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General Discussion => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Crewe on March 18, 2018, 10:26:18 PM

Title: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on March 18, 2018, 10:26:18 PM
Anyone else do it yet?
I did and its not great so far, but not for the reasons you think.
To start with, all my services were tethered (Phone, TV, net) and Id call and get promotions every six months so my bill was about 240 total.
100 for the TV with taxes.
So when I called to cancel the TV service, Uverse with ATT, I was told I could but it would be cheaper to keep the very basic $20 package (locals only, no HD no DVR) otherwise my internet would go from 40/month to 70/month and this, for 24 download speed mind you.
The guy kept telling me I have unlimited data though...and of course he didnt speak English well so it was hard for me to get this across, but that was for my phone as I was told previously. he said no, its for streaming.
Fine.
So I took the deal for now and they threw in DTV Now for 10 a month for 3 months which Ill then cancel because it will blossom to 35/month.
Basically Im saving 70/month right now which isn't really what I was after.
I was hoping for a faster internet speed and to jettison tv completely.
I could upgrade to 48 download for 50 ish bucks a month but Im sitting where I am for now.
Whats your experience?
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on March 19, 2018, 12:43:46 AM
My experience has a lot of caveats. 

When I worked for Comcast I had the highest internet and every channel for just $28 a month. So, when I took the new job; I had to figure something out. .

So now, I have internet with Comcast for $60 (highest tier) and I use PS Vue for TV for $49.95 a month.

Now, I have Netflix, Hulu and HBO Now, but I'm not paying for them. They're either her dad's or my dad's depending on the service.

We also have Amazon Prime with my Prime membership.

Anyways, so I'm basically paying $110 a month for internet and cable. I have all the channels I care to watch and a lot less bloat. Plus, I can watch it on multiple devices.

Equivalent Comcast package would have been...upwards of $145. So, I saved some money but thanks to not paying for other services mainly.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on March 19, 2018, 02:07:38 AM
I called comcast and they had 60 down for 40/month but a 2 year contract which I don't want.
I saw the Vue had some good stuff but it doesn't have DVR does it? If I sign up for something, DVR is a must. I will not be required to suffer through tv ads. Between Prime, Netflix, HBO free forever and whatever I find on fire stick, I'm good. I can stream sports and can go OTA should I need locals for some reason. YouTube tv looked good to me for 35/month plus DVR should I want a tv service, but I haven't compared it with Vue either.

I guess really I'm ticked I can't get a better internet speed without getting jacked, plus them making me 20 bucks for locals with no hd or DVR
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on March 19, 2018, 02:26:45 AM
It has DVR.

And I should say, there's an option that's $5 less I think that basically doesn't include MLB Network. But I wanted my MLB Network.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on March 28, 2018, 10:43:14 AM
so I just dumped what I could.
I need to clarify my data plan because I think theres confusion on my part or theirs and looking at my usage on site doesn't clear it up.
My phone data and internet data is tethered I think, but I cant discern how much internet data I use which means I cant decide if another plan would be cheaper.
Pain in the butt
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on July 07, 2018, 12:52:26 AM
so now that Ive moved and acquired internet service, thus far I think its a much better deal than I had previously.
65/mo, no contract for life, 75 down, 10 up with 1 TB of usage and if that is exceeded which I can't imagine it would be, service is only slowed with no overage charges.
I did have only 24 down and 4 up for 50/month.
So far so good...
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on June 04, 2019, 11:47:03 PM
Maybe its just me, and I don't keep up with this industry daily so I may be wrong, but it seems to me, streaming ala cart services may be pricing themselves out of service, sending folks back to cable.
I was on DTVN for 25 a month in the grandfather clause but they jacked that up $15 bucks, so I cancelled them.
I really don't have anything now, just Netflix and Prime, oh and HBO via my phone's data plan. Anything else I need, I find, elsewhere, but its rare.
Ill sign up for Showtime or something with the free trial to watch something specific, then cancel, because what I see are all these packages closing in on the $50 mark. Many people are opting for multiple services due to the channel packaging which defeats the entire purpose for leaving cable.
I refuse to spend that much but then I don't watch regular tv either. I sign up for things like Sling etc when I see good promos and hang for a month or so and Im able to find what I want without much issue at all. As of now I don't see myself going back unless the scales tip dramatically again.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on September 02, 2019, 02:00:17 AM
Didn't want to start a new thread for this, so I thought this was the best place to discuss internet speeds.
Ive been checking my specs lately, and am upgrading to 80-100mbs tier from 60-80 tier. Its going to cost me about $7 bucks so what the hell, Ill give it a try since I plan on streaming some football games this season.

