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Index 4K TVs, 101–102 installing, 70–73 8K TVs, 101 line-of-sight between transmission towers and, 49 multidirectional, 66–67 A multiple, 171 ABC, 42, 146 outdoor, 63–64, 71–73 access point (AP), 120–122 outdoor antennas, 71–73 adapters, 109 over-the-air (OTA), 49 aerial. See antenna overview, 46 AirPlay, 106 range, 49, 63, 69 AirTV Player, 89, 93 reception, 79–80 a la carte TV, 172 saving money on, 170–171 Alexa, 107 signal amplifier, 171 Amazon Fire TV, 27, 104, 105, 107, 109, 111 unidirectional, 49, 66–67 Amazon Prime Video VHF/UHF support, 67–68 a la carte plan, 172 AntennaWeb, 56 bandwidth usage, 124 Apple Card, 177 features, 152–153 Apple TV, 107 original programming, 17 Apple TV+ subscription rates, 152 a la carte plan, 172 Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card, 177 features, 153 American Customer Satisfaction Index for original programming, 17 Subscription Television Services, 12 subscription rate, 153 American Express Blue Cash Preferred apps, 181–182 Card, 177 AT&T TV Now, 94 amplifiers, 64–65, 80, 171 ATSC 3.0 (Advanced Television Systems Android TV, 104, 111 Committee), 44 antenna audio output jack, 107 amplifiers, 64–65, 80 automatic downloads, disabling, 125–126 bogus/exaggerated claims, 68–69 automatic playback, disabling, 125 coaxial cables, 171 combiner, 67COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL connecting, 73–79 B connector, 84 baby monitors, 189 coupler, 67 bandwidth direction, 49 cap, 123 form factors, 62–63 checking, 172 gain, 65 defined, 122 HDTV, 27, 59, 84 history, checking, 33 indoor, 63–64, 70–71 reducing usage, 124–126 Index 203 20_9781119800934-bindex.indd 203 Trim size: 6 in × 9 in April 19, 2021 3:57 PM bandwidth (continued) getting ready mentally, 34 saving money, 171 overview, 32–33 unlimited, 15–16 process in, 34–36 usage, 123–124 returning all equipment, 36 using more, 15 canceling subscriptions, 174 BBC, 42, 146 cash back, 177 Bluetooth, 106 CBC, 42 broadcast TV, 40 CBS, 42, 146 buffering, 127–129 channel guides, 43 built-in amplifier, 65 channels bundles, 9–10, 14, 172–173 in cable packages, 9 over-the-air (OTA) TV, 42, 48, 80–81, 86–87 C real versus virtual, 54–56 cable outlets, 18–19 scanning for, 80–81 cable-replacement services. See also paid surfing, 86–87 streaming services Channels Plus, 90 described, 151 Channels software, 90 fuboTV, 160–161 Chromecast, 105, 107, 109 Hulu + Live TV, 161–162 Cinemax Go, 165 overview, 29 ClearStream TV, 93 Sling TV, 161–162 coaxial cables YouTube TV, 163–164 for antennas, 61–62, 171 cable TV doing away with, 18–19 bundles, 9–10, 14 lengthening, 80 canceling, 32–36 replacing, 80 channels, 9 shortening, 79 commercials, 9, 14 coaxial cable splitter, 61 contracts, 13 coaxial connections, 73–74 costs of, 8–9 coaxial splitter, 75–76 customer service, 12 commercials, 9, 14, 43, 150 disadvantages of, 8–13 component connector, 84 hidden fees and surcharges, 10–11 composite connector, 84 higher prices to long-term subscribers, computers 10 connecting antenna to, 77 lack of competition, 11 connectors, 84 live TV on, 40 for over-the-air (OTA) TV, 58 pass-through fees, 11 connecting antenna simplicity of, 15 coaxial, 73–74 subscription prices, 10 to computer, 77 technical support, 12–13 to mobile devices, 78 canceling cable TV to multiple TVs, checking bandwidth history, 33 75–76 checking contract, 33 to one TV, 