First time cord cutter, any tips?

[Pere845]

Well finally decided to cut the cord after DirecTV jacked up my rates way too high and our TV habits have drastically changed to where we hardly watch it so we decided to go with DirecTV Now since it seems to offer the most channels and services compared to the others. I want to see if you guys have any tips because I'm new to cord-cutting so this is going to be an interesting experience

 

[Zookster]

I recommend using a wired internet connection to the primary device you are streaming from, ideally a Roku, Apple TV, or Nvidia Shield, to rule out WiFi interference if you experience any buffering or freezes. Smart TV apps are notoriously troublesome for the various live TV streaming services. You might also want to join Reddit or Facebook groups for regular discussions of features and issues. There are some good communities in the social media space for each of these services.

 

[camo]

If you need networks currently Hulu $40 is the only option Boise. And yes, get something like Roku and hook to the TVs. Each service has a maximum amount of streams allowed. Hulu like most requires minimum download bandwidth for HD 8 Mbps for a smooth stream. If you're not into sports check out Philo for sure. $16-$20. Most have free trials.

To help determine service and channel offers for your area.
The Streamable dot com/guides/live-tv-streaming/markets/boise-id

 

[RandallA]

We switched to Directvnow and have been happy with the switch. Use a Roku, FireTV or other external device to stream and you should be fine. If you have Amazon Prime, I suggest you go with the FireTV. There are tons of Series, Movies and other shows to stream from Amazon Prime.

Also if you are near the TV towers, begin exploring OTA channels and setup an antenna. I have the local channels on an indoor antenna for backup in case the Internet goes down. Directvnow was our choice because it has all the channels we watch but you can explore the other streaming services. We've tried them all (except for YouTubeTV, no YTTV on FireTV) and we really like the channels selection, quality of the picture, and Dolby D on most channels we watch from Directvnow. We don't use the DVR function that much but you can record up to 20 hours (will hopefully go up in the future).

 

[camo]

YTTV has been my favorite so far but Boise Idaho doesn't have it. It's only available if you can get all the major networks. The UI is great with unlimited DVR capability and yes not available on FireTv so I use the Roku.

 

[harshness]

Perhaps the best advice for someone contemplating switching during the regular TV "season" is that you need to have everything in place and tested under full load (streams = number of viewers +1 perhaps) before you whack the cord. Switching in the off-season allows you to be more deliberate about your investigations where doing it in-season creates undue pressure to make TV happen; especially if you don't live alone.

Cord cutting may be all the rage, but it has decided drawbacks to go along with its upsides.

You also need to investigate any broadband data caps you may have so you don't go broke paying for overages.

 

[Alan Rovner]

As a cheap suggestion, try buying an indoor antenna like a Mohu Leaf, and see what local channels you can pickup. Connect the antenna to your TV and use the menu to scan for channels. Be sure to select Antenna input (not Cable) when scanning.

Good luck,
Alan Rovner
Vancouver, Wash.

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[Ronnie-]

If you need networks currently Hulu $40 is the only option Boise.

PS Vue also offers some, but not all locals in Boise. It appears ABC and FOX are live with the service, with the others on demand.

And plugging in a Boise Zip with hulu shows ABC, FOX, and NBC as live. I am not seeing CBS available with it.

 

[Bruce]

Cord cutting may be all the rage, but it has decided drawbacks to go along with its upsides.

Please list any drawbacks because for our household it has been just great since we left Xfinity Video.


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[harshness]

As a cheap suggestion, try buying an indoor antenna like a Mohu Leaf, and see what local channels you can pickup.

As three of the "big four" channels are VHF-high (NBC - RF7, CBS - RF9 and Fox - RF10), I'd recommend a wider range antenna than a mudflap and perhaps something cheaper than a Leaf.

Something like antennaweb.com or the questionably current tvfool.com can get one started at seeing what they're up against.

 

[harshness]

Please list any drawbacks because for our household it has been just great since we left Xfinity Video.

I'll list some of the more important:

o Probably counts against your broadband bandwidth cap
o DVR solutions are all over the map in terms of usability and usefulness and you may need different solutions for different content
o Often involve multiple receivers on each TV (can be a complex issue for the DVR situation) with the attendant switching between sources
o May involve subscriptions to multiple providers (perhaps including a separate DVR service subscription)
o Certain classes of content (especially live sports and events) may be difficult or relatively expensive to get

There are others, but these are the ones that I think prospective cord-cutters must consider.

Overlooking the big picture of User Experience is a huge folly if you have some less tech-savvy viewers.

 

[jayn_j]

Agree with Harshness. Some solutions are better than others, but none will have the full integration you get with a cable subscription.

