We cut the cord. Now what?

[Southpaw77]

We just got rid of our TV service!!  We have Netflix and Amazon TV as of now.  Any tips on using these services? Also, what are some good documentaries/shows that my wife and I can watch together?  We also have 2 kids 8 and 6. So, any shows we can all watch together would be great too!

[geekette]

We stream a lot of PBS.

[Reynolds531]

Android box with Kodi and download the exodus add on. I don't watch Netflix anymore with this available.

[Frankies Girl]

Don't forget your local library. There are tons of television and movies available, and what your local branch doesn't have, they can order up for you in their interloan library - usually the work within your entire county and even local college libraries if there are any within the area. I can go online and search out television shows and movies,  place a request hold, and then get an email/tex alert when it comes in to my local branch. And it is FREE.

[Southpaw77]

Android box with Kodi and download the exodus add on. I don't watch Netflix anymore with this available.

Looking at this it seems a little to good to be true.   So does this box stream live sports like NFL/CFB etc?

[Iplawyer]

Get a good antenna.  In most cases you'll be able to get the major channels in high def right off the air for free.

[MrsDinero]

We intermittently use SlingTV.  If there is something we want to watch for a short amount of time, we will buy a month (or two) of SlingTV service then cancel it.  For example I love watching the Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channels (don't judge) so I will order SlingTV with the Hallmark channels then cancel once the holiday movies are over. 

We like being able to watch some cable stations without being tied to a contract.

[Daley]

Android box with Kodi and download the exodus add on. I don't watch Netflix anymore with this available.

Just a note: The Exodus add-on, though cleverly coded and effective at gathering media for playback, utilizes sources for streaming that do not pay for services or distribution rights and technically violate numerous copyright laws domestically and globally and are services classified as committing intellectual property theft and digital piracy. Any add-on where the best advice for usage of the plugin from reviewers is to pay for a VPN to keep your ISP from sending nasty letters on behalf of the major movie and television studios isn't exactly on the up-and-up.

Entertainment isn't necessary for survival. Be frugal, but don't be stingy or cheap. If you value the entertainment enough to waste your life watching it, either pay for it or use official legal channels that offer it for free.

[Iplawyer]

Android box with Kodi and download the exodus add on. I don't watch Netflix anymore with this available.

Do you connect into your neighbor's electricity and steal that too?  Using Exodous to pirate content is a violation of US Copyright law and is so because you are stealing content. 

I was under the impression that the MMM community was into legal frugality - not cheating to get ahead.  I'm pretty disappointed.

[dougules]

We actually cut the Netflix and Amazon cord along with cable, and now we actually watch a lot of Youtube.  Yes, I know people are rolling their eyes, but there is actually a lot of good content.  You just have to dig past all the random teenagers rambling from their bedrooms and guys filming their own reaction to watching vids of other guys doing stupid stuff.  There are even good full documentaries if you look.   

Get a good antenna.  In most cases you'll be able to get the major channels in high def right off the air for free.

I've actually seen a chintzy As-Seen-On-TV ad for free programming.  You can buy their product and receive free high-definition TV channels straight from thin air.  The quality is just as good as cable, and it's even mandated by the government.  You can get that free TV for just $19.95 + shipping and handling.  But, wait, if you call now, they'll give you two units for the same price.  That's double the absolutely free high-definition TV for the same price! 

[Iplawyer]

We actually cut the Netflix and Amazon cord along with cable, and now we actually watch a lot of Youtube.  Yes, I know people are rolling their eyes, but there is actually a lot of good content.  You just have to dig past all the random teenagers rambling from their bedrooms and guys filming their own reaction to watching vids of other guys doing stupid stuff.  There are even good full documentaries if you look.   

Get a good antenna.  In most cases you'll be able to get the major channels in high def right off the air for free.

