Keyser Soze said:

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El Mariachi said:

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HenryTheOctopus said:

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To those of you with PS Vue, I see on the website that it gets Fox Sports Southwest, but does it also get the FSSW alternate channels, for times when, for example, Baylor and the Mavericks play at the same time and one of those games gets moved to one of those channels?

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Vue itself doesn't have the alternate, but it grants access to the FSGO app, which I believe has all feeds including alternates. I use the app instead of Vue on occasion.

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Good point

also the "Watch ESPN" app


Also many of the streaming devices will let you download those apps, so you can get the FSGO app to TV and not just a tablet or phone

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Yep. I have both FSGO and WatchESPN apps on my FireTV and use them to watch the "non-premier" feeds that don't show up in Vue...in full 60" HDTV glory.

Your definitive answer is to go PlayStation Vue and enter your zip code. It'll tell you what channels you get at what pricing tier.

I get FS1, FS2, FSSW, and all the Fox Sports Central and Atlantic and Pacific channels.

But yeah, the FSGO app on the Amazon FireTV box is the way to go. The feed is a couple seconds faster, and during the Copa America, they had like 4 different views to choose from. One view was live with commentary. The other was an overhead "A11" shot. Another was a "tactical" goal overview shot. I hope they do something similar for CFB this fall.

The more I read about PSVue from you guys the more I am interested. I haven't cut the cord yet but the next time I call to get my cable rate lowered and they give me lip I'm going with Vue.

CSIBear said:

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The more I read about PSVue from you guys the more I am interested. I haven't cut the cord yet but the next time I call to get my cable rate lowered and they give me lip I'm going with Vue.

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If you've got some sort of device capable of running their app, say an Amazon Fire or Roku or PS3/4 (or even a Chrome web browser with a Chromecast), you can always pick a good week and run their free trial. You'll get a week or so free to see how it works.

I have a really cheap (like $40 or so) Amazon Fire tablet that I take to Baylor games. The PSVue app runs on it, and I can keep up with other games at the same time.

Mr Tulip said:

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CSIBear said:

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The more I read about PSVue from you guys the more I am interested. I haven't cut the cord yet but the next time I call to get my cable rate lowered and they give me lip I'm going with Vue.

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If you've got some sort of device capable of running their app, say an Amazon Fire or Roku or PS3/4 (or even a Chrome web browser with a Chromecast), you can always pick a good week and run their free trial. You'll get a week or so free to see how it works.

I have a really cheap (like $40 or so) Amazon Fire tablet that I take to Baylor games. The PSVue app runs on it, and I can keep up with other games at the same time.

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Theoretically yes, but a good enough stream at the stadium is difficult

Is there any dropoff in picture quality with the Fire TV/Vue as compared to cable/satellite/Uverse?

HenryTheOctopus said:

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Is there any dropoff in picture quality with the Fire TV/Vue as compared to cable/satellite/Uverse?

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I am seeing a lot of 1080P on Vue

Some 4K programming, but not all devices can stream that

you can not "surf" as rapidly as a conventional cable. This should only bother the OCD people


Now you quality will be dependent on your internet connection. I have 100 mps with Spectrum so multiple TVs and PlayStations not a problem. I will say there has been a time when internet was out so it takes out TV as well - though that is not a common occurrence.

HenryTheOctopus said:

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Is there any dropoff in picture quality with the Fire TV/Vue as compared to cable/satellite/Uverse?

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better/more consistent quality for me with Vue than uverse.

sahen said:

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I can third the PS Vue, Amazon Fire TV, Prime, and Netflix combo. I don't use Kodi so I can't speak for that, but I use mlb.tv along with a VPN service like unblocker-us to watch the Astros.

I recommend the Fire TVs over the Firestick. They both work, but the firestick lags on menus and doesn't put out 4K while the Fire TV does. It just has better processing power and to me is worth the price difference.

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absolutely. Better CPU and more memory. Only 40ish bucks more. Also, runs cooler - AND (big AND) doesnt have to run wireless. Use a direct RJ45 to connect to your modem. You will get all the bandwidth you pay for, not the downsized WiFi width that most modems put out. Set up your modem next to your main TV, hardwire connect. Use WiFi in the other rooms. Even on WiFi FireTV still gives you better processing power and runs cooler. Worth every bit of the $40ish difference

I do have a PS3...I'll check out the free week at some point this fall.

I can second that you should get the Fire TV, I have the stick and it is frustratingly slow.

