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Post by andy on Feb 2, 2019 15:52:42 GMT
I'm in the process of cutting the cord (mostly) like everyone else these days. Currently have Verizon Fios with the overpriced bundle. They keep taking content away but my price never goes down. Last straw was losing HBO from my bundle I had for ~10 years. I haven't had my landline plugged in for months. Investing in a few gadgets and will only need 100/100 internet at a hugely cut rate when done. (I get a 15% discount through my company's employee benefits program) So far I'm working off the following: 2 Samsung Smart TV's with built in apps/Internet channels 1 Apple TV 64GB (with a 2nd on the way for TV # 2) Netflix Amazon Prime (And may be adding BritBox to this) Hulu + with HBO (Went with this because wife needs ESPN college channels otherwise I would have gone with Sling) Also picking up an HDHomeRun 4 channel Tuner www.silicondust.com/ to grab over-the-air local channels. Currently grabbing these via HD flat antenna on the window, may need to go with external to capture MeTV from NY as it doesn't seem to get scanned correctly with current antenna. Will port this through Apple TV with an App called "Channels", getchannels.com/ the box will convert analog/digital broadcast and pipe it over my wired network to the Apple TV's this making my Apple TV my only device needed to view anything. The app is ~20 bucks to buy via app store but free afterwards, I can also port it to Plex www.plex.tv if I want to setup my NAS as a DVR. Some other free apps I found so far for Apple TV to watch free content: PlutoTV pluto.tvStirr stirr.com/Overall I expect to save ~$100/mo in the long run once all is said and done. |
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Post by Leon on Feb 2, 2019 16:10:48 GMT
ESPN+ also has a sub based service.
Depends on the smart tv but Amazon's comes with the tuner, just need an antenna.
Install Kodi on the tv. Stream anything you want.
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Post by andy on Feb 2, 2019 16:32:16 GMT
I'm going with the HDHomeRun so I can just have one antenna and centralize all over-the-air watching via the AppleTV's without having to change sources on the tv, be able to also watch via computer/device and eventually setup my NAS as a DVR
I was thinking of doing espn sub but Hulu had it included and that was my go-to to be able to include HBO and eventualy Showtime when needed.
I like how they can allow me to switch off either package during seasons when there's nothing worth watching.
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Post by sixofnine on Feb 2, 2019 17:35:48 GMT
FIOS had a relatively unpublicized three-day deal in December for existing customers (be still, my beating heart -- they actually did something for us). www.reddit.com/r/Fios/comments/a4bepv/black_friday_sale_pricing_for_exisiting_customers/ That's me in the thread mentioning that I was paying $123/month for gigabit plus local channels. The only catch with this deal is that the TV package is one of those FIOS "custom" packages rather than one of their traditional preferred/extreme/ultimate packages: www.verizon.com/home/fiostv/ Those custom packages are "skinny bundles," and the catch for me is that they are mildly annoying, because no matter which package I chose there were one or two channels that I like missing from each bundle. But sacrifices must be made. I don't even know which custom lineup I chose -- probably Sports & News. And with taxes, tags, and title that $80 per month became $100, still a decent monthly savings from my old plan with more programming. Also, I don't have any set-top boxes. I have a cable card in a Tivo and rely on Roku and Apple TV on the second TV. The good news is that with the new TV package I was able to drop Playstation Vue, which was costing me $50 per month. On the TV without the cable card I can add channels as Roku/Apple TV apps and enter my Verizon credentials. It's not as easy as channel surfing, but just about everything that I would prefer to have in the way of programming is there. I also have Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Netflix along with HBO Now and Showtime. Still a far cry better than the $200+ per month I was paying for a traditional FIOS triple play. |
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Post by andy on Feb 9, 2019 16:29:01 GMT
Update-
I thought my job in tech/software support was bad.
So when I called to cancel everything BUT internet, i kept getting the up-sell/bundle script runaround.
Bottom line, after going through 2 reps and a supervisor, as a 10+ year loyal customer, I found the price they advertise for 100/110 (~$40/mo) is only available for new customers even though nowhere on their price page does it show that or what the "real" price will be after the 1 year "no contract price guarantee"
I ended up with 75/75 ~ $60/mo before any discounts I can wangle in there, as I have an employee discount and a friend that is in a billing department where I was able to get additional loyalty discounts before.
If I wanted to go with 100/100 it would have been the SAME FRICKING PRICE, but I would need to PAY ~$200 for a tech to come out and swap out a card in my ONT.
I was incredulous that I would need to pay anything since it's their equipment that is needed for me to even be a customer of theirs.
I asked her if my ONT was somehow "destroyed" or "damaged" in any way, would I still need to pay to replace their shit and she said no.
I said "Think about that for a sec"...
The one good thing is I'm already rocking the 75/75 speed after a quick reboot of my modem.
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Post by andy on Feb 12, 2019 0:14:34 GMT
Final Update: Got this bad boy installed high up in the attic over my garage tonight. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MYMVPVX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1I used an amp that came with the HDHomeRun TV box/antenna and actually ended up with LESS channels. Scratched my head a bit and ripped the amp off of the antenna line and doubled the channel count to ~80 now. I guess those little powered amps don't do so well with certain VHF freqs Lots of local radio stations sending an audio channel as well that now gets picked up. |
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Post by Leon on Feb 12, 2019 0:18:32 GMT
Nice. I can only do antenna inside my apartment. Wish I could install one on the roof.  |
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Post by allene on Feb 25, 2019 3:43:52 GMT
I pulled the plug in December and am saving over $600 a year. I already had a Samsung Smart TV. I use a Roku stick and subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Acorn, and get PBS free. I don't have an antenna and am not sure I can use one even on the roof because there's a mountain between us and the nearest town. We are in a very challenging geographical area of roller coaster hills. My neighbor on one side cannot stream. The one on the other side can't even get good Internet, let alone stream, so we are lucky. We weren't watching any of the local channels while we were on Dish, so we really don't need an antenna.
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Post by Leon on Feb 28, 2019 1:46:29 GMT
Nice!
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