74–75 gathering everything before calling the to Wi-Fi network, 78–79 company, 33–34 204 Cord Cutting For Dummies 20_9781119800934-bindex.indd 204 Trim size: 6 in × 9 in April 19, 2021 3:57 PM content cost, 8–9 choosing streaming service for, 25 hidden fees and surcharges, 10–11 deciding on, 24–25 higher prices to long-term subscribers, contracts 10 checking, 33 lack of customer service, 12 cons of cable TV, 13 lack of technical support, 12–13 cord avoiders, 7 near-monopoly of cable companies, 11 cord cutters, 7 unwatchable channels, 9 cord cutting discount, 31 cons of, 13–17 Disney+, 165 overview, 1 distribution amplifier, 65, 76 pros of, 17–20 dongle streamers, 105 reasons for, 7–13 download speed steps to, 23–36 checking, 180–183 cord haters, 7 enough, 171 cordless phones, 189 glitch tolerance, 131 cord nevers, 7 importance of, 129–130 cord shavers, 7 live versus on-demand TV, 130 cord trimmers, 7 and number of devices, 131 Crackle, 138 overview, 129 Crave, 160 streaming media problems, 129–130 credit card cash back, 177 and stream video quality, 16, 130 CTV, 42 testing, 131–133 customer service, 12 DTV Reception Maps tool, 50–52 CVC, 146 The CW, 42, 146 CW Seed, 146 E electromagnetic interferences, 79 Epix, 165 D equipment dead zones, 121 figuring out needed, 26–27 digital cliff, 50 HDTV antenna, 27 digital converter box, 89 Internet modem, 26–27 digital TV tuner, 58 streaming devices, 27 digital video recorder (DVR) television, 26 recording for free, 88–89 Wi-Fi router, 26–27 subscription-based, 89–91 Ethernet Tablo, 90–91 adapters, 109, 120 tuner in, 48, 58 defined, 120 directional antenna, 66–67 port, 107, 109 disadvantages of cable TV ports, 120 bundles, 9–10 extension nodes, 122 commercials, 9 external amplifier, 65 contracts, 13 external HDTV tuner, 77 Index 205 20_9781119800934-bindex.indd 204 Trim size: 6 in × 9 in April 19, 2021 3:57 PM 20_9781119800934-bindex.indd 205 Trim size: 6 in × 9 in April 19, 2021 3:57 PM Haystack News, 139 F HBO Max, 165 factory default, 185 HDHomeRun, 93 F connectors, 74 HDHomeRun tuners, 59 Federal Communications Commission (FCC), 50 HDMI Fire TV Recast, 88, 93 cables, 103 firmware, updating, 188 connectors, 84 flat antennas, 62 ports, 102–103 Fox, 42, 146 HDTV antenna, 27, 59 free streaming services. See also paid HDTV tuner, 77 streaming services hidden fees, 10–11 Crackle, 138 high-definition (HD) format, 46, 47, features, 137 101–102 Haystack News, 139 high dynamic range (HDR), 107 Hoopla, 139–141 high perceived value, 18 IMDb TV, 141–142 Hisense, 111 Kanopy, 141 Home Shopping Network, 42 for kids, 145–146 Hoopla, 139–141 overview, 21, 135–136 horizontal resolution, 47 PBS Video, 142 Hulu Peacock, 142–143 add-ons, 156 Roku Channel Store, 143–144 bandwidth usage, 124 on smart TVs, 147 features, 155–156 truth about, 136 original programming, 17 Tubi TV, 144 subscription plans, 155 Xumo, 145 Hulu + Live TV, 95, 161–162 free trials, 29–30, 151, 173–174 Freeview, 50 I fuboTV, 95, 160–161 IMDb TV, 141–142 full-power station, 46 independent stations, 46 indoor antennas, 70–71 G appearance, 64 gain, 65 cost of, 64 Google Assistant, 107–108 ease of installation, 64 Google Chromecast, 105, installing, 70–71 107, 109 versus outdoor antennas, 63–64 Google Maps, 53 range, 64 Google TV, 109 input ports, 107 gray (signal strength color code), 54 input source, changing, 84 green (signal strength color code), 54 Insignia, 111 intelligent