In a nutshell how does cutting the cord work?
From what I can surmise, I need some hardware like a hulu product (one coming out with a DVR from what I hear), an ISP (which might still be my cable provider) and a streaming service.
As to the service I understand the on demand services such as NetFlix and Amazon Prime. But I also hear that Direct TV now offers streaming with local channels (or do I require a digital antenna?).
Any insight is appreciated.
When I moved I went with the Direct TV Now streaming service. A few local channels but not all, I only get 2 local channels. I got a discount on it by upgrading my ATT cellular service to their unlimited data but I did get a “free” Roku box. But it was still cheaper than subscribing to Comcast’s comparable channel lineup, a cost savings of about $60 per month.
But for the Direct TV Now and the Roku which I can also stream Amazon Prime and Netflix from, you need a high speed internet connection and a Wi-Fi. My only choice for that were I live is Comcast. I got their cheapest internet only option but it still required me to get their very basic cable (only local channels and channels like C-Span and HSN).
With my ATT phone I can use it as an internet hot spot and have tried using that for my computer and Roku. It works OK for the computer but was spotty for streaming. If and when that improves, I’ll be cancelling the Comcast.
We have a Roku. We dropped the cable and upped our internet speed. We have Hulu and Sling. Added up, it all comes to half of what we were paying when we had cable. There are other good streaming devices out there as well. We chose Roku and really like it.
I’d like to know more, too. Cable and internet is $140/mo. Way too expensive.
We’re too far out to get anything on antenna. The internet here stinks bigly. We have Netflix and no one watches it because 1) crappy shows and 2) won’t load half the time or cuts off in the middle of what you’re watching 3) we want to watch local programs. I don’t want dish. Guessing we’d have to buy all new smart tvs.
With a good digital antenna, you find DOZENS of free Over The Air local channels. We found over 40 SOLID HD channels.
The single network channels we used to have are subdivided with their new digital signals to give 4 HD channels. You will likely have a 24 hour weather channel, too.
Do not pay for cable TV!
“In a nutshell how does cutting the cord work? Any insight is appreciated.”
Digital antenna placed in my attic delivers 32 channels in high definition. Cost - $49.00. Installed myself. You can connect the cable from the antenna to your house cable wiring or use a device like Silicon Dust’s HD Homerun, available at Best Buy, to stream the over the air signal to smart TV’s and/or third party digital media player connected to your TV such as Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire. These digital media players, if connected to high speed internet (cable or DSL) will allow you to purchase streaming internet content from providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Direct TV, YouTube. There is also plenty of no cost entertainment that can be streamed from the internet through digital media players.