Switching live streaming services

If you're new to cord cutting, and you're having a hard time picking the right live streaming service, allow me to suggest that you don't let that slow you down. Why is that? Well, quite simply, it's easy to switch streaming services.

Unlike cable TV or satellite service where you have a long-term contract, your live streaming service is a month to month proposition. And, they offer free trials. Some only offer three days, some offer a week, and sometimes, you'll find longer trial periods.

Let me suggest that you not try multiple streaming service free trials at the same time. You may not have time to focus on more than one during the free trial period. So, I suggest you pick a service, do the free trial, and don't forget to cancel before the free trial ends.

Oh, about canceling the free trial, you need to be aware that the service may stop it immediately. After all, from their standpoint, they're letting you watch for free until you make a decision. Once you tell them "no" you've decided against them. You aren't entitled to the service any longer. That's not the same as canceling after subscribing and paying. In that situation, you've paid, and are entitled to the service to the end of the term. Not so on a free trial. Some services may let you keep using the free trial after you've canceled, up to the end of the free trial period, but if the service cuts you off immediately, don't fuss about it. You weren't paying for it, after all.

Once you've picked a service and begun paying for it, what if you decide you really don't like it. That's easy. Cancel and get another service. I'd suggest waiting until the end of the time you've paid to try a new service, but if you really want to go ahead and try a new service, go ahead. Do what's best for you.

The main thought, though, is unlike some places where you don't have several options for cable or satellite, you have a lot of streaming options. If you pay for, say, YouTube TV and decide it's not for you for reasons of cost, channel selection, interface, or any reason or no reason, it's easy to cancel and switch to another. And, you can try the new service free trial immediately. No scheduling a technician to come by between the hours of noon and 5 pm.

Switching live streaming services is quick and easy. It helps you get more control of the stuff you watch. And that's a good thing.

Of course, I'm always going to ask if you really need a live streaming service. Do consider whether or not you do. You might be surprised. But, if you want one, it's really easy to try them out and switch them out if the one you try doesn't work for you. Don't hesitate to switch services if you want. It will help you get control of and enjoy your Streaming Life.

Using TiVo Stream

I mentioned recently that I would be testing the TiVo Stream device. Well, I did that. And I'm a little disappointed.

The TiVo Stream is an Android TV device. The interface is fine. It's not quite the same as the Google TV interface of the Chromecast with Google TV. As I mentioned earlier, I like the new Chromecast/GTV device. The interface of the TiVo Stream is definitely TiVo flavored, and that's fine.

Anyone who has used a TiVo DVR will be familiar with the remote and the interface. You know you're using a TiVo. And that's a good thing. 

I've used TiVo DVRs, starting in 2006 and continued until just a couple of years ago. As a DVR, it's top notch. As a streaming device, it lacks something: reliability.

I took about a week to use the TiVo Stream as my primary streaming device, and it worked great -- most of the time. I had the occasional hiccup with YouTube, but that's not unheard of with any device. I had connection issues with Hulu, and that was frustrating.

I'm not currently using Hulu + Live TV, but instead the standard Hulu service. The cheap plan with commercials. I mention that because it seems to me that overall, Hulu + Live TV has more issues than Hulu standard service. Of course, every service does, but it seems that Hulu's live service has more issues than its on-demand service. In other words, I use the more reliable Hulu. Unless my impression is wrong.

Hulu would have connection issues and while it didn't crash the device, it was frustrating to have to restart the video, or even restart the app, from time to time.

After the first few times it did that, I would then grab my Roku remote and try the service. No connection issues. Never once did I experience a connection issue with Roku during that week, but I did at least once a day, sometimes more.

Of course, it could be that the Android TV app for Hulu is simply a poorly designed or written app, and the TiVo Stream works otherwise great.

The only complaint I have with the remote is the TiVo button. However, it is where a TiVo user would expect it to be, so it's not a major complaint.

The integration of the TiVo style interface was well done, and a TiVo user would feel right at home. And any new user would get used to it really quickly. Someone who is more familiar with other devices might have a little adjustment with the TiVo button and the OK button located where they are, but as I said, it's not hard to get used to it.

If the Hulu app issue didn't exist, I'd be writing more positive things. But my purpose isn't to give positive reviews of devices. It's to share my thoughts and tips as a long-time streamer. And if you're looking at the TiVo Stream as a choice, it's pretty good one. It's moved in to the number five slot, behind, in no particular order, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast with Google TV, and Roku.

I'll go back and use the device from time to time, so I'm not packing it in a box and putting it on a shelf. I'm keeping it hooked up, at least for now. If you get one, I expect you'll be happy with it. It's generally responsive and mostly works.

If you are thinking of getting one, I'll suggest Chromecast with Google TV as a better Android style device. If you already have one, don't beat yourself up. Use it and enjoy it. You may find it gives you the experience you want, and your Streaming Life will be a happy one.

