Cutting The Cord [Joe Mannix (not a cop)]

With the generally deplorable state of entertainment and news, the constantly-rising costs of cable or satellite TV, the proliferation of high-speed internet and commonality of Smart TVs, the concept of “cord-cutting” is a more frequent topic of conversation in the forum threads. There is a lot of confusion around cord-cutting and how it works, what the goals are, how to do it, etc. To help demystify this, let’s break down what cord-cutting is and how to go about doing it.

This post assumes that you want to watch TV on a television set with a fairly standard TV viewing experience. You have more cord-cutting options if you’re using a PC to consume content, and there are also options like “casting” content from your mobile phone or tablet to your TV (essentially using your other device as a set-top box), but they are not the point of this post. This post is about cord-cutting while maintaining a normal and self-contained TV-like experience.

Some Terms
To better understand all that’s about to come, there are some terms that will be helpful to understand. This is a brief glossary that should help with understanding the rest of the post.
• Cord-cutting: Getting rid of cable or satellite TV in favor of lower-cost alternatives
• OTA: “Over-the-air” – traditional broadcast television you pick up with an antenna
• OTT: “Over-the-top” – content delivered via a set-top box but not cable or satellite
• Smart TV: A television set or set-top box that uses software to show streaming video services from the internet to your television.

What is cord-cutting?
“Cord-cutting” is a term used to describe the act of “cutting the cord” where “the cord” is your cable or satellite service (and sometimes extending to your home phone service if applicable). This can be desirable for a number of reasons, but the top two are cost-savings (OTT services are usually cheaper that cable or satellite) and/or “starving the beast” (not paying people who hate you). Cord-cutting can accommodate one or both of these goals.

General Overview
Cord-cutting generally consists of three or four broad categories to keep in mind:
• Connectivity: This is your broadband internet connection, whether it’s cable or DSL or wireless or whatever.
• Devices: This is your smart TV or set-top box that provides smart TV capability in your home.
• Services: These are what actually provide content for you to watch on your Smart TV.
• Antenna: This lets you pick up OTA signals if desired or applicable.
All of these (except the antenna, depending on how you go about things) are required to “cut the cord” effectively, and will be discussed in turn. To help keep this straight, think of it in these terms: “Your connectivity is used to deliver content from services to your device, which displays it on your television.”

Connectivity
Broadband internet access is a basic requirement for cord-cutting. As far speed goes, more is generally better up to a point. There are a lot of factors here, including how many screens you want to run simultaneously and the level of picture quality you demand. I know from personal experience in a rural area with only mediocre DSL available that cord-cutting can work with fairly small amounts of available bandwidth (in my case, 7.5 Mbit), but your experience may be marginal if you’re running more than two screens. If you have 20 Mbit or faster service, though, you should encounter no problems unless you want 4k (ultra-HD) service on more than one screen, or if you want to run more than three screens simultaneously.

One final call-out in this area: if you’re using geosynchronous satellite-based internet (e.g., DirecWAY or similar), then cord-cutting is probably a non-starter. One reason is the high latency on these connections and another is the data transmission caps that are usually enforced. Streaming video is a data hog and if you’re capped, then you’ll find out where those caps are fairly quickly.

Devices
Streaming to your television requires some kind of “smart” capability for your TV. Many TVs have this built-in, or you can add a set-top box. In many cases, a set-top box is superior (or will become that way over time as capabilities improve) to the built-in Smart TV platforms. The software ecosystems around the external devices are often bigger and support for services is often better. They can be upgraded if needed by getting the new model. One thing to keep in mind is that if you have a Smart TV with a built-in platform, there is nothing that precludes you from using a set-top box instead if you want to or if it becomes relevant later. It’s just an input like any other – like a DVD/Blu-Ray player, a cable box, etc. There are five major device categories/manufacturers:
1. Roku. This is what I use, and I love it. Roku is a dead-simple platform with an intuitive interface, an excellent services ecosystem and readily-available support online if needed. I have the most experience with Roku, and offer two pieces of advice if you go this route:
o Don’t buy the bottom-end Roku device. Get the mid-line or higher version. The user experience is improved with the faster hardware, and the price difference isn’t that significant.
o If you want to use a universal remote control, don’t get the “Streaming Stick” variant. These are nice and convenient, but use a radio frequency remote instead of an infrared remote, and this means your universal remote probably won’t work with it if you want to use it.
2. Apple TV. This Apple’s smart TV platform. It also has a good ecosystem and, like the Roku, is very easy to set up and use.
3. Amazon FireTV. This is Amazon’s smart TV platform. I have no experience with it at all, but I have been led to believe that like the rest, it has good support for services and is easy to use.
4. Android TV. This is a generic platform based on Android (Google’s phone operating system). Unlike the others, Android TV devices are available from various manufacturers, led by NVIDIA with their higher-end “NVIDIA Shield” device.
5. Built-in Smart TV platforms. These are television sets with all the “smart” bits built-in. Essentially, these are TVs that have the set-top box included. There are a variety of platforms under the covers. The higher-end Sony TVs actually run Android TV, Roku TVs (various manufacturers) run Roku, and other manufacturers (Samsung, LG, etc.) have other platforms. If you are going to be using your built-in smart TV functionality, check with your desired service providers to see if they support your TV. If they don’t, get a set-top box and use it instead.

Services
Services are the magic – and the value statement – for cord-cutting. In very broad terms, services come in two varieties: live services and library services. Live services bring you live television channels over the internet instead of through cable or satellite TV providers. These are essentially drop-in replacements for your existing cable TV service. Library services provide content libraries that you can consume. This is not live TV, but more like a library of movies and shows that you can watch. Each will be discussed in turn. The services to which you subscribe show up on your Smart TV after you add them. The different platforms have different names for things (Android TV calls them “apps,” Roku calls them “channels,” etc.), but they all work in essentially the same way.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that services and platforms are distinct. The question isn’t “Does Roku offer TVService1?” The question is “Does TVService1 offer a Roku channel?” In most cases, regardless of what the service or platform is, the answer will be “yes.”

Live TV services
There are many live TV streaming services, and they all have good support across devices. There are differences (sometime significant differences) in costs and channel availability. Most live TV services are paid services. The major cable-like services with large channel packages are YouTube TV (Google), AT&T TVNOW (AT&T), Sling TV (Echostar/Dish Network), Hulu (Disney) and Philo (joint venture owned by A&E, CBS, AMC and Discovery).

All of these are paid-for services and essentially provide cable TV-like services to your Smart TV over the internet at a lower cost than a traditional cable or satellite subscription. All except Philo offer local channels – though perhaps not all of them, and not in all areas. To see channel lineups, local channel availability, etc. see their respective websites. The costs involved range from $20/month for smaller channel lineups and no local channels (like with Philo), up to about as high as you want to go. You should expect to save at least 25% as compared to traditional cable or satellite services, depending on selected packages or premium channels like HBO or Starz. All of the paid-for cable-like services have free trials, so you can always play with it until you find what you like if you’re in this market.

In addition to the mainline paid TV services, there are other multi-channel, general-purpose live TV options like Pluto (ViacomCBS) that are free or have free options. These often don’t have the same channels you are used to and have a mix of live and library content. Pluto is a great example of this, which has a mix of some mainstream channels, some specialty channels (including Newsmax), and a lot of older programming.

There are also specialty/niche live TV services. For example, live OANN is delivered through KlowdTV (Herring Networks, which also owns OAN) through a bespoke service. There are many niche services, and they are usually fairly cheap or free. Most of the paid services run from $5/month through about $10/month. As with the cable-like services, they also typically offer free trials.

Library Services
Like live TV, there are countless library services that provide large content archives that you can consume so long as you keep paying the bill and the service provider maintains its contracts with the content owners. These range in cost from free (ad-supported) to about as much as you’d like to spend. Library services are the original streaming services, and most people are familiar with the big names. Library services include Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and more. There is an almost limitless variety of niche services for specialty programming (foreign shows, arthouse movies, etc.). Like the rest of the streaming media industry, the services that are paid-for offer free trials and good platform support regardless of what kind of smart TV platform you use.

Summary
Services are where the magic happens with cord-cutting. Your network connection and smart TV platform are usually secondary unless your platform doesn’t support the service you want. It comes down to what you want to watch and how much you want to spend. In almost all cases, it will be cheaper than a traditional cable or satellite service because you’re paying for your internet connection anyway. The variety of content available through various services is effectively limitless.

Antennas
Note: This isn’t really a part of the “smart TV” discussion, but antennas are good for augmenting a break away from cable and satellite services. Antennas work with no extra hardware or services, as long as your TV set as a digital tuner.

For receiving local channels – and there are more of them than you think since the HDTV transition was finished – you have choices, too. Many of the cable-like services also include local channels, but not all do. Unless you are quite rural or have mountains in the way, an antenna may be a great choice to pick up live local programming. This works, in essence, like it always has. If you have a remotely modern TV set (manufactured after about 2005), it likely already has a digital (ATSC) tuner. Plug in your antenna and instruct your TV to scan for channels (your TV’s user’s manual will show you how).

In the digital TV era, signals are broadcast at a much higher frequency than the old VHF and UHF analogue systems. As a result, you may find that your reception isn’t great outside of urban areas. In my experience, indoor TV antennas work fairly well in cities and suburbs and above ground (e.g., not in the basement). For more marginal areas, a rooftop TV aerial probably makes sense. For some indication of what channels you can receive with an antenna, the distance to your local transmitters and where those transmitters are, I strongly recommend checking out www.antennaweb.org. Here, you can enter your ZIP code or address and it will tell you what channels you should be able to access, where the transmitters are, how far away they are and what kind of signal strength you can expect. It’s a great resource for choosing an antenna and aiming it.

One final note on antennas is around availability and distance. If you’re more than 20 miles from a transmitter, assume you’ll need an amplified antenna to get a good signal. This may be true anyway. In addition, keep in mind the “digital cliff” phenomenon. Essentially, anything you get is going to come in well with a clear, good picture and sound. Analogue signals decay naturally and so marginal signals will show up with a snowy picture, or black-and-white instead of color, etc. Anyone who has used analogue TV will be familiar with this. Digital signals are different. They transmit a digitally-encoded signal with some error correction. The moment the signal is too degraded for error correction to work, you’ll lose picture and sound entirely – it falls off a “cliff” and there is a very narrow zone where you pick up a moderately-degraded signal. This becomes more relevant with long distances between you and the transmitter, or significant obstacles (mountains, densely-packed skyscrapers, etc.).

Understanding Your Goals
As mentioned at the beginning, there are two reasons most people have for moving away from traditional TV services and cutting the cord: saving money or “starving the beast.”

If you’re looking to save money, just break out your pocket calculator, review the services and lineups that suit your desires, and do what makes financial sense. In almost every case, you’ll save some cash every month. The devices are cheap and you’re paying for internet access anyway, so you’ll probably find that you break even in well under a year.

If you’re looking to starve the beast and withhold your hard-earned money from people who hate you, things get trickier – and you’re probably not going to get a clean break from all of them unless you go with exclusively OTA content. That said, there are things you can do to maintain most or all of what you want and seriously reduce your patronage to companies that you dislike. This is pretty easy to do with library services – basically, just pick one that isn’t Netflix or Amazon or Disney unless there are content considerations you find compelling. This is much harder to do – in fact, it is impossible at this time – with live TV services.

For me, the best compromise on the live TV side of things is Philo. It’s owned by a joint venture including some firms I don’t like, but it is cheap and it doesn’t include major news networks (CNN, Fox, etc.), sports networks (ESPN) or local channels. Because of what Philo doesn’t have, it is very affordable at just $20 a month for what is essentially a mid-tier cable package other than its very significant exclusions of news and sports. As a general-purpose entertainment and lifestyle service, it’s very good and very cheap and doesn’t support too many people who hate me. I augmented this with KlowdTV (OAN) and I pay a total of $25/month for general entertainment and 24-hour news. Not bad.

That’s it! I hope someone has found this helpful, and that it was remotely worth the read!

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:11 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 First!

Posted by: Warlord Someguy - General Who Pacifies The East and West at November 13, 2020 05:12 PM (Zm+LZ)

2 Nooded

Posted by: oldraceral at November 13, 2020 05:13 PM (Bfhnl)

3 Not cord cutting per se but, Mrs928 has finally deleted her Facebook account.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at November 13, 2020 05:13 PM (yQpMk)

4 Thanks for this writeup

Posted by: Inogame - Trump Won at November 13, 2020 05:14 PM (+2xjH)

5 Somebody been studying Ace's movie review.

Posted by: dantesed at November 13, 2020 05:14 PM (BwCfr)

6 You could just read a book, sleep, or talk to your loved ones. Like humans have done for the vast majority of our existence.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at November 13, 2020 05:14 PM (xfb67)

7 I got my Roku device based on commenter recommendations and set it up earlier. It took about twenty or twenty five minutes, and that included activating my Amazon Prime account and Plex account on it.

Now it's up and running. Cable boxes go back tomorrow, cord gets officially cut.

I may eventually get an OTA antenna, but it's not a high priority. I don't watch sports.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:14 PM (C+F5p)

8 I would add, as a disclaimer:
If you pay for cable, a portion of your cable bill goes directly to ESPN, CNN, Fox and other channels you may not care for.

Cutting completely starves the cancer.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:14 PM (s4dNo)

9 Cut it years ago. All streaming now.

Posted by: That Guy What Always Says Yeah Buddy TM at November 13, 2020 05:15 PM (R5lpX)

10 actually it took maybe 15 minutes, with updates. I wasn't *only* doing the Roku set up. I was also looking for stories.

Simple and painless.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:15 PM (C+F5p)

11 I am going to save this - lots of good information. Thank you, Joe!

Posted by: IC - Call me Madam President-Elect at November 13, 2020 05:15 PM (Nyumu)

12 So a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is getting set to launch a spy satellite from Florida at 5:32 eastern, for those interested in such things:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZyjzR96EJU

Posted by: ptschett at November 13, 2020 05:15 PM (zB+vL)

13 3
Not cord cutting per se but, Mrs928 has finally deleted her Facebook account.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at November 13, 2020 05:13 PM (yQpMk)

Awesome!
Tell her to convince one other person to do the same. If everyone does this...

Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:15 PM (s4dNo)

14 Live TV services
There are many live TV streaming services, and they all have good support across devices. There are differences (sometime significant differences) in costs and channel availability. Most live TV services are paid services. The major cable-like services with large channel packages are YouTube TV (Google), AT&T TVNOW (AT&T), Sling TV (Echostar/Dish Network), Hulu (Disney) and Philo (joint venture owned by A&E, CBS, AMC and Discovery).

Fubo. Price is similar to Sling, but it had all the channels we wanted and Sling didn't without adding on a couple of packages.

Posted by: Jordan61 - TRUMP WON at November 13, 2020 05:15 PM (Ez6QX)

15 *Big* thanks to CBD for helping me with this and getting it posted!

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:16 PM (hYcqw)

16 7
I got my Roku device based on commenter recommendations and set it up
earlier. It took about twenty or twenty five minutes, and that included
activating my Amazon Prime account and Plex account on it.

Now it's up and running. Cable boxes go back tomorrow, cord gets officially cut.

I may eventually get an OTA antenna, but it's not a high priority. I don't watch sports.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:14 PM (C+F5p)

Sweet! Did you get the ROKU stick or the 4K unit?

Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:16 PM (s4dNo)

17
I've been OTA for about 12 years.
Don't miss cable, at all.

But all commercial TV is Unwatchable, now.
The ads are infuriating, and they chop the tv shows and movies to add more ads.

The worst part is they break for commercials mid-scene while action/dialogue is occuring.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:16 PM (iYBjo)

18 OT, but similar topic. There is a new conservative ETF: ACVF.

Don't know if it's legit or not, but it has a list of companies that it won't invest in, like Disney, Netflix, Google, etc.

Posted by: sniffybigtoe at November 13, 2020 05:16 PM (xfb67)

19 Thanks, Joe! and CBD!

I am less than 20 hours away from the full official cutting.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:16 PM (C+F5p)

20 Read more books! Excellent Christian based science fiction in a recent read, The Histories of Mighty Farallon. TV is indeed a vast wasteland

Posted by: ThatGuyKindaHasAPoint at November 13, 2020 05:17 PM (diqj+)

21 Last Christmas, we got Hulu on sale for $1.99 a month for a year.

Posted by: shibumi, awaiting SMOD at November 13, 2020 05:17 PM (ZCiJZ)

22 >>>Sweet! Did you get the ROKU stick or the 4K unit?

the 4k.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:17 PM (C+F5p)

23 When I remodeled my home 16 years ago, I was with TV for awhile during the construction. I hardly watched anything after that. I don't even have a TV anymore. With all this extra free time I have, I'm going to work on the music/writing projects I've put on hold for the past 5 years, get back to playing my guitar and keyboards, exercise, and just accept the fact that I really am a disembodied brain in a laboratory test tube. What'm I gonna do about it? Enjoy what I can.

Posted by: SFGoth at November 13, 2020 05:17 PM (KAi1n)

24 Roku Roku Roku Roku Roku Roku Roku.

That's all you need to know.

If you are buyigng a new TV, just get one of the "TCL" brand TVs on Amazon, WHICH HAVE ROKU BUILT IN.

No other device to buy.

Nothing to set up.

No monthly fees for anything. Totally free.

And the TCL TVs are dirt-cheap, and very high quality.

I got mine for a mere $99.

Not a typo -- ninety-nine dollars.

Plugged it in. Five minutes later was watching stuff on my Roku channels. Which encompass ALL KNOWN PROGRAMMING EVER CREATED BY MANKIND.

Ain't noting left to say.

Posted by: zombie at November 13, 2020 05:17 PM (U/dtz)

25
Over the years, I've been collecting tv shows and movies and building a library. I'm okay with watching Hogan's Heroes or Magnum over and over.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:18 PM (iYBjo)

26 Repost:
---
IF Trump needs a concession speech, it should go something like this:
---
I want to congratulate my Big Brother Joe Biden on winning however he won. Hopefully, everybody will fear going against the advice of the medical establishment that they dare not say anything but what the state tells them to say about the Virus. Hopefully, everybody will be afraid enough of the virus that they won't go outside unless the state tells them to, and will repeat everything the State tells them to say, no matter how much it strains their credulity.

Hopefully, America will adjust to the lockdowns and put that idea of freedom and self-determination behind them. Because everybody could die if we do not fear the virus enough.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 05:18 PM (FYe3W)

27 torrent

wait, did i say that out loud?

Posted by: President-Elect Retard Strength Trumps Smart Power at November 13, 2020 05:18 PM (uS2EJ)

28 Cut it years ago. All streaming now.

Cut ours last year. Streaming is great! Took me awhile to get used to it but I love it.

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 05:18 PM (nxdel)

29 This is a great resource -- thank you!

Posted by: Lizzy at November 13, 2020 05:19 PM (bDqIh)

30 22
>>>Sweet! Did you get the ROKU stick or the 4K unit?

the 4k.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:17 PM (C+F5p)

Nice. Amazon Prime has a specific movie section for movies in 4K. A lot of titles out there now if your TV will support the resolution.
To me though, it's approaching the uncanny valley. It's almost too much like seeing things in real life. A bit of grain just makes movies more like movies to me.

Hard to explain. But 4K movies are weird.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:19 PM (s4dNo)

31 Willowed: 477 Hoping for F1 option. If they want to play like this, then let's make sure their voter base numbers go WAY down before 2022 and 2024.

Posted by: Eli Cash at November 13, 2020 05:19 PM (SScvq)

32 I got a couple of $7 amplified indoor flat panel antennas and stacked them together with a splitter to get better reception. One is oriented roughly NS and the other EW. Works best if you amplify both before the splitter. I got 24 channels before, 30 after.

Posted by: f'd at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (+y8uL)

33 I cut cable 3 years ago. Best thing I've ever done. Currently have Amazon prime free for a month plus OTA antenna.

Posted by: dantesed at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (BwCfr)

34 18 OT, but similar topic. There is a new conservative ETF: ACVF.

Don't know if it's legit or not, but it has a list of companies that it won't invest in, like Disney, Netflix, Google, etc.
Posted by: sniffybigtoe at November 13, 2020 05:16 PM (xfb67)

____

Someone will profit from Google, Netflix, etc. Might as well be me.

Posted by: Asshoes at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (22mNy)

35 Covid Lockdown 2.0 is the new Tea Tax

Prove Me Wrong

Posted by: Shenanigans at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (ZR7kf)

36 Excellent post, Joe Mannix! Thank you for taking the time to explain everything so clearly. We don't have a cord to cut (never had cable) but if we did, I'd know exactly what to do. I'll save this in case I can ever talk my parents out of canceling their cable.

Posted by: bluebell at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (/669Q)

37 I pay a total of $25/month for general entertainment and 24-hour news. Not bad.
..........

PLUS HIGH SPEED INTERNET COSTS.. HOW MUCH YOU PAYING FOR THAT?

sorry.. caps lock

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (CjFDo)

38 My newest Samsung TV is smart enough out of the box for me, and multiple free apps do the rest.

My older bedroom TV wasn't all that smart out of the box, but a simple Fire stick added all the features I needed for one flat purchase price.

