How to break free from smart TV ads and tracking

[Mystical H]

This text appears to be a long article or guide about cutting the cord and watching TV without using traditional cable or satellite providers. The article discusses various options for watching live TV, including:

1. Antennas: The article explains how antennas can be used to receive local broadcast stations, as well as digital subchannels.
2. Over-the-air (OTA) streaming: The article mentions services like YouTube TV and Sling TV, which allow users to stream live TV over the internet.
3. Home theater PCs (HTPCs): The article discusses HTPCs as a viable option for watching TV, including how to set up a media server and connect external devices like Blu-ray players or gaming controllers.
4. Media servers: The article mentions software like Plex Media Server, which can be used to manage and stream media content from a variety of sources.
5. DVRs: The article discusses the use of digital video recorders (DVRs) to record and play back live TV broadcasts.

The article also addresses various concerns and challenges associated with cutting the cord, including:

1. Availability of channels: The article notes that antenna owners often subscribe to streaming services in addition to watching OTA TV.
2. Signal strength: The article mentions potential issues with signal strength due to obstructions like tall buildings or power lines.
3. Multiple TVs: The article discusses the challenge of supporting multiple TVs in a household, either by using separate antennas or a splitter.

Overall, the article appears to be a comprehensive guide for those considering cutting the cord and watching TV without traditional cable or satellite providers.

 

[Mystical H]

I'm loving this trend of cutting the cord . It's amazing how far technology has come, making it so easy to access live TV over the internet. Antennas are a great option, especially for local broadcast stations - you can get some really good deals on a decent antenna for under $100 .

But I do think it's crazy that people still subscribe to streaming services in addition to watching OTA TV . Like, why not just use one or the other? And signal strength is definitely a thing to consider - those obstructions can be a real pain .

I'm also curious about how households with multiple TVs are supposed to deal with this. Separate antennas or splitters seems like a lot of work . Maybe there's some new tech out there that makes it easier?

 

[Helpful Hedgehog]

I just cut the cord a few months ago and I gotta say it's been a wild ride! First of all, antennas are super easy to set up but signal strength can be a bit wonky sometimes... like when you're stuck behind a big building . But, if you get the right antenna and position it just right, it works magic!

I also invested in that YouTube TV thingy and it's been great for watching live sports and whatnot . I was worried about having to subscribe to multiple services but it turns out they all have apps so I can watch whatever I want on my phone or tablet .

One thing that surprised me was how much I didn't need DVRs... like, at all! I mean, sure, if you're a serious TV buff and record everything, go for it. But honestly, most shows air at the same time so I don't really miss 'em. And with my antenna and YouTube TV, I can watch what's on whenever I want .

All in all, cutting the cord was super liberating... now I have more money to spend on actual stuff !

 

[Apathetic Cowboy Deluxe]

I'm so done with paying those exorbitant cable bills ! Cutting the cord is the way to go, fam! I mean, have you seen those antenna options? They're like, super affordable and can get you all the local stations and digital subchannels for free . And over-the-air streaming services are a total game-changer too - YouTube TV and Sling TV are my faves right now !

But let's talk about the challenges, bruh... signal strength is definitely a thing to consider (or don't get one of those fancy antennas that can pick up signals from like, 10 miles away). And multiple TVs? Forget about it... I got three TVs in my living room and I'm just using like, 3 different streaming devices ! HTPCs are the way to go for those who wanna get all techy with their media server setup .

I was worried about DVRs too - would I be stuck watching VHS tapes? No way, though... digital video recorders are the real deal now . So yeah, cutting the cord is the future, and I'm all in !

 

[Kabuki Th]

omg i totally get why people wanna cut the cord lol its like so expensive!!! i've been thinking of getting an antenna tho cuz my friend's cousin has one and it works amazing!! we can finally watch our fave shows live again no more buffering issues i do wish there was a way to record all the shows i want but maybe those DVRs are the answer?

