tsar4 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 I'm trying to figure this out. With seemingly every network going with their own subscription streaming group (Discovery+, Paramount+, Peacock, etc.), am I correct in thinking that you still need some sort of "carrier service" (AT&T tv, Comcast, Xfinity, etc.) at their additional costs to access them, or is there a way to just access the subscription streaming services as "standalone" services? Everything I've read so far is that you need the "carrier" to get to the streaming group app, but it's getting to the point that what the carrier has to offer is old shows and the services will be saving the first run stuff & most popular shows for their own group only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) you have to purchase internet service from an ISP before you can access those services. and they don't provide that path for free. that being said, sometimes mobile carriers and hard line ISPs bundle streaming services into their offerings. Edited February 9, 2021 by wacky1980 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) 25 minutes ago, wacky1980 said: you have to purchase internet service from an ISP before you can access those services. and they don't provide that path for free. that being said, sometimes mobile carriers and hard line ISPs bundle streaming services into their offerings. I have the ISP, I'm asking about a way to avoid an $90+ charge (cheapest AT&T tv tier) just to access streaming services that will be an additional $5-12 each per month. Edited February 9, 2021 by tsar4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 If you purchase a streaming subscription and already have basic internet service of adequate bandwidth, there's nothing else you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 How do you access it on a tv? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seight Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 This joke is 15 months and about 4 or 5 new streaming platforms old just for reference sake 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 1 hour ago, tsar4 said: How do you access it on a tv? If you don't already have a smart tv, pick up a fire tv stick for or a roku thing for $20. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 (edited) 9 minutes ago, wacky1980 said: If you don't already have a smart tv, pick up a fire tv stick for or a roku thing for $20. I have a 1st gen "smart tv", but I've heard bad things about the way they handle that stuff. So there's no separate subscription cost after paying for the firestick/roku unit? Just the streaming service(s) per mo cost, right? Edited February 9, 2021 by tsar4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poof Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 What’s a sme? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghostrek Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 1 hour ago, Seight said: This joke is 15 months and about 4 or 5 new streaming platforms old just for reference sake Tubi is free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 31 minutes ago, tsar4 said: I have a 1st gen "smart tv", but I've heard bad things about the way they handle that stuff. So there's no separate subscription cost after paying for the firestick/roku unit? Just the streaming service(s) per mo cost, right? That is correct. If you have a tv that can load the disney+ app, for instance, then you only need to subscribe to the hulu streaming service and have a way to hook the tv up to your internet. Do you have amazon prime? If yes, you already have a subscription to their "prime tv" streaming service at no extra cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 1 hour ago, wacky1980 said: That is correct. If you have a tv that can load the disney+ app, for instance, then you only need to subscribe to the hulu streaming service and have a way to hook the tv up to your internet. Do you have amazon prime? If yes, you already have a subscription to their "prime tv" streaming service at no extra cost. I don't want Hulu or Prime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 6 hours ago, tsar4 said: I don't want Hulu or Prime. What DO you want? Let's start there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 9, 2021 Author Share Posted February 9, 2021 7 hours ago, wacky1980 said: What DO you want? Let's start there. LoCast, Peacock, Discovery+, Paramount+ (was CBS All Access), regional sports (NBCSN - Chicago, Marquee & BTN). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 18 hours ago, tsar4 said: LoCast, Peacock, Discovery+, Paramount+ (was CBS All Access), regional sports (NBCSN - Chicago, Marquee & BTN). rather than buying a subscription for every one of these services, you might be better off picking up a live subscription service like youtube.tv or hulu or sling. you'll get most of the things you're after in one service, and it will probably end up being cheaper (and definitely more convenient) than using several services to cover every base. you'll need to have a smart tv or a streaming device to access any of these platforms, except the local tv stuff which can be picked up using a regular old TV with an added HD antenna for $20. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 4 hours ago, wacky1980 said: rather than buying a subscription for every one of these services, you might be better off picking up a live subscription service like youtube.tv or hulu or sling. you'll get most of the things you're after in one service, and it will probably end up being cheaper (and definitely more convenient) than using several services to cover every base. you'll need to have a smart tv or a streaming device to access any of these platforms, except the local tv stuff which can be picked up using a regular old TV with an added HD antenna for $20. I already have AT&T tv and they include the regular shows from those services (for now), but I'm finding that many of the popular shows are being moved to the newer subscription services, probably leaving either old repeats or "test" shows. At ~$6 per service per month, that's still a lot less than using a "live subscription service" from what I've seen, hence why I'm asking if it is possible to avoid the "live subscription service". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 11 hours ago, tsar4 said: I already have AT&T tv and they include the regular shows from those services (for now), but I'm finding that many of the popular shows are being moved to the newer subscription services, probably leaving either old repeats or "test" shows. At ~$6 per service per month, that's still a lot less than using a "live subscription service" from what I've seen, hence why I'm asking if it is possible to avoid the "live subscription service". Sure it's possible. But with your list of wants, it won't be cheap or clean, and the experience will be tedious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 11 hours ago, wacky1980 said: Sure it's possible. But with your list of wants, it won't be cheap or clean, and the experience will be tedious. If you have a cheaper way to get what I want, that's what I've been asking for, spill it. But if it means I have to pay ~$80/mo for a bunch of channels I won't watch, just to gain access to services that will charge another ~$6/mo each - forget it. FYI - Tedium is subjective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 The obvious alternative here is to familiarize yourself with piracy and torrents. