k-troop

Verizon FiOS. I have 100 mbps download for $70/month. I'm not sure whether I need that much internet, but we routinely stream 3 sources simultaneously without issue. I guess it's time to update on DirecTV Now. They've partially fixed some of the issues. The Bad: It "works" pretty well now, in that when you turn it on, you actually get streaming video. There are still plenty of error messages: it seems they come in bunches, because I'll get the same error message four or five times in a span of a few minutes, then I won't get one for an hour or more on the same channel. Regardless, they can all be remedied with a quick swipe left or right (to change the channel) or backing out of the app and getting back in. VOD content hasn't really gotten any better. I don't really use DirecTV Now for this, but I'd love to be able to ditch HULU. Network channels are the same. NBC is web-based or mobile only; you can't get it on AppleTV. Also the NFL coverage is really bad; I've only been able to watch one Sunday daytime game while the rest have been blacked out. Nationally televised games are fine. I assume the playoffs will be fine. Seems the errors and streaming interruptions are worst when the content is best. I couldn't watch the Rose Bowl on ESPN thru DirecTV Now because the stream kept interrupting. I could watch it fine thru WatchESPN on the same TV & device. The Good: Audio and video quality are better than Sling. For the entire month of December I was constantly switching back and forth between DirecTV Now and Sling. (I was trying to stick with DirecTV Now, but kept reverting to Sling when I grew tired of stream interruptions.) Here's what I noticed about direct comparison-- Audio is louder and has more effects with DirecTV Now. I use a Denon sound bar connected directly to my TV. Picture quality looks better as well. Not sure how else to explain it, except that I can notice a difference switching directly between the two. Sling has about a 30 second delay compared to DirecTV Now (and compared to cable, as my buddies routinely spoil goal-line situations for me via text). The interface with DirecTV Now is superior. You can access the guide in DirecTV Now via two clicks of the Siri remote and scroll through channels and times all without losing the program you're currently watching. You can also access VOD content without losing your current channel. The Verdict: I'm gonna stick with DirecTV Now for the duration of my 90 days (thru the end of February). At that point if they haven't fixed their issues I might be back to Sling, or (maybe) on to HULU's live stream offering launching soon.

I can't really argue with any of that. I find that with Hulu we don't really have to record anything, but the rest of what you've said is certainly valid. I had a really, really bad experience with Verizon FiOS in SoCal (which is probably why they're no longer in SoCal). Terrible service, blackouts, faulty install, failures to show up, sent the wrong stuff. Every issue was a minimum of an hour on the phone, and frequently it was 2+. It sounds like I'm exaggerating but I'm not. The cord cutting for me was about control. And it's kinda fun trying out the new stuff, figuring out what's out there. There was also this thing where the wife and I made a conscious decision to rid ourselves of every debt and bill that was possible to avoid without turning into cave-people.

DirecTVNow update. Day 2 was significantly better than Day 1. I was able to watch for about 2 hours last night, scrolling between a handful of channels without issue. They already corrected two of the wonky interface issues (one where the guide scroll would only let you scroll down the channels and then you had to scroll over to the program; another where the menu key wouldn't close out the menus but would back you all the way out of the app). I only had a couple pixelations and buffering issues in the first few minutes of watching, and the video feed cut out completely once with a "video playback error" message. I watch on Apple TV, which appears to be the most error-free device for now. Firestick users and Android/Google casters are still reporting a number of issues. A few major glitches still remain. (1) NBC can only be streamed on a mobile device or through an internet browser (and then really only on Chrome or IE11). Word is this is a tech issue AT&T intends to fix, but they haven't formally said this yet. https://www.cnet.com/news/directv-now-beset-by-user-complaints-on-launch-day/. (2) The VOD library is a joke. (3) Web-based stream doesn't work on Safari. (4) Multiple users still reporting issues with the Error 60 (exceeded your limit for simultaneous streams). Really the biggest issue is that AT&T has made no effort, I mean NO EFFORT AT ALL to publicly address any of the users questions. The only customer service or communications is through the AT&T Forums, and the employee contributors won't actually answer any questions. They're incapable of answering technical questions (i.e. linking a post or article with PC instructions in response to Mac questions), and they REFUSE to answer substantive questions. Examples: in response to multiple posts about the Error 60, they've posted on the Forum "we fixed it" and link to a FAQ on the DirecTVNow site that simply states "Error 60 message means the user has exceeded the allowable number of streams" (completely ignoring the fact that the user's problem is that they're getting the error while only using ONE stream). Another example is in response to the NBC issue, they simply state "NBC can only be streamed on mobile devices or through an internet browser". They will not answer whether the unavailability on streaming devices is a technical glitch or a contract issue.