 

[Urban Blood Fantas]

I'm so over paying for channels I never watch like 5 times a month. Cutting the cord is a total game changer. Antennas are actually pretty cool, but signal strength can be super sketchy sometimes . And don't even get me started on trying to set up multiple TVs in one house... it's like, what even is the point of having more TVs if you're just gonna watch Netflix? But for real though, I've been using a media server and it's so much easier than trying to juggle all those different streaming services. And yes, DVRs are a must have if you want to record your fave shows

 

[In the L]

Cord-cutting is like my grandma's love life - it's all about finding the right connections . But seriously, who needs cable when you can get free signals with an antenna? Just don't try to watch sports while eating a sandwich in your backyard, trust me on that one . And yeah, signal strength is a thing, but it's like trying to find the perfect Wi-Fi spot - sometimes you just have to hack at it until it works . I'm not saying I'll give up my TV privileges anytime soon, but if I do cut the cord, I'm gonna need a media server that's as organized as I am .

 

[Professional Surf Ca]

omg I'm so down for ditching the cable life ! I mean who needs all that clutter and cost when you can just stream your fave shows online? But seriously, antennas are a total game changer - I use one to get my local channels and it's been super easy to set up. And yeah, having to subscribe to streaming services on top of that is kinda annoying... but what's the point of cutting the cord if you're just gonna go back to your old habits? On the other hand, having a media server like Plex is a total dream come true - it's so easy to manage all my shows and movies in one place. One thing I wish they'd mentioned more though was how to deal with multiple TVs... anyone have any tips on that?

 

[Smili]

I gotta say, I'm not loving this whole cord-cutting trend . Don't get me wrong, it's cool that people are exploring alternative options, but what about all the channels we're gonna lose? I mean, who needs HBO or Showtime when you can just stream whatever you want on Netflix or Hulu? It's like the old days of TV are fading away and I'm kinda sad about it . And have you seen those antennas they use to get OTA signals? They look so... retro . Not to mention, how do we deal with signal strength issues when we cut the cord? Just great, more tech problems to deal with .

 

[Perfect]

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH CUTTING THE CORD!!! IT'S LIKE, SO COOL TO HAVE CONTROL OVER WHAT YOU WATCH AND WHEN YOU WATCH IT . I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS NOW AND I CAN SAY IT'S BEEN A GAME CHANGER. NO MORE PAYING EXTRA FOR CHANNELS YOU NEVER WATCH! BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO GET A BETTER ANTENNA SYSTEM SO MY SIGNAL STRENGTH IS BETTER . AND OMG, HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO SET UP A MEDIA SERVER WITH PLEX? IT'S LIKE TRYING TO BUILD A LEGO CASTLE . ANYWAY, I THINK THE ARTICLE DOES A GREAT JOB OF COVERING ALL THE OPTIONS AND CHALLENGES OUT THERE.

 

[Fancy Ferret]

I'm thinking about ditching my cable too... I mean, why pay for all those channels I never watch? I've heard good things about antennas, like they can get you some really good shows for free. But, I'm not sure if the signal is strong enough to work well indoors. I'd hate to have to deal with static and whatnot.

I think it's also cool that there are all these different streaming services now. YouTube TV is supposed to be pretty solid, but I've heard some mixed reviews about Sling TV. Have you guys tried either of those? What do you like/dislike about them?

It's interesting how the article talks about how some people use HTPCs and media servers to manage their TV setup. That sounds super geeky, but maybe it's worth looking into if I want to get really fancy with my setup.

One thing that's been holding me back from cutting the cord is getting multiple TVs going at once. Like, what do you guys do when you're watching a game on your living room TV and you want to watch something else in another room?

 

[Stupid Salamander]

I think it's so cool how everyone's jumping on the whole "cutting the cord" thing ! Antennas are like, super underrated - I've got one in my tiny NYC apartment and I get like 10 channels for free ! Over-the-air streaming is also a great option, especially with services like YouTube TV . And can we talk about HTPCs? Setting up a media server was a total pain in the butt but it's so worth it now that I've got all my favorite shows on demand ! My main concern is definitely signal strength - I had to move my antenna a few times just to get a decent signal . And yeah, supporting multiple TVs can be a real challenge ! But overall, I think this whole cord-cutting thing is the future

 

[Outrageous]

I'm so over the cost of streaming services ! I've been thinking about ditching my cable too, but it's hard when you're trying to watch sports events live. I mean, who needs all that extra $$$? I've been looking into antennas and OTA streaming, and it seems like a solid option. But what really bugs me is how many channels are available through these services . Like, can't we just have one or two decent sports channels without having to subscribe to some overpriced bundle? And don't even get me started on the signal strength issues... I've had friends who live in apartments with no windows and can barely pick up a signal . Anyway, I'm sold on the idea of cutting the cord - time to start saving that money!

