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VANITY: Tech Help Needed To Break Free From Cable
Self | Oct 26, 2017 | Self

Posted on 10/26/2016 7:35:45 AM PDT by 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...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Computers/Internet; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: cutcable; hdmi; kodi; ll; roku; smarttelevision
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To: soozla

PS. You might want to look into a directional antenna

http://www.ccrane.com/Antennas?by=Category

Oh yeah, TV over the airwaves is still free, if you want it.


21 posted on 10/26/2016 7:59:11 AM PDT by GunsAndBibles (All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing)
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To: soozla

Are you a member of Amazon Prime? If so, you will not need Netflix, Hulu, etc., as Amazon has its own streaming service.


22 posted on 10/26/2016 8:00:47 AM PDT by bella1 (Je suis deplorable)
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To: soozla

I have a nice antenna on the roof of my house, and I use a Channelmaster DVR PLUS to record any shows I want to watch. I get about 90 broadcast TV channels here.

http://www.channelmaster.com

I recommend the one with external hard drive.

I have not paid for cable or satellite TV in my life, other than when I was married, and that was because my wife insisted.

For internet I have a $40/mo fast cable account with internet only. I also have a netTALK phone for those rare occasions when I can’t find my cell phone and I need to call it. :) The netTALK phone works about like a regular phone, but it uses the internet. I think it’s about $40 per year.


23 posted on 10/26/2016 8:01:42 AM PDT by MarineBrat (Better dead than red!)
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To: vladimir998

I do. Is it anything I can order online because I don’t know what kind of wire to ask for or should I go to a store thanks


24 posted on 10/26/2016 8:01:44 AM PDT by dp0622 (IThe only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: dp0622

I got the Amazon fire stick...costs about $50 for the stick. I get Amazon Prime’s content and best of all OANN. I found it to be a great deal. It plugs into an HDMI port, if your TV supports HDMI it’s a great option.


25 posted on 10/26/2016 8:02:02 AM PDT by pgkdan (The Silent Majority Stands With TRUMP!)
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To: vladimir998

My PC video card doesn’t have an HDMI outlet, however there are adapters to take different outlets to HDMI. Work great.


26 posted on 10/26/2016 8:02:03 AM PDT by sparklite2 (I'm less interested in the rights I have than the liberties I can take.)
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To: dp0622

Need a flatscreen television.

HDMI cable from laptop to TV. If no HDMI port on the laptop get a USB to VGA cable adapter. USB cable goes in the laptop, the VGA adapter goes on the other end of the USB cable and then plug into the VGA slot on the back of the TV.

Go to laptop settings/display/mirror and what you see on the laptop will display on the TV screen.


27 posted on 10/26/2016 8:03:13 AM PDT by Rebelbase (DRAIN THE SWAMP!)
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To: dp0622

Ask for HDMI cable.


28 posted on 10/26/2016 8:04:48 AM PDT by sparklite2 (I'm less interested in the rights I have than the liberties I can take.)
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To: Rebelbase

hey thanks a lot man


29 posted on 10/26/2016 8:04:51 AM PDT by dp0622 (IThe only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: dp0622

Forgot to add, get a wireless remote and keyboard for the laptop. This way the only interaction with the physical computer is to turn it on/off.

The HDMI cables tend to be a bit stiff and put stress on the HDMI port if you are constantly moving it around from table to lap and back and forth.


30 posted on 10/26/2016 8:06:33 AM PDT by Rebelbase (DRAIN THE SWAMP!)
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To: pgkdan

as embarrassed as I am to say my wife watches plenty of the network channels. She’s a die-hard trump fan so I can’t complain too much. But I would shoot myself before I watched any of those 30 shows


31 posted on 10/26/2016 8:07:04 AM PDT by dp0622 (IThe only thing an upper crust conservative hates more than a liberal is a middle class conservative)
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To: dp0622

I googled how to connect HDMI and it does work.
Now, I have chromecast, so I don’t need the cords.

Will add: wish I had chosen Roku instead of Chromecast.


32 posted on 10/26/2016 8:08:10 AM PDT by slipper (It is almost too late;)
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To: dp0622

If you have HDMI out, and the PC can detect the TV is a “compliant” device for copyrighted material, you might have some luck. Or pick up a Roku device that has a variety of apps that support Amazon, Netflix, Vue, and many others.


33 posted on 10/26/2016 8:08:49 AM PDT by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
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To: soozla

Fl


34 posted on 10/26/2016 8:10:20 AM PDT by Chgogal (A woman who votes for Hillary is voting with her vagina and not her brain.)
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To: dp0622

Don’t buy in store. Find one on Amazon with good reviews and the length you need. Or go to store, ask questions, use the Amazon app to scan what you find, and get it (or less expensive comparable) from Amazon. They are grossly overpriced at b&m stores. I use prime, so s/h is free, ymmv.


35 posted on 10/26/2016 8:10:42 AM PDT by um1990 (Reaganut)
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To: soozla

We just canceled cable two weeks ago. Best move ever! Cable got to $160/month. The principle of paying that much with less and less content and more and more commercials was sickening.

We have smart TV’s that can connect to the Internet, but also bought an Amazon FireStick for the one TV that wasn’t a smart TV.

We purchased a Netflix account for $12/month, Hulu for $12/month and CBS-All Access for $6/month. We can watch those on any device; TV, FireStick, laptop, tablets, phone.

So far, Hulu isn’t as good for us and we may cancel that, but it is a good provider and many people like it.

We found Sling TV, a Dish Product, may be good for us at $25/month for about 45 channels.

Other channels, like local stations, are live online by simply going to their web site and clicking to stream their content.

So far, we’ve found FAR more available outside cable that we actually like to watch.

Everyone will find something, but the biggest thing is to simply cut cable and work on your own solution.


36 posted on 10/26/2016 8:12:14 AM PDT by CodeToad
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To: Zathras
A DirecTV solution could easily cost 2x more than you are already paying.

Paying only 60 bucks/month for my DirecTV HD with DVR service. Not the barebones, either, but no premiums. Threaten them that you're leaving for the competition, they'll drop the price. What do you mean by distance from OTH main antenna, and how that would affect pricing?

37 posted on 10/26/2016 8:17:40 AM PDT by IYAS9YAS (An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees! - Kipling)
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To: All

An alternative is look into what is available locally that is like super WiFi, like Rise Broadband. Know what they are offering.

Then call the cable company (assuming you are getting internet thru cable) and tell them you are on hard times and looked into alternatives and ask them if there is some package that will lower your price so you don’t have to bother changing.

There always will be. Be polite, praise the service and say you don’t want to leave but circumstances may force it.

100 Mbps for $60/mo here. TV comes from internet thru cable. Don’t have cable TV channels, they are online.


38 posted on 10/26/2016 8:17:51 AM PDT by Owen
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To: Owen

Oh be aware that’s a 1 year deal. At the end of the year, call again and say you know the price is about to go up, but you can’t afford it and ask if there is some other package they can switch you to. There always will be. There will be a one time $10 change fee, but it will be $60/mo instead of $120.

I’m on year 3. One phone call a year does it. Just know what is available locally, because the guy on the phone will. It will show you DID look into it.


39 posted on 10/26/2016 8:20:41 AM PDT by Owen
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To: soozla

If you have cable now...ask them if they have a Basic/Basic package.

Where I am I can get Comcast Basic/Basic for $8 per month.
Keep that for awhile while you figure out the wonders of TV viewing online.


40 posted on 10/26/2016 8:20:42 AM PDT by libertarian27 (FR Cookbooks - On Profile Page)
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