I can pick and choose from pay streaming services if I really think I want them.

Posted by: MW at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (gWtVa)

39 Like I have noted all week, I don't know if it is everywhere but my Walmart has the Roku Ultra LT for $48 on sale right now.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (yQpMk)

40 Thanks!

Posted by: Adriane the Hair Care Products for Well Groomed Men Critic ... at November 13, 2020 05:21 PM (LPnfS)

41 32 I got a couple of $7 amplified indoor flat panel antennas and stacked them together with a splitter to get better reception. One is oriented roughly NS and the other EW. Works best if you amplify both before the splitter. I got 24 channels before, 30 after.

Posted by: f'd at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (+y8uL)

Before reading the commenter's name, I already was 100% sure it wasn't Ace.

Posted by: m at November 13, 2020 05:21 PM (HDhso)

42 Oh, by the by - sometimes, the Roku remote control will stop working, even though you know the batteries are good. Just pull the battery, wait ten seconds, put it back and press that little button behind the battery cover to resync the remote.

And it doesn't hurt to restart the Roku on occasion. Fixes a lot of stuff.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:21 PM (s4dNo)

43 Additionally, you can always steal everything as there are places online which will really hurt the providers/makers, but I suspect the FBI will in short order make tracking down people who do so one of its highest priorities.

Posted by: Bete at November 13, 2020 05:22 PM (Ojki1)

44 7 I got my Roku device based on commenter recommendations and set it up earlier. It took about twenty or twenty five minutes, and that included activating my Amazon Prime account and Plex account on it.

Now it's up and running. Cable boxes go back tomorrow, cord gets officially cut.

I may eventually get an OTA antenna, but it's not a high priority. I don't watch sports.

Posted by: ace

With my Roku setup, I don't even need an antenna. I can get any and all local TV stations. just using the connector cords as my "antennas." Local broadcast TV is in fact one of the Roku "channels."

Posted by: zombie at November 13, 2020 05:22 PM (U/dtz)

45 I rented a Roku from the library for a week to try it out before I bought it. It was free. I liked it and then went and bought one for all my TVs.

Posted by: Asshoes at November 13, 2020 05:22 PM (22mNy)

46 PLUS HIGH SPEED INTERNET COSTS.. HOW MUCH YOU PAYING FOR THAT?

sorry.. caps lock
Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at November 13, 2020 05:20 PM (CjFDo)
+++++++++
I pay rather a lot for internet access, because I have a business line. But internet is an assumed cost - you're paying for it anyway. In most cases, whatever you have will work.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (hYcqw)

47
I prefer my TV's not have wifi.

btw, you all know that Google listens through your pc's microphones, yes?

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (iYBjo)

48 Sadly I have found that in order for me to cut the cord, I have to get out of the sticks. Right now I am stuck with the cord.

But once I get out of here (working on it; this hinges on someone out there actually deciding it's OK to hire me even if they do not personally know me), the cord goes bye bye.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (CBrBn)

49
Nice. Amazon Prime has a specific movie section for movies in 4K. A lot of titles out there now if your TV will support the resolution.
To me though, it's approaching the uncanny valley. It's almost too much like seeing things in real life. A bit of grain just makes movies more like movies to me.

Hard to explain. But 4K movies are weird.
Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:19 PM (s4dNo)

It takes some getting use to, same as when you get your first 4K tv and watch anything on it.

Posted by: Bete at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (Ojki1)

50 Here's a question for anyone more tech-savvy than me (which is everyone):

I have some old silent and Golden Age movies on my Comcast system which I recorded from Turner Classic Movies. I would like to burn them onto DVD discs. Is that even possible, and if so, how do I do it?

I'm popping in and out, so if anyone has an answer, it might be easier to try e-mailing me through my nic, though that might be broken.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (2JVJo)

51 I'm partial to TV Fool to check on antenna coverage, though it look like it hasn't been updated in a while.

Posted by: InCali at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (9AFWN)

52 The Filmrise channel (available through Roku) is pretty good.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (C+F5p)

53 Comcast in wife's name. Been telling her for 6 months + to shut it down. We have Roku so we're set to go or at least a good start. I'll continue to bug her about it!
Thanks for the information.
Willowed from the last thread...Michael Osterholm and Anthony Fauci can go to hell.

Posted by: ERC from GA at November 13, 2020 05:24 PM (fE9cf)

54 With my Roku setup, I don't even need an antenna. I can get any and all local TV stations. just using the connector cords as my "antennas." Local broadcast TV is in fact one of the Roku "channels."
Posted by: zombie at November 13, 2020 05:22 PM (U/dtz)
++++++++++++
That wildly varies based on locale. You're in a major market (Bay Area), and in major markets, there are often free streaming options for local channels. Outside of major markets, there usually aren't. And the locals available via free streams in major markets are usually not the full complement that you could get with an antenna. You'll get most or all of the major networks, but often not the sub channels (like those that play classic westerns or old game shows). It varies wildly by where you are, though.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:24 PM (hYcqw)

55 Tv time except movies has dropped off, need internet

Posted by: Skip at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (9sWOw)

56 This is also a good bookmark:
https://www.justwatch.com/us
Want to know who is streaming a certain movie/series you want to watch? Go there.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (s4dNo)

57 O/T: Scytl background, seeing as Lou Ghomert has said US mil has raided Scytl in Germany:

@laralogan

Scytl has all the tools it needs for election fraud

[see linked article]

https://tinyurl.com/y3ubqy7a
https://tinyurl.com/y36rfjrn

Posted by: Lizzy at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (bDqIh)

58 Better yet, find a family member who pays for cable, HBO, youtube plus, netflix, hulu, and disney +, ask them for their login, install all of the apps on your phone, and chromecast the content to your TV.

Everything you could ever want, and its free!

Posted by: Harry Paratestes at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (UPoLF)

59 49
Nice. Amazon Prime has a specific movie section for movies in 4K. A lot of titles out there now if your TV will support the resolution.
To me though, it's approaching the uncanny valley. It's almost too much like seeing things in real life. A bit of grain just makes movies more like movies to me.

Hard to explain. But 4K movies are weird.
Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:19 PM (s4dNo)

It takes some getting use to, same as when you get your first 4K tv and watch anything on it.
Posted by: Bete at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (Ojki1)

Happened with 1080 HD as well. It just looks strange when you first see it. The way I would describe it is that all scenes look the same way soap operas are filmed.

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (vMCab)

60 ...and no, I can't control my wife!

Posted by: ERC from GA at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (fE9cf)

61 I have no idea what "cable or satelling TV providers" are.

Posted by: Comment Provider at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (CBrBn)

62 Happened with 1080 HD as well. It just looks
strange when you first see it. The way I would describe it is that all
scenes look the same way soap operas are filmed.

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (vMCab)

Yeah, that's a good description. Like homemade videos or something.

Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (s4dNo)

63 I don't even know what's on network TV anymore. Haven't watched any in years since I cut the cord. I'm assuming there are several Law & Order show. I think there's a federal law that there have to be at least 2 of them on at any given time.

Posted by: Asshoes at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (22mNy)

64 Trump: Heartwarming to see all of the tremendous support out there, especially the organic Rallies that are springing up all over the Country, including a big one on Saturday in D.C. I may even try to stop by and say hello. This Election was Rigged, from Dominion all the way up & down!

Posted by: MSM: Trump to concede after Friday late news at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (BBWrU)

65 It's really amazing that you can get video and audio, free out of the air, many miles from the source. It's like, everything thing is connected by waves, man.

Posted by: f'd at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (+y8uL)

66 54 With my Roku setup, I don't even need an antenna. I can get any and all local TV stations. just using the connector cords as my "antennas." Local broadcast TV is in fact one of the Roku "channels."
Posted by: zombie at November 13, 2020 05:22 PM (U/dtz)
++++++++++++
That wildly varies based on locale. You're in a major market (Bay Area), and in major markets, there are often free streaming options for local channels. Outside of major markets, there usually aren't. And the locals available via free streams in major markets are usually not the full complement that you could get with an antenna. You'll get most or all of the major networks, but often not the sub channels (like those that play classic westerns or old game shows). It varies wildly by where you are, though.
Posted by: Joe Mannix

I'm not watching streaming local TV -- I'm watching the actual over-the-air broadcasts. One of the Roku "channels" is "watch whatever your antenna is picking up over-the air." I think it's the "HDMI" icon.

Posted by: zombie at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (U/dtz)

67 61 I have no idea what "cable or satelling TV providers" are.
Posted by: Comment Provider at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (CBrBn)

Comcast, DirectTv, Dish, Spectrum, etc

Posted by: Asshoes at November 13, 2020 05:27 PM (22mNy)

68 Spam incoming (sorry again, but it will be like this all day - thanks to those who already responded).

I'm planning to go to the STOP THE STEAL rally in DC tomorrow. I'll be alone, so I would like to meet up with morons who will be attending. Please drop me an email (link in nic) if you are interested. You'll get an error message when you click on my nic - the error message has has the email address. Thanks!

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 13, 2020 05:27 PM (9hauA)

69 I have to wait for my grandson to come over and figure it all out for me.

Posted by: wth at November 13, 2020 05:27 PM (v0R5T)

70 With antenna I get 50+ channels.
Most suck.

But what sucks most of all is a recent lightning strike burned out my amp and I have yet to replace it so only one TV hooked up and smaller channel selection.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at November 13, 2020 05:27 PM (/Dgcm)

71 Roku and others: more commercials that you can't by pass than you might expect. I use the Roku but not giving up OTA, Direct, DVR.

Great post. Keeping.

Posted by: Dingbat at November 13, 2020 05:27 PM (EBeaw)

72 I'm not watching streaming local TV -- I'm watching the actual over-the-air broadcasts. One of the Roku "channels" is "watch whatever your antenna is picking up over-the air." I think it's the "HDMI" icon.
Posted by: zombie at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (U/dtz)
+++++++++
Ah, I see. I misunderstood what your wrote. You must be in a sweet spot for picking up signals if you don't need anything other than the wiring around you to tune in!

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:27 PM (hYcqw)

73 Years ago, before life took a strange turn, I used to host line
dance/quadrille club in my backyard. (They were small things with just 8
people, namely, the dancers.) I'm thinking about getting some kind of
screening material to hide the dancing, but with ear buds bluetoothed to
a central sound system, we could Sir Roger de Coverly and Strip the
Willow all day long and no one would know. A danceeasy! It's also
subversive since, you know, anachronistic.

Posted by: SFGoth at November 13, 2020 05:28 PM (KAi1n)

74
That reminds me of the argument I had with "someone" here a very long time ago who said watching a movie on a tiny computer screen was the same as watching in a theater if you sit really close to the computer because your eyes wouldn't know the difference.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:28 PM (iYBjo)

75 Roku has a channel that is pretty fun its called American Horrors. It plays 50's-80's B horror movies and it's free. What really awesome are the throwback commercials - Cigarettes and Alcohol. We drink no wine before it's time.

Posted by: Quilters Irish Death at November 13, 2020 05:28 PM (DjiZK)

76 I tried to get my family into Roku, but they just wouldn't go for it. They NEED to have an old-fashioned remote with an old-fashioned DVR. My mother, who is 81, especially doesn't want to deal with anything new.

It doesn't help that DirecTV's Roku service, NOW, is FUBARed like crazy. It's always down. Sad because when I had actual DirecTV, it was fantastic and never went down.

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 13, 2020 05:28 PM (L2ZTs)

77 The problem with the sticks is that your options are diminished. For instance, I looked into getting AT&T's Internet service. If I could score that, the cable would be gone immediately and I'd only rely on Internet. That for me is no biggie. But...AT&T does not serve this area. I get this a lot from a number of Internet services. So for now I am stuck where I am at.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 13, 2020 05:28 PM (CBrBn)

78 I would also suggest getting your own Movie server, I use Synology DS918+ Along with Emby or Plex and I upload movies that are not on any streaming service by using DVDfab. Movies like ZORRO THE GAY BLADE, Tropic Thunder. I have uploaded the old Hanna Barbera cartoons for my son like CAPTAIN CAVEMAN, DINOMUTT, FUNKY PHANTOM, SPEED BUGGY etc.

I have Mannix, Adam 12, Rockford files and Emergency on my server and adding more. The nice thing is that me and my brother "share" our movies and music. I just switch servers and watch what he has uploaded.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 05:28 PM (dKiJG)

79 DirecTV (AT&T) changed their policy a number of years ago and now they will neither step off a ladder onto a roof nor climb more than one story up a ladder to access an antenna. Unfortunately, the only location on my property where I can see a satellite is on my roof, about three stories up (I live in a valley w/lots of trees). I put a Commdeck dish mount up there when we built the place. AT&T has been telling me for a couple years now that my satellite is about to drop out of the sky and I need to upgrade, but they won't/can't upgrade me. Same story with Dish. Can't receive OTA due to aforementioned valley location. No cable in my subdivision. So, I'm approaching a forced cord-cutting, so this discussion is very relevant to me. Thanks!

Posted by: Bacon Jeff at November 13, 2020 05:28 PM (VGRuw)

80 RIP Paul Hornung.

He always seemed to me like the Mickey Mantle of football. Great player, hampered by injuries and general carousing lifestyle.

Made it to 84 though. Sheesh, everyone is getting old. Except those who aren't.

Posted by: BurtTC at November 13, 2020 05:29 PM (hku12)

81 Yeah, that's a good description. Like homemade videos or something.
Posted by: AlaBAMA at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (s4dNo)

Have you seen that Midsomer Murders show. It looks like that.

Posted by: dantesed at November 13, 2020 05:29 PM (BwCfr)

82
Happened with 1080 HD as well. It just looks strange when you first see it. The way I would describe it is that all scenes look the same way soap operas are filmed.
Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (vMCab)

That was my initial impression as well.

Posted by: Bete at November 13, 2020 05:29 PM (Ojki1)

83 'm planning to go to the STOP THE STEAL rally in DC tomorrow. I'll be alone, so I would like to meet up with morons who will be attending. Please drop me an email (link in nic) if you are interested. You'll get an error message when you click on my nic - the error message has has the email address. Thanks!
Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of

You are a great moron. We went to the STS in our state last weekend. We are going back this weekend but did not have time to get to DC.

The thing is that you are there, even if you do not have a big flag and a stupid bullhorn.

YGG!

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (4Jold)

84 I purchased a "basic" Roku device off Amazon the other day. We've had it for about 3 days now. I like it, but more importantly my wife likes it. She did not care for the Amazon FireStick.

We have subscribed to OAN ($4.99/mo) and have subscriptions to both Amazon Videos and Netflix. There are shows my wife watches on both, and we're both cogent of the social issues with both.

Pluto TV is also on Roku as an added channel. It has a shit ton of content.

I think it will take us about another month or two to figure out what we can do without via cable. It appears promising.

I will note this; the "quality" of the news is pretty good but the delivery is sub-par. Even OAN suffers from a lack of real talent and their delivery leaves something to be desired. It is however much better than FOX, even in its heyday.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (3H9h1)

85 Better yet, find a family member who pays for cable, HBO, youtube plus, netflix, hulu, and disney +, ask them for their login, install all of the apps on your phone, and chromecast the content to your TV.

Everything you could ever want, and its free!
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (UPoLF)

Currently doing this with Netflix, Disney+, and BritBox.

Posted by: Jordan61 - TRUMP WON at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (Ez6QX)

86 Joe Mannix,

Thank you very much for this post - and congrats!

Any opinion on the torrent services? I use Popcorn Time, and while they don't have absolutely everything (only one episode of Frasier, for instance), they have most movies I would ever want to see, and I can catch the Mandalorian without going through Disney - which is always a +.

As I've said before, I cut the cord over 15 years ago, and it was the best decision I ever made regarding getting time back.

Unfortunately, since I've been following AoSHQ, I've given that time back in spades.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (4tiP2)

87 Joe, moving up in the world!

I'll have to read this more closely this evening. Still at work right now.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Purveyor of Artisinal Trunalimunumaprzure at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (xPJvm)

88 Mrs928 likes her "stories" but wants to timeshift them so she always DVRs the soaps.

I'm looking at getting one of these Tablo OTA DVRs

https://bit.ly/36z7cvl

Any Morons have a review to share?

Posted by: Grump928(C) at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (yQpMk)

89 Comcast, DirectTv, Dish, Spectrum, etc
Posted by: Asshoes at November 13, 2020 05:27 PM (22mNy)

Oh, cable and satellite TV companies. Or services. Or carriers.

Got it.

"Provider" is a word that exists to do NOTHING but be a destruction provider to the English grammar and vocabulary provider.

Posted by: Comment Provider at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (CBrBn)

90 Thanks, hogmartin!!!

Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (9hauA)

91 I just cut my Amazon Prime Video cord, by cutting Amazon Prime. I hate that they are remaking LOTR with lots of sex scenes and whatnot. Tolkien wouldn't be down with that, although his heirs apparently are. Sad.

Posted by: lizabth at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (L3Rsz)

92 Ha! I had a Speed Buggy lunchbox back before I was 29z

Posted by: InCali at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (9AFWN)

93 Trump: No ChiCom Virus Vaccine for NY Until Cuomo Sucks Trump's Dick on National Television

I might have editorialized that headline just a bit, but that's the gist.

Posted by: President-Elect Rodrigo Borgia at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (VikfB)

94 Thanks for this post! I think my biggest issue will be finding high speed internet that is not Comcast/Xfinity.

Posted by: Iris at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (lSFe/)

95 82
Happened with 1080 HD as well. It just looks strange when you first see it. The way I would describe it is that all scenes look the same way soap operas are filmed.
Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (vMCab)

That was my initial impression as well.
Posted by: Bete at November 13, 2020 05:29 PM (Ojki1)

And now you don't notice it really do you?

I remember watching a movie on DVD and then we had to watch another one on VHS because that's how it was available. The quality difference was really amazing but its something you really don't notice as you move up the ladder.

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (vMCab)

96 If you still want to catch sports you can stream most events at either crackstreams or sportsurge. Get a good VPN service and you can watch most programming form overseas sources. For the Olypmics; VPN to Canada, they show the good sports, skiing, shooting, curling, hockey....no ice skating. I am a pirate at heart. I cut the cord 16 years ago.

Posted by: SaltyDog64 at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (HNKzD)

97 I'm feeling down in the dumps, grumpy pissed off and irritable. Oddly enough it doesn't have anything to do with the election.

Posted by: Brother Northernlurker just another guy at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (534JN)

98 I was thinking this was going to be the cut the cabl articl to end all cut the cabl articls,

then you spelld it "antennas" instead of "antennae".

so much for that then.

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (4Jold)

99 Unfortunately, since I've been following AoSHQ, I've given that time back in spades.
Posted by: Darrell Harris at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (4tiP2)
++++++++++
Torrents are a whole 'nother animal and I don't have a lot of expertise there anymore. It's been a very long time since I used it for anything other downloading Linux distributions.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (hYcqw)

100 Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 13, 2020 05:27 PM

Physically I can't do it but I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow. Have fun and be careful.

Posted by: JuJuBee, just generally being shamey at November 13, 2020 05:32 PM (mNhhD)

101 Oregon shutting down gyms and restaurants.

Posted by: It's Happening at November 13, 2020 05:32 PM (6c57q)

102 The nice thing about the ROKU is that you just buy a new one when it no longer will update unlike when your SMART TV will no longer do updates you have to buy a new TV.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 05:32 PM (dKiJG)

103 68 Spam incoming (sorry again, but it will be like this all day - thanks to those who already responded).

I'm planning to go to the STOP THE STEAL rally in DC tomorrow. I'll be alone, so I would like to meet up with morons who will be attending. Please drop me an email (link in nic) if you are interested. You'll get an error message when you click on my nic - the error message has has the email address. Thanks!
Posted by: chique l'African Viking Queen of Greenland (It's not over folks!) at November 13, 2020 05:27 PM (9hauA)

Awesome. Let us know how it goes!

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 13, 2020 05:32 PM (CBrBn)

104 Books are the ultimate in cord cutting.

Posted by: BuzzG at November 13, 2020 05:32 PM (N0xgg)

105

I'm planning to go to the STOP THE STEAL rally in DC tomorrow. I'll be alone, so I would like to meet up with morons who will be attending. Please drop me an email (link in nic) if you are interested. You'll get an error message when you click on my nic - the error message has has the email address. Thanks!
Posted by: chique

1. Madame, I would love to be there and join you but I cannot.

2. Your post worries me, for real. I will now worry that some creep will read this and pretend he is one of us. "I'll be alone" really isn't something you want to tell people on the internet.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:32 PM (iYBjo)

106 Cut the major carriers - ATT, VERIZON etc. own your phone, your sim card, your life fuk them all

Posted by: C Chenault at November 13, 2020 05:32 PM (tNMmA)

107 Unfortunately, since I've been following AoSHQ, I've given that time back in spades.
Posted by: Darrell Harris at November 13, 2020 05:30 PM (4tiP2)

Or so to speak...