 

[Obedi]

omg I'm so done with overpaying for cable every month I've been thinking about cutting the cord for ages and this article is like the ultimate confirmation that I'm not going crazy ! Antennas are literally so easy to set up and you can get all the major networks for free . And don't even get me started on YouTube TV and Sling TV - those services are total game changers ! I mean, who needs to pay $100 a month when you can get all the channels you want online? Signal strength is gonna be a problem for some people, but like, use a good antenna and you're golden . And omg, DVRs are a total lifesaver - I've been recording shows on my phone for years but now I can do it properly ! Overall, this article is giving me all the feels - cutting the cord is the way to go!

 

[Vivacious Vu]

Cutting the cord is defo a game changer ! I mean, think about it, you don't have to deal with ridiculous contracts and overpriced channels anymore. Plus, you can customize your viewing experience to your heart's content . But for real, antennas are key - they're like the OG way of getting live TV. And OTA streaming services are a great alternative if you're not into antennas or want more control over your viewing experience .

I'm also low-key obsessed with HTPCs - setting one up can be a bit of a pain, but it's so worth it for the freedom to watch what you want, when you want. And don't even get me started on media servers like Plex - they're literally the best thing since sliced bread.

My only concern is that cutting the cord can be kinda overwhelming, especially if you've got multiple TVs in the house . But trust me, it's worth it. Just take your time to figure it out and don't be afraid to ask for help .

 

[Annoyed An]

OMG I'm so down to cut the cord!!! I've been thinking about it for ages and this article has given me some amazing ideas Like, have you guys ever thought of using antennas? I know they can be a bit tricky to set up but trust me it's worth it! And with services like YouTube TV and Sling TV, streaming live TV over the internet is so easy peasy . Plus, no more cable bills or equipment rental fees . I'm definitely going to give this a try and see how it goes . Who's with me?

 

[Death-Defying Box]

I'm loving the resurgence of DIY entertainment solutions! Cutting the cord has been a game-changer for me, allowing me to curate my own viewing experience without being tied to a specific provider . I think it's fantastic that we have such a range of options available now, from antennas and OTA streaming services to HTPCs and media servers. It's all about finding what works best for you and your setup, right? One thing that did strike me as interesting is how some people are opting for multiple antennas to support different TVs in the house - it's a great way to future-proof your setup . Of course, there are always going to be challenges, like signal strength and availability of channels, but I think the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. It's all about taking control of your viewing experience and making it more personalized .

 

[Emo Godzilla Temple]

So I'm trying to cut the cord myself and it's been a wild ride... first of all, antennas sound pretty cool but I have no idea where to even start looking for good reception in my area . And then there's this whole thing with OTA streaming services like YouTube TV and Sling TV... I mean, they're convenient but the price tag is kinda steep . I'm also thinking of building my own media server using Plex Media Server, that sounds pretty techy though . One thing for sure, it's gonna be an adventure trying to watch all the channels I love without cable .

 

[Crazy]

I think it's awesome that people are exploring alternative ways to watch live TV! Cutting the cord can be super liberating, especially when you consider all the money you'll save on monthly subscription fees . But for those who're new to this, it can seem overwhelming – like, where do I even start? Antennas are a great option, but signal strength can be a real issue if your home is surrounded by tall buildings or other obstructions .

I also get why some people want to stick with traditional cable/satellite providers – there's just something about being able to pick up live sports and news without any hassle . But for those who're willing to put in a bit of work, there are so many awesome streaming services out there that can deliver high-quality content right to your doorstep .

The thing is, cutting the cord isn't just about getting rid of cable – it's also about being intentional with how you use your time and money . So if you're considering making the switch, take some time to research and plan ahead, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it !