Cord Cutters Thread

[tbone_ 14127]

2nd on Roku

[Nice Guy Eddie 13515]

The problem I find with the TV apps is that they're not as always reliable or slick as the phone apps.

IMHO, streaming and cord cutting isn't a good option for many seniors.  Paying extra for cable is better for them.

[MonkeyDoughnut 10249]

3rd on Roku, find much easier than cable for that matter

[tbone_ 14127]

Just got an email that as of dec 1 I was 75% through my data cap of 1.25tb that expires on dec 6. All my TV is streaming (YTTV) and I have a 13 yo who streams a lot of shit. Been working from home and have lots of zoom and often CNBC going in the background.

Does that sound right?

[DCLonghorn 244]

Just got an email that as of dec 1 I was 75% through my data cap of 1.25tb that expires on dec 6. All my TV is streaming (YTTV) and I have a 13 yo who streams a lot of shit. Been working from home and have lots of zoom and often CNBC going in the background.

Does that sound right?

I've only got 3.5 days of data from the new router to extroplate, but so far, it looks like my main streaming device, NVIDIA Shield Android TV, may be eating over half the monthly 1.2T, but too soon to tell. Three high schoolers on chromebooks with 3 or 4 Zoom classes 4 days a week use about 1.3G a day (only one day of data on that but consistent across the 3). A kid downloaded Assassin's Creed on the Xbox last night. 48Gb!

I don't see any awful actors in the background yet. I had read that video doorbells, Amazon tablets, and iPhones suck up a whole lot of background data when you're offline. I have not seen that yet although I haven't put the work iPhone on the Wi-Fi yet. #teamandroid

[Lurch 5930]

See if your router allows you to watch device level utilization real time and, if so, you can throttle at the device level. If not, go buy a router that does.

I had to throttle all of my kids phones and TVs. They couldn’t tell the difference at all, but their phones stopped downloading the highest quality video streams when it didn’t matter on a 6” screen.

Before throttling, I would regularly see 10+ Mbps on their devices, which I then throttled to 3 Mbps.

[Nice Guy Eddie 13515]

For just myself with a handful of videos calls per day for work, and streaming TV/movies at night, I can Xfinity is showing 650GB per month. I have no idea if that is accurate and I don't care since my limit is 1.2TB.

From talking with my friends, they mention how their kids can be watching a movie on their laptop, video chatting with a friend on the ipad and scrolling through tiktok on the phone. all at once.

[Godzillatron 292]

more people are going to need to get their own antenna again for local stations. that, or stop watching dancing with the stars.

You’re right, and that’s what we do. But it’s really only for local news. Still have access to the ABC app and all shows through ATT, so I think ultimately Tegna has to blink. Interesting the right now, the Austin ABC affiliate is battling ATT, NBC affiliate battling Direct TV and CBS affiliate fighting Hulu.. local stations need ad revenue which relies on eyeballs. If I’m watching shows mainly via the network app those guys are screwed.

[markstanco 12577]

You’re right, and that’s what we do. But it’s really only for local news. Still have access to the ABC app and all shows through ATT, so I think ultimately Tegna has to blink. Interesting the right now, the Austin ABC affiliate is battling ATT, NBC affiliate battling Direct TV and CBS affiliate fighting Hulu.. local stations need ad revenue which relies on eyeballs. If I’m watching shows mainly via the network app those guys are screwed.

Im on YTTV, but how do you toggle from that to an antenna? Physical switch on your TV? We have 3 tvs we watch, that seems like a lot of cable to run and a big PITA. But, maybe not.

[Viper 12109]

11 minutes ago, markstanco said:

1 hour ago, Godzillatron said:

You’re right, and that’s what we do. But it’s really only for local news. Still have access to the ABC app and all shows through ATT, so I think ultimately Tegna has to blink. Interesting the right now, the Austin ABC affiliate is battling ATT, NBC affiliate battling Direct TV and CBS affiliate fighting Hulu.. local stations need ad revenue which relies on eyeballs. If I’m watching shows mainly via the network app those guys are screwed.

Read more  

Im on YTTV, but how do you toggle from that to an antenna? Physical switch on your TV? We have 3 tvs we watch, that seems like a lot of cable to run and a big PITA. But, maybe not.

