Seeking opinions on streaming services.

[DelPen]

It left Netflix a long time ago but was still available at SouthParkStudios.com - is that going to go away?

Nope, they will actually keep some exlcusives there still. But looks like Netflix and Amazon won't have South Park anymore.

[mac5155]

Good HD antenna ready set go

[mac5155]

Got the 40 buck fin antenna at Walmart. Got channel 11 and a second 11.something. will a better antenna pick up more?

[dodint]

For the money, height plays a larger role in what you'll pull in than size. Unless you get a dedicated rooftop multielement setup. And even then it'll need to be on the roof.

[IanMoran]

Best thing about cutting the cord for me is I've basically completely replaced the time I spent watching TV with reading. Thus far, I'm enjoying reading over when I watched TV so much by a large margin

[IanMoran]

It left Netflix a long time ago but was still available at SouthParkStudios.com - is that going to go away?

Nope, they will actually keep some exlcusives there still. But looks like Netflix and Amazon won't have South Park anymore.

Sitting on a computer watching all the commercials on South Park Studios drives me crazy

[mac5155]

For the money, height plays a larger role in what you'll pull in than size. Unless you get a dedicated rooftop multielement setup. And even then it'll need to be on the roof.

According to Antenna Web, I am within 35 miles of all the stations. I put the indoor antenna facing the way the map says, but still can only get 11.1 and 11.2. Would you recommend an outdoor rooftop set or just keep the indoor one and maybe position it in an attic window instead of a bedroom window?

[dodint]

I would try what you have as high as you can get it without running longer than ~50ft of coax. An attic window would be awesome if you have one, since the roofing material won't be blocking the signal. If that doesn't work and you're serious about this, trade the indoor antenna in for a proper attic mount antenna (they look like a big grate) since you already have the cable ran there anyway. The only option beyond that is a proper roof mounted antenna but that is leagues away from a $40 set top solution. The next time I move I may go this route in lieu of DirecTV.

When I worked as a dispatcher we had a nice TV but they wouldn't pay for cable. We were able to pull in SNF games on NBC using a run of coax and a guys CB antenna from his truck, so long as I was willing to climb on the roof. It's more about placement than the antenna.

[PensFanInDC]

Best thing about cutting the cord for me is I've basically completely replaced the time I spent watching TV with reading. Thus far, I'm enjoying reading over when I watched TV so much by a large margin

I'm the same but with exercise.

[Digitalgypsy66]

Hmm, we cut the cord and I play more video games.

[PensFanInDC]

I wish...

[pittsoccer33]

What kind of antennas did Antenna Web recommend? If I had to use an indoor I'd probably use a Winegard Flatwave.

35 miles is pretty far, especially if there is a tree or phone line in the way, much less a hill.

Most of the networks broadcast out of the Northside (which is where my antenna points). WQED broadcasts out of Oakland (which I actually have a tiny bit of bad reception on, despite the fact I literally live less than two miles down Center Avenue from it). WTAE is out of McKeesport and its a mess with my antenna.

[Digitalgypsy66]

You know what's weird? I'm closer to antennas from a different TV market (Columbia, SC) than my "local" market (Florence/Myrtle Beach).

[mac5155]

What kind of antennas did Antenna Web recommend? If I had to use an indoor I'd probably use a Winegard Flatwave.

35 miles is pretty far, especially if there is a tree or phone line in the way, much less a hill.

Most of the networks broadcast out of the Northside (which is where my antenna points). WQED broadcasts out of Oakland (which I actually have a tiny bit of bad reception on, despite the fact I literally live less than two miles down Center Avenue from it). WTAE is out of McKeesport and its a mess with my antenna.

Oh, I see now, the color code is the antenna type. It's saying blue and violet for most of them. I might be SOL.

[pittsoccer33]

Yes, the color codes are an industry standard and are typically on the packaging of an antenna you'd buy.

