Cable cutters -- how do you get internet?

[daylatedollarshort]

We have Internet only or Internet and some basic channel package if it is the same cost or not too much more as Internet only. We have three competing cable companies in our area and our house is wired for all three. Every time our current plan gets the price raised we call around and ask each company to give us their lowest bid for our business, and then go with the best package / price option. We have a Firestick and Roku we use to watch mainly Netflix, Amazon Prime and Youtube.

 

[Dawg52]

4) Have the other person sign up and get the new customer benefit. (that was told to me by Comcast employee)

A Comcast customer service lady once told me if you drop cable for 4 months you would then be eligible for new customer rates. That was a couple of years ago so not sure if still true.

 

[Midpack]

Seems like several questions running through this thread.

1. To cut cable/satellite TV and still watch "TV," unless you choose to rely entirely on OTA, you will still need an internet connection of at least 10-25 Mbps to stream TV. More for 4K, but there’s very little 4K content yet. Most broadcast TV is still 720p or 1080i, not even 1080p.
2. For content, you can stream on demand TV for free, but if you want better choices you’ll have to pay for a service like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now, basic Hulu, etc. around $5-15/mo and they're more movie and original content providers. The TV shows they provide often don't become available until long after original broadcasts, some are one full season behind.
3. For content, if you want to stream live TV, there are a few free live choices (Pluto?) but if you want the most popular TV networks (similar to cable/satellite) you’ll need Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, YouTube TV, Hulu Live or DirecTV Now for $20-80/mo. Most of these packages offer cloud DVRs so you can still “record” your favorite shows, and they offer on demand libraries too.
4. For "hardware," to stream content you’ll need a Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire or Chromecast unless you have a smart TV offering any of the packages above you want.

We have:

• a 25 mpbs Comcast internet connection (our only real choice) - $50/mo, we're looking forward to having fiber one day.
• PlayStation Vue 60+ live channels, cloud DVR, and on demand library on up to 5 simultaneous devices (TV, iPad, PC, iPhone) - $45/mo
• PBS Passport - $5/mo and various free apps, I watch free YouTube often (on a 55” TV). I wonder if people realize how much quality content is on YouTube TV, including daily excerpts from many TV programs on demand.
• a Roku Ultra ($90-100) in the fam room, Roku Stick+ ($55-70) in the bedroom and a Chromecast (free, normally $35) in the basement exercise room.
• an OTA that we almost never use - free

We broke even in 3 months (Roku's, Vue & PBS) and we’re saving $600/yr over what Dish TV was costing with all the bells & whistles satellite TV was providing us. And there are no contracts so we can switch to something else anytime. Not being trapped in 2 year contracts and endless price increases was worth cutting the cable to us!

 

[target2019]

Comcast internet around here (NJ) is $61.95 for Performance (50Mbps). There is no other fiber choice at this time.
We have limited basic, which is $13/month. HD TV Box and Broadcast TV fee adds another $10 or so to the bill.
Netflix is $13.95/month. Amazon is include in the Prime fee.
Everything goes up. Only way to stop the madness is to stop.

 

[brucethebroker]

Another option is to use “snowbird service” which is offered by Comcast and AT&T, where they keep your service on standby for $10-$15 per month for the time you are away.

Yep. Our snowbird locale has Century Link as a provider: their snowbird "off season" price is reduced to $10 monthly for internet, and can be "turned on" for a short stay/visit of a couple of weeks if needed. Also cable TV, but do not know the price for that one. Perhaps your provider up north offers a similar deal during the winter months.

 

[harley]

A Comcast customer service lady once told me if you drop cable for 4 months you would then be eligible for new customer rates. That was a couple of years ago so not sure if still true.

I'm a snow bird too, and when not in FL I cancel my Comcast TV service but keep my internet so I can access my wifi cameras and thermostat. I'd put the TV on the snowbird service if I could, but they can't snowbird the TV but not the internet. So every year when I get back to FL I am eligible for the new customer deals for TV.

I currently own a third home that we used to rent to DD. She moved out but we kept it to use to visit her for extended periods. It has no cable TV or internet access. I set up an OTA antenna in a spare bedroom, and we can pick up almost 40 channels (DC area). 6 or 7 of them are worth watching. I especially like Comet TV, a channel that shows old sci fi shows and bad movies.

We just came home after being there for a month, and using only our AT&T phone hotspots for internet. Misery! Luckily the HOA has made a deal with Comcast for internet access that will start next year. It will be part of the HOA fee, so I can't avoid it while we still own the TH. But it will make being there far more enjoyable. I'm an internet addict. Plus it will give us access to the streaming TV services, which I couldn't watch over the hotspot without using up my data plan.

