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Cutting cable

AdamJGray

AdamJGray

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2011
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I'm sure there are 100 other threads on this matter on CF but I had a quick question. What antenna have people had luck with? I'm going to have 4 TV's in my house, does that mean I will need 4 antennas? We are currently building a new house, so I can run wires now and make it easier when it's time to set it all up.

Also, anyone use SlingTV? I'm thinking between slingTv, netflix, and local channels I'll be just fine.

Thanks in advance.
 
AdamJGray said:
I'm sure there are 100 other threads on this matter on CF but I had a quick question. What antenna have people had luck with? I'm going to have 4 TV's in my house, does that mean I will need 4 antennas? We are currently building a new house, so I can run wires now and make it easier when it's time to set it all up.

Also, anyone use SlingTV? I'm thinking between slingTv, netflix, and local channels I'll be just fine.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I don't use an antenna, but here's some things you should know about SlingTV...

-you can't use it with Chromecast (yet...it's supposedly coming)
-it's only "native" on Amazon Fire, Roku, and something called Nexus (i.e., there's no app for AppleTV, PlayStation, etc.)
-if you have an AppleTV and an iPhone, you can use AirPlay to watch it on the TV that your AppleTV is connected to, but the interface will still be your phone
 
Thinking netflix, hulu, amazon prime if you have, and espn package for internet would work. One antenna should suffice. The model is up for debate, but you need to be able to tap the DSM stations from Ames.
 
Talk to the electrical guy and tell him you want a whole house antenna system. It can actually be integrated into the cable system you should have to the TV outlets anyway, even if you are not going to use cable, the next owner might want to use cable or a satellite service.

The system I have used in the 2 houses we have built put the antenna in the attic and it has always worked good. The electrical guy will know the best antenna to use for this.
 
AdamJGray said:
Also, anyone use SlingTV? I'm thinking between slingTv, netflix, and local channels I'll be just fine.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

SlingTV is great but one word of advice - don't try to watch ESPN using the SlingTV app. The SlingTV app will lag and jump around even if your internet connection is fine. SlingTV comes with a WatchESPN login. So use the WatchESPN app instead.
 
JRE1975 said:
Talk to the electrical guy and tell him you want a whole house antenna system. It can actually be integrated into the cable system you should have to the TV outlets anyway, even if you are not going to use cable, the next owner might want to use cable or a satellite service.

The system I have used in the 2 houses we have built put the antenna in the attic and it has always worked good. The electrical guy will know the best antenna to use for this.
Click to expand...

Basically you wire coax like you normally would but just make sure there is an input for a roof antenna (or attic antenna if you don't like how a roof antenna looks). Not much different from how you'd wire the house if you planned on using a satellite dish.
 
You can use 1 antenna for the whole house like said above.

Go to antennaweb.org or tvfool and put in your location and they will tell you what type of antenna you will need. Don't just get one that someone suggests because it's dependant on your location.
 
roundball said:
I don't use an antenna, but here's some things you should know about SlingTV...

-you can't use it with Chromecast (yet...it's supposedly coming)
-it's only "native" on Amazon Fire, Roku, and something called Nexus (i.e., there's no app for AppleTV, PlayStation, etc.)
-if you have an AppleTV and an iPhone, you can use AirPlay to watch it on the TV that your AppleTV is connected to, but the interface will still be your phone
Click to expand...

Sling also works on Android. I watch it on my phone as much as on my actual TV.
 
Adam,
This is basically the setup that I have and haven't had cable for years. I have one antenna that I have in a loft above my garage, and I use a splitter that goes to 5 TV's in my house. Works like a charm, the only issue I have is with ABC sometimes and I'm not sure what has caused that. I think the antenna is an RCA indoor/outdoor style that cost me about $35 but I can't remember for certain.

I love SlingTV but yeah as Joduka mentioned the ESPN stations through sling are flaky, all other stations seem fine. I only have Prime since we use Amazon for so much else at our house, but I know Netflix is better. We may do Hulu in the winter but we aren't huge TV watchers beyond sports anyway.
 
Every time I see a thread like this, I want to cut as well, but because the Big 12 is on FS1 so often, I need to have that channel.
 
Judoka said:
SlingTV is great but one word of advice - don't try to watch ESPN using the SlingTV app. The SlingTV app will lag and jump around even if your internet connection is fine. SlingTV comes with a WatchESPN login. So use the WatchESPN app instead.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip, just got Sling a couple days ago and have been having good luck with all stations except for ESPN/2. I will give the WatchESPN app a try and see if that helps.
 
Yup. Just get a nice 50-mile antenna and hook it up to an amplifier, which will then go to a splitter that sends it to the 4 locations. Like people have been saying, talk to electrical guy.

Oh and, SlingTV can only be used on one device at a time. It isn't like NetFlix.
 
JP4CY said:
Every time I see a thread like this, I want to cut as well, but because the Big 12 is on FS1 so often, I need to have that channel.
Click to expand...

sports is what keeps me from cutting cable as well. Just don't see a lot of great solutions for it.
 
JP4CY said:
Every time I see a thread like this, I want to cut as well, but because the Big 12 is on FS1 so often, I need to have that channel.
Click to expand...

I'd happily pay for a FoxSportsGo standalone subscription if they'd offer it.
 
1 antenna is fine, I use splitters and have antenna cables run to each TV outlet.
We use SlingTV and like it a lot. Most of the time I just watch on the iPad and that works really slick.

My plan is get Netflix/Sling for the fall/winter months and then just go back to the antenna for spring and summer. It is nice to be able to drop netflix/sling whenever you want and not have to hassle with the cable companies.
 
AmesHawk said:
Thanks for the tip, just got Sling a couple days ago and have been having good luck with all stations except for ESPN/2. I will give the WatchESPN app a try and see if that helps.
Click to expand...

For me it is a world of difference. Tuning in to ESPN on Sling I get low definition and it is pausing to load half the time. Same game using WatchESPN I get in HD with no lag issues.
 
Judoka said:
For me it is a world of difference. Tuning in to ESPN on Sling I get low definition and it is pausing to load half the time. Same game using WatchESPN I get in HD with no lag issues.
Click to expand...

I haven't had any trouble with it on the App. It has maybe paused a couple of times all football season and I have probably watched 10 games on the app.
 
So just out of curiousity, does Sling TV run via the internet or is it a different type of cable. I am fine with our Direct TV but know a lot of people are "cutting the cord" so I am just curious.

Does Sling TV offer the same channels that say Direct TV does?
 
Judoka said:
I'd happily pay for a FoxSportsGo standalone subscription if they'd offer it.
Click to expand...
Or better yet, have a Fox Sports add on for Sling TV that has FS1, FS2, FSN, etc. Doubt it will happen though.
 
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