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I have never owned an AppleTV, but was thinking about getting one and getting rid of cable I mostly only watch Netflix anyway hardly any news or live TV the only thing I would really miss is sports and I watch a lot of sports... are there any sports guys out there who only use AppleTV and how do you get by?

Yeah I do.. I live on Netflix, Apple Music and Youtube alone. Life is much more relaxed without all that crap
 
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To the best way to see over the air depends on where you live. The Flat panel is good (in a window) if you live with 25 miles of a transmitter! If you live father I suggest a roof/attic antenna like the Antennas Direct DB8 to really long range!

I also suggest the ESPN 3 steaming package if you want college division 1 sports. There is also the main ESPN streamer too!

For over air DVR look at Tablo.

Here is a video of the Tablo for Apple TV:
 
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No cable tv. 60/15 cable internet.

1 ATV4, 1 ATV3.

Primary uses are Netflix, Hulu, HBO, YouTube, HDHomeRun + Channels App, and iTunes Home Sharing.

I've just dropped satellite for Vue on ATV4. Since Vue doesn't offer locals here in Bham, I've picked up an HDHomeRun and probably going to go with Channels app. I'm interested in your feedback on it. I'm not sure about WAF with having two apps for live TV (Vue and Channels). Wish there was some way to integrate OTA into Vue or Vue into Channels.
 
So I pay about $200 for cable and internet. I think I may be able to save, about $30 per month cutting the cord but I am not sure if it is worth it yet. People keep mentioning on here what they pay for cable, but I think you should include the cost of their internet connection also since it is all reliant on that.

Depends.

I paid about $130 just for satellite (DirectTV). I don't/didn't consider my internet charge because I paid for my phone and internet separately anyways. I got ride of DTV and just pay for Hulu. (I was paying for CBS but even stopped that.)

I did however, drop my landline and originally got faster internet for about $5 less than I was paying for phone/DSL combined. And just recently I called back and now have even faster internet for less money once again. So if I took internet into consideration I'd be saving even more money!

*disclaimer: I decided to replace our lone ATV3 with an ATV4, so on Thursday I took advantage of the free ATV by pre-paying for DTVnow for 3 months. However even that is a savings, as had I walked into Apple or Best Buy I would have paid more than $105! I don't plan to keep DTVnow after the 3 months. For me, it's just a free service I got for purchasing an ATV.
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I've just dropped satellite for Vue on ATV4. Since Vue doesn't offer locals here in Bham, I've picked up an HDHomeRun and probably going to go with Channels app. I'm interested in your feedback on it. I'm not sure about WAF with having two apps for live TV (Vue and Channels). Wish there was some way to integrate OTA into Vue or Vue into Channels.

Channels app is awesome!!!!! They are one of the huge reasons we went with ATV. We originally intended to just use our Xboxes for 3 of our TVs and the apps they have. But when I saw with channels it was an app and hubby didn't have to run antenna wire to all of our TVs I was sold! We bought 4 ATV4s thanx to Channels! Plus, I hated the idea of playing musical remotes and musical inputs to the TV. And if you have any issues, their support is VERY helpful and responsive!!!!!
 
I'm not sure cutting the cord is that cost effective either.

My Comcast bill is currently $154, and I get 220 channels, On Demand, and 200MBS internet. It includes Xfinity X1 service to three TV's; X1 is nice.

The 200MBS internet service alone is $83+ whatever taxes and fees, so our TV service is only $71.

m
 
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I have never owned an AppleTV, but was thinking about getting one and getting rid of cable I mostly only watch Netflix anyway hardly any news or live TV the only thing I would really miss is sports and I watch a lot of sports... are there any sports guys out there who only use AppleTV and how do you get by?

Well, Sports Girl here - I've been attempting to cut the cord in some matter for a while and in the end, it is always Sports that keep me tied to cable. DirecTV Now blacks out some NFL games on FOX. I'm not sure what will happen when baseball season comes back. If sports are your biggest live TV priority, which it is for me, then cutting the cord is going to be tough. Not impossible but you'll need to do research for your area on what is available OTA or through services like DTVN/Playstation Vue/Sling TV, etc. Remember there is lag on those streaming services and I've had it freeze at critical points in a game. Forget about flipping between NFL games on Sundays. It is a PITA with streaming services.

Another thing to consider is that the cost of internet only usually increases when you cancel cable if they are currently bundled. Not sure why others don't include the cost of internet when discussing cord cutting as it is essential. Do the math (literally make a spreadsheet) on the costs of equipment, monthly fees and weigh convenience - take a look at savings over over a period of 1-5 years. What works for some, doesn't work for others.
 
