Cord Cutters Thread

[NWBuck 8629]

21 hours ago, Dbeasy said:

So I’m trying out YTTV via both Roku and LGTV. The remotes and navigation is a bit awkward as compared to Uverse. I have a dumb question. With Uverse, because the channels are numbered, if I want to go to a high numbered channel that is far down the list I just type in the channel nimber. Since YTTV doesn’t have channel numbers, is there no way to quickly go to a channel way down the list of channels in one step, like I can with Uverse?

Not really sure--- but with YTTV you can set the channels in the order you like (I've got sports, news, movies, local each clustered together). So you might be able to avoid jumping altogether (if you have some regular/predictable 'jumps').

This feature is also a GODSEND for working with older parents- I just sat down with the in-laws to set up their TV for the 25 channels they use most, and no longer need to keep answering the phone to try to troubleshoot from 500 miles away.

[Doc Daneeka 6793]

IPTV Question:

Ok, I have reasonable tech knowledge but this is my first foray into this. Every channel I view freezes after 45-50 seconds. Yes, I used a stopwatch. Foreign, domestic, movie, tv, live, recorded, it doesn’t matter. 

Internet is 500Mb fiber up and down and it tests at over 600. I stream constantly and have never had an issue. It’s borderline inconceivable (yes, I know what the word means) that Internet is the issue. 

I’m using a first gen 4K AppleTV hardwired into a bridge. The connection tests fine and it’s never had any issues streaming. 

I’m using IPTV Smarters on the AppleTV because that’s what was included in the provider’s instructions, but I’m not married to it.

I’m using a low rent Samsung 4K TV, which seems unlikely to be the issue. 

I’m using novawavetv.com as the provider and whatever random-ass link they included in the setup instructions. 

I tend to think the issue is the provider, but it’s hard to imagine it’s a global issue unless they’re just a complete scam (which I don’t rule out), so I’m not sure. 

Is there anything I can try short of contacting their tech support? Am I missing something that should be obvious?

Theoretically, I can throw an IPTV app on my TV and eliminate the AppleTV and its app as the issue and that’s probably what I’ll do in the meantime, but part of me wonders if the TV will be responsive enough. I’d think even an old AppleTV has more processing power but I’ve been wrong before.

Anyway, thanks for any insight or tips.

[thunderlounge 8407]

I’m using the UHF app on an appleTV. Different provider, but no issues.

The stream may be triggering something with your isp, which then cuts it off.

Have you tried using it in conjunction with a VPN?

UHF has the ability to use angel vpn built-in. I go a way different route, but having it in-app would be nice since it’s on automatically when using the app. 

[Doc Daneeka 6793]

12 hours ago, thunderlounge said:

I’m using the UHF app on an appleTV. Different provider, but no issues.

The stream may be triggering something with your isp, which then cuts it off.

Have you tried using it in conjunction with a VPN?

UHF has the ability to use angel vpn built-in. I go a way different route, but having it in-app would be nice since it’s on automatically when using the app. 

I tried UHF on my iPad. It shows playback errors. It will hit five of those before it gives up, so at least that’s something to go on. I’ll try it with the VPN. May just try another provider if I can find a better option. 

Thanks. 

[rage-a-holic 4732]

8 hours ago, Doc Daneeka said:

I tried UHF on my iPad. It shows playback errors. It will hit five of those before it gives up, so at least that’s something to go on. I’ll try it with the VPN. May just try another provider if I can find a better option. 

Thanks. 

As mentioned, try a VPN first. If that doesn't fix it, it's your provider. 

There are lots of shitty IPTV providers out there run by scammers and morons. My main provider has constant buffering/skipping/looping issues on many of their channels, but refuses to admit fault and just blames it on your ISP.  Same with the previous two I used. It's a common issue, but you learn to live with it when you're only paying $9/month.

[Doc Daneeka 6793]

2 minutes ago, rage-a-holic said:

As mentioned, try a VPN first. If that doesn't fix it, it's your provider. 

There are lots of shitty IPTV providers out there run by scammers and morons. My main provider has constant buffering/skipping/looping issues on many of their channels, but refuses to admit fault and just blames it on your ISP.  Same with the previous two I used. It's a common issue, but you learn to live with it when you're only paying $9/month.

I suspect it’s the provider, yeah. I sent in a ticket. Not hopeful. 

