PS Vue or Sling TV

[Stronghold]

For anyone "cutting the cord" so to speak, I highly recommend buying an HDTV (digital) antenna.  It is a one time cost of ~$40-80 for a decent one and will allow you to pick up all local channels in HD.  In Minneapolis, for example, I get ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX all in HD with excellent signal.  This allows me to watch Thursday and Sunday NFL games, any other sporting events that gets aired on those channels, local news/weather, and my wife watches her primetime shows on those networks.  We have been doing it for 3 years and are very happy with it.  We supplement it with other streaming services (many of which we share with other people) but to have the major networks live 24/7 is something we wanted.

[brandx]

Thanks Benny, and yes, for streaming, and device connectivity (2 Iphones 2 Ipads, one Mac laptop .  I'm not a "gamer" nor is anyone else in my empty nest.  When I finally caved in and upgraded my I-phone software to the iOS 10.2, I frequently get a message stating that I should configure my router us use WPA2 (AES) security.  My wireless router is probably 10 years old (WPN824 Netgear - RangeMax).  My IT guy at work says its time to put a crow bar in the wallet and purchase a new one.

Obviously, security is not one of your concerns.

[Benny B]

For anyone "cutting the cord" so to speak, I highly recommend buying an HDTV (digital) antenna.  It is a one time cost of ~$40-80 for a decent one and will allow you to pick up all local channels in HD.  In Minneapolis, for example, I get ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX all in HD with excellent signal.  This allows me to watch Thursday and Sunday NFL games, any other sporting events that gets aired on those channels, local news/weather, and my wife watches her primetime shows on those networks.  We have been doing it for 3 years and are very happy with it.  We supplement it with other streaming services (many of which we share with other people) but to have the major networks live 24/7 is something we wanted.

There's no such thing as an "HDTV" antenna.  An antenna is an antenna.  The technology for the "HDTV" antennas being sold in stores today is the same technology employed by the VHF/UHF equipment you could have bought 20 years ago.

[Sir Lawrence]

Obviously, security is not one of your concerns.

Well, I reckon it is now.  So, which one should I get? 

[brandx]

Well, I reckon it is now.  So, which one should I get?

Just about any of the new ones are good.

Plus, you'll get a lot better speed as well.

[Jams]

For anyone "cutting the cord" so to speak, I highly recommend buying an HDTV (digital) antenna.  It is a one time cost of ~$40-80 for a decent one and will allow you to pick up all local channels in HD.  In Minneapolis, for example, I get ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX all in HD with excellent signal.  This allows me to watch Thursday and Sunday NFL games, any other sporting events that gets aired on those channels, local news/weather, and my wife watches her primetime shows on those networks.  We have been doing it for 3 years and are very happy with it.  We supplement it with other streaming services (many of which we share with other people) but to have the major networks live 24/7 is something we wanted.

Just a word of caution on this one.  Do your homework.  Where you live greatly matters.  Down to the structure of your home (ranch vs two story).  In some markets, the stations are all clustered to one tower, or two towers.  Other markets, they are all over the place. 

See these examples. Major differences based on distribution of towers.

Milwaukee   http://cm.antennaweb.titantv.com/Widget/?token=MTIwMCBXLiBXaXNjb25zaW4gQXZlfDUzMjMz

Los Angeles example   http://cm.antennaweb.titantv.com/Widget/?token=MTUwMCBtYWluIHN0cmVldHw5MDI0NQ==


Where you live, how far you live from towers will determine what kind of antenna to get.... Directional, Multi-Directional or Omni Directional antenna. 

Two sites I would recommend if people are interested, you simply have to put in your street address and zip, that will give you a prediction level of what channels you can receive and what type of antenna is needed.

https://www.antennaweb.org/Address

http://www.channelmaster.com/Antenna-Selection-a/134.htm&Click=47329


Good luck

[mu_hilltopper]

Sir Larry-

I'd recommend one of these .. Under $90 .. newest protocol (802.11ac) so you are future proofed for 5-10 years.

http://a.co/3AhTngF

http://a.co/22PGK9m

Both of them are great choices .. I think the Linksys is a bit more geared for the less technically inclined, so that's my recommendation for you.

[rocky_warrior]

Well, I reckon it is now.  So, which one should I get?

Well, Topper's got some good recommendations.  For standalone routers the TP-Link Archer C7 is a great choice too (under $100).

If you've got a larger house, and bunch of devices though, I would go with one of the new mesh solutions.  Here's an article that covers a bunch of good details about those:
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-wi-fi-mesh-networking-kits/

But yes, you need to ditch that old thing. 

[Sir Lawrence]

Thanks guys!

[Stronghold]

There's no such thing as an "HDTV" antenna.  An antenna is an antenna.  The technology for the "HDTV" antennas being sold in stores today is the same technology employed by the VHF/UHF equipment you could have bought 20 years ago.

Didn't realize that but good to know.  All I know is I get HD channels with it so I'm happy.

[Stronghold]

Just a word of caution on this one.  Do your homework.  Where you live greatly matters.  Down to the structure of your home (ranch vs two story).  In some markets, the stations are all clustered to one tower, or two towers.  Other markets, they are all over the place. 

See these examples. Major differences based on distribution of towers.

Milwaukee   http://cm.antennaweb.titantv.com/Widget/?token=MTIwMCBXLiBXaXNjb25zaW4gQXZlfDUzMjMz

Los Angeles example   http://cm.antennaweb.titantv.com/Widget/?token=MTUwMCBtYWluIHN0cmVldHw5MDI0NQ==


Where you live, how far you live from towers will determine what kind of antenna to get.... Directional, Multi-Directional or Omni Directional antenna. 

Two sites I would recommend if people are interested, you simply have to put in your street address and zip, that will give you a prediction level of what channels you can receive and what type of antenna is needed.

https://www.antennaweb.org/Address

http://www.channelmaster.com/Antenna-Selection-a/134.htm&Click=47329


Good luck

Thanks for the info. I've only ever used mine in Milwaukee and Minneapolis which are obviously large markets.  That site that predicts your available channels would be nice for people living in more rural areas.

[Jams]

Thanks for the info. I've only ever used mine in Milwaukee and Minneapolis which are obviously large markets.  That site that predicts your available channels would be nice for people living in more rural areas.

I don't know, I think Los Angeles is a pretty big market and not so rural.    

The key is where are the tower from where you live.  In Milwaukee, all are in one location.  In Minneapolis, there are three locations, but two are very closely clustered together.  The other consideration is how much one cares about some of the secondary or tertiary channels that may be harder to pick up.