Help me understand TV options...

So I need to pay my satellite bill again... and I really REALLY don't want to. We only have the bare bones package with a sports channel add-on and we probably only watch a dozen of those channels with any regularity. I've been trying to understand what's up with all the different options now but it just pisses me off because I feel like it's just a way to nickel and dime us to death (thanks McCain!). And that's probably why I'm having a hard time understanding how it all works -- the red mist is getting in my way!

So can someone help me understand all these options and how it all works?

We've got an ancient Panasonic TV, so it's not a "SmartTV", but I'm prepared to buy a new SmartTV if need be -- especially if I can find free or cheap alternatives. I have TMobile WiFi right now... at least when it's working. Sometimes it loses the signal for no apparent reason, then comes back all on its own. When that happens, I either stick to my phone or tether my phone to my PC. (I much prefer my PC to my phone!) Anyway, I don't know what's up with that, but I'm not happy about it. They're still charging me for the downtime. So I'd like to cancel it, but I think I'm going to need it (or another service) for anything except satellite/cable. Is that right?

Even if I could use the Hotspot or tethering for the TV, that would be a pain in the ass too.

We also have a Roku stick and a Fire stick (I think the Fire stick is from Amazon)? But we don't use them. We're not even sure how! I guess they plug into a Smart TV (yes?)... then do we have to sign up with Roku or Amazon for a subscription? Would Amazon Prime include their TV options? I have a Samsung phone, so I guess I would already be eligible for Samsung TV?

For what it's worth, the few channels we tend to watch regularly are Paramount, Travel, Nat Geo, Discovery, and TMC. Oh! And whatever channel Young Sheldon and Big Bang Theory are on. My husband watches sports, particularly F1 Racing -- that's non-negotiable! New movies would be nice, but not a must. Will I have to subscribe to all of these individually if I want them? Is it possible to find all these and maybe a few more on one service?

If these are all stupid questions, well, that just shows how much skooling I need! Do I want too much?

PLEASE SKOOL ME!!!

a reply to: Boadicea
Get a smart tv. Samsung has a free Samsung channel. There is Freevee TV. I am sure more is out there.

a reply to: Boadicea


B...

Smart TV in combination with an android box will offer more than enough content to keep you watching.

This is what I use and it's great. I don't recommend the Amazon firestick!!


www.nvidia.com...

originally posted by: Tarzan the apeman.
a reply to: Boadicea
Get a smart tv. Samsung has a free Samsung channel.

That's kind of where I'm leaning right now. It seems a good option from what I'm understanding. I figure we can at least check it out for a while, decide what we like and don't like, and then consider other options if we're not happy.

But will we need a wifi hookup? Or does Samsung provide the signal? (I'm not even sure that's a thing LOL!)

There is Freevee TV. I am sure more is out there.

I hadn't heard of Freevee -- thank you! I'll check them out also.

originally posted by: olaru12
a reply to: Boadicea


B...

Smart TV in combination with an android box will offer more than enough content to keep you watching.

This is what I use and it's great. I don't recommend the Amazon firestick!!


www.nvidia.com...

Thank you! I hadn't heard of an android box or nvidia. I like the idea of a one-time equipment purchase and no subscriptions to worry about (or pay for!). I am checking it out now...

a reply to: Boadicea

Can you get individual channels like ESPN on your smart tv or roku/fire stick?
Probably cheaper than any satellite service.

Sounds like your best option is to get your internet sorted and work from there.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: Boadicea

Sounds like your best option is to get your internet sorted and work from there.

Yes, I think you're right about that. That seems to be key here. I probably should have realized that first.

It's an attitude problem on my part I know. I really don't want to deal with this!

a reply to: Boadicea

Don't know where you live (don't want to) but we live in the middle of nowhere and I got one of those cheap amplified antennas and I watch at least 28 different channels. I like Me TV and one channel shows Star Trek all night, ST, TNG, DS9, etc.
You could also get a satellite receiver that receives lots of different programs as well as news back hauls.
Free To Air Satellite TV
The initial price is kinda high (to me) as well as installation. But no programming to buy.

Good luck, Boadicea,

I'm like you.

Every time we look into trying to design our own package, we seem to end up with at least as many channels that we won't watch, leaving out some we would want, and paying about as much if not more.

So we shrug and keep on.

originally posted by: NightFlight
a reply to: Boadicea

Don't know where you live (don't want to) but we live in the middle of nowhere and I got one of those cheap amplified antennas and I watch at least 28 different channels. I like Me TV and one channel shows Star Trek all night, ST, TNG, DS9, etc.

We do have one of these antennas, but it only gets a few channels, and I'm not sure why. My husband has tried a few times to scan, but it's always the same results. We've wondered if it's because of the specific location in the house. Because of the satellite cable, our TV can really only go one place, Maybe if we could move the TV (and the antenna), we could get better results elsewhere in the room.

You could also get a satellite receiver that receives lots of different programs as well as news back hauls.
Free To Air Satellite TV
The initial price is kinda high (to me) as well as installation. But no programming to buy.

That's a good idea -- thank you! I'll check that out also. Depending on the initial cost, that might be worth it. My husband is a much bigger TV person than I am, and he's happy to pay what he wants (within reason). I might not like the cost, but I'm happy if it makes my husband happy. Money's only good for what you can spend it on, right?

Good luck, Boadicea,

Thank you!