Switch the tv to whatever input the antenna is plugged into. Or you can get and hd homerun and plug it into that and hook it up to your network and use their apps to get the channels over your home network. I think it integrates with google TV's live channels app as well.  

[markstanco 12577]

Switch the tv to whatever input the antenna is plugged into. Or you can get and hd homerun and plug it into that and hook it up to your network and use their apps to get the channels over your home network. I think it integrates with google TV's live channels app as well.  

Oh damnit I forgot about source change to air tv.

Its been a long time since I thought about that.

[DCLonghorn 244]

Another cool feature about Google Nest wifi for those of us suddenly have to track our wifi usage, you can check in when away from home. No need to be on the wifi.

[MonkeyDoughnut 10249]

Netflix raising prices yet again...I think it's reached the point I need to turn it off/on based on when I think I'm going to watch something

We’re updating our prices to bring you more great entertainment. Your monthly price will increase by $2 to $17.99 on January 5, 2021.

This update will allow us to deliver even more value for your membership — with stories that lift you up, move you or simply make your day a little better.

[UTexasFight 9454]

On 12/2/2020 at 11:07 AM, BBQ2Bayou said:

Is Apple TV my best bet for my olderish parents, as opposed to Fire, Roku or Google? They have a few apps that aren't on their smart tv that they want. I use Fire and Google, so I can easily show them that, but is Apple more elderly friendly? They aren't too bad. Yet 

+1 for Roku... in particular, smart TV with roku embedded. 

Looks they just rolled out all of their free channels in a cable-like guide that you can view from the “Live TV” channel on the normal home screen... 

”If you have an HDTV antenna connected to your Roku TV, you can use Live TV Channel Guide to browse both live streaming content and "over-the-air" programs broadcasting in your area. With Live TV Channel Guide, your TV listings are combined into a single channel grid, letting you quickly find your favorite free, live TV.”
 

https://support.roku.com/article/115012658287
 

(and if you, son/daughter, still have a directv or other pay subscription, you can give the parents your password to access various pay channels) 

[mycox 582]

On 12/5/2020 at 7:27 AM, MonkeyDoughnut said:

Netflix raising prices yet again...I think it's reached the point I need to turn it off/on based on when I think I'm going to watch something

We’re updating our prices to bring you more great entertainment. Your monthly price will increase by $2 to $17.99 on January 5, 2021.

This update will allow us to deliver even more value for your membership — with stories that lift you up, move you or simply make your day a little better.

I'm going back to standard HD instead of 4k. I don't think I'm goin to notice the difference.

[MonkeyDoughnut 10249]

36 minutes ago, mycox said:

I'm going back to standard HD instead of 4k. I don't think I'm goin to notice the difference.

That's a good idea, just did that as well. I doubt anyone will notice or care. I really don't need 4 screens either, 2 is plenty right now

[KuЯdt 248]

FYI, looks like YTTV is giving away a Chromecast with Google TV to existing subscribers.  Got the below email earlier and ordered, no charge.  I already have one and really like it so will either give this one away as gift or maybe use it in another room.

 

[DCLonghorn 244]

Well shit. Glad I bought two recently.

[Anton Chigurh 3319]

Got mine!

[WithoutAClue 15380]

all i got was an entry for a Hallmark Movies Now swag pack. barf

YTTV no likes me.

[ChickenSandwich 9837]

On 12/3/2020 at 9:35 AM, tbone_ said:

2nd on Roku

Roku is the JitterBug Cell phone for the olds.

 

[Updawg 2266]

all i got was an entry for a Hallmark Movies Now swag pack. barf
YTTV no likes me.

Same here. Although I’ve only been a customer a few months

[UTCzech III 2907]

We'll see...

 

[DCLonghorn 244]

I never got the YTTV free chromecast email, so it's not for all customers.

[NoName 16352]

14 hours ago, DCLonghorn said:

I never got the YTTV free chromecast email, so it's not for all customers.

i've been a sub for 2ish years and the other guy i know who got one was a sub for about 2 years - that said he got his a handful of days after me.

[DCLonghorn 244]

i've been a sub for 2ish years and the other guy i know who got one was a sub for about 2 years - that said he got his a handful of days after me.

2 years next week for me.

