If you receive Internet service from a cable TV provider, you should stop paying monthly modem rental fee and own the gear! The Arris SURFboard SB6190 Cable Modem features 32-channel bonding (downstream) for data rate support exceeding 1.4Gbps! The SB6190 is simple to setup, supports IPv6, and is compatible with all major cable providers including Comcast/Xfinity, Cox, Charter, Time Warner, Mediacom, and Bright House. Cable data subscribers on a budget can go with the SB6183 that halves the number of downstream channels limiting its max download rate to a still-zippy 686Mbps!
Favorite Cordcutting Gear
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The Roku 4 Streaming Media Player has arrived! The awesome enhanced remote control we all love makes a triumphant return with its wireless headphone jack for private enjoyment and voice search functionality built-in. I also appreciate the new lost remote finder feature that triggers a sound from the remote with the press of a button on the main unit. The Roku platform still provides thousands of curated channels streaming a wide variety of sports, music, news, and kids' programming. The most notable updates for the Roku 4 compared to the Roku 3 are its quad-core CPU, optical digital audio output, and 4K Ultra HD video output via HDMI. If you have been waiting for a Roku that brings Ultra HD video to your new Ultra HD TV, look no further!
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The 2015 Roku 3 with voice search is among the very best streaming media players made today, and it's the first product I'd recommend to cordcutters who don't own Apple computers and/or phones (think Apple TV instead). The Roku 3 features built-in dual-band WiFi and up to 1080p output, and it can stream more than 2000 'channels' of movies, TV shows, and sports programming. Of course it also streams popular services like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube, HBO Go, Pandora, and more. The Roku 3 includes an RF-based motion-control remote that's perfect for gaming, and it has a built-in headphone jack for simplified private listening. Add the free Roku app for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone for even more search and control options.
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I purchased the WallTenna for use at home and it's the best investment I've made as a person who has given up subscription TV for free over-the-air (OTA) HD reception - aka a cord cutter. The WallTenna features a flat, semi-rigid design that holds its shape well while being easy to conceal - mine hangs in a relatively unused window. The WallTenna's superb reception performance, low price, and ease of use make it easy to recommend.
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You don't need to pay for an expensive subscription TV plan to enjoy live programming! A simple antenna enables any HDTV to receive local HD channels for free in crystal clear digital quality. Amazon's Ultra-Thin Indoor HDTV Antenna is a thin and flat design that's perfect for hanging in a nearby window or for easy concealment behind a wall mounted TV or nearby hanging picture. I use a similar antenna to receive local programming and I'm impressed with the sensitivity of this design and its ease of setup - connect the 15-foot coax cable to the RF input on a TV and run the DTV channel scan. This Amazon-branded antenna is made in the U.S.A., is reversable with black and white sides, and it's a terrific value!
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Ditching an expensive subscription TV plan (aka cordcutting) doesn't mean you have to give up live programming! Connecting a simple antenna enables any HDTV to receive local HD channels for free in crystal clear digital quality. The HD Frequency Cable Cutter is designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. by a talented group of radio engineers and scientists who optimized its design to provide a bit of extra reception oomph! If the old 'rabbit ears' are missing a few local stations, this antenna is a solid upgrade.
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The Channel Master DVR+ is my favorite dual-tuner over-the-air (OTA) DVR for many great reasons: no monthly fees, a compact design, and many storage options! The beauty of a dual-tuner DVR like the DVR+ is that you can watch one live channel while recording another - something single-tuner DVRs cannot do. I'm also pleased with how Channel Master regularly updates the DVR+ with new functionality including premium multimedia streaming options. If you are looking for a no-fee OTA DVR that provides a terrific HD viewing experience in a super-compact design, take a look at the Channel Master DVR+.
