CUT/TING THE CABLE

**** WARNING!! ****Most of what will be presented here especially with regard to streaming is either

subject to change, changing, or has already changed!

BACKGROUND

- What is ‘Cutting the Cable’?

- What ‘Cutting the Cable’ Isn’t

- Benefits of ‘Cutting the Cable’

- Live vs. On-demand Streaming

- Cable vs. Fiber Optic Internet (Zona)

- Communication Cables in our (Trilogy) Homes

What Is Cutting the Cable?1. Utilizing over-the-air programming (antenna) or

over-the-internet programming (streaming) or a combination of the two to replace traditional ‘live’ cable or satellite TV. ^^ This will be the primary focus of today’s presentation ^^

2. On demand streaming may be added to live TV (or possibly used in place of live TV depending on your desires)

3. Watching anywhere, anytime, any device - can typically view on TV, computer, tablet or phone - anywhere that an internet connection is available

What Cutting the Cable Isn’t1. It isn’t getting exactly what you currently have at a significantly

reduced price2. ‘Cutting the cable’ won’t work for everyone

- A channel package acceptable to you may not be available at all or available at an acceptable cost

- Things will need to be done a bit differently (i.e. streaming devices, TV inputs, remotes, apps, etc.) especially when streaming

- There will likely be some technology ‘hiccups,’ especially with streaming (vs. over-the-air)

- Help will not be as readily available

Benefits of Cutting the Cable1. Reduced expense2. Ends the need to play the price games3. Short (30-day) service commitments - or none with antenna

only4. No seasonal hold fees for snowbirds (Zona reconnect fee

applies for internet)

Live vs. On-Demand Streaming1. Live streaming - broadcasting a program over the internet to be

viewed in real-time2. On-demand streaming - allowing the user to watch a TV show,

movie or other programming at the time of their choosing (i.e. Netflix)

- Binge watching3. Most streaming services are now a combination of both live

and on-demand

Cable vs. Fiber Optic Internet (Zona)1. Cable uses copper wire to transmit data via electrical signals2. Fiber uses glass strands to transmit data via light impulses3. Advantages of Fiber

- Carries more data, faster, for longer distances and at more consistent speeds

- Typically is a dedicated line all the way to the home vs. cable which is ‘shared’ among neighbors

- Always maintains the full advertised speed (or a little more) vs. cable ‘up to’ speeds

4. Count your blessings - fiber internet availability is not the norm and our provider (Zona) is competitively priced

Communication Cables in our Homes1. Coaxial (coax)

- Typically used to distribute Cable or satellite TV signals to all TVs2. Ethernet (Cat5+)

- Used to connect home computer equipment to the internet (for the purpose of this presentation)

- Cat5 outlets (RJ45 connector) are typically dormant until fiber internet is installed to your home

3. Once fiber optic internet is installed all coax outlets in the house are still available to use for connecting antenna to all TVs in the home with no re-wiring

PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATIONPrimary Considerations

1. Antenna, streaming or both...or stick with what you have?2. Add DVR to antenna?3. Which internet provider?4. Which streaming device(s)?5. Which live streaming service?6. Addition of on-demand streaming?7. Installation and Set-up - DIY or Installer?

Over-the-Air (Antenna)1. Antenna Advantages

- Low one-time install cost with no monthly fees (the true ‘cable cutting’ option)- All the major networks - including PBS (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS)- Extremely reliable- Familiar technology - easy to use with little to no learning curve- Entertaining 2nd tier networks (i.e. old TV reruns and movies)- Increases streaming flexibility (easier to change and experiment with streaming)- Can be paired with Over-the-Air DVR to create a very cable-like experience

(programming guide, sophisticated recording capabilities)2. Antenna Disadvantages

- Limited programming - missing cable channels including cable news, cable sports, cable movie channels and specialty channels like HGTV

- Installation cost / effort- May not work as well in other areas (check TVFool.com for channel availability)

Streaming1. Streaming Advantages

- Wide variety of programming - both live and on-demand- Can be used in place of or in combination with antenna - works

well to fill OTA ‘must have’ gaps- Significantly reduced cost vs. cable or satellite- Large choice of programming packages - many include most

live local channels (except PBS)- Available ‘add-on’ premium networks (at extra cost)- Limited (monthly) commitments - experiment away!- Wide selection of competing programming & hardware vendors

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Streaming - (cont’d)

2. Streaming Disadvantages- Streaming technology is relatively new and can have ‘hiccups’- There will be a learning curve - longer than antenna + DVR- ‘Skinny’ programming packages may not cover all bases & using

too many becomes cost prohibitive- May or may not have ‘cloud DVR’ - or may charge extra or limit

available space- Takes time and effort to figure out what fits your needs and works

well for you- Hardware choice limits programming choices to varying degrees- Still no truly ‘a la-carte’ programming, only channel ‘bundles’

Antenna, Streaming or Both?1. Having an antenna, especially paired with DVR, provides a

solid base of live programming at very low ongoing cost- The 5 major networks (including PBS)- Provides primary source of programming that is extremely

reliable- Easy and familiar to use - little support should be necessary

2. Streaming alone can often cover most if not all programming bases but will likely have more disadvantages - understand these before getting rid of cable!

