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tsptalk

tsptalk

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OK, so I was looking at a recent internet bill and I was paying $131 plus taxes just for cable internet service with Xfinity. No complaints about speed or service, but this price seems to have crept higher and higher over the years, so I looked into what the new deals were.

I was a DirecTV guy for years for the NFL packages, but played with some new options like YouTubeTV, Sling, and Hulu. YouTubeTV was superior because of recording space and ease of use. It costs $65 / month, but that meant paying for cable plus TV.

Anyway, I called the cable company and was able to get my same internet package for a little less than $130, but it also included 140 channels plus Showtime. I thought, sweet, let's do that. I can get rid of YouTubeTV and save money there.

Here's the problem: I didn't think to ask about DVR capabilities. YouTubeTV has unlimited recording space. It was really good. Xfinity? - no recording unless I upgrade again.

Any recommendations for recording? Is Tivo a good option, or should I just upgrade to a new DVR box with cable? I can't see what that will cost because Xfinity makes you call to get any kind of new plan info.

What are you folks using? Thanks!
 
tsptalk said:
What are you folks using? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Tom, if you have reliable internet service, I would suggest you look into other streaming options rather than the big names. Check out "Curiousity Cafe" channel on YouTube and Patreon for reviews and how-to guides for other alternative, less costly options. With reliable internet service and a superior VPN service, there are other options for streaming real-time or on-demand; Firestick, Monsterbox, SterlingTV, CinemaHD to name a few.
 
Tom,

I have a Tivo with Spectrum. You have to keep in mind, that with a Tivo you have the initial cost of the Tivo machine. I bought mine a few years back and then it was about $400.00. Then on top of that you need a cable card ($1.00/mo) from the cable company, and you'll also need a Tuning Adapter, again from the cable company. Not sure of the cost, if any from the cable company.

Now with all that, you'll need to get a Tivo subscription ($14.99/mo) from Tivo, so your Tivo box can read the cable companies TV schedule.

I like the Tivo, but just experienced a power surge which fried my Tivo HDMI port. I have found a work around, but if that proves troublesome the path to a new Tivo will set me back another $400. At least with a cable DVR, you can just have them replace it. The only thing you really lose is the recordings off the box.
 
Sling TV is a good legal option with many different sports packages. (Services that require or recommend a "superior VPN" are usually not legal.)

Basic starts at $35 a month. New customers get 50 hours of free DVR - $5 a month for an extra 200 hours. You may not be able to receive local channels and some ESPN channels may not allow DVR. If you have a Roku, you can use that to watch.

https://www.sling.com/whatson/announcements/sling-tv-price-update-january-2021
 
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