Looking for Updated cutting the cord/cable/alternatives.

[billethkid]

I did a search and most of the threads are 5 and more years old.

It has become time to part ways with Comcast....they simply charge too much. I love all the Xfinity technology and capability.....but is has become too expensive.

We use Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime/Peacock/etc.

That pretty much allows access to a lot of choices. However I have not found a convenient way to get local network stations that carry a lot of shows we like. We DVR and watch when we want.

Has there been improvement in antenna choices?
Streaming DVR options. Other alternatives.

I know I am not alone needing some direction from those who know!

Yes I do google the info, but am looking for first hand experience here in TV.

[drbales]

Suggest you look at Youtube TV for $65 a month and then the add ons you want. i would think you could get your monthly to around $100.

[JohnN]

Suggest you look at Youtube TV for $65 a month and then the add ons you want. i would think you could get your monthly to around $100.

We like youtubeTV, it's got all the local stations and then some.

[MrFlorida]

Don't you need " the cord" for internet access ?

[retiredguy123]

I did a search and most of the threads are 5 and more years old.

It has become time to part ways with Comcast....they simply charge too much. I love all the Xfinity technology and capability.....but is has become too expensive.

We use Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime/Peacock/etc.

That pretty much allows access to a lot of choices. However I have not found a convenient way to get local network stations that carry a lot of shows we like. We DVR and watch when we want.

Has there been improvement in antenna choices?
Streaming DVR options. Other alternatives.

I know I am not alone needing some direction from those who know!

Yes I do google the info, but am looking for first hand experience here in TV.
Go to the website "suppose.tv". You just enter all of the channels you want and it will tell you the streaming services you need and the cost. It is a good resource for every streaming service available.

It looks like, if you enter just the 4 local channels, the cheapest streaming option is the low level Xfinity service for $43.15 per month. But, you also get some additional channels.

[metoo21]

We had Directv by satellite back home. We decided to use Directv streaming here. Didn't want a dish on the new house and due to all the rain & storms knew that reception would be impacted. Tried DirecTV streaming and it's great. Has a cloud DVR so no concern about hard drive failures. About half the price of Directv satellite. If you get it, there is an app but I'd highly recommend getting their little box. Comes with a remote and easier to navigate than the app. Sign up online and you can get a reconditioned little box for about half the cost of new. More channels than YouTube TV and HuluTV. Local channels are included.

[laboutj]

I have YoutubeTV and it works well for $65/month. Gets me local channels and unlimited DVR. Also travels with me between the Villages and up north. If you want to avoid the $65/month charge you can get something like an antenna and Tablo. The Tablo unit uses a coax cable connection to an antenna in the attic/on the roof. You download the Tablo app onto your TV/Firestick/Roku stick and go from there. You can also add an external hard drive to the Tablo unit and record programs. There are all kinds of discussions on this board about antennas in the villages and being able to pick up the signals for the Orlando stations. Depends on where you are in the Villages, but those are a couple of choices.

Official Tablo OTA DVR Site | Over The Air (OTA) DVR | Tablo (https://www.tablotv.com/)

I purchased my Tablo and antenna from Best Buy. It is mounted in my house up north, not in the Villages.

[Blueblaze]

I did a search and most of the threads are 5 and more years old.

It has become time to part ways with Comcast....they simply charge too much. I love all the Xfinity technology and capability.....but is has become too expensive.

We use Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime/Peacock/etc.

That pretty much allows access to a lot of choices. However I have not found a convenient way to get local network stations that carry a lot of shows we like. We DVR and watch when we want.

Has there been improvement in antenna choices?
Streaming DVR options. Other alternatives.

I know I am not alone needing some direction from those who know!

Yes I do google the info, but am looking for first hand experience here in TV.

Step 1: Go to Walmart and buy a Roku for $40. Connect it to your TV, as described in the instructions.

Step 2: Upgrade your Hulu account to "Hulu Plus". It has all the local channels you're used to with cable. It costs $70/month and includes Disney and ESPN.

Step 3: Use your Roku remote to turn on your TV. Then, press the Hulu button.

Step 4: At the top of the screen, you will see a menu selection labeled "live". Click it.

