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Cutting the Cord

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Dave Hiltbrand

This document provides an overview of cutting the cord from cable or satellite TV providers and switching to streaming services for television. It discusses internet service providers (ISPs) like DSL and cable, recommended internet speeds for streaming video quality, hardware options like modems and routers. It also reviews popular streaming devices like Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, and Chromecast. Finally, it covers streaming apps, digital antennas, and some security considerations for cord cutting.

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CUTTING THE CORD Dave Hiltbrand
WHAT IS THE CORD? • Cable – Time Warner, Charter, or Comcast • Satellite – DirecTV & Dish Network
Ohhh Technology!!!
INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS (ISP) • DSL – Comes through telephone line • Provided by Phone companies (i.e. At&t or Verizon) • Typically slower to speed 6 Mbps • Cable – Comes through coaxial cable (copper) • Provided by TWC, Charter, or Comcast • Very fast speeds of up to 300 Mbps • Cable is better value for streaming purposes
HOW MUCH BANDWIDTH? By the way, what is bandwidth? - Bandwidth is a synonym for data transfer rate - Network bandwidth is expressed in Mbps (or million bits per second) - Often confused with Mega BYTES per second (8 bits = 1 byte) - 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1000 Megabytes (1 - 3.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for quality (480p) - 5.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for quality (780p or 1080p) - 25 Megabits per second - Recommended for quality (2160p)
HARDWARE • Modems • For DSL and Cable you need the corresponding modem to match • ISPs will happily charge you for a modem rental • Advantage to renting is they are responsible for the hardware • We have a lot of lightning storms in the area • Disadvantage to renting is refurbished hardware • Advantage to owning would be long term costs decrease • Disadvantage to owning is possible technology changes
HARDWARE CONT. • You can rent a router/modem combo but its typically not recommended • Don’t skimp on your router; its the brain of your internet world • AC routers offer the latest type of WiFi and typically have better range and speed • Always get a dual band router (2.4 Ghz & 5 Ghz)
SECURITY….. A.K.A. ANTI-VIRUS - Streaming from Netflix, Hulu, HBO or Youtube etc… does not require any extra security software - Everyone who is active online should use anti-virus software - Windows Defender (built into Windows) is not enough - Free anti-virus software usually does not catch spyware and malware as well - Macs get viruses TOO!
STREAMING DEVICES • Apple TV • Amazon Fire TV • Roku • Chromecast • Smart TV • Smart Blu-ray Player • Phone/ Tablet Mirroring
APPLE TV • 4th Generation $150-$200 • Great if you use iTunes to get movies or tv shows • Siri is now available for searching • Lots of games available for grandkids • You can mirror from iPhone, iPad, & Mac computers • 3rd Generation still available for $70
AMAZON FIRE TV • Fire TV $100 for 4k TVs and gaming • Fire TV Stick $40 ($50 w/ voice remote) • Voice control lets you use Alexa search • Interface favors Amazon content • Great if you have an Amazon Prime account
ROKU • Roku 4 $130 – Great for 4k (HDR) TVs and gaming • Roku 3 $100 – comes with voice remote • Roku 2 $70 – best overall value • Roku Stick $40 – recently updated/ faster than Fire Stick • Impartial to different streaming services • Voice search available with compatible remote • You can mirror from Android and Windows devices
CHROMECAST • $35 is the cheapest way to make your TV smart • Requires use of another device (phone, tablet) for control • Makes is less user friendly • Updated version has quick WiFi
OTHER OPTIONS • Smart TVs • Various operating systems • Less updates from manufacturers than streaming boxes • No app stores • Smart BluRay Players • Similar to Smart TVs except typically slower interface • Screen Mirror from Phone or Tablet • Requires a receiver (Miracast)
KODI AND BLACK BOXES • Kodi itself is not illegal but it is a grey area of legality • I cannot advise the use of black boxes from Amazon or eBay for their lack of stability and security
STREAMING APPS • Netflix - ”King of Streaming Apps” • Basic - $8 – 1 Screen – SD • Standard - $10 – 2 Screens – HD • Premium - $12 – 4 Screens – HD + Ultra HD 4k • Great for previous seasons of TV shows and older movies • Top rated original content
STREAMING APPS • Hulu Plus - • Basic - $8 – 1 Screen – HD • No-Commericial - $12-14 – 1 Screen - HD • Great for current TV shows • Shows air one day behind
STREAMING APPS • Amazon Instant Video - • Included with Amazon Prime Account • Top rated original content • Good for movies and TV shows
STREAMING APPS • Youtube – You can find old shows on here • Vudu – Movie rentals or purchase • M-Go – Movie rentals or purchase • SlingTV– • Orange - $20 – 20 channels • Blue - $25 – 25 channels • Core selection of popular cable tv networks
DIGITAL ANTENNAS • Check where towers are located • https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmitter-locator.html • All the major networks have free broadcasts • There are sub-channels for some stations • Omni-directional antennas are great for locations with towers in all directions • Amplified antennas plug into power to amplify reception • Unlike analog TV signals, digital signals either work or don’t (there’s no snow)
EXCITED FOR TECHNOLOGY?