Read my review of the Channel Master DVR+
For more information about ditching an expensive cable/satellite/fiber subscription, check out Heron Fidelity's Cord Cutting Guide
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The HomeWorx HW180STB from Mediasonic is the latest version of the popular subscription-free single-tuner over-the-air (OTA) DVR - the original HW-150PVR is still available, but I suggest going with the newer hardware since it is slightly less expensive! The HW180STB is simple to setup and use: connect a capable antenna (Walltenna is a favorite) and add some storage to save recorded shows (flash drive up to 64GB or external HDD up to 2TB). I recommend a dual-tuner or quad-tuner OTA DVR for greater recording and playback flexibility (like viewing on live channel while recording another), but this favorite value pick for a single-tuner is very affordable and a perfect match for the HDMI pass-through on the Xbox One HD game console.
For more information about ditching an expensive cable/satellite/fiber subscription, check out Heron Fidelity's Cord Cutting Guide
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The Tablo is an over-the-air (OTA) multi-tuner digital video recorder (DVR) that connects to your home network and streams local HD television goodness directly to smartphones, tablets, PCs, and popular streaming appliances connected to traditional televisions. I was impressed with Tablo's clean user interface, performance, and how seamlessly it delivered recorded shows to mobile devices anywhere there was a fast data connection via cell or WiFi networks! I found the two-tuner version adequate for smaller households, and a four-tuner model is available for handling multiple active viewers. For cordcutters looking to ditch an expensive subscription TV service, the Tablo is an affordable alternative worth considering.
Read my full review of the Tablo DVR
Read Heron Fidelity's Cord Cutting Guide
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The Kworld USB ATSC TV Stick includes everything you need to quickly transform a Windows PC or notebook into a HDTV with record and playback capabilities. This affordable single tuner receiver connects via USB to the host PC so there is no need to install a card or configure a remote network device. The Kworld ATSC tuner package includes a compact antenna and all the software necessary to enjoy free local live HD television broadcasts, and it is also compatible with Windows Media Center. While I always recommend at least a dual tuner over-the-air (OTA) product for increased recording and playback flexibility, the Kworld USB ATSC TV Stick is an affordable way to easily add TV viewing to your PC's multimedia arsenal.
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The HDHomeRun EXTEND from SiliconDust features h.264 encoding for improved compatibility with most mobile devices. Think of it as an over-the-air (OTA) dual tuner that provides free HDTV + a mobile app + game console compatibility + network streaming! I've used SiliconDust tuners at home for a few years with a home theater PC and couldn't be more pleased with its performance, features, and company support. If you don't need h.264 support and only need a solid OTA dual tuner, the HDHomeRun CONNECT is a great value!
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If you are tired of renting a weak and inefficient cable DVR, it's time to build you own! The SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME is an excellent 3 tuner CableCARD device that connects to a home network and streams content directly to compatible devices. Compatible with subscription and unencrypted digital cable, the PRIME can stream live cable TV programming to a home theater PC, HD game consoles, and to mobile devices via a new Android HD app (Google Play/Amazon).
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If you are tired of renting a crappy cable TV DVR, consider building your own home theater PC (HTPC)! The Ceton InfiniTV 6 PCIe is a reliable way of enabling a HTPC to record up to SIX cable TV stations simultaneously. If you instead desire a network-enable tuner, please consider some of the many excellent SiliconDust tuner products.
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If WiFi isn't supplying your connected devices with enough bandwidth, consider linking them through your home's powerlines! I've been using a ZyXEL ethernet powerline kit for a couple of years now to connect a network-enabled over-the-air (OTA) TV tuner on one side of the house to a router on the other side of the house. The ZyXEL's pass-through power designs also enables continued use of the outlet. The PLA4225KIT integrates a 4-port gigabit Ethernet swtich, and the company offers a variety of powerline networking options to suit any need or budget.
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Asus WiFi Routers like the RT-AC68U offer impressive wired and wireless speed in an easy to configure package, and they are highly rated by the respected crew at SmallNetBuilder. If the AC68U is more router than you need, consider the more affordable Asus RT-AC66U - the AC66U's I have are still running strong after years of 24/7 use! All of these terrific Asus WiFi routers offer Gigabit Ethernet support and strong wireless performance.
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Stop buying cans of compressed flammable gasses to dust your sensitive electronics! The ED500 DataVac delivers a constant, powerful, stream of slightly-warmed room air to remove dust and debris from your gear! My Home Theater PC and other gear is dust-free thanks to the ED500!
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