Posted by: InCali at November 13, 2020 05:32 PM (9AFWN)

108 Better yet, find a family member who pays for cable, HBO, youtube plus, netflix, hulu, and disney +, ask them for their login, install all of the apps on your phone, and chromecast the content to your TV.

Everything you could ever want, and its free!
Posted by: Harry Paratestes at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (UPoLF)

Currently doing this with Netflix, Disney+, and BritBox.
Posted by: Jordan61 - TR

that is just embarrassing, get your own damn subs

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:33 PM (4Jold)

109 Oregon shutting down gyms and restaurants.
Posted by: It's Happening at November 13, 2020 05:32 PM (6c57q)

How can this be? Where will Antifags go to protest?

Posted by: BurtTC at November 13, 2020 05:33 PM (hku12)

110 Thanks for this post! I think my biggest issue will be finding high speed internet that is not Comcast/Xfinity.
Posted by: Iris at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (lSFe/)
+++++++++++
For broadband, your choices are usually "telco" or "cable." Even if you have something line microwave or wireless, it's still being backed by the same tier 1 networks everyone else uses. There's no away around it as near as I can tell.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:33 PM (hYcqw)

111 More on that US Army (CIA?) raid on the Scytl server in Franfurt Germany ... Louie Gohmert speaks about it, saying the info was available on exactly how many votes were switched from Biden to Trump, "we" (?) requested to find out, then this raid happens and servers are confiscated.

I thought that was good, we are collecting the data. Gohmert thought it was bad ... that it shows just how far our government will go to cover their tracks. Thought (maybe) they (CIA/Army?) did the raid to collect/hide/destroy the evidence of stealing the election.

video of Gohmert speaking - on the tweet thread.

https://tinyurl.com/y36rfjrn

Lara Logan had also tweeted about it

Lin Wood asks "Would it greatly concern you if all of the votes in the 2020 Presidential election were routed to Amazon servers in Barcelona Frankfurt before being reported or is it just me?"

Posted by: illiniwek at November 13, 2020 05:33 PM (Cus5s)

112 I was thinking this was going to be the cut the cabl articl to end all cut the cabl articls,

then you spelld it "antennas" instead of "antennae".

so much for that then.
Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (4Jold)
+++++++++++++
Oy. I proofread, too.
#sigh

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:34 PM (hYcqw)

113 Everybody here should be going to StopTheSteal.us in their state.

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:34 PM (4Jold)

114
Heinson, and now Hornung?

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:34 PM (iYBjo)

115 that is just embarrassing, get your own damn subs
Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:33 PM (4Jold)

Well to be fair, the BritBox is my mom's subscription, and she lives in my house.

Posted by: Jordan61 - TRUMP WON at November 13, 2020 05:34 PM (Ez6QX)

116 Look at Tablo, a device that lets you record over the air (OTA / antenna) local channels. We've used it successfully for about 6 years. One time hardware purchase and no monthly fees.

Posted by: Eternity Matters at November 13, 2020 05:34 PM (MTm8X)

117 buzzion: it's kind of a similar thing with 4k cameras.

When you play back your recordings, 4k doesn't always look like classic videotape. It often looks like bright film, especially when you shoot outdoors.

But then, present-day engineers are trying to develop video systems that have the exact same resolution as film. That's why there's an ever-increasing K rate war going; 4k vs 6k vs 8k, and now Blackmagic even has a 12k camera.

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 13, 2020 05:35 PM (L2ZTs)

118 Chique.. good for you! I'll be there in spirit. Keep us posted when you can! Stay safe girl!

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 05:35 PM (nxdel)

119 "If you're more than 20 miles from a transmitter, asume you'll need an amplified antenna to get a good signal."

You want to be careful using an external amplifier. Works well on analog signals, but the added noise can mess up weak digital signals, adding enough noise so you can't get them. Also take into account losses in your antenna. Different cables have different losses per foot at different RF frequencies.

There are different antennas you can use for stations further away than 20 miles, but beware of ads claiming over 100 miles, as that is not reasonable. Expect for a good high-end OTA violet antenna to maybe pick up signals reliably up to 70 miles away. I'm lucky where I am (San Diego) as I can quite regularly pick up stations from the LA market over 100 miles away as the crow flies.

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 05:35 PM (ynpvh)

120 what is the new outlet

The National Pulse?

Is that Steve Bannons?

he is on it alot

Posted by: will choose a nic later at November 13, 2020 05:35 PM (GIeIM)

121

Plus, fps. Frames Per Second.

All this 60fps is garbage. No need for it.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:36 PM (iYBjo)

122
And now you don't notice it really do you?

I remember watching a movie on DVD and then we had to watch another one on VHS because that's how it was available. The quality difference was really amazing but its something you really don't notice as you move up the ladder.
Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:31 PM (vMCab)

Not most of the time. Every now and then though a movie or TV show, especially ones made pre-HD becoming a thing, will scream it is not real.

I watched The Phantom (1996) and it really stuck out visually and was rather disconcerting to watch. Doesn't help the film in the slightest, and it isn't a good film to begin with.

Posted by: Bete at November 13, 2020 05:36 PM (Ojki1)

123 Thanks Mannix.
I would add that a OTA does give you access to pbs, which is lefty does have a few things here and there worth watching and you are already paying for that whether you like it or not. Of course, you will also probably get MeTV and others with all the classic shows.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 05:36 PM (r+sAi)

124 Oy. I proofread, too.
#sigh
Posted by: Joe Mannix

nicely written and useful

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:36 PM (4Jold)

125 How can this be? Where will Antifags go to protest?

Posted by: BurtTC at Novembe

They're fully exempt.

Posted by: It's Happening at November 13, 2020 05:36 PM (6c57q)

126 Needs more bat.

Posted by: clutch cargo at November 13, 2020 05:36 PM (8B6Ng)

127 There was an episode of WKRP from about 1980, the baseball episode, that was actually shot outdoors on location (I assume at a park in LA).

It *looks* like videotape, not film.

On today's systems, it would likely look as if the outdoor sections were shot on film, and the studio portions were shot on videotape.

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 13, 2020 05:37 PM (L2ZTs)

128 Another tip is to check with your cell provider for free access to library services. For example, I'm with Sprint and get Hulu for free (straight movies, not telecast edited ones).

I think some include either Netflix or Amazon Prime.

Posted by: Astronaut Achmed at November 13, 2020 05:37 PM (E1b7r)

129 ... You want to be careful using an external amplifier. Works well on analog signals, but the added noise can mess up weak digital signals, adding enough noise so you can't get them. Also take into account losses in your antenna. Different cables have different losses per foot at different RF frequencies. ...
Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 05:35 PM (ynpvh)
+++++++++++
Absolutely true, and you don't necessarily want the biggest amp you can put your hands on - it make things worse if you're not out at the fringes of pickup range. Places like antennaweb are great for sorting that out.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:37 PM (hYcqw)

130 I got sick of Cartoons now having some type of Gay agenda, The Loud House, the kids best friend is a black kid living with his 2 white gay Dads.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 05:37 PM (dKiJG)

131 I want to amplify a bit on ATTTV (it doesn't have the now anymore).

So open kimono sra blaster works for a large telecom company that rhymes with K D & D. Because of that we have access to their streaming service at a significant discount. And, we are in a beta program so we also have every single freaking thing they offer for free.

So that may color my opinions a bit. But we also tried to get the service for my mother, and it was problematic, so I will discuss that, too.

ATTTV (which is a name that could be improved because that is just too many Ts in a row) is most similar to the Sling and Philo and to an extent Hulu models.

The app for it is available on Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Android from the play store, and Roku.

Also available is DVR for any channel (I don't know if that is included with the regular service or not, we use it on our "beta" subscription so it is free to us)

Also included is HBOMax. I think the deal with it is that it is free for a year for all subscribers. You might have to have your phone through ATT though to qualify - not sure if that is a requirement. Sorry I should probably look this stuff up.

A quick aside on HBOMax. They still have a lot of work to do on the UI and there aren't recommendations or "people also watched" things involved. You kind of just have to scroll through what they have, or search to see if its there. (hint search engines may produce faster results of is X on HBOmax) But here is the secret of HBOmax - the entire Warner Bros catalog is on there. Tens of thousands of movies. But its kind of hidden, you have to know where to look.

So, anyway, the pricing structure has changed in the 2 or so years since we first go it - it can get pricey with all the premium channels. But you can pare it down to something like a fairly robust basic cable package for a not unreasonable amount.

Here is where ATTTV differs from the other services - they also have a set top box. It is for the most part a generic android device, but it is optimized for ATTV. When you turn it on, it is running ATTV, and they do something no other service I have seen does - they have numbers for the channels! If you want to go direct to your channel, this is really useful rather than scrolling through however many you have just to get there.

The android box is further, err, optimized for ATTTV in that of all the apps you can add - and there are a lot - prime video is not one of them. There is an ongoing battle between the two. For whatever reason, a Fire TV will run ATTTV, but ATTTV device will not run Prime video.

Now, here is the kicker, and we have complained to ATT about this after attemtping to get the service for my mother. You can't just get the app on a device and sign up for the service like a Netflix or whatever and then you can login to the app and watch.

No. To sign up for the service, you have to get one of those devices. You don't NEED it to watch. But they make you get one. And in order to get it, you have to have a credit check. If you no pass credit check, you no get box, you no get ATTTV. If you wanted a second box, you can buy that outright or add it to monthly bill. The first box there is no option to buy outright. It is "included" in your monthly bill. But, if you cancel within 12 months, you have to pay for the box. That is why they do a credit check. (My mother has, let's say a significant amount, in the bank. Her credit agencies are locked down for a few reason one of which is that she was hospitalized for a while. Unlocking is a tedious process. But anyway, because they could not do the credit check, my mother could not sign up for the service.)

It's dumb, this requirement to get the device just to sign up.

But there it is.

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (ZfRYq)

132 I'm currently doing a fubotv free trial.

So far I like it better than YouTubeTV.

Most of these services offer some variation of a no strings trial period.

Posted by: Bumr50 at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (8nKfW)

133 Another tip is to check with your cell provider for free access to library services. For example, I'm with Sprint and get Hulu for free (straight movies, not telecast edited ones).

I think some include either Netflix or Amazon Prime.
Posted by: Astronaut Achmed at November 13, 2020 05:37 PM (E1b7r)

We have a credit card through Navy Federal that reimburses us for our annual Prime subscription cost.

Posted by: Jordan61 - TRUMP WON at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (Ez6QX)

134 I hope a gazillion people show up to DC tomorrow and paint that stupid blm street graffiti over as a bonus.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (r+sAi)

135 We cut the cord literally 6? years ago. Couldn't be happier. It was annoying to have all those channels and absolutely nothing to watch. The on demand streaming is so much better. There's still a dish out there but it's actually a flood gauge. We use Vudu because you can take your DVDs and read them into your library for $2 a pop.

Posted by: Piratepatch at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (2Xrky)

136 For anyone who has HBOMax, has anyone watched "Class Action Park" yet? I want to see it.

Also, did anyone here ever actually *go* to Action Park back in its dangerous 1970s-80s heyday?

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (L2ZTs)

137 me though, it's approaching the uncanny valley. It's almost too much like seeing things in real life. A bit of grain just makes movies more like movies to me.

Hard to explain. But 4K movies are weird.

-

Speaking of, I saw that the 4k+blu-ray disc of 1917 is going to be on Amazon for $8 next week. 16th or 20th. I don't remember which.

The other is when my Woodford Reserve Dad's Choice is supposed to be available, so I should probably find out which is which.

Posted by: Undercover Brother is the third monkey at November 13, 2020 05:39 PM (mehvR)

138 > I got sick of Cartoons now having some type of Gay agenda,

Remember when The Ambiguously Gay Duo was just a parody on SNL?

Posted by: President-Elect Rodrigo Borgia at November 13, 2020 05:39 PM (VikfB)

139 It's dumb, this requirement to get the device just to sign up.

But there it is.
Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (ZfRYq)
++++++++++
That's new, and good information. Thank you. I had it for years - from when it was still "DirecTV NOW" - and liked it the best of all the cable replacements. But the price went up by 50% over the past year or so, and I watched it less than ever, so I cut it out. That they make you buy useless (though potentially nice to have) hardware is mind-boggling.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:41 PM (hYcqw)

140 got sick of Cartoons now having some type of Gay agenda, The Loud House, the kids best friend is a black kid living with his 2 white gay Dads.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio

-

Don't let your little ones anywhere near Steven Universe.

Posted by: Undercover Brother is the third monkey at November 13, 2020 05:41 PM (mehvR)

141 Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:37 PM (hYcqw)

BTW, great write-up Joe. OTA DVRs are another can of worms...

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 05:41 PM (ynpvh)

142 Posted by: MSM: Trump to concede after Friday late news at November 13, 2020 05:26 PM (BBWrU)

?

Posted by: m at November 13, 2020 05:41 PM (HDhso)

143 "Everybody here should be going to StopTheSteal.us in their state."

I heard that was a fraudulent site ... money goes to some scammer

Posted by: illiniwek at November 13, 2020 05:41 PM (Cus5s)

144
anyone remember TIVO?

Remember when Tivo allowed you to skip commercials, and then stopped allowing you to skip commercials? And that was the end of Tivo.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:41 PM (iYBjo)

145 For anyone who has HBOMax, has anyone watched "Class Action Park" yet? I want to see it.

Also, did anyone here ever actually *go* to Action Park back in its dangerous 1970s-80s heyday?
Posted by: qdpsteve at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (L2ZTs)

I enjoyed it, but it could use more focus. Remember precious little of it now, like 2 or 3 month later.

And of course there is a moment talking how Trump knew the owner and was apparently considering investing at on time.

Posted by: Bete at November 13, 2020 05:41 PM (Ojki1)

146 It is safe to say that Barr turned out to be a Fat Ass Waste Bag. Scumbags Comey, Clapper, McCabe, etc. will get away with their crimes. Can only hope GOD delivers the remedy..........

Posted by: James at November 13, 2020 05:42 PM (nOJDr)

147 joe, can you answer two questions?

1.Right now I have the Roku taking in wireless signals but I see i can also connect via ethernet. I figure wires will beat wireless. is that true?

2, if it is true, can I just add a new wireless router to the cable line into my bedroom, and then run an ethernet cable from the router to the roku box? Is there any problem with just adding anotehr router like that?

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:42 PM (C+F5p)

148 I really hope that STARLINK will be fast enough to stream movies, If that works and you get the internet any where you can see the sky. I really think you are going to see the cities empty.

My Brother's Cabin has no internet and he is praying for STARLINK because if he can get it he's selling his house and getting out of Dodge.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 05:42 PM (dKiJG)

149 BTW, great write-up Joe. OTA DVRs are another can of worms...
Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 05:41 PM (ynpvh)
++++++++++++
Yeah. This thing was long enough as it is. If there's interest, I can take a crack at follow-ups like individual libraries and Plex or DVRs.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:42 PM (hYcqw)

150 So a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket is getting set to launch a spy satellite from Florida at 5:32 eastern, for those interested in such things:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZyjzR96EJU
Posted by: ptschett at November 13, 2020 05:15 PM (zB+vL)

Perfect conditions, near sunset and clear blue sky.
The plume lit up by the setting sun with red, orange, yellow, white colors from the ground up.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at November 13, 2020 05:43 PM (/Dgcm)

151 It might be worth noting that video game consoles will support TV streaming, as well. They're a more expensive option, however, though you might be able to find used PS4s and XBox Ones for cheap over the next few months since their replacements have just gone on sale (albeit in very limited supply at this time).

Posted by: junior at November 13, 2020 05:43 PM (r+65N)

152 I heard that was a fraudulent site ... money goes to some scammer
Posted by: illiniwek at

it is a site that shows when and where everybody is meeting.

how is it you figure they are earning with that?

maybe that is why facebook is blocking their site?

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:44 PM (4Jold)

153 I also love that we're talking about streaming 4k movies and internet service providers are capping monthly bandwidth.

Posted by: Undercover Brother is the third monkey at November 13, 2020 05:44 PM (mehvR)

154
Just watched a video of John Tortorella being angry. I want this guy in 2024. The press conferences would be epic.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (mht8P)

155 147 joe, can you answer two questions?

1.Right now I have the Roku taking in wireless signals but I see i can also connect via ethernet. I figure wires will beat wireless. is that true?

2, if it is true, can I just add a new wireless router to the cable line into my bedroom, and then run an ethernet cable from the router to the roku box? Is there any problem with just adding anotehr router like that?

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:42 PM (C+F5p)

A wired connection is going to be stronger and likely faster than a wireless. I'm betting if you ask most professional streamers they are not using a wireless connection. Now depending one what you have going on the wireless connection might be sufficient for your purposes.

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (vMCab)

156 147 joe, can you answer two questions?

1.Right now I have the Roku taking in wireless signals but I see i can also connect via ethernet. I figure wires will beat wireless. is that true?

2, if it is true, can I just add a new wireless router to the cable line into my bedroom, and then run an ethernet cable from the router to the roku box? Is there any problem with just adding anotehr router like that?

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:42 PM (C+F5p)

Wired is likely better.

Do not add another wireless router to bridge your networks - just add a little baby 5 port hub.

Like this:

https://preview.tinyurl.com/y2lfu6jr

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (ZfRYq)

157 151 It might be worth noting that video game consoles will support TV streaming, as well. They're a more expensive option, however, though you might be able to find used PS4s and XBox Ones for cheap over the next few months since their replacements have just gone on sale (albeit in very limited supply at this time).
Posted by: junior at November 13, 2020 05:43 PM (r+65N)

Historically it takes a bit of time before the previous gen systems get a significant mark down.

Posted by: Bete at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (Ojki1)

158 HBO's new series The Undoing is pretty good. Nicole Kidman's plastic surgeon needs to be in the medicine hall of fame. That dude is good!

Posted by: Asshoes at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (22mNy)

159 1.Right now I have the Roku taking in wireless signals but I see i can also connect via ethernet. I figure wires will beat wireless. is that true?

2, if it is true, can I just add a new wireless router to the cable line into my bedroom, and then run an ethernet cable from the router to the roku box? Is there any problem with just adding anotehr router like that?
Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:42 PM (C+F5p)
++++++++++++
Wired will be faster than wireless, but this probably doesn't matter because:
1. Your wired ethernet speed is almost certainly greater than your internet speed unless you have a seriously fast connection.
2. Streaming video is optimized down to the point that it isn't going to saturate modern WiFi anyway.

Wired connections are grand if you have interference problems (for example, if your microwave makes your WiFi drop out), but not really necessary for streaming video.

As to your second point, probably not. Your cable internet service enables your modem to operate, but you can't usually plug in a second modem and get it to work - it will either do nothing or force your original modem offline.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (hYcqw)

160 I am going to look into an indoor antenna, supposedly there are like 4 dozen channels out there locally I can pick up easily and the antennas aren't horribly expensive. I can eat a one-time price of 30 bucks or so to just watch whatever locally.

The thing is I don't watch TV much at all so it would be a bit of a luxury purchase. The only time I watch much is when I'm really feeling very sick and can't work, so I like on the couch and watch seasons of programs in a row.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (KZzsI)

161 Perfect timing. Thank you.

Posted by: 0231 at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (r+ov6)

162 78 I would also suggest getting your own Movie server, I use Synology DS918+ Along with Emby or Plex and I upload movies that are not on any streaming service by using DVDfab. Movies like ZORRO THE GAY BLADE, Tropic Thunder. I have uploaded the old Hanna Barbera cartoons for my son like CAPTAIN CAVEMAN, DINOMUTT, FUNKY PHANTOM, SPEED BUGGY etc.

I have Mannix, Adam 12, Rockford files and Emergency on my server and adding more. The nice thing is that me and my brother "share" our movies and music. I just switch servers and watch what he has uploaded.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 05:28 PM (dKiJG)

Second the Synology NAS devices. I have set up two and use them also for calendaring and note services, in addition to using it to store ripped DVDs using handbrake.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 13, 2020 05:46 PM (KnJdm)

163 8kun (warning) has published photographic evidence that the voting machines in Maricopa Cty (AZ) were NOT certified as required by 2019 AZ law.

The AZ statute requires 2 agents of the state (usually from the Secretary of State's office) and 2 others NOT of the same political party. The document clearly shows the signature of a Democrat representative and three representatives from the Sec. of State's office.

No Republican. No Libertarian.

As such, literally every ballot that was run through those machines ought to have to be counted by hand. That's the law.

Now let's see if someone has the balls to enforce it.

Posted by: Doctor.Boom at November 13, 2020 05:46 PM (4Yddh)

164 Sorry for the OT.

Has anyone here seen a call for Republican poll watchers?

I've seen it on another blog but I don't know the posters there to know whether or not it is a regular or a troll ...