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sawdamizer Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 1 minute ago, wacky1980 said: The obvious alternative here is to familiarize yourself with piracy and torrents. Fucking stop helping him! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 2 hours ago, wacky1980 said: The obvious alternative here is to familiarize yourself with piracy and torrents. Piracy went out with the original Napster, and torrents means tying up a computer for this stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doom Metal Alchemist Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 4 minutes ago, tsar4 said: Piracy went out with the original Napster, and torrents means tying up a computer for this stuff. You couldn't be more wrong if you said Trump was the greatest president in US history, Elvis is living on the moon with Aliens and the black Michael Jackson, cartridge gaming will live on forever, VHS tapes will continue to increase in price into the new millennium and beyond, Germany won WWII, AND the Earth is flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 11, 2021 Author Share Posted February 11, 2021 1 minute ago, Doom Metal Alchemist said: You couldn't be more wrong if you said Trump was the greatest president in US history, Elvis is living on the moon with Aliens and the black Michael Jackson, cartridge gaming will live on forever, VHS tapes will continue to increase in price into the new millennium and beyond, Germany won WWII, AND the Earth is flat. Oh, did I forget to put /s? I guess I did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 12, 2021 Share Posted February 12, 2021 7 hours ago, Sawdamizer said: Fucking stop helping him! Shush you. I'm working on my helping the elderly badge. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 12, 2021 Author Share Posted February 12, 2021 18 hours ago, wacky1980 said: Shush you. I'm working on my helping the elderly badge. And failing...badly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobdog Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 21 hours ago, wacky1980 said: Shush you. I'm working on my helping the elderly badge. You know... you wouldn't think you would need to teach geriatrics how to use streaming services.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 36 minutes ago, scoobdog said: You know... you wouldn't think you would need to teach geriatrics how to use streaming services.... I'm currently streaming, doofus. I'm looking for the cheapest alternative to what I currently have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobdog Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 The apps you get with your cable service don't count as streaming anymore. Sling (and other similar devices) was a technological bridge to standalone streaming services, first by directly connecting remote users to an over-the-air or cable box, then by connecting them to their DVRs. You don't need to pay for a cable service if you can get the content you want from a stream service, which is increasingly the case now that both over-the-air and cable networks (thanks to mergers) have monetized their older content instead of syndicating it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 I don't have cable. ATTtv runs off the internet using an Osprey box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobdog Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 1 hour ago, tsar4 said: I don't have cable. ATTtv runs off the internet using an Osprey box. Does it broadcast live programming? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wacky1980 Posted February 13, 2021 Share Posted February 13, 2021 11 hours ago, scoobdog said: You know... you wouldn't think you would need to teach geriatrics how to use streaming services.... It's the 21st century version of programming your grandoarents' VCR. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 13, 2021 Author Share Posted February 13, 2021 11 hours ago, scoobdog said: Does it broadcast live programming? What do you mean "broadcast"? If you meant "receive" then yeah, - sports, concerts, etc. "Broadcast" would indicate it "transmits". BTW - it apparently has chromecast, but I've never used it, unless that's where the apps come in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobdog Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 (edited) 7 hours ago, tsar4 said: What do you mean "broadcast"? If you meant "receive" then yeah, - sports, concerts, etc. "Broadcast" would indicate it "transmits". BTW - it apparently has chromecast, but I've never used it, unless that's where the apps come in. Stop being cute. Do you get live television programming through your AT&TTV? Edited February 14, 2021 by scoobdog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsar4 Posted February 14, 2021 Author Share Posted February 14, 2021 16 minutes ago, scoobdog said: Stop being cute. Do you get live television programming through your AT&TTV? Not sure exactly what you mean. If you mean can I watch something being broadcast in real time - yes. Can I back it up & rewatch a segment or pause it to get something to eat - yes. I'm watching the Blackhawks game right now, there's no "delay" to it. Is this what you mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scoobdog Posted February 14, 2021 Share Posted February 14, 2021 2 hours ago, tsar4 said: Not sure exactly what you mean. If you mean can I watch something being broadcast in real time - yes. Can I back it up & rewatch a segment or pause it to get something to eat - yes. I'm watching the Blackhawks game right now, there's no "delay" to it. Is this what you mean? Yes that. Live programming means things like a local nightly news broadcast or a sporting event as its being played. At any rate, the app you have for AT&T might have some stuff remotely held on a server, but it’s primary purpose is to be a remote access to your DVR. For most people, ditching the DVR is really a decision based on whether or not you want access to live programming remotely. If you don’t really need live programming, you can usually just cut the cord and pay for a streaming service. You don’t need the former if you can get what you want from the latter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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