[mythtv-users] Any cord-cutters using MythTV?

[Michael T. Dean]

On 06/12/2018 11:44 PM, Mark Wedel wrote:
> On 06/12/2018 05:12 PM, jrh wrote:
>> On Jun 12, 2018, at 6:43 PM, DryHeat122 wrote:
>>> I've been using MythTV to record cable content for years, but I'd 
>>> really like to stop sending the provider a giant check every month.
>>>
>>> I know there is capability to record HTTP streams, but I'm wondering 
>>> if it's feasible to use MythTV to record from any of streaming 
>>> services like Hulu, Sling, DirecTV Now, etc.
>>>
>>
>> I cut cable 8 years ago, and have used an antenna since. Mythtv 
>> doesn’t work well with the referenced sources due to DRM on them.
>> However, I have amazon prime and rarely use it as I have plenty from 
>> antenna.
>> Regards
>
>  I'm in much the same case as Jrh.
>
>  I have slingtv, and they offer a cloud PVR service on most all 
> channels for a fairly minor amount per month (I ended up getting it 
> free as a beta tester). Even if it wasn't free, I'd probably pay for 
> it based on convenience.
>

I cut the cord in 2006 and am using similar approach as Mark and Jrh. I 
currently use MythTV to record OTA broadcasts--giving me far more 
recordings than I have time to watch, so quite often I go through my 
recordings and delete all episodes of and tell MythTV to stop recording 
some series that I've decided isn't worth watching. I also have Roku 
devices which I use with Amazon Prime streaming and a Sling TV 
subscription. I didn't choose to add on the Sling DVR service (for 
$5/mo) and use it only for real-time watching (primarily my wife's 
watching ESPN) and for VOD.  However, for series that my wife and I 
really enjoy, we will just buy the series so we don't have to watch the 
forced commercials in Sling's VOD streams (such as with The Walking 
Dead--though we're starting to wonder if it's still worthwhile to buy 
that one since it's nothing like it was in the early seasons) or so that 
we can watch it before it comes free to Amazon Prime (The 
Expanse--though sounds like S4 may be released direct to Prime now that 
SyFy canceled it (for being too Sci Fi, I presume) and Amazon is picking 
it up).  We do have others that we started after a couple seasons had 
been released that we just wait for on Prime--such as The Americans.

In all, with the occasional $20-$40 for a season of some TV series 
purchase on a streaming service like Amazon Video or Vudu or Fandango 
Now or whatever, and OTA content and the $20/mo Sling TV service, we 
have more than we have time to watch--and even have some series we want 
to watch available to watch at no additional cost and just can't find 
the time to get to it.

Note, too, that the biggest issue after cutting the cable TV cord is 
getting Internet service at a reasonable rate.  Often the Internet 
service cost is significantly reduced for cable TV customers because of 
bundling, so many people I've talked to who are thinking about cutting 
the cord find out that after unbundling the Internet service (and, 
therefore, paying its full price), the cost savings are significantly 
less than they expected.  I'm mentioning this only to encourage you to 
get the full facts before making decisions so that you don't suffer any 
disappointments or make matters worse for yourself without seeing much 
or any benefit.

Mike