 

[omni550]

Another question as a result of possible cable-cutting.

BTW, I'd likely only be cutting cable at my Michigan location, as it is a single family home, with no "included services", unlike the basic Comcast Cable TV that comes with my FL condo.

I have a TiVO DVR (each with prepaid lifetime service), in my MI and FL locations.

Will TiVo work with non-cable offerings? I recall getting a cable card from the cable company that was inserted into the TiVO box. I assume I would need to return that cable card if I cut cable TV...but then what?

omni

 

[Lakedog]

No cable TV or cable internet service for last couple of years. I decided that there are lots better uses of my time than watching a lot of TV so just use an amplified indoor digital antenna (major networks, around 25 channels total).

Cricket cell plan serves as hotspot/internet access for MacBook Air - 10gb per month which typically serves my needs. This setup is a holdover from my full-time RV days and also makes moving/travel less complicated.

 

[cathy63]

Another question as a result of possible cable-cutting.

BTW, I'd likely only be cutting cable at my Michigan location, as it is a single family home, with no "included services", unlike the basic Comcast Cable TV that comes with my FL condo.

I have a TiVO DVR (each with prepaid lifetime service), in my MI and FL locations.

Will TiVo work with non-cable offerings? I recall getting a cable card from the cable company that was inserted into the TiVO box. I assume I would need to return that cable card if I cut cable TV...but then what?

omni

It depends what kind of TiVos you have. Some can take an antenna input instead of digital cable and some cannot. This site can help you identify what you have and what types of inputs it can take: https://www.tivopedia.com

 

[chilkoot]

I cancelled cable TV service about a year ago and have had no regrets.
One question I don't understand: several posters have mentioned recording shows using TiVo or something similar. All of the online services I have seen offer content on an on-demand basis; shows are available to start or pause at the viewer's whim. I don't see the need to record.

 

[Midpack]

I cancelled cable TV service about a year ago and have had no regrets.
One question I don't understand: several posters have mentioned recording shows using TiVo or something similar. All of the online services I have seen offer content on an on-demand basis; shows are available to start or pause at the viewer's whim. I don't see the need to record.

While all the services offer on demand libraries, and they’re probably becoming more complete, they’re not always complete - so you’ll miss some episodes. That’s not OK for everyone.

And some become available long after they’re originally aired. Some people like to discuss current episodes of shared favorite programs with friends, they don’t want to see this years episodes of The Big Bang - next year...

“Start and pause” aren’t really the main issue for most, it’s skipping ads. When we cloud DVR programs we can start, pause and skip ads as we like. Not so for on demand, some allow skipping, some don’t. Some services offer ad skipping or ad free episodes, but at an increased subscription price.

 

[ncbill]

Another question as a result of possible cable-cutting.

BTW, I'd likely only be cutting cable at my Michigan location, as it is a single family home, with no "included services", unlike the basic Comcast Cable TV that comes with my FL condo.

I have a TiVO DVR (each with prepaid lifetime service), in my MI and FL locations.

Will TiVo work with non-cable offerings? I recall getting a cable card from the cable company that was inserted into the TiVO box. I assume I would need to return that cable card if I cut cable TV...but then what?

omni

What model Tivo?

I use a base (4-tuner) Roamio with a CableCard, but it will also tune OTA (one coax input - either digital cable or antenna, not both at the same time)

Higher-end (6-tuner) Roamio models are digital cable only.

OTOH, my old Tivo Premiere has dual, (2-tuner) coax inputs - one for analog/digital cable, one for antenna, & can use both inputs at the same time.

 

[Splash]

a Roku Ultra ($90-100) in the fam room, Roku Stick+ ($55-70) in the bedroom and a Chromecast (free, normally $35) in the basement exercise room.

We cut the cord recently. Using $70 Roku Stick+. Looking to buy another Roku. Trying to decide if I should get Ultra or the same one I already have. I'm interested in your opinion on benefits of Ultra vs Stick+.

 

[workburnout]

AT and T Uverse. I need the high speed option for work (telecommute out of home office) and it's the best option in my area. There are however cheaper low speed options.

 

[Midpack]

We cut the cord recently. Using $70 Roku Stick+. Looking to buy another Roku. Trying to decide if I should get Ultra or the same one I already have. I'm interested in your opinion on benefits of Ultra vs Stick+.

We bought the Streaming Stick+ first, and the Ultra shortly thereafter. Being new to relying entirely on streaming TV, and with DW skeptical about the whole idea, I wanted to be prepared to plug directly into Ethernet if necessary - hence the Ultra. And to try voice commands, nice but unnecessary and it only works with the Roku app so far.