Yes, sorry--I saw white boxes. In your first post it just showed up as space.

I'm on a PC at work and the Apple logo didn't display in your post. Coincidence?

Yes...it's an Apple TV streaming device though, not a TV. (I assume you know this as you're tech savvy and an Apple guy, but just in case.)

I'm pretty sure that's what it costs via in-app purchase on Apple TV. Showtime is $10.99. As for DirecTV NOW, they're having some issues. I signed up for the 3-month prepay with a free Apple TV at the "launch" price of $35 for 100 channels. (I can still quit within the 7-day trial period and pay nothing, but I don't think I will.) It's supposed to include ABC, Fox, NBC, Fox affiliates, ESPN, a host of regional sports channels, and the expanded basic cable usual suspects. The good. The interface is better than sling: it has an actual guide and will allow you to scroll through the channel guide while watching whatever channel you're on. The transition between channels is pretty quick and simple when doing it this way. Getting into a specific channel to view VOD is about the same as any other app. Picture quality is great. The Golf Channel streamed beautifully, and I was able to watch Tiger getting reps as I made dinner last night. The bad...where do I start? For starters, the DirecTV Now app couldn't be located by searching in the App store all day yesterday. The web-based platform won't stream reliably in Safari (they say it will, and there is anecdotal evidence of it working, but it wouldn't work on mine and dozens of complaints in the att.forums). (I downloaded Chrome and it worked fine.) The service is limited to 2 simultaneous streams (and I achieved that yesterday), but there is a recurring and rampant error (the dreaded Error 60) where it stops your stream and tells you you've exceeded your maximum number of streams, even if you're only watching on one device. (This happened to me about every 5 minutes during prime-time viewing last night.) There is a little bit of disconnect between the video and audio streams (I experience this in Sling sometimes; can be corrected by changing the channel and going back). When you're watching a program and a menu pops up (i.e. you inadvertently swipe the touchpad on Siri remote) it's difficult to make it go away again. The VOD library is non existent. There was basically no customer service to cover the launch. The really bad starts when you get into local Network channels. ABC is part of the package "where available", but like Sling that's really just two cities. NBC is "available in a lot of areas (including mine just north of Metro DC), but it won't play on a streaming device. That's right: a streaming service, designed to be used as a cable replacement, won't play a Network channel on an Apple TV, Roku, or Firestick. (You can view NBC on your mobile device or over the web.) There are also a ton of issues with location services and some folks not getting channels that are part of their package. I had issues yesterday with the History Channel popping up as "unavailable in my area" which is stupid. Overall the big issues are: 1. NBC stream limited to mobile devices and web browser. 2. Error 60 (exceeded your allowable number of streams) makes the service essentially unwatchable at peak times. 3. VOD library is a joke. If they can fix this, DirecTV Now will be far superior to Sling IMO.

I have an indoor antenna as well (I'm in Gaithersburg, MD). We have TVs in three rooms: our front living room/kitchen, our back living room & kids play room, and the basement gym. I get 1, 2, or 3 networks in the front living room (depending on the weather), but consistently get all four in the kids room so that's where it stays. It's a good backup when I want to watch a college game that's only available on (i.e.) CBS (because I get NBC and Fox on Sling, and ABC games on WatchESPN). Update on DirecTV Now. I just found a workaround on the at&t forums section to get the app. You have to use the direct link for the DirecTV Now app in iTunes; it won't show up when you search in iTunes on either iPhone or Apple TV. I downloaded it on my phone and it works. I should be able to find it in the "purchases" section of my Apple TV when I get home. Apparently the web-based stream works with Chrome. I can see already that Fox local broadcast streams live, ABC appears to be hidden (which is the same as Sling for my area), and the channel shows up for NBC but there's a problem with the stream. I'm guessing once the bugs get worked out I'll get Fox and NBC, which is the same as Sling. I will put this thing through the paces over the next few days and provide updates. I currently have Sling (have had for about 10 weeks) so I'll be able to make a pretty good direct comparison. My concerns are live major network broadcasts, expanded basic availability (TBS, TNT, Travel, etc.), on-demand content, ESPN (and WatchESPN compatibility), multiple-device streaming, and user interface. This is day 1 of their launch, so I expect bugs. Once the bugs work out, If I get Fox, NBC, ESPN/2/3, WatchESPN, Golf Channel, and a handful of expanded basic cable channels I'll count this as a huge win at $35/month. The free 4th Gen Apple TV is just gravy (I needed one more 4th Gen anyway).

