Apple tv users: have you cancelled your TV cable??

[oneMadRssn]

To all those who think a real cable can't be done over the internet - check out PS Vue. It's the first, nationwide real cable replacement on the market and is doing some amazing things. Don't know why apple couldn't figure it out. Maybe their size working against them.

The problem is, I think when people say "cable replacement" they don't mean the exact same thing as my cable box, but over IP. That list of channels is actually off-putting to me. I see that and think it will be the same bs as cable, with the same ridiculous amounts of advertising.

I am not interested in ABC, for example, I am interested in Modern Family and I am willing to pay to watch it without commercials. To that extent, Hulu is much more of a real cable replacement than PS Vue, in my opinion.

The goal, I think, should not be to emulate and recreate cable but on the medium of the internet. The goal should be to organize, present, and deliver TV content in the most efficient way that can be done on the internet. Finding something to watch should be similar to browsing websites; channel surfing can die.
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You will not have a simple guide showing you 100s of channels, neatly organized by start time. You will need to search multiple providers, log into different apps, remember which content is on which provider, etc. Time to watch House of Cards...is that Amazon? No Hulu? Oh wait, that's a Netflix production. Shoot, I cancelled Netflix last month in favor of subscribing to HBO Now.

I actually ran into this frustration way more often on cable than I do with streaming. You have hundreds of channels, they all look and sound very similar. The order of the channels and the shows on them seem to be organized completely arbitrarily. You need to keep track of start times and air dates, or program your DVR to keep track of that stuff for you, which can also be complicated with elderly or less tech savvy family members. Time to watch Pawn Stars... is that on A&E? No Discovery? Oh wait, that's a History Channel production. (Despite the fact that Pawn Stars is not arts, nor science, nor history). Shoot, History Channel was just moved to channel number 739 last month for some inexplicable reason, when they raised my bill by $9.12 (how they got that number is beyond me). And commercial break.

 

[colodane]

o all those who think a real cable can't be done over the internet - check out PS Vue.

YES, I've been looking at the Vue lately also. So far the best single overall solution I've seen. Even their most basic package, which is $30 if I remember correctly, has all the cable channels I watch. And some sort of cloud-based DVR functionality. It apparently works on a $99 Fire TV console, so certainly looks tempting.

Would be interested in user reports if anyone here is a customer.

I'll be doing some kind of cord cutting by the end of the year, and things are starting to look more encouraging.

If Apple can't do something better, I wouldn't mind if they copy this one ;>)

 

[archer75]

Chromecast, roku, nvidia shield android tv, xboxes, pretty much covers everything I need. I have logins from family and friends for HBO, showtime, history, A&E, ESPN, Pac12 and others. I pay for netflix and amazon. I have a tablo for OTA DVR. And finally sonarr and plex covers whatever else i'm missing. So i'm 100% covered!
[doublepost=1459866649][/doublepost]There is also sling tv that works on devices you already have. I imagine it's similar to PS Vue? Starts at $20/month and has various $5 addon packs for things such as sports, news and cartoons. https://www.sling.com/

Does PS Vue offer DVR functionality or on demand? I never watch shows when they air. Sometimes not for months afterwards. EDIT - looks like you can keep some shows for 28 days after they air. That's not going to work for me. It's also not available on the roku and I don't own an apple tv yet. I have a chromecast which it supports but it's not my favorite device.

Is the content in surround sound?

 

[Creek0512]

It amazes me that people consider themselves cable cutters when they just use someone else's cable login to still watch their shows.

If you're using a cable login to watch television then you do still have cable, you just aren't paying for it.
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The problem is, I think when people say "cable replacement" they don't mean the exact same thing as my cable box, but over IP. That list of channels is actually off-putting to me. I see that and think it will be the same bs as cable, with the same ridiculous amounts of advertising.

I am not interested in ABC, for example, I am interested in Modern Family and I am willing to pay to watch it without commercials. To that extent, Hulu is much more of a real cable replacement than PS Vue, in my opinion.

The goal, I think, should not be to emulate and recreate cable but on the medium of the internet. The goal should be to organize, present, and deliver TV content in the most efficient way that can be done on the internet. Finding something to watch should be similar to browsing websites; channel surfing can die.

I've said this before, but different people have different opinions on what a cable replacement should be. Some people share your opinion, others want a cheaper way to access cable channels without all of the extra fees and contracts and bs the cable and satellite companies pile on.

 

[oneMadRssn]

I've said this before, but different people have different opinions on what a cable replacement should be. Some people share your opinion, others want a cheaper way to access cable channels without all of the extra fees and contracts and bs the cable and satellite companies pile on.

