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I want to cut the cord but I don't know how...

Posted on 2/2/15 at 8:42 pm
Posted by white perch
the bright, happy side of hell
Member since Apr 2012
7122 posts
Posted on 2/2/15 at 8:42 pm
I currently have directv and want to drop them and get Netflix.

I have no idea how to do this.

What kind of tv do I need (I'm going to get a new one)?

Do I need roku or something?

Is there any way to get channels like Fox News, ESPN?

How can I watch live sporting events (LSU and saints games, etc)?

Please walk me through this as if I'm a 2nd grader.

TIA
Posted by MoreOrLes
Member since Nov 2008
19472 posts
Posted on 2/2/15 at 8:52 pm to
Posted by Hopeful Doc
Member since Sep 2010
14942 posts
Posted on 2/2/15 at 8:57 pm to
quote:

What kind of tv do I need (I'm going to get a new one)?


You forgot to tell us which one you have.

quote:

Do I need roku or something?


That's one option. The embedded Netflix option on your TV could be another. There are tons. Where do you want to watch? On what devices? What other than Netflix do you want to control? Do you want to control it from a remote or from your phone or a tablet?

quote:

Is there any way to get channels like Fox News, ESPN?


An antenna will get you plain Fox. I don't know about a way to get Fox News. There's not a way of obtaining ESPN that does not violate the terms and conditions of using it. Many people will "borrow" someone else's account to use WatchESPN on a Roku or some other device. It's not the most ethical thing ever done. It's a paid service currently only available through major TV providers.



quote:

How can I watch live sporting events (LSU and saints games, etc)?


As above, you would need to borrow login info and circumvent the content provider's terms of service. Of course, with an antenna, you could catch CBS, ABC, and NBC.



Tell us what your TV is, what streaming services other than Netflix you want access to, how many TVs you want to be able to view Netflix on, how far you are from major towers that you can catch OTA signals from, your willingness to mount an antenna on your roof if you're >20 miles from a tower, and whether you'd prefer a small streaming device (like a Roku) over something like running an HDMI cord from your existing laptop or desktop.
Posted by white perch
the bright, happy side of hell
Member since Apr 2012
7122 posts
Posted on 2/2/15 at 9:09 pm to
Thanks
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
38649 posts
Posted on 2/2/15 at 9:13 pm to
I just got an Amazon Fire TV and have sideloaded Kodi (XMBC)which allows you to access tons of TV and movies. I am looking at SuperRepo with USTVnow which is a $19 subscription to get ESPN and other good channels.

SuperRepo

The verdict is out. Some of the best, most cable-destroying addons for XBMC can be installed directly from SuperRepo. Adding this repository (central location to get addons) provides thousands of TV and movie viewing options at your immediate disposal.

USTVnow

Created with overseas United States military personnel in mind, USTVnow allows for the live streaming of TV networks from the United States, such as PBS, NBC, FOX, CW, ABC, and CBS – all for free. The paid plans incorporate the free channel lineup, as well as the following additional networks, and so many more: My9, A&E, Animal Planet, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNBC, CNN, Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, ESPN, FX, Fox News, History, Lifetime, National Geographic, Nickelodeon, Spike, Syfy, TBS, TNT, and USA.
Posted by white perch
the bright, happy side of hell
Member since Apr 2012
7122 posts
Posted on 2/2/15 at 9:19 pm to
I've got a 6 years old vizio, I'm gonna be getting a new one no matter what. Which one should I get?

My house only has one tv, in the living room. I only want to watch tv on my one tv, no other devices. I want to use a remote control.

I think I want Netflix and Hulu plus. Is there any thing else I should get? I only need this for one tv. I live in the middle of a small city.

As far as roku/hdmi, I have no idea how either of those work.
Posted by XxxSpooky1
A place in SE La
Member since Sep 2007
5145 posts
Posted on 2/2/15 at 9:27 pm to
Official Cord Cutting Thread


This thread has a lot of information your looking for. We are trying to keep it all under one thread for ease of use for others like yourself trying to figure it out. Take a look at the setup I am going with I think its what you want.
Posted by Hopeful Doc
Member since Sep 2010
14942 posts
Posted on 2/2/15 at 9:45 pm to
quote:

I've got a 6 years old vizio, I'm gonna be getting a new one no matter what. Which one should I get?


If it has an HDMI port and ATSC tuner, there's no need to upgrade. Assuming it's a flat-panel/LCD TV, it almost certainly doesn't need to be upgraded for this. So the recommendation is whatever the heck you like. I'd go with a plain old TV without the "smart" features because they're usually inferior to streaming devices.

You should grab a decent antenna. There is a website that will let you put in your address and determine how good of an antenna you need. [link=(www.antennaweb.org)]LINK[/link] To that site. Follow its recommendation. It will tell you all the channels available to you and how strong of an antenna you need. If it's in the lowest possible level of strength required, the Mohu Leaf is a very popular choice.


For Netflix and Hulu Plus with a standard remote control, a Roku 3 is a good choice. Other good choices are the Amazon FireTV Stick, Firetv, Roku Stick, Google makes a Nexus player that has these channels, but I'll admit that I have never seen its real world use, and AppleTV. If you've got wifi set up and don't plan on hardwiring the device, I think I would recommend the FireTV Stick. It's the cheapest ($40), and it works great. I think the extra apps that are available on it are topping the Roku (and I'm a huge Roku fan). The Roku stick is also slightly more expensive last I looked ($50 vs $40). If you did want to hardwire it, the Amazon FireTV, AppleTVx Roku 3 are each $100. AppleTV has the fewest available apps, but it has what you're looking for. It's also the oldest of the devices, and there have been rumors of its replacement for the last 2 years or so. The others add tons more apps while keeping basically all the ones that were already there. They also add native apps for Amazon Prime Instant Video (which is the one other video service I would consider adding if I were you. It's close to on par with Netflix, with many programs overlapping. It has all the HBO original series (sans Sex and the City, Entourage, Curb your Enthusiasm...I think that's all) that are 3 years old or older. The Amazon products have the ability to add what these guys were talking about- TVMC, a version of xbmc that has many websites of questionable character that do lots of free streaming of stuff that shouldn't be free. Roku doesn't have that outlet, if that interests you. The Roku 2 and 3 remotes have a headphone jack that you can turn the tv speakers off and listen privately, if that's an advantage. The Amazon Fire TV has a remote with voice search. Neither the FireTV stick nor Roku stick have the advanced remotes.



Lastly, I'll mention that ChromeCast will work for Hulu plus and Netflix as well as watchespn (again, at present, you can't personally own the rights to a login without a subscription to a TV service), but there are no physical remote options. You must use a smart device as your remote at all times.


Also, check out the link to the official cord-cutting thread.
Posted by TypoKnig
Member since Aug 2011
8928 posts
Posted on 2/3/15 at 3:45 am to
I'm in a very similar situation. I have directv and with only 1 TV in the house.

Thinking about going with the Roku 3 with Sling TV, Netflix, Hulu Plus, and the Inlaws Cox LogIn for HBOGo and ESPN. Just have to wait for the Directv contract to end.
Posted by white perch
the bright, happy side of hell
Member since Apr 2012
7122 posts
Posted on 2/3/15 at 7:31 am to
Thank you all
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