10/30/2017
“Cutting the Cord” on Cable & Satellite TV
Orv Jordahl UWRA ETC Member Oct 26, 2017
What’s it mean to “cut the cord”?
Answer: All of the following: 1. Stop using cable, fiber, and satellite TV and instead use “Over the Air” and “Internet Streaming” TV services. 2. Lower the cost of watching TV. 3. Tailor channel selection to more closely align with what you really want to watch.
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What are the “Elements” of Streaming TV Your television HDMI cable to streaming box Streaming box Network cable to connect to network switch/router Internet connection Streaming content providers
Network Cable or Wi-Fi
HDMI Home network Cable firewall/router Streaming / switch 10/26/2017 Box 3
First, lets define some terms
… i.e, get to know the “lingo” … get everybody on the same plane of understanding
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“Back in the day” we just had Over the Air (OTA) TV • TV set connected to indoor or outdoor antenna – This is how TV started out way back when… – No “set top box” tuner, – No recording of programs
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Then came… “Cable TV”
Provided by Cable TV provider (Spectrum - Charter) TV signal delivered to homes via coaxial cable “Set-top-box” converts signal for display on TV + Often includes Digital Video Recorder (DVR) + Single remote controls both TV and set-top-box.
Cable Company
HDMI Cable Coax Cable
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Next came… Satellite TV Requires a satellite dish on or near home TV signal comes from a distant satellite Providers: DirecTV, DISH Set-top-box converts signal for display on TV + Often includes DVR capability + Single remote for both TV and set-top-box Satellite signal can be affected by bad weather
HDMI Cable Coax Cable
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Fiber Optic TV
Similar to Cable TV Provided by Telco (TDS or AT&T) Digital TV signal delivered to homes via fiber optic cable “Set-top-box” converts digital signal for display on TV + Often includes Digital Video Recorder (DVR) + Single remote controls both TV and set-top-box.
Telco / Fiber TV Company
HDMI Cable Fiber Optic Cable
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OTA TV Tuners with DVR
Examples: TIVO and Tablo Tablo Multiple Tuners (usually 2 or 4) Network Cable Guide Subscription required or WiFi - Tivo guide: $15/mo - Tablo guide: $5/mo Streaming Box
HDMI Cable Tivo
HDMI Cable
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Madison Area OTA Channels
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Streaming TV TV via Internet connection Requires a streaming box Examples: • Apple TV • Roku • Amazon Fire TV • Android TV Some TV sets come with Roku or Android TV built into the TV set Many DVD/Blu-Ray players have streaming capability (not easy to change apps)
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Prominent Streaming Devices
Roku Amazon Fire TV Apple TV Variants of Android TV (e.g, Nvidia Shield)
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Amazon Fire TV Great for Amazon video (Lots of free movies & TV shows with Amazon Prime) Both specialty & original content channels Numerous apps (Tablo Tuner, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Playstation Vue, Hulu, Netflix…) 2017 unit supports 4K Ultra High Definition TV
Internet Wired or WiFi Connection
HDMI Cable
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Apple TV Great for people invested in the Apple ecosystem Lots of specialty channels Apps for Tablo Tuner, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Playstation Vue, Hulu, Netflix… 2017 unit supports 4K Ultra High Definition TV
Internet Connection (Wired or Wi-Fi)
HDMI Cable
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Roku
One of the first streaming systems Apps for Tablo Tuner, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Playstation Vue, Hulu, Netflix… Simple remote control (also smartphone apps)
Internet Connection (Wired or Wi-Fi) HDMI Cable
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Android TV Many vendors/models to choose from + NVIDIA Shield arguably the best Android TV box + Other choices: Am. Fire TV, Xiaomi Mi Box, Leelbox T95Z Lots of Apps/Channels + Tablo Tuner, Sling TV, DirecTV Now, Playstation Vue, Hulu, Netflix, HBO Go, … Numerous video games also supported
Internet Connection (Wired or Wi-Fi) HDMI Cable
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Streaming Services for “Common Cable Channels” Playstation Vue (a Sony company) DirecTV Now (DirecTV derivitave) Sling TV (Dish Network derivative) Smithsonian Channel Channel Pear Pluto TV Also: NBC on demand ABC on demand CBS all access PBS … and the list goes on…
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Tablo OTA Tuner/DVR Strictly for “Over The Air” HDTV Shows TV programs through streaming app on all major streaming devices (Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, PC, Mac, Smartphones, Tablets, etc.) Can provide TV shows anywhere you have an Internet connection!
