Cutting The Cord -- How to leave cable companies?

Boges · February 6, 2014

Can't a mod merge some of these threads.

Cord-cutting does not surpass sports viewing. NHL Game Centre actually locks the local coverage, but I guess if you're using a proxy that might not be an issue.

Also many of the best cable shows aren't available on streaming services unless you're willing to buy an entire season.

The people I know that cut cords do so using BitTorrents.

Mighty AC · February 6, 2014

I am an Oilers fan living in Ontario so I don't have an issue that way. I also use a VPN service so I can instantly adjust my locale to watch Toronto/Ottawa/Buffalo games.

Charles Anthony · February 6, 2014

Can't a mod merge some of these threads.

Yes. Done.

I took mAC's title and put it into Aug91's thread.

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I used to merge more threads but that confused some of the discussion. These 2 threads are separated in time and thus, the merging would not disturb the train of discussion between them. If there was more cross-over in time between the threads, I would probably leave them separate.

cybercoma · February 6, 2014

Can't a mod merge some of these threads.

Cord-cutting does not surpass sports viewing. NHL Game Centre actually locks the local coverage, but I guess if you're using a proxy that might not be an issue.

Also many of the best cable shows aren't available on streaming services unless you're willing to buy an entire season.

The people I know that cut cords do so using BitTorrents.

I don't subscribe to it, but there is an NHL app on the AppleTV. I'm not sure how it works concerning blackouts, etc. I get the impression you have access to every game in the entire league, but that could be a marketing tactic.

cybercoma · February 6, 2014

I used to merge more threads but that confused some of the discussion. These 2 threads are separated in time and thus, the merging would not disturb the train of discussion between them. If there was more cross-over in time between the threads, I would probably leave them separate.

Thanks for the additional explanation. This is a good method.

Boges · February 6, 2014

I don't subscribe to it, but there is an NHL app on the AppleTV. I'm not sure how it works concerning blackouts, etc. I get the impression you have access to every game in the entire league, but that could be a marketing tactic.

Except for your local team. Which defeats the point if you're a fan of the local team. Same with the MLB service. But you can always use a proxy.

I'm sure Game Centre is available for Apple TV. I know the MLB one is.

cybercoma · February 6, 2014

I'm not sure if the AppleTV version blocks the games based on your geography though. It would make sense that they do, since those are the agreements in place. However, I've heard from others with AppleTV that they don't.

Edit: Looking at the Gamecenter site, it appears they do blackout games using your IP. I think people are using "workarounds" to avoid it, similar to getting US Netflix.

Edited February 6, 2014 by cybercoma

Mighty AC · February 6, 2014

I use a VPN to get around local blackouts. As an additional tip if you use a VPN or proxy to spoof a US IP you can purchase NHL content at US prices, which is significantly better than the Canadian price.

cybercoma · February 6, 2014

The problem with the AppleTV is that you have to set your region to US as well, then spoof your IP, but if your Apple ID is linked to a Canadian account, you lose access to everything you've ever purchased. It's a huge headache.

To be frank, I would rather do things the legit way and I resent people that try to use workarounds because it doesn't encourage the companies to provide better access for us. If people spent as much time and effort demanding better access as they did finding workarounds, maybe our content would improve without having to jump through hoops.

Boges · February 6, 2014

The problem with the AppleTV is that you have to set your region to US as well, then spoof your IP, but if your Apple ID is linked to a Canadian account, you lose access to everything you've ever purchased. It's a huge headache.

To be frank, I would rather do things the legit way and I resent people that try to use workarounds because it doesn't encourage the companies to provide better access for us. If people spent as much time and effort demanding better access as they did finding workarounds, maybe our content would improve without having to jump through hoops.

It's cool that, that's your opinion. Most people don't give a bleep and steal everything. If everyone thought that way, there'd be no money to produce content.

I thought about using a proxy but it's not worth my time and effort to constantly look for work-arounds.

I don't try to be morally superior though. I think the Canadian Rights deals are such BS. I also have no issue with downloading a track I hear frequently on the radio for free. A full album is another thing. I stream sports when it's not available on TV and I tried US Netflix, biggie.

Mighty AC · February 7, 2014

I agree with Boges. It would be very easy to simply steal all the media I wish to consume, but I would rather support the people and systems that produce the music, tv, movies and games I enjoy. In my case I still purchase content, I just bypass regional restrictions.

bush_cheney2004 · February 7, 2014

At some point time is more valuable than the money it takes to just buy the content. I am amazed that people will still jump through hoops to steal content from a pirate site or wait hours for a bit torrent to complete, with the bonus of unsafe downloads that entails. As for bypassing regional restrictions, I can't think of anything that is U.S. blocked from Canada or the Bahamas that I would want to "steal" anyway.

cybercoma · February 8, 2014

At some point time is more valuable than the money it takes to just buy the content. I am amazed that people will still jump through hoops to steal content from a pirate site or wait hours for a bit torrent to complete, with the bonus of unsafe downloads that entails. As for bypassing regional restrictions, I can't think of anything that is U.S. blocked from Canada or the Bahamas that I would want to "steal" anyway.

A surprising point of convergence for us. I used a VPN to check out US Netflix. It didn't offer anything that I really cared to get for the hassle. I also lost access to some of the things I wanted to watch on Canadian Netflix. I don't want to waste my time flipping between the two.

Bryan · February 8, 2014

I used a VPN to check out US Netflix. It didn't offer anything that I really cared to get for the hassle. I also lost access to some of the things I wanted to watch on Canadian Netflix.

