Cord Cutting Archives » Technically Well https://technicallywell.com/category/reviews/cord-cutting/ Tech that's good for you Sun, 22 Jan 2023 15:32:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://technicallywell.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cropped-Square-Technically-Well-1-32x32.png Cord Cutting Archives » Technically Well https://technicallywell.com/category/reviews/cord-cutting/ 32 32 1byone Folding TV Antenna (2019 version) Review https://technicallywell.com/1byone-folding-tv-antenna-2019-version-review/ Wed, 30 Oct 2019 23:30:40 +0000 https://technicallywell.com/?p=5801 Design This antenna is different than most “flat” antennas you typically see in stores and on Amazon. 1byone has incorporated two flaps on either side of the antenna that allows you to change the angle of a portion of the antenna and, theoretically, receive more channels that might have otherwise been missed by only having […]

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Design

This antenna is different than most “flat” antennas you typically see in stores and on Amazon. 1byone has incorporated two flaps on either side of the antenna that allows you to change the angle of a portion of the antenna and, theoretically, receive more channels that might have otherwise been missed by only having your antenna face one direction.

This does definitely seem to help. You won’t go from receiving no channels to 100 channels, but if you currently find that you have to move your current antenna to get certain channels, the 1byone Folding TV Antenna can help since it can face multiple angles.

1byone Folding TV Antenna

The package includes the antenna itself, along with a USB amplifier, a USB wall charger, mounting screws, and two-sided mounting tapes.

Features

The antenna includes an amplifier that can be connected to the included USB wall adapter or to an available USB port on the back of your television. This can help weak signals come in stronger, however, you will need to experiment to see if it actually improves reception. You may find that the reception is fine without it.

Performance

The antenna performed slightly better than my existing RCA antennae, which is larger than the 1byone. I was able to receive the same stations, including my local (and far away) FOX affiliate that typically gives me trouble.

The 120-mile claim is a bit of a stretch. Indoor antennas rarely pick up stations more than 50-miles away. When shopping on Amazon, assume the maximum range of any indoor antenna to be 50 miles (and even that would be under ideal conditions, such as a house on top of a hill).

When testing the amplifier and checking the signal quality in my TV’s settings, I found that the amplifier could increase the signal quality from the 40s to the 60s (on a scale of 1-100).

It’s important to remember that this will not cure all receptions problems. Unfortunately, if you get occasional interference, the amplifier will amplify the interference and you may still get pixelation and blips from time to time.

Interestingly, I could not use the USB port on my television to power the amplifier, as it caused the signal quality to drop in the single digits. This could be because the USB port on my TV is right next to the antenna jack, therefore it might be causing interference.

You will need to do some testing to determine if the amplifier helps or not. Also, be sure to test with both a USB port on your television and the included USB wall adapter. In some cases, the amplifier might actually make things worse, especially if you are relatively close to a broadcast tower.

Important Things to Know Before Buying

  • Check what stations your location can receive with these sites: TV Fool, Antenna Web
  • You will not receive cable stations, such as: ESPN, The Weather Channel, CNN, FX, AMC, Discovery, HBO, etc. No antenna can receive these as they are not broadcasted over-the-air.
  • You will only receive free, over-the-air broadcast stations such as: ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and FOX (and possibly some “bonus” sub-channels, such as MyTV, Laff TV, etc)
  • Check out the Cut The Cord page here on Technically Well for more resources!
Last updated on October 10, 2023 1:56 pm

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Linksys EA9000 AC3000 Wi-Fi Range Extender Review https://technicallywell.com/linksys-ea9000-ac3000-wi-fi-range-extender-review/ Tue, 13 Mar 2018 00:50:48 +0000 https://technicallywell.com/?p=3840 Setup The setup process for this range extender is very easy if you have another Linksys Max-Stream router.  Pairing it with my Linksys EA9500 router involved simply pressing the WPS button on the side of the router, then the WPS button on the side of this range extended.  Once the LED turned green, it was […]

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Setup

The setup process for this range extender is very easy if you have another Linksys Max-Stream router.  Pairing it with my Linksys EA9500 router involved simply pressing the WPS button on the side of the router, then the WPS button on the side of this range extended.  Once the LED turned green, it was ready to move.

