Good Alternative to Cable?

ROBOCRIPPLE · August 22, 2018

I'm currently living with my mom and dad and I want to help them save money. We have a 25Mbps internet connection and Optik TV (cable box) in a single package from Telus, but we also have a Netflix subscription, which for some reason doesn't allow more than one user watching videos at the same time, using Optik TV boxes at least. Thing is, my mom likes watching Philippine TV shows on TFC, and mom and dad put on pre-school/cartoon TV channels for kids whom they babysit. Occasionally, my dad watches some cable TV channels, so I'm sure he'll be fine without cable. None of us are into sports.

I could just get them Roku boxes, but I also have a cheap Intel NUC that I can convert into a KODI box. I'm quite aware that there are certain add-ons for KODI that add some live-TV channels. I tried them, before. I just couldn't find the really desirable stuff like Cartoon Network programming or Philippine TV channels.

For TFC, the only alternative is to subscribe to a TFC Box. Still cheaper than an Optik TV subscription with TFC included. We do have a smart TV in mom and dad's bedroom, and a Blu-Ray player with a Netflix client app connected to the dumb TV in the living room, so if all we're using is Netflix, we don't really need another box.

I'm not too sure about subscribing to other streaming services like Amazon Prime and Crunchyroll. The selection in Canadian Netflix still pales in comparison to American Netflix. I do have a VPN subscription that mom and dad can use to access American Netflix as well as that for other countries.

I could also just get HD antennas, but we're limited to only local channels, which means no Cartoon Network or Disney Channel...

RyzenDoctor · August 22, 2018

I'm assuming you're in the Canada, Amazon Prime has other benefits other than just Video. If you shop online at all I'd ask them to buy it... Video on prime is an added bonus. Hulu tends to have more of the ongoing series if you're into watching specific things.

What shows do y'all watch as that'll dictate what online services you grab and whether you get a Roku vs Fire TV vs Apple TV vs a Google Chromecast

FYI re Netflix, you can add more playback devices by upgrading the subscription.

Alex Atkin UK · August 22, 2018

Do you have Disney Life over there? You may be able to get Disney Channel using that, although its a little expensive and dreadful quality compared to cable/satellite.

It seems the way things are going with "legal" streaming services, its going to work out more expensive than cable by the time the studios finish having their own.

Donut417 · August 23, 2018

7 hours ago, ROBOCRIPPLE said:

I'm currently living with my mom and dad and I want to help them save money. We have a 25Mbps internet connection and Optik TV (cable box) in a single package from Telus, but we also have a Netflix subscription, which for some reason doesn't allow more than one user watching videos at the same time, using Optik TV boxes at least. Thing is, my mom likes watching Philippine TV shows on TFC, and mom and dad put on pre-school/cartoon TV channels for kids whom they babysit. Occasionally, my dad watches some cable TV channels, so I'm sure he'll be fine without cable. None of us are into sports.

I could just get them Roku boxes, but I also have a cheap Intel NUC that I can convert into a KODI box. I'm quite aware that there are certain add-ons for KODI that add some live-TV channels. I tried them, before. I just couldn't find the really desirable stuff like Cartoon Network programming or Philippine TV channels.

For TFC, the only alternative is to subscribe to a TFC Box. Still cheaper than an Optik TV subscription with TFC included. We do have a smart TV in mom and dad's bedroom, and a Blu-Ray player with a Netflix client app connected to the dumb TV in the living room, so if all we're using is Netflix, we don't really need another box.

I'm not too sure about subscribing to other streaming services like Amazon Prime and Crunchyroll. The selection in Canadian Netflix still pales in comparison to American Netflix. I do have a VPN subscription that mom and dad can use to access American Netflix as well as that for other countries.

I could also just get HD antennas, but we're limited to only local channels, which means no Cartoon Network or Disney Channel...

First of all HD antennas are probably the first thing Id go to, at least for the locals. Not sure if Telus caps you on data, but thats part of the reason I use an Antenna is because Comcast caps us at 1TB.

KODI

Heres the deal, those "3rd party" addons can offer some live channels and other stuff. But remember, they are transmitting copy righted material with out the owners permission most of the time. Ive seen many 3rd party addons come and go. Also, I find that Kodi runs like shit if you got too many of these installed. Just keep that in mind.

Other Options

Ive used both PSVue and HULU Live TV. Both are good at what they do. PSvue has like 4 or 5 tiers of service, so you have options. It also offers up to 5 streams at a time and a cloud DVR. While Hulu is cheaper, at least here in the US it only offers 2 streams with the option of purchasing unlimited streams for $15 extra a month. But at the end of the day, you live in Canada and will have to determine what content they offer north of the border. Also not all streaming services may offer the same channels.

My advice is you need to figure out what channels are must haves and what you can live without. Then find a service that gives you want you need. Oh and last I checked Netflix is doing its damnedest to block out all VPN's. So your VPN may or may not work and if it works today, it might not work tommrow.