For example, TIVO will provide an OTA DVR as well as access to a large number of streaming solutions. You avoid the switching and multiple source selection. However, you need to navigate several levels of menus to get to the streaming options, and you cannot use the DVR functions for streaming. I have no trouble doing so, but some family members will not bother learning it.

 

[camo]

Only couple small drawbacks here, but for $40 a month can't complain. Love YTTV its the best IMO, just the number of offered channels may keep some away.
My fix for missing NFL Network, I subscribe to Amazon Prime which carries the Thursday night game and for missing HBO I'll subscribe to HBO NOW in April when the final season of GOT begins.

If you like Starz YTTV has 14 live channels and Showtime 9. Crystal clear 1080p no buffering on any channels. Same with networks better than satellite TV with gorgeous HD. So much better experience than what PSVUE offered for my area with buffering and horrible looking Networks.

 

[Wescopc]

To see your options for your area try:
Suppose... you could design your perfect TV service
Bob

 

[Zookster]

Doing free trials of the various live TV streaming services while still using your current service makes it very easy to carefully consider any drawbacks. I've rarely encountered anyone who impulsively cut the cord because it was "all the rage." The only wild card that can't be fully tested unless you overlap services for at least a full month is whether your data cap can handle your household's normal amount of TV watching. And in that case, it would be best to test it while in the midst of the regular TV season, when you do the most watching.

Regardless, you have absolutely nothing to lose even if the "drawbacks" prove not worth saving hundreds of dollars per year, depending on what you are currently paying. If you change your mind after cutting the cord, within weeks, your former TV service will flood your mailbox with their best promo deal for new customers.

Speaking of which, my cable company just raised the price on its best temporary promotional offer another $5 to $45/mo, not including whole-home DVR service for access in additional rooms (costing ~$40) and two add-on $10/mo channel tiers that include some of my must-have cable channels I get with YouTube TV. In my case, there really aren't any drawbacks to paying $35/mo for YouTube TV versus over $100 for my cable company's best promotional short-term offer.

I'm also not too keen on subsidizing my cable company's lost revenues due to cord cutting. This just in from Bloomberg:
Comcast, Dish, AT&T to Raise TV Prices to Counter Cord-Cutting

 

[ncted]

To see your options for your area try:
Suppose... you could design your perfect TV service
Bob

That is pretty cool. Definitely shows me I cannot do better price-wise than the Dish Welcome Pack with Hopper3 to get the channels I care about.

 

[Ronnie-]

That is pretty cool. Definitely shows me I cannot do better price-wise than the Dish Welcome Pack with Hopper3 to get the channels I care about.

It doesn’t seem all that accurate though. At least for my area and with locals. I didn’t look much beyond that, other errors may exist.

 

[Bruce]

I'll list some of the more important:

o Probably counts against your broadband bandwidth cap-do not have a data cap since we live in a Charter area
o DVR solutions are all over the map in terms of usability and usefulness and you may need different solutions for different content- DVR for VUE has been perfect for us, I have heard it works very well for YTTV also.
o Often involve multiple receivers on each TV (can be a complex issue for the DVR situation) with the attendant switching between sources-why would we need multiple receivers, even if we had different services, say Philo and Vue we would still just need the Roku.
o May involve subscriptions to multiple providers (perhaps including a separate DVR service subscription)-again Vue suits our needs and does not charge for the DVR, but even if OTT charges for the DVR what is so different from Sat./Cable services, it is not like they give away their DVR for free.
o Certain classes of content (especially live sports and events) may be difficult or relatively expensive to get- Core from Vue includes all the ESPNs, FS 1 and 2, MLB Network, Big Ten Network, CBS Sports Network, NBA TV, NBCSN, NFL Network plus it has my local sports network and does not charge us extra unlike Comcast and example for example.

There are others, but these are the ones that I think prospective cord-cutters must consider.

Overlooking the big picture of User Experience is a huge folly if you have some less tech-savvy viewers.- my wife has early onset dementia because of Parkinson’s and she has always been techno shy and figured it out, hit the app and push a button for guide, easy.

Now I have pointed out I only pay $50 a month, it is not like I could not afford DirecTV or Dish, I could, it is just I do not find much value in paying $120 a month for something I do find much value for, I could easily be happy with just the streaming services

After Disney starts up I going to push for dropping Live TV altogether.




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[harshness]

Now I have pointed out I only pay $50 a month, it is not like I could not afford DirecTV or Dish, I could, it is just I do not find much value in paying $120 a month for something I do find much value for, I could easily be happy with just the streaming services.

So you're not going to rebut the issues that I raised?

Did you realize that your needs may be significantly different from other's needs?

 

[Bruce]

So you're not going to rebut the issues that I raised?

Did you realize that your needs may be significantly different from other's needs?

My answers are in bold in the quote.


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