You’ll want to place the range extended about half-ways between your router and the WiFi dead-zone section in your house.  In my case, my bedroom on the second floor is furthest away from the router on the first floor. While the WiFi works in this room, I find my iPhone switching from the 5 GHz band to the 2.4 GHz band which can sometimes cause a delay while it changes.  I would prefer to have the more stable 5 GHz band all over my house.

I placed the extender in the middle of the second floor and pulled up the web interface for the RE9000.  Using the “Spot Finder” page on the web interface, it confirmed I was (barely) in the “just right” zone.

The obtrusive design and somewhat large size makes it difficult to blend this range extender into the home’s decor, so finding a nice hiding place for this range extender can be difficult.

Features

One of the most appealing features of this range extender is the “Seamless Roaming.”  You know how your phone automatically switches from cell tower to cell tower while you’re driving?  We really haven’t been able to have seamless switching with WiFi.  Even if you have two WiFi networks in your home, your phone will typically hold on to the first one it encounters even if it moves closer to a stronger WiFi network.

Seamless Roaming looks to solve that so you can have uninterrupted FaceTime calls, for example,  as you move around your home.  The RE9000 supports Seamless Roaming with some caveats:

  • The router must support it.  This includes Linksys’ other Max-Stream routers.
  • Your phone must also support it.  This includes the iPhone 4s and later, the iPad 3rd generation and later, and the Samsung S4 and later.  Your device manufacturer would be your best resource to determine if your phone supports 802.11k (“WiFi Roaming”).

Performance

When paired with a Max-Stream router, the two devices are able to dedicate a 5 GHz band between them, creating a solid connection suitable for high bandwidth applications such as 4K HD video streaming.

I tested this out by making sure my iPhone X was connected to the range extender (you can see what devices are connected in the web interface) and performing a speed test.  My home connection maxes out at 30mbps (which is still suitable for 4K streaming) and I saw the same speed connecting to the RE9000 as I did connecting to my main EA9500 router.  I tested out a 4K Amazon Video stream and it worked flawlessly while connected to the RE9000 range extender.

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YouTube TV FAQs: Stream Locals with DVR https://technicallywell.com/youtube-tv-faqs/ Sat, 24 Feb 2018 13:04:34 +0000 https://technicallywell.com/?p=3794 Google has been rolling their streaming TV service — YouTube TV — to more and more markets.  You might have seen their Super Bowl ads, but it is a good deal for you?  Check out the FAQs below. What is YouTube TV? YouTube TV is a streaming TV service offering many of your favorite cable […]

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Google has been rolling their streaming TV service — YouTube TV — to more and more markets.  You might have seen their Super Bowl ads, but it is a good deal for you?  Check out the FAQs below.

What is YouTube TV?

YouTube TV is a streaming TV service offering many of your favorite cable package in one, easy-to-understand price without hidden fees, B.S. taxes, or equipment rentals.

What devices can I watch on?

YouTube TV recently expanded to many streaming boxes, including Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast and newer Samsung and LG smart TVs.  See the full list of support devices.

Unfortunately, Amazon’s Fire TV boxes and streaming sticks are not compatible at this time (likely due to the dispute between Amazon and YouTube).

Where is YouTube TV available?

It is only available in certain markets right now.  You can start the sign-up process and it will tell you if your area is eligible.  Or you can check the list of available markets.

What channels do I get?

For $39.99/month: AMD, BBC. Bravo, Cartoon Network, CNN, E!, ESPN, ESPN 2, ESPN U, FOX News, FOX Sports, FreeForm, FX, FXM, FXX, National Geographic, Pop, SyFy, TBS, TNT, truTV, USA and more!  Most markets also have live streaming for ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.  During the sign-up process, you will see a list of the channels your specific region can receive before you commit.