I've actually seen a chintzy As-Seen-On-TV ad for free programming.  You can buy their product and receive free high-definition TV channels straight from thin air.  The quality is just as good as cable, and it's even mandated by the government.  You can get that free TV for just $19.95 + shipping and handling.  But, wait, if you call now, they'll give you two units for the same price.  That's double the absolutely free high-definition TV for the same price!

Most TV antennas will get you over the air high def TV (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, ION + more depending on where you are) - and the local stations are required by the government to broadcast it (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX).    Some TVs have strong enough internal antennas that you don't even need to add one.  I've done over the air high def for years.   It is fantastic.  You can even get a Tivo box and record it just like a cable DVR.

[prognastat]

These are some of the legal options I know of.

Free:

TV Antenna
- Free after initial purchase
- Content varies depending on where you live.

PBS streaming
- Through devices such as Roku, Apple TV, Android TV devices etc.
- Lot's of great content.

Youtube
- Supported by many TVs or set top boxes.
- Though lot's of lesser content it does learn as you use it and subscribe to channels causing it to start offering things more in line with your interests. I enjoy lots of science based channels myself.
- Paid service youtube red offers additional content and removes advertising.

Crackle

Crunchyroll
- Great if you or a family member enjoys anime/korean dramas
- Paid upgrade offers higher resolution streams and removes advertising.

Funimation Streaming
- Great if you or a family member likes anime.
- Some stuff is free, some content requires a subscription.

Library
- Often free or extremely low cost.

Low Costs:

Netflix
- Supported by many devices.
- Lots of TV shows and movies.

Hulu
- Supported by many devices.
- Lots of TV shows and movies.

Medium Cost:

HBO Now
-More expensive, but very high quality content

[Daley]

These are some of the legal options I know of.

Don't forget SlingTV and Playstation Vue on the paid ends, especially useful for those who insist on watching physically abused millionaires run around and get sweaty while fiddling with various balls while screaming tribal chants.

A good overview of all the major (and some of the minor) options can be found here:
http://www.cordcuttingreport.com/cord-cutting-guide/

[njimport]

We just got rid of our TV service!!  We have Netflix and Amazon TV as of now.  Any tips on using these services? Also, what are some good documentaries/shows that my wife and I can watch together?  We also have 2 kids 8 and 6. So, any shows we can all watch together would be great too!

My kids age 5 and 3 love Thunderbirds on Amazon Prime

[Southpaw77]

Thanks everyone for the info.  I really want to use the digital antenna option but I can't get it to work.  I've tried several times.  I'm not in the boonies either.  We live in Seattle(king county) and still can't get it to work.  We're in some kind of dead zone or something.  I've tried the antenna locator as well.  I just can't get the signal strong enough.  If anyone has any tips regarding that I would be all ears.  I would love to get the local network to watch major sporting events such as the Huskies beating...i mean playing Alabama this week :-)  I tried the Slingtv trial. It was OK.  Definitely and option but it isn't necessarily cheap either. I know Direct TV now has a streaming service as well.

[dougules]

We actually cut the Netflix and Amazon cord along with cable, and now we actually watch a lot of Youtube.  Yes, I know people are rolling their eyes, but there is actually a lot of good content.  You just have to dig past all the random teenagers rambling from their bedrooms and guys filming their own reaction to watching vids of other guys doing stupid stuff.  There are even good full documentaries if you look.   

Get a good antenna.  In most cases you'll be able to get the major channels in high def right off the air for free.

I've actually seen a chintzy As-Seen-On-TV ad for free programming.  You can buy their product and receive free high-definition TV channels straight from thin air.  The quality is just as good as cable, and it's even mandated by the government.  You can get that free TV for just $19.95 + shipping and handling.  But, wait, if you call now, they'll give you two units for the same price.  That's double the absolutely free high-definition TV for the same price!

Most TV antennas will get you over the air high def TV (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, ION + more depending on where you are) - and the local stations are required by the government to broadcast it (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX).    Some TVs have strong enough internal antennas that you don't even need to add one.  I've done over the air high def for years.   It is fantastic.  You can even get a Tivo box and record it just like a cable DVR.

