Current Events > Got rid of cable for Playstation Vue 5 months ago -- best decision I ever made

(+) Yeah! (+)

Well, not the best decision, but definitely a good one.

I was using FIOS before and hated the service. It was absurdly expensive ($150/month), the DVR interface felt like something out of the 80s, and it had over 1000 channels that just made it impossible to find what I wanted quickly. I had actually called Verizon once and said I'd pay them more if they'd remove the 800 channels I don't need from the menu, but they couldn't.

Finally had enough and cancelled the service in March. I did want to replace it as I still watch TV for sports and like to have it available when people come over. I ended up comparing the three main services, which all offered free one-week trials:

- SlingTV
- DirectTV Online
- Playstation Vue

I stream them to my TV via an Amazon Fire box, which I also use for Netflix Hulu, and HBO On Demand.

The runaway winner for me for the Playstation Vue (which is poorly named, since you don't need a Playstation). It was the only service at the time to offer a DVR service, it has all the channels I want (including multiple sports channels), the menu interface is great, and it was only $45/month.

Figured I'd give it some time to make sure there were no bugs, and my experience has been pretty much flawless. Never looked back on ditching cable. I give it a strong recommend if anyone else is on the fence and wondering if these services have come far enough to adequately replace cable -- they definitely have.
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Not familiar with FIOS but couldn't you just speak into the remote and pull up what you want?

$150 is ridiculous though and who needs 1000 channels...
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ive been trying to convince my wife to ditch cable and go with this but i think the playstation brand name doesnt help market this as a TV replacement
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The Admiral posted...

The runaway winner for me for the Playstation Vue (which is poorly named, since you don't need a Playstation).

Wow, that is a terrible name. I've seen people talking about it on CE and assumed that it was something you watched using a PS4.
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I would do it, but so far it doesn't seem there's any digital service that offers a large enough package of channels that it ends up being financially worth it

I use my PS4 all the time and still have no idea what Playstation Vue is.

Have definitely seen the name around though.

I used to feel the same.

Then Vue lost Viacom.

And then they jacked up the price $10.

At this point, it's not worth it to me. I mean, I guess if I HAD to have a live TV service I'd probably use it but the value just isn't there anymore like it was. Right now all I use is Kodi and Hulu. Even Netflix has shit the bed lately, so they have been dropped.

The service itself is great though, definitely won't complain about that.
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ShinigamiSoul posted...

Not familiar with FIOS but couldn't you just speak into the remote and pull up what you want?

$150 is ridiculous though and who needs 1000 channels...

No, at least not with the DVR I had. I can do that with my Amazon Fire remote now, however.

TheDarkCircle posted...

I would do it, but so far it doesn't seem there's any digital service that offers a large enough package of channels that it ends up being financially worth it

What channels are you primarily looking for? These are the Vue packages, and it captures everything I want outside of HBO, which I get with a separate subscription:
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/channels/
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if I watched more tv, I'd def get Vue since I agree that it's the best bang for your buck
but we don't really watch that much tv. I have an OTA antenna if I need to catch a game live and can't get to a bar or something, but pretty much the few things I want to watch I either buy on google play / amazon or wait for it to hit streaming
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TC, what internet service are you using?

I'm in this same position, paying about $130 for FIOS. I'm moving and told them to move my Fios but take away my TV package, so I'm getting Fios internet, and will most likely get Playstation Vue. It should save me about $30.
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AlCalavicci posted...

TC, what internet service are you using?

I still use FIOS for Internet, runs me $45 a month now. Before, with the cable bundle, it was almost $200/month.
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The Admiral posted...

TheDarkCircle posted...

I would do it, but so far it doesn't seem there's any digital service that offers a large enough package of channels that it ends up being financially worth it

What channels are you primarily looking for? These are the view packages, and it captures everything I want outside of HBO, which I get with a separate subscription:
https://www.playstation.com/en-us/network/vue/channels/

The ultra package looks great. But I'm currently paying 200 for 300mbps internet and like every channel ever. The problem is if I get rid of cable I'm dropped to 100mps for 79.99 before taxes and fees. Including taxes from Vue and I'm paying basically the same price I think for less.

Your mom is the best decision I ever made TC
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