You can also add ShowTime for $11/month.

Price and channels may change since this article was last updated. Check the website for the latest offerings.

How many devices can I stream to simultaneously?

You can watch on 3 devices at the same time.

Can each person have their own login and shows?

Yes!  You can link up to 6 Google accounts together and each person can have their own set of shows to DVR.  Switching accounts in the YouTube TV app is a little cumbersome (one person needs to sign out and another person needs to sign in), so this works best if each person has their own device to watch on.

Do I get DVR?

Yes! You can mark your favorite shows and they will “record” to the cloud whenever they air.  There are no storage limits, although recordings expire after 9 months.  When you watch a DVR recording, you can fast-forward through commercials, but YouTube TV will sometimes replace recordings with an “On Demand” version that can’t be fast-forwarded (boo1).

Do I get On-Demand?

Yes, when you add a show to your library, you will see the On-Demand versions available.  Unfortunately, YouTube does gives priority to the On-Demand version over the DVR recordings, which prevents you from fast-forwarding through commercials.

Is there a contract? “Broadcast Fee”? Box rentals? Other hidden fees?

Nope, but you will likely need to pay your local sales tax on the monthly charge  You can cancel at any time without an additional fee.

Can I authenticate with network apps? For example, can I log in to the CNN app?

Yes, many apps allow you to select YouTube TV as your provider.

Can I use this service when I’m away from home?

Yes, if you stay in the United States.  You’ll lose access to your local channels if you leave your home area, but you can watch other local channels if you are in an area serviced by YouTube TV.  You can access your DVR recordings anywhere (even DVR recordings from your local channels) as long as you have an internet connection.  There may be some other regional viewing restrictions in place as well.

A free 7-day trial of the service is available, so try it out and let me know what you think in the comments!

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AirTV Streaming Box with OTA Review https://technicallywell.com/airtv-streaming-box-with-ota-review/ Thu, 22 Feb 2018 23:31:40 +0000 https://technicallywell.com/?p=3769 Features This device is aimed at cord cutters who can receive their local channels (like ABC, CBS, NBC, etc) by antenna. You can purchase the AirTV bundled with a USB dongle that connects to your antenna and allows you to watch your local channels in HD from the AirTV box. Why would you want to […]

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Cut The Cord with AirTV Player. Stream movies, TV, music and other content using a wide range of apps, including Netflix, SlingTV, Google Play and many more from the Google Play Store all with AirTV Player. AirTV’s streaming platform integrates local over-the-air (OTA) programming with your...
in stock
AirTV - 8 GB 4K Streaming Media Player with Adapter...

Features

This device is aimed at cord cutters who can receive their local channels (like ABC, CBS, NBC, etc) by antenna. You can purchase the AirTV bundled with a USB dongle that connects to your antenna and allows you to watch your local channels in HD from the AirTV box.

Why would you want to do this? This saves you an extra step of changing the input on your TV from “Antenna” to “HDMI 1” (for example) every time you want to switch between local channels and a streaming app.

However, while the AirTV does support other streaming apps like Netflix, it’s mainly aimed at people who subscribe to Sling TV. Now you can use it without a subscription to Sling TV, however, you must go into the Sling TV app on the box to watch your local stations, then exit the Sling TV app if you want to open Netflix or YouTube, for example. If you’re not a Sling TV subscriber, you can expect to see a huge banner ad for the service every time you open the Sling TV app.

The AirTV uses Android TV at its base, so you can install other Android TV-compatible apps (such as Pandora and Pluto TV). It also acts as a Google Chromecast. You can start watching a video on your iPhone or Android phone, then use the “cast” icon to send the video to the AirTV. This feature has always been finicky for me (even with an actual Google Chromecast device) and videos sometimes simply do not play on the TV when I attempt to “cast” them. Therefore, I don’t plan to use the feature often, but it’s nice to know it’s there.

One of the main glaring omissions of the AirTV right now is the lack of a DVR feature, but this is supposedly coming in the future.