[Anton Chigurh 3319]

It seemed like the initial cutoff was a continuous service date since July 2018 or before, but my friend who joined a bit after that got his email yesterday, so I am not sure.

[Viper 12109]

HBO Max on Roku finally

https://deadline.com/2020/12/hbo-max-roku-streaming-warnermedia-wonder-woman-1984-1234657874/

[BurntOrange&White 39934]

Fucking Youtube TV cut Fox Sports Southwest back in October so I just went with the AT&T Now Max package for $80. Comes with HBO Max and Cinemax.

[TwiceHorn 31487]

Anyone with TMobile Tvision?  Their $50 tier has most/all the relevant sports channels, including LHN.

[ousuxndallas 65]

Switched to a pirate streaming app this week, it's badass.  $20/month, every channel you can imagine.  

 

This is the way.

[tbone_ 14127]

The way to viruses and jail?

[NWBuck 8570]

4 hours ago, ousuxndallas said:

Switched to a pirate streaming app this week, it's badass.  $20/month, every channel you can imagine.  

We all have things we enjoy, man... you do you.

 

[Lurch 5930]

I remember the day Directv gave me the option of giving them $5k or seeing them in court.

Good times

[Beantown Express 2.0 6559]

15 hours ago, Lurch said:

I remember the day Directv gave me the option of giving them $5k or seeing them in court.

Good times

Was that when people were selling the cards that unscrambled every channel they offered?

[Lurch 5930]

Was that when people were selling the cards that unscrambled every channel they offered?

Yep. They took down the manufacturer and got their client list.

[TwiceHorn 31487]

Yeah, they've all gotten pretty good at shutting down and finding pirates, from big to small.

This is a FAFO deal.

[tbone_ 14127]

Was that when people were selling the cards that unscrambled every channel they offered?

When I first got DTV in like 99 or so a guy here locally who did low voltage installs in our apartment buildings hooked me up with one.

I was like hey can I get some more? I know people who will pay. He was like that’s not a business you want to be in. Good advice I got that day.

[rage-a-holic 4402]

20 hours ago, Lurch said:

I remember the day Directv gave me the option of giving them $5k or seeing them in court.

Good times

I remember the day I got mine too. Went straight in the trash. Never received anything else from them.

If memory serves, DTV never successfully prosecuted a single person.

[MonkeyDoughnut 10249]

With how "Smart" TVs sit behind your router/firewall, there is no way I would run any type of pirate app.  Might as well open up all those emails with attachments in your spam folder for good measure.

Obviously if you do so, don't use any type of shopping or banking apps on any computer or phone (anything on your wifi).

[Nice Guy Eddie 13515]

Reading how AT&T is pissed that all offers to buy DirecTv from them values DirecTv at 15B. They paid 49B for it a few years ago.  I’m not an expert at acquisitions but that seems to be the opposite of success.

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/att-reportedly-struggling-to-sell-directv-at-anything-but-a-huge-loss/

[SizzleChest 8284]

2 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

Reading how AT&T is pissed that all offers to buy DirecTv from them values DirecTv at 15B. They paid 49B for it a few years ago.  I’m not an expert at acquisitions but that seems to be the opposite of success.

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/att-reportedly-struggling-to-sell-directv-at-anything-but-a-huge-loss/

[Nueces River Rat 5539]

17 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

Reading how AT&T is pissed that all offers to buy DirecTv from them values DirecTv at 15B. They paid 49B for it a few years ago.  I’m not an expert at acquisitions but that seems to be the opposite of success.

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/12/att-reportedly-struggling-to-sell-directv-at-anything-but-a-huge-loss/

AT&T has a habit of making bad deals and pissing off its customers at the same time.  

I think the only reason they stay in business is because they have the better infrastructure in the rural areas, especially in states where they took over the Bell System decades ago such as Texas.  

[tbone_ 14127]

ATT could fuck up a wet dream.

[Nice Guy Eddie 13515]

One part of being a cord cutter that I dislike is the loss of randomly running across something on cable. As an example, I used to annually watch 5-10 minutes of a Christmas Story each December by seeing the show in the guide. Now after 5+ years of not having cable, It’s easy for me to forgot about that movie and many others even exist.

Now my viewing is either something I’m looking for, or what is suggested to me by Netflix, Amazon, etc.