Step 5: Press the down-arrow button. The live channel guide will appear.

Step 6: Channel-surf to your hearts content.

[Keefelane66]

I have used IPTV for 5 years $20 monthly or $150 annually Orlando stations actually broadcast tv stations Hawaii to Boston and in between ESPN, NESN, Yes Network, NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and College, entertainment channels plus foreign networks Asia, South America, Europe, Canada. Issue is no record capability (DVR).
There several to choose from and can easily be installed on Firestick or androidtv boxes NOT ROKU device. Instructions are provided by service. Just search Please Wait... | Cloudflare (https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/iptv-service-providers/amp/)

[Bill14564]

Hulu Live or YouTubeTV will get you local stations and DVR capability. I know there is at least one more service but I can't remember the name.

Be careful with Hulu Live. We have it and like the service but it won't work with all internet providers. It works with Xfinity but the last I heard it won't work with T-Mobile 5G internet.

[Papa_lecki]

Tried Hulu Live and YouTubeTV.

Like YouTube TV better.
More channels, travels with me when I head north, can share account with up to 4 gmail addresses - so kids have cable for free.

[Babubhat]

Amex gives half off Disney, Hulu, espn plus bundle. 8 a month. Check credit card offers. Many of them.

YouTube premium free for three months

[Bill14564]

Tried Hulu Live and YouTubeTV.

Like YouTube TV better.
More channels, travels with me when I head north, can share account with up to 4 gmail addresses - so kids have cable for free.

YouTube TV didn't have a particular channel we wanted when we signed up for Hulu Live but I don't think that's an issue any longer. I know I can watch Hulu Live when I travel but I don't recall what I get for local channels - FL local, local where I am, or nothing.

One advantage of Hulu over YouTube is Hulu's library of shows. I'm not sure I can find the entire "Friends" series on YouTube.

If we were starting over we might pick YouTube TV this time. For now, inertia keeps us with Hulu Live.

[SGR720]

I did a search and most of the threads are 5 and more years old.

It has become time to part ways with Comcast....they simply charge too much. I love all the Xfinity technology and capability.....but is has become too expensive.

We use Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime/Peacock/etc.

That pretty much allows access to a lot of choices. However I have not found a convenient way to get local network stations that carry a lot of shows we like. We DVR and watch when we want.

Has there been improvement in antenna choices?
Streaming DVR options. Other alternatives.

I know I am not alone needing some direction from those who know!

Yes I do google the info, but am looking for first hand experience here in TV.

What local stations are you looking for that aren't on HULU?

I have HULU (No Ads) + LiveTV, Disney+ and ESPN+ for $68 plus tax per month.
I have all the local stations including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, USA, FX, TNT, TLC, CMT, TCM
etc. Plus hundreds of shows and movies in their library that I can watch whenever I want. You can record any shows you want or do what I do and add the shows you want to see to your Watchlist (My Stuff), whenever the show is on it automatically is saved in
My Stuff and you can watch it when you want. That is good when a show goes on hiatus
because it automatically starts saving the shows when it starts broadcasting again. I have the HULU App on my Firestick, my laptop and my Fire tablets so I can use it at home or away.

[MrChip72]

This is the gray market option, just Google "IPTV" or "Android boxes". I pay $150/year for it to work on 4 TV's and get 2000 channels, US, Canada and UK. Really great for watching out of market sports. You obviously need a good internet connection to use this.

[rjm1cc]

You can buy Amazons Firestick (?). Roku might be a little better but I am not familure with it.
The firestick will get you free TV over the internet. I think you will find a way to get your local stations by dowing free apps from Amazon. With your other services you might not need another service with a monthly bill.

[Woodbear]

I have used IPTV for 5 years $20 monthly or $150 annually Orlando stations actually broadcast tv stations Hawaii to Boston and in between ESPN, NESN, Yes Network, NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and College, entertainment channels plus foreign networks Asia, South America, Europe, Canada. Issue is no record capability (DVR).
There several to choose from and can easily be installed on Firestick or androidtv boxes NOT ROKU device. Instructions are provided by service. Just search Please Wait... | Cloudflare (https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/iptv-service-providers/amp/)

Love our IPTV service. Outside of the occasional buffering issue (seems worst during prime viewing hours) the service is great. What we paid for one month of "cable" back home we pay for the whole year.