I'm all for old school over the air TV.  I was just entertained that the commercial was pushing a cheap antenna like it was some secret life hack or amazing leap in technology. 

[Clean Shaven]

We cut the cord awhile back too, and mostly use Netflix + antenna.

Tried SlingTV for a little while, but the quality wasn't good for us -- not sure why.  Other streaming services work fine, but Sling pixelated a lot.  If you want to give it a shot, I recommend signing up for one of their offers that gives you a free Roku box.  We got one where it was prepay $60 for 3 months of sling, and get the free Roku.  Although we have a Samsung smart TV, the Roku processes the signal a lot better than the apps available in the Samsung TV.

Another Roku advantage:  there are a lot more apps available on it than on our smart TV, including Comedy Central (free Daily Show) and AMC (free Walking Dead). 

[Reynolds531]

In my jurisdiction viewing exodus is apparently not illegal.

Before anyone starts accusing me of stealing I'd like you to confirm you've never downloaded a song. Streamed a (clears throat) date night movie. Removed that tag from a matress before it was delivered to the consumer...

[RelaxedGal]

We have an old analog TV and a Wii.  Installed the Amazon Prime app to stream shows.  We also have the YouTube app but haven't tried that yet.

Most of our viewing is small screen: tablet on the plane/in the car or at the computer.  When I say "our" I mean the 6 year old.  She has a Kindle Kids' edition for her videos plus we stream Amazon Prime (Creative Galaxy, Tumble Leaf, Zobumafoo, a purchased season of Doc McStuffins) and videos from PBSKids.org at the computer.  Adult viewing is on the analog TV through the Wii - we bought the latest season of Agents of Shield.  We don't watch sports and the adults only watch TV occasionally (3-4 hours/month) so this works for us.

[jim555]

Download Kodi and then use the add-ons to get most shows on the TV, like CBS, NBC, ABC, Bravo, HGTV, etc.

[Iplawyer]

In my jurisdiction viewing exodus is apparently not illegal.

Before anyone starts accusing me of stealing I'd like you to confirm you've never downloaded a song. Streamed a (clears throat) date night movie. Removed that tag from a matress before it was delivered to the consumer...

No - I have never done any of that.  Nor have a stolen from a store or a friend or a family member or a neighbor or a stanger.

How did you determine it is "apparently not illegal?" If you are in most of the world it is illegal.  It is illegal in ALL of the United States and its territories as copyright law is federal law.  It is illegal in Canada and all of Europe.  Actually - it is illegal in all be a handful if third world countries.

Actually - from your profile you are in my time zone.  There is no jurisdiction in this time zone where it is not illegal to stream copyrighted content without express permission.  And it isn't "viewing exodus" that is illegal - it is viewing content that you have not received explicit permission to stream.  Do you think stealing from CBS or a movie studio less bad than stealing from your neighbor? 

[Iplawyer]

Thanks everyone for the info.  I really want to use the digital antenna option but I can't get it to work.  I've tried several times.  I'm not in the boonies either.  We live in Seattle(king county) and still can't get it to work.  We're in some kind of dead zone or something.  I've tried the antenna locator as well.  I just can't get the signal strong enough.  If anyone has any tips regarding that I would be all ears.  I would love to get the local network to watch major sporting events such as the Huskies beating...i mean playing Alabama this week :-)  I tried the Slingtv trial. It was OK.  Definitely and option but it isn't necessarily cheap either. I know Direct TV now has a streaming service as well.

There must be some issue you are overlooking.  I've set this up for so many people in so many places and have never failed to get at least the major stations tuned in.  What do you mean when you say "I just can't get the signal strong enough?"

You can enter your zip code and street address here.  If it shows channels  and you are not getting them - you are doing something wrong.
https://www.tablotv.com/tools/


You either get a digital signal or you don't.  There is no try.  So you set your TV input to TV, connect the antenna to the cable input, do the setup on your TV to search for channels.  When you do all of that - what happens?