Posted by: Adriane the Hair Care Products for Well Groomed Men Critic ... at November 13, 2020 05:46 PM (LPnfS)

165 OT: keep your eye on Jon Petrick in NV. A young, upstart exploring a run for senate next cycle. Trump-supporter looking to make a difference in NV.

Posted by: mot at November 13, 2020 05:46 PM (jad3h)

166 I'm not all that jazzed about cutting my cord, but I do like to pull my wire.

Posted by: Jeff Toobin at November 13, 2020 05:46 PM (Yd44b)

167 68 Spam incoming

That's not spam. It's a repost.

Posted by: m at November 13, 2020 05:46 PM (HDhso)

168 The way I would describe it is that all scenes look the same way soap operas are filmed.

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:25 PM (vMCab)

In my experience that is a function of the TV. I took a really nice Sharp TV back to the store because I couldn't stand the "Soap Opera Effect." I replaced it with a Sony, and the issue disappeared.

You can also play with the set up of the TV to minimize that effect.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (xT2tT)

169 I would recommend the Roku Ultra. The cost isn't much more (typically $99) and you get wired RJ45 in addition to WiFi plus 4KHD and HDR10. Definitely worth it in dense neighborhoods or apartment complexes that are saturated with WiFi.

Posted by: WillowViney at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (d3MA1)

170 I also love that we're talking about streaming 4k movies and internet service providers are capping monthly bandwidth.
Posted by: Undercover Brother is the third monkey at November 13, 2020 05:44 PM (mehvR)

OTA I receive had much better quality than than CATV.

I think streaming via netflix etc is overly compressed as well.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (/Dgcm)

171 A note on Smart TVs. At least ours.

We have 2 Samsung's, between 5 and 3 years old both. The older one is damn near worthless when it comes to the canned apps on it. Only Samsung apps will run, and they generally suck donkey balls. The newer one is similar, so that's why we opted for the Roku.

I'll note that some channels seem to indicate they need cable access... like FOX Sports, etc. Anyone know why?

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (3H9h1)

172 I've been cable free for a couple of years already.

I either have Roku sticks or Roku enabled TVs and a raspberry pi running Plex and roughly 4TB worth of movies a television programs.

You can pretty much torrent anything.

So cord cutting has really become a no brainer.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (Q5tBW)

173
I have uploaded the old Hanna Barbera cartoons for my son like CAPTAIN CAVEMAN, DINOMUTT, FUNKY PHANTOM, SPEED BUGGY etc.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio

Funky Phantom is great. Remember DEVLIN?

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (iYBjo)

174 Second the Synology NAS devices. I have set up two and use them also for calendaring and note services, in addition to using it to store ripped DVDs using handbrake.
Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 13, 2020 05:46 PM (KnJdm)
++++++++++++
If you're looking for a NAS, I third this. I run a Synology, too (for various things, not just media) and they are spectacular. I am a storage engineer by trade, and I am impressed by it (though ironically I found it difficult to set up because it attempts - and largely succeeds - to work intuitively instead of how I expected it to work). It is the best non-datacenter storage product I have used.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (hYcqw)

175 154
Just watched a video of John Tortorella being angry. I want this guy in 2024. The press conferences would be epic.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (mht8P)

LOVE him and he was the best hire the Bluejackets ever made.

What's Popcorntime link is last I saw it was DOT IO

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (dKiJG)

176 A wired connection is going to be stronger and likely faster than a wireless. I'm betting if you ask most professional streamers they are not using a wireless connection. Now depending one what you have going on the wireless connection might be sufficient for your purposes.
Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (vMCab)

Maybe, maybe not. All depends on your equipment. If you can run ethernet the whole distance then you will get a more solid connection that will have less chance of interference, for sure (unless you have powerline ethernet, which tends to not live up to its promised speed). But I have 900mbps wifi on a mesh network and a 400mbps internet service.

Issues I have are all upstream.

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (ZfRYq)

177 2, if it is true, can I just add a new wireless router to the cable line into my bedroom, and then run an ethernet cable from the router to the roku box? Is there any problem with just adding anotehr router like that?

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:42 PM (C+F5p)

This sounds kind of weird to me. Because I have cable out of the wall, into the cable modem, then ethernet out of the modem into a wireless router that also allows wired connections. Are you wanting to add a second router?

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (vMCab)

178 I would recommend the Roku Ultra. The cost isn't much more (typically $99) and you get wired RJ45 in addition to WiFi plus 4KHD and HDR10. Definitely worth it in dense neighborhoods or apartment complexes that are saturated with WiFi.

Posted by: WillowViney at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (d3MA1)
---
The Premiere+, which I have has the RJ45 port. It just doesn't have the USB.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (FYe3W)

179 Thursday: Tucker 4.3 million, Hannity 4.1, Ingraham 3.05, Five 3.1
Cuomo 2.9, Cooper 2.8
Maddow 3.0, O'Donnell 2.8
https://tinyurl.com/yye96bjs

Posted by: Daily ShowBuzzDaily.Com Report at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (BBWrU)

180
Just got a mealy-mouthed response from John Cornyn about the election:

"Thank you for contacting me regarding the integrity of America's voting systems. I appreciate the benefit of your comments on this important matter.

The U.S. Constitution ensures all Americans enjoy the right to vote. I believe the integrity of elections in the United States is fundamental to the rule of law and the protection of our rights. For these reasons, I am proud to support common-sense measures to protect our elections. More specifically, I voted in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-93), which President Trump signed into law on December 20, 2019. This legislation included $425 million in security funding for states to better secure their elections from interference by cyber-criminals and foreign governments."

Blah, blah, blah. Get stuffed.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (mht8P)

181 Your old VHS casettes still are useful: they are super high fidelity recording for music and you can tape hours of stuff on there. You want a really long "mix tape" for working around the house, etc? VHS. Yeah you can stream but that takes bandwith and may not always be available. Plus they stick in ads and often songs you want to skip anyway.

The mix tape is a lost art.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (KZzsI)

182 I know it's not the scope of this article but someone might talk about KODI. I know you can stream all sorts of international shows and you can get Fire Sticks hacked with it. My cousin has it and loves it.

I pay for You Tube. That's all I do. I got it because I found that I really needed to hear some voices in the house besides mine

. I've always been a reader and expect I'll do more of that next year.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (YynYJ)

183 Haven't mentioned yet but been thinking for days the Deep State is probably more the driver of this algorithm fraud than Democrats.

Posted by: Skip at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (9sWOw)

184 I would recommend the Roku Ultra. The cost isn't much more (typically $99) and you get wired RJ45 in addition to WiFi plus 4KHD and HDR10. Definitely worth it in dense neighborhoods or apartment complexes that are saturated with WiFi.
Posted by: WillowViney at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (d3MA1)
+++++++++++
And on Amazon or other online stores, you can usually get a refurb for around $70. This is what I did.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (hYcqw)

185 I cut the cord years ago and haven't missed it at all. The only thing I use my cable for now is the internet.

Posted by: Vic at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (mpXpK)

186
There used to be a site called VeeHD.
Loads and loads of movies and TV shows to watch or download.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:49 PM (iYBjo)

187 I'll note that some channels seem to indicate they need cable access... like FOX Sports, etc. Anyone know why?
Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (3H9h1)

The don't want you watching their cable programs for free. So they want to know that you are paying for cable.

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 05:49 PM (vMCab)

188 169 I would recommend the Roku Ultra. The cost isn't much more (typically $99) and you get wired RJ45 in addition to WiFi plus 4KHD and HDR10. Definitely worth it in dense neighborhoods or apartment complexes that are saturated with WiFi.
Posted by: WillowViney at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (d3MA1)

This. Though I have to say that an Apple TV device is really good, too.

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:49 PM (ZfRYq)

189 The communist gov of Oregon has decreed a 14 day "freeze" for the state. Bars and gyms closed.
No word yet if Portland Antifa riots can continue or not.

Posted by: Asshoes at November 13, 2020 05:49 PM (22mNy)

190 I have uploaded the old Hanna Barbera cartoons for my son like CAPTAIN CAVEMAN, DINOMUTT, FUNKY PHANTOM, SPEED BUGGY etc.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio

Funky Phantom is great. Remember DEVLIN?

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (iYBjo)

That's next on my list.

I buy them on eBay upload them and then resell them on EBay.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (dKiJG)

191 I picked up a VELOP system to extend wiFi for my house as the router is on one side and the other side of the house had problems.
Now I get WiFi everywhere, even a great signal outside.

Posted by: Inogame - Trump Won at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (+2xjH)

192 This is a very good watch. Sidney Powell with Lou Dobbs a few minutes ago.

https://tinyurl.com/y3aqxxvz

Posted by: JackStraw at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (ZLI7S)

193 blaster, see, I already have coax cable running into my bedroom. I know I can just run ethernet in, but I don't want to add the additional wire.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (C+F5p)

194 The communist gov of Oregon has decreed a 14 day "freeze" for the state.

She didn't really give a good reason for it either. Just "F you I have the power and you can't stop me because all the Oregon courts are so far left they'd let me kill you"

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (KZzsI)

195 181 Your old VHS casettes still are useful: they are super high fidelity recording for music and you can tape hours of stuff on there. You want a really long "mix tape" for working around the house, etc? VHS. Yeah you can stream but that takes bandwith and may not always be available. Plus they stick in ads and often songs you want to skip anyway.

The mix tape is a lost art.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (KZzsI)

I used to do 4 hour mixtapes for parties on VHS HQ.

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (ZfRYq)

196 I second zombie's suggestion for the Roku-integrated TCL TV's. They're not super expensive but have pretty good performance specs for the lower/moderate price ranges.

A word of warning about anything smart TV related: if you wouldn't talk about it with your phone present, don't talk about it with your TV plugged in either. Same goes for video game consoles. They can and do eavesdrop constantly. Most of it goes overseas (eastern europe is common), as far as any actual human might ever pay attention to it, but that doesn't mean nobody else is taking advantage of that.

Same warning for smart home appliances and speakers, free cloud-based security cameras, and stuff like Ring doorbells. Ring in particular has pretty robust agreements with law enforcement to allow using their products to snoop without warrants.

Posted by: there are only three star wars films at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (EEVQU)

197
Have they closed Churches, again?

Because in the olden days that used to be what we'd call a violation of our civil liberties and directly counter to our First Amendment rights.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (iYBjo)

198 160
I am going to look into an indoor antenna, supposedly there are like 4
dozen channels out there locally I can pick up easily and the antennas
aren't horribly expensive. I can eat a one-time price of 30 bucks or so
to just watch whatever locally.

The thing is I don't watch TV much at all so it would be a bit of a
luxury purchase. The only time I watch much is when I'm really feeling
very sick and can't work, so I like on the couch and watch seasons of
programs in a row.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (KZzsI)

I mostly use it to watch the local news.
If the antenna comes with an external amplifier, don't use it; will degrade the noise margin on the digital signals. As Joe Mannix mentioned, www.antennaweb.org is a great site to use, and has info on the DIRECTION you want to orient your antenna for best pick-up. Good luck!

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (ynpvh)

199 154
Just watched a video of John Tortorella being angry. I want this guy in 2024. The press conferences would be epic.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 05:45 PM (mht8P)

Not a hockey fan H7?

Torts is lit stick of dynamite, and has been since his younger days.

But yeah, he's a fun press conference...especially after a loss.

Posted by: browndog at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (BgMrQ)

200 If we're watching anything from Amazon or Hollywood we're still being hypocritical by supporting the Left that hate us. I am guilty of this.

I do try to watch shows that are pro-Trump including my favorites on FNC. It's more of a mental motivator for me.

I don't watch any movies at the theater and if I really want to see something I will pay 2:00 and rent on Redbox. Don't watch much local news. Also watch a lot of ID tv and the Food Network which are owned by leftist.

Nearly impossible to watch anything that isn't run by leftists. Trying to get into Newsmax, but it needs a lot of work. Hopefully, it will improve.

Posted by: redridinghood at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (NpAcC)

201 I know I can just run ethernet in, but I don't want to add the additional wire.

Its possible to swap out the coax for ethernet, but you kind of have to know how so its a fairly smooth transition.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (KZzsI)

202 I'll note that some channels seem to indicate they need cable access... like FOX Sports, etc. Anyone know why?
Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (3H9h1)
++++++++++++
In a word: licensing. FOX Sports and the other regional sports networks usually have bidirectional agreements with the outfits that provide carriage. They provide content to the carrier, and the carrier cuts them in on subscription fees. They cannot offer streaming service absent an agreement between the end user and the carrier, because they are contractually bound to the carrier in various regions.

I suspect this will change in the future because there is big demand for regional sports networks (say, to watch baseball) among people who are happy to pay but don't want cable. Today, though, the contracts between the regional sports outfits and the carriers preclude them from selling it directly to an end user without the carrier in between. This is also why league-centric streaming services (e.g., MLB.tv) black out your local teams but not distant teams - it all comes back to the content/carriage contracts with the major cable and satellite operators.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (hYcqw)

203 The thing is is the new tv is shit and there are a handful of old shows that are worth watching.

easier to buy the dvds.

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:52 PM (4Jold)

204 If I buy a Roku TV, do I have to subscribe to Roku for functionality?? Serious question, though stupid sounding.

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 05:52 PM (bCLt0)

205
remember BATFINK?
I have Batfink.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:52 PM (iYBjo)

206 Thursday: Tucker 4.3 million, Hannity 4.1, Ingraham 3.05, Five 3.1
Cuomo 2.9, Cooper 2.8
Maddow 3.0, O'Donnell 2.8
https://tinyurl.com/yye96bjs
Posted by: Daily ShowBuzzDaily.Com Report

Boy, they are all circling the drain quickly. Glad to see it.

Posted by: Infidel at November 13, 2020 05:52 PM (Kbzcz)

207 Hadrian, Cornyn is going to receive a large mailer full of signed letters on Monday.

Posted by: Ben Had at November 13, 2020 05:53 PM (Vperb)

208 171 A note on Smart TVs. At least ours.

We have 2 Samsung's, between 5 and 3 years old both. The older one is damn near worthless when it comes to the canned apps on it. Only Samsung apps will run, and they generally suck donkey balls. The newer one is similar, so that's why we opted for the Roku.

I'll note that some channels seem to indicate they need cable access... like FOX Sports, etc. Anyone know why?
Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (3H9h1)

Because Smart Tv will stop updating the software so the APPS no longer work. Get a ROKU

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 05:53 PM (dKiJG)

209 Also, did anyone here ever actually *go* to Action Park back in its dangerous 1970s-80s heyday?
Posted by: qdpsteve at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (L2ZTs)

I always wanted to go and try the alpine slide. But never went. The loop water slide?! Awesome!

I generally went to Great Adventure.

Posted by: InCali at November 13, 2020 05:53 PM (9AFWN)

210 When Ace posted about the Pluto the other day I downloaded it and found out they have the original McGuyvers... yes I'm a dork but I LOVED that show when I was a kid.

Posted by: Inogame - Trump Won at November 13, 2020 05:53 PM (+2xjH)

211 193 blaster, see, I already have coax cable running into my bedroom. I know I can just run ethernet in, but I don't want to add the additional wire.
Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (C+F5p)

The coax that goes in there is going to connect to some sort of router, right?

That router is wifi and has some ethernet ports, right?

So - you can run a 50 foot ethernet cable out to your TV.

But you probably can't drill holes in your apartment, because, well, you can't drill holes. That means it has to run wherever.

So it sounds like you are asking can you do a wireless to wireless to wire kind of extension. Eh, kinda. But I wouldn't. Because you still have the wireless in the middle. Just run your Roku on wifi.

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:53 PM (ZfRYq)

212
So open kimono sra blaster works for a large telecom company that rhymes with K D & D.

***************

So, in order to cut the cord, will it require a Vorpal blade or a Sword of Sharpness with a critical hit with a natural roll of 20?

Posted by: Zombie Gary Gygax at November 13, 2020 05:54 PM (xxG/v)

213 171
A note on Smart TVs. At least ours.

We have 2 Samsung's, between 5 and 3 years old both. The older one
is damn near worthless when it comes to the canned apps on it. Only
Samsung apps will run, and they generally suck donkey balls. The newer
one is similar, so that's why we opted for the Roku.

I'll note that some channels seem to indicate they need cable access... like FOX Sports, etc. Anyone know why?

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 13, 2020 05:47 PM (3H9h1)

Don't some of these smart TVs have software/firmware upgrade capability?

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 05:54 PM (ynpvh)

214 ... A word of warning about anything smart TV related: if you wouldn't talk about it with your phone present, don't talk about it with your TV plugged in either. Same goes for video game consoles. They can and do eavesdrop constantly. Most of it goes overseas (eastern europe is common), as far as any actual human might ever pay attention to it, but that doesn't mean nobody else is taking advantage of that. ...
Posted by: there are only three star wars films at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (EEVQU)
++++++++++++
I haven't been under the covers with a lot of the systems, so I don't know if they're always-on or not. Most voice-enabled systems have a button to press, but I don't know if that is actually a dead-man switch or not.

But with the Roku, *all* voice capability is in the clicker. So if you want to (and I did, for whatever that's worth), you can use a universal remote or get a Roku remote *without* voice capability (they are relatively cheap) and just not put batteries in the voice-enabled remote.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:54 PM (hYcqw)

215 204 If I buy a Roku TV, do I have to subscribe to Roku for functionality?? Serious question, though stupid sounding.
Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 05:52 PM (bCLt0)

Roku is only a device. You can add apps that are free, and apps that you pay for.

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:54 PM (ZfRYq)

216 Blah, blah, blah. Get stuffed.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (mht8P)
---
The GOP can resume the pre-Trump levels of caring what you think.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 05:55 PM (FYe3W)

217 182 I know it's not the scope of this article but someone might talk about KODI. I know you can stream all sorts of international shows and you can get Fire Sticks hacked with it. My cousin has it and loves it.

I pay for You Tube. That's all I do. I got it because I found that I really needed to hear some voices in the house besides mine . I've always been a reader and expect I'll do more of that next year.

Posted by: Notsothoreau - look forward at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (YynYJ)

I run Kodi on a Raspberry Pi 4 4GB, on LibreElec. LIbreElec is an OS built specifically for RPi, and it boots right into Kodi from SD card image you right.

Kodi takes a bit of getting used to. But I can get Newsmax, PlutoTV, Youtube, and Twitch, among many other options, all free, all commercial free, except I saw a commercial on some PlutoTV streams.

If you are fine with Roku or other and looking for something next level, I suggest giving it a try for about $100 outlay.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 13, 2020 05:55 PM (KnJdm)

218 If I buy a Roku TV, do I have to subscribe to Roku for functionality?? Serious question, though stupid sounding.
Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 05:52 PM (bCLt0)
+++++++++++
No, technically not. The Roku account is free and it is needed if you go through the default setup wizard. You can opt out of it, though, by declining to connect your TV to a network upon power-on. If you do that, it looks like a Roku but the *only* things it will do are tune your antenna or connect to external devices over HDMI or A/V connections. You cannot use any apps ("channels" in Roku parlance) without a Roku account. You can, however, use a Roku TV as a plain old dumb TV without a Roku account.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (hYcqw)

219 Also, did anyone here ever actually *go* to Action Park back in its dangerous 1970s-80s heyday?
Posted by: qdpsteve at November 13, 2020 05:38 PM (L2ZTs)

Once - even at 13 I knew that place was a death trap as soon as I walked in

Stayed the whole day regardless, of course. My ride didn't come back for 8-hours.

Posted by: Doctor.Boom at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (4Yddh)

220 >>>204 If I buy a Roku TV, do I have to subscribe to Roku for functionality?? Serious question, though stupid sounding.

no.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (C+F5p)

221 @157Historically it takes a bit of time before the previous gen systems get a significant mark down.

------------
Yup. But I expect that some early adopters of the new consoles will be looking to dump their old ones.

Posted by: junior at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (r+65N)

222 Cindy Powell's interview today on Lou Dobbs deserves its own thread. She was on fire.

Posted by: pmurT at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (ojwvu)

223 Why do you need TV at all? Too much free time?

Posted by: PlainJane at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (Qo+uP)

224 Well done Joe Mannix. Thanks for the write up.

Posted by: GnuBreed at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (F0YaR)

225 215 204 If I buy a Roku TV, do I have to subscribe to Roku for functionality?? Serious question, though stupid sounding.
Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 05:52 PM (bCLt0)

Roku is only a device. You can add apps that are free, and apps that you pay for.
Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:54 PM (ZfRYq)

Thanks, blaster. See I need to start doing my homework.

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (bCLt0)

226
Not a hockey fan H7?

____________

Hell, yes. Torts is a scream. To reporter Larry Brooks: "You were probably beat up at the bus stop most of the time."

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (mht8P)

227 Why do you need TV at all? Too much free time?
Posted by: PlainJane at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (Qo+uP)
+++++++++++
I like watching TV.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:57 PM (hYcqw)

228 quit buying tvs, buy guns and ammo

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:57 PM (4Jold)

229 Roku has no required subscription. They ask for your credit card number during setup for making in-app purchases and for subscribing to individual pay channels but you can skip it.

