Cutting the Cord
- Thread starter mac4cy
- Start date
Sure, no problem.
I have two TVs, one in my basement bar (60" Vizio) and one upstairs mounted on the wall (47" Vizio)
I have an antenna mounted in a closet upstairs to pick up ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, IPTV, etc. This signal is distributed thoughout the house via coax cable in the walls.
Connected to Basement TV and Why:
Coax from antenna to get local channels
Xbox One to watch SlingTV (ESPN, TNT, TBS, etc), any of the apps on Xbox One and play games
Apple TV to watch NBC Sports Network (there's an app on there) or any other apps. I also use the Apple TV to airplay music to the sound system in my basement bar area
All of these devices are wired into my internet (50 MBps connection, not great but definitely solid for what I'm doing)
Connected to upstairs TV and Why:
Apple TV to watch NBC Sports Network, WatchESPN app, AirPlay anything from iPad
Fire TV to watch SlingTV and Fox Sports Go app and also Kodi (formerly XBMC)
These devices are connected to my wireless network
At the moment, I use the Fire TV and Apple TV to get just about any of the streaming apps I need. Unfortunatley, the Apple TV has some apps the Fire doesn't (NBC Sports net) and the Fire TV has apps the Apple TV doesn't (SlingTV, Fox Sports Go). Hopefully someday I can cut down to just one box or the other, but for now I'm set with what I need for sports.
Oh, and for Cyclones.TV I usually just hook a PC up to either of my TVs and go to the website. You can also AirPlay to watch as well.
I should make a video of my setup and share it - it's hard to type
To answer your multiple TVs question. The only thing that I can't do at the same time on both TVs is Sling. This usually isn't an issue though because my wife can watch Sling HGTV or whatever and I can use the WatchESPN app or do something that isn't on Sling. The rest of the apps don't care how many simultaneous streams you do and my connection handles it without a hitch.
If you have a large family then things can get trickier I'm sure.
Oh the humanity!
Good work on the write-up Hunt 23. If I were to write out my uses, it would look pretty similar. All said and done, if simple technology people (nothing wrong with that) want an easy answer to cutting their cable to save some dough, they aren't going to find it, at least not right now. With that said, while yes, it is kind of complicated what us more tech savy people do for cutting the cable, once you get used to it, it just becomes normal, even fun at times. I almost like the hunt of finding different cheaper ways to get around watching the TV I want. Over time, I just get better and better at it, and I can tell you right now, I will NEVER be going back to traditional cable. I also can proudly say I've never paid the Big Ten Network a dime.
Just to update that over-a-year-old post that was quoted a couple of posts up, Apple TV now supports SlingTV.
I'm generally an Apple hater, but I did end up getting a discounted Apple TV 4 through Sling, because accessing the HDHomeRun products was much easier on Apple TV then on Roku...although that Channels app needed to access the HDHomeRun is a pricey bugger...
I'm generally an Apple hater, but I did end up getting a discounted Apple TV 4 through Sling, because accessing the HDHomeRun products was much easier on Apple TV then on Roku...although that Channels app needed to access the HDHomeRun is a pricey bugger...
FYI... I just checked on this and it looks like Sling TV only supports Generation 4 Apple TVs, which is kind of a bummer since I have an older one.
I have 40 mbps with centurylink and I have never had any lag on my sling. Its awsome that they added fox sports 1 and 2, and fox sports midwest also. I only pay 19.99 a month for the blue package, which is good enough for me for what channels that are offered in that package.
Here is a head-to-head sports comparison. I'm just listen channels that might have an ISU connection of some sort (i.e. not including the Golf Network even when it's in the package).
Sling TV
$20 (Sling Orange): ESPN, ESPN2
$25 (Sling Blue): FSN, FS1, FS2, NBCSN
$40 (Sling Orange & Blue): ESPN, ESPN2, FSN, FS1, FS2, NBCSN
Add $5 to the Orange or the Orange & Blue (not Blue alone) to add on ESPNU, ESPN News, and SEC Network.
