Want to Cut the Cord? Here’s What to Do
Many people are looking for strategies to help them cut costs on television entertainment. If you are covered by this statistic, it is the perfect time for you cut the cord. You can use such strategies as replacing your channel bundle with a streaming TV series and replacing your TV antenna too at a lesser cost.
While it sounds so simple, it can be difficult especially if you are not tech-savvy. Remember, cutting the cord needs you to choose from dozens of hardware options and very evolving streaming services like sling TV, Netflix, and Disney +. With the right information and guidance, you can successfully cut the cord. Want to cut the cord? Here’s what to do:
Have an Internet Service
The first step to cutting the cord is having a source of the internet at your home. You can have a WI-FI router and radio to make it possible for your streaming devices to go online any time from any part of your home. Ensure that your internet speed is at least 15Mbps for every device you intend to have running simultaneously with the rest. For instance, if you plan to run three televisions at the same time then 45Mbps would be the most suitable for you. To achieve this you must consult your cable company so that you are advised on the best broadband service although a fiber broadband or its equivalent can also be of importance to you.
Consider Your Streaming Services
To cut the cord you can start by selecting a streaming service before you identify the appropriate devices. Note that you might have to subscribe to more than two video services which can be a bundle of live television channels like Sling TV and YouTube or on-demand video services like Netflix. There are also free streaming services that you can use to minimize your subscription costs. Tech gurus however advise that you follow the ultimate cord cutter’s guide, to understand which streaming services are more applicable to your situation. With the appropriate guidance, you can also know whether to change your cable or change your satellite TV plan once you have a perfect streaming service.
Acquire Streaming Devices
After subscribing to the most convenient streaming service, your next step is to get streaming devices that will enable you to enjoy the services. Some streaming service providers can allow you to access their services only after you download their apps on a certain streaming device you are using. Examples of such service providers are the Amazon Fire TV Stick and the Roku’s Streaming Stick. Once you have these devices you simply plug them into your television’s HDMI ports and thereafter connect to the internet through your home WI-FI. Some can work with any television even if it’s not a smart TV. On the other hand, if you own a smart TV, you can use it to connect to the internet in place of a distinct streaming device. Ensure your smart TV has all the services and apps you want to access.
If you do not have a smart TV ensure your television has a way in which you can connect it to your home internet and stream using a streaming stick to access whatever you want. Note that if you have more than one television at your home, you need as many streaming sticks as the number of TVs you have. However, having your TVs revamped with smart TV software can save you the hustle of buying separate streaming devices. Fortunately, unlike the cable box which requires you to pay ongoing rental charges, streaming devices like Fire TV or Roku do not come with recurrent equipment rental charges. All you have to do is to invest in buying the televisions.
Purchase an Antenna
While many television streaming services come with their channels ready, you might need to acquire an over-the-air antenna to enable you to stream international channels like Fox, PBS, NBC, CBS and, ABC at no extra charges. If you have a modern TV you could be lucky as most of them come with an onboard tuner and an input for the coaxial cable on your antenna. With this, you only need a good reception and you can plug in your antenna, scan through your channels and choose one that interests you. With such, you can enjoy as many channels without having to acquire an independent tuner. Tuners are not very costly too so if your TV set does not have a tuner, you can easily get one external tuner.
Cutting the cord involves getting the ideal streaming services and streaming devices. For maximum streaming, ensure you have a strong internet speed otherwise you might not have the smooth entertainment services you desire.
