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arrowheadnation · 01-02-2017, 06:47 AM

I said I would never do it. I couldn't cut the cord. Live sports meant too much to me. I did the song and dance with my cable company for almost 3 years. They would raise my rates, I would call in and threaten to disconnect and they would lower them again. Then a few months ago, my bill went up $99 (to $237/mo. incl. internet) and they refused to lower it back to the original rate, so I parted ways with them. Today marked my second full month as a "cord cutter." Here is my current setup:

Playstation Vue Core Slim subscription - It was either this, DirecTV Now, or Sling, and for what I watch, it was a no-brainer. It has basically all of the channels I was watching when I had cable. I had some issues at first with buffering but after making some changes to the DNS addresses, it has worked pretty much flawlessly . It has cloud based DVR which is what set it apart from the competition for me (sling didn't offer dvr at the time but is in beta testing now). The HD pic is also very crisp as well. This is $35 per month for 60+ channels including all espn's and fox sports networks. Combined with my 50mbps internet, I'm paying roughly $115 per month (Was paying $237 with cable).

Android TV Box loaded with Kodi - I paid $125 for this box on eBay. It is an octo-core android box with a proprietary Kodi build on it. (Yes, I know I could have done it myself much cheaper but I always seem to have issues with these kinds of things when I get brave and do them on my own.) I use it for movies, PPV fights, and to watch the TV shows that I used to watch that are not included in the Vue programming (mainly HBO, SHOWTIME, network tv, History channel, and the Viacom networks - nickelodion, Comedy Central, etc.). If you don't already know about Kodi, just try a google search, it was sent from heaven for tight asses like myself.

Mohu Leaf Ultimate Amplified HD antenna - for local channels until ps vue adds them in my area (currently only in major markets like ny, la, Miami, etc.). It actually picks up about 35 channels, most in HD. I live about 30 miles away from the farthest TV tower. I was worried the pic would not be good, but it's just as good or better than the HD I had with cable. It cost me $55 on eBay.

Channel Master Over the Air DVR - this is what I really had taken for granted with cable. The DVR is one of the greatest inventions ever. I never watch my shows live anymore and figured I could go back to doing so, but I started to realize a couple days in that I either wouldnt remember to watch my favorites from network tv, the shows were live or local, or my schedule wouldnt allow for it. After some research, I came across the Channel Master DVR. It's an over the air HD DVR with up to 1TB of hard drive space and NO MONTHLY FEE!!! It's very similar to the one built into your cable box as it comes with an on-screen guide and dual tuner (yes, I. Wish there were more). It is quite pricy at around $200 on eBay but it's a one time charge where Tivo has a monthly fee (do some research on youtube to see if it's for you).

Like I stated earlier, I'm two months in. I'm still watching all of the same programming at $115/mo. that I was watching at $237/mo. so I'd say it's going well. The DVR on the PS Vue is awesome. The channel master DVR is very cool but not 100% necessary as I can still find almost all of the shows I miss on the kodi box. I mainly use the channel master for the pause ffwd and rewind features. The only real negative that I can take away so far is the inconvenience of having to change from one device to another. I didn't realize how much I took for granted being able to take a split second to change the channel rather than having to change the input from the PS4 to the antenna or he kodi box (and then having to find a good stream), but for the money I'm saving, it's worth the few minutes of annoyance. The buffering issue with the Playstation Vue was quite frustrating in the beginning, but a quick google search helped me find a quick solution. I found that you have to make some changes to the DNS servers and boom...problem solved.

If you have questions about my set-up,let me know. I'm curious to see the set-ups of other cord cutters on here mainly to find out if there are better options than what I currently have. Surely I'm not the only one.

DMAC · 01-05-2017, 08:47 AM

Bunny ears and Netflix. And in the summer, MLB.tv.

unlurking · 01-05-2017, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaid

No, the On Demand is pretty underwhelming. Looks basically like what you can get from their individual sites, just packaged nicely for you.

Thanks for the info.

Chief Pagan · 01-05-2017, 01:09 PM

I have an old Windows 7 desktop that I plug directly into my living room TV with HDMI. Windows 7 media player has a DVR. I use this for OTA. I even have a remote that works with the media player DVR.

For ESPN, I'm using a co-workers XFINITY password, but I'm tired of having to watch all the sports live and not being able to fast forward through commercials. I'm willing to go illegal when the only option is some type of bundle (I started paying for Sunday ticket when I could buy a stand alone streaming that didn't require DirectTV). But $40 for the ESPN sports isn't too unreasonable.

So the Playstation option with a cloud DVR sound like it has potential.