Remote

The remote is somewhat oversized and a little awkward to hold, but it does have a surprisingly soft back. At the top of the remote is a dedicated Sling TV button that takes you into the Sling TV app (where your local channels are found as well).

While watching local TV, you can press the “up” button on the remote to open up a mini-guide along the bottom of the screen. This is one of my favorite features as it allows you to see what else is on locally. You can instead press the “down” button to open up a full screen guide, but I prefer using the mini-guide.

The remote also had a dedicated Netflix button which makes switching over to the Netflix app fast and easy. There is also a Google button that opens up the Google Assistant and turns on the microphone (also located on the remote). However, activating the Google Assistant has been hit or miss for me. Sometimes it will open the white Google Assistant screen but it won’t be listening, and sometimes it is listening but their is no visual indication to let me know.

The remote can also be setup to control your TV power and sound bar volume (the initial setup process will walk you through this). This is convenient as you can power on both your TV and the AirTV box with one button press.

Picture Quality

The AirTV is capable of a 4K resolution, so I tested this out by using the built-in Google Chromecast feature to play a 4K YouTube video. The AirTV did a great job of playing this video and delivered similar quality to my Samsung TV’s built-in 4K YouTube app.

The picture quality of local TV stations (through the antenna dongle) was also very good and comparable to using the “Antenna” input on my TV. I did notice some occasional picture stuttering when the AirTV seemed to be doing something in the background (for example, if I recently loaded the guide, the picture could stutter for a few seconds afterwards).

The signal quality from my antenna seems to be weaker through the AirTV. For example, my local NBC station is far away from my home and occasionally pixelates every 15 minutes or so when the antenna is directly connected to my TV. Attaching the same cable to the AirTV resulted in more frequent pixelations (like every 5 minutes), which leads me to believe that the receiver in the AirTV is not as tolerant to interference as my Samsung TV.

8.4 Total Score
Great

The AirTV is ideal if you subscribe to Sling TV and have an existing antenna that can receive local stations. Many streaming services such as PlayStation Vue and YouTube TV are including local TV stations as part of their channel lineup, making an antenna less and less necessary. However, PlayStation Vue and YouTube TV cost about double of what Sling TV's base plan costs, so you could save yourself some money by combining Sling TV with an antenna if you live in an area with good reception.

Features
8.2
Remote
8
Picture Quality
9
PROS
  • Adds local stations to your Sling TV subscription
  • Android TV allows you to install other streaming apps
CONS
  • Antenna not included
  • No DVR (yet)
  • Big ad if you don't subscribe to Sling TV

Cut The Cord with AirTV Player. Stream movies, TV, music and other content using a wide range of apps, including Netflix, SlingTV, Google Play and many more from the Google Play Store all with AirTV Player. AirTV’s streaming platform integrates local over-the-air (OTA) programming with your...
in stock
AirTV - 8 GB 4K Streaming Media Player with Adapter...

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Linksys EA9500 Max-Stream AC5400 Router Review https://technicallywell.com/linksys-ea9500-max-stream-ac5400-router-review/ Wed, 01 Jun 2016 17:11:56 +0000 https://technicallywell.com/?p=1706 If your family does a lot of streaming, the Linksys EA9500 will keep those streams going strong throughout your whole house. PROs Strong performance: The Linksys EA9500 features 8 high performance antennas featuring capable of a 5.3 Gbps throughput when all 3 bands are in use. This is ideal if your family recently cut the […]

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If your family does a lot of streaming, the Linksys EA9500 will keep those streams going strong throughout your whole house.

