Cover image for Cord Cutting For Dummies

Cord Cutting For Dummies

Release Date: 2021/06/01
ISBN: 9781119800934
Topic:
0%
24
Chapters
0-1
Hours read
0k
Total Words
    Start Reading Now    
       Add to Wishlist       
View table of contents

Cut the cable television cord and cut your monthly bills

Are you one of those people who have 500 television channels to choose from and you can never find anything to watch? Maybe it’s time to cut the cable cord and take full control of what’s on your television. All you need to get started with this popular money saving strategy is an Internet connection, a device to stream to, and the advice in this book.

With Cord Cutting For Dummies, you go from evaluating if cord cutting is the right choice for your budget to acquiring the technology to get the programming you actually want. You’ll discover the technology you need for streaming, select the service or services that fit your needs, and make the components of your setup work together—all within your budget. Cord Cutting For Dummies offers the steps to going from wired to wireless, including:

  • Deciding if you need to upgrade your Wi-Fi equipment and service.
  • Evaluating your current devices.
  • Adding a smart TV to the mix.
  • Choosing the best streaming services for you—including some free options

When you’re ready to untether yourself from the cable or satellite, Cord Cutting For Dummies shows you, step by step, how to break free. Pick up a copy and you’ll be watching your favorite movie or TV show in no time!

Table of Contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Foolish Assumptions
    3. Icons Used in This Book
    4. Beyond the Book
    5. Where to Go from Here
  5. Part 1: Some Cord-Cutting Basics
    1. Chapter 1: Why Cut the Cord?
    2. What's So Bad about Cable? (Let Me Count the Ways)
    3. Some Reasons Why Cutting the Cord Might Not Be for You
    4. The Benefits of Severing Your Connection to the Cable Company
    5. Surveying the Cord-Free Landscape
    6. Chapter 2: Snip, Snip. Your 7-Step Plan to Going Cord-Free
    7. Step 1: Deciding What You Want to Watch
    8. Step 2: Figuring Out the Equipment You Need
    9. Step 3: Making a Streaming Services Budget
    10. Step 4: Trying Out Lots of Streaming Services — for Free!
    11. Step 5: Subscribing to Streaming Services
    12. Step 6: Doing a Cord-Cutting Test Drive
    13. Step 7: Cutting the Cord —Woo-Hoo!
  6. Part 2: Cord Cutting Made Easy with Over-the-Air TV
    1. Chapter 3: Understanding Over-the-Air TV
    2. OTA? OTT? Live TV? What on Earth Is Everyone Talking About?
    3. How Over-the-Air TV Works
    4. What Channels Can You Access?
    5. Chapter 4: Choosing and Setting Up OTA Hardware
    6. What Equipment Do You Need?
    7. Choosing an OTA Digital Antenna
    8. Installing Your Antenna
    9. Connecting Your Antenna
    10. Scanning for OTA Channels
    11. Chapter 5: Watching Over-the-Air and Live TV
    12. Watching Over-the-Air TV Using a Regular TV
    13. Watching Over-the-Air TV Using a Smart TV
    14. Watching Over-the-Air TV Using a Streaming Device
    15. Look, Ma, No Antenna! Streaming Live TV
  7. Part 3: Cable-Free Viewing with Streaming Services
    1. Chapter 6: The Hardware You Need for Streaming
    2. Let's Talk TVs
    3. Streamers: Set-Top Box or Dongle?
    4. What to Look for in a Streaming Media Player
    5. Smart TVs for Streaming Media
    6. Setting Up Your Hardware
    7. Chapter 7: Getting Your Internet Access Ready for Streaming
    8. Investing in a New Router
    9. Extending Your Wi-Fi Network
    10. How Much Bandwidth Is Enough?
    11. Understanding How Streaming Works
    12. I Feel the Need — the Need for Speed!
    13. Chapter 8: Checking Out Free Streaming Services
    14. Is There Such a Thing as a Free Lunch?
    15. What to Expect from Free Streaming Services
    16. Some Free Streaming Services to Check Out
    17. Chapter 9: Checking Out Paid Streaming Services
    18. What to Expect from Paid Streaming Services
    19. What Types of Paid Streaming Services Are Available?
    20. On-Demand Streaming Services
    21. Cable-Replacement Services
    22. Checking Out Premium Channels
  8. Part 4: The Part of Tens
    1. Chapter 10: Ten Ways to Save Money in a Cord-Free World
    2. Get the Smallest OTA Antenna Possible
    3. Don't Get Too Much Internet
    4. Take Advantage of Skinny Bundles
    5. Don't Commit Until You're Amazed at Your Luck
    6. Watch New Shows on the Cheap
    7. Subscribe Strategically
    8. Keep an Eye on Your Subscriptions
    9. Get a Credit Card Offering Streaming Cash Back
    10. Give Up the Premium Subscription Plan
    11. Save on Sports
    12. Chapter 11: Ten Tips for Troubleshooting Streaming Woes
    13. Check Your Streaming Device's Download Speed
    14. Restart Your Streaming Device
    15. Check Your Streaming Device for Updates
    16. Reset Your Streaming Device
    17. Check Your Wi-Fi Connection Speed
    18. Reset Your Wi-Fi
    19. Make Some Wi-Fi Adjustments
    20. Troubleshoot an Unresponsive Streaming Device
    21. Troubleshoot a Blank TV Screen
    22. Upgrade Your Hardware
  9. Glossary
  10. Index
  11. About the Author
  12. Connect with Dummies
  13. End User License Agreement
18.191.234.62