Cable or satellite tv alternative

**LongShot** · 07-07-2015, 09:56 PM

I don't have access to cable where I live and I am fed up with Direct TV. I pay $145/mo for basic plus sports package. No movie channels. Don't have the time. I do like the dvr equipment as I watch sporting events that way in order to eliminate hours of commercials. My son came by tonight and we discussed the streaming option via the internet. He was talking about Sling tv ?? Pay only when you use and it was $20/mo and had ESPN and the SEC network. WOuld really like to be able to get Fox Sports and NBC(SN). Looking for info and experience with this alternative. I do like the dvr and hate to give that up but...

**jphii** · 07-07-2015, 10:35 PM

What kind of internet do you have? I just went to the Amazon FireTV stick. Jailbroke it and get pretty much everything I need.

**FlowMaxx** · 07-08-2015, 06:14 AM

Subscribed! Time to cut the cord. Tired of getting ripped off by cable co's

**LongShot** · 07-08-2015, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by jphii

What kind of internet do you have? I just went to the Amazon FireTV stick. Jailbroke it and get pretty much everything I need.

I have DSL at 12mps right now. I can get 20mps. It allows me to stream most programs without buffering.

**jphii** · 07-08-2015, 06:40 AM

Should be fast enough. Spend the 40 bucks on the Firetv stick. Don't get the more expensive one. Googlle Kodi, download it, then google jailbreaking the Firtv stick. In an hour or so you'll call Direct tv and tell them to come and get their crap....

**LongShot** · 07-08-2015, 07:12 AM

^^^^Do you Google Kodi and the jailbreaking trick from your PC? I searched on jailbreaking firetv and it is talking about some sort of efuse that will burn if you "root" the device? I am technologically challenged but figure if this increases capability that might be a scare tactic. Noticed there are jailbroke sticks for sale ?? I know I can get Watch Espn free on my phone and stream through Apple TV. Have not tried that yet. SEC Network is a must. The major free networks have gotten wise as Fox and NBC are using their Sports Networks for several of the NASCAR events. I do watch those but not in real time. DO you have DVR capability with the stick?

**jphii** · 07-08-2015, 03:06 PM

Jailbreak it don't root it. No DVR. Yes I did it from my pc and installed it using the pc. I thought about buying one already done but wanted to try it for myself. It's really not that hard.

**Pogo** · 07-12-2015, 10:46 PM

I have a Firestick which I love and a 30$ roof antenna for my free HD local channels...Got rid of Comcast phone and all cable equipment...Just kept there internet... Went fom 250$ to 80$...Don't miss it one bit!

**Macygin** · 07-23-2015, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by Pogo

I have a Firestick which I love and a 30$ roof antenna for my free HD local channels...Got rid of Comcast phone and all cable equipment...Just kept there internet... Went fom 250$ to 80$...Don't miss it one bit!

Same here, don't miss cable at all. Antenna for local channels and Netflix. Kept cable company Internet though.

**Markus** · 07-24-2015, 05:39 AM

All I use is Apple TV. $69 and very user friendly.

The channels available keep growing. In the US, you have the following:

https://www.apple.com/appletv/whats-on/

+ you can stream from your phone.

**LongShot** · 07-26-2015, 02:59 PM

[QUOTE=Markus;2774157]All I use is Apple TV. $69 and very user friendly.

The channels available keep growing. In the US, you have the following:

https://www.apple.com/appletv/whats-on/

Thanks Markus. I have done some research on this. I have an Apple.tv currently. I also have Direct.tv satellite. As long as I am paying for Direct I can stream free live tv by using my Direct password for WatchESPN, NBC sn, Fox now, etc. As soon as I eliminate Direct tv that goes away so the cycle is vicious. I can upgrade my DSL to U-verse internet and get 12 Mbs download speeds which should handle live tv. But then you have to start paying for subscriptions to anything that is not free. Anyone else facing this? I can Airplay WatchESPN currently from my phone to Apple.tv and it works fine. But without subscribing to Direct that goes away. Of course the problem with no DVR still exists if Direct goes away as I do not watch much live tv due to time investment. Looked at Roku and you can subscribe to HBO, Watch Espn and pay only for the month you access. Which is better. Have not found NBCSN or Fox Sports yet.

**mackeral5** · 07-27-2015, 06:56 PM

This is a very interesting topic. In the early 2000's, lets just say I knew a guy who knew a guy and directv was "free to air" as far as they were concerned. By 2005 it became more trouble than it was worth. Even the legal free to air stuff became too much of a hassle.

I have a fire stick, it is OK at best. Streaming concerts off of youtube is nice using my smart tv. But I've yet to find a low hassle replacement for the satellite and cable companies.

These days I would just like to find a cheaper alternative to diretv with very little compromise, and without having to worry about any potential legal issues. I doubt that is even possible due to the broad spectrum of programming we watch.

**CDave** · 07-28-2015, 02:23 PM

Have you researched OTA satellite or Android TV? From what I have read you need a Sat dish, dish motor and a receiver to get the most channels. I didn't really look at Android TV so I don't know what it offers. BTW I use Direct TV and am OK with it but now that ATT just bought it I'm expecting it to get more expensive; probably with new "fees".

Hardware sites,
http://worldwidesatellites.com/ota-o...r-tv-c-35.html
http://gosatellite.myshopify.com/

Station list---> http://www.ftalist.com/index.php

Android TV,
http://www.android.com/tv/
http://gosatellite.myshopify.com/pro...x-midnight-mx2