Finding the perfect live streaming service

There are a bunch of articles online that cover reviews and comparisons between different streaming services. The idea is to give the reader enough information to make a decision.

Am I going to do that? Maybe. Not right now, but I might one day.

So, what is this about? Well, there's actually a Web tool that I really like. I'm not sure how easy you would find it to use, but I find it very easy to use. Of course, I may have a different approach to finding live streaming services than you might.

To me, if I want a live streaming service, it will depend on a few things: channel selection, device availability, and price. Everything else? To me doesn't really matter, at least not that much. And the Web tool to which I refer does what I need it to do, in a simple and easy to use manner.

I don't know who's behind the company. I suppose I should look into that, but I haven't. I will say that the Web tool does a good job for me. 

It's called Suppose, or Suppose.TV, and the Web tool is located at https://www.suppose.tv/ which kinda makes sense, right?

Anyway, go to https://www.suppose.tv/ and set your location in the box at the top left. Your ZIP Code will be sufficient. Depending on your location, you may be presented with a couple of different markets. Mine simply offered Savannah, but if you are close to multiple markets, you may be presented with multiple choices. Pick what you consider local, in that case.

Next, select the channels you want. Here's the most difficult part, really. I suggest you pick the channels you really really really want, not just "hey, this would be nice." You can select those, but I'm going to suggest you only pick the most important channel or channels first. You can add the others later.

Once you have your channels selected, you'll see a listing of services that carry them. But, that list might include satellite services, which isn't what you're looking for. So, here's where you pick your device.

In the top right there's a dropdown for device. Pick your favorite device or platform. If you have a Roku TV device, for instance, pick Roku. That will probably make some of the services listed disappear, and that's okay. In fact, that's what you want.

Next, prioritize your channels. Those that are absolutely must have channels, select the little heart icon on it. If you change your mind about a channel, or if you accidentally add the wrong one, you can remove it with the little X icon. You can also drag them one over the other, prioritizing them that way. You don't have to, but you can. And, you can temporarily remove one by clicking the little slider on it. That way you don't remove it, then try to find it to put it back. It's just a quick way to do "hey, if I don't really need this one, I can save a bunch of money" thing.

There's another thing you'll want to check. At the top center is a Refine section. That way you can pick if you really need a DVR or more than one stream. If you need three streams, for instance, you can pick that. Or if saving money overall is more important than cost per channel, you can use that slider.

As you make changes, the listing of services may change, so expect that. Continue to add or remove or disable channels as you think about it. Move the most important ones to the top. Check different devices if you are still shopping for a device. If it takes a few minutes to get it just like you want, that's okay. The money you save will make up for those few minutes.

The Web tool will display the service that meets the criteria you set. Or... it may display multiple services. For example, if you selected Discovery and CuriosityStream as "must have" channels, it will show combos. As of this writing, it will display the single service Vidgo for $45, as well as combos including Philo and Frndly.TV for $26.

You can determine if the single service, which is more expensive, is actually a better option for you than the two services Philo and Frndly.TV. In this example, Vidgo costs more, but it's all in a single app. You can save money by using the two services Philo and Frndly.TV, but you have to use two separate apps to watch the channels. You can choose whichever you prefer.

There are some times that a Website that lists services and channels in a grid, with indicators of which carries what, is what I need. But, the Suppose.TV tool works well for me too. It's kept updated more than those Website lists.

I find Suppose.TV to be a useful tool. I hope you are able to determine if it works for you. If it does, it may help your Streaming Life to be much easier.

IPTV

There are a lot of IPTV services available to stream a lot of content online. However, most of them come with some really major issues. For someone new to streaming, there can be some difficulty in determining which services to use and which services to avoid. I'll try to offer some thoughts and tips for picking which services to consider and which to avoid to help you make the most of your Streaming Life.

What is IPTV?

First, let's get the definition of IPTV out of the way. IPTV is the abbreviation for Internet Protocol Television. So, what does that mean? That depends on who you ask. One accepted definition is:

“IPTV is defined as multimedia services such as television/video/ audio/text/graphics/data delivered over IP based networks managed to provide the required level of QoS/QoE, security, interactivity and reliability.”

 Keeping it simple, it's TV over the Internet.

What are IPTV Services?

Again, depending on how technical you want to get -- I'm not going to do that; if you want all the details, use a search engine and spend the next several hours having fun -- you could call any online streaming service IPTV. I won't argue that, but the major legal services aren't generally considered IPTV services, but rather OTT (Over The Top) services. 

There's another long complicated definition involved here, but for our purposes, we'll go along with the standard usage of calling Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and all of those familiar services OTT television, and avoid calling them IPTV services. If you want to call them IPTV services, I'm not going to call you wrong. I'm simply going to use a different term, the more common OTT.

