People who "cut the cord"- Do you regret it?

[poofyhairguy]

Can it downloaded & run from Playstation network or anything?

It is not PS3 compatible if that is what you are asking. You would need a little computer to run the software.

I have not been able to find any decent quality live sports add ons for xbmc. The ones that I have come across are very bad quality

Yeah that is because they are all live pirate streams, unlike other video plugins that often are scraping content off of official sites.

As far as I know, NBA League Pass and the accompanying other sports packages are only available through a cable provider in the US.

There is really no alternative to NFL Redzone if you're not a subscriber to a TV service.

Only option would be to get NFL ticket without DirecTV and stream it via their website:

http://www.directv.com/sports/nfl

 

[poofyhairguy]

This is my remote

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel.../dp/B00ENZRP0G

I use YATSE a lot on my phone. By remote driven I just mean a legit ten foot interface that never needs a mouse or keyboard.

I've been thinking about this, too. I'm totally new to this though, can you elaborate? I'm not sure if my TV has a USB input though... so how would I connect things up? Through my ps3?

HDMI straight to the TV, how the PS3 is hooked up.

 

[preslove]

I have an HDMI receiver outputting to my 1080p tv. My computer is HDMI 1, my Wii u is HDMI 2, and my ps3 is HDMI 3. My receiver automatically routes sound from the computer to its speakers, just like the ps3 & Wii U.

 

[z1ggy]

I have an HDMI receiver outputting to my 1080p tv. My computer is HDMI 1, my Wii u is HDMI 2, and my ps3 is HDMI 3. My receiver automatically routes sound from the computer to its speakers, just like the ps3 & Wii U.

Yeah same here.

So this thread is kind of getting derailed as now I'm wondering about HTPC stuff. Would I be best off getting a chromebox, building HTPC or maybe even a ps4? My needs would be (listing for others to see as I said this a few pages ago):

-Stream local content in at least 720p
-Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc
-Stream/play content from web browser 720p/1080
-ESPN3 would be nice, too

 

[Mayne]

I cancelled my cable tv too. Bought an android box for my tv in the living room. stream everything now. still have internet for that of course.

little box cost 200 bucks but already paid itself off.

best part is. NO COMMERCIALS. MILLIONS OF MOVIES AND TV SHOWS.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Yeah same here.

So this thread is kind of getting derailed as now I'm wondering about HTPC stuff. Would I be best off getting a chromebox, building HTPC or maybe even a ps4? My needs would be (listing for others to see as I said this a few pages ago):

-Stream local content in at least 720p
-Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc
-Stream/play content from web browser 720p/1080
-ESPN3 would be nice, too

The best reason to build a HTPC is if you want to do some gaming on the side. Otherwise I think a Chromebox has more than enough power to do everything you want. A PS4 isn't an option because quite simply as a content producer Sony doesn't want to enable alternative forms of distribution.

 

[squarecut1]

The irony of it all is that with the availability of these gadgets and software, there is so little actually worth watching. Most of what passes for entertainment is dull, predictable, uninspired, lacking creativity.

I will miss ESPN though when the World Cup soccer is on.

 

[HumblePie]

I love the casual sports watchers chiming in. "Oh, you can watch the game OTA or go to a bar!" Sorry, but I watch every game. Even if I only watched one per airing, that is Thursday night, Sunday morning, mid day, night, and Monday night. Sure, let me just head on over to the local bar for 12 hours. Plus, even if I go to a bar, if the Bears aren't playing the Cowboys, I miss the Cowboys. They always have the local teams on.

Basketball? Yeah. Enjoy spending every night of the week at the bar if you want to watch the playoffs.

Wow, you got shitty bars.

Many places around here have 20-30 TV's setup with each of them on a different game. I have literally been at the bar with friends for 12 hours no problem and not missed a single game. The good places have all the sports "passes" for being able to play. Shit I get to watch some weird junk as well as the main sports categories. Its funny as hell having side bets for shit like frog racing while watching all the NFL games being aired live at once.

Plus, when I was single, the eye candy around the bar usually wasn't bad either.

 

[smackababy]

Only option would be to get NFL ticket without DirecTV and stream it via their website:

http://www.directv.com/sports/nfl

Can't get the NFL Sunday Ticket without being a DirecTV subscriber in the US. There are ways around it: having a friend with it or using a VPN from outside the country, but those aren't exactly the best options.

It is really stupid, and I think the NFL is missing out on a lot of untapped revenue. If I could pay $300 a year for just NFL games, I would.

 

[SAWYER]

I cancelled my cable tv too. Bought an android box for my tv in the living room. stream everything now. still have internet for that of course.

little box cost 200 bucks but already paid itself off.

best part is. NO COMMERCIALS. MILLIONS OF MOVIES AND TV SHOWS.

