What video packages are available for Apple TV?

[Boomzilla]

I've currently got Amazon Prime video and am pleased with the content (a mix of movies & TV shows). But wife and I sat down the other day and calculated that we're paying almost $2,500 / year for cable TV. The majority of channels on the cable package we don't watch.

Local stations that we could just as easily get with an antenna include:

ABC
CBS
NBC
NPR

Additional stations that we get via cable (and do watch) include:

H&G TV
Sci-Fi
Travel Channel

I've already got an Apple TV, but up until now I've used solely for audio. If I could set up the Apple TV with an inexpensive package of the few channels that we actually watch, I could cancel the cable box and their expensive service.

Does anyone else here use an Apple TV? What packages do you recommend?

Thanks - Boom

[LuisV]

A good old fashion antenna, HDHomeRun and Plex would satisfy all local channels, plus a bunch of free ones from Plex.

amzn.to/4a4WlJb
www.plex.tv/

Discovery+ should cover HGTV, Sci-Fi and Travel Channel... I think its $4.99 / month with commercials or $8.99 without.  Don't subscribe through Amazon, go directly to Discovery+ as you loose a few channel options when bundled through Amazon.  

www.discoveryplus.com/

[doc1963]

Given your viewing habits and goals, the suggestion above makes perfect sense. I have an Apple TV, an HD HomeRun 4K Flex, Plex (but personally prefer the "Channels" app for TV viewing) and a ClearSteam 2V antenna. They work perfectly together to get service to every TV in my house via my home network.

These days, a TV antenna doesn't need to be a huge rooftop mounted eyesore. The ClearSteam 2V that I use is small and is barely noticeable, but can still pull in (stronger) signals up to 60 miles away without a booster. It's also small enough to be tucked away in an attic space, but will lose some range. But for local stations, it would still work perfectly.

For any antenna, make sure that it performs equally as well for both UHF and VHF (preferably using a dipole segment for VHF). The ClearSteam V2 (found HERE) does fit that criteria. Antennas Direct also has an app (AntennaPoint) that installs on your cellphone that can assist you with "pointing" your antenna in the preferred direction.

Keep in mind, though, that watching "live" TV through Plex requires the purchase of either a monthly subscription ($4.99) or a lifetime "Plex Pass" ($119.99). Both Plex options include DVR capability. Recordings are stored locally on your Plex Server. Personally, I went straight to purchasing a Plex Pass which does include additional perks.

The "Channels" app, on the other hand, is a one time purchase, but does not include DVR capability. DVR service can be added to the Channels app for an additional monthly fee.

Good luck with whatever method you choose, but if you want to get rid of expensive cable TV services, this is definitely the way to go... at least until ATSC 3.0 takes over and DRM enforcement screws everything up.

[AudioHTIT]

Mar 23, 2024 6:15:10 GMT -5 doc1963 said:

…
For any antenna, make sure that it performs equally as well for both UHF and VHF (preferably using a dipole segment for VHF). The ClearSteam V2 (found HERE) does fit that criteria. Antennas Direct also has an app (AntennaPoint) that installs on your cellphone that can assist you with "pointing" your antenna in the preferred direction. …

That’s interesting, what besides FM still uses VHF? (while FM is enough reason for me, I use a directional antenna for UHF and omni for FM).

Edit: I run my UHF into a Tablo and can then ‘stream’ it to Apps on ATV, iPad, etc, and have DVR services (without a subscription).

[doc1963]

Mar 23, 2024 10:14:03 GMT -5 AudioHTIT said:

Mar 23, 2024 6:15:10 GMT -5 doc1963 said:

…
For any antenna, make sure that it performs equally as well for both UHF and VHF (preferably using a dipole segment for VHF). The ClearSteam V2 (found HERE) does fit that criteria. Antennas Direct also has an app (AntennaPoint) that installs on your cellphone that can assist you with "pointing" your antenna in the preferred direction. …

That’s interesting, what besides FM still uses VHF? (while FM is enough reason for me, I use a directional antenna for UHF and omni for FM).

Edit: I run my UHF into a Tablo and can then ‘stream’ it to Apps on ATV, iPad, etc, and have DVR services (without a subscription).

There are a few TV stations in my area (the Baltimore/Washington DC market) that still transmit using Hi-VHF frequencies. Not all markets are the same.

There are websites that can tell you what frequencies your local stations broadcast over. If the stations in your particular market don’t use VHF, then a “UHF only” antenna would be good enough. But if any still use VHF, then you better be pretty close to the transmission towers or you’d be out of luck without a VHF segment on your antenna.