band steering, 119 interference, 189 H interferences, 79 HappyKids.tv, 145 intermittent Internet connection, HAUPPAUGE WinTV-DualHD tuner, 89 troubleshooting, 181 206 Cord Cutting For Dummies 20_9781119800934-bindex.indd 206 Trim size: 6 in × 9 in April 19, 2021 3:57 PM Internet described, 40 bandwidth, 15–16, 122–126 Internet speed for, 131 intermittent connection, troubleshooting, signal types, 40 181 streaming, 93–95 monthly bills, 16 watching with streaming devices, 21 monthly budget for, 27–28 watching with streaming services, 21 overview, 117–118 local area network (LAN), 120 plans, choosing, 172 Locast, 95 routers, 118–119 low perceived value, 18 saving money on, 171–172 low-power station, 46 Internet modem, 26–27 LTE filter, 50, 60–61, 79, 170 Internet service provider (ISP) monthly bandwidth, 15 unlimited bandwidth, 15–16 M Internet speed Mbps (megabits per second), 16 enough, 171 member stations, 46 glitch tolerance, 131 mesh network, 122 importance of, 129–130 MeTV, 42 live versus on-demand TV, 130 mobile devices and number of devices, 131 connecting antenna to, 78 overview, 129 tuners in, 59 slow, 180 multidirectional antenna, 66–67 streaming media problems, 129–130 multipath distortion, 67 stream video quality, 130 multiple antennas, 171 testing, 131–133 Murdock, Iris, 173 Internet TV, 40 “must see” TV shows, 24–25 ION Television, 42 N K NBC, 42, 146 Kanopy, 142 NBC Universal, 143 KiddZtube TV, 145 Netflix Kidoodle.TV, 145 bandwidth usage, 124 KidsFlix TV, 145 features, 156–157 Kids Movies by Fawesome.tv, 145 original programming, 17 subscription plans, 156 network affiliates, 46 L network feed, 46 Lego TV, 145 newscasts, 42 LG, 111 new shows LG Channels, 147 never seeing some of, 17 linear TV, 41 waiting time for, 17 line-of-sight, 49 Next Gen TV, 44 Live Channels, 88–89 NoCable, 87 live TV non-linear TV, 41 Index 207 20_9781119800934-bindex.indd 206 Trim size: 6 in × 9 in April 19, 2021 3:57 PM 20_9781119800934-bindex.indd 207 Trim size: 6 in × 9 in April 19, 2021 3:57 PM over-the-top (OTT) TV, 41 O owned and operated (O&O) stations, 46 omnidirectional antenna, 66–67 on-demand streaming services. See also paid streaming services P Amazon Prime Video, 152–153 paid streaming services. See also free Apple TV+, 153–154 streaming services described, 151 add-ons, 151 Hulu, 155–156 availability, 150–151 Netflix, 156–157 cable-replacement services, 151, Paramount Plus, 157–158 160–164 Peacock, 158–159 combining, 25 on-demand TV, 40, 131 commercials, 150 On TV Tonight, 87 free trials, 151 original programming, 17 on-demand, 151–159 outdoor antennas overview, 21, 149–150 appearance, 64 premium channels, 152, 164–165 cost of, 64 simultaneous streaming, 151 ease of installation, 64 types of, 151–152 versus indoor antennas, 63–64 Paramount Plus, 95, 157–158 installing, 71–73 pass-through fees, 11 range, 64 PBS, 42 overdriving, 59 PBS Kids, 145 over-the-air (OTA) TV PBS Video, 142 antenna, 20, 46–48, 62–80 Peacock, 142–143, 158–159 changing TV input source, 84–86 perceived values, 18 channels, 42, 43, 48, 80, 86–87 Philo, 95 defined, 40–41 physical interferences, 79 DVR setups, 88–89 pixels, 47 equipment, 58–62 Plex, 90, 146 live TV, 26 Pluto TV, 95, 147 overview, 20, 39–40 Pocket.Watch, 145 pros and cons of, 42–43 Pocoyo Kids TV, 145 recording for free, 88–89 Popcornflix Kids, 145 recording with subscription, power over coax device, 76 89–90 premium channels.