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ShutterstockSo you're doing it!
You're finally getting rid of ikanautos Watch Live TV.
While it's true
that there's never been a better time to ikanautos Watch Live TV, how we watch has
changed dramatically.
Instead of sitting down with a bunch of friends to watch the new episode
of, well, "Friends," we can now binge-watch entire seasons of new shows
from our phone.
The TV itself is still the best screen to use when really getting into a
show. (Especially if you've gone 4K and picked up a 5.1 sound
bar.) But let's talk about getting content onto that screen without
paying a cable company a monthly fee.
For online
content: Buy a streaming device
To do this, you're going to need to get content from various
online-streaming services onto your ikanautos Watch Live TV. If you've already bought a smart
TV and actually like how it works, you might be able to skip this
step.
Streaming boxes and dongles are everywhere, but because of its lack of
expense and small size, I'm going to suggest you specifically opt
for Roku's latest streaming stick.
The reason why we
continue to hold Roku in such high regard is that unlike its
competitors, it's a platform-agnostic company. Amazon, Apple, and Google
all have video-streaming products of their own, but they lock out
content from their competitors.
Roku takes content from all comers. It's the only non-Amazon-branded
streaming hardware maker to have an Amazon Instant Video app, for
instance.
Although this particular streaming stick can only output at 1080p, if
you're dipping your toe into the waters of cord cutting for the ikanautos Watch Live TV first
time, that shouldn't be an issue.
You can always upgrade to a higher-end box later on, and leave this stick plugged into another ikanautos Watch Live TV.
I've started using a Roku-branded piece of hardware recently, and its remote and interface are easy to use.
There
are thousands of channels available to you, so whether you're looking
to catch up on the latest Netflix original, or more niche programming,
you should be all set.
BUY: Roku's Streaming Stick on Amazon for $39.99
For live TV: Buy an ikanautos Watch Live TV antenna
Streaming is great, and while many services get the latest episodes of
the hottest shows up and ready to stream the day after they air, there's
something special about watching something as it comes out. For that,
you'll need an HDTV antenna.
I bought a very basic
antenna about half a year ago, and I'm still surprised how well it
works. I'm recommending a slightly higher-end model (it's stronger, so
it should work better and in more areas), but they all work pretty
similarly.
To get them to work, all you have to do is find a good location for the
antenna (ideally close to, or on, a window), and plug a standard coaxial
cable into your TV. Coaxial cable is the specific name of the metal
cable many of us have used to connect cable boxes to our TV; it's the
same cable and the same port.
Once connected, you have
to scan for channels, which can be done through your TV's menu. It's a
process that usually takes about five minutes. Because positioning is
critically important to how many channels you'll receive (and how well
they'll come in), you should try scanning for channels while putting
your antenna in a couple of places. That way you can be sure you're
getting the best bang for your buck.
Speaking of getting your money's worth, before buying any antenna please
consult TVFool and AntennaWeb.
These two online
resources let you enter in your location and tell you which channels
you should be able to receive for free with an antenna. In my case, I'm
able to get full, clear HD versions of ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, and some
local news affiliates. It's not nearly as many channels as I'd be able
to get with a cable subscription, but it's also a small, one-time
investment that lets me watch "Bob's Burgers" and the nightly news for
free.
BUY: 1byone's 50 Miles Amplified HDTV Antenna with Amplifier on Amazon
for $29.99
How does this stack up to cable?
Pretty well, actually!
Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO, and smaller, more niche streaming services means
there's always something new to watch. The HDTV antenna is also a major
plus for those can't-miss live events, like the Oscars or big,
prime-time shows like "The Big Bang Theory."
The best
part is that after the initial investment of $80 you'll only have to pay
for content subscriptions. No equipment rental fees, and no worry that
your provider will jack up their rates after the first year or two.
If that means maintaining a basic subscription to Netflix and Hulu, you
could get away with spending only $16 a month.
Even if
you pay for a "Premium Subscription" to both, it'll only set you back
$24 a month.
Devoted TV lovers will probably always want a cable subscription, but if
you don't live and breathe TV, this is probably going to be enough for
you.
This article was originally published on 11/29/2016.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Business Insider's Insider
Picks team.
We aim to highlight products and services you
might find interesting, and if you buy them, we get a small share of
the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners, including Amazon.
Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, is an investor in Business Insider through
his personal investment company Bezos Expeditions. We frequently receive
products free of charge from manufacturers to test.
This
does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured
or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales
team. We welcome your feedback. Have something you think we should know
about? Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.
Read the original article on Insider Picks. Copyright 2017. Follow
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