I agree, though I think the latter is unrealistic and futile. It's unreasonable to want the same thing but pay less for it, without accepting any change or compromise.

 

[Tech198]

Sure... cancel it, you don't need cable.

are u serious ?? What about all those movies on cable that you can't get on iTunes or Amazon or any streaming service.

While i still have an ATV3, maybe limitation is good...... for me it is as i have what i want.... but i also know what i do watch is limited.... Your not gonna every single blockbuster on streaming ..... or worse yet, cancelling cable, then 6 month later to 12 month regretting it.

Although i regret cancelling Foxtel initially, i don't really miss anything anymore, because i got used what I want.

 

[benjitek]

are u serious ??

...very

 

[Digger148]

Nope! I'm a motorsports fan and none of the streaming boxes come close to giving the motorsports coverage, nor, pre-1980 television/film that I get with cable tv.

 

[robertk328]

No. Sunday Ticket and other live sports hold me in ... And ease of flipping around to find something to watch.

 

[ABC5S]

Can't. Dropping cable causes the cable company to charge me more for my stand-a-lone wireless modem which takes me up to the same amount I'm paying now with the modem and cable package. They got me either way.

 

[Lornaevo]

Apple th running kodi is good for sports.

 

[archer75]

Can't. Dropping cable causes the cable company to charge me more for my stand-a-lone wireless modem which takes me up to the same amount I'm paying now with the modem and cable package. They got me either way.

Buy your own modem? When I had cable internet that's what I did. But once FIOS came to the area that's all she wrote!
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No. Sunday Ticket and other live sports hold me in ... And ease of flipping around to find something to watch.

That's the nice thing about ditching the cord. You no longer waste time just flipping through channels aimlessly. When you sit down to watch tv you have something in mind to watch. You get used to it. And then you prefer it.

As far as sports there are options. An antenna covers quite a bit of football. Twitter will be streaming thursday night football. The NFL has a package that lets you stream games after they air. I can cast Pac12 to the TV. As well as ESPN. You won't get everything but you can get quite a lot.

 

[Creek0512]

That's the nice thing about ditching the cord. You no longer waste time just flipping through channels aimlessly. When you sit down to watch tv you have something in mind to watch.

That's just not true at all. I've wasted countless hours surfing through Netflix or Prime's libraries.

 

[archer75]

That's just not true at all. I've wasted countless hours surfing through Netflix or Prime's libraries.

"wasted countless hours" I'm not sure that's something to be proud of.

But yes, you can certainly browse netflix and prime to find things to watch. Though generally it's not as mindless as the old days of just flipping channels.

 

[imhereareyou]

I have hulu, netflix and amazon prime, so I am covered. lol

 

[MattG]

Haven't had cable in years. Netflix, Hulu, + Amazon Prime and I'm covered. Anything I really want that I can't get on there, I'll buy through iTMS. Even if I end up buying a couple series a year, I'm still spending WAY less.

 

[Creek0512]

"wasted countless hours" I'm not sure that's something to be proud of.

But yes, you can certainly browse netflix and prime to find things to watch. Though generally it's not as mindless as the old days of just flipping channels.

Where did I say I was proud of it? Or ashamed or it?

I'm merely pointing out that switching from cable to a SVOD service doesn't magically help you decide what you want to watch.

 

[ABC5S]

Buy your own modem? When I had cable internet that's what I did. But once FIOS came to the area that's all she wrote!
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That's the nice thing about ditching the cord. You no longer waste time just flipping through channels aimlessly. When you sit down to watch tv you have something in mind to watch. You get used to it. And then you prefer it.

.

Thought of that, but they charge me wifi fee's without the modem for about $89.00 per month and on top of that I need some of the channels that cost as well ($15.00) and that brings up the total to where I am right now. Plus I get more channels with my cable company than without them, plus at least 2 that I want and will not get if I ditched the box. I don't see how you guys do it. I tried different WiFi but we only have a few in Florida.

Congress was looking into giving us customers a choice of channels to pay for and not others, but that was long while back. I only watch about 7 channels total.

 

[JGRE]

I think you are asking too much from AppleTV or any streaming box. You want live sports and to watch TV that comes out on a daily basis. You also then say you love HBO but would not if you had to pay extra for it.

Well, AppleTV, Roku, FireTV, etc. do not offer those capabilities in total. There may be some alternate methods to watching what you enjoy, but it certainly will not be a direct replacement.

My recommendation would be:

1) 1st investigate the streaming device options. The big ones are AppleTV, Roku, FireTV, Google Chromecast, and Google Nexus. There are other boxes, such as Android devices you can get on eBay or Amazon, as well as setting up an HTPC.