Blue is medium directional, possibly requiring amplification. That means the tv signals are all basically coming from one geographic area, so you will be pointing the antenna towards it. The amp is because the signal is so weak that just transferring it from antenna, to coaxial cable, to your television, could wreck the signal. Most tv tuners inside the sets now are relatively poor, so they aren't as good at locking on to a weak signal.

Violet antennas are slightly larger.

[pittsoccer33]

Blue:

You need a Medium Directional Antenna with pre-amp.These medium-size, multi-element antennas are the most popular rooftop antenna because of their modest size and ghost-reducing characteristics. These are best used if there are any ghost-producing reflective structures near your location.

Violet:

You need a Large Directional Antenna.These large, multi-element rooftop antennas are used in weak signal areas for maximum possible TV reception. These antennas can be used in ANY LOCATION, but require an amplifier and roof mounting to receive blue and purple channels. Amplifiers are not recommended for yellow channels.

[mac5155]

Do you think an outdoor antenna is overkill or will it be worth it?

[dodint]

Buy it from RadioShack and take it back if it doesn't work.

[pittsoccer33]

If I had to rely on OTA I don't think I would consider anyhting BUT an outdoor antenna. Even now I have my small bunny ears sitting outside my 3rd story window. I use OTA in addition to cable.

The problem is that you won't know for sure what works until you try it. Even your next door neighbor could say "I get great reception using this model" and you will get nothing with the same one.

Placement in the house matters. Try getting whatever you use closest to the city. The less walls, roofs, and other obstructions the better.

And finally, are you still a cable internet customer? If your provider hasn't begun encrypting everything you might still be getting locals via QAM. You'd need to run the coax right from your wall to your tv, set up the tv signal for cable, and re-run the channel scan.

[mac5155]

I am an Internet subscriber, I believe someone on here said my company (Armstrong) does encrypt but I've never tried it.

[eddysnake]

I had a long chat with comcast after our bill jumped up to $190 (phone, tv, and internet). The plan was to get rid of everything but the internet. If we went with just internet, it was $84 after taxes and fees. They had a $49 option, but it was 3 mbs and I don't think that will work for streaming, right?

My wife wanted to keep a land line so now I'm exploring the possibility of magic jack or something along those lines, anyone have any history with these?

For the time being we ended up keeping the internet, phone & basic cable for $103 (it was actually cheaper keeping all 3 than getting rid of tv all together and just going with net & phone). When I dropped off my DVR box to comcast, they gave me their new digital adapters for the basic cable. To my surprise they now make them with an HDMI output so you can get everything in HD.

Does anyone know about the internet phone (magic jacke) and if 3 mbs speed will work for streaming ? Until then, I'm happy to have split the bill in half

[dey soff]

I have the $49.99 Comcast internet (which I got down to $39.99 after 2 months) and it seems to stream YouTube fine for me.

We went to Direct TV for television and just use cell phones. Saved us around $80 per month and I have been very happy with Direct TV. I will probably explore my options again once my 2 year contract is up with Direct TV next July.

On a sort of related note... I am giving Verizon the boot and switching to T-Mobile in the very near future.

[pittsoccer33]

3mbps is no bueno for streaming well.

you figure thats 3mbps maximum, and could likely be lower than that. is anyone in the house going to watching a youtube recipe guide or downloading at all during the movie?

i think at this point everything uses adaptive technology, meaning they detect your current bandwidth and send you something you can handle. on a PC Netflix maxes at 3mbps now (unless youre using the Windows 8 app, but Siliverlight and HTML5 in a browser is 3mbps). but the "1080p" versions of things from Netflix, Vudu, etc start now around 6mbps and go up beyond 15.

[PensFanInDC]

When I dropped off my DVR box to comcast, they gave me their new digital adapters for the basic cable. To my surprise they now make them with an HDMI output so you can get everything in HD.

But wouldn't you need to have access to the HD feed to get HD quality?

[eddysnake]

When I dropped off my DVR box to comcast, they gave me their new digital adapters for the basic cable. To my surprise they now make them with an HDMI output so you can get everything in HD.

But wouldn't you need to have access to the HD feed to get HD quality?

good question. Maybe I'm still getting it from my old DVR box?