Revisiting cutting the TV cable/box

[QuarterMillionMan]

Thanks txes86 for the information. I just came across another problem with the buffering. As I'm watch Monday night MLB on PS Vue on my TV, I'm watching videos on facebook with my laptop and I have a desktop running another video and I get the "loading please wait" on Roku TV. It only buffers for a few seconds but I can see it might get annoying. What makes my situation worse is that I'm using a $15 internet service, the slowest speed available. I might need to upgrade my internet service to a faster service.

[txex86]

Thanks txes86 for the information. I just came across another problem with the buffering. As I'm watch Monday night MLB on PS Vue on my TV, I'm watching videos on facebook with my laptop and I have a desktop running another video and I get the "loading please wait" on Roku TV. It only buffers for a few seconds but I can see it might get annoying. What makes my situation worse is that I'm using a $15 internet service, the slowest speed available. I might need to upgrade my internet service to a faster service.

Yes, I think you might need to upgrade to little faster internet,especially since you are running so many devices at once. Or you could get an Amazon Fire stick. Those have less buffering problems.

[scfr]

We're super old-school. We have an antennae for watching over the airwaves (we get about 15-20 channels) and I borrow DVDs from the library. Our only cost is whatever electricity we use to run the TV and DVD player. It doesn't sound like our approach would make you happy, but just know that $0 monthly fees is an option.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Some other quirky things about Roku/PS Vue;

-when changing channels there is no TV guide nor are there numbers on the remote, changing channels require reverting to "home" then choosing an app then when inside the app choosing ESPN or FS1 or CNBC, etc.

-I haven't found the TV guide on my TV but a TV guide for PS Vue can be found when I use my laptop.

-the video quality on PS Vue is not as good as cable TV, granted my internet speed is slow but can't beat the HD quality from cable TV.

PS Vue is a good value at $44.95 per month (compared to $109 with TV cable) but it's not the same as TV cable and to make a long story short the grass is not always green on the other side. I may cut the TV cable but I'm still undecided.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Well I did it cut my TV cable today so add me to the list of TV cable cord cutters.

[txex86]

Some other quirky things about Roku/PS Vue;

-when changing channels there is no TV guide nor are there numbers on the remote, changing channels require reverting to "home" then choosing an app then when inside the app choosing ESPN or FS1 or CNBC, etc.

-I haven't found the TV guide on my TV but a TV guide for PS Vue can be found when I use my laptop.

-the video quality on PS Vue is not as good as cable TV, granted my internet speed is slow but can't beat the HD quality from cable TV.

PS Vue is a good value at $44.95 per month (compared to $109 with TV cable) but it's not the same as TV cable and to make a long story short the grass is not always green on the other side. I may cut the TV cable but I'm still undecided.

1) No TV guide is a Roku issue, not PS Vue. With Amazon stick there is a guide, and with 4K TV's you have a guide. Also with a Roku, you must go "home" before changing apps. This is true of any streaming app, Apple TV, Amazon, etc.

2)Video quality is great on my PS Vue with AT&T 24, 18.1 Mbps - 24 Mbps. You may want to upgrade your speed since you seem to be using multiple devices a bunch while you stream Vue.

There are ways to finesse Roku to act like cable with PS Vue. Search "All Channels" and select the networks you would like to toggle between (I'm a huge toggler between channels kind a gal). Once you visit those channels, they appear on the " channels viewed previously." Once one show goes to commercial, I hit the back button and go to another show in my list.

I for one am OK with having a bit of a learning curve with Roku/PS Vue to save some $$. Hope you find your experience OK over the long run.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Good analysis txex86. Yes there is a learning curve and I agree that the money I am saving with it is worth it. I downloaded the TV guide app to my phone to have an additional guide to help me while I familiarize myself with PS Vue and Roku. I realize that I would need to increase my internet speeds but I will hold out as long as I can. $15 a month internet is quite a bargain so I'll live with it for a while until I can't tolerate it. And my modem/router is a cheap 100 mbps model and I'm considering a 300 mbps for a little fast speed as well. Overall I'm saving $60 a month switching from TV cable ($109) to PS Vue ($45) with the Roku so I'm happy about it.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Have cable is nice. We have basic channels because it's $5 more but we also pay a premium for fast internet and no competition. Oh well.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I just thought of a cheaper alternative of boosting my current everyday low price (ELP) internet of $15/month to the next faster internet service of $39/month. I'll just order another ELP for $15 month and use it as a dedicated line for my PS Vue. I noticed that PS Vue works fine until I start to watch videos on other devices which then causes PS Vue to buffer. Problem solved at a cheaper cost.

[txex86]

I just thought of a cheaper alternative of boosting my current everyday low price (ELP) internet of $15/month to the next faster internet service of $39/month. I'll just order another ELP for $15 month and use it as a dedicated line for my PS Vue. I noticed that PS Vue works fine until I start to watch videos on other devices which then causes PS Vue to buffer. Problem solved at a cheaper cost.

That's nice that you have a lower cost internet provider. My area is stuck with either AT&T or Spectrum (used to be Time Warner cable).

[QuarterMillionMan]

Another interesting nugget of information, I'm watching the IFC channel which I think is Independent Film Channel, the show title is Shutter Island starring Leonardo Di Caprio rated R, and they don't cut out the "FUs" nor do they cut out the nudity. With cable TV unless I ordered HBO or Showtime the rated R movies cut out those scenes, very interesting. PS Vue does interject their own commercials from time to time but it doesn't bother me.

[txex86]

Another interesting nugget of information, I'm watching the IFC channel which I think is Independent Film Channel, the show title is Shutter Island starring Leonardo Di Caprio rated R, and they don't cut out the "FUs" nor do they cut out the nudity. With cable TV unless I ordered HBO or Showtime the rated R movies cut out those scenes, very interesting. PS Vue does interject their own commercials from time to time but it doesn't bother me.

It has been my experience that IFC includes all content, curse words etc., on films whether broadcasting it on cable or PS Vue.

[scfr]

The August issue of Consumer Report's cover story is about the options to cut the cable cord. If you are still considering your options, may want to take a peek at that issue of the magazine the next time you are at the library.