Cutting the cord

[DPMOmaha]

The Charlie and Dave overlay is not always available. I'd say about 60% or so.

I never had a game where it wasn't available unless it was a national broadcast only.

[whytev]

I never had a game where it wasn't available unless it was a national broadcast only.

On what platform?

[DPMOmaha]

On what platform?

MLB.TV on my Macbook and through the MLB app on my Roku stick. That's what I usually watched it on.

[Natsinpwc]

MLB.TV on my Macbook and through the MLB app on my Roku stick. That's what I usually watched it on.

I usually watch via the Apple TV and didn't see it there. Maybe it will be there this year or I should use the MacBook.

[DPMOmaha]

Could very well be.

[whytev]

MLB.TV on my Macbook and through the MLB app on my Roku stick. That's what I usually watched it on.

Ah. I never use a computer to watch.

[HattoriHanzo]

I never had a game where it wasn't available unless it was a national broadcast only.

Which format were you using mlb.tv on? I use it on the pc then have a long hdmi cable from my desk in my loft to the tv to watch it and on the browser, I didn't have charlie and dave for a lot of games. I should get one of the other ways to get it as the browser I believe also isn't the 720/60P stream either.

[Minty Fresh]

Anyone have any experience with the PS Vue?  It looks like (other than MLB Network) it offers everything I'm looking for.

[GburgNatsFan]

So... Google wades into the fray.

https://tv.youtube.com/welcome/

From Wired:

"Just $35 a month gets you six accounts and access to live TV from more than 40 providers including the big broadcast networks, ESPN, regional sports networks and dozens of popular cable networks."

Nah. Not our regional sports network. That would be too good to be true. Plus, net neutrality isn't a sure thing, so...

[The Chief]

35 bucks a month sounds steep.

[DPMOmaha]

35 bucks a month sounds steep.

It's similar to Sling and PS Vue. Actually, it's a little better than Sling. It's a lot less than what i paid back in the day for cable/DirecTV. Not sure if they've reacted to everything moving online or not.

[HalfSmokes]

It depends on the sling package. I hope they offer a more stripped down version

[DPMOmaha]

It depends on the sling package. I hope they offer a more stripped down version

There's no package that offers all of that for less than what YouTubeTV is offering. There are slimmed down packages that cost less. And BTN isn't on Sling yet. Not a big deal for some, but it is for us fans of Big Ten schools.

[HalfSmokes]

There's no package that offers all of that for less than what YouTubeTV is offering. There are slimmed down packages that cost less. And BTN isn't on Sling yet. Not a big deal for some, but it is for us fans of Big Ten schools.

Not everyone wants all of that (part of the reason people cut the cord is so that they don't have to pay for what they don't want). I happily pay $25 bucks for sling, and if I could go a la cart somewhere else and drop 75% of those channels I would

[DPMOmaha]

Not everyone wants all of that (part of the reason people cut the cord is so that they don't have to pay for what they don't want). I happily pay $25 bucks for sling, and if I could go a la cart somewhere else and drop 75% of those channels I would

Oh, for sure. The thing about Sling is that they break up the ESPNs and the Fox Sports'. For me, that's not a bit deal except for the fall when FS1 has football games I'm interested in. 9 months out of the year, the less expensive Sling package covers my interests. OTA + MLB.TV in the summer and I'm generally covered (except for BTN...).

[MarquisDeSade]

We got that good commie fiber (http://fiber.usinternet.com/plans-and-prices/) so for $70/month we get true 1 gigabit up and down so we're cutting the cord when our contract with Comcast is up.  Here's the question - we're looking at either going with Sling or Playstation Vue for ESPN (we get MLB.tv for free) but we're going to need a replacement for our security system.  Right now we're planning to get one of those eight camera jobs from Costco along with the door bell two way camera but we need something that will alert the authorities on the off chance there's a break-in. 

[dracnal]

We got that good commie fiber (http://fiber.usinternet.com/plans-and-prices/) so for $70/month we get true 1 gigabit up and down so we're cutting the cord when our contract with Comcast is up.  Here's the question - we're looking at either going with Sling or Playstation Vue for ESPN (we get MLB.tv for free) but we're going to need a replacement for our security system.  Right now we're planning to get one of those eight camera jobs from Costco along with the door bell two way camera but we need something that will alert the authorities on the off chance there's a break-in.