PROs

  • Strong performance: The Linksys EA9500 features 8 high performance antennas featuring capable of a 5.3 Gbps throughput when all 3 bands are in use. This is ideal if your family recently cut the cord on cable TV and you have multiple people streaming HD video from services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube at the same time. It’s also ideal if you have a large home and you need the WiFi signal to cover a larger distance.
  • 8 network ports: If you prefer to have a wired internet connection, you’ll like the 8 gigabit ports located on the back of the router (many routers only have 4 ports).
  • Web interface: Once you have the router connected to your modem and powered up, use the WiFi connection information found in the Quick Start guide to connect your computer. Once connected, head to 192.168.1.1 in a browser and you’ll find a nice web interface for configuring the router (you don’t need to use the CD).
  • Network map: If you need to manage a lot of devices, the EA9500 creates a nice map of everything connected to the router. You can view the laptops, iPhones, Android phones, etc currently connected. There is a separate map for the Guest Network, so you can see if one of your neighbors is connected to it and turn off the guest network if need be.
  • Guest network: The guest network allows you to create a separate network, name it something different and give it a different password. That way, you don’t need to give out the password to your “real” network to friends and family who may be visiting. The guest network is also isolated, so users on the guest network cannot see shared files from your computer.
  • Parental Controls: On a per-device basis, you can restrict usage times and block websites. For example, you can select one of the iPads belonging to your children and only allow access between 6-9pm and block access to facebook.com.
  • Media prioritization: If everyone is using your WiFi at once, some devices may slow down and buffer. In the Media Prioritization section of the router, you can allow certain devices to always have high priority. For example, you could give your Netflix streaming box highest priority so your streams are not interrupted by someone else on your network who is uploading high resolution photos. Conversely, you could give your work computer the highest priority so it is not slowed down by someone streaming Netflix.
  • USB storage: You can connect an external USB hard drive to the router and share it on your network. Use it to store your photos, videos, and music, then easily access them no matter which computer you are using. One of the USB ports on the router is also USB 3.0, making it ideal for high speed transfers which comes in handy when you’re transferring large movie files and backing up your computer.
  • Techie options: If you’re so inclined, the router admin pages provide options for VLANs, port forwarding, DMZ, MAC filtering, etc. Most users won’t need some of these sections, but they are available if you want full control of your home network.
  • Power usage: I found that the router only uses about 16 watts while on, which equates to about $17 per year (calculated at a $0.12 kWh rate).

CONs

  • Linksys Smart WiFi: When I first setup the router, I was prompted to setup a Linksys Smart WiFi account. I wasn’t interested in creating another username and password I would have to remember. But, thankfully, Linksys includes a “no thanks” option that allows you to configure everything locally. The Smart WiFi gives you some “apps” and remote control, but if you’re not interested in those functions, you can bypass it completely.

Overall, this is a powerful, high performance router that provides a stable and strong WiFi connection throughout my home. The very well-done web interface provides a lot of customization options making it ideal for advanced users as well.

Check out the Linksys EA9500 on Amazon

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PlayStation Vue FAQs: A Great Value for Cord Cutters https://technicallywell.com/playstation-vue-faqs-a-great-value-for-cord-cutters/ Fri, 18 Mar 2016 00:07:07 +0000 https://technicallywell.com/?p=1573 I cut the cord several years ago after watching my cable rise steadily.  I love Netflix and Amazon Prime Streaming, but at times I miss not being able to watch The Walking Dead in real-time so I can stand by the water cooler the next morning with my co-workers.  Sony recently announced that their streaming service […]

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Sadly, Sony has decided to shut down the Playstation Vue service in January 2020. As an alternative, be sure to check out YouTube TV.

I cut the cord several years ago after watching my cable rise steadily.  I love Netflix and Amazon Prime Streaming, but at times I miss not being able to watch The Walking Dead in real-time so I can stand by the water cooler the next morning with my co-workers.  Sony recently announced that their streaming service — PlayStation Vue — is available nationwide, and it’s a surprisingly good deal.

What is Playstation Vue?

PlayStation Vue is a streaming TV service offering many of your favorite cable package in one, easy-to-understand price without hidden fees, B.S. taxes, or equipment rentals.

So do I need a PlayStation game console to use it?

Surprisingly, no!  While the service obviously works with the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, it also works on the Amazon Fire TV (including the less-expensive Stick), Chromecast, and iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads.  The tricky part is that you first need to authenticate your location with a PlayStation 3, 4, or a Fire TV device before the service will work on the Chromecast and iOS devices.  This is done to verify that your IP address’ location matches the information in your PlayStation profile.