Turns out we’re fine with either over WiFi, we’ve streamed both TV’s simultaneously with the odd iPad or iPhone online and never had problems to speak of, with our modest 25 Mbps connection.

Just guessing, but I noticed both are on sale on the Roku site today - that may bee newer models are about to roll out?

 

[audreyh1]

I cancelled cable TV service about a year ago and have had no regrets.
One question I don't understand: several posters have mentioned recording shows using TiVo or something similar. All of the online services I have seen offer content on an on-demand basis; shows are available to start or pause at the viewer's whim. I don't see the need to record.

No need for TiVo if you are using the regular on demand streaming with Netflix, etc.

We don’t have anything to record. It’s all on-demand.

We don’t watch anything off the air anyway.

 

[Splash]

Thanks Midpack.

Roku devices are on sale at Best Buy right now as well.

 

[omni550]

What model Tivo?

I use a base (4-tuner) Roamio with a CableCard, but it will also tune OTA (one coax input - either digital cable or antenna, not both at the same time)

Higher-end (6-tuner) Roamio models are digital cable only.

OTOH, my old Tivo Premiere has dual, (2-tuner) coax inputs - one for analog/digital cable, one for antenna, & can use both inputs at the same time.

Premiere XL is the unit I have in Michigan, which has antenna and cable inputs, so it may work for cable cutting.

(Roamio (base-unit) is my unit in FL -- but, as I stated upthread, it's not an issue as I can't cut cable there due to being in a condo where cable is provided.)

omni

 

[ncbill]

Premiere is the one I have in Michigan.

(Roamio is my unit in FL -- but, as I stated upthread, it's not an issue as I can't cut cable there due to being a condo.)

omni

Since your antenna & cable inputs can be used at the same time just hook up an antenna & re-scan channels, specifying you have both cable & antenna connected.

That way you can check OTA reception before dropping cable.

You can try a cheap indoor antenna, but unless transmitters are close by I'd recommend a large outdoor antenna (8-bay UHF antenna in my attic for the Tivo Roamio OTA upstairs)

Downstairs another Tivo Roamio currently uses cable but I've ordered this powered outdoor antenna to test: https://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=144180

 

[omni550]

Since your antenna & cable inputs can be used at the same time just hook up an antenna & re-scan channels, specifying you have both cable & antenna connected.

That way you can check OTA reception before dropping cable.

You can try a cheap indoor antenna, but unless transmitters are close by I'd recommend a large outdoor antenna (8-bay UHF antenna in my attic for the Tivo Roamio OTA upstairs)

Downstairs another Tivo Roamio currently uses cable but I've ordered this powered outdoor antenna to test: https://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=144180

Thanks. Glad to know I can test OTA reception before dropping cable.

I'm in the suburbs of a major metro area, and the terrain here is pretty flat, so I'm [-]guessing[/-] hoping I might get relatively decent reception OTA.

omni

 

[omni550]

For anyone else who is thinking of cable cutting, I found this site that uses your address to analyze the OTA TV stations broadcasting in your area and gives you a radar chart showing direction and signal strength...and which type of antenna will pick up which stations.

TV Fool

omni

 

[Midpack]

For anyone else who is thinking of cable cutting, I found this site that uses your address to analyze the OTA TV stations broadcasting in your area and gives you a radar chart showing direction and signal strength...and which type of antenna will pick up which stations.

TV Fool

omni

It is a good site, but even then it can be highly antenna and elevation dependent. We get 9 channels downstairs, not all good ones. But with the same amplified OTA antenna we get over 40 channels upstairs, including every one we’d ever want.

 

[jim584672]

For Internet only...


I know some folks get an unlimited 4G T mobile plan for $80 a month and tether it to their PC.


Personally I use the EvilFIOSTelco and EvilCableCo and alternate between them to get the promo rates for 12 months.

 

[mpeirce]

Our setup for accessing OTA is the following:

Upstairs we have good reception. Downstairs we had bad reception. So...

We have one of these antenna

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X4RA74A

hooked up to a TiVo Bolt. It gets all the local OTA channels.

Downstairs we have a TiVo Mini. It's a little box that relays all the content we have upstairs. It plays all the recorded content, plus anything live that is coming in.

Nice and simple. Works great for us.

 

[harley]

For Internet only...


I know some folks get an unlimited 4G T mobile plan for $80 a month and tether it to their PC.

You've got to watch these unlimited plans. I don't know about T Mobile, but A&T's unlimited plan only allows 15GB/phone hotspot use. After that it drops to 128kb. Plus, while it's internet access, it's pretty slow compared to broadband.