Update on Cord Cutting (Cable TV) - 2021 version

One of the things I miss with traditional cable/sat/TV is channel recall. I just noticed that I can now do this with a Firestick and YTTV by holding the Select button for two seconds. Not sure how long this has been available but I just saw a hint at the top of the screen.
 
One of the things I miss with traditional cable/sat/TV is channel recall. I just noticed that I can now do this with a Firestick and YTTV by holding the Select button for two seconds. Not sure how long this has been available but I just saw a hint at the top of the screen.

Good to know. I've just ordered a FireTV from Best Buy. They are going to mount it. I'm spending more on the mount and installation than I am on the tv. That's partly because I got a fancy mount that can tilt and swivel. This way I can watch while doing my physical therapy, sitting, eating, working, cooking in the adjacent kitchen, etc.

So, this leads me to my next question. I've never had a mounted tv. I'm trying to figure out how high it should be and if I have to move some furniture. So, how high would you mount the tv if you are watching from a variety of positions - sitting, standing, on the floor, etc.?
 
<snip> So, how high would you mount the tv if you are watching from a variety of positions - sitting, standing, on the floor, etc.?


I like the center of the TV to be at eye level when viewing. I don't like having to look up or down at it. But, to each his own.
 
I like the center of the TV to be at eye level when viewing. I don't like having to look up or down at it. But, to each his own.

I do too, but for viewing from other rooms it's ok to put it higher, especially when you can tilt it down. It probably works better with a recliner in the main viewing area. Maybe make a TV sized piece of cardboard and play with where to put it.
 
I like the center of the TV to be at eye level when viewing. I don't like having to look up or down at it. But, to each his own.

Me too. Some folks we know have them mounted up high, often above a fireplace, which I think is terrible, but, as you say "to each his own."
 
One of the things I miss with traditional cable/sat/TV is channel recall. I just noticed that I can now do this with a Firestick and YTTV by holding the Select button for two seconds. Not sure how long this has been available but I just saw a hint at the top of the screen.

You can do this on YTTV on Roku by pressing down arrow three times.
 
Me too. Some folks we know have them mounted up high, often above a fireplace, which I think is terrible, but, as you say "to each his own."

we like it above the Fireplace, with a slight tilt down. the center is then perfect for use as we like to slouch in our viewing chairs. :)
 
I like the center of the TV to be at eye level when viewing. I don't like having to look up or down at it. But, to each his own.

But the reality is that if you have a console of so me e sort under the TV then the center of the TV will be a little above eye level when sitting but still comfortable to view. I mount mine with the bottom of the TV about 12" or so above the console.
 
We just cut Spectrum cable. Cable TV with two premium channels, 5 receivers, landline, and internet was $350/month. We kept internet (85) and use YouTube TV (78) for $163/month.
 
We use comcast for internet wifi and cable (basic channels), we locked in for two years at $155/month. We are told the price will be up after two years.
The cell phone service is xfinity which tied with comcast at $65/month for 4gb data each month.
Total cost $220/month. We would like to cut the price especially we don't watch TV much, but if we move away from comcast, we would lose xfinity deal. Feels like stuck.
 
But the reality is that if you have a console of so me e sort under the TV then the center of the TV will be a little above eye level when sitting but still comfortable to view. I mount mine with the bottom of the TV about 12" or so above the console.

Yeah. One of the reasons I'm trying to plan ahead before the installers come is that I'm trying to figure out what furniture to put under the tv. My current tv stand is too low and too narrow, so it will have to go. I have a sofa table I could put under the tv, but it's 30 inches high, so it might be too high. I'm thinking of a lower console table or maybe even a bench that I could sometimes pull out for extra seating.

I like the center of the TV to be at eye level when viewing. I don't like having to look up or down at it. But, to each his own.

The question is, when and where do I determine the eye level? As I said, I will be watching from a number of different vantage points. Sometimes standing. Sometimes standing further away. Sometimes sitting. Sometimes sitting somewhere else. Sometimes on the floor while doing my physical therapy. How do a I choose a height?

Also, one thing that has occurred to me is what adjustments do people make if they have eyeglasses with progressive lenses. This is the one good thing about my current tv spot - which is quite low. But, I think it is too low and I tend to hunch over when watching it, which actually is causing some shoulder problems. My physical therapist thinks that my posture issues are causing my tendonitis. I don't want the tv too high because that is bad for your neck (and perhaps my ability to see clearly). I want the Goldilocks position, but I'm not sure where it is.
 
Yeah. One of the reasons I'm trying to plan ahead before the installers come is that I'm trying to figure out what furniture to put under the tv. My current tv stand is too low and too narrow, so it will have to go. I have a sofa table I could put under the tv, but it's 30 inches high, so it might be too high. I'm thinking of a lower console table or maybe even a bench that I could sometimes pull out for extra seating.