As of this morning, movies work fine. Live tv is still the same. That makes me think a VPN wouldn’t change anything, but I may have to see if I can dig out my old vpn router and just run the AppleTV through it full time. 

[Doc Daneeka 6793]

Good news and bad news. 

The bad news is that the feeds still hang now and again and the help ticket went unanswered. 

The good news is that the help ticket apparently triggered a refund but my access still works. 

I’ll call that a win for now as I look for another provider just in case. 

[thunderlounge 8407]

FuboBoxTV is the one I’m using currently, no issues.

 

[cabowabo 4684]

On 9/12/2024 at 7:25 PM, Dbeasy said:

So I’m trying out YTTV via both Roku and LGTV. The remotes and navigation is a bit awkward as compared to Uverse. I have a dumb question. With Uverse, because the channels are numbered, if I want to go to a high numbered channel that is far down the list I just type in the channel nimber. Since YTTV doesn’t have channel numbers, is there no way to quickly go to a channel way down the list of channels in one step, like I can with Uverse?

With Astros baseball wrapping up making Space City Home Network a non requirement for a few months, I signed up for a YouTube TV trial. Early impression is that the YouTube TV UI is dogshit compared to Fubo using an Apple TV box.  There is no way to easily return to what you are watching if you jump into the guide.   Also, the multiview feature on YTTV is ass compared to Fubo. You have a limited selection of streams you can choose with YTTV, and there is a delay when switching between the audio and video feeds.  With Fubo, you can choose any feeds and switching between them is very fast. Downside is that with Fubo, you need Apple TV to use multiview. And now with the MLB playoffs starting. I need TBS which Fubo doesn’t have. What I’ll probably do is keep Fubo and get a one month sub to SlingTv for TBS during the playoffs. 

Edited September 28 by cabowabo

[thunderlounge 8407]

On YTTV, flip back to last channel with a long press of the trackpad.

 

[Fuga 181]

Quit Spectrum, now using an AppleTV, been with HULU+ Live (Disney+ and ESPN+ included) since MarchMadness. Perfectly happy with it. Everything 'Horns on ESPN+. Even with a coming price increase it'll still be quite easy on my wallet.

I then have MLB.TV for my Braves.

I'm simple, not sure I'm missing anything.

Do wish I could get the Astros (blackout on MLB.TV) but I couldn't get them with Spectrum.

[Nice Guy Eddie 13725]

FWIW, Directv bought out Dish today for $1 plus assumed it's debt.  Simultaneously private equity firm TPG Capital bought out the remaining ownership of Directv.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/30/media/directv-dish-network-merger/index.html

[thunderlounge 8407]

Enshittening intensifies

[thunderlounge 8407]

On 9/28/2024 at 2:56 PM, Fuga said:

Quit Spectrum, now using an AppleTV, been with HULU+ Live (Disney+ and ESPN+ included) since MarchMadness. Perfectly happy with it. Everything 'Horns on ESPN+. Even with a coming price increase it'll still be quite easy on my wallet.

I then have MLB.TV for my Braves.

I'm simple, not sure I'm missing anything.

Do wish I could get the Astros (blackout on MLB.TV) but I couldn't get them with Spectrum.

an appleTV, using the UHF app, plus an iptv provider would fix that little hiccup in your lineup. I tried a service out, and for filling in missing pieces like that, it’s been good.

Using it all the time wouldn’t happen, but for catching the pieces that fall through the cracks has been nice.

Don’t like the nfl games fox/cbs shove at you? Problem solved. Game blacked out? Problem solved.

 

[Fuga 181]

Have indeed been tempted.

[thunderlounge 8407]

Forgot to mention UFO has an Angel VPN integration, that turns on/off when you open/close the app. So that’s nice.

UHF does have a “logo” in the corner, but a few bucks takes it away if you like the app. 

[Doc Daneeka 6793]

On 9/28/2024 at 11:49 AM, cabowabo said:

Early impression is that the YouTube TV UI is dogshit compared to Fubo using an Apple TV box.  There is no way to easily return to what you are watching if you jump into the guide. . 

If you arrow-up to the top of the screen, you’ll highlight what you’re currently watching and you can click to return to it. 

[dcbc 14644]

On 9/28/2024 at 11:49 AM, cabowabo said:

Early impression is that the YouTube TV UI is dogshit compared to Fubo using an Apple TV box.  There is no way to easily return to what you are watching if you jump into the guide.