What channels do I get?

For $39.99/month: AMC, Animal Planet, BET, Bravo, Cartoon Network, CMT, CNBC, CNN, Comedy Central, Destination America, Discovery Channel, Discovery Family, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, DIY Network, E!, ESPN, ESPN2, Food Network, Fox Business, Fox News, Freeform, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, FX, FXX, HGTV, HLN, IDTV, MSNBC, NatGeo, NBCSN, Nick Jr, Nickelodeon, NicToons, OWN, Oxygen, POP, Science Channel, Spike, SyFy, TBS, TLC, TNT, Travel Channel, TruTV, TV Land, USA, WE tv.  Additional On-Demand only offerings: ABC, NBC, Fox (no live streaming of these networks)

There are upgraded tiers available, but many people will find what they need in the base package.

Price and channels may change since this article was last updated. Check the website for the latest offerings.

How many devices can I stream to simultaneously?

The short answer: 5.  The long answer: You can only stream to one type of a device at a time.  So you can stream to a PlayStation 3 and a Fire TV at the same time, but you can not stream to a PlayStation 3 and a PlayStation 3 at the same time.

5 devices? So I can, uh, “share” my login with my friends?

Nope! All the devices must come from one IP address.

Do I get DVR?

Yes! You can mark your favorite shows and they will “record” to the cloud.  Really, I think Sony just records everything by default, and then tags which users belong to which recording.  You can fast-forward through commercials and rewind as needed, but you can only access the recordings for 28 days.

Do I get On-Demand?

Yes! Many networks offer On-Demand much like cable providers do.  For example, I’ve been catching up on many current season FX shows, but see that the ABC On-Demand option offers far fewer episodes.

Is there a contract? “Broadcast Fee”? Hidden taxes? Box rentals? Uncontrollable urges to cry when the bill arrives?

No.  As a Comcast survivor, I found this hard to believe.  And you can cancel at any time without an additional fee.

Can I authenticate with network apps? For example, can I log in to the AMC app?

Yes! This is another nice benefit. Many of the top networks allow you to sign in with your PlayStation Vue credentials.

Can I use this service when I’m away from home?

No. Live streaming is limited to in-home viewing from your established IP address.  However, some On-Demand content is available while you’re away from home in the iOS app.  DVR recordings are limited to in-home only.

How much bandwidth do I need?

10mbps or higher is recommended.

Sling TV sucks on the Fire TV Stick. How is the PlayStation Vue?

It’s a lot better, surprisingly.  PlayStation Vue’s UI is a little slow on the Fire TV Stick, but streaming is fairly smooth and a lot less glitchy compared to Sling TV’s app.

A free 7-day trial of the service is available, so try it out and let me know what you think in the comments!

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Cutting the Cord on Cable and Still Enjoying TV https://technicallywell.com/cutting-the-cord-on-cable/ Mon, 02 Sep 2013 13:00:55 +0000 https://technicallywell.com/?p=195 After seeing my cable bill reach new heights month after month, I decided to cut the cord back in 2012. And you know what? It wasn’t bad at all. Here are some tips, services and devices to help ease the transition to saving money! Today, we have more options than ever for receiving our in-home entertainment. […]

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After seeing my cable bill reach new heights month after month, I decided to cut the cord back in 2012. And you know what? It wasn’t bad at all. Here are some tips, services and devices to help ease the transition to saving money!

Today, we have more options than ever for receiving our in-home entertainment. Streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus provide a wide array of viewing options, and small streaming devices make setup a breeze. However, “cord cutting” does take some effort to find the content you love.

When I saw my cable TV bill hit $80, I knew it was time to make a change.  A quick breakdown revealed I was paying:

  • $55 for my somewhat limited cable TV package
  • $10 for a HD cable box
  • $10 for HD service (what?!)
  • $7 “broadcast” fee (wh-what?!)

