How to Cut the Cord: A Guide to Streaming TV

Making the decision to cut the cord and switch to streaming TV was once considered a drastic measure, one that would require significant sacrifices. However, with the vast array of options available today, it's easier than ever to make the transition from traditional cable or satellite TV.

Step 1: Ensure Your Internet Connection Can Support Streaming

Before making any changes to your entertainment setup, it's essential to ensure that your internet connection can support streaming. This requires a significant amount of bandwidth, especially if you plan on doing 4K video streaming. In general, it's recommended to have at least 10 megabits per second (Mbps) of speed to stream standard definition content. However, for 4K streaming, you'll need significantly more - around 25 Mbps or higher.

If you're not sure what kind of bandwidth you're currently getting from your internet provider, the best course of action is to check with them. Many internet service providers offer speed tests that can give you an accurate reading of your current upload and download speeds. Additionally, if you're finding that your internet connection is slowing down significantly during peak hours (usually between 8pm and 10pm), it's a good idea to test your connection during these times as well.

Even with slower internet speeds, there are still ways to enjoy streaming TV. However, keep in mind that the quality of the content may not be as sharp or crisp as it would be on a faster connection.

Once you've confirmed that your internet connection can support streaming, you can begin to explore the various options available for watching TV online. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the best streaming services and devices available today, as well as offer tips and advice on how to make the transition from traditional TV to streaming.

Choosing the Right Antenna

One of the most significant advantages of cutting the cord is the ability to access free over-the-air (OTA) content. With an antenna, you can pick up signals from local stations and watch your favorite shows for free. The MoJo Stick is a great option, offering high-quality reception and a sleek design that will fit seamlessly into any home entertainment setup.

If you're looking for something even more affordable, there are plenty of other options available as well. For example, the AntennaWeb is an inexpensive option that still delivers high-quality signals and won't break the bank.

Smart TVs with Built-in Streaming Apps

Another great way to access streaming content without having to rely on a separate device is by using a smart TV with built-in streaming apps. Many modern TVs come equipped with popular services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, making it easy to switch between different shows and movies without ever leaving the comfort of your own home.

In addition to the apps themselves, many smart TVs also offer additional features that make streaming even more convenient. For example, some models have built-in voice control capabilities, allowing you to navigate through menus and find content using nothing but your voice.

Streaming Devices: A Closer Look

While smart TVs with built-in streaming apps are certainly a great option, there's still something to be said for having a dedicated device that can access all of your favorite services in one place. That's where streaming devices come in.

The Amazon Fire TV Cube is an excellent example of this type of technology. With its sleek design and intuitive interface, it makes it easy to find and watch the content you love. Additionally, with voice control capabilities built right into the device, you can access your favorite shows and movies without ever having to leave the couch.

Roku and Google Chromecast are other popular options for streaming devices. Roku offers a wide range of apps and services, including Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as its own proprietary content offerings. Google Chromecast, on the other hand, is an even more affordable option that still delivers high-quality streaming capabilities.

Choosing Your Streaming Services

With so many options available for streaming TV, it can be overwhelming to decide which services to subscribe to. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the best streaming services available today and offer tips on how to make the most of your subscription.

Netflix is one of the pioneers of streaming TV, offering an incredible range of original content that's hard to find anywhere else. From hit shows like "Stranger Things" to critically-acclaimed movies, Netflix has something for everyone.

Amazon Prime Video is another popular option, offering a vast library of content including original titles and exclusives like "The Grand Tour." Additionally, with the inclusion of free shipping and other perks, Amazon Prime Video is an excellent value for those who also subscribe to Prime.

Hulu, on the other hand, offers a more traditional TV viewing experience. With access to current and past episodes of popular shows like "The Voice" and "This Is Us," Hulu is perfect for those who still want to watch live TV but don't need as much content as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.

PlayStation Vue and Sling TV are other great options for those looking for a more affordable streaming service. Both offer access to live TV, as well as a range of on-demand content and add-on channels that can be customized to fit your viewing habits.

Conclusion

Cutting the cord and switching to streaming TV is easier than ever, thanks to the vast array of options available today. Whether you're looking for free over-the-air content or paid subscription services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, there's something for everyone in the world of streaming TV.