How friendly is the DVR for fast forwarding through commercials? So I would be using the Windows 7 desktop. I have a wireless mouse and keyboard on the coffee table. As I presume I would have to do this with a mouse (as opposed to any sort of remote). It is not a "smart" TV nor do I have any other type of console or cable box attached to it.

MagicHef · 01-06-2017, 01:42 PM

CBS all access now claims to be streaming NFL games. That's pretty interesting.

**Bob Dole** · 01-11-2017, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagicHef

CBS all access now claims to be streaming NFL games. That's pretty interesting.

wiz1.net has been solid for Bob Dole this season. Won't load on the TV native, but a miniDV to HDMI cable solves that.

Amazon Fire Stick (jail broken), Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix, shared 2 ways.

Mosbonian · 01-14-2017, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

I am incredibly too lazy to mess with all of this shit just to save $100 a month.

Call me old...but I'm with you. It's nice just to sit down and flip on my Xfinity and watch what I want with the package I picked.

My internet works fine and I actually have the channels I actually watch the most.

**MahiMike** · 01-14-2017, 07:00 PM

I keep thinking this thread is about cutting cords of wood.

WilliamTheIrish · 01-15-2017, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

Call me old...but I'm with you. It's nice just to sit down and flip on my Xfinity and watch what I want with the package I picked.

My internet works fine and I actually have the channels I actually watch the most.

I guess for some folks it's just a few bucks. For me, it's a ridiculous amount of money for channels and content that I have zero interest in. I've saved 2800$ in the last 15 months.

Plus, I love learning about this stuff.

Mosbonian · 01-15-2017, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

I guess for some folks it's just a few bucks. For me, it's a ridiculous amount of money for channels and content that I have zero interest in. I've saved 2800$ in the last 15 months.

Plus, I love learning about this stuff.

Oh, I get people's desire to cut the cord and applaud it. But I haven't had to spend over $90 a month for the internet and cable packages I have wanted/needed for the past 7 years.

Everyone has been talking about the death of cable and satellite TV for years. I can see it happening eventually, but not within my lifetime.

**The Franchise** · 01-15-2017, 12:21 PM

Anybody use PlayStation Vue?

siberian khatru · 01-15-2017, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Anybody use PlayStation Vue?

I do.

Only complaint is sometimes TCM can't stream a movie it's broadcasting because of weird rights issues.

siberian khatru · 01-15-2017, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

I guess for some folks it's just a few bucks. For me, it's a ridiculous amount of money for channels and content that I have zero interest in. I've saved 2800$ in the last 15 months.

Plus, I love learning about this stuff.

Me on both counts

arrowheadnation · 01-15-2017, 12:51 PM

For those in Wichita on PS vue, I just noticed last night that local CBS (KWCH) was added to the channel lineup! Hopefully the other locals are close behind!

Chief Pagan · 01-15-2017, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

I guess for some folks it's just a few bucks. For me, it's a ridiculous amount of money for channels and content that I have zero interest in. I've saved 2800$ in the last 15 months.

Plus, I love learning about this stuff.

It is not that much money for me and I hate learning this stuff. But Comcast has a monopoly on broadband in my neighborhood. I have to pay them for broadband and I really don't want to pay them anymore money.

Chief Pagan · 01-15-2017, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

I do.

Only complaint is sometimes TCM can't stream a movie it's broadcasting because of weird rights issues.

So I'm really out of touch about how all these different systems are set up. For the playstation streaming through a desktop, is there a way to use a remote to fast forward through commercials? Is there anyway to do something like a 30 second advance with one button or one mouse click?