I -think- you pretty much have to have a monitoring service for that. However, there are definitely systems that don't have a monitor service that will call you when the alerts trigger. That lets you check the cameras and call the cops yourself. Downside is you need a POTS line.

[MarquisDeSade]

I -think- you pretty much have to have a monitoring service for that. However, there are definitely systems that don't have a monitor service that will call you when the alerts trigger. That lets you check the cameras and call the cops yourself. Downside is you need a POTS line.

Monitoring service is fine and what we're looking for since I don't feel like creating one myself due to the hardware protocol headaches.  Our current security system from Comcast doesn't require a POTS line and some of the others I've looked at don't either, surprisingly neither does Brinks now.  We actually had the POTS line removed when we moved in since USI offers VOIP and the line is completely buried. 

[dracnal]

Monitoring service is fine and what we're looking for since I don't feel like creating one myself due to the hardware protocol headaches.  Our current security system from Comcast doesn't require a POTS line and some of the others I've looked at don't either, surprisingly neither does Brinks now.  We actually had the POTS line removed when we moved in since USI offers VOIP and the line is completely buried.

Yeah, I knew you didn't need POTS for monitor companies usually. Just the 'el cheapo' route of getting a kit from say, Home Depot or Costco. Those I don't think typically will go VoIP.  Sounds like your overall plan is pretty solid though; shouldn't have any trouble getting it done.

[MarquisDeSade]

Yeah, I knew you didn't need POTS for monitor companies usually. Just the 'el cheapo' route of getting a kit from say, Home Depot or Costco. Those I don't think typically will go VoIP.  Sounds like your overall plan is pretty solid though; shouldn't have any trouble getting it done.

Ah, I thought those "diy" kits were a thing of the past.  There are so many "disruptive" home security products out now but I have next to zero faith in any of them lasting.  At the same time, I don't want to give Brinks a three year annuity from us for essentially what we already have now from Comcast but getting nickled and dimed on "upgrades" that should be standard.  All around you're going to get screwed having a home security system so there's no "deal" to be found, I just don't want to be locked into a system that sucks (Brinks, Comcast) or that disappears (any of the SillyCon Valley solutions).

[Minty Fresh]

We got that good commie fiber (http://fiber.usinternet.com/plans-and-prices/) so for $70/month we get true 1 gigabit up and down so we're cutting the cord when our contract with Comcast is up.  Here's the question - we're looking at either going with Sling or Playstation Vue for ESPN (we get MLB.tv for free) but we're going to need a replacement for our security system.  Right now we're planning to get one of those eight camera jobs from Costco along with the door bell two way camera but we need something that will alert the authorities on the off chance there's a break-in. 

What will you do when Sling or PSVue doesn't give you Doomsday Preppers? 

[MarquisDeSade]

What will you do when Sling or PSVue doesn't give you Doomsday Preppers? 

The same thing I do now - turn up the Big L.

[imref]

Sling adding CSN Mid-Atlantic, but no MASN of course.

https://tvanswerman.com/2017/03/02/sling-tv-to-add-nbc-regional-sports-nets-in-april/

Blackouts still apply as well.

[The Chief]

It's similar to Sling and PS Vue. Actually, it's a little better than Sling. It's a lot less than what i paid back in the day for cable/DirecTV. Not sure if they've reacted to everything moving online or not.

I guess I should rephrase:

For what they're offering, 35 bucks a month isn't enough to get me off of a traditional TV plan.  I doubt you'd even save any money by the time you're done.  I'm paying 101 a month for FiOS 100/100 and basic TV with Verizon's router and two TV boxes.  A quick check of the FiOS website shows 65/mo for that speed internet only.

I feel the same way about this as I do Sling and others...  you're putting up with a lot of extra hassle just to save 10 or 15 bucks, if that.  Nevermind teaching non-techie family members how to use a non-traditional TV delivery service.  Hard pass.

[HalfSmokes]

I guess I should rephrase:

For what they're offering, 35 bucks a month isn't enough to get me off of a traditional TV plan.  I doubt you'd even save any money by the time you're done.  I'm paying 101 a month for FiOS 100/100 and basic TV with Verizon's router and two TV boxes.  A quick check of the FiOS website shows 65/mo for that speed internet only.

I feel the same way about this as I do Sling and others...  you're putting up with a lot of extra hassle just to save 10 or 15 bucks, if that.  Nevermind teaching non-techie family members how to use a non-traditional TV delivery service.  Hard pass.

the biggest saving that I see is the box rentals and the random tack on fees