[paulat585]

You can buy Amazons Firestick (?). Roku might be a little better but I am not familure with it.
The firestick will get you free TV over the internet. I think you will find a way to get your local stations by dowing free apps from Amazon. With your other services you might not need another service with a monthly bill.
This is what I do. Get Xfinity internet for $49 a month after a low introductory offer, stream everything for free.

[Blueblaze]

You can buy Amazons Firestick (?). Roku might be a little better but I am not familure with it.
The firestick will get you free TV over the internet. I think you will find a way to get your local stations by dowing free apps from Amazon. With your other services you might not need another service with a monthly bill.

I used Amazon Firesticks for years. Suffered through three upgrades, including the first one where they forced me to replace 5 firesticks. Upgraded to Roku this year. What a difference! Easier to install and it starts everything instantly. No agonizingly long start-up times. No constant need to reboot when it quits working. And even the cheapest versions come with a remote that can control your TV's power and volume. You can still watch "Prime", but you also get Roku's FREE streaming service, which is just as good -- better if you like old TV shows. We've been watching all the old Hitchcock shows.

[laboutj]

I used Amazon Firesticks for years. Suffered through three upgrades, including the first one where they forced me to replace 5 firesticks. Upgraded to Roku this year. What a difference! Easier to install and it starts everything instantly. No agonizingly long start-up times. No constant need to reboot when it quits working. And even the cheapest versions come with a remote that can control your TV's power and volume. You can still watch "Prime", but you also get Roku's FREE streaming service, which is just as good -- better if you like old TV shows. We've been watching all the old Hitchcock shows.

I totally agree about the Roku sticks. But if you want to go the illegal route with IPTV, you have to use a Firestick.

[Bill14564]

I used Amazon Firesticks for years. Suffered through three upgrades, including the first one where they forced me to replace 5 firesticks. Upgraded to Roku this year. What a difference! Easier to install and it starts everything instantly. No agonizingly long start-up times. No constant need to reboot when it quits working. And even the cheapest versions come with a remote that can control your TV's power and volume. You can still watch "Prime", but you also get Roku's FREE streaming service, which is just as good -- better if you like old TV shows. We've been watching all the old Hitchcock shows.

We've been using firesticks for years without the problems you seem to have encountered: no upgrade issues, no need to replace the firestick (though ours are fairly new so maybe there would have been an issue with an older one) Our firestick remotes control the TV power and volume as well.

I have heard Roku has a cleaner user interface. I just haven't had an opportunity to try it or a need to replace anything yet.

[Bill14564]

This is what I do. Get Xfinity internet for $49 a month after a low introductory offer, stream everything for free.

What is the "everything" you stream legally for free?

Amazon Prime has a subscription fee.
Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Disney, HBO, etc all have subscription fees.
Local channels come with Hulu Live or YouTube TV at about $60/month.

What do you get legally for free?

[Babubhat]

Or you can keep switching between comcast and spectrum promotions. 89 for tv and internet. Use your own cable modem

[Rzepecki]

I did a search and most of the threads are 5 and more years old.

It has become time to part ways with Comcast....they simply charge too much. I love all the Xfinity technology and capability.....but is has become too expensive.

We use Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime/Peacock/etc.

That pretty much allows access to a lot of choices. However I have not found a convenient way to get local network stations that carry a lot of shows we like. We DVR and watch when we want.

Has there been improvement in antenna choices?
Streaming DVR options. Other alternatives.

I know I am not alone needing some direction from those who know!

Yes I do google the info, but am looking for first hand experience here in TV.

I just received an email from the library about cutting the cord: Cutting the Cord | Sumter County Library System (https://sumtercounty.librarycalendar.com/event/cutting-cord-1)

You might want to attend.

[billethkid]

I just received an email from the library about cutting the cord: Cutting the Cord | Sumter County Library System (https://sumtercounty.librarycalendar.com/event/cutting-cord-1)

You might want to attend.

Thanx for the suggestion.
I just checked and the registration is full.