I have one or two sites I normally use, but I checked out about 7 of the most popular sites because I was bored.
I ran about 3-4 tests per site and found that my speeds ranged from 77mpbs on one site, to 39 on another, to 63, to 71 to 44.
My conclusion? I have no freaking clue, except maybe Im being throttled? Who knows? I get the feeling once I get bumped up, my speeds will probably average around 60-70
Plus, my tests are all wireless because my laptop doesn't have cat 5 input option, and who the hell uses those things nowadays anyway?

Since this is a cord cutting thread, Ill take the opportunity to say I ditched DTVNOW and have replaced it with, nothing. All I have is NF and Prime and I dont miss the bullshit at all. I find it interesting though...this steaming ala carte hipster cord cutting thing? I think its blowing up in the consumers face.
When I bounced, I was paying $77 for every single sports channel and a few movie channels.
Now, Sling, Futbo, Vue, YTTV etc....are all north of $50 per month and even more when you start adding options which is how most every service operates.
I checked out from DTVNOW because it offered me nothing I wanted and they raised the price, even on grandfathered users like me. So when I went from paying $28 to almost $40...yea, see ya later.
Honestly, I think cable might go back to being the better option, and soon.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: rollntider on September 02, 2019, 11:24:02 AM
I am using sling for football. Will drop it after 2 months and try YouTube tv. Will drop it all after basketball is over.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on January 05, 2020, 07:06:54 PM
So Playstation Vue is shutting down in January and Im nt sure where Im going net.
Seems most options are $50 bucks which is not bad considering Im paying more than that for Vue.However I did sign up for only two months anyway because I dont want to put out that much for ever.
I might go back to YTTV or Sling for a while, but I think Ill just go without for now.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on January 05, 2020, 07:36:27 PM
Quote from: Crewe on January 05, 2020, 07:06:54 PM
So Playstation Vue is shutting down in January and Im nt sure where Im going net.
Seems most options are $50 bucks which is not bad considering Im paying more than that for Vue.However I did sign up for only two months anyway because I dont want to put out that much for ever.
I might go back to YTTV or Sling for a while, but I think Ill just go without for now.

Dude, same! I hate it! I loved my PS Vue!

Fiancee refuses to give money to YouTube, which is understandable considering how they seem to promote conspiracy theories and white supremacist content, and I didn't like Sling's offerings, so we'll probably be going Hulu + Live TV
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on January 05, 2020, 07:42:31 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on January 05, 2020, 07:36:27 PM
Quote from: Crewe on January 05, 2020, 07:06:54 PM
So Playstation Vue is shutting down in January and Im nt sure where Im going net.
Seems most options are $50 bucks which is not bad considering Im paying more than that for Vue.However I did sign up for only two months anyway because I dont want to put out that much for ever.
I might go back to YTTV or Sling for a while, but I think Ill just go without for now.

Dude, same! I hate it! I loved my PS Vue!

Fiancee refuses to give money to YouTube, which is understandable considering how they seem to promote conspiracy theories and white supremacist content, and I didn't like Sling's offerings, so we'll probably be going Hulu + Live TV

yea PS Vue provin a good swath of channels and content.

I must be way out of the loop here, how so?
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on January 05, 2020, 08:25:01 PM
https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2019/09/10/youtube-doesnt-just-welcome-conspiracy-theorists--it-gives-them-awards/#2624a0c40f41

One quick example. There's also an ongoing discussion about their video recommendations pushing radical content via the algorithm. 
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on January 06, 2020, 02:27:07 AM
That appears to be YT in general, not YTTV, unless I missed something.

But yea, these people are just making bank off of the ignorant, uninformed, racist etc population because they can.
I mean who couldn't? I could jump out there with a "news" site and say shitthat I know would gather views, but having a brain, morals and a conscience prevent me from doing so.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on January 22, 2020, 12:05:31 AM
I have no OTA and PSVue will be out of service on the 30th.
I have to find a way to watch the Super Bowl, the only one in some time Ive really wanted to see lol Go figure.
Ive already run the trail on YTTV and Sling so no more freebies.
Watching sports on Sling in the past was tough because of the moire and blur. Any ideas on other services?
Where els will it be shown?
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on January 30, 2020, 11:28:09 PM
I did it Crewe. I went to Hulu+. I wanted to cry when I opened up PS Vue, not thinking about it.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Rigg44 on January 31, 2020, 10:36:59 AM
Quote from: Crewe on January 22, 2020, 12:05:31 AM
I have no OTA and PSVue will be out of service on the 30th.
I have to find a way to watch the Super Bowl, the only one in some time Ive really wanted to see lol Go figure.
Ive already run the trail on YTTV and Sling so no more freebies.
Watching sports on Sling in the past was tough because of the moire and blur. Any ideas on other services?
Where els will it be shown?