DirecTV Now launch is a disaster (i signed up this morning). The app isn't actually available on iTunes yet. It won't stream on my mac (I'm running OSX El Capitan 10.11.6 and Safari 10.0.1) even though I meet the system, OS, and browser requirements. It says you're supposed to download Silverlight to support their plug-in. Well, I downloaded it and it still won't work. They don't have a customer service contact. They have online chat (all chatters busy) and att forums. There's not even a way to report issues. I know it's a launch, but this is freaking AT&T, not some startup.

Erik don't know if this is the right place to post this, but here goes. I've been away from the forum for a bit (away from everything, actually) but I seem to be having troubles getting back in. My mac at home (2016 mac mini running most current OS and safari) I'm having the following issues: (1) logged in yesterday; was logged out today. (2) Clicked on the "existing user sign in" button on the top right but nothing happened. Had to click on the "create an account" button and then click the "existing user" button through that page. (3) couldn't access the forum drop-down menu from the top menu bar on the TST home page. My work computer (year-old Dell running windows and IE, but it's a Gov't computer so it updates OS and browser fairly regularly) has the following issue: won't stay logged in. It literally logs me out every time I leave the site to go to a different window. Happened today half a dozen times. My iPhone (5s set to update everything automatically) and iPad (mini2, also updates OS and browser automatically) won't stay logged in for more than 24 hours. WTF did I miss???

I wasn't paying much attention to this because I've been waiting for the Hulu release, but wow. It doesn't look like the page is active yet, but 100 channels for $35/month (part of their launch offer, but that price is good for as long as you remain a subscriber) PLUS a free Apple TV sounds awesome. If that deal includes ESPN/2/3 and 3 networks then I will be a DirectTV NOW subscriber very soon. I'm paid up with Sling through late December, but I will definitely look into this over the next few weeks and very well may pull the trigger at the first of the year. I'll let you all know how it goes. HOLY COW!!! I just saw a sneaked image (because the link to their website is non-functioning) here http://gizmodo.com/directv-now-makes-more-than-100-streaming-channels-avai-1789440342 that seems to imply that for $35 during their launch period you can get all the major networks and their affiliated channels (minus CBS), and all of the regional and conference sports networks, AND THE GOLF CHANNEL!!! And HBO is only a $5 add-on (as opposed to $15 on Sling). I AM SOLD!! Thanks @gregsandiego for posting this. Not sure how I missed it. I'll definitely be pre-paying 3 months ($105) to get a free 4th GEN Apple TV (which costs $160). Anyone want to buy two 3rd GEN Apple TVs?

Exactly. All of the telecoms are working right now to try to figure out how to package streaming content so they don't lose too much money. Sling is owned by Dish. Google is trying to launch streaming through YouTube. I read recently that CBS is partnering with someone. ABC, Fox, and NBC each own 30% of Hulu, which is why I think their live streaming service set to launch this spring could be a major game-changer. They've already delayed it a few times and they've supposedly signed content agreements with ABC, Disney, ESPN, Fox (and affiliated brands), and NBC. Hulu also has the best on-demand streaming service for network content (though Netflix is better for movies and original shows). If the networks get on board, the next major trap is data. If they (the telecoms) decide to shut down the pipes and/or charge per unit of data, then cord cutting could get really expensive for guys like me. Hopefully that won't be allowed to happen.

