Movies and TV Need advice on cutting cable cost. - Page 32

ThatRaceCardGuy · 11:19 AM

My last bill from Att was $215...sick of paying that much to watch only a few shows. I dont want to cut the cord from cable entirely. I would like to keep basic cable and internet, but still be able to watch the shows I like on HBO and showtime. I`m already a netflix subscriber, any other suggestions ? Can you buy season passes for most of the shows on HBO and Showtime?

Thanks!

**DaFace** · 09-03-2015, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragedogg69

get off your high horse.

I can criticize a paid service that advertises its new "ad free" package, but still has ads.

I'm not saying you're wrong, but what would you have them do - delay the launch of their (99%) ad-free option for 3 years until those contracts expire? I'm ecstatic to have an option to ditch the ads, particularly since I don't watch any of the shows that have one ad at the beginning anyway.

As for the high horse, I just get frustrated with all the rampant piracy because for the last 15 years all I've heard is "Piracy only exists because they don't have a legitimate way of getting content other than paying for cable." Now, there are plenty of reasonable options, and people still bitch about it. It literally costs about as much as one meal from a fast-casual restaurant for a month of Hulu, and about as much as a happy meal from McDonald's to get rid of (99% of) the ads. I just don't understand why there's so much angst when they're finally doing what people have been asking for all these years.

Anyway, rant over. I'll shut up about it now.

unlurking · 09-03-2015, 02:20 PM

I'm not saying I'm right. I'm saying I pay for the service, which gives me a right to bitch. Maybe not, but I like to bitch so I'm going to regardless.

Price is set by demand, and I consider ads part of the price in this instance. I've paid for it until now (still debating about upgrading or cancelling). Just bitched about it while doing so. I'm glad they have FINALLY lived up to their original service promise of paid = no ads. Been a long time coming. This is the service they initially promised.

Unfortunately, they are so many other problems I have with Hulu that it just seems like a slap in the face to finally be coming out with this now.

It just feels like the same old telecom promises of unlimited data, then they turn around and throw in caps and charge extra. Or sue you for using your service under the assumption that unlimited means unlimited. No ads means no ads. That was there pitch from the beginning. Now their no ads doesn't really mean no ads. Again. Wow, Deja Vu. Just a few. Less than you see on TV. Like when they first started Hulu+. Until now and the current state which is not much better than regular TV. I fully expect this to happen again. 7 show right now? Yeah, that won't last long. I bet the number of ad seconds on those show doubles in a year and the number of shows doubles as well.

Give me HONEST marketing and set a fair price. You want $15 a month for no ads and ALL episodes (not this last 3 or 5 bullshit), then I am totally in. Don't screw me with the small print / giant EULA shit or bury the fact that 6 seasons of a show really means 5 seasons and a couple from this year. Want to charge $5 more a month for SyFy? I'm in.

Just give me what you made me think I was buying. I don't give a crap about all the other shit content they have on their that I have to subsidize. Hulu is just another cable company owned and operated by broadcast companies.

Man. I'm really talking myself into cancelling. lol

Shag · 09-04-2015, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I was paying about $100/month for DirecTV. I'm now doing Netflix ($8), Hulu ($12), SlingTV ($20), and a Tablo subscription ($5). So I went from $100/month to $45/month, and there's not really even much more I could add at this point. I suppose if you start throwing HBO and stuff like that you could add more, but that'd cost extra with cable/satellite too.

How do you like Tablo? Hadn't heard of it, but at quick glance, seems pretty slick, and would solve some of my concerns with cord cutting.

aturnis · 09-04-2015, 12:56 PM

Someone needs to create a 3rd party app or hardware that gives you the ability to dvr sling tv.

**DaFace** · 09-04-2015, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shag

How do you like Tablo? Hadn't heard of it, but at quick glance, seems pretty slick, and would solve some of my concerns with cord cutting.