Posted by: WillowViney at November 13, 2020 05:57 PM (d3MA1)

230 192 This is a very good watch. Sidney Powell with Lou Dobbs a few minutes ago.

https://tinyurl.com/y3aqxxvz
Posted by: JackStraw at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (ZLI7S)

Thank you Jack!

Posted by: browndog at November 13, 2020 05:57 PM (BgMrQ)

231 Have they closed Churches, again?

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (iYBjo)
---
NO SINGING!

Posted by: Michael Palin's Scottish King from Holy Grail and Darth Fauci at November 13, 2020 05:57 PM (FYe3W)

232 A further note: native integration (like the above mentioned Roku built into TCL TV's) will work faster and be more responsive than trying to use gaming consoles, and in some cases than add-on devices.

Xbox/PS in particular are awful, even if they work; the controllers are expensive and either eat batteries or constantly need recharged, the trigger buttons always start or stop your media when you set it down, etc.

Again, using the TCL example, one remote for the TV plus the Roku is way better. The nicer remotes have an earbud jack as well. You can use an app on your phone as a remote and listen through that, as well.

Xfinity and everything related to it in terms of TV consumption is pretty crap. Laggy, buggy, remote control problems, overly expensive. Often conflicts with app stuff built into the TV itself. Just take your TV, Roku, etc, and connect it to your router and be done with it. Another benefit of the integrated Roku, that's really simple.

Posted by: there are only three star wars films at November 13, 2020 05:57 PM (EEVQU)

233 220 >>>204 If I buy a Roku TV, do I have to subscribe to Roku for functionality?? Serious question, though stupid sounding.

no.
Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (C+F5p)

Thanks ace. Homework time for me.

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 05:57 PM (bCLt0)

234 223 Why do you need TV at all? Too much free time?
Posted by: PlainJane at November 13, 2020 05:56 PM (Qo+uP)

Most of the people here are only 29, so their days seem long.

Posted by: m at November 13, 2020 05:58 PM (HDhso)

235 I've got Amazon Prime but I don't watch any of their movies because they are either ones I do not like or I already have them on Blu-ray or DVD.

Posted by: Vic at November 13, 2020 05:58 PM (mpXpK)

236 if it is true, can I just add a new wireless router to the cable line into my bedroom, and then run an ethernet cable from the router to the roku box? Is there any problem with just adding anotehr router like that?

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:42 PM (C+F5p)

This sounds kind of weird to me. Because I have cable out of the wall, into the cable modem, then ethernet out of the modem into a wireless router that also allows wired connections. Are you wanting to add a second router?

You can add a 2ND router.
Need to change the ip address.
From the first router plug the cat5 cable into port 2 on the 2 ND router.

And watch you tube. So easy, much easier than seduction.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at November 13, 2020 05:58 PM (pB6Gt)

237 Haven't mentioned yet but been thinking for days the Deep State is probably more the driver of this algorithm fraud than Democrats.
Posted by: Skip at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (9sWOw)

Unless proven otherwise, my money's on CIA all the way down.

Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (5FCda)

238 most ISP's seem to charge more for just bare Internet, right? Any good deals for bare internet without home phone or cable tV?

Posted by: official redcheckmark at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (Ux7rt)

239 the thing is is tvs are kind of the pussy's porn, either way you are watching somebody else do something instead of doing it yourself, buy a gun.

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (4Jold)

240 A further note: native integration (like the above mentioned Roku built into TCL TV's) will work faster and be more responsive than trying to use gaming consoles, and in some cases than add-on devices. ...
Posted by: there are only three star wars films at November 13, 2020 05:57 PM (EEVQU)
+++++++++++
This is my experience, too. But one word of advice on this front. If you get a Roku TV (a TV set with a built-in Roku), get a 4k set. Essentially, the built-in Roku on the 4k sets is a Roku Ultra model (or very similar) and it is snappy, responsive, well-behaved, etc. The normal HD Roku TVs have lower-end compute hardware, and it is less responsive, laggier, takes longer to set up streams, etc. - all the same reasons I *don't* recommend getting the bottom-of-the-line Roku unless you are severely budget constrained.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (hYcqw)

241 I authored the original cord cutting post here on the Q:

http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=369635

No date on that so I have no idea how long ago it was. A lot is the same, some has changed - like DVR is available with streams now, and I have 400mps not 75, and PSVue is not even a service anymore!

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (ZfRYq)

242 Cut ours last year. Streaming is great! Took me awhile to get used to it but I love it.
Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 05:18 PM (nxdel)

I know I've mentioned this before, but we cut the cord before the last time the Packers were in the Superbowl. In fact, I had to feverishly install the antenna that afternoon so I could watch the game.

Of course, that was before streaming services.

Posted by: That Guy What Always Says Yeah Buddy TM at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (R5lpX)

243 185
I cut the cord years ago and haven't missed it at all. The only thing I use my cable for now is the internet.

Posted by: Vic at November 13, 2020 05:48 PM (mpXpK)

I use if for my internet and phone. Cut the cord back in June, had the cable company call me asking me if I wanted cable back. Nooo Thanks!

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (ynpvh)

244 >>>I'll note that some channels seem to indicate they need cable access... like FOX Sports, etc. Anyone know why?

fox channels are only available WITH a cable subscription. So while the apps are available on a tv or even your computer, you have to enter your cable subscriber ID to see the programming.

I fell into this today. I thought "Oh wow, I get fox anyway" but no, while I can view it over the Roku, I'd have to enter my cable subscriber ID to do so. And I'm cancelling that.

Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 06:00 PM (C+F5p)

245 Most of the people here are only 29, so their days seem long.
Posted by: m

that is the saddest sentence ever written

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 06:00 PM (4Jold)

246 241 I authored the original cord cutting post here on the Q:

http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=369635

No date on that so I have no idea how long ago it was. A lot is the same, some has changed - like DVR is available with streams now, and I have 400mps not 75, and PSVue is not even a service anymore!
Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (ZfRYq)

Just check the first comment dude. May 7 2017

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 06:00 PM (vMCab)

247 This is a very good watch. Sidney Powell with Lou Dobbs a few minutes ago.

https://tinyurl.com/y3aqxxvz
Posted by: JackStraw at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (ZLI7S)
**********
Yes it is. Wow.

Posted by: redridinghood at November 13, 2020 06:00 PM (NpAcC)

248 most ISP's seem to charge more for just bare Internet, right? Any good deals for bare internet without home phone or cable tV?
Posted by: official redcheckmark at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (Ux7rt)
+++++++++++
You'll pay a bit more if you get cable internet without cable TV (usually $10-$20/month, though it varies wildly). In every case where I have ever worked through it, though, paying a bit more for the naked internet connection and getting content over the internet instead of cable TV has seen significant cost savings regardless.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (hYcqw)

249 @kylenabecker
Dominion Security System's security vulnerabilities have been called nothing more than conservative prattle.

Well, here is *DOMINION ITSELF* admitting to "Medium" & "High" Risks in its user's manual. https://tinyurl.com/yxlu2u7u

Its recommended remedy: "Invalidation of the election."

NYT 2019: "The machines just completely melted down"
WaPo 2018: "These machines have issues. Paper is the way to go."
Politico: "We can not conduct elections safely"

Posted by: Manual is from a ca.gov website at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (BBWrU)

250 "214
... A word of warning about anything smart TV related: if you wouldn't
talk about it with your phone present, don't talk about it with your TV
plugged in either. Same goes for video game consoles. They can and do
eavesdrop constantly. Most of it goes overseas (eastern europe is
common), as far as any actual human might ever pay attention to it, but
that doesn't mean nobody else is taking advantage of that. ...

Posted by: there are only three star wars films at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (EEVQU)

++++++++++++

I haven't been under the covers with a lot of the systems, so I
don't know if they're always-on or not. Most voice-enabled systems have a
button to press, but I don't know if that is actually a dead-man switch
or not.

But with the Roku, *all* voice capability is in the clicker. So if
you want to (and I did, for whatever that's worth), you can use a
universal remote or get a Roku remote *without* voice capability (they
are relatively cheap) and just not put batteries in the voice-enabled
remote.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 05:54 PM (hYcqw)"

I'm sending this warning having been in tech land in the recent past; never, ever count on devices not listening unless you press a button. Ever. It's frequently BS because it's too tempting for them to cheat. You can't even count on the particular version you have lacking a microphone if they say it does - companies have been busted on that before.

Posted by: there are only three star wars films at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (EEVQU)

251 I get all my digital crack through my Sony Bluray player. That's pretty primitive, sounds like.

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (bCLt0)

252 Great rundown Joe, lots of info I wasn't really aware of.

Don't forget folks, Android TV is google, both of which I personally will avoid like the plague along with Apple.

I tried using an Xbox at first, and all I can say is it delayed my cutting the cord for a couple of years. My experience was not good. YMMV.

I'd say the Roku is something I'd never give up for now. I'm getting a new smart TV in the next few days, so I can re-evaluate what has been added (probably LG). I can say the Samsung I have currently is stone-age stuff next to the Roku in terms of what's available and speed. Of course, they push the stuff they think is important.

If I was going to add something Amazon v Roku, I've had extensive experience with both.

The Amazon is very similar to Roku with one slight distinction. The Prime TV app as you'd expect works better on Amazon, it's a completely different design. Because you can also do shopping on it. And, I'm not particularly keen on feeding Amazon any more information about my interests than I already do. If you are mostly a Prime user, it's a valid option and quite inexpensive.

It's also harder to find new and interesting apps on the firestick. They (also as you'd expect) push apps they probably get kickbacks on or own. Like Tubi or IMDB. And, you'll get a bit miffed you think a movie they're showing you is available, only to find out you have to sign up for HBO or Starz.

Roku is far friendlier, and I found apps I didn't know existed after over a year of the Firestick. The Amazon app works better (for me) because I'm only interested in what's free on Prime.

Of the devices I've had, one thing is common. They're tiny sticks or boxes, and since there's a tiny CPU inside, they get hot. They're always on, which poses its own set of issues. They start to get brain cramps and benefit from unplugging for a reboot. This often presents itself as slow scrolling, freezing, remote not responding, and error messages. If you can, give them a rest from time to time.

They're so inexpensive it's not a big deal to get one and play with it to get a comfort level before you make the big switch. I was concerned as it all seemed like so much to learn, but it really isn't.

Posted by: clutch cargo at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (8B6Ng)

253
Not much of a TV watcher, but thanks for an informative post, Joe. Great job. I envy people who, unlike me, know things.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (mht8P)

254 Very helpful. Thx

Posted by: Brian at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (eV752)

255
https://tinyurl.com/y3aqxxvz
Posted by: JackStraw at November 13, 2020 05:50 PM (ZLI7S)

Wow..that was goood.

Posted by: lizabth at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (L3Rsz)

256 No date on that so I have no idea how long ago it was. A lot is the same, some has changed - like DVR is available with streams now, and I have 400mps not 75, and PSVue is not even a service anymore!
Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 05:59 PM (ZfRYq)

Just check the first comment dude. May 7 2017
Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 06:00 PM (vMCab)

Digging back in my memory, I am thinking maybe it was early May of 2017 or so.

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 06:02 PM (ZfRYq)

257 You guys always educate this moron. And, thanks Joe.

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:02 PM (bCLt0)

258 248 You'll pay a bit more if you get cable internet without cable TV (usually $10-$20/month, though it varies wildly). In every case where I have ever worked through it, though, paying a bit more for the naked internet connection and getting content over the internet instead of cable TV has seen significant cost savings regardless.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (hYcqw)

I am paying $50/month for internet and it is not even high speed.

Posted by: Vic at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (mpXpK)

259 196 A word of warning about anything
smart TV related: if you wouldn't talk about it with your phone present,
don't talk about it with your TV plugged in either. Same goes for video
game consoles. They can and do eavesdrop constantly. Most of it goes
overseas (eastern europe is common), as far as any actual human might
ever pay attention to it, but that doesn't mean nobody else is taking
advantage of that.

Same warning for smart home appliances and
speakers, free cloud-based security cameras, and stuff like Ring
doorbells. Ring in particular has pretty robust agreements with law
enforcement to allow using their products to snoop without warrants.

Posted by: there are only three star wars films at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (EEVQU)

I agree. My TV is NOT connected to the internet (other than the initial setup of the lastest SW/FW), and I refuse to use a "SMART" thermostat (mostly because the local power company can override my settings--suck it, SDGE!). Not to mention that those devices are usually a LOT easier to hack.

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (ynpvh)

260 Digging back in my memory, I am thinking maybe it was early May of 2017 or so.
Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 06:02 PM (ZfRYq)

Good memory

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (vMCab)

261
Seems so long ago MP3's were a thing.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (iYBjo)

262 If you're into playing music you could get a scribd account, I believe they have the entire Hal Leonard catalog so you can get access to pretty much every piece of sheet music you'd want for less than ten bucks a month.

I play the piano an hour or two every night.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (Q5tBW)

263 I watch a ton of foreign stuff, mainly korean reading the CC. Pretty good, but the main benefit is no sjw crap at all.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (r+sAi)

264 197

Have they closed Churches, again?

Because in the olden days that used to be what we'd call a violation
of our civil liberties and directly counter to our First Amendment
rights.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (iYBjo)

But at least the strip club are open...

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (ynpvh)

265 I disconnected the cable box last week when I set up my SmartTV. Just wanted to be sure it would all work. So far so good -- there is more free content than I could possibly watch -- so tomorrow I'm taking the box and remote back to the store.

Wondering if I might need a more powerful antenna; still need a DVR. And on some of the free channels, you have to run the sound way up to get the dialogue in a movie or TV show, and then when the soundtrack music comes on you are blasted out. I've maximized the audio settings. Would a sound bar help?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at November 13, 2020 06:04 PM (rpbg1)

266 The Strippers wear Masks!!! Stay Safe!!!

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:04 PM (bCLt0)

267 I'm very proud that I cut the cord three years ago.

I've live-streamed with Sling. DirectTVnow, and Hulu.

Now have Philo for $20/month.

With all the other apps on my TVs, I could spend my life on the couch.

So I have to limit my time watching TV.

Posted by: Ladyl at November 13, 2020 06:05 PM (TdMsT)

268
Have they closed Churches, again?

Because in the olden days that used to be what we'd call a violation
of our civil liberties and directly counter to our First Amendment
rights.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales

___________

Every minister, bishop and rabbi should tell the civil authorities to go piss up a rope.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 06:05 PM (mht8P)

269 I watch a ton of foreign stuff, mainly korean reading the CC. Pretty good, but the main benefit is no sjw crap at all.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (r+sAi)
+++++++++
I am a Korean TV enthusiast (I use Viki for that), and it is really startling how much gaslighting there is in American TV - and I am pretty tuned in to it and ready to see it. The best way to summarize it, I think, is that the people who make Korean TV shows don't hate their culture. Even the stuff that's critical doesn't set out to humiliate the members of their own culture and make them feel like pieces of shit. Virtually *all* American programming does this, and it is really easy to see once you see how it's done elsewhere.

It ain't just the press. Every element of American media hates us.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (hYcqw)

270 Thank you for the handy guide, President-elect Mannix!

Posted by: President-elect Emmie at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (4JM5Y)

271 Haven't mentioned yet but been thinking for days the Deep State is
probably more the driver of this algorithm fraud than Democrats.
using money from China

Posted by: brak at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (cG+eD)

272 I was waffling between a second Roku or a FireStick/Cube.

Then I decided that Roku is still less Tech-Gianty.

Getting a second Roku to watch OAN.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (FYe3W)

273 Thank you for the handy guide, President-elect Mannix!
Posted by: President-elect Emmie at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (4JM5Y)
++++++++++++
Thanks! Our recounts are gonna be LIT.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (hYcqw)

274 In the digital TV era, signals are broadcast at a much higher frequency than the old VHF and UHF analogue systems.

VHF (very high frequency) and UHF (ultra-high frequency) are levels of frequencies. Digital signals are sent in the same ranges as before (though they've tightened up a bit, and most TV stations have moved to the UHF band).

The digital encoding allows them to be sent in a narrower band, though, allowing for less of the spectrum to be used for terrestrial TV.

Posted by: President-Elect Mr. Peebles at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (oVJmc)

275 Sidney Powell "I'm going to release the kraken."

Posted by: Infidel at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (Kbzcz)

276 Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (iYBjo)

But at least the strip club are open...
Posted by: jim

Do the stripper babes wear masks?

Posted by: humphreyrobot at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (pB6Gt)

277 We have a smart tv now. And we have sling, but are going to cut it off. We only had it so we could watch The Five and Tucker. Always get Tucker on YouTube so sling is gone. That'll save us $50 bucks a month. And the good thing about sling is you can cancel this month and next month, resubscribe...no contract. We'll get sling back for the next season of Yellowstone.

Posted by: That Guy What Always Says Yeah Buddy TM at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (R5lpX)

278 Related topic: a lot of you may have your modem and router in one place, which is not where your big-ole TV is going to go. You can run wired home network over your home's coax if needed, usually with a little powered adapter on either end, rather than relying on wireless.

Look up MOCA network adapters on Amazon, it'll give you an idea if you've never heard of it.

Posted by: there are only three star wars films at November 13, 2020 06:07 PM (EEVQU)

279 I'm tired of being hopeful only to have my hopes crushed.

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 06:07 PM (nxdel)

280 Every minister, bishop and rabbi should tell the civil authorities to go piss up a rope.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 06:05 PM (mht8P)
---
They'll be told that it's not very spiritual to side with the virus.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:07 PM (FYe3W)

281
263 I watch a ton of foreign stuff, mainly korean reading the CC. Pretty good, but the main benefit is no sjw crap at all.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (r+sAi)

Same for US

Try SIGNAL and TUNNEL, we find their shows more gritty and Hollywood the killer is the White male Christian.

I am on the look out for a streaming service for Korean shows since DramaFever went under.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 06:07 PM (dKiJG)

282 I'm tired of being hopeful only to have my hopes crushed.

It's definitely been an up and down ride

Posted by: It's me donna at November 13, 2020 06:07 PM (Zmnko)

283 Joe. Great post. Thanks.

Add me to the list of people moving towards Korean shows.

Posted by: Stateless Infidel at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (v2c9/)

284 Wondering if I might need a more powerful antenna; still need a DVR. And on some of the free channels, you have to run the sound way up to get the dialogue in a movie or TV show, and then when the soundtrack music comes on you are blasted out. I've maximized the audio settings. Would a sound bar help?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at November 13, 2020 06:04 PM (rpbg1)

Yes. And get comfortable with Digital audio out usually TOSLink.

I used to have a $400 Zvox under the set box but it died.

Replaced it with a $90 bar that sounds just as good and I can't say enough good things about it. It is tinker free it just works.

https://preview.tinyurl.com/y34px3rq

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (ZfRYq)

285 279 I'm tired of being hopeful only to have my hopes crushed.
Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 06:07 PM (nxdel)

Careful. Talk like that is liable to get you yelled at and insulted.

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (vMCab)

286 VHF (very high frequency) and UHF (ultra-high frequency) are levels of frequencies. Digital signals are sent in the same ranges as before (though they've tightened up a bit, and most TV stations have moved to the UHF band).

The digital encoding allows them to be sent in a narrower band, though, allowing for less of the spectrum to be used for terrestrial TV.
Posted by: President-Elect Mr. Peebles at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (oVJmc)
+++++++++++
This is true, but it also depends on where you are if the FCC did a spectrum switch. Most of the former VHF channel space was moved over to mobile carriers for high-speed data (a lot of LTE runs in the former VHF space), and digital TV is mostly in the UHF (and often very high in the UHF or slightly beyond the legacy UHF space) (though, full disclosure, I haven't dealt with this since I was a television engineer during the HDTV conversion and a lot has changed since then).

But yeah, encoding goes a very long way toward shoving more content down the same band space.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (hYcqw)

287 47
I prefer my TV's not have wifi.

btw, you all know that Google listens through your pc's microphones, yes?
Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (iYBjo)

If you have a mic jack on your system plug in a headphone that you don't use anymore and literally cut the headphone cord. This will disable the built-in mic and have no signal if anyone is listening. If you don't use your system for videoconferencing (facetime or its equivalent) desolder the microphone from your systemboard.

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (KXkkH)

288 Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 05:52 PM (bCLt0)

Nope.

Posted by: Tammy al-Thor at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (kwNK8)

289 I'm looking at getting one of these Tablo OTA DVRs

I have one, an older version of the Tablo Dual. This means it can record two shows at once.

I think it's great; after a year of using it without a subscription, I did a lifetime subscription as a one-time purchase.

I have an old review in my nic.