On FireTV, if in the guide, press the back arrow.  That takes you to the top of the guide.  Press up, and select what you previously were watching.

[tokamak 6687]

19 hours ago, Nice Guy Eddie said:

FWIW, Directv bought out Dish today for $1 plus assumed it's debt.  Simultaneously private equity firm TPG Capital bought out the remaining ownership of Directv.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/30/media/directv-dish-network-merger/index.html

I wonder what this means long term for Sling, which has been my choice for football season for the last few years. Doesn’t seem like they’d keep two different streaming services under two brands. 

[cabowabo 4684]

4 hours ago, Doc Daneeka said:

If you arrow-up to the top of the screen, you’ll highlight what you’re currently watching and you can click to return to it. 

Can sometimes be multiples pushes of the arrow up button to get back up there.  A non-issue now because I cancelled my YTTV trial and stayed with Fubo.

[Doc Daneeka 6793]

Just now, cabowabo said:

Can sometimes be multiples pushes of the arrow up button to get back up there.  A non-issue now because I cancelled my YTTV trial and stayed with Fubo.

Yeah, it can be multiple, depending on what you’ve done in the guide. I don’t know that that keeps it from being easy, though. 

It’s cool you have something that works for you. I still don’t grasp why these streaming services don’t let you attach numbers and make you click so much, but there must be a good reason. 

[thunderlounge 8407]

4 hours ago, Doc Daneeka said:

I still don’t grasp why these streaming services don’t let you attach numbers and make you click so much, but there must be a good reason. 

What streaming box manufacturer had a remote with a keypad?

Where would you put one?

Now, they could make a slightly larger remote with keypad as an additional purchase. But they won’t because there isn’t a need for it with any app right now. 
 

The apps won’t enable it because there aren’t any remotes out there that have them.

 

End result: stalemate

 

And once again, the consumers get fucked over.

[Doc Daneeka 6793]

6 minutes ago, thunderlounge said:

What streaming box manufacturer had a remote with a keypad?

Where would you put one?

Now, they could make a slightly larger remote with keypad as an additional purchase. But they won’t because there isn’t a need for it with any app right now. 
 

The apps won’t enable it because there aren’t any remotes out there that have them.

 

End result: stalemate

 

And once again, the consumers get fucked over.

My Samsung remotes can call up a number pad. I feel certain Apple could make their box do it. 

Hell, YTTV could add a UI button to pop up a number pad. 

Edited October 1 by Doc Daneeka

[boilerhorn 1621]

Google Fiber finally made it to my part of NW Austin.  I would pay just about whatever they were asking (for a period of time) just to be able to cancel Austin Cablevision, Time Warner, Spectrum, or whatever the hell it is called today.  1G up and 1G down for less than what I am paying for Spectrum 200MB, sign me up.  And, "No, Spectrum. I do not want your special rate.  You had that chance when GF entered the market and ignored me."

[thunderlounge 8407]

Heads up for anyone curious, or that has FUBO:

 

 

 

Max definitely has the TBS/TNT stuff.

 

[Magus Ossis 2997]

I have been watching games through the Hulu app on my AppleTV connected to an actual TV. I have signed up for a subscription to YTTV. I am able to see the expected channels on my laptop when I log in to YouTube. When I launch the YouTube app (even after re-loading it) on either the AppleTV or directly on the TV, I do not see YouTube TV as a choice in my app. I have double-checked that I am logged in with the same gmail account as on the laptop. I would love help troubleshooting this, please.

[Anton Chigurh 3335]

I have been watching games through the Hulu app on my AppleTV connected to an actual TV. I have signed up for a subscription to YTTV. I am able to see the expected channels on my laptop when I log in to YouTube. When I launch the YouTube app (even after re-loading it) on either the AppleTV or directly on the TV, I do not see YouTube TV as a choice in my app. I have double-checked that I am logged in with the same gmail account as on the laptop. I would love help troubleshooting this, please.

YouTube TV is a separate app from regular YouTube; make sure you’re using the correct one.

[Magus Ossis 2997]

12 hours ago, Anton Chigurh said:

YouTube TV is a separate app from regular YouTube; make sure you’re using the correct one.

That was indeed my problem. Thanks for that prompt and helpful reply.