[Iplawyer]

Download Kodi and then use the add-ons to get most shows on the TV, like CBS, NBC, ABC, Bravo, HGTV, etc.

I know of know legal applications that allow you to do that. 

[Reynolds531]

As much fun as it is to argue with strangers on the internet.....How about we agree to disagree.  You can consider me a pirate and I will take comfort in my credit score.

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/android-box-streaming-1.3455524

https://www.thestar.com/business/2015/01/16/how-canadian-law-views-online-streaming-video-geist.html

Cheers

[Iplawyer]

As much fun as it is to argue with strangers on the internet.....How about we agree to disagree.  You can consider me a pirate and I will take comfort in my credit score.

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/business/android-box-streaming-1.3455524

https://www.thestar.com/business/2015/01/16/how-canadian-law-views-online-streaming-video-geist.html

Cheers

What does your credit score have to do with being a thief?  I'm not quite sure I understand.  Is it because stealing means you spend less money?  I guess I fail to see the connection. 

My credit score is quite good too. And it has been achieved without stealing music or movies or tearing a label off of a mattress (why would anybody even want to do that?).  I do have to say that I've never taken comfort in my credit score.  I take comfort in my family, loved ones, friends, etc.

I have hours to meet.  I'll find the court cases and the upcoming changes in Canadian law that close the alleged "loophole" Adams' talks about in that article. You can find somebody anytime that will justify your position.  There are a million articles on why people think peer-to-peer file sharing is okay to.  That doesn't make it legal or right.

[Southpaw77]

Thanks everyone for the info.  I really want to use the digital antenna option but I can't get it to work.  I've tried several times.  I'm not in the boonies either.  We live in Seattle(king county) and still can't get it to work.  We're in some kind of dead zone or something.  I've tried the antenna locator as well.  I just can't get the signal strong enough.  If anyone has any tips regarding that I would be all ears.  I would love to get the local network to watch major sporting events such as the Huskies beating...i mean playing Alabama this week :-)  I tried the Slingtv trial. It was OK.  Definitely and option but it isn't necessarily cheap either. I know Direct TV now has a streaming service as well.

There must be some issue you are overlooking.  I've set this up for so many people in so many places and have never failed to get at least the major stations tuned in.  What do you mean when you say "I just can't get the signal strong enough?"

You can enter your zip code and street address here.  If it shows channels  and you are not getting them - you are doing something wrong.
https://www.tablotv.com/tools/


You either get a digital signal or you don't.  There is no try.  So you set your TV input to TV, connect the antenna to the cable input, do the setup on your TV to search for channels.  When you do all of that - what happens?

Yeah, I've tried several times and it just skips over the channels that that link  says it should be receiving.  It receives signals from antennas from my southwest but not the major network antennas that are to the northeast. Of course the infomercial and Spanish channels are in the clear dkrection. I'm kinda blocked geographically to the northeast but not crazy and were within. 15 miles of the antennas.  I wonder if I have to do a roof antenna based on the geography.  It would make a huge difference if I could get OTA channels.

[Kakashi]

Are you a techie?

I built a new computer just for the TV.  In essence a "media center".  I connect an antenna to a tv tuner card to DVR tv programs.  Also can watch youtube and other free services from the internet.  It also has a blu-ray player and holds my families' pictures and videos.  Heck, you can even play computer games. 

We haven't paid for any media service in years.  No netflix, hulu, etc.  Although we do have Amazon Prime which we got mainly for the other services it offers.

[Highbeam]

Thanks everyone for the info.  I really want to use the digital antenna option but I can't get it to work.  I've tried several times.  I'm not in the boonies either.  We live in Seattle(king county) and still can't get it to work.  We're in some kind of dead zone or something.  I've tried the antenna locator as well.  I just can't get the signal strong enough.  If anyone has any tips regarding that I would be all ears.  I would love to get the local network to watch major sporting events such as the Huskies beating...i mean playing Alabama this week :-)  I tried the Slingtv trial. It was OK.  Definitely and option but it isn't necessarily cheap either. I know Direct TV now has a streaming service as well.