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Tablo Live Channel Guide (Example)
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Tablo Prime Time Programs Guide (Example)
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Tablo Schedule Program Recording (Example)
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Tablo Recorded Programs View (Example)
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Tablo Recorded Single Program Times (Example)
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The Roku Line of Streaming Devices Prices range from $30 to $100 Most powerful is Roku Ultra Recommend Roku Premier HD as best value
$25 $25 $30
Roku Premier HD $69 $99 $48
HD and 4K UHD
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Roku Streaming Player “Home” Screen
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Amazon Fire TV Heavily customized version of Android TV Great for Amazon Video Thousands of apps for content On 2017 models: Remote has Alexa support Ethernet Adapter for Amazon Fire TV Devices ($15) - I don’t recommend running streaming TV over Wi-Fi
Fire TV Stick $40 Fire TV with 4K Ultra HD 10/26/2017 26 $70
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Amazon Fire TV Home Screen
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Overview of “Skinny” Cable TV Options
Playstation Vue (Playstation console not needed) Sling TV DirecTV Now
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Playstation Vue Streaming “Cable Channels” Most usual cable channels Content streamed over the Internet No cable or satellite TV box needed Cable channels without: – Charter/Spectrum – AT&T U-Verse – TDS TV – DirecTV – Dish Network
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Playstation Vue Pricing Model
Four levels - $40/mo to $75/mo Includes unlimited DVR for all channels (stored for 30 days)
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Playstation Vue “Cable” Channels ($75/mo plan)
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Playstation Vue “Cable” Channels ($45/mo plan)
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Playstation Vue “Add-on” Channels
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Sling TV Streaming “Cable Channels” Most cable channels, streamed over the Internet Lower priced starting point Lots of add-on ala-carte personalization options Limited DVR – 50 hours/mo – Numerous channels excluded Sling Orange ($20/mo – single stream – 30 channels) Sling Blue ($25/mo – up to 3 streams – 45 channels) Sling Orange + Blue ($40/mo, 3 streams, 50 channels) And then there’s the added cost Sling extras… 10/26/2017 34
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Sling TV Pricing Model
• Start with either “Orange” or “Blue” base channel lineup • Then “personalize” with Sling Extra channels/features • Task: Determine if Sling offers the channels you want… at a price you’re willing to pay
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How Sling TV Works
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Sling Orange Channels (30 channels, Single Stream)
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Sling Blue Channels (45 channels, multi-stream)
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Example Sling “Extras”
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Sling TV Available Channels (142 as of 10/25/2017)
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DirecTV Now Streaming “Cable Channels” An AT&T owned company Usual cable channels, streamed over the Internet Lots of add-on personalization/ala-carte options Has BTN
No DVR capability – coming “in the future” (they say) Complaints about streaming quality (pauses)
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DirecTV Now Pricing Model Four price levels - $35/mo to $70/mo Task: Determine if DirecTV Now offers the channels you want… at a price you’re willing to pay
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DirecTV Now $35/mo Channels
• Many channels drop out
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DirecTV Now Add-ons
HBO for $5/mo is pretty good deal, but Netflix is best overall
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TDS TV Billing Analysis
• $86.09 for Service and Equipment • $12.39 for taxes and fees ======• $98.48 = total monthly TDS TV charge 10/26/2017 45
Example Financial Analysis -TDS TV vs OTA & Streaming TV
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Questions & Discussion
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End of presentation
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