[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Blackbird45

I'm in the process of cutting the cord. I have 5 TVs, with 5 boxes, that and their modem comes to $1,410 a year. I purchased 5 Google Chrome Cast at $40 each = $200, a standalone modem for $144 and a mesh router for $169 the whole package $513. That a $897for the first year. If you don't mind investing $40, I suggest you buy 1 Google Chrome Cast hood it up to your TV, then sign up for the free trial from Youtube TV. This way you'll know if this is the way you want to go. I did run into one problem with my router, I have a number of smart plugs that run on 2.4ghz and my new router signal is 5ghz. But you can purchase another type of router and avoid that problem.

This may not apply, but are you sure your modem is not a dual frequency modem? I understand that, even if you have a dual frequency modem, some 2.4 ghz devices will not connect to it unless you move the device far enough away from the modem to cancel out the shorter distence 5 ghz signal. The 2.4 ghz signal has a longer range. If that works, you can then move the device closer to the modem and it will stay connected. I have never actually tried this, so I don't know if it works. I think that this is not an issue with most modern devices, and most newer modems are dual frequency.

[airstreamingypsy]

I cut cable TV in April. Went with YouTubeTV. Best thing ever. I have Spectrum Internet.

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by Tom52

You might consider Quantum Fiber which has a fixed price for life. Quantum has two packages: Up to 940 Mbps for $65 per month and up to 200 Mbps for $30 per month. We have had Quantum for a year now and it has been very reliable. The Wifi works everywhere in the house and lanai including a TV in the garage.

We stream using ROKU devices on the TVs. We stream primarily through YouTubeTV. It seems O.K. except we have some problems with recorded shows/movies. Sometimes the recorded movies will not play. I like YouTubeTV because you get local channels plus a good variety of streaming channels. We also have an Amazon Prime subscription, so there is a lot of programming thru that. You can also get Amazon Music for free with your Amazon Prime subscription but it will only work on one device.

I have quantum’s 1 gig fast internet, extremely happy with it
I had an antenna installed on my roof and get 70 channels, with a better picture than cable for free. I get all the local channels abc, cbs etc.
Hulu and you tube without the local channels is $12 a month or less
My TV and internet is less than $80 a month with more channels than I had with cable

[Blackbird45]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

This may not apply, but are you sure your modem is not a dual frequency modem? I understand that, even if you have a dual frequency modem, some 2.4 ghz devices will not connect to it unless you move the device far enough away from the modem to cancel out the shorter distence 5 ghz signal. The 2.4 ghz signal has a longer range. If that works, you can then move the device closer to the modem and it will stay connected. I have never actually tried this, so I don't know if it works. I think that this is not an issue with most modern devices, and most newer modems are dual frequency.

I don't understand it either. I have the eero mesh router when I ran into the problem about the 5ghz signal I went online and they said there was a process you had to go through to get a 2.4ghz signal, but it was only a temporary fix. Instead of driving myself crazy I order some 5ghz smart plugs on Amazon.

[bjswist]

Originally Posted by Janie123

I use CenturyLink/Quantum 1GB service. I am a geek and got 1GB because I can. I also use Roku sticks on the televisions and predominately use YouTube TV with their 100+ channels and unlimited DVR space. In the fall I add the sports package to watch NFL RedZone for a few months.

I like Roku sticks ($30 when on sale at Target) as they are always updating and adding more and more other streaming channels but a smart TV might be all you need. I use BritBox and Acorn to get lots of British shows as IMHO, the US shows have gotten out of control. I can take my YouTube TV and a spare Roku stick with me when traveling around the US and get the local channels in the new location.

Do you have to pay for a service with the Roku stick? Does it give you the local channels for free?

[jrref]

If you can get it then get Quantum Fiber. You will get a free router and they offer a very good mesh wifi system for an additional $10/month. 1Gbs service, bi-directional is $65/month, no tax, no contract. The service is all fiber optic so it's the most reliable. If you add a battery backup to power the router in the garage you can even use it in a power outage.

If you can't get Quantum get Spectrum internet.

Either way YouTube TV will give you everything you may want. If it's too much just get a couple of streaming services such as Amazon, Netflix, etc.. Regular free YouTube gives you a lot of content as well.

As far as a streaming device, if you have a newer smart TV it should be able to stream everything i mentioned with additional free apps to give you some of the local channels. You can also get a Ruku, Amazon Fire Stick or an Apple TV. The new Apple TV boxes came down in price so they are more affordable.

As someone mentioned, there is a cut the cord club that gives presentations on the topic but the process is very simple. If you already have cable return all the boxes and just get internet service. If you can get Quantum fiber internet. Then once the internet is running, try using the apps on your smart TVs and the ones that are older get an external streaming device and it will walk you through the setup. I prefer the AppleTV since it gives you the best Picture Quality and the most functionality especially if you have an iPhone. If you have an Android phone use the Ruku or Fire Stick. Either way you can't go wrong.

Forget about antenna's and cable TV boxes.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by bjswist

Do you have to pay for a service with the Roku stick? Does it give you the local channels for free?

When you buy a Roku stick, there is no service charge to use it. The Roku will give you a lot of free content, but not the local channels. You can download almost any available streaming app from the internet to the Roku stick and subscribe to the streaming services.