It is usually shown on the site of whatever channel is broadcasting it I believe.  Not the best option but better than nothing i suppose.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on January 31, 2020, 11:49:12 AM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on January 30, 2020, 11:28:09 PM
I did it Crewe. I went to Hulu+. I wanted to cry when I opened up PS Vue, not thinking about it.

lol yea, Im without right now
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on February 02, 2020, 05:47:00 PM
I went with YTTV. After a month, Ill probably cancel, but we shall see.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: rollntider on February 06, 2020, 04:04:10 PM
Sorry i didnt see this before Crewe, but Fox sports app on Roku aired the super bowl for free. Not fox sports go. 

I have used youtube tv and was happy with it.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on February 06, 2020, 05:57:53 PM
yea I like it well enough. I just dont watch a lot of regular tv. Only reason I had Vue was for football season.
Since I cant watch Astros regularly, I probably won't keep YTTV, but I love the fact that you can cancel and resign on all of these apps with a click instead of having to deal with AT&T or Comcast customer service for hours on end.

Get it.
Watch it.
Cancel it.

Want it back?
Re up.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on May 27, 2020, 03:06:12 PM
Signed up for HBO Max, mainly for the Studio Ghibli movies (although the curated anime selection from Crunchyroll is also a reason). Sucks it doesn't work on Fire Stick yet, and for those with Roku apparently it's also not compatible yet. Works fine on PS4 and my phone, though.

Basically takes the place of HBO Now, with all of the added content of Max.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on May 27, 2020, 05:15:02 PM
Never heard of it I dont think lol
How much is it? Free trial?
Since there are no sports right now, I canceled YTTV a while back and am running on NF and Prime.
And Im majorly psissed right now because Cheers is being taken off of NF. Not by them but because its going to the NBC app.
Im afraid that going to be the next thing, Streaming services losing shows who are reigned in by the broadcast companies that own the shows.

All in all though, I kinda like where we are right now with cord cutting. yea, you can stack up monthly services, but if you have a good main service, you can add little offshoot ones for 5-10-15 month and get everything you need while still coming in under the ridiculous cable offerings.
Not to mention, signing up and canceling at the click of a button with no contracts? Not having to set aside an entire freaking day to argue with your cable provider just to cancel a service?
They can alll GF as far as Im concerned.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on May 27, 2020, 06:08:32 PM
Yeah, I'm in a good spot. I signed up for HBO Max, I've been on the free Disney+ trial and I'm thinking of dropping that (hoping my brother will pick it up for his girls and I can leech off him, admittedly, but I honestly never really use it) and have Netflix through the fiancee's dad. I switched to Hulu for live TV when PS Vue died, so I've got all the Hulu stuff.

And yeah, not having any contracts is a huge plus, even with all the nickel and diming. Funnily enough, since I have Comcast internet (and internet only with them), apparently you get an included subscription (no extra charge) to that new NBC Peacock streaming service. My buddy who I used to work with at the Comcast store let me know, and just sent me the stuff to set it up, which is great, because that means I won't have to buy The Office when it leaves Netflix, hahaha
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: rollntider on May 27, 2020, 06:20:32 PM
I use netflix and Hulu and Disney + and CBS all access
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on May 27, 2020, 06:36:38 PM
Quote from: BojackHorsefella on May 27, 2020, 06:08:32 PM
Yeah, I'm in a good spot. I signed up for HBO Max, I've been on the free Disney+ trial and I'm thinking of dropping that (hoping my brother will pick it up for his girls and I can leech off him, admittedly, but I honestly never really use it) and have Netflix through the fiancee's dad. I switched to Hulu for live TV when PS Vue died, so I've got all the Hulu stuff.

And yeah, not having any contracts is a huge plus, even with all the nickel and diming. Funnily enough, since I have Comcast internet (and internet only with them), apparently you get an included subscription (no extra charge) to that new NBC Peacock streaming service. My buddy who I used to work with at the Comcast store let me know, and just sent me the stuff to set it up, which is great, because that means I won't have to buy The Office when it leaves Netflix, hahaha

I used to like you
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: TheNorm on May 27, 2020, 06:42:30 PM
I also signed up for HBO Max since they had a deal for $11.99/mo the first year. Finding out Fresh Prince and Doctor Who was available to stream immediately made my day, and I'll have West Wing too when it leaves Netflix and jumps to this later this year.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on May 27, 2020, 11:47:16 PM
Oh shoot, didn't even realize Doctor Who was part of it. Hope they have the latest season, started watching on BBC but lost that channel when Vue died and I switched to Hulu.