I am south of you in Pierce county and can easily get all the channels from Seattle/King county 40 miles away. Antenna mounted in the attic and my LED TVs love the signal. It isn't quite all or nothing with digital, there are still weather conditions and low strength issues that will cause pixelated viewing but that is rare and on the weird channels. We love OTA digital TV. The high def is even better than cable since it is not compressed. The antenna I use is a channelmaster DB4 or 6, it was like 30$ from amazon. I also made an antenna out of some old copper wire and use that in my shop attic to get all of the same channels. OTA is GREAT!

Oh and I'm a UW alumni, won't be watching the huskies game at home because it is being broadcast on ESPN and not a public network.

[katsiki]

If you have Netflix and Amazon Prime (you said Amazon, so I'm thinking you meant prime/prime video), you won't need much else.  However, lots of good, free options mentioned already.  I would add: CBSN (24/7 live news), Skynews, and Euronews for news; Dove channel (kids/family movies- lots for free but they have a paid option).

[FrugalSaver]

When cutting the cord, what's the approach for watching live sports at home?  I'm not talking about just watching the abc / cbs / nbc games.  How does one watch games on espn / fox?  or is that just part of what one gives up when cutting the cord?

[Clean Shaven]

When cutting the cord, what's the approach for watching live sports at home?  I'm not talking about just watching the abc / cbs / nbc games.  How does one watch games on espn / fox?  or is that just part of what one gives up when cutting the cord?

SlingTV has live sports -- a couple ESPN channels and TNT & TBS for NBA basketball.  As I mentioned above, though, I had problems with Sling's video quality.  YMMV.

[snogirl]

I watch NFL games for free on my Verizon smartphone. The app is part of the bloatware & is included.  It works awesome! No other phone service works at my house so I'm stuck with the Verizon. I pretty much have the cheapest plan they offer so I'm happy just that the phone works.
I cut the cable TV cord in April 2014.  It was the best decision I ever made! I became more creative with finding ways to watch certain events like the debates or Super Bowl. Mainly going to friends' houses or my parents lol. After 2.5 years, I decided to bring back the internet. I still don't use it much.

Sent from my XT1635-01 using Tapatalk

[Southpaw77]

If you have Netflix and Amazon Prime (you said Amazon, so I'm thinking you meant prime/prime video), you won't need much else.  However, lots of good, free options mentioned already.  I would add: CBSN (24/7 live news), Skynews, and Euronews for news; Dove channel (kids/family movies- lots for free but they have a paid option).

How do you stream these news channels?  Just from a computer or are they available via a ROKU type player? 

[katsiki]

If you have Netflix and Amazon Prime (you said Amazon, so I'm thinking you meant prime/prime video), you won't need much else.  However, lots of good, free options mentioned already.  I would add: CBSN (24/7 live news), Skynews, and Euronews for news; Dove channel (kids/family movies- lots for free but they have a paid option).

How do you stream these news channels?  Just from a computer or are they available via a ROKU type player?

Sorry, I should have stated we use Rokus.  (Been using them since they first came out.  Our original died after many, many years.  Highly recommend Rokus!!)

CBSN has apps for most devices and I would be surprised if they don't allow viewing from PCs and Macs also.  If you have trouble finding it as CBSN, look for "CBS News".

[Laserjet3051]

Thanks everyone for the info.  I really want to use the digital antenna option but I can't get it to work.  I've tried several times.  I'm not in the boonies either.  We live in Seattle(king county) and still can't get it to work.  We're in some kind of dead zone or something.  I've tried the antenna locator as well.  I just can't get the signal strong enough.  If anyone has any tips regarding that I would be all ears.  I would love to get the local network to watch major sporting events such as the Huskies beating...i mean playing Alabama this week :-)  I tried the Slingtv trial. It was OK.  Definitely and option but it isn't necessarily cheap either. I know Direct TV now has a streaming service as well.