[NatureBoy]

What is the "everything" you stream legally for free?

Amazon Prime has a subscription fee.
Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Disney, HBO, etc all have subscription fees.
Local channels come with Hulu Live or YouTube TV at about $60/month.

What do you get legally for free?
With the Xfinity streaming box (that they provide for free) there are several free streaming services: xumo, tubi, Pluto tv, and a host of others.
I've been watching Pluto TV recently. They have channels dedicated to Star Trek, Dr. Who, Baywatch, and many other shows. Now these are "streaming" real time. You can't pick an episode like with Amazon Prime. So it's not very good if you want to watch a particular episode of a particular show. But if you can live with whatever is on at the time, there's a LOT of content available.

[Get real]

Which option gives you porn?

[retiredguy123]

With the Xfinity streaming box (that they provide for free) there are several free streaming services: xumo, tubi, Pluto tv, and a host of others.
I've been watching Pluto TV recently. They have channels dedicated to Star Trek, Dr. Who, Baywatch, and many other shows. Now these are "streaming" real time. You can't pick an episode like with Amazon Prime. So it's not very good if you want to watch a particular episode of a particular show. But if you can live with whatever is on at the time, there's a LOT of content available.
Xfinity streaming boxes are not free. You rent them for $8.50 each per month.

[Bill14564]

Xfinity streaming boxes are not free. You rent them for $8.50 each per month.

Depends on the contract. There is no charge on my bill for the Flex box though it certainly could be rolled into one of the other charges.

Either way, I don't think Pluto TV is what people envision when they think of "cutting the cord."

[retiredguy123]

Depends on the contract. There is no charge on my bill for the Flex box though it certainly could be rolled into one of the other charges.

Either way, I don't think Pluto TV is what people envision when they think of "cutting the cord."
Correct. My bad. If you are an Xfinity internet only customer, you can get a free Flex box. If you have Xfinity cable TV service, you need to rent the boxes. But, what if you have more than one TV? Can you only use the Flex box on one TV?

[Bill14564]

Correct. My bad. If you are an Xfinity internet only customer, you can get a free Flex box. If you have Xfinity cable TV service, you need to rent the boxes. But, what if you have more than one TV? Can you only use the Flex box on one TV?

Only one. It connects to the TV with an hdmi cable.

[retiredguy123]

Only one. It connects to the TV with an hdmi cable.
The Flex box seems pretty limited. If I cancelled cable TV, I think I would just equip my TVs with Roku devices.

[billethkid]

It "sounds" to me like one needs to have one device (Roku, Fire stick, et al) per television set.

Which device, if any, allows use for programming more than one television set/receiver?

[retiredguy123]

It "sounds" to me like one needs to have one device (Roku, Fire stick, et al) per television set.

Which device, if any, allows use for programming more than one television set/receiver?
I think you need a streaming device for every TV or you have a smart TV. In my opinion, the Roku system is the best. Even if you have a smart TV, I would still add a Roku streaming stick because most smart TVs are not as functional as the Roku.

[Bill14564]

The Flex box seems pretty limited. If I cancelled cable TV, I think I would just equip my TVs with Roku devices.

The Flex box will also run some apps like Netflix but I seem to recall it didn't have one of the apps that would have directly competed with Xfinity Cable. So yes, limited. We tried it for a while but ended up staying with our firestick.

[snbrafford]

I am familiar with the streaming services but all need an internet connection. I have that through Xfinity for $49 a month with no data limit.. What other option would I have?

[mikeycereal]

Have Xfinity internet so just gotta pick something to go with it for TV. Have a smart TV but their shows have too many commercials interrupting. Was going to make a white list for modem but might just try one of the other options mentioned here. Mainly watch TV for NFL plus youtube & have been doing that for about 10 years and just using those under the table streaming sites for live games or movies. Old shows mentioned here I love em so would have to check what has what. I'd watch from the 60s-70s like Star Trek, Hawaii 5-0, Welcome Back Kotter, Charlies Angels, Fantasy Island and even 90s Quantum Leap. Would do a few Outer Limits, Night Gallery etc. too, lot of retro stuff. Sometimes paying full attention, other times for background noise while on computer.