TV Cord Cutter Advice

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aburntoutcase
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TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by aburntoutcase »

So we are moving to a new home and I have already lined up Fios Internet service with a $40/mo pricing for new customers (old service was under my wife's name in our apartment). I had already purchased a Quantum Gateway router from Verizon to replace my leased one and so there is no rental fees associated with that. I plan to get one of the new 2021 Sony TV models that support Google TV for the new home because I prefer Google TV to Amazon Fire TV and Google products generally.

We have decided to just not get a TV package and see how it goes. We usually do most of our TV watching on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video already. There is only one catch. My wife needs two must haves - she needs to be able to DVR ABC's Bachelor/Bachelorette TV shows and must have Food Network. I know my least frustration options would be $65/mo YouTube TV or $35/mo Sling Blue, but I don't even want to get that. So here is what I am thinking:

For ABC shows I need an indoor antenna and a OTA DVR. Lots of choices for indoor antennas but Channel Master FLATenna 35 is available for $19 on Amazon and has good reviews. There are other more expensive versions from RCA, ClearStream and Mohu but not sure if they are worth it - if someone believes they are then let me know. We will be living in Northern NJ suburbs within 25 miles of NYC so I think reception for ABC using even cheaper antennas should not be a problem and the Channel Master actually has good reviews for quality of reception.

Then we need an OTA DVR and since Google TV's "Live TV" feature for the channel guide only works with YouTube TV or Sling TV we will need to use the app provided with the OTA DVR to view and record live TV. This is where I could use some help. I have narrowed it down to Tablo DVRs and the AirTV 2, would like to hear any feedback on which will be easier for my wife to use.

For the Food Network I am thinking of just getting the Discovery Plus subscription for $5/mo. I believe they have integration with Google TV so it should show up on the main channel menu. Another option is to add it is an Amazon Prime Video channel for the same price. I am aware that you can't watch live Discovery shows and current season episodes only get added after the season is over, which is acceptable to my wife.

So I think I just need to get the right indoor antenna and OTA DVR and I will be ready to say hello to a substantially reduced Verizon Fios monthly bill. Welcome any suggestions with those more experienced in cord cutting.
BashDash
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by BashDash »

Check out locast app if antenna doesn't work.
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aburntoutcase
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by aburntoutcase »

Yeah locast actually works great but I don't know if it will survive long term, believe the Federal court case is starting in Sept 2021.
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RickBoglehead
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by RickBoglehead »

Make an antenna. Mine works great. https://www.metacafe.com/watch/762088/c ... t_amazing/

Use this site to see where broadcast transmitters are for orienting antenna (mine is in attic). https://www.antennaweb.org/

I have two HD Homeruns on a Windows 10 PC. I can record up to 4 shows at once. https://www.silicondust.com/. I bought my boxes used except for 1 (I have 4, only use 2 now since sold other property).

I use this software - https://nextpvr.com/. Free.

I pay $25 a year for https://www.schedulesdirect.org/
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prd1982
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by prd1982 »

You might want to try this site to see what channels you are likely to get https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps
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aburntoutcase
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by aburntoutcase »

prd1982 wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:58 am You might want to try this site to see what channels you are likely to get https://www.fcc.gov/media/engineering/dtvmaps
Thanks, neat site. I see 15 channels showing up as "Strong" for my new zipode and WABC-TV (ABC) is one of them so I should be good as far as reception on the antenna.
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aburntoutcase
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by aburntoutcase »

RickBoglehead wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:47 am Make an antenna. Mine works great. https://www.metacafe.com/watch/762088/c ... t_amazing/

Use this site to see where broadcast transmitters are for orienting antenna (mine is in attic). https://www.antennaweb.org/

I have two HD Homeruns on a Windows 10 PC. I can record up to 4 shows at once. https://www.silicondust.com/. I bought my boxes used except for 1 (I have 4, only use 2 now since sold other property).

I use this software - https://nextpvr.com/. Free.

I pay $25 a year for https://www.schedulesdirect.org/
While this would be a fascinating DIY project for me, I cannot in good faith subject my wife to using a Windows PC and software to DVR shows.
bluebolt
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by bluebolt »

We cut the cord recently.

I bought a used Tivo Bolt with lifetime and connected it to an antenna someone gave to me, so we can watch & record network TV. We rarely use it.

There's plenty of content on the inexpensive streaming services and also lots of free content out there. You should be able to get by with an antenna/DVR plus Discovery or Locast plus Discovery.

ETA: one of the main reasons we went with a Tivo was the simplicity of use/setup
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RickBoglehead
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by RickBoglehead »

aburntoutcase wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:12 am
RickBoglehead wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:47 am Make an antenna. Mine works great. https://www.metacafe.com/watch/762088/c ... t_amazing/

Use this site to see where broadcast transmitters are for orienting antenna (mine is in attic). https://www.antennaweb.org/

I have two HD Homeruns on a Windows 10 PC. I can record up to 4 shows at once. https://www.silicondust.com/. I bought my boxes used except for 1 (I have 4, only use 2 now since sold other property).