I live in Orange County CA and in my densely urban neigborhood, I find I am also in a RF dead zone. Not one single station can I receive with my expensive amplified antenna, and there are well over 150 stations floating through the air here. I know its not my equipment because I lived just 1 mile away up until a year ago and with the same equipment, I received >100 free OTA stations. Difference was topography, last home on the hilltop, this home in a geographic depression. There is a website that shows a heat map of signal strengths for most stations that can display for one's locale. It shows my street as a total DEAD ZONE. WTF?

[BTDretire]

Android box with Kodi and download the exodus add on. I don't watch Netflix anymore with this available.

Do you connect into your neighbor's electricity and steal that too? 

No, but I was falsely accused of it, I should have sued for slander.

My daughter used to steal music off the net before she moved away.
We talked about that over Christmas, she said, "I don't do it anymore,
I won't do that from my house"
 What! she won't do it from her ISP, but she would from mine?

[saijoe]

I am roughly 40 miles from Chicago (and Milwaukee).  For an OTA antenna, would it need to be a rooftop antenna.  I would imagine that it would.

Also, I am sad to say that the wife records one of the ABC soap operas on the DVR while.  Is there a friendly OTA DVR out there?  And with the streaming, could she watch network shows on demand?

[geekette]

For an OTA DVR, we have a TabloTV, which I love. There's also a TiVo, I believe, and you can build your own, if you're handy like that.

The Tablo requires the box ($200 or so), the guide ($5/month or $150 lifetime), a USB hard drive, an antenna, and a Roku or some such to stream to your TV (unless you watch on a computer or tablet). I don't know about the TiVo.

It seemed pricey to set up, but it's already more than paid for itself, and it's been very stable and reliable. Skipping quickly through commercials is the only way I can tolerate tv any more.

Some networks stream, some require a paid subscription, or her show may be on Hulu.

[katsiki]

Channelmaster makes a DVR as well, but I have not used it.

[Khaetra]

When cutting the cord, what's the approach for watching live sports at home?  I'm not talking about just watching the abc / cbs / nbc games.  How does one watch games on espn / fox?  or is that just part of what one gives up when cutting the cord?

I tried cutting the cord and using Sling like Clean Shaven did, but I ended up going back to DirecTV.  I'm a sports lover and even though Sling has ESPN I still found I was missing other sports I enjoy like Hockey, Tennis, etc.  Plus the PQ was horrible and the whole service would go down when there was a season-premiere of something, like Walking Dead or Game of Thrones.  It was more frustrating than it was worth.

[beastykato]

If you have cable internet you are still getting a signal sent from the cable company. Unless they put a filter on your pole to specifically filter channels out, since you're a "internet-only" customer, you should still be able to receive most basic channels.

Just plug your cable wire into the back of your TV and let your TV scan for Analog/Digital channels. 

Your mileage may vary, but it definitely works. 

In response to Sling, I used it too for a short time, and it has definitely improved dramatically since the crashes during live sport events, Game of Thrones, FTWD, etc.  The issues aren't totally gone, but they definitely must have upgraded the servers.

Playstation VUE looks promising and is available on most devices.  I haven't tried it yet though.

[khangaroo]

I cut my $170 Comcast bill last month and now pay $40 for internet + $33/mth for misc. services and it's freaking awesome!

My set-up is:

Mohu Leaf 50 ($50)
- Gives me ABC, NBC, and CBS but unfortunately does not pick up Fox :(
Amazon Fire TV ($65) with Sling ($15/mth), NetFlix ($10/mth), Prime ($8/mth), and Kodi (Free)
- Fills in everything else that I can't get with the Leaf

I don't follow any TV shows, just watch whatever is on-demand like Netflix series. I'm a big sports fan so the Leaf/Sling/Kodi provides everything I need, although I do miss soccer and the hunt to find a good stream can be frustrating. I'll probably be purchasing the upcoming Rousey fight just because I don't want to deal with the streaming issues and want it in HD.