Forget about flipping between NFL games on Sundays. It is a PITA with streaming services.
If you are running Apple TV 4th gen, you can engage the App Switcher (double click TV/Home icon on the Siri remote) to swap between apps. Assuming you have one game going in one or more apps along with a game going on your streaming service, its possible to do it this way. Not nearly as convenient as a "Previous Channel" button, but depending on the app it can work fairly well. Unfortunately, at present, "Watch ESPN" doesn't work well since it always throws you back to the home screen of the app every time you switch away.
 
I've just dropped satellite for Vue on ATV4. Since Vue doesn't offer locals here in Bham, I've picked up an HDHomeRun and probably going to go with Channels app. I'm interested in your feedback on it. I'm not sure about WAF with having two apps for live TV (Vue and Channels). Wish there was some way to integrate OTA into Vue or Vue into Channels.

Channels works very well. I cannot complain about the app at all. It also "manages" the HDHomeRun very well, allowing you to install firmware updates and change it's settings. From a TV-viewing standpoint, it's the best.

From a cost standpoint, it's an expensive ap. They are one of those developers that like to double-dip, in my opinion. Channels for AppleTV is $25. Channels for iPhone/iPad is $15. They are not universal apps, so you have to buy it twice if you want it on all the Apple devices. They are coming out with a DVR version soon too, and I bet that will cost more again.

That said - awesome app. Works super well.
 
Or you could just get both the Apple Tv and the Fire Tv.
This is exactly what I do. 2 ATV4's for Netflix, Plex, & other apps (shared login), an OTA antenna for locals, & a Fire tv stick for local NHL games. I've gave up on other sports cuz I also get my local NFL team through my antenna.
 
Channels works very well. I cannot complain about the app at all. It also "manages" the HDHomeRun very well, allowing you to install firmware updates and change it's settings. From a TV-viewing standpoint, it's the best.

From a cost standpoint, it's an expensive ap. They are one of those developers that like to double-dip, in my opinion. Channels for AppleTV is $25. Channels for iPhone/iPad is $15. They are not universal apps, so you have to buy it twice if you want it on all the Apple devices. They are coming out with a DVR version soon too, and I bet that will cost more again.

That said - awesome app. Works super well.
The DVR will be $8 per month partly for the Guide Data (available early January 2017). I have tested the Channels Apps and DVR and they are all excellent. Sometimes you get what you pay for. And this case I happen to agree with it. In my case I have Frontier FIOS where none of the TV Channels have DRM so I can use the HDHomeRun Prime with Cable Card to get all TV channels (not just OTA type channels). However, over time I expect more and more TV Streaming Options with Cloud DVR's which might make this obsolete. But this could take years. Currently I find the Channels solutions are an excellent value for what you get compared to other options.
 
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It is getting harder and harder to cut the cord. Most of the cable and dsl providers are going with tiered plans, or charging you more for "unlimited". They realize they are losing money from cord cutters so they are trying to make it up with charging more for their internet packages. And then of course discounting their internet packages if you "bundle" their satellite or cable with them. So they kind of got us by the balls in a way.
 
If you are running Apple TV 4th gen, you can engage the App Switcher (double click TV/Home icon on the Siri remote) to swap between apps. Assuming you have one game going in one or more apps along with a game going on your streaming service, its possible to do it this way. Not nearly as convenient as a "Previous Channel" button, but depending on the app it can work fairly well. Unfortunately, at present, "Watch ESPN" doesn't work well since it always throws you back to the home screen of the app every time you switch away.

It's more about the buffering and loading the stream than anything else. Unless it continues to stream to both apps, or even between 2 channels on services like DirecTV Now or Vue or Sling, I personally find it frustrating when you're watching multiple games. By the time one has loaded for that quick look, you want to switch back but now you've missed something. This really only applies to live sports specifically but it's a big deal to me, which is why I still haven't found an alternative that really works. But to each their own.

My cable w/ a 75/75 internet package on FiOS is $110 incl tax. It has all the channels I need + HBO & Showtime. I struck a pretty good deal a while back and locked it in w/ a 2 year agreement. I keep testing alternatives but none has beaten the price & convenience so far. That may change when the agreement expires this summer.
 
It is getting harder and harder to cut the cord. Most of the cable and dsl providers are going with tiered plans, or charging you more for "unlimited". They realize they are losing money from cord cutters so they are trying to make it up with charging more for their internet packages. And then of course discounting their internet packages if you "bundle" their satellite or cable with them. So they kind of got us by the balls in a way.