So how do you get started with cutting the cord?  Let’s break it down in 5 steps.

Step 1: Internet Connection

First, you will need a broadband internet service, which many times comes from the cable company. And, if you’re service provider is like mine, it’s probably cheaper to pay about $10 for basic cable and receive a discount on your internet for “bundling” the two services. Be sure to research the prices with your provider before cutting the cord completely, as you may still need that cord to truly save.

In my case, changing from a $60 bundled internet plan to standalone internet brought the price up to about $74 for internet only.

You’ll want an internet speed of at least  3 megabits per second to minimize buffering and receive decent picture quality while streaming.

Step 2: Streaming Services

You have several options when it comes to streaming entertainment.

The Big Ones

  • Netflix is one of the most popular for TV shows and movies, and works with almost every device.  They even have original programming (such as Orange is the New Black). However, it does not typically contain the current season of TV shows.
  • Hulu Plus may be a better option for current TV seasons, but this is where things get tricky.  You can watch many shows the day after they air on Hulu.com for free, but not all of this free content is available for streaming to your device through Hulu Plus.  Confused?  Yeah, so am I.  Go to your favorite show’s page on Hulu.com and you should see a note stating if that show is available for streaming to devices.
  • Amazon Prime also has its own streaming video service.  And they recently added a lot of content from HBO (but no current seasons, sadly).  Amazon is also creating original content.  Amazon Prime also gets you 2-day shipping, unlimited photo storage, and the Kindle lending library. Try Amazon Prime with a 30-Day Free Trial
  • Crackle (free) offers a constantly changing selection of movies and TV shows, also the selection is somewhat small compared to the other services.  This service is ad-supported and is available on many streaming devices.

Streaming Channel Packages

  • Sling TV gets you ESPN, TNT, TBS, CNN, Adult Swim, Free Form, Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, AMC, HGTV, Travel Channel and more. There are also add-on Sports, Kids, and News packages available for $5 per package per month.
  • Playstation Vue offers a wider range of channels than Sling TV, such as FX, FXX, and SyFy.  It also features on-demand access to ABC, NBC, and FOX.  It’s unique Cloud DVR features also sets it apart, allowing to mark shows to watch later (Vue stores them for 28 days).  You’ll need either a Playstion 3/4, Fire TV (including the Stick), Roku or Apple TV to sign-up, but it’s available on iOS, Android and Chromecast as well. Unfortunately, Playstation Vue plans to shut down in January 2020.
  • Direct TV Now is similar to Sling TV and Playstation Vue, allowing you to select a package of channels based on your viewing habits.  DVR service is expected to come in the near future.  Apps are available on all the major platforms.
  • YouTube TV Google is getting into the streaming TV scene with a package similar to PlayStation Vue and Direct TV Now.  Cloud DVR is included and each family member can use their own Google account to setup an individual profile of shows and recordings.  It works on Apple TV, select Samsung and LG smart TVs, Android TV and Chromecast devices (not Fire TV support at this time).
  • Philo TV  If you don’t care about sports, you can save a lot of money with Philo’s “no-sports” approach to channel packages.  You get access channels like AMC, HGTV, MTV, Comedy Central and more.

Not so obvious services

  • CBS All Access allows you to stream your favorite CBS shows on many devices, including Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, and Fire TV.  You also get access to a live stream of your local CBS affiliate (where available), allowing you to catch local newscasts and programming when you’re on the go.
  • Pluto TV (free) is an underrated service that provides the familiar comfort of an onscreen guide.  The service aggregates web videos from a wide range of sources an organizes them into “channels,” such as News, Technology, and 90s TV Shows.
  • Tubi TV (free) has a large library of over 46,000 movies and TV shows, but don’t expect top-rated content.  However, the service is entirely free thanks to occasional commercials.  The app is available on a wide range of devices, including Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku.
  • Yahoo View (free) now hosts most of the free content that was previously available on Hulu.   The app is available on computers, iOS and Android. Yahoo View has been discontinued.
  • Hoopla (free from most local libraries) offers a selection of free movies and TV shows if your local library participates.  And you don’t need to worry about returning anything to avoid library late fees.

