Streaming Television vs. DirecTV

[AZDANSX230HO]

We have had cable and satellite for many years, where we live now our only choice is satellite living out in the country. DirecTV gives you a good introductory rate, but once that runs out 12 months later they jack your rates up quite a bit. We were told by the installer awhile back when they do that to cancel service then re-order it in your spouses name vice versa to get the good rates all the time. Pain in the rear to do this.

When we built our new home last year and we moved, they installer said he was going to give us the newer equipment, never mentioned it put us into a 2-year contract. So our bill jumped up $ 50.00 bucks this month because they considered the 12 month introductory period was over. To cancel it's $ 300.00

So it got me thinking of buying some Roku 3 Boxes and subscribing to Sling TV and some other supplemental things like Netflix, Hulu, CBS All Access, etc. We happen to have fiber optics out in the country and a great internet connection where we live, so I do not feel bandwidth will be an issue.

Have any of you ditched cable & satellite and gone this route? Experiences are gladly welcomed.

 

[Bruce]

If I had the bandwidth available I would not be paying a satellite provider.

 

[veedubtek]

I cut the cord years ago. Gbox2 + kodi is all I use for everything

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Use the free over the air HD in a new way.....

https://www.silicondust.com/product/hdhomerun-connect/

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

If I had the bandwidth available I would not be paying a satellite provider.

Luckily in our country development we have a phone company based out of Idaho that serves rural areas, they build out fiber to every home here. They received many years ago the federal broadband stimulus dollars to bring internet services to rural areas, I do not know how they make a profit with the infrastructure they have in place out here. I have a home phone line, 10 Mbps Internet, and misc. for $ 80.00 a month, I can kick that up to 30 Mbps for another $40.00 a month. We have very low latency and excellent ping times as there are not a ton of people sharing the network out here.

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

Use the free over the air HD in a new way.....

https://www.silicondust.com/product/hdhomerun-connect/

We can only get 4 channels over the air/antenna out here, so we have to go streaming in the internet if we go that direction.

 

[Bruce]

Dan, you should expect each HD stream to consume 10 Mbps. Netflix is closer to 5 but most sources are around 10. So you need to allot 10 Mbps for each streaming device.

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

Dan, you should expect each HD stream to consume 10 Mbps. Netflix is closer to 5 but most sources are around 10. So you need to allot 10 Mbps for each streaming device.

Thanks @Bruce, I will probably bump up to the 30 Mbps if we go this direction and not have to worry about it. Here is a speed test I just ran:

 

[skrip345]

I too had been frustrated with Direct after paying over 100 per month for what was probably only four or five channels I actually used. I cancelled my service and stream my entertainment. Haven't missed it, and haven't looked back. My opinion is that direct tv and dish network will be forced to restructure their contract and costs to avoid more people jumping off as internet speeds and availability increase. Do it. You wont regret it.

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

I too had been frustrated with Direct after paying over 100 per month for what was probably only four or five channels I actually used. I cancelled my service and stream my entertainment. Haven't missed it, and haven't looked back. My opinion is that direct tv and dish network will be forced to restructure their contract and costs to avoid more people jumping off as internet speeds and availability increase. Do it. You wont regret it.

Thanks, we are heavily leaning this direction!

 

[Evil Sports]

Youtube Kodi, you can get a good android TV box for like $60. If you are a bit computer savvy it can be fun trying the different builds

 

[AZDANSX230HO]

Youtube Kodi, you can get a good android TV box for like $60. If you are a bit computer savvy it can be fun trying the different builds

Thanks I will check into it further.

 

[Speedling]

Just make a computer server. I got on hooked to my tv and it means i can watch cable tv, stream online services, dvd, blue ray and play pc games. Works great.

 

[Bill D]

@veedubtek what add one do you use with Kodi? I had a spare Raspberry Pi laying around, so I decided to give it a shot before I cut anything. I installed Exodous and Pheonix so far. They seem good for Netflix style viewing. Movies and TV shows and stuff by name / episode. Is there a good add on for live tv or recent episodes?

 

[veedubtek]

I've played with lots of builds @Bill D. My favorite right now is Nemesis.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Kodi with Couch Potato... There's a good combo.

 

[Speedling]

We get the cable tv here with internet packaged. We used to only get internet and used netflix and amazon prime. I gotta say though, the on demand stuff is really well done and we use it sooo much more than netflix that we cancelled netflix. Seems there is more of the stuff we actually watch.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Kodi with Couch Potato... There's a good combo.

Here's the Couch Potato I am referring to....

https://couchpota.to/

This service gets you the movies and stores them on your local drive, Kodi or Plex uses the database of movies and tv shows.

 

[OCMD]

Direct TV is the best. Don't be fooled by the come ons that supposedly end. They don't end. You just have to know how to work the system. All you need to do is when they raise the price, call and bitch and make something up, i.e. I am switching to Comcast Cable or Verizon or whatever. Without fail, the price drops. "Well, you have been a customer for 15 years we hate to lose you. The best we can do right now, since we do not have any special deals, is give you a $45 per month credit for 18 months. Will this keep you as a customer?" Your damn right. And for every bitch you have, they take money off. For example, last year I had a glitch caused by me and the tech online couldn't get it corrected. Said they could send a tech out in a few days. I said not soon enough. Boom. $10 credit for 12 months. Then I fixed the glitch myself...dumbass techie on the phone didn't have a clue. When I got the $45 off, my 84 year old mom was amazed. I then made the call for her. "My mom's husband died recently, and I am her son and I see how you are screwing my mother on your prices. We are going to Verizon." 5 minutes later I got her $40 off for 18 months, or I could go up to the next package and take $45 off. I was pissed I couldn't get the $45, but my mom was happy with the $40. I have yet to pay full price for the NFL ticket, also. Week 2, I will have it, guaranteed for anywhere from 50% off to 33% off, depending....Then, if you have a second home? Install a dish and bring your box to the vacation home. No problem. Contrary to this thread, I am a lover of Direct TV. By the way, this is the Xtra Choice Package. Also, with Direct TV you can stream this stuff to your device. DirectTV rocks. See that nice $45 credit on my bill??? Yep, that's coming for another year plus...until I bitch about something else and they take another $15 off for 6 months, or whatever. At one time I had 6 credits working and was paying about $15 bucks a month. NO need to switch names or anything. Just call and work them over. I do it all the time.

 

[maboat]

Thanks @Bruce, I will probably bump up to the 30 Mbps if we go this direction and not have to worry about it. Here is a speed test I just ran:
View attachment 45592

Dan, I hate to say it but your "fiber" speeds are abysmal My cell gets higher up/down speeds than your fiber connection.
I'd be pissed if my ISP installed fiber to the home and I wasn't getting at least >100+Mbps.