours but will eventually go out of service. In some areas, the remote sites serve customers that really can't afford to lose service (such as hospitals, etc.) so there will be an automatic generator mounted at the switch site. If, in the case of a blackout, your cell smartphone is still working, you can use it as a wifi hotspot for a short while. Other than that, you are pretty much out of luck! The only other alternative for local weather info, etc.,would be a battery powered radio. Like it is said, technology is great until it doesn't work!

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

I have switched to Roku devices. Had Fire sticks for a while and they are painfully slow, lagged and buffered constantly.

Roku is like getting a Ferrari after driving a VW beetle, not to mention I don't have to deal with the Amazon bloatware anymore

I have not experienced any of those problems with any of my Fire TV sets. Once or twice I have noticed a movie will appear to not be very sharp but that usually clears up shortly.

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by biosurfer1

I have switched to Roku devices. Had Fire sticks for a while and they are painfully slow, lagged and buffered constantly.

Roku is like getting a Ferrari after driving a VW beetle, not to mention I don't have to deal with the Amazon bloatware anymore

To be honest, I haven't experienced any difference running Roku or Firestick as far as buffering is concerned. I do think the wifi connection is stronger with Roku so if you get out on the edges of your wifi, the ROKU does seem to perform better. We have a small TV that comes with Roku. My wife liked using the Firestick so I put on on the TV. She uses the TV out on our back patio which is quite a distance from the router. The Roku connects and works well. The firestick won't connect.

[JavaBrewer]

Just cut the Direct TV cord a couple weeks ago. Honestly We only watched 3 channels anyway, and we only have DSL internet, slow, no worries. We are done with cable BS.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by fred cook

If there is an area blackout, the remote switch and its associated hardware will run off of imbedded batteries for about 6-8 hours but will eventually go out of service.

The DSL goes down the instant the power goes out in our area. We are seldom without power for more than a few hours. It would be great if their system had battery backup that kept it on for 6 hours.

[red-beard]

Here is a list of various OTA DVRs for cord cutters.

If you are already using FIresticks, the first one will work well for you.

If you want something that is more like your Cable TV service, the TIVO unit takes all of your streaming sources plus OTA channels and creates a programming guide. Expensive, since you have to pay $250 for the lifetime subscription. But cheap in the long run.

https://www.cnet.com/news/best-ota-dvr-for-cord-cutters-amazon-fire-tv-recast-tivo-airtv-and-tablo/

[Zeke]

I think there will always be a market for DTV or whatever survives it. Some folks are just beyond reach with wires. I'm not talking about just the US. I think DTV would be much more successful if they could figure out how to do the NET w/o relying on others.

The 2 actual satellite Internet providers are HughesNet and Viasat and they are pricey for what you get MBS wise. I guess those 2 aren't interested in providing TV as such, but whatever you guys are doing with your Roku and Fire should do the trick.

[chapstic2001]

Also, see if you can find any friends or family that host Plex.tv and can share with you access.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by fred cook

The only real tricks to using a streaming service is to make certain you have enough download speed and that your wifi is good everywhere you want to put a tv

This is my issue. I am satellite dependent for everything digital. I do iPhone hot spots as well but that is a pinch hitter at best. I say that but there is weather here so I am using my iPhone as internet as I type

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

It's more than download speed. We mostly depend on internet for emergency event information from the local TV stations, but if the event is a power outage in our area,

We have apps on our phones for local news broadcasts for tornado or thunderstorm warnings, so it isn't a game changer.

The cell towers are more reliable than land lines in my area. I no longer have wired phone service. If the towers ar down, the land lines are down.