Your roku stick plugs directly into a hdmi port, just set the tv to that channel. (Firestick should work the same). No smart tv required. In fact most smart tvs use the cheapest parts that will perform just ok, If its a fairly recent stick it will preform much better when searching for shows and changing channels. But you will need to set up the wifi.

Edit: If you have amazon prime you can log in through your Roku and have all that content available simultaneously.

originally posted by: ketsuko
I'm like you.

Every time we look into trying to design our own package, we seem to end up with at least as many channels that we won't watch, leaving out some we would want, and paying about as much if not more.

So we shrug and keep on.

Exactly!!! We've sat down and done that so many times, and can never find something better than what we've got -- which isn't great! We get frustrated and end up never changing anything. Just keep paying the damn bill every month.

I just use a smart tv with a few streaming subs. They allow for web browsing, YouTube, lots of free streaming apps. There are commercials like anything else on most apps.

I absolutely hate prime video, where you pay a monthly fee then still get commercials….like wtf.

Crunchyroll is where it’s at for any anime fans.
a reply to: Boadicea

originally posted by: Jason79
Your roku stick plugs directly into a hdmi port, just set the tv to that channel. (Firestick should work the same). No smart tv required.

Oh wow -- I did not know that! Good to know. Actually, important to know -- thank you!

In fact most smart tvs use the cheapest parts that will perform just ok, If its a fairly recent stick it will preform much better when searching for shows and changing channels. But you will need to set up the wifi.

Yeah, that's the first priority. Maybe I can move the box around and find a more reliable place for it. It's on an interior wall right now. Maybe an exterior wall -- especially next to a window? -- would help. I have no idea if that's how it works though! Just thinking out loud...

Edit: If you have amazon prime you can log in through your Roku and have all that content available simultaneously.

I do not, and I've thought about getting it, but never wanted/needed it bad enough to fork out for it... I know everyone has it and loves it... I just can't bring myself to do it for some reason!

a reply to: Boadicea

We do have one of these antennas, but it only gets a few channels, and I'm not sure why. My husband has tried a few times to scan, but it's always the same results. We've wondered if it's because of the specific location in the house. Because of the satellite cable, our TV can really only go one place, Maybe if we could move the TV (and the antenna), we could get better results elsewhere in the room.

If I read your initial post correctly, I believe you stated that you did not own a digital TV. You will have to have a digital TV for the amplified antenna to operate correctly. What I mean is that receiving just one channel like 6, 12, 14, 20, 26, 54 etc., you will receive 6-1, to 6-8 and so forth up to (I believe there are 68 total TV over the air channels (2-69) and 8 digital channels per channel would come out to something like 544 digital channels. Of course not all channels are broadcast. Still TV's are at their lowest prices that I have ever seen and you could pick up a 40" Samsung around 250 bucks.
Again, Good Luck and do your due diligence in researching.

I have a simple antenna. What channels you can access depends upon what side channels are offered by the TV stations in your area.

Go to titantv.com to see them. You might have to make a free account to do that though.

originally posted by: Athetos
I just use a smart tv with a few streaming subs. They allow for web browsing, YouTube, lots of free streaming apps. There are commercials like anything else on most apps.

Laugh at me if you will... but that just sounds like too much trouble LOL! I don't want to have to keep track of multiple services or subscriptions or whatever. And I hate monthly fees! That's where I start feeling nickeled and dimed to death, and get mighty resentful!

I absolutely hate prime video, where you pay a monthly fee then still get commercials….like wtf.

Yes! WTH's up with that???

Crunchyroll is where it’s at for any anime fans.

I'm not... but I'm sure some will appreciate the suggestion!

originally posted by: Creep Thumper
I have a simple antenna. What channels you can access depends upon what side channels are offered by the TV stations in your area.

Go to titantv.com to see them. You might have to make a free account to do that though.

Thank you -- good to know! I can't believe how much I didn't know... but then again I can.

I knew I was really and truly ignorant about all this and I was at least right about that!!!

a reply to: NightFlight

If I read your initial post correctly, I believe you stated that you did not own a digital TV. You will have to have a digital TV for the amplified antenna to operate correctly. What I mean is that receiving just one channel like 6, 12, 14, 20, 26, 54 etc., you will receive 6-1, to 6-8 and so forth up to (I believe there are 68 total TV over the air channels (2-69) and 8 digital channels per channel would come out to something like 544 digital channels.

Ahhhh... that makes sense. I did kind of think that we might need to update/upgrade our TV to make use of the newer technology. But I hadn't thought about it with the amplified antenna. Thank you!

Still TV's are at their lowest prices that I have ever seen and you could pick up a 40" Samsung around 250 bucks. Again, Good Luck and do your due diligence in researching.

It's crazy, isn't it? I've been pricing TVs, especially Samsungs, and we can get a good sized TV (bigger than we have now -- which my husband would love!) for much lower than I expected. It's made the idea of getting a new TV much more palatable. But honestly, I'm shocked this TV has lasted as long as it has. We even bought it on clearance! It's a 42" screen, and they were discontinuing the 42". It's sure served us well though.

I hook up my PC through the HDMI and you can bounce around from TV service to TV service and probably save a bundle ive used Youtube tv, and Sling tv and both had plenty of options.

Throw in I do have Amazon Prime and Netflix and we rarely watch them.

But FWIW I'm fine with just HDMI antennae and watching over-the-air stuff as long as the signal is good.