[TwiceHorn 31487]

2 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

One part of being a cord cutter that I dislike is the loss of randomly running across something on cable. As an example, I used to annually watch 5-10 minutes of a Christmas Story each December by seeing the show in the guide. Now after 5+ years of not having cable, It’s easy for me to forgot about that movie and many others even exist.

Now my viewing is either something I’m looking for, or what is suggested to me by Netflix, Amazon, etc.

Very relatable.  I'm a big fan of flipping on the "guide" and scrolling though it for something I want to watch or something I'm willing to start in the middle or wherever it is.  There are numerous movies and series that I will watch no matter where they are (beginning, middle or end).

It's like going to the video store in the old days.  About half the time, I'd just vapor lock on what I wanted to watch if I didn't have something in mind before I went or what I wanted to watch was rented.  I'm much the same way with the online services.

I'm pretty reliant on the threads here for recos.

[Liquor and Poker 3659]

Those idiots at AT&T are at it again.  Today they "automatically consolidated my accounts for better service."  Shorthand - my wireless and ATTTVNow are now the same account.  Why does that matter?  Because now every person in my house who wants to watch TV must use that password (ATTTVN asks for it constantly), and with that same password they can now get full access to buy a new iphone, add a wireless line, change my wireless service, whatever.

So when my 15-year old is with her friends watching Riverdale or some shit and the nag comes up for the password, she's SOL because I don't want to give all her friends the password to my wireless account.

And yes, she should get better friends.  So should we all.

Best of all, they chose to delete the wireless password and keep the ATTTVN password as the default.  Fucking amazing.

[torre 1286]

43 minutes ago, Liquor and Poker said:

Those idiots at AT&T are at it again.  Today they "automatically consolidated my accounts for better service."  Shorthand - my wireless and ATTTVNow are now the same account.  Why does that matter?  Because now every person in my house who wants to watch TV must use that password (ATTTVN asks for it constantly), and with that same password they can now get full access to buy a new iphone, add a wireless line, change my wireless service, whatever.

So when my 15-year old is with her friends watching Riverdale or some shit and the nag comes up for the password, she's SOL because I don't want to give all her friends the password to my wireless account.

And yes, she should get better friends.  So should we all.

Best of all, they chose to delete the wireless password and keep the ATTTVN password as the default.  Fucking amazing.

Keep patience and the holiday spirit, my friend.   🙂

Would appreciate a brief comparison/opinion of ATTVNow vs Uverse,  cost, content, etc.     Thanks ! 

Edited December 28, 2020 by torre

[joe dirt 285]

4 hours ago, torre said:

Keep patience and the holiday spirit, my friend.   🙂

Would appreciate a brief comparison/opinion of ATTVNow vs Uverse,  cost, content, etc.     Thanks ! 

our annual uverse promo is up in a few weeks and we’re looking to switch to something else. called today to see if there was any retention type offers if i switched to att tv. here’s what i’ve learned so far

• once we cancel uverse, we can never get it back
• their “retention” offer to migrate to att tv costs more than the new customer price by 25% 
  • seems that att tv is the contract version of contract free att tv now
  • att tv price increases to att tv now prices in 2nd yr ($80/mo yr 1, $135/mo yr 2)
• signing up with the wife’s info nets us $400 gc to offset the yr2 price increase 

we just finished trials of yttv, att and hulu live. what i’m quickly learning is that all these streaming services are the same, and there’s not really much difference price wise to cable/uverse. i’m leaning toward canceling uverse just so i can get att back out to reinstall the fiber lines with their new equipment. my shit is 7 years old already. 

[Liquor and Poker 3659]

5 hours ago, torre said:

Keep patience and the holiday spirit, my friend.   🙂

Would appreciate a brief comparison/opinion of ATTVNow vs Uverse,  cost, content, etc.     Thanks ! 

I hate boxes and being tied to particular devices for viewing so I haven’t had a non IP service since 2016.  Before that it was Dish and DirecTV satellite and they were expensive but fine. Dish was a little easier to navigate.  Had uverse very briefly in Dallas but the PQ was atrocious.  Other people I knew had the same complaint. 
 

I am currently grandfathered into a deal on ATTTVN where I get everything they have but epix for $110 all in including all taxes.  It’s fine.  I generally use the channel apps anyway.  I don’t think a comparable package is still available though.