Way OT: Thinking about cord-cutting- Sling TV?
So I've been enjoying Roku a lot and was wondering if I should just get rid of my Comcast cable?
I'm paying for so much crap that I don't even watch.
Is SlingTV any good? Anyone watch games with it? That's the only thing I watch on television is sporting events. All my shows I can watch on Youtube or Netflix or "another" website.
I have a Roku stick as opposed to a player. Would getting a player be better for having Sling?
February 9th, 2017 at 10:09 AM ^
Unless they've changed to process recently, I think you might need a Roku box or an Amazon Fire TV box, rather than just a browser to get started. When I converted to PlayStation Vue last year, you needed one of those or an acutal PlayStation unit (which is more expensive) to initiate the service. After the service has been initiated, you can use the service on a wider variety of devices (e.g., iOS), but you needed one of the supported streaming boxes to get it set up initially. I think the streaming box will have some navigation advantages, too.
For me a Roku box and an OTA HD antanae were minor investments compared to the monthly cost reduction from cable.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:24 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 10:32 AM ^
for your answers. My Comcast package is almost up, which means the monthly bill will go from $130 to $180 or more very soon. I might re-up if they offer me a decent deal (I have to admit their quality has been very good). Otherwise this sounds like a legit alternative.
February 9th, 2017 at 2:14 PM ^
ND Sux,
Make sure you check the PS Vue offering in your area. In Fremont, Ohio, I do not get local channels through PS Vue (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox). So I use an antenna in my atticto get UM football on ABC, or NFL sundays on Fox/CBS . I wire it via coax (traditional "cable" wire) to a splitter, and then run coax to each of my 6 TVs. Please consider this before you switch.
Note also that I need to switch the TV/Stereo inputs from Roku to my TV antenna input to flip from Vue (ESPN/BTN) to antenna signal (ABC, CBS, etc..). So it is a bit clunky flipping between games. I have an App (iRule) that allows me to build my own custom remote control for my ipad and iphones, so I have simple buttons that will change the inputs on all devices (TV, Stereo, etc...) when I want to flip. It is still better having everything on one platform.
That said, those conveniences are not worth $50/month+ for us. Very happy we switched.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
I would echo the recommentions for PlayStation Vue over Sling. It has all of my sports based covered and more: all ESPNs, BTN, FS1 and FS2, Fox Sports Detriot (in West Michigan--your area may have different or none) for Tigers games, NBC Sports (Premiere League), BeIn Sports (I would never pay for it, but it has German, Italian, and French soccer leagues, which I now watch on occasion).
I had Sling for about a year before the current version of PSV and would never go back. The "virtual DVR" is a little wonky sometimes and not as good as a true DVR, but it is better than nothing.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:04 AM ^
Sling works fine, but it has some issues. It started out with a nice clean, simple interface for about 20 or so popular channels. However in the last year they've added a ton of crap channels, on-demand content, and other garbage that makes navigation just as bloated and frustrating as your standard cable menu.
I'd give the Playstation thing a try, supposedly their sports options are better.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:12 AM ^
I'm planning to cut the cord and switch to PS Vue in the coming months, but after paying for that and the Comcast internet, it's only marginally cheaper than what I pay now for cable+internet through Comcast. Anyone have a trick/advice to get the lowest internet price (in Ann Arbor)?
February 9th, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^
PS Vue looks like a great bargain, but no comedy central. The $34.99 package has TBS, AMC, FX, FXX and most of the sports channels. If it had CC I'd switch in an instant.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:15 AM ^
Another consideration I've been having is if saving 20-30$ a month is really even worth it. Between Netflix Hulu wifi and a 30-50$ service like sling or psvue still lookin at $125.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:44 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
To all the cord cutters, I say more power to you. But I could never rely on streaming to watch my sports teams. Love the DVR, too.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:20 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 11:06 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 1:04 PM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 2:56 PM ^
Can you mention which devices you are using?
