Cutting the cable, lets talk options and media setups (1 Viewer)

[buzd]

Bought a kodi k box over the weekend to try out. However, it seems almost nothing really works. Any suggestions on sites to see how the heck this thing works? I cannot get the live tv that was promised (i.e. premium channels, cable channels, etc).

Which add-ons have you explored?

Have you looked at the Kodi/Open Elec thread? Lots of good info there.

I haven't gotten into live tv so much (other than sportsdevil a bit), but everything is there on demand.

 

[Eeyore]

Bought a kodi k box over the weekend to try out. However, it seems almost nothing really works. Any suggestions on sites to see how the heck this thing works? I cannot get the live tv that was promised (i.e. premium channels, cable channels, etc).

Kodi Tips & Tricks - News & Info on XBMC/Kodi

There are instructions in each article about the add-on. I recommend velocity, SALTS, Ccloud, dextertv, and sportsdevil.

 

[Brennan77]

Update: On one of my FireStick, I have lost most of the WatchESPN channels. I get ESPN & ESPN2 but not the rest. My other firestick works. After working with Amazon support they are saying that it is magic it works, as you should have to enter credentials of a valid cable provider into the app, which I have never done. Thus I am not sure how much longer this will work. If this was a decision (influenced by me) of yours for this product, be warned. It might work, it might not, it might stop. I have no idea how to fix or correct it.

Mine stopped half way through the new years eve football games, which was OK, because they were all terrible. But it was working again to watch the Clemson/bama game. Who knows?

 

[Eeyore]

For sports... NFL on Kodi: SportsAccess (HD) (Buffer Free) (Paid)

 

[Det. Brees]

Anyone here use sling tv. What are your thoughts. Is its just channels or are there movies also like on netflix.

 

[moe1967]

Anyone here use sling tv. What are your thoughts. Is its just channels or are there movies also like on netflix.

I don't have SlingTV, but I have been reading about it. The biggest drawback is the fact that you can only use on 1 tv at a time. You can't use SlingTV on multiple TVs simultaneously. If this changes in the future I dunno.

Otherwise, it gets fairly decent reviews.

 

[KulBreez]

Bought the G Box Q. Been using it for two months. Absolutely love it. Purchased the blaze key for ease of programming it.

 

[MLU]

SlingTV has improved. They're due out with a new GUI soon that got good reviews at CES. We have had it since the beginning and are pretty happy with it. I can watch ESPN and the various networks at the office, on my phone, etc. My wife gets her HGTV and DIY fix and all for 30 bucks.

 

[whodatfever]

I brought my cable boxes back Friday. Told cox to remove all TV from my bill. I upgraded my internet to a much higher speed and bought a fire TV (not the stick, the quad-core box, way faster and more responsive). I installed Kodi and all the relevant channels. I purchased a top of the line Nighthawk router and set the new Amazon TV, 2 Rokus, 2 Apple TV, XBOX ONE and all handheld devices up for channel streaming.

My internet speeds now look like this

And my bill went from $174 to $85.


I couldn't be happier.

 

[SAINTSFAN]

I brought my cable boxes back Friday. Told cox to remove all TV from my bill. I upgraded my internet to a much higher speed and bought a fire TV (not the stick, the quad-core box, way faster and more responsive). I installed Kodi and all the relevant channels. I purchased a top of the line Nighthawk router and set new Amazon TV, 2 Rokus, 2 Apple TV, XBOX ONE and all handheld devices up for channel streaming.

My internet speeds now look like this

And my bill went from $174 to $85.


I couldn't be happier.

How much did all of that equipment cost? I bought a kodi box and cannot see how people use this to replace cable. I am still trying to learn it, but it is not straightforward at all and someone inconsistent as to what is available and when.

 

[buzd]

How much did all of that equipment cost? I bought a kodi box and cannot see how people use this to replace cable. I am still trying to learn it, but it is not straightforward at all and someone inconsistent as to what is available and when.

Kodi is great for recorded content - you can pretty much find any TV show or movie you want. It's just not good for browsing (like Amazon or Netflix) - you pretty much have to know what you're looking for.

If I was going to cut the cord, I would get an HD antenna for local channels, Kodi for recorded stuff, and I would Airplay/cast other live content from my phone/ipad to either AppleTV or Kodi (via watchESPN or the Pelicans/Fox app).

Kodi also has a bunch of add-ons for channel-specific programming - Cooking channel, Food network, Discovery, etc

 

[Domefan504]

I just went with Sling TV $20 a month. The $20 month package is really all I need and are the channels I really only watch. Don't need cables 300 channels for $200 a month.


https://www.sling.com/package

 

[whodatfever]

How much did all of that equipment cost? I bought a kodi box and cannot see how people use this to replace cable. I am still trying to learn it, but it is not straightforward at all and someone inconsistent as to what is available and when.

Amazon TV $99
Nighthawk $199

$300 total. That will pay for itself in a couple of months and I HIGHLY recommend the Nighthawk. Range, speed and device load have all improved across the board significantly. I also bought 4 antennas off of Amazon and attached them for around 30 local channels each. I tried 4 different brands and the most expensive was the crappiest (of course). I have had the best luck with this magnetic one:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JPOX8O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

and this cheap one for my travel TV (32" that goes tailgating, backyard, camping).

Antenna

Hope that helps.

 

[MLU]

There are better performing routers out there for half the price of that Nighthawk. The GUI might not be as slick, bit it's an overpriced piece of tech IMO. I'd start with the TP-Link Archer C7 or C8 first. TheWirecutter really has a good review of them both.

If you want to go even cheaper, just grab the Fire Stick for $40. In fact, if you're apprehensive about cord cutting that's the way I'd go. This way if its not for you, you're out of $40 and not $99. If you like it, you have an extra device for the second TV. Use the included extension wire for better WiFi performance. If it looks like a great option for you, upgrade to the FireTV (box) and hard wire it to the Router for better performance.

SlingTV is another $20. Add $5 for the sports package. You can add HBO Now of you like.

If you want to keep going, you can add Amazon Prime for $99. I'd wait until the next awards show though because if Amazon wins they will probably drop the price. You can add on Showtime for another $10/mo.

We currently have internet and basic cable because its $10 cheaper a month than cable alone. I use the cable log in info to access the NBC, ABC, HGTV, FOOD Network, Travel Channel, FoxNow, HBO GO, Starz and Encore apps. CW Seed used to be good for Arrow, Flash, etc., but only has the crappy shows now.

Then there are the Kodi streaming options...

 

[oysters]

We upgraded our internet speed and went with a couple of Roku boxes, PS3 and we have a blue ray player that allows streaming. Recently I got the fire stick with Kodi to test it out. I'll probably upgrade that to the box or something similar to increase performance. We do have a a $17/mo package that allows streaming of local channels (no recording). With Netflix, HUlu plus, Am Prime and Kodi I'm covered. I can find the saints games with a little help from my friends.