01-02-2017, 06:47 AM
arrowheadnation MONTANA #19 arrowheadnation's Avatar Join Date: Mar 2005	Fellow Cord-cutters...What is your setup? I said I would never do it. I couldn't cut the cord. Live sports meant too much to me. I did the song and dance with my cable company for almost 3 years. They would raise my rates, I would call in and threaten to disconnect and they would lower them again. Then a few months ago, my bill went up $99 (to $237/mo. incl. internet) and they refused to lower it back to the original rate, so I parted ways with them. Today marked my second full month as a "cord cutter." Here is my current setup: Playstation Vue Core Slim subscription - It was either this, DirecTV Now, or Sling, and for what I watch, it was a no-brainer. It has basically all of the channels I was watching when I had cable. I had some issues at first with buffering but after making some changes to the DNS addresses, it has worked pretty much flawlessly . It has cloud based DVR which is what set it apart from the competition for me (sling didn't offer dvr at the time but is in beta testing now). The HD pic is also very crisp as well. This is $35 per month for 60+ channels including all espn's and fox sports networks. Combined with my 50mbps internet, I'm paying roughly $115 per month (Was paying $237 with cable). Android TV Box loaded with Kodi - I paid $125 for this box on eBay. It is an octo-core android box with a proprietary Kodi build on it. (Yes, I know I could have done it myself much cheaper but I always seem to have issues with these kinds of things when I get brave and do them on my own.) I use it for movies, PPV fights, and to watch the TV shows that I used to watch that are not included in the Vue programming (mainly HBO, SHOWTIME, network tv, History channel, and the Viacom networks - nickelodion, Comedy Central, etc.). If you don't already know about Kodi, just try a google search, it was sent from heaven for tight asses like myself. Mohu Leaf Ultimate Amplified HD antenna - for local channels until ps vue adds them in my area (currently only in major markets like ny, la, Miami, etc.). It actually picks up about 35 channels, most in HD. I live about 30 miles away from the farthest TV tower. I was worried the pic would not be good, but it's just as good or better than the HD I had with cable. It cost me $55 on eBay. Channel Master Over the Air DVR - this is what I really had taken for granted with cable. The DVR is one of the greatest inventions ever. I never watch my shows live anymore and figured I could go back to doing so, but I started to realize a couple days in that I either wouldnt remember to watch my favorites from network tv, the shows were live or local, or my schedule wouldnt allow for it. After some research, I came across the Channel Master DVR. It's an over the air HD DVR with up to 1TB of hard drive space and NO MONTHLY FEE!!! It's very similar to the one built into your cable box as it comes with an on-screen guide and dual tuner (yes, I. Wish there were more). It is quite pricy at around $200 on eBay but it's a one time charge where Tivo has a monthly fee (do some research on youtube to see if it's for you). Like I stated earlier, I'm two months in. I'm still watching all of the same programming at $115/mo. that I was watching at $237/mo. so I'd say it's going well. The DVR on the PS Vue is awesome. The channel master DVR is very cool but not 100% necessary as I can still find almost all of the shows I miss on the kodi box. I mainly use the channel master for the pause ffwd and rewind features. The only real negative that I can take away so far is the inconvenience of having to change from one device to another. I didn't realize how much I took for granted being able to take a split second to change the channel rather than having to change the input from the PS4 to the antenna or he kodi box (and then having to find a good stream), but for the money I'm saving, it's worth the few minutes of annoyance. The buffering issue with the Playstation Vue was quite frustrating in the beginning, but a quick google search helped me find a quick solution. I found that you have to make some changes to the DNS servers and boom...problem solved. If you have questions about my set-up,let me know. I'm curious to see the set-ups of other cord cutters on here mainly to find out if there are better options than what I currently have. Surely I'm not the only one. Last edited by arrowheadnation; 01-02-2017 at 07:07 AM..
Posts: 4,212

01-05-2017, 08:47 AM	#31
DMAC MVP DMAC's Avatar Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Springfield, MO	Bunny ears and Netflix. And in the summer, MLB.tv.
Posts: 11,651

01-05-2017, 01:09 PM	#33
Chief Pagan Sometimes it's black and white Chief Pagan's Avatar Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California	I have an old Windows 7 desktop that I plug directly into my living room TV with HDMI. Windows 7 media player has a DVR. I use this for OTA. I even have a remote that works with the media player DVR. For ESPN, I'm using a co-workers XFINITY password, but I'm tired of having to watch all the sports live and not being able to fast forward through commercials. I'm willing to go illegal when the only option is some type of bundle (I started paying for Sunday ticket when I could buy a stand alone streaming that didn't require DirectTV). But $40 for the ESPN sports isn't too unreasonable. So the Playstation option with a cloud DVR sound like it has potential. How friendly is the DVR for fast forwarding through commercials? So I would be using the Windows 7 desktop. I have a wireless mouse and keyboard on the coffee table. As I presume I would have to do this with a mouse (as opposed to any sort of remote). It is not a "smart" TV nor do I have any other type of console or cable box attached to it.
Posts: 6,138

01-06-2017, 01:42 PM	#34
MagicHef The Seated Villain MagicHef's Avatar Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Seattle	CBS all access now claims to be streaming NFL games. That's pretty interesting.
Posts: 10,519

01-14-2017, 07:00 PM	#37
MahiMike He's Mahomie! MahiMike's Avatar Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL	I keep thinking this thread is about cutting cords of wood.
Posts: 17,387

01-15-2017, 12:21 PM	#40
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain The Franchise's Avatar Join Date: Dec 2006	Anybody use PlayStation Vue?
Posts: 91,991

01-15-2017, 12:51 PM	#43
arrowheadnation MONTANA #19 arrowheadnation's Avatar Join Date: Mar 2005	For those in Wichita on PS vue, I just noticed last night that local CBS (KWCH) was added to the channel lineup! Hopefully the other locals are close behind!
Posts: 4,212