February 9th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
Is there a place to go on the internets that can completely walk me step by step on what I need to buy and do to cut the cord? I have no idea what Vue and Roku and Sling are and how they interface, I don't own a PS4 etc,,,
February 9th, 2017 at 10:25 AM ^
that watches Nat Geo, Cartoon Network and wife that watches all the home improvement channels. Will they be able to live with PS Vue?
February 9th, 2017 at 10:42 AM ^
I'd be careful though. When I reupped in November, they had Comedy Central. Now it's gone. All Viacom networks are gone. Also, you won't be able to watch ABC, at least I couldn't in Detroit. So I had to use the rabbit ears.
February 9th, 2017 at 11:42 AM ^
But you can watch ABC shows on ABC on demand through PS Vue right? And are sports broadcast on ABC also on watch ESPN app or no? I don't want to get rabbit ears.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:32 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^
The number one thing, especially with Comcast, is the introduction of arbitrary and completely unnecessary data caps. I'm on Comcast now and am capped at 1TB for the month. Once you start streaming your usage will go way up, especially if you stream anything in 4k. They charge something like $50 for the next chunk of data too. This is basically them responding to the people who are cord cutting and trying to recapture lost revenue and it's sickening.
February 9th, 2017 at 11:47 AM ^
How much data does a cord cutter use? I have Comcast now with the 1 TB limit and I've never used more than 150 GB in a month (some streaming and gaming currently). If I go to full time PS Vue, am I going to hit 1 TB?
February 9th, 2017 at 1:37 PM ^
There is no easy answer to this. It depends on how much streaming you use. Yes 1TB is a lot, but if you are doing a little streaming and gaming and using 150GB already and have cable, then you should keep in mind that cable does not use any data. But if you replace cable with Sling TV or PS Vue and only stream your shows, you will use more depending on what and how much you watch.
http://www.consumerreports.org/telecom-services/how-easy-to-burn-throug…
This will give you some better ideas. Short version is HD video is 1-3GB per hour, roughly 400 hours of video a month. 4k can eat up 7-10GB per hour, roughly 100 or so hours a month. That's a lot, sure, but broadband usage is only going up, how long before it isn't enough?
February 9th, 2017 at 12:21 PM ^
Their customer service is terrible, and they treat all of their customers like crap. No wonder so many people are moving away from cable companies.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:32 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 10:37 AM ^
You all realize that you aren't "cord-cutting" if you're replacing your DirecTV/Dish service with Vue/Sling, right? You're just replacing the big fat cord with a skinnier cord and still paying for channels you don't watch all the time (but fewer of them). One step at a time, I guess.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:41 AM ^
DirectTV Now is where it is at
im getting 100+ channels for 35 a month including multiple fox sports, espn's, btn, sec, etc
February 9th, 2017 at 10:43 AM ^
How to watch 95% of sports and tv (a.k.a. college football) without subscribing to cable
Okay, let's get to it.
February 9th, 2017 at 11:01 AM ^
That with a mere Internet subscription, you can still get streaming-only events (such as ESPN3-specific games involving teams like Eastern, UTEP, Georgia State etc., if that's your thing). You just have to be sure to use your internet account login for it, not your Vue.
February 9th, 2017 at 11:05 AM ^
I've had a roku 2 for a few years. Decent machine. However it does have some notable issues with overheating on certain apps. YouTube comes to mind here. I've heard but not confirmed the newer roku 3/4 players are better in this regard and I believe the 4 uses multi core processing so it should be pretty fast. The 2 is sometimes a tad slow to me
February 9th, 2017 at 11:50 AM ^
I noticed sometimes I will get the "retrieving" bar through the Roku during some games, but I figured that was the nature of live streaming. It usually only lasts for 1-5 seconds, though. I invested for several Roku 2s to support my multi-screen experience, so I'm stuck for now.
February 9th, 2017 at 1:39 PM ^
I find it happens more on mine using WiFi instead of a wired connection.
