Complete Rookie in understanding HOW TO cut the cord

[pemmett608]

We have 1 Visio smart TV. One not-so-smart TV. 1 Mac Book pro. 2 iphones.

I cannot even begin to figure out how streaming TV works. I thought you could stream directly to a smart TV. But when I look at streaming companies. . .it seems like you have to have a device on which to load applications.

Anyway, rather than drive myself crazy trying to figure it out. . .I'd like to know if anyone offers a service to come out and help set up streaming. Don't even know which service would be best. Husband likes sports [surprise!] and I am more partial to sitcoms, movies etc.

Need a referral. Thank you!

[Dana1963]

We have 1 Visio smart TV. One not-so-smart TV. 1 Mac Book pro. 2 iphones.

I cannot even begin to figure out how streaming TV works. I thought you could stream directly to a smart TV. But when I look at streaming companies. . .it seems like you have to have a device on which to load applications.

Anyway, rather than drive myself crazy trying to figure it out. . .I'd like to know if anyone offers a service to come out and help set up streaming. Don't even know which service would be best. Husband likes sports [surprise!] and I am more partial to sitcoms, movies etc.

Need a referral. Thank you!
I sent you a message

[retired guy]

We felt the same about streaming. Check out Clark Howard web site, he has lots of info.

[Debfrommaine]

After your research did you cut the cord?

[retiredguy123]

I would start by going to the website "suppose.tv". Enter all channels that you want, and it will tell you which streaming services you need. Yes, you need a device that has the app for that streaming service. But, your smart tv may already have the apps that you need. If not, you will probably need to buy a streaming device, like a Roku stick. Anyone with some technical knowledge should be able to help you set it up.

[retired guy]

Yes we cut the cord. Have been streaming for a few years. Have used both Hulu & Fubo
depending on what you want to watch.
We would be happy to help. Great way to meet people, we've been here just over a year.

[PugMom]

if you have a smart visio, your streaming is around the corner. we have comcast for cable & internet,-- then find 'apps' on your tv selection. a page will open with lots of choices from pluto to you tube. just click & watch. if you DONT have comcast, neighbors tell me they use a roku or firestick. my daughter has a firestick on her tv & can watch almost anything with very little cost

PS: we have amazon prime, too

[Babubhat]

Sports will kill the deal. Better off with basic promo bundle from Xfinity. Can try Roku sticks and Fubo.tv free trials first

[Madelaine Amee]

You have had great helpful information from the TVers above, now I am going to give you the best: Go to Best Buy and pay for one of their Geeks to come in and set you up.

I, also, could not wrap my head around streaming, but the teenaged genius who came from Best Buy was great. He sat with me until I understood the principle of streaming, when someone explains everything in words of one syllable you will understand it.

[Carla B]

Sounds like the economy of it depends on whether you need to view sports or not. My husband started complaining about the Comcast bill the year after we moved here. The first thing he said he'd do if I died would be to cut Comcast, and after hearing that at least once a day for several years, I agreed to try it. Also, I couldn't get my head around the fact that the TV/Internet bill was running more per month than the electric bill in an all-electric house. Son sent a Roku device. It was a cinch to install and the AudioVideo guy installed an attic antenna so we could watch local news.

We don't follow sports but have been happy with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and some of the choices on Roku ever since cutting the cord seven years ago. Also, it's easy to sign up with other "pay" channels, such as Acorn, and just as easy to drop them when we've seen the programs we want.

[Northwoods]

I cut the cord last year. I was apprehensive but it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. You'll need an internet provider (I stayed with Spectrum for now but might change). I also choose youtubeTV. WIth that, I get all the local channels and all the "extra" channels I want.
Lot's of choices... but you can pick one (like Hulu) and change if it doesn't work for you.
It's going to be easier than you think it's going to be...

[RICH1]

RETIRED GUY said he would show you! That’s an offer you can’t refuse… I’ve been streaming with Roku for 3-4 years! “ secret , you can have guests on the acct and split the bill”

[Dana1963]

Check out Hybridtv.net, international, US sports, Uk Canada US entertainment, Orlando stations along with tv stations Hawaii to Ma. @ $20 monthly or $150 annual. I have used it 4 years. UNFORTUNATELY NO DVR.
Android tv unit or Amazon Firestick required. Totally portable can have up to 4 tv’s connected on account.
I take mine from Fl to Ri no zip code restrictions, high-speed internet reqired

[GPFan47]

We have 1 Visio smart TV. One not-so-smart TV. 1 Mac Book pro. 2 iphones.

I cannot even begin to figure out how streaming TV works. I thought you could stream directly to a smart TV. But when I look at streaming companies. . .it seems like you have to have a device on which to load applications.