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Cutting the Cord

  • 2. WHAT IS THE CORD? • Cable – Time Warner, Charter, or Comcast • Satellite – DirecTV & Dish Network
  • 4. INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS (ISP) • DSL – Comes through telephone line • Provided by Phone companies (i.e. At&t or Verizon) • Typically slower to speed 6 Mbps • Cable – Comes through coaxial cable (copper) • Provided by TWC, Charter, or Comcast • Very fast speeds of up to 300 Mbps • Cable is better value for streaming purposes
  • 5. HOW MUCH BANDWIDTH? By the way, what is bandwidth? - Bandwidth is a synonym for data transfer rate - Network bandwidth is expressed in Mbps (or million bits per second) - Often confused with Mega BYTES per second (8 bits = 1 byte) - 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1000 Megabytes (1 - 3.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for quality (480p) - 5.0 Megabits per second - Recommended for quality (780p or 1080p) - 25 Megabits per second - Recommended for quality (2160p)
  • 6. HARDWARE • Modems • For DSL and Cable you need the corresponding modem to match • ISPs will happily charge you for a modem rental • Advantage to renting is they are responsible for the hardware • We have a lot of lightning storms in the area • Disadvantage to renting is refurbished hardware • Advantage to owning would be long term costs decrease • Disadvantage to owning is possible technology changes
  • 7. HARDWARE CONT. • You can rent a router/modem combo but its typically not recommended • Don’t skimp on your router; its the brain of your internet world • AC routers offer the latest type of WiFi and typically have better range and speed • Always get a dual band router (2.4 Ghz & 5 Ghz)
  • 8. SECURITY….. A.K.A. ANTI-VIRUS - Streaming from Netflix, Hulu, HBO or Youtube etc… does not require any extra security software - Everyone who is active online should use anti-virus software - Windows Defender (built into Windows) is not enough - Free anti-virus software usually does not catch spyware and malware as well - Macs get viruses TOO!
  • 9. STREAMING DEVICES • Apple TV • Amazon Fire TV • Roku • Chromecast • Smart TV • Smart Blu-ray Player • Phone/ Tablet Mirroring
  • 10. APPLE TV • 4th Generation $150-$200 • Great if you use iTunes to get movies or tv shows • Siri is now available for searching • Lots of games available for grandkids • You can mirror from iPhone, iPad, & Mac computers • 3rd Generation still available for $70
  • 11. AMAZON FIRE TV • Fire TV $100 for 4k TVs and gaming • Fire TV Stick $40 ($50 w/ voice remote) • Voice control lets you use Alexa search • Interface favors Amazon content • Great if you have an Amazon Prime account
  • 12. ROKU • Roku 4 $130 – Great for 4k (HDR) TVs and gaming • Roku 3 $100 – comes with voice remote • Roku 2 $70 – best overall value • Roku Stick $40 – recently updated/ faster than Fire Stick • Impartial to different streaming services • Voice search available with compatible remote • You can mirror from Android and Windows devices
  • 13. CHROMECAST • $35 is the cheapest way to make your TV smart • Requires use of another device (phone, tablet) for control • Makes is less user friendly • Updated version has quick WiFi
  • 14. OTHER OPTIONS • Smart TVs • Various operating systems • Less updates from manufacturers than streaming boxes • No app stores • Smart BluRay Players • Similar to Smart TVs except typically slower interface • Screen Mirror from Phone or Tablet • Requires a receiver (Miracast)
  • 15. KODI AND BLACK BOXES • Kodi itself is not illegal but it is a grey area of legality • I cannot advise the use of black boxes from Amazon or eBay for their lack of stability and security
  • 16. STREAMING APPS • Netflix - ”King of Streaming Apps” • Basic - $8 – 1 Screen – SD • Standard - $10 – 2 Screens – HD • Premium - $12 – 4 Screens – HD + Ultra HD 4k • Great for previous seasons of TV shows and older movies • Top rated original content
  • 17. STREAMING APPS • Hulu Plus - • Basic - $8 – 1 Screen – HD • No-Commericial - $12-14 – 1 Screen - HD • Great for current TV shows • Shows air one day behind
  • 18. STREAMING APPS • Amazon Instant Video - • Included with Amazon Prime Account • Top rated original content • Good for movies and TV shows
  • 19. STREAMING APPS • Youtube – You can find old shows on here • Vudu – Movie rentals or purchase • M-Go – Movie rentals or purchase • SlingTV– • Orange - $20 – 20 channels • Blue - $25 – 25 channels • Core selection of popular cable tv networks
  • 20. DIGITAL ANTENNAS • Check where towers are located • https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmitter-locator.html • All the major networks have free broadcasts • There are sub-channels for some stations • Omni-directional antennas are great for locations with towers in all directions • Amplified antennas plug into power to amplify reception • Unlike analog TV signals, digital signals either work or don’t (there’s no snow)