Overall, I'm really happy with it. It was more of a hassle to get my antenna to bring in the stations I wanted than it was to get Tablo working. If you're in an area with strong signals, it'll be easy. I only have a few minor complaints:

You obviously have a mild delay from the live signal since it has to be recorded, then streamed. I timed mine out at about 10-15 seconds. No big deal, but it won't work for a ChiefsPlanet chat room during a live game very well.
This is pretty nitpicky, but there's a bit of "flutter" when it comes to fast-moving, small objects (read: balls and pucks). You can still follow the action fine, but it doesn't quite look as crisp as a live show does.
It doesn't generate thumbnails that you can look at when fast forwarding until after a show is completely over (and even then it takes a bit), so it's hard to skip commercials if you just start a show late.
There are some features of full-blown DVR's that aren't in there right now (like "Keep only X episodes for this show" or "Start X minutes early because this station's schedule is always off"). They're actively developing it still, so these might show up soon, but just not there for now.

With all of this streaming stuff, I've found that the hardware you're using and wifi layout can make a big difference, so keep in mind you'll need a strong wifi signal for both the Tablo itself and whatever you're playing it on (or hard-wired/powerline connection instead). Also keep in mind that Tablo is a hardware solution, and you'll drop about $250 for the device plus a hard drive. But going through my Roku 3, it's rock solid 99% of the time.

**007** · 09-04-2015, 06:16 PM

I'm still waiting for these services to offer the ability to change the stream quality. I don't want to watch everything in HD with the bandwidth limits I have with my service provider.

Fish · 09-05-2015, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I'm still waiting for these services to offer the ability to change the stream quality. I don't want to watch everything in HD with the bandwidth limits I have with my service provider.

Honestly, bud. That's never going to happen.
There is no demand for low quality rips.

**007** · 09-05-2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fish

Honestly, bud. That's never going to happen.
There is no demand for low quality rips.

Thats why cable companies will always win. Want to cut the cord? Sure. Oh, you need more bandwidth, that'll be $100

unlurking · 09-06-2015, 09:11 AM

Netflix allows you to change stream quality. Don't know about others.

When looking for a similar setting under Hulu I found this...

http://www.hulu.com/off_hulu_cookies

Just another revenue stream that Hulu is pulling from on top of ads and monthly fees. I always disable 3rd party cookies, and I'm glad they enable customers to opt-out of this, but it's just another reason to not like Hulu's business practices. Unfortunately they just charged me another month, so I'll wait a month to cancel.

**DaFace** · 09-06-2015, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

I'm still waiting for these services to offer the ability to change the stream quality. I don't want to watch everything in HD with the bandwidth limits I have with my service provider.

There's a menu in the Roku system that allows you to set your preferred streaming bandwidth. You'd need to look into it in detail to see how it works, but presumably that menu might do what you're looking for. The only question is whether all the individual apps respect that setting or if it's just for certain types of streams.

**007** · 09-06-2015, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unlurking

Netflix allows you to change stream quality. Don't know about others.

When looking for a similar setting under Hulu I found this...

http://www.hulu.com/off_hulu_cookies

Just another revenue stream that Hulu is pulling from on top of ads and monthly fees. I always disable 3rd party cookies, and I'm glad they enable customers to opt-out of this, but it's just another reason to not like Hulu's business practices. Unfortunately they just charged me another month, so I'll wait a month to cancel.

Yep, I already had netflix set up for lowest quality since my kids are the only ones that use it. I think Sling had that option as well but not competely sure on that. Still haven't decided if I should pay for that or not.

WilliamTheIrish · 11-11-2015, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

I was paying about $100/month for DirecTV. I'm now doing Netflix ($8), Hulu ($12), SlingTV ($20), and a Tablo subscription ($5). So I went from $100/month to $45/month, and there's not really even much more I could add at this point. I suppose if you start throwing HBO and stuff like that you could add more, but that'd cost extra with cable/satellite too.

Free at last!!!!!

I've cut the cord. I have a 60$ internet bill +Netflix 7$+ Amazon $8.

My last bill from uverse topped 260$. Muther**** them.

Spent 36$ on a hd antenna and get all locals in beautiful hd.

Im now working on the spoofing of my IP addy for mlbtv purposes.

Living like a king!!!!