Frankly, if you are going to watch over the air, some form of timeshifting/DVR is essential. Watch on your time, not on theirs. The only time I watch when something is happening was the Charlie Brown specials, because family and old friends would be watching it, too. But now they are only available on streaming--and it turns out a much better presentation than I had been seeing from the networks, unsurprisingly.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (2lndx)

290 SIGNAL was great, really liked that one.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (r+sAi)

291 285 279 I'm tired of being hopeful only to have my hopes crushed.
Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 06:07 PM (nxdel)

Careful. Talk like that is liable to get you yelled at and insulted.
Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (vMCab)

On top of whiplash.

Posted by: m at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (HDhso)

292 Sidney Powell "I'm going to release the kraken."
Posted by: Infidel at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (Kbzcz)

Stop telegraphing your punches, Sid.

Posted by: Doctor.Boom at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (4Yddh)

293 JackStraw... thanks.
That Dobbs and Powell video was awesome.

Posted by: wth at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (v0R5T)

294 >>> 275 Sidney Powell "I'm going to release the kraken."
Posted by: Infidel at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (Kbzcz)

Wait, that's my line!

Posted by: Jeffrey Toobin at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (l6b3d)

295 I've used most of the cable-like replacement services, Hulu, Sling, Youtube TV, etc. at one time or another. They're not quite as convenient (easy to use) as regular cable TV services. But here's the thing, turns out that by making it just like 10% less convenient to watch cable TV shows, I just sort of naturally stopped watching all cable TV shows. No more FoxNews, no more CNBC, no more random episodes of House Hunters or Chopped, no Australian Football on ESPN2 after midnight, etc. Wouldn't necessarily say I don't manage to waste just as much time as before, but I don't waste it on that stuff in particular anymore at least.

Posted by: OpinionChecker - because FactChecking is no longer enough at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (dYe5S)

296 We cut the cable years ago when we were in the house. The rv has Dish network traveler on the roof and when we stop in the area we can activate it if we want. Right now we have a 55 in flat screen that i have my PS4 and xbox one attached to play video games. Husband streams Pluto and Amazon prime on his computer. There isn't anything on tv that I can't live without.

Posted by: megthered at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (SM/op)

297 292 Sidney Powell "I'm going to release the kraken."
Posted by: Infidel at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (Kbzcz)

Just do it already

Posted by: It's me donna at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (Zmnko)

298 Again- I know this seems redundant but "cord-cutting"? Isn't.
If you are in an area where ATT coverage is basically sucking shit through a straw, and your only option is Comcast?

The only "cord" you will be cutting is the power cord for the channel tuner box which will save you a whopping 15 dollars a month. The tv channels are practically free.

Comcast doesn't give a shit because they still have you by the short hairs for internet. If you want a day full of high blood pressure and acid reflux, call up Comcast and ask them to itemize the cost of the tv channels from the cost of the Internet.

I am not knocking the philosophy behind it. I am hooked on Americasvoice.news on my laptop and Newsmax on the big screen and stopped watching FOX.

It's just not what it is made out to be. When you "cut the cord " the cable company doesn't even blink.

Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (3P/5p)

299 Jewells, in the immortal words of Commander Taggart - Never Give Up! Never Surrender!

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (bCLt0)

300 Also Roku is the shiznit.

Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (3P/5p)

301 I need to find someway to get Bollywood movies when my mom comes to visit

Posted by: IC at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (Nyumu)

302 Sidney Powell "I'm going to release the kraken."
Posted by: Infidel at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (Kbzcz)
---
That woman is mega-competent.

And this is no slam against her in any way shape or form.

Judge Sullivan still holds the leash on Mike Flynn.

A Biden administration will probably see Flynn's prosecution re-joined.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (FYe3W)

303 Respect for S Powel but less talk and more do please.

Posted by: Ward at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (nzKWW)

304 Careful. Talk like that is liable to get you yelled at and insulted.

Yeah I know. Today just isn't a good day for me.

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (nxdel)

305 I am a Korean TV enthusiast (I use Viki for that), and it is really startling how much gaslighting there is in American TV - and I am pretty tuned in to it and ready to see it. The best way to summarize it, I think, is that the people who make Korean TV shows don't hate their culture. Even the stuff that's critical doesn't set out to humiliate the members of their own culture and make them feel like pieces of shit. Virtually *all* American programming does this, and it is really easy to see once you see how it's done elsewhere.

It ain't just the press. Every element of American media hates us.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (hYcqw)

And now I will look into getting Viki, Thanks.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (dKiJG)

306 Have they closed Churches, again?

Always winter.

Never Christmas

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 06:11 PM (KZzsI)

307 261
Seems so long ago MP3's were a thing.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 06:03 PM (iYBjo)

I still listen to MP3s from a small player to a Bluetooth speaker.

Posted by: Vic at November 13, 2020 06:11 PM (mpXpK)

308 You can go to church but are only allowed to preach the Leftist religion, Gaia, racial equality and workers of the world unite.

Posted by: Skip at November 13, 2020 06:11 PM (9sWOw)

309 I am paying $50/month for internet and it is not even high speed.

I have the lowest speed plan from Spectrum. It is more than enough for watching streaming movies from Apple (note, though, that I do not have a 4k television).

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at November 13, 2020 06:11 PM (2lndx)

310
Best of Breed and second in the Hound Group for Miss Delilah at today's Town and Country KC show in Oklahoma. The Saluki who beat her later went Best in Show. If you're going to lose, lose to a good one.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 06:11 PM (mht8P)

311 {{Tubal}} I'm trying to stay positive. Truly.

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 06:11 PM (nxdel)

312 Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 06:11 PM (mht8P)

Congrats

Posted by: It's me donna at November 13, 2020 06:12 PM (Zmnko)

313 50 Here's a question for anyone more tech-savvy than me (which is everyone):

I have some old silent and Golden Age movies on my Comcast system which I recorded from Turner Classic Movies. I would like to burn them onto DVD discs. Is that even possible, and if so, how do I do it?

I'm popping in and out, so if anyone has an answer, it might be easier to try e-mailing me through my nic, though that might be broken.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing at November 13, 2020 05:23 PM (2JVJo)

If your Comcast box shows a backup option in the various user menus and has a usb port, you might be able to save the content. Check using a backup hard drive and see if it works.

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at November 13, 2020 06:12 PM (KXkkH)

314 Joe Mannix, thank you! I just bought a Roku Ultra (I prefer wired to wireless). I remembered Pluto TV and grabbed that, but couldn't remember any of the others.

One nice thing about this box is that it supports Bluetooth, so I am hoping I can pair my generic Bluetooth headphones with it.

Thanks again--very helpful!

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at November 13, 2020 06:12 PM (l9m7l)

315 Jack Straw I saw that Powell interview. I hope it gets presented to the USSC and they have the courage to do the right thing.

Posted by: clutch at November 13, 2020 06:12 PM (9UmRs)

316 Have they closed Churches, again?

Always winter.

Never Christmas
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 06:11 PM (KZzsI)
---
Nice.

And you're in Michigan where we have a Witch Queen.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:12 PM (FYe3W)

317 297 292 Sidney Powell "I'm going to release the kraken."
Posted by: Infidel at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (Kbzcz)

Just do it already
Posted by: It's me donna at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (Zmnko)

No, no, let's make it like a Hollywood scenario where the villain/hero spend an extended final scene discussing the price of tea in China, before finally the action occurs.

Posted by: Or make it as hype-y as pro wrestling at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (BBWrU)

318 311 {{Tubal}} I'm trying to stay positive. Truly.
Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 06:11 PM (nxdel

I know darlin'. It's hard some days.

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (bCLt0)

319 It's just not what it is made out to be. When you "cut the cord " the cable company doesn't even blink.

The cable companies aren't the real target here, though. If everyone stops watching bundled cable, channels who only persist because of bundled packaging feel it, like ESPN.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (KZzsI)

320 Same with the others on S. Powell, respect but you're under the clock.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (r+sAi)

321 ... The only "cord" you will be cutting is the power cord for the channel tuner box which will save you a whopping 15 dollars a month. The tv channels are practically free. ...
It's just not what it is made out to be. When you "cut the cord " the cable company doesn't even blink.
Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (3P/5p)
+++++++++++
To a point, this is true. You're stuck with the internet carrier no matter what. But it isn't pointless, for two reasons:
1. Cable TV subscriptions with addressable cable boxes (digital cable) is a pretty significant cash cow for the carriers, and it actually does some silent cross-subsidization for the internet business. As more and more people do what's discussed here, internet costs will go up some because that subsidy is now missing.
2. Cutting the cable TV subscription, even if it doesn't hurt the carriers, does hurt the content networks. They get paid by cable subscribers, through the carriers. Without cable subscriptions (whether traditional or streaming like Sling, etc.), they don't get paid. And frankly, I hate the content producers *way* more than the carriers.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (hYcqw)

322 A shiny Witch Queen.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (FYe3W)

323

I still listen to MP3s from a small player to a Bluetooth speaker.
Posted by: Vic

You still listen to your gramophone record player.

Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (iYBjo)

324 276
Posted by: Soothsayer's Untrue But Accurate Tales at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (iYBjo)

But at least the strip club are open...

Posted by: jim

Do the stripper babes wear masks?

Posted by: humphreyrobot at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (pB6Gt)

Over all the right places, pehaps. Lap dances would be difficult w/ 6ft separation.

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (ynpvh)

325 SIGNAL was great, really liked that one.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (r+sAi)

Try the Korean TUNNEL, the thing about Korean shows, sometimes they don't have a happy ending, you know like real life.

Detective K and Blood Rain are really good Christian themed movies

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (dKiJG)

326 @263

----
As someone who also enjoys Korean shows, I'll mention that I've started to get a bit suspicious of possible SJW influences in some of the more recent stuff. But it's still just suspicions right now.
Though there is the detail that the rich corporate CEO is ALWAYS evil and corrupt. He (or occassionally she) might as well be wearing a giant sign that says, "Whatever it was, I did it."

Posted by: junior at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (r+65N)

327 And you're in Michigan where we have a Witch Queen.

Nah, Oregon. But the Witch Queen thing is still true.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (KZzsI)

328 310 Hadrian the Seventh

Hadrian, congratulations on having the most beautiful dogs. They look so elegant. Love hearing about them.

Posted by: megthered at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (SM/op)

329 298 Again- I know this seems redundant but "cord-cutting"? Isn't.
If you are in an area where ATT coverage is basically sucking shit through a straw, and your only option is Comcast?

The only "cord" you will be cutting is the power cord for the channel tuner box which will save you a whopping 15 dollars a month. The tv channels are practically free.

Comcast doesn't give a shit because they still have you by the short hairs for internet. If you want a day full of high blood pressure and acid reflux, call up Comcast and ask them to itemize the cost of the tv channels from the cost of the Internet.

I am not knocking the philosophy behind it. I am hooked on Americasvoice.news on my laptop and Newsmax on the big screen and stopped watching FOX.

It's just not what it is made out to be. When you "cut the cord " the cable company doesn't even blink.
Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 13, 2020 06:10 PM (3P/5p)

You say that but ATT has been speculated to be looking to get out of Direct TV before. These companies want to make money. And if part of a business isn't profitable, (or even not profitable enough in their eyes,) they will look to dump it or actually make changes.

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (vMCab)

330 Just do it already
Posted by: It's me donna at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (Zmnko)

+++

You know what never happens?

An attorney going on TV before a murder trial and listing all their evidence for public consumption.

She promised a monster sized case...FOR THE COURT, not for us to parse through and misunderstand.

Posted by: pmurT at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (ojwvu)

331 297 292 Sidney Powell "I'm going to release the kraken."
Posted by: Infidel at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM (Kbzcz)

Just do it already
Posted by: It's me donna at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (Zmnko)

She will be a marked woman by the Deep State if Biden takes over.

Posted by: clutch at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (9UmRs)

332 Great post! Roku is awesome, especially with voice control. Haystack is a nice app for local channels. Pluto, crackle, tubi, fawesome, are full of channels and movies, and these are just for starters...it is limitless.

Posted by: Tentotwo at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (ubXmc)

333 153 I also love that we're talking about streaming 4k movies and internet service providers are capping monthly bandwidth.
Posted by: Undercover Brother is the third monkey at November 13, 2020 05:44 PM (mehvR)

AFAIK Charter does not cap. At least on my plan.

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (KXkkH)

334 We'll get sling back for the next season of Yellowstone.
Posted by: That Guy What Always Says Yeah Buddy TM at Novembe
**********
A lot of people have recommended Yellowstone to me. Of course it's owned by NBC, which is why you can never get away from leftist owned television, unless you throw the television out the window.

Posted by: redridinghood at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (NpAcC)

335 Sidney Powell "I'm going to release the kraken."
Posted by: Infidel at November 13, 2020 06:06 PM

The enormity of what this woman has undertaken is amazing. So is her fire-woman spirit.

Posted by: one of the quiet ones at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (3GzTP)

336 And frankly, I hate the content producers *way* more than the carriers.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (hYcqw)

Same here. I watch almost exclusively Youtube and Twitch.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 13, 2020 06:15 PM (KnJdm)

337 She will be a marked woman by the Deep State if Biden takes over.
Posted by: clutch at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (9UmRs)

As if she isn't already.

Posted by: Bete at November 13, 2020 06:15 PM (Ojki1)

338 Regarding what WinLinBSDAdmin wrote, which I do not know the answer to, if you use a Tablo device there is software called TabloExport or Tablo Video Exporter that makes it easy to copy recordings from your Tablo hard drive to your computer hard drive. From there, you can save it or store it as you please.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at November 13, 2020 06:15 PM (2lndx)

339 I also liked the korean "Chief of Staff".

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:15 PM (r+sAi)

340 Same with the others on S. Powell, respect but you're under the clock.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (r+sAi)
---
My point too. December 8th (I think) is only the *deadline* for the selection of electors. The individual states can appoint them as fast as they can process the certification.

The Florida Supreme Court *stopped* certification for Gore. Nobody is going to stop certification for lawsuits thrown out of court (regardless of merits).

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:15 PM (FYe3W)

341 "This is a very good watch. Sidney Powell with Lou Dobbs a few minutes ago."

I'm still figuring out details, but I think the bankrupt scytl is tied to the dominion software ... that is what Sidney is discussing. Gohmert indicates we (? CIA /Army) did a big raid on their facility in Germany ... ties in to all sorts of things not just the election (but that is the big thing right now of course)

Gohmert thought basically ... maybe DeepState did the raid to stop US (iirc Gohmert said he advised Trump to get the data)... to stop US from getting the evidence of the election fraud.

Not sure they could pull off a raid in Germany without Trump knowing ... Haspel running the military for her coup ops? ... well with that General saying he would not follow tyrant Trump, and other talk of a coup ... I'm left to wonder. I'd much prefer it was a Trump acknowledged raid.

There were already some reports of exactly how many votes were switched, and hints we have been watching the whole time ... these are the times that try men's souls. heh

Posted by: illiniwek at November 13, 2020 06:15 PM (Cus5s)

342 As someone who also enjoys Korean shows, I'll mention that I've started to get a bit suspicious of possible SJW influences in some of the more recent stuff. But it's still just suspicions right now.
Though there is the detail that the rich corporate CEO is ALWAYS evil and corrupt. He (or occassionally she) might as well be wearing a giant sign that says, "Whatever it was, I did it."
Posted by: junior at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (r+65N)
+++++++++++++
I have noticed a few progressive elements in newer shows, too, and I hope it doesn't stick. Time will tell. And yeah, the CEO is almost always the bad guy. There are a lot of cultural reasons for that (and probably some commie shit), but it does get a tad predictable.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:15 PM (hYcqw)

343 And the next thing 'on the horizon' is the new broadcast standard, ATSC-3, which will supposedly work with a broadband connection to give you interactive content and other crap. It's being tested here and there, and requires an upgraded receiver, but it doesn't seem to be setting the world on fire just yet.

Posted by: President-Elect Mr. Peebles at November 13, 2020 06:16 PM (oVJmc)

344 >>Sidney Powell "I'm going to release the kraken."

Hope you have a good retirement plan.

Posted by: Jeffrey Toobin at November 13, 2020 06:16 PM (TTKRC)

345 I can only get over the air TV if I go upstairs. I am located in a low spot. But I can no longer climb the stairs. So no TV except for movies from Bluray or DVD.

Posted by: Vic at November 13, 2020 06:16 PM (mpXpK)

346 I bought a Mohu flat antenna which was highly rated when I bought it. Works pretty good unless it's windy out. Not sure if it's the trees blowing around or the wind itself but it pixelates so much it's unwatchable. One good thing is I can just head over to the Firestick and get something streaming perfectly but not that good movie I was trying to watch.

Posted by: dartist at November 13, 2020 06:16 PM (+ya+t)

347 Who owns Roku?

Posted by: olddog in mo, uckfay ancercay at November 13, 2020 06:16 PM (iEx0u)

348 Well done Joe.

Posted by: Golfman at November 13, 2020 06:16 PM (hOMhY)

349 which is why you can never get away from leftist owned television, unless you throw the television out the window.

They should have killed off Kayce's wife in the first episode. She's unbearable to watch. Other than that.. great show.

Posted by: Jewells45TRUMPWON! at November 13, 2020 06:16 PM (nxdel)

350 I'm going to release some gas.

Posted by: Barr at November 13, 2020 06:16 PM (6c57q)

351
And the next thing 'on the horizon' is the new broadcast standard, ATSC-3, which will supposedly work with a broadband connection to give you interactive content and other crap.

__________

No thanks. I'm suspicious enough as it is.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (mht8P)

352 And you're in Michigan where we have a Witch Queen.

Nah, Oregon. But the Witch Queen thing is still true.
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (KZzsI)
---
Weird, I thought you were a Michigander?

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (FYe3W)

353 289
I'm looking at getting one of these Tablo OTA DVRs

I have one, an older version of the Tablo Dual. This means it can record two shows at once.

I think it's great; after a year of using it without a subscription, I did a lifetime subscription as a one-time purchase.

I have an old review in my nic.

Frankly, if you are going to watch over the air, some form of
timeshifting/DVR is essential. Watch on your time, not on theirs. The
only time I watch when something is happening was the Charlie Brown
specials, because family and old friends would be watching it, too. But
now they are only available on streaming--and it turns out a much better
presentation than I had been seeing from the networks, unsurprisingly.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (2lndx)

They now have a 4-receiver version now. Can handle 8TB USB hardrives. I only have the 2-receiver version, but I find it useful when watching the local news, when it gets noisy in the house, so I can rewind and catch what I missed.

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (ynpvh)

354 She promised a monster sized case...FOR THE COURT, not for us to parse through and misunderstand.

You know how Ace reported how the Department of Defense was slow walking Trump's orders to withdraw from Afghanistan? How the generals would promise, then not deliver, because F you we're staying?

DOJ is doing that with the election. The time to act is yesterday. We're on the clock in a huge way and the wheels of justice grind very slowly. Bush acted immediately and got results immediately. What's happening with Trump other than talk?

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (KZzsI)

355 Don't watch the latest on Amazon from that piece of shit Borat. He's punchable.

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (bCLt0)

356 Tablo OTA DVR FTW. And Roku too, majorly.

I choose to pay Tablo an annual fee for the upgraded schedule (2 weeks) and stripping out commercials from my recordings. Which is pretty awesome. And really very Good. Like AdBlock for tv. And I like it.

Plus netflix for my lovely wife's tv watching pleasure.

I only miss sports, oh, once in a never happened since playing b-ball on their knees became a thing.

Two years since the Comcast divorce. $$$$

Posted by: Oh look! squirrel pancake on the highway at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (64PZ4)

357 You say that but ATT has been speculated to be looking to get out of Direct TV before. These companies want to make money. And if part of a business isn't profitable, (or even not profitable enough in their eyes,) they will look to dump it or actually make changes.
Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (vMCab)

They have been trying to sell DirecTV for a long time. That is the satellite based service.

They are trying to only lose $20B on the sale. They have not had any serious suitors.

Posted by: blaster at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (ZfRYq)

358 204 If I buy a Roku TV, do I have to subscribe to Roku for functionality?? Serious question, though stupid sounding.
Posted by: tubal

Not a stupid question. But there is a wonderful answer:

YOU PAY NOTHING. Nothing to set up nothing to subscribe to. Zero.

With these Roku TVs, Roku is automatically built in as their operating system. You don't need to "do" anything. Just plug in the TV, and you're already good to go. Don't need to give anyone your credit card, don't need to "subscribe" to anything, don't have to buy anything at all.

It's the same as, for example, getting a new iPhone or computer: The operating system is always part-and-parcel of the package of what you bought.

I paid $99 for my Roku TV. And that is the last dime I have spent on entertainment.

Roku is not a "device." It's not a "service." It's an operating system for the types of computers that we call "televisions."

The only thing you have to pay is to get the operating system in the first place. If you're buying one of these Roku TV, the operating system is thrown in as an automatic freebie. But if you already have a pre-existing TV, then of course you have to buy this or that kind of Roku doohicky to plug in to your TV to give it the (free) operating system. They doohickey, however, will cost you a one-time purchase cost, just like anything. Once it's attached to your TV, you need not spend another dime.