The question is, when and where do I determine the eye level? As I said, I will be watching from a number of different vantage points. Sometimes standing. Sometimes standing further away. Sometimes sitting. Sometimes sitting somewhere else. Sometimes on the floor while doing my physical therapy. How do a I choose a height?

Also, one thing that has occurred to me is what adjustments do people make if they have eyeglasses with progressive lenses. This is the one good thing about my current tv spot - which is quite low. But, I think it is too low and I tend to hunch over when watching it, which actually is causing some shoulder problems. My physical therapist thinks that my posture issues are causing my tendonitis. I don't want the tv too high because that is bad for your neck (and perhaps my ability to see clearly). I want the Goldilocks position, but I'm not sure where it is.

I suppose I'm pointing out the obvious, but you probably need a hight-adjustable TV stand like so?:
Universal Floor TV Stand with Mount 80 Degree Swivel Height Adjustable and Space Saving Design for Most 27 to 65 inch LCD, LED OLED TVs, Perfect for Corner & Bedroom HT1002B
 
I have Internet service via a local fiber company for $50 a month. I have Netflix at about $15 a month. My BritBox subscription expires soon and I won’t renew it. I also have an antenna and a DVR to record broadcast shows. That equipment has written down to zero years ago, but I’ll be generous and say it costs me $5 a month. I get DVDs from the local library which has no additional cost. I also get Kanopy from the library at no cost. So that’s it for me - $70 per month.
 
I have Internet service via a local fiber company for $50 a month. I have Netflix at about $15 a month. My BritBox subscription expires soon and I won’t renew it. I also have an antenna and a DVR to record broadcast shows. That equipment has written down to zero years ago, but I’ll be generous and say it costs me $5 a month. I get DVDs from the local library which has no additional cost. I also get Kanopy from the library at no cost. So that’s it for me - $70 per month.
I assume you would have internet service anyway, so looks like you're only paying about $15/mo for streaming.

I'm currently just using an antenna with a DVR PC I built years ago for OTA TV. My internet is $56/mo, but I would have that anyway. I have paid for Prime temporarily before. There's plenty of free streaming available.
 
You don't want it so high that you have to bend your neck upwards.
 
After much procrastinating, I returned Xfinity TV box, a few remotes, and cables. Cancelled the remaining $30 or so for basic cable, since it is no longer used.

Doing this by going to the store was very easy. There was no upselling whatsoever.

Trying to change service through web or on phone was not doable by me. I have too little patience for long hold, links that don't work, etc.

In a nutshell, we have internet though our Docsis (3.0?) modem. Add in a grab-bag of LG TV apps, Apple TV, MLS, Netflix, Paramount, Prime, and we have more than enough.

This is forcing me to explore LG channels, Pluto, Freevee and whatever else I can find.

Found the DAZN TV app, and that has tons of Euro futbol.
 
In a nutshell, we have internet though our Docsis (3.0?) modem. Add in a grab-bag of LG TV apps, Apple TV, MLS, Netflix, Paramount, Prime, and we have more than enough.

This is forcing me to explore LG channels, Pluto, Freevee and whatever else I can find.

Found the DAZN TV app, and that has tons of Euro futbol.
I don't blame you. Those various paid streaming services can be expensive. Check out free Sling Freestream if you want free 10 hours of DVR service with a channel lineup like Pluto. I don't have the DVR perk with my existing account at this time, but supposedly it's added to new accounts. You can't get more DVR hours unless you go with their paid service.
 
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I bought Tablo have had it running for a couple days now. Seems to work as advertised. I have an antenna in my attic and get a number of local OTA channels. It picked them all up during the channel scan and the downloaded channel guide reflects my local programming. I’ve recorded a couple shows and the dvr function seems to work well. I’ve also installed the Tablo app on another tv and can watch local tv via streaming rather than having a coaxial cable attached. Watching the Masters today on my big screen tv.

So far, so good. I’ll report back if things change.
 
I bought Tablo have had it running for a couple days now. Seems to work as advertised. I have an antenna in my attic and get a number of local OTA channels. It picked them all up during the channel scan and the downloaded channel guide reflects my local programming. I’ve recorded a couple shows and the dvr function seems to work well. I’ve also installed the Tablo app on another tv and can watch local tv via streaming rather than having a coaxial cable attached. Watching the Masters today on my big screen tv.

So far, so good. I’ll report back if things change.

I purchased a Tablo a few months ago and returned it after a couple of weeks. It would work fine for a couple of days then stop recording and lose programming. Online comments from others indicated it was a known problem associated with certain models of Roku, particularly the Roku Ultra model I have.