Anyway, rather than drive myself crazy trying to figure it out. . .I'd like to know if anyone offers a service to come out and help set up streaming. Don't even know which service would be best. Husband likes sports [surprise!] and I am more partial to sitcoms, movies etc.

Need a referral. Thank you!

I'd say I'm as tech savvy as the average bear at our age. I have been streaming TV for two or three years and I have tried many different streaming services. Here are a couple of pluses and minuses about streaming TV:

1. Streaming is a month to month deal. You can try a streaming service for a free trial period (3 days to a week typically) then sign up for month to month. No long-term contracts like cable and satellite TV.

Some streaming services are 100% free as long as you are willing to deal with the ads. You typically won't find live major network TV for free. Most, but not all, of the free stuff is older programming (think Gunsmoke, Leave It To Beaver, and Star Trek). There is a weather station that is live, Weather Nation. You can watch that on Pluto TV which is a free streaming service with a whole bunch of channels.

WeatherNation on Pluto TV (https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/weather-nation?utm_medium=Search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Brand_E&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi9mPBhCJARIsAHchl1wGCI-xhfGSB8TjArVp5hSr2DbcLLECFWR75ZZWGQw2MnVW5u7yPq4aA tteEALw_wcB)

2. I have used YouTube TV for the last couple of years. I am paying about $70 a month, I have all the major networks, plenty of sports, and most of the other channels that we care to watch. Most of the major streaming services have what they call a "virtual DVR" where you can record and playback programs as you choose.

3. Like most things a bit technical, there is a learning curve to streaming TV. If you can use a computer, cable TV or satellite TV, you have the expertise to use streaming TV. It is not that difficult.

4. There are some pitfalls so if you know someone, or someone volunteers to help you out without payment, that's the way to go. Do not pay someone to sign you up. If you are going to pay, stay with the mainstream services (YouTube TV, Hulu Live TV, Sling, etc.).

5. Like someone else already pointed out, the Suppose TV website is very helpful.

Suppose | Compare Cable, Satellite & Streaming TV Services (https://www.suppose.tv/tv)

[jebartle]

We have 1 Visio smart TV. One not-so-smart TV. 1 Mac Book pro. 2 iphones.

I cannot even begin to figure out how streaming TV works. I thought you could stream directly to a smart TV. But when I look at streaming companies. . .it seems like you have to have a device on which to load applications.

Anyway, rather than drive myself crazy trying to figure it out. . .I'd like to know if anyone offers a service to come out and help set up streaming. Don't even know which service would be best. Husband likes sports [surprise!] and I am more partial to sitcoms, movies etc.

Need a referral. Thank you!

I can relate, have smart tvs, not so smart owner, contacted 352-289-1596 John chambler, problem solved and reasonable

[billethkid]

What is unclear to me about cutting the cord/streaming is;
one, availability of major/local networks ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, etc.
Most programs we watch are on these networks.

Secondly, we record almost everything, then watch at our pleasure.

There is also what I would consider as the convenience packaging. Comcast/Xfinity et al have everything bundled/packaged/available in one easy to navigate "system".

The above three considerations unsolved (for me so far)......keeps us tethered to the cord.

[Blueblaze]

There's really not much to cutting the cord. You found your way to TOTV, so you've already mastered the tricky internet part.

Forget trying to use your smart TV features unless it's so new that is has built-in Roku or Amazon Fire. Instead, buy a Roku or Amazon Firestick stick for all your TV's, at about $20-$30/pop (Roku is easier, I think). Plug it into one of the HDMI ports on the back of the TV and plug in the power supply. Turn on the TV, select the HDMI input where you plugged in the stick, and follow the on-screen instructions for connecting it to your WIFI.

Then, on your computer, use your browser to go to Hulu and order Hulu Plus for about $70. It'll be free for the first month, and it includes most of the Orlando channels you normally watch on cable, as well as all of the ESPN channels, and Disney plus. It also has thousands of movies and TV series, like Netflix does, and you can also stream network TV shows anytime you want, the day after they first air. It also has a built-in "DVR" feature, but since everything is available to stream, anyway, you probably won't use it much, like you do with cable. Unless you buy the upgrade, you have to watch the commercials, even when you DVR.

"Sling" is a cheaper way to get the locals ($35) but it doesn't have the other Hulu features, and you have to pay extra for ESPN. It does have a built-in DVR, feature. You can try it for free, too, to see which one you like better.

On your TV, in Roku (or Firestick) add the Hulu (or Sling) "app", and you're streaming. The main inconvenience is that the channel number selector on your remote no longer works. To view live TV, select "Live" from the top menu. To get to the channel guide while in "Live" mode, click the down arrow. The channels are in alphabetical order instead of numbered.

Lastly, unplug the cable TV cable and call Comcast to remove the cable TV service and keep the internet service.