VANITY: Tech Help Needed To Break Free From Cable

Self | Oct 26, 2017 | Self

[soozla]

I'm looking for advice/direction to set up a better way to get TV/Internet. Technically challenged but willing to learn. Has anyone found a way to bust loose of high TV/Internet bills? We still need a land line as cell phone reception is spotty at best, until we go to the other side of the mountain here. Any suggestions as to setting up my "home brew" Direct TV system will be appreciated. Husband likes to get NHRA drag racing...

[Gene Eric]

Sony Vue via PlayStation, Roku...

[Zathras]

If you are planning on using DirecTV, inexpensive is not the word to use.
It all depends on how far from the OTH main antenna you are.
Research that first before you cut the cable.

A DirecTV solution could easily cost 2x more than you are already paying.

[eyeamok]

There are a few ways to achieve your goal. You will need High Speed unlimited internet.

1 KODI (XBMC), using the Exodus and PearTV addons will get you EVERYTHING. FOR FREE!!!

2. If you are looking for LIVE TV you could always try iptvzeta.com and do some research.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

CANCEL YOUR CABLE OR DIRECTV. Channels such as CNN and ESPN are still getting paid even if you don't watch it.

I have internet and ROKU 3. Ask your ISP about a deal with internet and digital landline phone.

[steve8714]

He’d still need the cable internet, DSL is just too slow.

[vladimir998]

Last year I gave up my cable based “bundle” of cable phone, TV and internet. I bought an HDTV, a $20 antenna, and internet access. My work pays for my cell phone. I sometimes wish I had a landline, but I get along with out it just fine. I went from paying $170 a month to paying less than $80 (Internet plus HBO Now).

I continued an Amazon Prime membership. There are plenty of TV shows and movies on Amazon and Youtube (I just finished a 7 hour long British TV series on youtube. FREE).

Many people get Netflix. I have not done that yet. Online TV services are getting better. I might get one eventually. I refuse to pay for liberal channels like ESPN, however.

There are lots of options out there.

[Nevadan]

Apple TV then pay about $9 a month for Netflix and Hulu. Also, if you have Amazon Prime, which is $99 a year, there are lots of free shows and movies, not to mention a lot of other great benefits. Get rabbit ears for local programs.

[bigbob]

If you have broadband internet, Sling starts at $20 a month for cable channels, pick and choose what you need at a fraction of the cost of cable and watch anywhere:

https://www.sling.com/

[rjsimmon]

On method is satellite internet. If cable is not a viable option and cell phone coverage is sporadic, satellite or WiMax is what is left. Expensive and the download speed is severely reduced (500 kbps).

[rbg81]

Get a Roku box and Netflix streaming. If you can wait a while till your favorite cable shows come out on Netflix (up to a year), you can save a lot of $$. But you likely won’t break free of your cable provider if you get your Internet from them too (as I do).

[bella1]

There are many options as long as you have high speed Internet/Wifi. We canceled cable long ago but did go with Sling TV through our Roku device. About 22 channels for 20/month. I still keep my land-line because I have a home office and went with Ooma at around $4/month after purchase of box which paid for itself in 3 months. Works great and have had it around 4-5 years. And because I still have my land-line I do not need an expensive monthly cell phone plan. Have TracFone and works fabulous. Never have dropped calls no matter where in the country we go.

[GunsAndBibles]

Get a High Def projector (prices coming down) and hook it up to a cheap laptop. Use a wireless keyboard as your remote.
Add a 2.1 or 5.1 sound system, computer speakers work great.

Get HULU, $9 per month. Everything else can be found on YouTube.

I spend $50 per month for connectivity through my local provider (Sonic.net) which includes a land line with unlimited domestic calls.

Cut the TV cord 20 years ago. My son grew up without TV and is the better for it.

[dp0622]

while we are at it, is there a wire I can buy to connect my laptop to my TV to watch Amazon Prime? Are there many such Wires. I don’t know what to buy. there are so many places to plug things in in the back of my TV that I am lost.

[RightGeek]

Depends on the DSL service, but if he is so far out in the country that he doesn’t have good cellphone coverage, he’s likely too far from the central office to get DSL anyhow.

[Jeff Chandler]

digital landline phone.

If it's from your ISP it's not a landline, it's VOIP.

[PCPOET7]

I only pay for Internet about 40 dollars a moth. my land line is 4 dollars for telephone I use a service called ooma it cost only 100 dollars for the equipment then all I have to pay is state tax for the phone number.there are several cable channel services now available. the one I recommend is sling TV

[vladimir998]

A wire? Do you have an HDMI port on your computer? Most HDTVs must have one so if you have one on your laptop that’s an easy fix. That’s what I use. Soon I’ll get a wireless thingy to do the same trick.

[vladimir998]

I’ve been thinking about getting Roku do go wireless to watch Amazon, etc. - https://www.amazon.com/Roku-Streaming-Stick-3600R-Model/dp/B01DA0YCNC/ref=pd_lpo_504_bs_lp_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P09XTMTPXWC1S2WHFZBB

[bella1]

See post #12 :)