They may have solved the problem by now but I'm no longer interested in doing business with them. It seems my unfavorable but factually accurate review of my experience somehow disappeared from their website a couple of days after I posted it. I prefer to support companies who are less ethically challenged.
 
I bought Tablo have had it running for a couple days now. Seems to work as advertised.
Is it the 4th generation Tablo?

I purchased a Tablo a few months ago and returned it after a couple of weeks. It would work fine for a couple of days then stop recording and lose programming. Online comments from others indicated it was a known problem associated with certain models of Roku, particularly the Roku Ultra model I have.

They may have solved the problem by now but I'm no longer interested in doing business with them. It seems my unfavorable but factually accurate review of my experience somehow disappeared from their website a couple of days after I posted it. I prefer to support companies who are less ethically challenged.
You and @Dawg52 both, I believe, had issues with the 4th gen Tablo using with Roku. Here is the relevant thread starting with one of those posts:
https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f54/how-do-you-get-live-tv-120317-4.html#post3034092
 
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Is it the 4th generation Tablo?


You and @Dawg52 both, I believe, had issues with the 4th gen Tablo using with Roku. Here is the relevant thread starting with one of those posts:
https://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f54/how-do-you-get-live-tv-120317-4.html#post3034092

Yes - the 4th generation Tablo.

Today I did have a problem with one of the recordings that I made but I'm not sure if it was the Tablo or not. We've been very windy here and the transmission towers must be impacted by the wind. Even directly plugging the antenna cable into the tv, the signal is breaking up. So, I'm not yet sure whether it's the unit or the signal. I'm kinda of leaning toward it being a glitch in the unit because the next show recorded fine. Recording 1 was the 6pm news and recording 2 was the national news directly after. Recording 1 was a mess and recording 2 was fine. Time will tell.

And, yes, I'm using it with Roku. I didn't think of it, but if I have another problem, I'll see if it plays the same by using my iPad/iPhone through the app. Though I'm not sure how the app used would make a difference. Seems like either the unit would record properly or not. The app should only be playing back what was recorded. I'll keep playing with it.

It works well enough that I'd probably keep it no matter what because I haven't noticed any issues with playing live tv. The ability to watch OTA live tv on all my tv's through streaming instead of running a physical cable is worth the price of the unit (I got it for $20 off). The DVR function is definitely a desired function, but I don't think I'd return it as long as that usually works.
 
I think I'm probably heading in the Tablo direction.

We have a FireTV Recast OTA DVR at our Vermont house and have been very happy with it. It is in the attic with the antenna and "broadcasts" live tv or recorded shows to each of our 4 tvs that each have a FireTV stick. What we like about it is that it is a one remote solution for each tv, no changing input sources needed and one app (FireTV) and that any tv in the house can access the OTA DVR. So if DW is watching a recorded show in the great room and decides to go to her she-cave she can pause the show and resume it right where she left off in the she-cave.

We will do the same at the Texas house if my friend sells me his new and barely used FireTV Recast that his daughter is trying out. If not, then I'll go Tablo 4th gen with FireTV for each TV. It would still be a single remote for each tv, no imput switching and similar functionality but one additional app as I understand it.

I might go Tablo anyway as it is unclear how long Amazon will support the channel guide on the FireTV Recast.
 
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I am very happy with my ZappaBox, it does everything I need. No subscriptions unless you need or want DVR, we have no use for DVR features. We use it as a decoder for our antenna.
 
I think I'm probably heading in the Tablo direction.

We have a FireTV Recast OTA DVR at our Vermont house and have been very happy with it. It is in the attic with the antenna and "broadcasts" live tv or recorded shows to each of our 4 tvs that each have a FireTV stick. What we like about it is that it is a one remote solution for each tv, no changing input sources needed and one app (FireTV) and that any tv in the house can access the OTA DVR. So if DW is watching a recorded show in the great room and decides to go to her she-cave she can pause the show and resume it right where she left off in the she-cave.

We will do the same at the Texas house if my friend sells me his new and barely used FireTV Recast that his daughter is trying out. If not, then I'll go Tablo 4th gen with FireTV for each TV. It would still be a single remote for each tv, no imput switching and similar functionality but one additional app as I understand it.

I might go Tablo anyway as it is unclear how long Amazon will support the channel guide on the FireTV Recast.

I have been using Recast for quite some time too now - very likely on your recommendation, pb4youski. It is working very well for what I need. What I PARTICULARLY like is the fact that I have almost unlimided DVR storage. Is there such an option for Tablo too or are you stuck with recording just a few shows? I may have to chose between the channel guide and the unlimited DVR at some point
 
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