Yeah, as I noted at the end I'm not sure I'm "saving" a lot of money. But, there are some differences to account for (my last cable company was Verizon FiOS in SoCal)-- 1. I have HD & on demand in as many places as I want it (it takes me less than 2 minutes to take the TV from my gym and set it up on my back porch). Verizon was charging me $10/box for HD; $15/box for HD + DVR, and I was limited by cable outlets. Yes, I paid for the Apple TVs, but they're mine. And they do a whole lot more for me than just play my cable package. 2. I have HBO and Showtime factored into my price. My last cable company, 2 HD/DVR boxes + HBO would have cost $40 alone (and that's on top of the $35 basic HD package). If you're getting that for $119 then you have a MUCH better cable option than I had in California. 3. I know exactly what I'm paying for. I didn't buy a $89 "bundle" package, only to get a bill for $125 that jumps to $150 after 12 months. 4. I'm probably paying for more internet than I need. I'm not sure how much more, but probably more. 5. I don't have to deal with a cable company. At all. I can add, delete, or shut off content with the click of a mouse. 6. I'll bet in addition to your Charter bill you also pay for at least one streaming subscription (Netflix, Hulu, etc.). If you don't, I'll bet you rent a lot of on-demand content. If you do neither of these, then you don't use content the same way we do in our household so it's not a direct comparison. 7. I can't overstate how much I hated dealing with Verizon over content. I wanted to add the Golf Channel during the majors season. It took me 3 hours on the phone and two different package upgrades. Then my wife and I went on a week vacation; when we got back the channel still wasn't activated. Another 3 hour phonecall, and two days later, it was on--but I missed most of the US Open coverage. And guess what? I had to call them back in August to shut it off (because I was paying out the a$$ for their premier package just to get the GC, and I didn't want to keep doing that). If I wanted to do that now I'd just log into Sling and add the golf channel (a $10 add-on to their blue package). I'll add that there was a learning curve and I think I have a pretty good handle on it now. But I can see the future of streaming, and it's only going to get simpler, more integrated, and hopefully cheaper and more customizable as more providers get on board with streaming.

As I assess my options for 2017... It would be really awesome if professional golf could get on some kind of coherent plan for broadcast rights. CBS has the Masters, Fox the US Open, and NBC the British. The rest of the PGA Tour schedule is some combination of NBC & CBS, with a smattering of TBS, TNT, ESPN, and who knows what else. At least there's no ABC in there AFAIK. ABC is currently the worst for streaming live TV. (Although if ABC picked up golf, would it stream simultaneously on WatchESPN? I've heard rumors that the PGA Tour is considering scrapping it's current network deals with CBS & NBC.)

I've now been a cord cutter for exactly a year, and have lived through nearly an entire football season. I'm doing a reset based on what I've learned this year, and I'll share my setup and observations for comment. I've got a 100/100 FiOS connection. We paid $60/month for the first 12 months but I was just notified we're going up to $70/month (I think the router rental was free for the first year). For streaming we use a mac mini (connected to a 28-inch monitor which makes for a good 2nd football screen in the living room), 2 TVs with 4th Gen Apple TVs, 1 TV with an older Apple TV (used mostly by the kids watching Hulu, Youtube, iTunes, and PBS Kids), and an iPad (used a lot by the kids watching various video streams). For the most part we get good streams, though I've noticed intermittent buffering most often when we have 3 streams going simultaneously. I also have an OTA connected to 1 TV (in the room the kids mostly use), but I only use it for a football game I can't get on ESPN or one of my Sling network channels. I put it there because that's the only room in the house that gets a good OTA signal (at least on an indoor antenna). I was very close to purchasing a rooftop antenna and a Tablo that would stream to all of my TVs (over Apple TV). It was going to cost me about $500 in setup costs (gear and lifetime Tablo subscription), plus the work to mount the antenna and run any cabling inside. This would have given me live and recorded OTA in every room; I ultimately ditched this plan because I could get 3 of the 4 major networks (plus a lot more) with Sling + CBS All Access for $30 a month, and I'm hoping Hulu's live service coming out in 2017 will provide even more options. For content we use Hulu Plus, Sling Blue (Fox, FX, NBC, FS1, TNT, TBS, Food, Travel, and HGTV are watched most often), and I have a "borrowed" login for WatchESPN that is becoming less useful. That combo costs $33/month. I intermittently subscribe to Showtime (for a month at a time to binge on a few shows) and CBS All Access (e.g. for the Masters); I've probably paid for each about 3 months over the last year at a total cost of $50. That brings the total average cost of my "cable" to $38/month (plus internet connection). ABC is the least stream-friendly network. I really like CBS All Access (particularly when there were several PGA Tour events on CBS this year), but I enabled it last week specifically for an NFL Game and then was reminded that the NFL doesn't allow live streaming of games except through the Sunday Ticket package with DirectTV. Having one TV in the house that gets all four major OTA networks is important. If the internet gets overloaded, or I need that NFL game on CBS, I can always go down to the kids room. It's really cool to enable/disable HBO and Showtime access whenever I want. You can open up a wholecrapload of really good content by alternating HBO and Showtime each month. Key: each time you enable HBO or Showtime, immediately pull up settings in the App store and "cancel" so it doesn't auto-renew. I'm really hoping Hulu's spring launch opens up 2 networks + ESPN + all of their current content in one interface. That would be AWESOME!! (Based on my estimated watching appetite below, Hulu a price of about $40/month would make this a really good deal for me.) Pending something game-changing with Hulu's spring launch, here's how I expect to set up for 2016. Feb-Aug: Sling Orange + CBS All Access + Hulu Plus. $34/mo. This gives me ESPN/2/3, plus enough background noise channels (Travel, Food, TBS, HGTV), plus one network for local news. If there's something specific on one of the networks that I "need" I have the antenna downstairs. Sept-Jan: Sling Orange & Blue + Hulu Plus. $48/mo. This gives me ESPN/2/3, Fox, FS1, NBC, NBCSN for maximum football. Loses CBS, but that can always be added back in for $6 if I miss it too much. 4 months each (estimated) as needed based on shows I like and time available: HBO & Showtime. Total cost $104. Averaged monthly cost for all of this over the course of the year: $48. It occurs to me that this isn't a huge savings over what I would spend with a normal cable package (I'm guessing about $60 on top of my current internet bill). However, this allows me to get what I want when I want it. I don't have to deal with cable boxes or cable companies. And I get to sprinkle in some Showtime and HBO--I wouldn't pay for either (let alone both) through cable at a contract price of $120-150/year. Finally, I'm probably overlooking a ton of web-based content. I have a mac mini in my living room that's only a 10' HDMI cable away from my main TV. I need to leverage that for golf content next year.