Edit: they don't :(
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on June 04, 2020, 12:55:21 PM
So whaddya know, I get HBOMAX for free through my phone plan
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on July 10, 2020, 05:05:31 PM
So does anyone else feel that a la carte is trending back to cable situations?
Service keep adding channels and increasing prices which is exactly what caused this crusade in the first place.
I still love the fact it is no contracts and you can come and go as you please with just a click instead of a two hour war with retentions services at ATT or whomever.
I cut off YTTV at the beginning of the pandemic but now that they have boosted prices, I doubt Ill go back.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on October 08, 2020, 11:44:42 PM
so how is everyone watching football? Are you getting the games you want?
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Rigg44 on October 09, 2020, 10:55:45 AM
Quote from: Crewe on October 08, 2020, 11:44:42 PM
so how is everyone watching football? Are you getting the games you want?

So on the nfl fantasy football app I can watch Monday Thursday and the game of the week.  Not ideal but it gets me at least some football.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on October 09, 2020, 12:44:14 PM
Quote from: Crewe on October 08, 2020, 11:44:42 PM
so how is everyone watching football? Are you getting the games you want?

Honestly, I couldn't tell you the last time I watched any sporting event, dating back to last year. I didn't even watch the Super Bowl. At some point I just sorta stopped caring. I may catch a couple minutes while I shave in the morning, but that's pretty much it.

Most people I know that don't have Redzone find pirated feeds on Reddit
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on October 09, 2020, 01:10:24 PM
Ya know, ironically, I havent seen a single Monday or Thursday game, so we are fueling each others blind spots lol

I too had stopped caring and while Im watching again, it's not a necessity like it was years ago.
Plus, Im just not as emotionally invested anymore. Sure, Id love my teams to win and participate in exciting games, but Im just kinda meh now. With all the silly rules and refs not knowing what the other is doing its just sorta become, whatever, to me.

I have friends that do that too <cough>
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: BojackHorsefella on October 09, 2020, 05:45:07 PM
Quote from: Crewe on October 09, 2020, 01:10:24 PM
Ya know, ironically, I havent seen a single Monday or Thursday game, so we are fueling each others blind spots lol

I too had stopped caring and while Im watching again, it's not a necessity like it was years ago.
Plus, Im just not as emotionally invested anymore. Sure, Id love my teams to win and participate in exciting games, but Im just kinda meh now. With all the silly rules and refs not knowing what the other is doing its just sorta become, whatever, to me.

I have friends that do that too <cough>


Yeah, I'm not sure what killed it for me. I honestly think part of it is being a Yankees fan, haha. I saw them win all those World Series back in the 90s, and let me tell you: it changed my life 0, haha. Same when the Bucs won the Super Bowl in 2002.

I have no animosity towards the players, they're incredibly talented and the main reason I pay any attention at all, but I think the business side of things killed it for me. I was tired of investing time and money into the Bucs or the Jets and essentially really just supporting the Johnsons and DeBartolos, and the rest sort of fell away with them.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: TheNorm on October 09, 2020, 06:56:28 PM
Quote from: Crewe on October 08, 2020, 11:44:42 PM
so how is everyone watching football? Are you getting the games you want?

Cable through the condo I'm staying at. Granted, it's Chicago so I'm getting whatever the affiliates decide is the regional game. Doesn't really bother me much since I don't want to watch the QuinnTricia Lions right now anyway, but I'm not paying whatever exorbitant fee the NFL wants for Sunday Ticket either.

Go figure, I'm finally in an office setting where I have Sundays off and I don't want to watch my home team.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: rollntider on October 13, 2020, 07:42:55 PM
I have you tube tv it carries all of the SEC games for me. I will cancel when the season is over.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on October 25, 2020, 06:09:43 PM
I guess I paused my sub instead of cancelling because I was just tagged for $65  :o
At least I get SOME football, only two nfl games at a time, just like when I was a kid growing up with three channels  :(
That is unless I wanna shovel up ANOTHER 10-12 bucks for Red Zone.
I remember before I cut the cord, I was on direct tv and paid $77/month and had every channel I could want including Red Zone and a much better choice of games.
This is what I dont like, the cord cutting backlash.
Title: Re: Cord cutting
Post by: Crewe on October 29, 2020, 05:53:34 PM
Anyone tired or hard of Sentra IPTV?