2) Pick the one that likely covers most of what you'd like to watch, then determine which apps/subscriptions you'd be willing to pay for (HBO, Showtime, Netflix, etc.).

3) Consider adding an antenna for free over the air programming. Your reception will be completely dependent on your location. I get all of the major networks.

4) If you are happy with the antenna idea, consider a Tablo or HDHomeRun device. These are TV tuners that plug into the antenna for input and your home router for output. They are then accessible on the streaming device. In effect, live TV from your antenna is available through a streaming box's app.

All together, the above will allow you to cancel cable and have a single streaming box solution. The investment is based on the hardware you select, but would be $500 max, $200 on the low end. So you'd recoup that investment in a few months of being cable-less.

The only reason why cable still exists is because they (the cable provider) are trying to protect their market share by not sharing content with the streaming devices unless the subscription runs via there sales dept (and even then). For example, you cannot subscribe to HBO in the Netherlands via iTunes, you can only do this vi the cable provider. The channels viable on via the cable are not available via streaming (with some exceptions, for example BBC and National Geographic and some more), because the cable guys do not agree. Even the public chancels are only available via side loading.

It is not about the box you use, but about the content; this is about contracts and incompatible set-up boxes.

I expect that within 10 years the whole market will have changed, in which you can view content from multiple sources via any device.

 

[ButteryScrollin]

To all those who think a real cable can't be done over the internet - check out PS Vue. It's the first, nationwide real cable replacement on the market and is doing some amazing things. Don't know why apple couldn't figure it out. Maybe their size working against them.

Been stated many times that Apple are trying to get the local channels included in their service. PS Vue doesn't have them either.

 

[archer75]

Thought of that, but they charge me wifi fee's without the modem for about $89.00 per month and on top of that I need some of the channels that cost as well ($15.00) and that brings up the total to where I am right now. Plus I get more channels with my cable company than without them, plus at least 2 that I want and will not get if I ditched the box. I don't see how you guys do it. I tried different WiFi but we only have a few in Florida.

But you would still have a modem. Your own. They should't be charging you for that. A fee for the service, yes, but no more fee to lease the modem. You aren't paying for wifi, that's just your own internal network, you're paying for internet service.
I don't know what channels you are specifically after but it's possible to still get many of them.

 

[ABC5S]

But you would still have a modem. Your own. They should't be charging you for that. A fee for the service, yes, but no more fee to lease the modem. You aren't paying for wifi, that's just your own internal network, you're paying for internet service.
I don't know what channels you are specifically after but it's possible to still get many of them.

Understand the modem bit, but the service is still $ 89.00 for it no matter if it's a modem I bought or not, and having to pay for the channels I want minus some that are not offered (Yet) the cost is still about what I'm paying now. I checked into this. Because my provider gives me a bundled price, going less jacks up the price of the internet. Florida and my area have very little in a way of companies that provide these services, and I must choose from only a few, and they are about the same price. Not worth it as of now.

 

[marstan]

Unfortunately, often a lot of the advice people give about dropping cable is based on what works for them, and not what would work for you.

Have you heard of PlayStation Vue? They don't have an Apple TV app (only on PS4, PS3 and Amazon Fire TV for now), but it will give you a cable login to sign into cable subscription authenticated streaming apps on your Apple TV for $30/month. For sports that would incluce WatchESPN, NBCSN Live Extra, Fox Sports Go, NCAA March Madness; all of which include live broadcast.

It's basically a $30 cable subscription, which for me would be significantly cheaper than either of the local cable companies (even with competition where I live, they both still suck), especially when you factor in all the added cost to traditional cable like: HD fee, DVR fee, device rental fee, do you actually look at your bill fee, etc. Also, like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Now, there is no contract. So you can turn it on and off as you want.

It is now $40.

 

[ButteryScrollin]

Have you heard of PlayStation Vue? They don't have an Apple TV app (only on PS4, PS3 and Amazon Fire TV for now), but it will give you a cable login to sign into cable subscription authenticated streaming apps on your Apple TV for $30/month. For sports that would incluce WatchESPN, NBCSN Live Extra, Fox Sports Go, NCAA March Madness; all of which include live broadcast.
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Vue doesn't include local channels; ABC, CBS, FOX etc. Most NFL games, Most NBA playoff games + Finals etc. and other big sporting events are on these channels. Without them these streaming services don't work for those that want live sports.

 

[Creek0512]

Vue doesn't include local channels; ABC, CBS, FOX etc. Most NFL games, Most NBA playoff games + Finals etc. and other big sporting events are on these channels. Without them these streaming services don't work for those that want live sports.

And 99% of the country get the broadcast networks for free OTA.