3. Combining antenna and streaming is very complimentary until streaming becomes more mainstream (pun intended)

Choosing and Locating an Antenna

1. Types of Antennas- Need UHF/VHF antenna (local stations broadcast on both bands)- All antennas HDTV capable!- ‘Flat’ indoor wall mount - easiest but reception likely limited and/or

poor - may be worth a try if want to avoid installation effort or cost or just experimenting

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Choosing and Locating an Antenna - Cont’d

2. Location & Connection- Attic mount - best for reception, appearance and protection- Outdoor mount - same antenna as attic mount, possibly easier

install - check HOA regulations! - pay attention to grounding!- Reflective foil for attic mount or stucco (yours or neighbor’s) in

antenna line of sight to towers will degrade or block signal- Antenna should be aimed to about 140 degrees (to the southeast)- Antenna coax can be run out soffit and connected at outdoor

cable/satellite box or through ceiling and down corner of master closet and into distribution box

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Choosing and Locating an Antenna - Cont’d

3. Options & Cost- Recommend for attic or outdoor mount - see “RCA Compact Outdoor

Yagi HDTV Antenna with 70 Mile Range” on Amazon (about $50) - includes mast - will need long enough coax to reach connection point (outdoor box or master closet panel)

- For indoor mount see “Leaf Antenna” on Amazon and look for 50+ mile range ($25-$50)

RCA Compact Outdoor Yagi HDTV Antenna with 70 Mile

Range$50

OptionalSignal

Amplifier$25

Coax cable $10-$20

$60-$100+Labor

+$0/Month

Signal amplifier plugged into opener outlet >

< Antenna attached to truss

< Antenna coax exiting through house soffit and down exterior wall.

>Antenna coax connected to old Cox coax entrance box. Old Cox cable still available for reconnection.

>Antenna coax connected to splitter in closet distribution panel

<Antenna coax exiting attic through ceiling of master bedroom closet

Choosing an OTA DVR

1. Features- ‘Lifetime Guide’ recommended and is typically a better value

than paying for a monthly guide subscription - both versions may be available depending on brand

- Multi-room capability available but adds complexity - methods vary

- Number of tuners (watching show + recording 1 or more shows)

- Disc storage - included or add-on depending upon brand

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Choosing a an OTA DVR - Cont’d

2. Options & Cost- TiVo Roamio OTA 1TB w/lifetime guide (multi-room possible

but not very practical)- Second choice is Tablo 2 or 4-tuner if multi-room capability is

important, but not as straightforward so can add complication

TiVo Roamio OTA 1-TB DVRw/Lifetime Guide

$399+$0/Mo

Tablo 4-tuner OTA DVR + Hard Drive + Lifetime Guide

$450+$0/Mo

Choosing a Streaming Service1. Consider ‘must have’ channel list & compare to the various packages

- If planning antenna what holes need to be filled by streaming?- If planning on streaming only, what networks are must haves?- Use Zona’s grid from January 8th meeting and providers’ websites- If hole(s) exist, is there a standalone App(s) to fill the gap?- Will price of replacement(s) be worth the change?

2. Test your choice before jumping ship with your regular provider- Utilize free week (multiple weeks with multiple email addresses)- Watch on computer to test before purchasing a streaming device

3. Remember that subscriptions are monthly so changing/sampling is ‘free’ - providing your streaming device will support the new service

Live TV Streaming Services1. Providers (no particular order)

- Sling TV (sling.com)- DirecTV NOW (directvnow.com)- YouTube TV (tv.youtube.com)- Playstation Vue (playstation.com & click on ‘PS VUE’)- Hulu with Live TV (hulu.com & look for ‘Hulu with Live TV’ option)- FuboTV (fubo.tv)

2. Cost- Most channel packages $20-$40/month + tax- Add-on channels usually available (i.e. Showtime, HBO)- Add-on features often available at extra cost (i.e. DVR, extra DVR

space or extra screens)

Choosing a Streaming Device1. Dedicated streaming devices usually best (not Smart TV, Blu-Ray

player, DVR, etc.)2. Which device has Apps for the service(s) you need? No device

includes all Apps, Roku has most3. Consider guide and interface format - some will be a more familiar

format and easier to navigate4. Which device offers best options should you decide to change

services?5. Consider need & availability of ‘on-demand’ add-on services

supported (i.e. Netflix, Hulu, Philo, Vudu, PBS, HGTV)

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Choosing a Streaming Device - Cont’d

6. Read reviews to help choose7. Options (not exhaustive)

- Roku - supports the most providers- Apple TV- Amazon Fire- Google Chromecast - casts anything to TV on phone or computer

screen8. Pay attention to various models for features (i .e. 4k or headphones)

Steaming Device Diagram

Chromecast $35ROKU

$30 - $75

Apple TV$149 - $179

Amazon Fire TV$35 - $55

Implementation Recommendations

1. Take a step-by-step approach! Leave options open as you go - don’t abandon what you have until you know the replacement works for you

2. Consider the desires & abilities of everyone in the household, especially ‘must have’ networks and ease of use

3. Learn from others but plan to be as self-sufficient as possible - all setups will vary depending upon the choices made - having a tech ‘expert’ support your system could become expensive which would negate much of the benefit

Possible Step-by-Step ProcessFor Antenna + Streaming

1. Research and test streaming services on computer (using free week)2. Research streaming devices

- Device may be free with service commitment3. Purchase and connect streaming device to TV & subscribe to service4. Purchase and install antenna (test location before install)5. Purchase and install OTA DVR6. Install Zona internet service7. Cancel cable / satellite service & disconnect8. Connect antenna to home’s coax and TVs/DVR to coax outlets

* For antenna only begin at step #4

Possible Step-by-Step ProcessFor Streaming Only

1. Research and test streaming services on computer (using free week)2. Research streaming devices

- Device may be free with service commitment3. Purchase and connect streaming device to TV & subscribe to service4. Install Zona internet service5. Cancel cable / satellite service & disconnect

Outdoor

Antenna

Grounding

Diagram