If Direct TV doesn't renew my pricing next week, I'm thinking Vue via Fire Stick. Will I be able to view on multiple TVs? Need a 2nd Fire Stick? I don't have a PlayStation and both TVs are Samsung smart TVs.

Smart tv can just download the psvue app and you're rolling.

Robert Wilson said:

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Smart tv can just download the psvue app and you're rolling.

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Thanks.

BaylorOkie said:

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If Direct TV doesn't renew my pricing next week, I'm thinking Vue via Fire Stick. Will I be able to view on multiple TVs? Need a 2nd Fire Stick? I don't have a PlayStation and both TVs are Samsung smart TVs.

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Dont know anything about the Vue/PS or the like. But Firesticks are individual. One per TV - they must have HDMI connects. Not expensive at all, about 40ish. Recommend you go FireTV at 80ish instead though. See above stats

Thanks, assassin. We have a Fire Stick on one TV that we use to stream movies. But I wasn't sure if I needed another for the second TV. I'll try to download the app first.

BaylorOkie said:

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Thanks, assassin. We have a Fire Stick on one TV that we use to stream movies. But I wasn't sure if I needed another for the second TV. I'll try to download the app first.

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cool

add - separate the Firestick or FireTV away from the TV with an HDMI extender. They tend to run hotter close to the TV. I have several feet separating mine from the connect.

when you plug in the FireTV/Stick directly, keep an eye on the System info on how hot they are running. When I ran it directly out of the TV, it was 200 plus. Now with the cord separating them, the FireTV stays 145ish and the Firestick about 160-170

Definitely agree to spend the money on the Fire TV rather than the Fire stick if it's going to be your main source of "cable" TV. Try to use a directly wired ethernet connection (not wi-fi) if you can.

I'm an attic rat. I've got my own cable modem (Arris Surfboard SB6183. It has all the bonded channels available to Grande (my service provider). The 400Mbps I pay for is likely overkill, but I do a LOT of networking! =).

The modem feeds a Ubiquiti ERLITE-3 gigabit router. This isn't for the faint of heart, as you'd need an actual education in router OS progamming and related concepts. It has rudimentary GUI set up, but without nerd level networking knowledge, it won't do what you want.

One interface on that router goes to an 8 port switch. That's where all the attic wires run to the various ethernet ports throughout the house go. It's also where I connect the "production" wireless access point. I'm readying to upgrade it, because the one I'm using now (A****E) doesn't do 5Ghz. When I do, I'll move the old one to the other isolated router interface and just use it to provide walled off guest wireless access to the 'net.

You definitely do NOT need all this nerdy gear for a great PSVue experience. I use the FireTV because I've also got an Amazon Prime subscription for shipping purposes, and it comes with a lot of video content. It just made sense. If you already have a smart TV capable of running the PSVue app (almost all Android or Apple based devices will), you can likely go with that.

Keyser Soze said:

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Prairie_Bear said:

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Cut the cord 2ish years ago, just started PSvue 2 weeks ago via recommendations from past cord cutting threads on here. Has anybody had issues with "my shows" (essentially your dvr if i understand this right) where the DVR doesn't start at the start of the show? Is there anyway to have it start minutes/hours early/later than what is on the guide? Been missing some content.

Also, to the person who said VUE is adding CBS/NBC/Fox, any link to that? I just put up an antenna (picture is awesome btw) and ordered a TIVO Roamio OTA DVR to record NFL/Sports/Events broadcast on those channels. It wasn't cheap, but I will probably still keep b/c there are 3-4 months a year I would like to cancel PSVUE during non football/basketball seasons.

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I think PS Vue must negotiate with every local network affiliate individually.

Dallas area had everything except ABC but I just got a note today that they have it.

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Yep, this was the one missing channel in DFW that required switching to the WatchESPN app during football season. Glad to not have to do that any longer because the Vue quality / streaming is at least 50% better.

I started Vue last night to test it for a few days before cancelling Direct TV and I have two observations.

1. You guys are right, Firestick is pretty slow. I'll move that to the secondary TV and get Fire TV for the main TV.

2. I'm not sure how this happened, because I put my ZIP code in when I signed up. But it is giving me a Dallas stream because I have the Dallas local stations. This turned out great because Tulsa does not have locals outside of CBS yet.

And just in case it's news to anyone here, OTA (over the air, reception just off of an antenna) results in a crystal clear, uncompressed picture and audio that is noticeably better than anything you're getting over cable or internet.