[GATORBILL66]

Originally Posted by dsnrbec

After a recent thread on here about options for TV/internet other than Xfinity, my husband and I are interested in gathering more information but need help. My husband works from home and needs reliable high speed internet but we’re also sick of paying ridiculously high cable bills. Is there someone locally that we can hire to advise us of all the pros and cons of the various streaming services? It seems overwhelming to us and we want/need to keep our internet service intact but choose the best TV streaming option for us. Thanks!

I use spectrum for the internet and I have DIRECT TV STREAMING. It works great!

[Battlebasset]

Originally Posted by MikeVillages

Have you considered getting a television antenna?

I put an antenna in my garage attic, and I pull in about 25 viewable channels. Live down in Fenny, and I'm fortunate that the SE orientation of my garage works for the attic antenna to point towards Orlando.

I initially was using a UHF antenna (no VHF channels in our area) with a built in pre-amp. However, that one died, and I suspect part of the reason might be the extreme attic heat that killed the electronics. I just ordered another UHF antenna without a pre-amp that I will mount in the attic, and attach a pre-amp once the cable is back in the main garage, and out of the attic. Hopefully that will keep the temp at an acceptable level, even though our garages do get hot in the summer!

Otherwise, I have 100 mb internet service from Xfinity, which works fine to stream Amazon, Netflix, Britbox and ESPN3 and ESPN+. I don't use a cable alternative like YouTube TV. Xfinity also will give you a free streaming box, and I get their premium Peacock app for free. Alot of live sports and shows/movies that come with that.

If anyone would like to know how my new antenna set up works, just respond to this post, and I will respond with the results once I set it up, which will probably be next week. Got to have everything in place for Thanksgiving football viewing!

[chuckpedrey]

I have YouTube TV too. Really great. All the channels I want

[Peazoup]

Does anyone know anything about Omnivision for $365 a year?

[maistocars]

Originally Posted by Tom52

You might consider Quantum Fiber which has a fixed price for life. Quantum has two packages: Up to 940 Mbps for $65 per month and up to 200 Mbps for $30 per month. We have had Quantum for a year now and it has been very reliable. The Wifi works everywhere in the house and lanai including a TV in the garage.

We stream using ROKU devices on the TVs. We stream primarily through YouTubeTV. It seems O.K. except we have some problems with recorded shows/movies. Sometimes the recorded movies will not play. I like YouTubeTV because you get local channels plus a good variety of streaming channels. We also have an Amazon Prime subscription, so there is a lot of programming thru that. You can also get Amazon Music for free with your Amazon Prime subscription but it will only work on one device.

It might work, but as far as I know, they don't offer service in the new sections?

[rsmurano]

Not only do you have to look at how your husband uses the internet for work, you have to look at the TV service you get to see how much bandwidth it uses, both upload and download.
Consider these options:
ALL of your slower speed networks (600 or less) have a data cap and it can either get expensive or the provider will cut back on your speed until the end of the month. All of these COPPER networks (all except fiber) have decent download speeds (up to 1Gb) but have terrible upload speeds. 600Mb or less have 10-20Mb upload speeds while my 1Gb speed has up to 40Mb, which is very slow.

When looking at any streaming service, consider who many concurrent tv shows will you be recording because each 1 will eat away at your upload bandwidth. So if you are recording 2 or 3 hi def channels at once and your husband wants to upload a file to the office, your husband will be waiting. When I look at all the streaming services that are out there, none of them meet our needs. Most can record many at once but they eat up bandwidth on the network and the recordings either have a short life (up to 6 or 9 months then they are deleted), or there are caps like only able to record x amount of shows. On my system, I have 1 off recordings that I have had for a decade still on my dvr.
Plus, these streaming companies never have everything you want so you end up getting multiple streaming companies.

I also stream hi resolution music that I can route to every room in my house. We use Apple 4k TV devices that allows us to download apps to access many different channels like YouTube, Selkirk Pickleball, Peacock, HBO, Paramount+, Netflix, disney, and many more.
Plus I can stream music thru the Apple TV boxes.

We get Netflix, paramount+, and Apple TV+ services for free from out cell phone provider, we have Peacock thru the Xfinity provider, and then I pay for my regular TV which gives us 250 channels for sports, shows, and primetime shows.

[wamley]

I have moved to Internet only, $75 a month, bought a ROKU$50 (one time purchase) signed up for Sling $35 a mo. that gives me many of the main channels and allr programming goes with you.ows you to record 200 hours of shows. I had Netflix that wasn't included in my Xfinity plan $15 a mo. Then you can signup for Streamers that you have some interest in their programing. Stay with them until your interest is satisfied and shut it down. Also the Roku can follow you wherever you go as longa s you have internet and all you. Staying with Family for a few weeks or so you can install on the bedroom tv if you like. I save at least $60 a month in two locations $120 a month. You can signup and cancel any of the streamers when you want. good luck.

[Blackbird45]

Right now, cable is the prominent player in the field. But more people are cutting the cord every day. It's not that hard to do. Spend a day on Youtube there are endless videos explaining the benefits and how to go about it. If you have a smart TV, you're 1/2 the way there, if you don't you buy a Roku or a Google Chrome and connect to your TV. The saving on equipment rental alone will shock you. As far as streaming services are concern cnet.com rates Youtube TV as one of the best.