By choosing the right antenna, smart TV with built-in streaming apps, and streaming device, as well as selecting from a range of popular streaming services, you can create a personalized viewing experience that fits your needs and budget.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enuntil just a couple of years ago cutting the cord meant making a lot of sacrifices back then there just wasn't that much TV to watch and if you were a sports fan forget about it but that's all changed now it's a great time to cut cable or satellite for internet TV but like all things there's an easy way to do it and then there's the not so easy way here's how to cut the cord the right way step 0 make sure your internet connection can support streaming it takes a lot of bandwidth to begin with in the more people who are streaming the more 4k video streaming you might do the more bandwidth you need make sure you've got at least 10 megabits per second service I actually recommend 50 megabits per second or better if you can get it that should be good enough for most families that might do 4k streaming or have multiple people watching on different devices at a time if you're not sure what kind of bandwidth you're supposed to be getting check with your internet provider next test your internet connection I like to use test my net and test during peak hours because that's probably when you'll be watching too if you aren't getting anywhere near the speed you were promised talk to your provider but even if you are close say 25 to 30 megabits per second you should be okay okay so now that we know your Internet's all set up the next thing you want to do is choose an antenna we've got the mo who blade their latest right here it's about 40 bucks it's super slim and felt it'll even hang on the wall but you don't have to spend that much for a great antenna if you live relatively close to broadcast towers you can go with a ten dollar antenna and still pull in great reception an antenna is gonna get you all your over-the-air local network stations including ABC CBS NBC Fox even the good ol CW this is great for sports and news plus there's a ton of sub stations as well which provide all kinds of retro TV shows like well we have old-school Superman here and there's other content you might be interested in too of course there will be plenty you don't want to watch but you can remove stations you never watch on most TVs to make channel flipping more convenient Smart TVs with the streaming apps built right into them have gotten really good over the last few years but at the end of the day nothing beats a set-top box and this streaming set-top box from Amazon amazon firetv cube is for our money the best one out there it'll even control your entire entertainment system with voice commands with that said you can get a simple Roku streaming stick or amazon firetv stick for 40 bucks or less and have all the streaming features you need and don't forget there's also the Apple TV 4k if you're one of the Apple faithful crowd but just keep in mind that'll set you back a lot more money here's the fire TV cube and you'll notice that the interface puts amazon's content first but you can access all your favorite apps and if you do a search for content you want to watch show me Charlie's Thoreau movies it will show you options and where to watch them dig a little deeper and you can find out how much it will cost you on which platforms that includes watching for free when you subscribe to a service that has what you want and like I said this device will control your whole entertainment system to just tell it to watch ESPN and it will turn on your TV and get you to the right channel in no time that leads us to our next step pick your streaming services for our money the best three out there are Netflix Amazon and Hulu and if you want live TV we like both PlayStation View and sling TV with DIRECTV now a close second Netflix brings you some of the best original programming like Ozark stranger things in glow Amazon is quickly catching up though with plenty of its own great original programming there's some crossover with Netflix but Amazon has a lot of kids programming you won't find elsewhere Hulu is where you're gonna go to get all of your network TV shows that you just can't miss you do have to wait for a day sometimes two to get at them but if you step up to their live streaming TV service you can watch live or use their cloud DVR service if all you want is live streaming TV check out sling TV it offers great packages and cloud DVR much like you're used to with cable but with a fresher interface PlayStation View offers more of the same and DirecTV now well it's basically satellite TV service over Internet no matter how you like to mix it up if you stick to the basic principle of combining over-the-air TV with excellent streaming hardware over a solid internet connection with the best streaming services you can make the transition from cable or satellite to streaming TV without missing a beatuntil just a couple of years ago cutting the cord meant making a lot of sacrifices back then there just wasn't that much TV to watch and if you were a sports fan forget about it but that's all changed now it's a great time to cut cable or satellite for internet TV but like all things there's an easy way to do it and then there's the not so easy way here's how to cut the cord the right way step 0 make sure your internet connection can support streaming it takes a lot of bandwidth to begin with in the more people who are streaming the more 4k video streaming you might do the more bandwidth you need make sure you've got at least 10 megabits per second service I actually recommend 50 megabits per second or better if you can get it that should be good enough for most families that might do 4k streaming or have multiple people watching on different devices at a time if you're not sure what kind of bandwidth you're supposed to be getting check with your internet provider next test your internet connection I like to use test my net and test during peak hours because that's probably when you'll be watching too if you aren't getting anywhere near the speed you were promised talk to your provider but even if you are close say 25 to 30 megabits per second you should be okay okay so now that we know your Internet's all set up the next thing you want to do is choose an antenna we've got the mo who blade their latest right here it's about 40 bucks it's super slim and felt it'll even hang on the wall but you don't have to spend that much for a great antenna if you live relatively close to broadcast towers you can go with a ten dollar antenna and still pull in great reception an antenna is gonna get you all your over-the-air local network stations including ABC CBS NBC Fox even the good ol CW this is great for sports and news plus there's a ton of sub stations as well which provide all kinds of retro TV shows like well we have old-school Superman here and there's other content you might be interested in too of course there will be plenty you don't want to watch but you can remove stations you never watch on most TVs to make channel flipping more convenient Smart TVs with the streaming apps built right into them have gotten really good over the last few years but at the end of the day nothing beats a set-top box and this streaming set-top box from Amazon amazon firetv cube is for our money the best one out there it'll even control your entire entertainment system with voice commands with that said you can get a simple Roku streaming stick or amazon firetv stick for 40 bucks or less and have all the streaming features you need and don't forget there's also the Apple TV 4k if you're one of the Apple faithful crowd but just keep in mind that'll set you back a lot more money here's the fire TV cube and you'll notice that the interface puts amazon's content first but you can access all your favorite apps and if you do a search for content you want to watch show me Charlie's Thoreau movies it will show you options and where to watch them dig a little deeper and you can find out how much it will cost you on which platforms that includes watching for free when you subscribe to a service that has what you want and like I said this device will control your whole entertainment system to just tell it to watch ESPN and it will turn on your TV and get you to the right channel in no time that leads us to our next step pick your streaming services for our money the best three out there are Netflix Amazon and Hulu and if you want live TV we like both PlayStation View and sling TV with DIRECTV now a close second Netflix brings you some of the best original programming like Ozark stranger things in glow Amazon is quickly catching up though with plenty of its own great original programming there's some crossover with Netflix but Amazon has a lot of kids programming you won't find elsewhere Hulu is where you're gonna go to get all of your network TV shows that you just can't miss you do have to wait for a day sometimes two to get at them but if you step up to their live streaming TV service you can watch live or use their cloud DVR service if all you want is live streaming TV check out sling TV it offers great packages and cloud DVR much like you're used to with cable but with a fresher interface PlayStation View offers more of the same and DirecTV now well it's basically satellite TV service over Internet no matter how you like to mix it up if you stick to the basic principle of combining over-the-air TV with excellent streaming hardware over a solid internet connection with the best streaming services you can make the transition from cable or satellite to streaming TV without missing a beat\n"