Posted by: zombie at November 13, 2020 06:18 PM (U/dtz)

359 >> Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

I suspected it was licensing issues.

It is what it is. Fuckers.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 13, 2020 06:18 PM (3H9h1)

360 >>Jack Straw I saw that Powell interview. I hope it gets presented to the USSC and they have the courage to do the right thing.

We are in uncharted waters. It seems like our worst fears have been exceeded as far as the corruption of our system.

I agree with Sidney on one big point, we don't need to wait any longer for the revolution. We are in it.

Posted by: JackStraw at November 13, 2020 06:18 PM (ZLI7S)

361 You know what never happens?

An attorney going on TV before a murder trial and listing all their evidence for public consumption.

She promised a monster sized case...FOR THE COURT, not for us to parse through and misunderstand.
Posted by: pmurT at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (ojwvu)

Precisely.

Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 13, 2020 06:18 PM (5FCda)

362 Weird, I thought you were a Michigander?

I went to Calvin College in GRusalem, so I lived there a few years, back long ago when Safety Dance was the big hit

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 06:18 PM (KZzsI)

363 Who owns Roku?
Posted by: olddog in mo, uckfay ancercay at November 13, 2020 06:16 PM (iEx0u)
+++++++++
Roku. It's an American firm that started by making Netflix streaming boxes so you could watch Netflix streaming on your TV instead of a computer (a neat trick back in 200

.

But Roku is its own company and they offer the hardware cheap in exchange for marketing agreements with certain content providers and the ad you see on the right side of the home screen. On your Roku remote, there are four buttons that are branded with specific apps. Those are essentially hardware/print advertisements, and they subsidized your hardware even if you don't use them.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:18 PM (hYcqw)

364 AND the old school antennas pick up modern day channels. .

Posted by: Golfman at November 13, 2020 06:19 PM (hOMhY)

365 Not sure they could pull off a raid in Germany without Trump knowing ... Haspel running the military for her coup ops? ... well with that General saying he would not follow tyrant Trump, and other talk of a coup ... I'm left to wonder. I'd much prefer it was a Trump acknowledged raid.

There were already some reports of exactly how many votes were switched, and hints we have been watching the whole time ... these are the times that try men's souls. heh
Posted by: illiniwek at November 13, 2020 06:15 PM (Cus5s)

Still a whole lot of patriots in the mil ranks.. not that I put anything past anyone, but if this was a CIA black op it wouldn't be reg mil.

Posted by: Inogame - Trump Won at November 13, 2020 06:19 PM (+2xjH)

366 I am a Korean TV enthusiast (I use Viki for that), and it is really startling how much gaslighting there is in American TV - and I am pretty tuned in to it and ready to see it. The best way to summarize it, I think, is that the people who make Korean TV shows don't hate their culture. Even the stuff that's critical doesn't set out to humiliate the members of their own culture and make them feel like pieces of shit. Virtually *all* American programming does this, and it is really easy to see once you see how it's done elsewhere.
-----------------------------------------

Maybe, just maybe, because Korean TV is intended for Koreans? And Korea is a homogeneous culture of...all things Korean.

The United States used to do a good job of assimilating immigrants into becoming Americans. There would be times of immigration, then there would be times of little immigration. It gave the engine of assimilation time to rev up and teach the newcomers and their children how to be Americans and love America.

The 1965 Immigration Act stopped all that, and overwhelmed us with people aren't assimilated, don't want to assimilate, and hate us. Not at first, and certainly not everyone who comes here hates us, but millions certainly do.

Posted by: Boots at November 13, 2020 06:19 PM (oGBso)

367 289

I'm looking at getting one of these Tablo OTA DVRs

Oh, and I figured out what was going on with my drop-out. Tablo is a Wifi device, and apparently my neighbor's WiFi was causing dropouts. I now have a WiFi extender that fixed my issues.

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:19 PM (ynpvh)

368 what happened with the quakr oats guy?

Posted by: confederatefifth at November 13, 2020 06:19 PM (4Jold)

369 It's just not what it is made out to be. When you "cut the cord " the cable company doesn't even blink.

*
*

Maybe so. But I could use that additional $42/month in my pocket.

I will miss the cable company's 24-hour guide that's right there as a channel to itself. I've found a site that will show me the programming on my local OTA channels. However, the detail on a given episode -- the date originally aired, in particular -- is not there as it is on the cable.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at November 13, 2020 06:19 PM (rpbg1)

370 We were the first video game players.

We know shit.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at November 13, 2020 06:19 PM (pB6Gt)

371 Two years since the Comcast divorce. $$$$

Posted by: Oh look! squirrel pancake on the highway at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (64PZ4)

Been off cable since 2006. I see it now and then, because in-laws pay for it. But I would miss nothing if they didn't.

Posted by: flounder, rebel, vulgarian, deplorable, winner at November 13, 2020 06:19 PM (KnJdm)

372 Don't watch the latest on Amazon from that piece of shit Borat. He's punchable.
Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (bCLt0)
---
It's funny because Cohen couldn't "trick" anyone anymore so he had to wear disguises, not exactly Borat-ian.

I liked most of the first movie, except he was full of shit that he got people at the rodeo "repeating" his ethnic bullshit. If you listen that crowd turned on him even as he started it.

Progs don't take feedback too well.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:20 PM (FYe3W)

373 And frankly, I hate the content producers *way* more than the carriers.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!)

Good point and great post!

Don't forget us little people when you're a rich and famous COB living in your Malibu dreamhouse.

Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 13, 2020 06:20 PM (3P/5p)

374 Excellent, very helpful and thank you very much.

One question: when will StarLink be available in my service area? I figure I have as much chance getting an answer from you as from StarLink.

We have what is supposed to be a 30 MBs microwave link to a broadband connection on Mt. Palomar, but so does everyone else in our neighborhood, resulting in piss-poor performance in the evenings.

Posted by: motionview (prep train organize) at November 13, 2020 06:20 PM (pYQR/)

375 You'll pay a bit more if you get cable internet without cable TV (usually $10-$20/month, though it varies wildly). In every case where I have ever worked through it, though, paying a bit more for the naked internet connection and getting content over the internet instead of cable TV has seen significant cost savings regardless.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:01 PM (hYcqw)

Where I live currently, there's only cable service available. However, at least when I was signing up (twice in the past year) it was still cheaper to just get internet $60/mo in the south SF Bay Area. I think cable is an additional $20 when they offer their specials.

Posted by: clutch cargo at November 13, 2020 06:21 PM (8B6Ng)

376 Wow, Zombie. Clearly stated, and Thank You!!

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:21 PM (bCLt0)

377 Somewhat off topic...

Any recommendations for a good bluetooth indoor home speaker.

So many to choose from, at so many price points???

Posted by: browndog at November 13, 2020 06:21 PM (BgMrQ)

378 Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:18
------------------------
Thanks, Joe. And great post. Got it bookmarked.

Posted by: olddog in mo, uckfay ancercay at November 13, 2020 06:21 PM (iEx0u)

379 ... The United States used to do a good job of assimilating immigrants into becoming Americans. There would be times of immigration, then there would be times of little immigration. It gave the engine of assimilation time to rev up and teach the newcomers and their children how to be Americans and love America. ...
Posted by: Boots at November 13, 2020 06:19 PM (oGBso)
+++++++++++++
I think this is it more the homogeneity. "Not homogenous" does *not* mean "balkanized" and we used to understand that in this country. But balkanization is what the culture warriors want.

Even if we *were* homogenous, though, all things being equal, the media producers would shit on our culture anyway. They despise American (and more generally, Western) culture.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:21 PM (hYcqw)

380 One of the funny things I get about Korean culture is how big a social thing it is to "have a meal" with somebody.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:21 PM (r+sAi)

381 Cable TV will be dead in 5 years. I cut the cord with Comcast 4 yrs ago and replaced it with YouTube TV. Net savings: $168 less a month. My only regret was not doing it sooner.

Posted by: Tommyboy at November 13, 2020 06:22 PM (HU93f)

382 I took off every Roku channel except 7. The UHF remote is the best part of it.

Posted by: Jimco Industries at November 13, 2020 06:22 PM (buTO7)

383 Don't forget us little people when you're a rich and famous COB living in your Malibu dreamhouse.
Posted by: deplorable unperson - refuse to accept the Mask of the Beast at November 13, 2020 06:20 PM (3P/5p)
++++++++++++
Don't forget the excellent dental plan!

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:22 PM (hYcqw)

384 You know what never happens?

An attorney going on TV before a murder trial and listing all their evidence for public consumption.

She promised a monster sized case...FOR THE COURT, not for us to parse through and misunderstand.
Posted by: pmurT at November 13, 2020 06:14 PM (ojwvu)

If the entire population was the attorney's jury they certainly would.

Posted by: Alabaster Jones at November 13, 2020 06:22 PM (2DOZq)

385 342 As someone who also enjoys Korean shows, I'll mention that I've started to get a bit suspicious of possible SJW influences in some of the more recent stuff. But it's still just suspicions right now.
Though there is the detail that the rich corporate CEO is ALWAYS evil and corrupt. He (or occassionally she) might as well be wearing a giant sign that says, "Whatever it was, I did it."
Posted by: junior at November 13, 2020 06:13 PM (r+65N)
+++++++++++++
I have noticed a few progressive elements in newer shows, too, and I hope it doesn't stick. Time will tell. And yeah, the CEO is almost always the bad guy. There are a lot of cultural reasons for that (and probably some commie shit), but it does get a tad predictable.
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:15 PM (hYcqw)

==========

Korean stuff is as political as ours.

It's just in a different paradigm so a lot of it goes over our heads.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 13, 2020 06:22 PM (LvTSG)

386 196 I second zombie's suggestion for the Roku-integrated TCL TV's. They're not super expensive but have pretty good performance specs for the lower/moderate price ranges.

A word of warning about anything smart TV related: if you wouldn't talk about it with your phone present, don't talk about it with your TV plugged in either. Same goes for video game consoles. They can and do eavesdrop constantly. Most of it goes overseas (eastern europe is common), as far as any actual human might ever pay attention to it, but that doesn't mean nobody else is taking advantage of that.

Same warning for smart home appliances and speakers, free cloud-based security cameras, and stuff like Ring doorbells. Ring in particular has pretty robust agreements with law enforcement to allow using their products to snoop without warrants.
Posted by: there are only three star wars films at November 13, 2020 05:51 PM (EEVQU)

sans.org mentioned (a few years ago) a procedure to perform virus scans on Samsung TVs. Since I didn't have one nor knew anyone that did I couldn't test that out.

Just something to consider.

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at November 13, 2020 06:23 PM (KXkkH)

387 @354

It's largely over except the call to concede.

If I were Trump I would offer no transition assistance or period. You can get the keys to the kingdom on January 20th not a second before.

They're pretty much plugged in anyway, so use legitimizing the heist.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:24 PM (Q5tBW)

388 Where I live currently, there's only cable service available. However, at least when I was signing up (twice in the past year) it was still cheaper to just get internet $60/mo in the south SF Bay Area. I think cable is an additional $20 when they offer their specials.
Posted by: clutch cargo at November 13, 2020 06:21 PM (8B6Ng)

Yeah you pay more for cable only or internet only than if you "bundle" kind of. So it's $40 for each if you bundle. but $60 if you just get one. So your bundle is $80. "Saving money" always costs more.

Posted by: buzzion at November 13, 2020 06:24 PM (vMCab)

389 That was extremely helpful. Thank you.

Posted by: Buck Throckmorton at November 13, 2020 06:24 PM (d9Cw3)

390 Heh. Elon Musk got tested 4 times today for covid. 2 came back positive and 2 came back negative. Same nurse, same test, same machine.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:25 PM (r+sAi)

391 Heh. Elon Musk got tested 4 times today for covid. 2 came back positive and 2 came back negative. Same nurse, same test, same machine.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:25 PM (r+sAi)
+++++
Same day?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:25 PM (hYcqw)

392 390 Heh. Elon Musk got tested 4 times today for covid. 2 came back positive and 2 came back negative. Same nurse, same test, same machine.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:25 PM (r+sAi)

=========

All I know is that I definitely trust our testing numbers.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 13, 2020 06:25 PM (LvTSG)

393 @325 Try the Korean TUNNEL, the thing about Korean shows, sometimes they don't have a happy ending, you know like real life.

----------
Just a heads up -
There's a Thai remake of Tunnel. I haven't watched it myself, but I've heard it's not as good as the Korean version (which I enjoyed).

Posted by: junior at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (r+65N)

394 Don't watch the latest on Amazon from that piece of shit Borat. He's punchable.
Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (bCLt0)
---
It's funny because Cohen couldn't "trick" anyone anymore so he had to wear disguises, not exactly Borat-ian.

I liked most of the first movie, except he was full of shit that he got people at the rodeo "repeating" his ethnic bullshit. If you listen that crowd turned on him even as he started it.

Progs don't take feedback too well.
Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:20 PM (FYe3W)

Don't plan to watch it but have to admit that I laughed at the trailer when he was stopped by the cop because he had his daughter riding on the roof of the truck. He told the cop that in his country only men and bear get to ride inside.

Posted by: Alabaster Jones at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (2DOZq)

395 Same day.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (r+sAi)

396 Heh. Elon Musk got tested 4 times today for covid. 2 came back positive and 2 came back negative. Same nurse, same test, same machine.

That's what you get when you oversample the DNA so many times its at a level no longer admissible in court.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (KZzsI)

397 ATSC 3.0 is in test in limited markets. Not mine, though i do have an HDHomerun box that can handle it. It's good with current OTA, too. Better than my old one.

Posted by: The Quaker Crusader at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (uhPTO)

398 @390

As has been said, all testing is bullshit.

It's not called the plandemic for nothing.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (Q5tBW)

399 390
Heh. Elon Musk got tested 4 times today for covid. 2 came back positive
and 2 came back negative. Same nurse, same test, same machine.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:25 PM (r+sAi)

What, did they poke him in 4 different orifices?

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (ynpvh)

400 All these entertainment options will be very helpful during Second Wave Lockdown

Posted by: Insomniac at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (nakwk)

401 There's a newbie co. called Nexus, Air fiber internet.
Dunno who owns it, but they've been trying to go satellite forever with internet. Downloads ain't bad, but uploads suck.
Need more satellites and towers. that shouldn't cost much, right?

Posted by: MarkY at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (VkXr8)

402 Don't forget the excellent dental plan!
Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:22 PM (hYcqw)
---
Chew on the other side?

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (FYe3W)

403 Off sock.

Posted by: Chunk Hunger at November 13, 2020 06:27 PM (uhPTO)

404 I agree with the posters above who say that 1280 HD looks odd. When I first saw it (at a Sam's Club I think) it didn't look like a movie, it looked like watching a play.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at November 13, 2020 06:27 PM (l9m7l)

405 I have an old review in my nic.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at November 13, 2020 06:08 PM (2lndx)

Thank you.

Posted by: Grump928(C) at November 13, 2020 06:27 PM (yQpMk)

406 Don't watch the latest on Amazon from that piece of shit Borat. He's punchable.
Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (bCLt0)
---

Never planned on it. I've missed all of them and that seems to be a plan. I hate the way Amazoid pushes that crap though. Or "black tv" or whatever other woke agenda for the month it is.

I did finally for the first time try watching one of the Amazoid only shows since it looked entertaining. Truth Seekers. Meh. Simon Pegg deal. I slogged through 3 or 4 of them, and it's just not worth the time investment.

If Amazoid stays true, the first season is as good as it gets, and then the wokeness (already nearly off the charts) will be intolerable.

Posted by: clutch cargo at November 13, 2020 06:28 PM (8B6Ng)

407 Nyah?

Posted by: Anna Puma at November 13, 2020 06:28 PM (ERNoF)

408 I though it was impossible to turn off the VidScreen?

Posted by: Eromero at November 13, 2020 06:28 PM (XhWtx)

409 400 All these entertainment options will be very helpful during Second Wave Lockdown
Posted by: Insomniac at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (nakwk)

==========

I could watch all of my movies without repeating a single film for 89 straight days without a break, according to the statistics on my collection from Blu-ray.com.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 13, 2020 06:28 PM (LvTSG)

410 Don't forget the excellent dental plan!
==========
Lisa needs braces...

Posted by: Astronaut Achmed at November 13, 2020 06:28 PM (E1b7r)

411 I imagine they went up his nose with 4 different swabs. but he tweeted it out about how stupid it was.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:28 PM (r+sAi)

412 Hope Sydney Powell has some armed protection.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 13, 2020 06:29 PM (WkPC9)

413 Heh. Elon Musk got tested 4 times today for covid. 2 came back positive and 2 came back negative. Same nurse, same test, same machine.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:25 PM (r+sAi)
---
Our bad. When we randomly selected to assign positives, we didn't know they came from the same person.

We'll be more careful in the future.

Posted by: The Lab at November 13, 2020 06:29 PM (FYe3W)

414 410 Don't forget the excellent dental plan!
==========
Lisa needs braces...
Posted by: Astronaut Achmed at November 13, 2020 06:28 PM (E1b7r)

==========

But, the free keg of beer...

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 13, 2020 06:29 PM (LvTSG)

415 413
Heh. Elon Musk got tested 4 times today for covid. 2 came back positive
and 2 came back negative. Same nurse, same test, same machine.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:25 PM (r+sAi)

---

Our bad. When we randomly selected to assign positives, we didn't know they came from the same person.

We'll be more careful in the future.

Posted by: The Lab at November 13, 2020 06:29 PM (FYe3W)

There was a story years ago about pregnancy testing, and how they sent in a guy's urine and it came back positive.

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:30 PM (ynpvh)

416 You know what I find interesting about Fux's kamikaze raid on team Trump? How many people held onto cable *just* to watch Fux? They're f'ing the entire industry, just to take Trump out. Cable is officially dinosaur media now.
For Fux's sake.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin Super Spreader of Bullshit at November 13, 2020 06:30 PM (7Fj9P)

417 Just do it already
Posted by: It's me donna at November 13, 2020 06:09 PM (Zmnko)

+++

You know what never happens?

An attorney going on TV before a murder trial and listing all their evidence for public consumption.

She promised a monster sized case...FOR THE COURT, not for us to parse through and misunderstand.
---
Ok.
But here the thing: Trump is losing the PR war.

These courts, that we're all relying on now, (1) can drag this out as long as they want until it's moot and (2) pay very close attention to public opinion. Specifically, the opinion on the cable news.

I'm a helpless spectator trapped in this bus hurling toward the cliff.
But, why is it too much to ask for Trump to at least brief a few in Congress and get them out there promising there is proof?

We just went through 3 years of every Democrat promising us proof of collision.

And we can't get one Congressman to go on the record to defend Trump now?

Ruthless beats by-the-rules every time; there is no morality left in this game-- it is a fight for our lives, nothing should be off-limits.

Posted by: RoyalOil at November 13, 2020 06:31 PM (aO8Gd)

418 I've never owned a TV and never watched cable. Out-of-the-ordinary I know; in the old days I relied on select periodicals for the news. (I got bored with TV as a teenager (1960s) and never looked back. My wife is the same way.) Thank you so much for the article; With all the related info in it, I'm sure I will find use for it in the future. Thank you again.

Posted by: Allears at November 13, 2020 06:31 PM (qf5X8)

419 What we need people, are puppet shows. No subscription necessary.

Puppet Shows.

Make it happen.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at November 13, 2020 06:31 PM (3H9h1)

420 Troypoint.com

Everything you need to know.

Posted by: Grumpspot at November 13, 2020 06:31 PM (JOEBK)

421 What service is best for the educational, documentary channels. Like military, history, smithsonian, etc ?

Posted by: Alabaster Jones at November 13, 2020 06:31 PM (2DOZq)

422 377Any recommendations for a good bluetooth indoor home speaker.

So many to choose from, at so many price points???
Posted by: browndog at November 13, 2020 06:21 PM (BgMrQ)

I have an Amazon Basics speaker which I got on a closeout sale. But they have a wide varity still going for $35 to $200. Don't get a high end Bose, they cost too much and are not worth it.

Posted by: Vic at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (mpXpK)

423 Friends... download KODI on an amazon fire device and don't pay these scumbags a red cent ever again. They hate you and you should consider it payback to steal from them. Every tv show and movie ever made for free. If you're scared (unnecessarily) get a vpn service for $3 a month. Just Google how to install kodi and enjoy. You're welcome.

Posted by: StickWiggler at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (Qw0gV)

424 You know what I find interesting about Fux's kamikaze raid on team Trump? How many people held onto cable *just* to watch Fux? They're f'ing the entire industry, just to take Trump out. Cable is officially dinosaur media now.
For Fux's sake.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin Super Spreader of Bullshit at November 13, 2020 06:30 PM (7Fj9P)
---
Almost seems like they knew the fix was in. And that the option was to ride Trump down. They turned sharply at the end, even if it had been trending that way.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (FYe3W)

425 The Empress has used puppets to explain legal concepts to obtuse clients.

Posted by: Anna Puma at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (ERNoF)

426 Word on the street is Levar Burton May be replacing Alex Trebek.

I'd accept that, Levar's a good dude.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (Q5tBW)

427 416
You know what I find interesting about Fux's kamikaze raid on team
Trump? How many people held onto cable *just* to watch Fux? They're
f'ing the entire industry, just to take Trump out. Cable is officially
dinosaur media now.