That's a top-10 against (some of) the best in the world!

I think he can do that this week!

I have alerted the police. Does anyone see that as a problem? It seems that folks are extremely quick to judge their neighbors' behavior these days. Neighbors, BTW, who they probably don't know. Someone sees two kids from their own neighborhood playing alone in a playground in their own neighborhood and becomes concerned. Rather than go ask the kids what they're doing, or call the parents, they call the cops.

We did summer Phoenix trips two years in a row when I lived in CA; it's manageable and it's the best golf for the money you'll find anywhere at any time of year. I'd plan to play golf early and hike late, with some pool and naps in the middle. It will be very difficult to do anything outside between 1100 and 1700. I'll fourth the non-recommendation for TPC; better courses include: Troon North We ko pa Talking Stick

He's in the field again this week at Glen Abbey.

Does this one go down as a DJ win or a JD choke?

It is! That place is special to me. They met my daughter when she was still in the womb, then watched her grow up over 5 more visits in 3 years. They always remembered us, even in 2013 when things started to change.

He just shot 32 on the back nine. If he were on the forum, he would reply with this:

Yeah I guess I can't speak to how much rain they get there, but every time I've been on that property the wind was blowing over 30. And the 2013/14 event (can't remember which) is the only professional golf event I've ever hear of being suspended due to wind.

I don't think you can see Tiger's entire future in three misjudged or mishit wedge shots on one day. Tiger is clearly nowhere near being competitive right now, but he wasn't competitive in 2010-2011 (21 events played, 4 top 10s, scandal, injury, WDs, etc.) and then in 2012-13 he won 8 times and was POY in '13. Tiger could very well have won his last tournament, but he could also have another 8-10 wins 2017-18. Just as an example of how skewed any opinion of Tiger is: Tiger's 2012 season included 3 wins: Bay Hill, Memorial, and the National. His 2013 season included 5 wins: Torrey, WGC-Cadillac, Bay Hill, Player's Championship, and the WGC-Bridgestone. Those are all signature wins for just about any PGA Tour player. Those two seasons are far from "Tiger" that we all love and hope to see, and they came after two years plagued by injuries, WDs, and scandal. Let's compare it to the so-called Big-3: Jason Day: Tiger's 2012-13 is Jason Day's entire career minus one major (2015 PGA). Jordan Speith: Jordan has 8 wins in his career, spanning the last 3 years. (2 are majors, obviously.) Rory McIlroy: Rory has never had 8 wins in a 2-season stretch. Most he's had is 5 (twice) in 2011-2012 and 2014-2015. Again, I have no idea whether Tiger's back is going to get better again. There's no medical or scientific reason why a phenomenally fit 40-year old man can't fully recover from a microdiscetomy. I feel pretty confident that the best way to ensure a full recovery is for Tiger to go very, very slow and commit to his rehab--a year should be more than enough. If he does that--commit to rehab and give himself time to fully, completely heal--there is no reason why a healthy 41-year old legend shouldn't be able to surpass the accomplishments of a partially hobbled and fully distracted 37-year old legend. And that partially hobbled 37-year old was arguably better in 2012-2013 than your "Big-3" are now. I have a hard time accepting as fact that he'll never compete again. Yes, this too.