Yeah the no commercials part is awesome

 

[Svnla]

No, I am glad that I did cut the cords (cable and home phone) a few years ago and saved a bunch of money.

I do miss games on ESPN and other sporting events that you can only watch on cable. That's only that I can not make up by other means.

 

[z1ggy]

The best reason to build a HTPC is if you want to do some gaming on the side. Otherwise I think a Chromebox has more than enough power to do everything you want. A PS4 isn't an option because quite simply as a content producer Sony doesn't want to enable alternative forms of distribution.

No gaming..I have a desktop PC for that and I plan on upgrading that at some point, too.

So any tips/advice/words of wisdom about chromebox? Is it pretty straight forward? I read the wiki on it and it seems like getting the dual boot and all that is fairly simple.

 

[mrjminer]

Comcast actually had what looked like a manger and a tech walking around the neighborhood yesterday and stopped by to try to get their business back. They looked pretty disappointed when I told them that Frontier is doing fine and that there were zero plans to hook up actual cable service again.

Frontier is giving slower DL/UL, but the DL is good enough for a couple of people to stream at once without issues, and that's all I care about. A couple of issues during peak hours, but nothing I can't tolerate for $20 a month. I'm guessing Comcast is getting destroyed in this area by Frontier since they were on foot, indicating a lot of stops.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I haven't had cable or sat in....many many years. Do not miss.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Cut the cable 4 years ago

Have Comcast internet 50/5, basic cable, $82/month. Have my own modem, buy Netflix, and Amazon for $8 each.

Don't miss, can afford it even it I did.

 

[poofyhairguy]

No gaming..I have a desktop PC for that and I plan on upgrading that at some point, too.

So any tips/advice/words of wisdom about chromebox? Is it pretty straight forward? I read the wiki on it and it seems like getting the dual boot and all that is fairly simple.

I would install Openelec on there. Here is a full guide:

http://geekfreely.blogspot.com/2014/04/openelec-on-asus-chromebox.html

 

[Kadarin]

I cut the cable about 5 years ago, and haven't looked back. I've got a Mac Mini hooked up to the tv, and use netflix, itunes, Amazon Prime, and blu rays. I don't watch sports for the most part, so I'm good.

 

[ponyo]

No gaming..I have a desktop PC for that and I plan on upgrading that at some point, too.

So any tips/advice/words of wisdom about chromebox? Is it pretty straight forward? I read the wiki on it and it seems like getting the dual boot and all that is fairly simple.

I bought the Asus Chromebox couple days ago and using it as dual boot ChromeOS and OpenELEC machine. I followed the wiki guide and it was really easy to hack and setup. http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=ASUS_Chromebox

This is the thread about Asus Chromebox on the XBMC forum. http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=185329

Here's Youtube video uploaded by a member showing OpenELEC on the Asus Chromebox. http://youtu.be/i-M1x8lUyUA I'm using the same PS3 bluetooth remote and it works great as XBMC remote.

 

[desura]

On the topic of sports, probably 70% could be covered with just a good OTA setup.

anyone figure out a good fixed on the roof setup? The small interior setups seem underpowered.

 

[Ns1]

On the topic of sports, probably 70% could be covered with just a good OTA setup.

uh.....no. Maybe 7%. OTA gets some playoff games for your home team + top teams and the "big" games. Good luck getting half decent coverage during regular season. If you're in LA, good luck getting anything at all.

 

[squarecut1]

ESPN is the reason cable tv is so expensive.

 

[Ns1]

Sports is the reason cable tv is so expensive.

ftfy.

 

[MrSquished]

Basketball? Yeah. Enjoy spending every night of the week at the bar if you want to watch the playoffs.

a lot of the bball playoffs are on the major networks. you can get Aereo for Roku and get all the major networks in HD with 20 hours dvr. regular season bball, different story.

and you'll always get to watch your local football team play. that's how i'll be watching the giants this fall without paying for cable.

 

[Ns1]

and you'll always get to watch your local football team play. that's how i'll be watching the giants this fall without paying for cable.

During regular season with OTA, you're generally guaranteed 4 games every Sunday. No MNF anymore though, and I don't think OTA gets Thursday games either.

 

[ponyo]

On the topic of sports, probably 70% could be covered with just a good OTA setup.

anyone figure out a good fixed on the roof setup? The small interior setups seem underpowered.

I have my indoor antenna up in the attic. I don't have to worry about weatherproofing, grounding, or maintenance since it's not outside. I get every channel within 20 mile radius crystal clear. The same antenna next to the TV would get like 75% of the channels.

I didn't even have to rewire the house. I used the previous Dish Network coaxial line so all my TVs in the house get the same OTA channels from that one attic antenna.

As for sports, it's a trade off. By giving up HD, you get access to every sports game. I think it's a fair trade.