A 75-ohm coaxial cable (the familiar round black wire with the copper stabby thing) can only carry so much information. It has to carry all the channels available to everyone, plus all the data. To do so, cable companies compress the signal for each channel. Compression involves running the data through an algorithm which shrinks the volume of information required to send you an acceptably clear picture.

I said "acceptably clear" because they definitely compromise the picture quality in an effort to save space. When a station transmits over the air (OTA), they don't worry about it. They send the entire, raw, uncompressed signal right to you since your antenna only has to deal with data from the one channel your tuner is viewing at that time. As a result, you'll receive a MUCH more enhanced picture (and audio tracks) than with cable.

Also, most of us remember the analog antenna days of grainy, snowy pictures that had to be constantly adjusted and tuned. Modern HDTV digital television is not like that at all! Without dissecting the technologies, just know that an OTA HD signal is either perfect or non-existent. In the case of long distance "shouldn't be able to receive this station" signals only reachable through double edge refraction (don't worry about the gibberish), you may see blockiness when the wind blows the antenna around, but for a properly set up antenna (with no major cable breaks or signal degradation through long runs or cheap drop amps), the picture is dead on perfect.

With PSVue adding a lot of local channels, this may not come up. However, for the nerds, setting up an HD antenna is a rewarding exercise.

Mr. Tulip do you have a brand of OTA HD antenna that you like/prefer?

Backporch said:

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Mr. Tulip do you have a brand of OTA HD antenna that you like/prefer?

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The first thing I'd do is visit TVFOOL.COM and check my address for the location, distance and receivability of the stations around me. Obviously, if you're hoping to get the local ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX stations and you live in the Dallas suburbs, you're going to have an easier time (and need a smaller antenna) than if you live in the dense forest and want to receive content out of Houston.

Antennae grab a signal out of the air and send it down the familiar black 75 ohm coax wire. How much of a signal the antenna grabs is called the "gain" of that antenna. Things like distance from the transmitter, trees, hills, etc make a signal weak. The weaker the signal, the more gain you need to get the picture. Typically, the larger the antenna, the more gain it produces.

I bought the DB8e from Antennas Direct (I actually bought it off Amazon). I mounted it on my roof on a 40" mast that has a swivel bracket.

I live behind Vanguard near Mountainview in Waco, TX. I want to emphasize that my setup is massive overkill! There was absolutely no need for me to do that. I could have gotten by with a much smaller, probably attic mounted, rig. Please look around on Antennas Direct to see if something more simple (or more amenable to the wife/building committee/neighborhood watch) would get you what you want. I'm a super nerd and wanted something I could play with. Also, the fact that it looks like something NASA would track a 1960's era missile with was a plus for me.

Mohu and 1byone are also good names to know.

Realistically:
1) Visit TVFOOL and see what's available at your address
2) Determine how you could mount an antenna (indoor, attic, roof), keeping in mind that the higher and less obstructed an antenna is, the better chance of getting a usable signal.
3) Read reviews on sites like Tom's Hardware etc to see real world opinions of your anticipated rig.

A word on amplifiers: Inline amplifiers exist, and can be useful. However, they won't make a weak signal strong or a bad signal good. As we mentioned, an antenna grabs a signal out of the air and puts it on the wire. The wire itself can degrade that signal. If an antenna is grabbing a good signal, but the amount of wire or splitters attached causes a bad picture, then adding an inline amplifier as close to the antenna as possible will improve it. If the antenna isn't getting a good signal, then amplifying it won't help.

Mr Tulip said:

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With PSVue adding a lot of local channels, this may not come up. However, for the nerds, setting up an HD antenna is a rewarding exercise.

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Probably a stupid question, but are local channels compressed on PSVue as they are with cable?

Thanks for the detailed response Mr. Tulip I appreciate it.

I live in DFW so signals aren't a problem. It looks like the majority of stations are in the 20-26 mile range. I've looked at both the Wineguard and Mohu Leaf OTA HD antennas.

Now I just gotta decide between Orbi and Ubiquiti. The nerd in me wants Ubiquiti but like your antenna, that would really be overkill for my specific need. I could toss up an Orbi router and 1 satellite and be done.

First world problems!

HenryTheOctopus said:

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Mr Tulip said:

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With PSVue adding a lot of local channels, this may not come up. However, for the nerds, setting up an HD antenna is a rewarding exercise.