Vue
$30 (Access): ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, NBCSN
$35 (Core): ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN News, FS1, FS2, NBCSN, B1G Network, SEC Network
$45 (Elite): ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN News, FSN, FS1, FS2, FCS, NBCSN, B1G Network, SEC Network
As far as I can tell, nearly every ISU football and basketball game that is covered by any of these six packages will be available on the Vue Core package for $35 a month. I think the San Jose State game is scheduled for FSN and it doesn't appear that FSN is on the Core package though. A comparable package of sports channels on Sling would cost $45 and you would still not get the Cy-Hawk game this fall on BTN.
Sling TV
$20 (Sling Orange): ESPN, ESPN2
$25 (Sling Blue): FSN, FS1, FS2, NBCSN
$40 (Sling Orange & Blue): ESPN, ESPN2, FSN, FS1, FS2, NBCSN
Add $5 to the Orange or the Orange & Blue (not Blue alone) to add on ESPNU, ESPN News, and SEC Network.
Vue
$30 (Access): ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FS2, NBCSN
$35 (Core): ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN News, FS1, FS2, NBCSN, B1G Network, SEC Network
$45 (Elite): ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN News, FSN, FS1, FS2, FCS, NBCSN, B1G Network, SEC Network
As far as I can tell, nearly every ISU football and basketball game that is covered by any of these six packages will be available on the Vue Core package for $35 a month. I think the San Jose State game is scheduled for FSN and it doesn't appear that FSN is on the Core package though. A comparable package of sports channels on Sling would cost $45 and you would still not get the Cy-Hawk game this fall on BTN.
I have the Vue core package, and on the fox sports go app I am able to get all those fox sports channels. So worth a shot if you don't want to pony up for the elite package
I don't think you can get U, News, or NBCSN at that level on Directv. Plus throw in the hardware costs, taxes, fees, all that garbage, you're paying around $100 a month for that level on DTV. I've been with DTV since they were Primestar. I'm well-versed in their chicanery.
Cancel any time yes, I'll suffer through having a box for having about 100 more channels. We have the 50MBPS/350GB and have
I have U and News, I'm on the new customer 2 year, and with 3 TV's hardware I pay $48 after fees and taxes.
Cancel any time yes, I'll suffer through having a box for having about 100 more channels. We have the 50MBPS/350GB and have reached 80% of our limit just streaming Netflix about halfway through the month plenty of times not even watching it that much.
I was interested in Sling back when it was ESPN and FS channels for $25 a month, did that go up? Those packages listed above don't look all that appealing for having to want the $45 options, and you can't even get BTN on Sling.
Mediacom sent me some mail saying 50Mbps, cable and phone for $90. We pay $55 for the 50 Mbps currently on a deal it's normally $60. Seems like streaming prices are going up and cable prices are coming down.
I don't think you can get U, News, or NBCSN at that level on Directv. Plus throw in the hardware costs, taxes, fees, all that garbage, you're paying around $100 a month for that level on DTV. I've been with DTV since they were Primestar. I'm well-versed in their chicanery.
Can you send me a copy of your bill so I can beat Direct over the head with it?
I don't think you can get U, News, or NBCSN at that level on Directv. Plus throw in the hardware costs, taxes, fees, all that garbage, you're paying around $100 a month for that level on DTV. I've been with DTV since they were Primestar. I'm well-versed in their chicanery.
Can you send me a copy of your bill so I can beat Direct over the head with it?
I get electronic statements and I don't see any in my deleted folder so it'll have to be when the next one comes. It was $19.99 then we added the Sports Pack for $5 or so, I believe the 3 hardware are $6-7 a month each. Wish I could just buy my own hardware like router and modem.
With sling can you switch your packages back and forth? or do you just have to pony up and go big package?
I want the ESPN package this month then want the FS and ESPN package in the fall then want just the espn package for hoops in the winter. doable?
I want the ESPN package this month then want the FS and ESPN package in the fall then want just the espn package for hoops in the winter. doable?
You can get the TIVO Roamio for with lifetime channel guide for that price.