I've had similar experiences. I've never tried a VPN, but I travel to the US quite frequently. When I try to access Netflix on my laptop or iPad, it automatically gives me the US version. Nearly half of the content I have saved in "My List" is not available in the US.

I know it's "common knowledge" that US Neflix has more content, but I've yet to see any evidence of them having much in the way of quality content that I actually want to watch.

cybercoma · February 8, 2014

They apparently have roughly 7x the content, but that's quantity alone. The kind of content we get is different. We had Thor, Captain America, and I think Iron Man 2 on Canadian Netflix before they had it on there in the US (if they even have it on there yet).

Mighty AC · February 8, 2014

Here is a complete list of US vs Canadian content.

http://netflixcanadavsusa.blogspot.com/

bush_cheney2004 · February 8, 2014

Here is a complete list of US vs Canadian content.

http://netflixcanadavsusa.blogspot.com/

Interesting list, but it never really occurred to me to worry about what is available from Netflix Canada...better or worse...it may as well be Netflix Cambodia. There is just no compelling content reason for me to chase down titles that are not conveniently and legally available. Even when we had the Netflix DVD by mail service, it was a chore to select a new film and make time to watch it. Shows like "1000 Ways To Die" aren't exactly riveting television.

Edited February 8, 2014 by bush_cheney2004

Moonlight Graham · February 8, 2014

You can't get true HD through a stream period. Stuff like Netflix and other services use a compression tool. Kind of like how YT streams 'HD'. When I upload an HD vid to my youtube channel, the file size can be almost a gigabyte for about a 5-10 minute video. There is no way you are downloading the entire 1GB just to view the video. I am not sure how it is compressed for delivery, but either way streaming online in true HD is a misnomer.

They may not be true 1080p, but they still look nice and look HD, so I'd still consider them HD.

Mighty AC · February 13, 2014

Interesting US viewing trends. Cable use is plummeting, satellite usage is flat, while Netflix is taking off. The battle for the big telco's will be to supply us with internet service.

paytv-updated.png?w=1024&h=886

sharkman · February 14, 2014

I hope that the picture is similar in Canada, but I'm not so sure.

Boges · February 22, 2014

Not just for a "poor man"....as I've got plenty of media players for multiple displays. Just messing around with the Chromecast reveals it to be quite adequate for my purposes, and means less screwing around with HDMI cables/switches. I did have to use a wifi range extender to get whole house and garage coverage. Anything that makes getting network content on any display is a welcomed option.

I was able to acquire a Chromecast through Amazon.

It certainly works (even in Canada). I do like that it's a rather dumb device and only really utilizes Apps on your PC or phone. It simplifies everything.

I think a device like this is more advantageous than a media extender because it's completely portable. It's also allows you to use your phone as the media extender.

I'm currently streaming music from my phone to TV using the Chromecast with Songza.

There were some issues I initially had with getting my phone to see the Chromecast. It appears it's almost "broken in" as these problems seemed to have righted themselves recently.

I've read that more and more apps will aquire Chromecast functionality.

I see a device like this more the future of internet TV than a box. (Apple TV, Roku, XBox etc)

Mighty AC · February 24, 2014

Nice to hear. It seems like a solid little device that will just keep getting better with increased app support. I wonder how long it will be until Chromecast and Apple TV functionality will simply be software options on all Smart TVs.

Boges · February 24, 2014

Nice to hear. It seems like a solid little device that will just keep getting better with increased app support. I wonder how long it will be until Chromecast and Apple TV functionality will simply be software options on all Smart TVs.

Well they have Media Extender options on current Smart TVs. Samsung Smart TVs can share media with an App called All Share.

I guess the problem with the TV is it's a $1,000 upgrade to get new hardware and I imagine App support would be stagnant. With the Chromecast the engine that powers comes elsewhere (PC or mobile device) so once you purchase the product you're set for awhile.

The big thing people say is great about Chromecast is that you can wirelessly mirror your Chrome browser on your laptop. So all those streaming sites can easily be projected on a TV.

This doesn't seem to work for me as I have a 5 year old laptop that has less than 2 gHz of speed. That's below the requirement according to the site. I don't see the need to upgrade the computer yet as a great deal of my computing comes from my mobile device now.

Edited February 24, 2014 by Boges

Mighty AC · February 24, 2014

I guess the problem with the TV is it's a $1,000 upgrade to get new hardware and I imagine App support would be stagnant. With the Chromecast the engine that powers comes elsewhere (PC or mobile device) so once you purchase the product you're set for awhile.

The boxes and dongles are just stopgaps, like cable converter boxes were in the 80's or hybrid cars are now. In fact, Smart TVs are also just stopgaps. Now that Smart TVs are becoming the norm, the Chromecast dongle or Apple TV box should be unnecessary very soon. Going forward though, TV manufacturers will strike licensing deals to install actual mainstream operating systems on the screens themselves. For now though I like the fact that the Chromecast gets us future functionality out of dumb TVs for about $40. Not too shabby.

Boges · February 24, 2014

The boxes and dongles are just stopgaps, like cable converter boxes were in the 80's or hybrid cars are now. In fact, Smart TVs are also just stopgaps. Now that Smart TVs are becoming the norm, the Chromecast dongle or Apple TV box should be unnecessary very soon. Going forward though, TV manufacturers will strike licensing deals to install actual mainstream operating systems on the screens themselves. For now though I like the fact that the Chromecast gets us future functionality out of dumb TVs for about $40. Not too shabby.

The problem is App support though. Do all the TV makers get App Support? Google can put it's clout behind getting Apps. Will LG be able to design a TV that links to any iPhone or Android Device and a Laptop. Possibly but I won't buy a TV because of it. I will buy a Chromecast to achieve the same goal.