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Probably a stupid question, but are local channels compressed on PSVue as they are with cable?

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Not stupid at all.

Sort of. Since the Playstation VUE app only transmits the channel you're watching at the moment (rather than the cable company needing to send them all at the same time), VUE doesn't compress their content quite as much. That said, you're still viewing data encapsulated and manipulated by an algorithm. That's unavoidable.

You'll really notice a difference in quality when viewing OTA. Personally, I wouldn't take a perfectly useful PSVue setup where I had local channel access, and then put up an OTA antenna rig just to improve the quality. When I set up my stuff, PSVue didn't offer local channels (they still haven't added them all in Waco yet), so I had to use the antenna.

Backporch said:

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Thanks for the detailed response Mr. Tulip I appreciate it.

I live in DFW so signals aren't a problem. It looks like the majority of stations are in the 20-26 mile range. I've looked at both the Wineguard and Mohu Leaf OTA HD antennas.

Now I just gotta decide between Orbi and Ubiquiti. The nerd in me wants Ubiquiti but like your antenna, that would really be overkill for my specific need. I could toss up an Orbi router and 1 satellite and be done.

First world problems!

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The Ubiquiti ERLITE-3 is a sub $100 gigabit router that performs like a mid-level Cisco device. I'm a good but not great network nerd, and really wanted a device to learn on. Ubiquiti has a code fork called "EdgeOS" that they've optimized for their devices. I knew a fair amount of Cisco IOS (to the point that Apple's Whatever It Is confused me initially), but I really had to increase my knowledge to get the Ubiquiti running.

Of course, like the doctor's kids who are always sick, my wife and family get tired of the Internet never being available because I tried to "improve" something and broke it completely!

I can't cut cable because I have to have Turner Classic Movies and the NFL Network. But I' ready to ditch all the premium stuff after the Game Of Thrones season is over next week.

I'm even ready to give up the Sunday Ticket. I've been getting hosed for years by them and I hate giving more money to the NFL under that commie Goodell.

Unfortuantely, though, streaming is not a viable option for me with the crappy internet I am stuck with.

Backporch said:

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Mr. Tulip do you have a brand of OTA HD antenna that you like/prefer?

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I watch a lot of antenna TV. I've tried a lot of indoor antennas without much luck. After reading some reviews several years ago I tried one of these:

Eagle Aspen DTV2BUHF DirecTV-Approved 2-Bay UHF Outdoor Antenna

It's a small outdoor antenna, but small enough to use indoors if you don't mind a little clutter. It's definitely worth it. I live between Temple and Belton and I pick up all the Austin channels most of the time (some of the weaker ones fade in certain conditions), and a lot of rural channels that I don't even know where they come. It doesn't even have an amplifier, but it grabs way more than any amplified indoor antenna I have tried. Once in a while I have to turn it in the direction of a station get a certain channel, but usually I don't have to touch it. I now have two of them and I'm about to get a third.

It's dirt cheap for what you get. I highly recommend it. If you can mount it outside easily there is also a double-stacked version that I imagine is even better.

Dia del DougO said:

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I can't cut cable because I have to have Turner Classic Movies and the NFL Network. But I' ready to ditch all the premium stuff after the Game Of Thrones season is over next week.

I'm even ready to give up the Sunday Ticket. I've been getting hosed for years by them and I hate giving more money to the NFL under that commie Goodell.

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Doug, I realize that you cannot stream due to less than stellar bandwidth issues, but for anyone else reading, I wanted to note that both NFL Network and TCM are available on PS VUE to those who care.

The problem even if you can stream stuff is that once you get all the stuff you like to watch you're having to get seven different subscription services that eventually ad up to about the same cost, a lot more trouble, and worse quality.

I've got an Amazon Prime account solely because I ship stuff like a madman (no one else I know gets 200 cans of dog food each month plus 2 35 lb bags). Amazon just happens to throw in a lot of movies and TV shows to stream for free anyway.

Netflix goes about $10/month or so.

PSVue covers anything else we care to watch - right now live sports and GoT. For equivalent service, I was paying Grande over $250/month.

Now, I pay them $70/month for a waaay overkill Internet connection, but I maintained that before I ditched cable.

Realistically, what I discovered is that I didn't really care that much about what was on TV. I found any old collection of crap is equivalent to a specifically named collection of crap. I simply moved to a (largely the same but slightly) different collection.