Just thinking about all the money I wasted on those huge TV packages of 300+ channels when I only watched the local channels, and 4 sport channels. tsk tsk.

[Iplawyer]

Android box with Kodi and download the exodus add on. I don't watch Netflix anymore with this available.

Do you connect into your neighbor's electricity and steal that too? 

No, but I was falsely accused of it, I should have sued for slander.

My daughter used to steal music off the net before she moved away.
We talked about that over Christmas, she said, "I don't do it anymore,
I won't do that from my house"
 What! she won't do it from her ISP, but she would from mine?

That is why we have a guest network and our devices are not connected to it.  I recommend that to everyone because nobody can possibly control what  guests do on their network short of not letting them use the network.

And if you were accused of stealing electricity (not simply asked if you did steal electricity - asking a question is not slanderous as it is not a false statement), could prove that the accusation was false, and you had actual monetary harm that you could also prove - you might win that amount in a lawsuit. 

[Iplawyer]

Thanks everyone for the info.  I really want to use the digital antenna option but I can't get it to work.  I've tried several times.  I'm not in the boonies either.  We live in Seattle(king county) and still can't get it to work.  We're in some kind of dead zone or something.  I've tried the antenna locator as well.  I just can't get the signal strong enough.  If anyone has any tips regarding that I would be all ears.  I would love to get the local network to watch major sporting events such as the Huskies beating...i mean playing Alabama this week :-)  I tried the Slingtv trial. It was OK.  Definitely and option but it isn't necessarily cheap either. I know Direct TV now has a streaming service as well.

Is this the case with every TV in your house?  Some TVs don't have good tuners.  If you have other TVs - connect the antenna and try.  Have you moved the antenna to different places and seen the same results?  In any case - you could order this and see if it works - it might solve your problem:

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Broadcast-Channels-Recording-Support/dp/B01F3YVBM8/ref=pd_lpo_504_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SDR8AX0ZHTK615P4BADP


There must be some issue you are overlooking.  I've set this up for so many people in so many places and have never failed to get at least the major stations tuned in.  What do you mean when you say "I just can't get the signal strong enough?"

You can enter your zip code and street address here.  If it shows channels  and you are not getting them - you are doing something wrong.
https://www.tablotv.com/tools/


You either get a digital signal or you don't.  There is no try.  So you set your TV input to TV, connect the antenna to the cable input, do the setup on your TV to search for channels.  When you do all of that - what happens?

Yeah, I've tried several times and it just skips over the channels that that link  says it should be receiving.  It receives signals from antennas from my southwest but not the major network antennas that are to the northeast. Of course the infomercial and Spanish channels are in the clear dkrection. I'm kinda blocked geographically to the northeast but not crazy and were within. 15 miles of the antennas.  I wonder if I have to do a roof antenna based on the geography.  It would make a huge difference if I could get OTA channels.

[Iplawyer]

I am roughly 40 miles from Chicago (and Milwaukee).  For an OTA antenna, would it need to be a rooftop antenna.  I would imagine that it would.

Also, I am sad to say that the wife records one of the ABC soap operas on the DVR while.  Is there a friendly OTA DVR out there?  And with the streaming, could she watch network shows on demand?

Yes - lets - but she could likely watch her soap a day later right on ABC. 

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Broadcast-Channels-Recording-Support/dp/B01F3YVBM8/ref=pd_lpo_504_tr_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SDR8AX0ZHTK615P4BADP

[Kakashi]

Android box with Kodi and download the exodus add on. I don't watch Netflix anymore with this available.

Do you connect into your neighbor's electricity and steal that too? 

No, but I was falsely accused of it, I should have sued for slander.

My daughter used to steal music off the net before she moved away.
We talked about that over Christmas, she said, "I don't do it anymore,
I won't do that from my house"
 What! she won't do it from her ISP, but she would from mine?