I don't know about that notion since Direct TV now has a streaming app! I guess they're just ahead of curve compared to other cable companies!
 
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I don't know about that notion since Direct TV now has a streaming appp! I guess they're just ahead of curve compared to other cable companies!

Not sure what you understand what I meant. Yes Directv aka AT&T has Directvnow service, but they are screwing the customer over is what I meant. By introducing tiered internet packages, they are forcing you to pay more for internet service. Unless you "bundle" their services together. Then you get "unlimited". But by then you end up back where you originally started from. They are basically testing net neutrality and other laws to see how far they can stretch those laws.
 
I don't have cable I use my Plex media server for all my needs and share a DirectTV Now subscription with my brother :)

Plex Free
Direct TV Now ($20 shared with brother normally $35)
Sports Add-on ($100 a year Plex add-on ($9 a month)

Total month: $29.00
 
I don't have cable I use my Plex media server for all my needs and share a DirectTV Now subscription with my brother :)

Plex Free
Direct TV Now ($20 shared with brother normally $35)
Sports Add-on ($100 a year Plex add-on ($9 a month)

Total month: $29.00

How much is your internet service?
 
i have had no cable for quite some time now. Sideload kodi onto it and all your problems are solved. Or if you don't want to go that route download a app called Livemediaplayer they have free PPV (shhh) and live tv/sports. Last thing i did was get the login information from a friend for DISH. Every channel has a app basically and you can log in through dish or another cable provider.

Not exactly any better, but ok..

I got rid of Foxtel (Satellite) in place of Apple TV. but only because of cost and bundles.
 
I'm not sure cutting the cord is that cost effective either.

My Comcast bill is currently $154, and I get 220 channels, On Demand, and 200MBS internet. It includes Xfinity X1 service to three TV's; X1 is nice.

The 200MBS internet service alone is $83+ whatever taxes and fees, so our TV service is only $71.

m

I just switched out our ATV3s for ATV4s and love 'em but our family definitely enjoys our tv entertainment, and I'm not sure it would be cost effective for us to cut cable TV.

We are right around the $160/month mark total, and with just internet (150/150 Verizon Fios), I would be right around $90/month. If I had to subscribe to be able to watch our shows on CBS, ABC, HBO, Showtime, and live sports, it would be close to or more expensive than what we already have.
 
The one thing that stops me from cord cutting is the sports and streaming services like sling tv and vue stuttering if the connection isn't stable. MLB TV wouldn't work for me, since they blackout local games. Sling tv doesn't even offer CBS, which is big for me, since NFL is on cbs.

Plus you still need a internet provider, even if you get rid of cable. The only providers here are optimum and fios. Add that to my Netflix, amazon, HBO, showtime and a sling tv or vue subscription it would be close to what I pay for my cable.
 
I am much like you, love my Sports...
I dropped Cable and now have ATV and picked up Playstation Vue for $34.99 a month
They have a ATV App, but more importantly I get a bunch of access to Apps like ESPN, Fox Sports Go, etc.
 
I got rid of the cable box 3 years ago when Time Warner was having a dispute with CBS. I replaced it with Apple TV and I've had no problems watching baseball games with the built-in MLB app. I have HBO, Showtime and Starz via Apple TV and I like that I can watch what I want when I want.
 
I am much like you, love my Sports...
I dropped Cable and now have ATV and picked up Playstation Vue for $34.99 a month
They have a ATV App, but more importantly I get a bunch of access to Apps like ESPN, Fox Sports Go, etc.

Is that the access package?
 
I have cable but only because it is at no additional cost from my cable ISP. However, this came with a downside. I wasn't able to take advantage of the iOS apps for certain channels. In addition, the channel line up isn't nearly as good as those big cable companies.

This week I took advantage of the DirecTV Now offer of $35 per month with a free Apple TV (4th Generation) provided if you prepay for three months. We also are avid Netflix users and I have a Plex. Being a technology hoarder, I pick up devices at flea markets, thrift stores, and pawn shops.

I use Apple TV (3rd & 4th Generation) to watch television but also have some Chromecasts and Roku devices.
 
Haven't had cable (technically it was satellite/DirecTV) for over 2 years - we watch a lot of original programming on Netflix and Amazon, we have a few paid services, a solid OTA setup for the occasional "live" network special/event/sports (we watch almost no serial/weekly shows on network TV, save for a couple of shows on Fox).
 
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