Is IPTV Legal?

Yes, IPTV is legal. However, most services that define themselves as IPTV or IPTV services are not. How can this be? Because legal reasons.

When you create something, write something original, build something, you are entitled to the benefits of your labors. Your work and creativity are not the property of others; not the community, not the state, nor anyone, unless you choose to voluntarily donate it. If your political philosophy is different, well you know where I stand, and we won't spend time debating. Well, I won't.

Accepting that you are entitled to the fruits of your labors, that applies to others as well. Everyone, in fact. Which means that if someone builds a house, it's theirs. You don't have the right to simply move in and live there. 

If someone writes a book, it's theirs. You don't have the write to print them up and sell them and keep all the money. The author has ownership rights. That usually involves a publisher to ensure this happens.

If someone makes a movie, it's theirs and you don't have the right to make it available to others without consent. That usually involves a movie studio and distributor agreements to ensure this happens.

Most of the services that identify as IPTV don't bother with going through distribution agreements. Netflix does, Hulu does, all of the legitimate services do. Services that call themselves IPTV generally don't.

Putting all that together, yes IPTV is legal, but most content from IPTV services isn't, because most IPTV services don't secure the rights to the content. They're pirates.

Other Reasons?

There are other reasons for avoiding self-identified IPTV services, to include that the software they sometimes require may contain malicious code. It could compromise your system.

There have been instances where authorities have shut down IPTV services, then turned the customer database over to the content owners, who then sued the customers for theft of services. I'm not going to debate whether or not this is proper. I'm simply passing it along so you're aware this has happened.

What to do?

I avoid using services that call themselves IPTV services. I avoid any service that requires the installation of any special software. I'm not talking about an app from the Amazon, Google, Apple, or Roku store. I'm talking about where you must download special software that lets you install other software. Doing what is commonly (though not always correctly) "jailbreaking" a device.

If you can't find the app for a service in a legitimate app store, there's usually a reason, and not a good one.

If the number of moves and TV shows is an incredibly high number for a really low price, if there are promises of the ability to watch any sporting event for free or no additional cost, if there are any promises of something that seems to good to be true, it probably is an illegal service.

For me, I think "What if I was the content owner? Would someone using this service deny me what's due to me through the contracts I've signed?" If so, then the user would be stealing. If I'm the user, I'd be stealing. That makes it an easy choice for me.

I haven't tried to make your life any more complicated than it already is. However, I did want to talk about this so that you had an idea of the things that are out there that you should avoid. Stick with the major services and you'll be okay. Use the services that have apps in the legitimate app stores and you'll be okay.

Yes, it can get complicated, but that's life. Perhaps we can all work together to help keep things simply and let you enjoy your Streaming Life.

What if you have a smart TV already?

I'm a fan of streaming devices. I think Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google/Android TV devices are good options for streaming. But what if you already have a smart TV? Suppose your TV already has apps. Should you get a Roku or Fire TV device? The answer to that question is easy: maybe.

More and more, smart TVs include one of the above-mentioned systems as the "smarts" of the smart TV. You can find Roku TV devices. Those are TVs that include the Roku software. You can also find TVs with Fire TV or Android/Google TV built in. You turn then on, and there is the Fire TV or Android/Google TV menu.

If you have one of those TV -- Roku TV, built in Fire TV, or built in Android/Google TV -- then you really don't need a streaming device attached. Unless of course you want to. More about that in a minute.

If your smart TV doesn't use one of those platforms, then I'm going to suggest that you look seriously into adding one of those platforms to the TV. That doesn't mean you should use, say, a Roku device on your TV. If the proprietary smart TV interface included with your TV does everything you want it to do, then no, you don't need to get a Roku or Fire TV to attach.

On the other hand, I don't know the last time I bought a TV that wasn't a smart TV. 20 years ago? Longer? Something like that. On the last non-smart TV I had, I put a Roku and Apple TV device. That was in 2010. The last few TVs I bought all had built-in smarts. I tried them, but didn't really like them.

You see, I had used Roku and Apple TV, so I knew just how good a streaming device could be. I had experience with a faster, more robust system, and the built-in system didn't come close. If I had not had Roku or Apple TV experience, I may have been satisfied, but since I was familiar, I wasn't going to put up with it, so I kept using Roku, Apple TV, etc., bypassing the build-in systems.

Depending on personal preference, and the abilities of the family members, you may want to consider buying a device even with one of the top tiers platforms on your TV. If your family members prefer, or if you prefer, something like Amazon Fire TV above all else, and if your TV has Google TV built in, then sure, go ahead and add a Fire TV device to it. Or if you really like Apple TV, put that on your TV, even if it's a good quality Roku TV.

Essentially, do whatever makes your Streaming Life run better.