There are also free trials available for most of these services so you can test them out and see if they’ll work with the shows you want to watch.

Step 3: Equipment

Next, you’ll need a device to view the streaming content. And, luckily, there is a wide array of devices available. Below is a quick summary of some of your options.  If you’re not sure which device to buy, CNET has put together this extremely useful chart that shows which devices can use which apps.

  • Roku: Streams Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Crackle, and a bunch of 3rd party apps from its own “app store”.
  • Apple TV: Streams movies and TV purchased from iTunes, as well as Netflix and Hulu Plus. The latest generation of the Apple TV comes with its own App Store, allowing you to install other streaming services such as Crackle, Comedy Central, Fox Now, etc.  There are even games available for playing with the motion-sensitive remote. While Amazon Instant Video isn’t directly supported, you can use the Amazon Instant Video app on your iPhone or iPad to Airplay the video to your TV.
  • Chromecast: The Chromecast can stream from a wide variety of services (Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, YouTube, etc) and uses your smartphone or tablet as the “remote”.  It also has support for games.
  • Amazon Fire TV stick: About the same form factor of the Chromecast, the Amazon Fire TV stick offers a wide variety of installable apps for Netflix, Hulu Plus, Crackle and Sling TV.  It’s also one of the few dedicated streaming devices that directly supports Amazon Instant Video. One nice bonus that this has over the Chromecast: it comes with a remote.
  • Smart TVs and BluRay Players: Check out the features on your current devices as they may already have streaming services built-in.  Netflix is available on many newer TVs, BluRay players, and game consoles. I’m surprised my toaster can’t stream Netflix yet.
  • A plain ol’ computer: Many laptops today have an HDMI port, making connections to your TV easy. Also, many TVs have VGA ports, so if you have an older computer, it’s worth trying out, too. Having a computer hooked up to the TV seems to be the best solution as you can then watch directly from the network’s website and not have to worry about device-specific support. However, it can be less than ideal as you need to have a keyboard and mouse laying around in your living room (well, maybe this keyboard can help) and it can be difficult to navigate on a TV screen if you’re too far away on the couch. Plus, there’s technical issues you have to deal with; for example, although a computer may stream fine to your monitor, once you plug it into a TV and it suddenly has to support a very highly detailed 1080p resolution, you may find the streaming becomes more choppy.

Step 4: Over-the-Air Channels

You may find that streaming services such as Netflix and Sling TV cover most of your viewing, but there may be times when you want to watch the local news or programming from the major networks like NBC and ABC.

Plug your address into TVFool.com to see what TV towers are near you and what type of antenna you’ll need.  Then, just hook up the antenna to your TV and do a channel scan. You may be surprised how many channels you can get for free!

If you miss your DVR, there are a few models available specifically designed for recording over-the-air broadcasts, such as Tablo and the Tivo Roamio.

Step 5: Enjoy!

Now you can enjoy watching your favorite shows and movies without worrying about what your cable TV rate will jump to next month.  If there are some gaps in your setup and your missing some of your favorite shows, you may find that buying individual episodes on Amazon’s Instant Video service or iTunes to be a cost effective option.

Cutting the cord definitely takes some homework, but once you find a service that supports a majority of the shows you like and then figure out which devices can stream them, you’ll soon find that you won’t miss those huge cable bills at all.

TV photo copyright aforero 

Updated Dec 2014 with additional services and devices. Updated Feb 2015 with information about Sling TV.  Updated Jan 2016 with more devices and services.  Updated March 2016 with Playstation Vue information. Updated February 2017 to add antenna information, Tubi TV and Yahoo View and to update other service offerings. Updated February 2018 to add YouTube TV and Philo TV. Updated December 2019 to remove Playstation Vue and Yahoo View as both services have been discontinued.

The post Cutting the Cord on Cable and Still Enjoying TV appeared first on Technically Well.

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