February 9th, 2017 at 11:52 AM ^
Paying $135 per month seems like nearly no benefit and I think that's the problem here. $100 for internet is discouraging.
February 9th, 2017 at 12:31 PM ^
$100 for Internet is so I can support up to 8 live streams (6 televisions plus two tablets). You, most likely, are not the lunatic I am, so you could get away with less bandwith, and concurrently, less cost.
February 9th, 2017 at 2:27 PM ^
MaizeJacket,
I did not know this! This is good news, but would have been better to know before I wired my antenna coax to every TV in the house. I will look to add these channels to my Rokus tonight.
- Can watch sports even if they are on NBC or ABC with the respective sports apps and your PS Vue login.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:49 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 10:49 AM ^
All the telecomms are a corrupt cartel. Cut that cord, man.
February 9th, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^
I switched to Playstayion Vue mid season this year. $35 a month includes all the ESPNs you need as well as BTN
February 9th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^
To watch games at home where he only had Comcast internet, he logged into his own Comcast Xfinity TV account from his 2nd home. No issues, but he didn't have BTN. For games on BTN, he logged into his relative's in MI's Comcast account without any problem.
Lag on streaming was definitely an issue. He disabled notifications on the Score iphone app and stopped checking internet updates completely after realizing there was a 1-2 minute delay most of the time.
February 9th, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^
I recently did the same thing. Was paying through the nose for Directv. Compared Sling and Vue and went with Vie for a few reasons. First, it has both ESPN and the Big Ten Network so I can still see all Michigan games. Also more flexibility by allowing up to 4 TVs to use the service at the same time. The monthly fee is $35 and so far so good. I have this running on 4 TVs and am using Roku Streaming Sticks on all of those TVs. I was paying $130/month for Directv.
The downside is as follows:
1) Local channels - I'm in Atlanta and Vue only gives me 2 of 4 local channels so I backed it up with an over the air antenna for my family room TV.
2) Wireless fees and bandwidth. You need to consider your data plan when switching. I had a 1T plan with Comcast that allowed them to charge me additoinal fees ofer that montly volume. I switched to a ATT Unlimited plan which fixes that problem (and saved money here too).
3) No DVR and not all the channels I had. Initially an issue as my favorite show is on the History Channel (Vikiings) and its not included. I've found I can get all those shows a day after they are broadcast on the History channel website. Also, getting used to several of the Roku apps that allow me to watch (through the Vue subsciption) recently broadcast shows. These include things like FoxNow, NBC All Access etc.
After the investment of buy 4 Roku devices, I estimate my monthly savings to be between $120-$180 per month by switching data services and ditching Directv.
February 9th, 2017 at 11:16 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 11:18 AM ^
It's probably been said but it's only as good as your internet.
I used it a couple years ago and it may have gotten better since then. I liked it a lot. TNT and ESPN was basically all I ever watched, plus it was month to month so if you dont like it then you can leave it easily.
I have a wife though that didn't like the change. I have cable now.
February 9th, 2017 at 11:21 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 11:22 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 11:26 AM ^
But when my wife and I did the math, we realized that not just having Comcast only saved us about 5 bucks. For us, the Internet packacge we need is 80 bucks, and we pay $110 Dollars a month for the Digital Basic and internet package combined. That 30 extra bucks is probably less that we would pay for streaming services actually.
Now, if we lived 10 miles to the south, we could use another, cheaper ISP. However, Comcast was the only internet availiable to us (the only other ISP availible to us in Paducah F*cking Kentucky could only do 10 MBPS, which won't cut it when I have to work from home), just going with Comcast was a no-brainer-- especially with a toddler running around.
February 9th, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^
So I'm enthralled by this thread and thinking of cutting DirecTV for PS Vue. Can someone verify if you can run it off the Fire Stick? I'm also hearing a lot about the Kodi app on the Fire Stick...any idea if this is still a legit thing?
February 9th, 2017 at 11:36 AM ^
February 9th, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^
kodi is very legit. I'm running the WookieLite build with a VPN on my firestick.