For Fux's sake.

Posted by: Brave Sir Robin Super Spreader of Bullshit at November 13, 2020 06:30 PM (7Fj9P)

There were other shows I watched. the Smithsonian channel has "Air Disasters" and "Disasters at Sea"

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (ynpvh)

428 It's not called the plandemic for nothing.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:26 PM (Q5tBW)

We'll pay for it all w/our new "work from home tax".

Posted by: BignJames at November 13, 2020 06:33 PM (AwYPR)

429 I could watch all of my movies without repeating a single film for 89 straight days without a break, according to the statistics on my collection from Blu-ray.com.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 13, 2020 06:28 PM (LvTSG)

Nice! I've got 5 U-Haul boxes stuffed to the gills with DVDs.

Libraries are good.

Posted by: Gaelic Girl at November 13, 2020 06:33 PM (5FCda)

430 Paul Horning died...sigh

I am getting old

And sundown has appointed a transexual to his DOD transition team. Sigh Sigh

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 13, 2020 06:33 PM (85Gof)

431 I think there are some documentary only channels among all these services, both free and pay.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:34 PM (r+sAi)

432 LeVar Burton?

What is Word Up Alex?

Posted by: Anna Puma at November 13, 2020 06:34 PM (ERNoF)

433 I have an Amazon Basics speaker which I got on a closeout sale. But they have a wide varity still going for $35 to $200. Don't get a high end Bose, they cost too much and are not worth it.

Posted by: Vic at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (mpXpK)

Thanks Vic...

Posted by: browndog at November 13, 2020 06:34 PM (BgMrQ)

434 426
Word on the street is Levar Burton May be replacing Alex Trebek.

I'd accept that, Levar's a good dude.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (Q5tBW)

Better if he dresses up as Geordi LaForge

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:34 PM (ynpvh)

435 Word on the street is Levar Burton May be replacing Alex Trebek.

I'd accept that, Levar's a good dude.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (Q5tBW)

Seems cool but would confirm the predictions that a POC would be the replacement.

Posted by: Alabaster Jones at November 13, 2020 06:34 PM (2DOZq)

436 Loving Warroom with Bannon on Pluto Real Americ's Voice...listed with News channels.

Posted by: Stellastwocents at November 13, 2020 06:34 PM (cRbt7)

437 There were other shows I watched. the Smithsonian channel has "Air Disasters" and "Disasters at Sea"
Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (ynpvh)

I usually watch the " Air Disasters at Sea"

Posted by: Nevergiveup at November 13, 2020 06:34 PM (85Gof)

438 426 Word on the street is Levar Burton May be replacing Alex Trebek.

I'd accept that, Levar's a good dude.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (Q5tBW)

"Contestants, reading brings out a world of whimsy and wonder!"

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 13, 2020 06:35 PM (CBrBn)

439 The Empress has used puppets to explain legal concepts to obtuse clients.

Posted by: Anna Puma at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (ERNoF)

Assault and battery would be interesting.

Posted by: BignJames at November 13, 2020 06:35 PM (AwYPR)

440 So, no one is telling me what Kamala is doing for Diwali?

Posted by: Celebration of victory of light over darkness at November 13, 2020 06:35 PM (BBWrU)

441 President Donald Trump received a greater share of support in New York
state than any Republican has since George H.W. Bush in 1988. Current
results reveal that Trump secured almost 43% of the vote in New York,
almost 6.5% more than he received when running against Hillary Clinton
in 2016.
Um... yeah and this guy lost? Nah.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:35 PM (r+sAi)

442 could watch all of my movies without repeating a single film for 89 straight days without a break, according to the statistics on my collection from Blu-ray.com.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future!

Another Day in Paradise (199

has James Wood

Posted by: humphreyrobot at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (pB6Gt)

443 So, no one is telling me what Kamala is doing for Diwali?
Posted by: Celebration of victory of light over darkness at November 13, 2020 06:35 PM (BBWrU)
+++++++++++
Probably conspiring with a bunch of assholes to destroy America.

Like every other day.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (hYcqw)

444 I have an older 2yrs roku that was mid high when we bought it. (Wifi only) is the ultra model worth the cost?

Posted by: USNtakim deplorable still. at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (0OmEj)

445
I'd accept that, Levar's a good dude.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:32 PM (Q5tBW)
---
He needs to wear the visor though.

Posted by: Axeman at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (FYe3W)

446 LeVar Burton would be a good choice for Jeopardy.

I would also like if they went through a few weeks of guest hosts. I'd love to see Weird Al Yankovic actually host the show! Would be fantastic IMHO.

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (L2ZTs)

447 440
So, no one is telling me what Kamala is doing for Diwali?

Posted by: Celebration of victory of light over darkness at November 13, 2020 06:35 PM (BBWrU)

For a moment I thought Diwali was a person...and some interesting images came to mind what Kamala would do...

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (ynpvh)

448 @438

Butterflies in the sky...

I can fly twice as high..

Have a look..

It's in a book..

It's a reading rainbow.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (Q5tBW)

449 See Troypoint.com for full details. Subscribe to his YouTube.

Enjoy FREE movies & TV for the rest of your life.

Posted by: Grumpspot at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (JOEBK)

450 I have an older 2yrs roku that was mid high when we bought it. (Wifi only) is the ultra model worth the cost?
Posted by: USNtakim deplorable still. at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (0OmEj)
+++++++++++
If it still works well, supports the channels you want and is speedy enough, then why upgrade?

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (hYcqw)

451 Posted by: Guy Mohawk at November 13, 2020 06:35 PM (r+sAi)

I keep saying there is no way that 160 million people voted. No freaking way.

Posted by: Alabaster Jones at November 13, 2020 06:37 PM (2DOZq)

452 NOOD "CONSERVATIVES ARE SNOWFLAKES NOW"

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:37 PM (hYcqw)

453 Thanks everyone for your nice feedback. I am grateful.

Posted by: Joe Mannix (Not a cop!) at November 13, 2020 06:37 PM (hYcqw)

454 446
LeVar Burton would be a good choice for Jeopardy.

I would also like if they went through a few weeks of guest hosts.
I'd love to see Weird Al Yankovic actually host the show! Would be
fantastic IMHO.

Posted by: qdpsteve at November 13, 2020 06:36 PM (L2ZTs)

Heh. When they were going to annouce the new Doctor Who a year or two ago, I told my wife it should be Mr. Bean.

Posted by: jim at November 13, 2020 06:37 PM (ynpvh)

455 Any recommendations for a good bluetooth indoor home speaker.

So many to choose from, at so many price points???
Posted by: browndog at November 13, 2020 06:21 PM (BgMrQ)

Since Bluetooth compresses the data there are limits on how good they can sound. I wouldn't pay much without listening to them and hearing how good they sound.

Posted by: Captain Hate at November 13, 2020 06:38 PM (y7DUB)

456 Dont need television. All you need is internet and AoS to find out what you should be paying attention to in the world. Take your extra money and buy gym equipment, tend to your health get in shape. Stay functional and f*ckable and you'll be just fine.

Posted by: JROD at November 13, 2020 06:38 PM (0jZnq)

457 416 You know what I find interesting about Fux's kamikaze raid on team Trump? How many people held onto cable *just* to watch Fux? They're f'ing the entire industry, just to take Trump out. Cable is officially dinosaur media now.
For Fux's sake.
Posted by: Brave Sir Robin Super Spreader of Bullshit at November 13, 2020 06:30 PM (7Fj9P)

Everyone is switching off Fux and going to Newsmax now.

Posted by: Vic at November 13, 2020 06:38 PM (mpXpK)

458

Antenna Man has videos on the subject

https://tinyurl.com/yyrz72xp

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at November 13, 2020 06:39 PM (63Dwl)

459
Heh. Elon Musk got tested 4 times today for covid. 2 came back positive
and 2 came back negative. Same nurse, same test, same machine.

I expect Musk tested positive, then had one to confirm that was negative, then one to break the tie, then another to confirm, which split it 2-2.

Posted by: President-Elect Mr. Peebles at November 13, 2020 06:40 PM (oVJmc)

460 418 I've never owned a TV and never watched cable. Out-of-the-ordinary I know; in the old days I relied on select periodicals for the news. (I got bored with TV as a teenager (1960s) and never looked back. My wife is the same way.) Thank you so much for the article; With all the related info in it, I'm sure I will find use for it in the future. Thank you again.
Posted by: Allears at November 13, 2020 06:31 PM (qf5X

I'm with ya. I watched TV like any other kid growing up. But I suspect one of the more formative events in life was the time where the family went without TV for 18 months in Germany. (We COULD get TV signals BUT we had to be fluent in German to get any value out of it.) So we had to find alternatives to TV and quick.

When I was 16 I decided I had just about seen it all and stopped watching TV for the most part. Yeah, a show here or there would catch my interest. But for the most part? Nah.

I once said the big roadblock to cutting the cord was sports. Well, the Astros helped by moving to the Fake Baseball League. And the NBA and NFL decided they don't want my viewership. The ONLY stumbling block I have left in terms of sports is the Olympics (because they give me the opportunity to see sports I don't ordinarily see) and I'm sure THAT can be figured out.

Catch Thirty-Thr33's cord is living on borrowed time.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 13, 2020 06:41 PM (CBrBn)

461 406 Don't watch the latest on Amazon from that piece of shit Borat. He's punchable.
Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:17 PM (bCLt0)
---

Never planned on it. I've missed all of them and that seems to be a plan. I hate the way Amazoid pushes that crap though. Or "black tv" or whatever other woke agenda for the month it is.

I did finally for the first time try watching one of the Amazoid only shows since it looked entertaining. Truth Seekers. Meh. Simon Pegg deal. I slogged through 3 or 4 of them, and it's just not worth the time investment.

If Amazoid stays true, the first season is as good as it gets, and then the wokeness (already nearly off the charts) will be intolerable.
Posted by: clutch cargo at November 13, 2020 06:28 PM (8B6Ng)

Their " Radioactive" show was pretty good. So was " The Aviators".

Posted by: tubal at November 13, 2020 06:41 PM (bCLt0)

462 If you're going to Parley, you just going to a site with a more GOPe friendly version of Twitter/Facebook censorship.

Posted by: Just A Guy at November 13, 2020 06:42 PM (dDlo8)

463 The Daughter Unit and I cut the cable cord in (checking the memory at my author website) in 2013 or so. Bought a couple of Roku boxes and never looked back.
http://www.celiahayes.com/archives/2511

Posted by: Sgt. Mom at November 13, 2020 06:42 PM (xnmPy)

464 456 Dont need television. All you need is internet and AoS to find out what you should be paying attention to in the world. Take your extra money and buy gym equipment, tend to your health get in shape. Stay functional and f*ckable and you'll be just fine.
Posted by: JROD at November 13, 2020 06:38 PM (0jZnq)

Gym equipment?

Hell no. But I'll be buying some New Balance shoes. That works for me.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at November 13, 2020 06:42 PM (CBrBn)

465 We are the jury.

The trial has already started.

And team Trump has just phoned in, they're, uh, stuck in traffic and it's going to be at least another week before they can get here.

Posted by: RoyalOil at November 13, 2020 06:43 PM (aO8Gd)

466
Thanks for this writeup
Posted by: Inogame - Trump Won

Seconded.

Per others, my reading of books has stepped up in recent months. It will be stepped up more.

I am going to lurk around here for a while. There is an air of defeatism coming from a not insignificant number of commenters that I find dispiriting and not in any way helpful. I've got enough issues and sources for discouragement just trying to keep a youths' program going in these times (Scout troop) without routinely and willfully plunging into another extensive marsh of despond.

I'll be on the gardening and book threads as circumstances require, but otherwise I'm staying off most weekday threads. I'll be back when I'm back.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at November 13, 2020 06:43 PM (pNxlR)

467 Before moving here to Summerville, S.C. I had installed a fairly directional antenna in the attic of our northern Baltimore home.

Almost 50 channels, all told.

And ZERO cost per month after the initial purchase.

AntennaWeb says that at the new house, I can grab about 15 of them OTA.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at November 13, 2020 06:43 PM (3D/fK)

468 Since Bluetooth compresses the data there are limits on how good they can sound. I wouldn't pay much without listening to them and hearing how good they sound.
Posted by: Captain Hate at November 13, 2020 06:38 PM (y7DUB)

Ah yes, I forgot about that.

Wouldn't want to waste Hadrian's Classic Collection that way.

Posted by: browndog at November 13, 2020 06:43 PM (BgMrQ)

469 467 Before moving here to Summerville, S.C. I had installed a fairly directional antenna in the attic of our northern Baltimore home.

Almost 50 channels, all told.

And ZERO cost per month after the initial purchase.

AntennaWeb says that at the new house, I can grab about 15 of them OTA.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at November 13, 2020 06:43 PM (3D/fK)

=========

We get at least 30 in Mount Pleasant.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, going back...to the Future! at November 13, 2020 06:44 PM (LvTSG)

470 Thanks, Joe.

I have some related questions that were not intended to he covered here. Can I watch OAN and Newsmax on a computer or phone? If yes and if I do, will it be counted in the ratings? Of so, do I have to stream at a certain time or minimum time to count?

I can't dump Fox because I did that years ago, but I wouldn't mind running their rivals when I was in another room basically doing what is suggested in post #6.

Posted by: Gilded at November 13, 2020 06:45 PM (8Re9K)

471 Speaking of Library Services...many public libraries offer streaming services as well. You download the app (my local offers Kanopy and Hoopla) to your smart phone, tv, tablet and sign up using your library card. Tons of good stuff on just those two apps.

Posted by: NB at November 13, 2020 06:45 PM (u3ZtM)

472 I have some related questions that were not intended to he covered here. Can I watch OAN and Newsmax on a computer or phone? If yes and if I do, will it be counted in the ratings? Of so, do I have to stream at a certain time or minimum time to count?

I can't dump Fox because I did that years ago, but I wouldn't mind running their rivals when I was in another room basically doing what is suggested in post #6.
Posted by: Gilded at November 13, 2020

*
*

I watched OAN on my laptop before I bought my new TV. Their website has their content, or you can go to Klowdtv.com and access the actual broadcast for free until the end of the year.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at November 13, 2020 06:47 PM (rpbg1)

473 "We get at least 30 in Mount Pleasant."

Yeh, most of what is listed is coming out of your general direction.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at November 13, 2020 06:47 PM (3D/fK)

474 What are the options for time-shifting and avoiding commercials on network tv?

Posted by: Toad-O at November 13, 2020 06:50 PM (2pb4x)

475 Good read, thanks. Unfortuneately we're outside of antenna.org's search pattern. Pretty rural. I guess we didn't just cut the cord, we ground it to dust.

Posted by: Robert17 at November 13, 2020 06:51 PM (YwBVv)

476 Yep. I"m watching Newsmax now.

Posted by: vivi at November 13, 2020 06:52 PM (USW1s)

477 What are the options for time-shifting and avoiding commercials on network tv?

Posted by: Toad-O

When we're both on the Moon drinking beer, I'll tell you.

Posted by: humphreyrobot at November 13, 2020 06:52 PM (pB6Gt)

478 Korea has a type of caste system, if you don't go to right school and Bribes still happen.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at November 13, 2020 06:54 PM (dKiJG)

479 This from JackStraw is nearly Z Flash

https://tinyurl.com/y3aqxxvz

Posted by: 0231 at November 13, 2020 07:00 PM (r+ov6)

480 If you're going to Parley, you just going to a site with a more GOPe friendly version of Twitter/Facebook censorship.
Posted by: Just A Guy at November 13, 2020 06:42 PM (dDlo
*********
You are Full Shit & it is PARLER

Posted by: Ghost of Ruth Buzzi Ginsberg at November 13, 2020 07:01 PM (mwLLf)

481 Krebs vs. Karnot

I empathize with your feelings and I thank you for your contributions, and for trying to keep the scout troop going. Take care of yourself and I look forward to seeing you on the special interest threads.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at November 13, 2020 07:03 PM (WkPC9)

482 George Papadopoulos @GeorgePapa19
1m
Breaking: Congressman Louie Ghomert has stated that The U.S. Army has seized servers for Dominion in Germany

Posted by: Ghost of Ruth Buzzi Ginsberg at November 13, 2020 07:06 PM (mwLLf)

483 I got my Roku device based on commenter recommendations and set it up earlier. It took about twenty or twenty five minutes, and that included activating my Amazon Prime account and Plex account on it.
Posted by: ace at November 13, 2020 05:14

We too got Roku based on commenter recommendations . Had Amazon prime already and added Hulu, this was a couple of yrs ago. Much cheaper than before all total.
I wonder now if we still need Hulu and could get by w/ these new free things like PlutoTV and soapday.

Posted by: Farmer at November 13, 2020 07:22 PM (09pux)

484 Roku feeds me.
I consume mostly from a cheap Hulu package and Pluto TV. I Love Pluto TV.

Posted by: ReadyInTexas at November 13, 2020 07:23 PM (Z6XcQ)

485 474 What are the options for time-shifting and avoiding commercials on network tv?

------

TiVo Bolt with an indoor HD Antenna

Posted by: WillowViney at November 13, 2020 07:48 PM (fWbwq)

486 For those who find recording over the air (OTA) TV can a challenge once you cut off cable, I found Sling offers a great solution for those not tech savvy. They offer their own tuner the AirTV2. This plugs directly into your router (not your TV) and seamlessly merges OTA channels into the Sling main channel guide. No switching between apps to watch local channels.

Plug in $50 hard drive and now you can record and playback content using the Sling remote. Its the missing link to restore full access cable offers.

Posted by: Hannibal Trombonist at November 13, 2020 07:59 PM (FHaFF)

487 Just a couple comments about cutting the cord:1. It ain't hard. You will soon realize that you were spending most of your time surfing channels and watching reruns.2. You will still probably be paying between $100 and $130 depending on your internet needs. We have Xbox, 4 phones, 3 Kindles and 3 t.v.'s.3. You are probably going to pay for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu or something else. We use the smart tv app and it pretty much works fine.4. Get a digital antennae that you can mount outside on the facia. We get about 25 channels when the wind isn't blowing and that includes NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox, so any broadcast shows and most major sporting events are still accessible. I can still watch golf and football. Amazon also has selected NFL games.5 If you think you are going to stick it to the man, forget it. Some Ass#*le corporation is still getting your money. However, by cutting the cord, many of the worst of them will lose money. People can buy � la carte but it isn't the same as having that captive audience. Buy a month of HBO, watch a few movies, binge GoT's, then cancel. You can always subscribe to a channel then cancel.
I will never go back to cable tv.

Posted by: jimveejr at November 13, 2020 08:07 PM (VWnzu)

488 Screw all that!
Just get a drone and watch your neighbor's wife take her evening shower.

Posted by: jbspry at November 13, 2020 08:14 PM (ATe9j)

489 Its very important to NOT pay any mainstream media outlet one cent.

I pay for Prime and Youtube only. I am sure some of what I pay these services goes to MSM. But its far less than cable or satellite.

And get an antenna. A few bucks and they work much better than the rabbit ears you remember.

Posted by: Chris W at November 13, 2020 08:29 PM (ENWT/)

490 just cut cord. Was paying comcast for internet and cable, and only using cable. set top box stayed on shelf. But I got HBOmax which the kids watched. they are gone now, so now only getting internet. Need to return unopened box and am saving about $25 a month. Pretty fast internet too, 200 mbps. Too bad still comcast. Go starlink!

Posted by: Chris not rock at November 13, 2020 09:23 PM (WO0/g)

491 correction. was only using internet.

Posted by: Chris not rock at November 13, 2020 09:23 PM (WO0/g)

492 Great write up. Didn't go through the comments...

I tested Roku, Hulu and Fubo. Running Prime already.

We adopted Fubo. It runs on TVs with Android (Sony and others) and Tizen (Sumsung). You can also hook up a computer and run it via a browser, as I do with iMac Mini on an older Vizio.

Comes with a channel guide and a DVR, includes local channels. $45 a month including Showtime.

It is a seriously good alternative. Highly recommended.

For new cord cutters, it is highly recommended to go ahead and upgrade to more recent technology in your TV. 55" Samsung UHD TVs can be obtained for less than $400 and this one step will greatly simplify things if you can afford it. Best Buy will sell you anything for 0% interest if you apply for a Best Buy card at time of purchase.

Note: We are fortunate to have Gigabit Fiber service, but Fubo will run at significantly lower bandwidth levels. Many days of the week we're running 3 TVs streaming Fubo and/or Prime simultaneously.

Posted by: CZ = FNG To Remain Silent Because, FNG at November 13, 2020 10:32 PM (MkuC5)

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