WilliamTheIrish · 11-11-2015, 12:25 PM

DaFace

Thanks for the tutorial. You were instrumental in making this work.

**DaFace** · 11-11-2015, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

DaFace

Thanks for the tutorial. You were instrumental in making this work.

kepp · 11-11-2015, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

Free at last!!!!!

I've cut the cord. I have a 60$ internet bill +Netflix 7$+ Amazon $8.

My last bill from uverse topped 260$. Muther**** them.

Spent 36$ on a hd antenna and get all locals in beautiful hd.

Im now working on the spoofing of my IP addy for mlbtv purposes.

Living like a king!!!!

04-07-2013, 09:30 AM
ThatRaceCardGuy I BRAUGHT THE BOOZE Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: KU VILLE Casino cash: $10007253	Need advice on cutting cable cost. My last bill from Att was $215...sick of paying that much to watch only a few shows. I dont want to cut the cord from cable entirely. I would like to keep basic cable and internet, but still be able to watch the shows I like on HBO and showtime. I`m already a netflix subscriber, any other suggestions ? Can you buy season passes for most of the shows on HBO and Showtime? Thanks! Last edited by Gonzo; 02-24-2015 at 11:19 AM.. Reason: Advise me on advice. :D
Posts: 2,895

09-03-2015, 02:20 PM	#467
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	I'm not saying I'm right. I'm saying I pay for the service, which gives me a right to bitch. Maybe not, but I like to bitch so I'm going to regardless. Price is set by demand, and I consider ads part of the price in this instance. I've paid for it until now (still debating about upgrading or cancelling). Just bitched about it while doing so. I'm glad they have FINALLY lived up to their original service promise of paid = no ads. Been a long time coming. This is the service they initially promised. Unfortunately, they are so many other problems I have with Hulu that it just seems like a slap in the face to finally be coming out with this now. It just feels like the same old telecom promises of unlimited data, then they turn around and throw in caps and charge extra. Or sue you for using your service under the assumption that unlimited means unlimited. No ads means no ads. That was there pitch from the beginning. Now their no ads doesn't really mean no ads. Again. Wow, Deja Vu. Just a few. Less than you see on TV. Like when they first started Hulu+. Until now and the current state which is not much better than regular TV. I fully expect this to happen again. 7 show right now? Yeah, that won't last long. I bet the number of ad seconds on those show doubles in a year and the number of shows doubles as well. Give me HONEST marketing and set a fair price. You want $15 a month for no ads and ALL episodes (not this last 3 or 5 bullshit), then I am totally in. Don't screw me with the small print / giant EULA shit or bury the fact that 6 seasons of a show really means 5 seasons and a couple from this year. Want to charge $5 more a month for SyFy? I'm in. Just give me what you made me think I was buying. I don't give a crap about all the other shit content they have on their that I have to subsidize. Hulu is just another cable company owned and operated by broadcast companies. Man. I'm really talking myself into cancelling. lol __________________
Posts: 10,620

09-04-2015, 12:56 PM	#469
aturnis MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Iowa Casino cash: $9975811	Someone needs to create a 3rd party app or hardware that gives you the ability to dvr sling tv.
Posts: 13,873

09-04-2015, 06:16 PM	#471
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $13970126 VARSITY	I'm still waiting for these services to offer the ability to change the stream quality. I don't want to watch everything in HD with the bandwidth limits I have with my service provider. __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,557

09-06-2015, 09:11 AM	#474
unlurking MVP Join Date: Aug 2003 Casino cash: $7737309	Netflix allows you to change stream quality. Don't know about others. When looking for a similar setting under Hulu I found this... http://www.hulu.com/off_hulu_cookies Just another revenue stream that Hulu is pulling from on top of ads and monthly fees. I always disable 3rd party cookies, and I'm glad they enable customers to opt-out of this, but it's just another reason to not like Hulu's business practices. Unfortunately they just charged me another month, so I'll wait a month to cancel. __________________
Posts: 10,620

11-11-2015, 12:25 PM	#478
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $5850607	DaFace Thanks for the tutorial. You were instrumental in making this work.
Posts: 34,651