[Dbeasy 15561]

After having evaluated cord cutting for years, finally ready to pull the trigger, I think. We are huge sports content fans, and the environment now favors cutting. Would be interested to hear from anyone about whether I have the facts right on sports programming for the Austin Texas area:

1. San Antonio Spurs - I get some games on U-Verse, but not always. I think we can subscribe to FanDuel Sports Network (ex-Ballys) if we want to watch the Spurs? There appear to be no other options?

2. Dallas Mavericks - I don't get hardly any games on U-Verse. This was one of the reasons we are thinking of dropping. I believe we can buy the NBA package for them? I don't think we get access to the Mavericks on Fan Duel Sports Network, only Spurs???

3. Dallas Stars - Victory+ works great, except channel flipping is not possible. That's okay. This was a major reason for considering cutting. We are huge Stars fans.

4. Astros - I used to get all games on U-Verse. This was probably the top reason we had kept U-Verse.  I'm not clear if we can see them next year without U-Verse. Anyone know what is planned next year?

5. Rangers - I used to get some games on U-Verse. I'm not clear how I will be able to watch them next year. Anyone know?

 

Bottom line is that I can cut and still have access to Spurs, maybe Mavs, Stars, with open questions for Astros and Rangers. That's good enough.

 

[Dbeasy 15561]

Trying to watch the horns on espn sec+ network. It looks like o can see it because I have Uverse. Once I connect my Uverse to espn, I see sec+ content. If o switch to YouTube tv, will I still have access to sec+, or will I need to subscribe to espn+ to get it?

[Rusty Shackleford 64]

5 minutes ago, Dbeasy said:

Trying to watch the horns on espn sec+ network. It looks like o can see it because I have Uverse. Once I connect my Uverse to espn, I see sec+ content. If o switch to YouTube tv, will I still have access to sec+, or will I need to subscribe to espn+ to get it?

Yes, I recently made the same switch from U-verse to YouTube TV and it allows me access to SEC+. 

[Buzzrock 15136]

Just got an email from YTTV saying they are raising the price ten dollars with no additional features or content. I may be out on “regular TV” after college football ends.

[thunderlounge 8407]

Interesting. I haven't seen one of those yet, but will keep an eye out . I wonder if Hulu follows suit and raises again.

 

 

[Mittens 8705]

 

[thunderlounge 8407]

And still no History channel. 

[4th&Five 41983]

$1k a year and they don't even throw in youtube premium.  ridiculous.

[NoName 17146]

Increase with no additional anything is a killer.

[BurdineBandit 846]

Sling is also going up by $5.99 a month. Citing inflation in the notification email. Pass the inflation on to me, and throw a little extra inflation in there for yourselves. Fuck it. 

[MonkeyDoughnut 10803]

38 minutes ago, NoName said:

Increase with no additional anything is a killer.

If they were smart they would grandfather accounts that stay active

[Hefeweizen 5443]

4 hours ago, Buzzrock said:

Just got an email from YTTV saying they are raising the price ten dollars with no additional features or content. I may be out on “regular TV” after college football ends.

I switched to Hulu live at the same price and canceled YTTV.  No value proposition there.

[thunderlounge 8407]

31 minutes ago, Hefeweizen said:

I switched to Hulu live at the same price and canceled YTTV.  No value proposition there.

I’ve had that under consideration, but not sure it’s worth the tradeoff yet. It really doesn’t matter as I’ll either have to buy seasons of a couple History shows, or a couple AMC shows.

Screwed either way. 

[Hefeweizen 5443]

1 hour ago, thunderlounge said:

I’ve had that under consideration, but not sure it’s worth the tradeoff yet. It really doesn’t matter as I’ll either have to buy seasons of a couple History shows, or a couple AMC shows.

Screwed either way. 

It gets me ESPN + and Hulu with ads at the same price.  I’m very irritated with the pricing trend though and would probably just get rid of live TV but for my wife wanting it.

[PilotsError 2336]

Reducing sports consumption by 95% over the past few years has been the best thing I've done.  No subs except youtube premium. 

 

[thunderlounge 8407]

2 hours ago, PilotsError said:

Reducing sports consumption by 95% over the past few years

 

 

 

[Mittens 8705]

20 hours ago, PilotsError said:

Reducing sports consumption by 95% over the past few years 

Congrats on your transition.  Did your sammich making skills automatically get better, or did you have to practice them?