I use this software - https://nextpvr.com/. Free.

I pay $25 a year for https://www.schedulesdirect.org/
While this would be a fascinating DIY project for me, I cannot in good faith subject my wife to using a Windows PC and software to DVR shows.
Read on the links. SiliconDust has non-pc options. NextPVR does also.
Avid user of forums on variety of interests-financial, home brewing, F-150, EV, home repair, etc. Enjoy learning & passing on knowledge. It's PRINCIPAL, not PRINCIPLE. I ADVISE you to seek ADVICE.
Hoosier CPA
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by Hoosier CPA »

Using locast now and may switch back to youtube tv for college basketball season.

Reason we don't use an antenna is there isn't a convenient way that I know of to hook one up to our TV. Occasionally - for a big game that is on network TV - I'll hook up our antenna and run the coax across the floor to the window, where the antenna gets good reception. But that's not practical for day to day use.

Is there a way to hook up an antenna, say in the attic, and then use wifi to transmit the signal to the TV or Roku?
bluebolt
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by bluebolt »

Hoosier CPA wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:26 am Using locast now and may switch back to youtube tv for college basketball season.

Reason we don't use an antenna is there isn't a convenient way that I know of to hook one up to our TV. Occasionally - for a big game that is on network TV - I'll hook up our antenna and run the coax across the floor to the window, where the antenna gets good reception. But that's not practical for day to day use.

Is there a way to hook up an antenna, say in the attic, and then use wifi to transmit the signal to the TV or Roku?
You can do this with a network DVR like Tablo or Amazon Fire Recast (needs a Fire Stick or FireTV).
Last edited by bluebolt on Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
AS7911
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by AS7911 »

will locast work with live sports? ie NFL?
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by neilpilot »

arf1410 wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:42 am will locast work with live sports? ie NFL?
Locast is simply a digital local broadcast repeater. If the live sport coverage is broadcast by YOUR local TV, it will work. If it isn't, it will not.
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aburntoutcase
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by aburntoutcase »

bluebolt wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:29 am
Hoosier CPA wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:26 am Using locast now and may switch back to youtube tv for college basketball season.

Reason we don't use an antenna is there isn't a convenient way that I know of to hook one up to our TV. Occasionally - for a big game that is on network TV - I'll hook up our antenna and run the coax across the floor to the window, where the antenna gets good reception. But that's not practical for day to day use.

Is there a way to hook up an antenna, say in the attic, and then use wifi to transmit the signal to the TV or Roku?
You can do this with a network DVR like Tablo or Amazon Fire Recast (needs a Fire Stick).
Beginning to think that Tablo might be my best bet because of this flexibility. I have already ordered the Channel Master FLATenna 35 antenna. The Amazon Fire TV Recast has good reviews but I want to standardize on Google TV and am planning to get a Sony Bravia 2021 model with Google TV so that doesn't work for me. Options seem to come down to TiVo Edge for Antenna ($200) which is , Tablo Dual Lite ($150) and AirTV 2 ($100). TiVO edge seems to be more expensive if you want to watch more than one stream on different TVs and is not networked (need to hook up to TV). So really just between Tablo and AirTV 2.
bluebolt
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by bluebolt »

OP - I think you can watch Bachelor shows on Hulu (the less expensive plan, not the live TV plan) with a small delay.
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aburntoutcase
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by aburntoutcase »

bluebolt wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 11:51 am OP - I think you can watch Bachelor shows on Hulu (the less expensive plan, not the live TV plan) with a small delay.
Well I believe with the ABC app you can even get it for free if you are OK with getting it the next day but that is no can do for my wife, she needs to watch it same day and she likes to DVR it because she starts usually an hour after the program and then likes to skip the commercials and for the rare cases where she can't watch it same day.
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MrBobcat
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by MrBobcat »

You can always just buy a season pass for the shows she wants on Amazon. If there are not too many it's cheaper and less hassle than sling or Ytube TV.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/video/detai ... select_s17
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aburntoutcase
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by aburntoutcase »

MrBobcat wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 12:19 pm You can always just buy a season pass for the shows she wants on Amazon. If there are not too many it's cheaper and less hassle than sling or Ytube TV.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/video/detai ... select_s17
If she was OK with a one day delay then I believe the ABC app actually allows you to watch it for free.
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by sureshoe »

Isn't ABC and Food Network on Hulu as long as you put up with a delay? Just to consider.
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Re: TV Cord Cutter Advice

Post by aburntoutcase »

sureshoe wrote: Tue Jun 15, 2021 1:11 pm Isn't ABC and Food Network on Hulu as long as you put up with a delay? Just to consider.
I just checked and they seem to be adding The Bachelorette with a 1 day delay but the last two seasons of the Bachelor are not available on the Hulu Basic plan. Lots of Food Network and HGTV shows available from prior seasons. This might be an option.
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