That is why we have a guest network and our devices are not connected to it.  I recommend that to everyone because nobody can possibly control what  guests do on their network short of not letting them use the network.

And if you were accused of stealing electricity (not simply asked if you did steal electricity - asking a question is not slanderous as it is not a false statement), could prove that the accusation was false, and you had actual monetary harm that you could also prove - you might win that amount in a lawsuit.

How does a guest network prevent your guests from doing anything they're not supposed to?  You still have 1 IP address assigned to you by your ISP.  So what your guests do is still tracked by the ISP. 

[BTDretire]

I am roughly 40 miles from Chicago (and Milwaukee).  For an OTA antenna, would it need to be a rooftop antenna.  I would imagine that it would.

 There are hundreds of antenna plans you can build on the net.
You need to find out  what channels you want to receive, then decide on the antenna.

Also, I am sad to say that the wife records one of the ABC soap operas on the DVR while.  Is there a friendly OTA DVR out there?  And with the streaming, could she watch network shows on demand?

 I got my wife this PVR to record her soaps.
It's been working perfect since June this year.
So good that she sold the stockpile of 10 VCR's
she had acquired.:-/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I2ZBD1U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Then you need something to record to, a hard drive or, I got
this thumb drive. It works great, others may not.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KT7DOSE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 Re: the antenna, she only wanted to record her soaps
on one channel so I built a simple folded dipole cut to
the proper length--in the case it is 9.5" long.

[BTDretire]

Android box with Kodi and download the exodus add on. I don't watch Netflix anymore with this available.

Do you connect into your neighbor's electricity and steal that too? 

No, but I was falsely accused of it, I should have sued for slander.

My daughter used to steal music off the net before she moved away.
We talked about that over Christmas, she said, "I don't do it anymore,
I won't do that from my house"
 What! she won't do it from her ISP, but she would from mine?

That is why we have a guest network and our devices are not connected to it.  I recommend that to everyone because nobody can possibly control what  guests do on their network short of not letting them use the network.

And if you were accused of stealing electricity (not simply asked if you did steal electricity - asking a question is not slanderous as it is not a false statement), could prove that the accusation was false, and you had actual monetary harm that you could also prove - you might win that amount in a lawsuit.

I was accused of wiring into his box, in front of four other people including the property manager, then the manager brought in four electricians to assess the situation. It's not a housing situation, but I don't want to identify to much info. My harm was mental, I didn't steal anything and he was telling people I did. The electricians said there was no connection to his box and left.
  He believed what he was saying, but it was a couple of coincidences and him adding two and two and getting five. I had a repair on a broken wire and he had a bill that was higher than expected. So he assumed my repair was connecting to his box. The slanderer also cut my power cord several weeks later, when ask about it he said yes he did, and he would do it again, in front of the manager.
 Oh well it's over now, the slanderer has moved on and I don't see him anymore.
 

[Paul der Krake]

Mohu Leaf 50 ($50)
- Gives me ABC, NBC, and CBS but unfortunately does not pick up Fox :(

Based on my highly-unscientific observations, it's pretty rare to get all major channels. There's always a wall or a building that blocks a signal.

In my previous apartment, which channels I could watch would vary based on time of day, wind and temperature outside, and number of leaves on the trees. Needless to say I never hosted any superbowl parties.

[Psychstache]

I am roughly 40 miles from Chicago (and Milwaukee).  For an OTA antenna, would it need to be a rooftop antenna.  I would imagine that it would.

Also, I am sad to say that the wife records one of the ABC soap operas on the DVR while.  Is there a friendly OTA DVR out there?  And with the streaming, could she watch network shows on demand?

I've been very happy with the tivo roamio OTA DVR. Tivo ran a special on them about a year ago that included the lifetime service, so we got that to go with an antenna in the living room, and a Tivo mini for the bedroom and the setup has worked perfectly.

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