Mine's been cut for about six months. Only using the evil Comcast for internet.

Consider TV fare is basically now nothing but leftist SJW propaganda (including sports), no biggie.

For anyone considering Netfiix, it's brutal. Shoving homo-themes movies at you. Same of Hulu.

Mine's been cut for about six months. Only using the evil Comcast for internet.

I had stopped even watching it so my cord is cut now. I just have Amazon Prime and my home Plex media server. And I don't use Amazon much.

Anyway, I knew we had some cordcutters here at LF so I thought I'd post this tidbit.

How is Prime?

Any older fare that's worthy? (Older TV and movies?)

Be interesting to poll LFers on how many have cut the cord.

Any older fare that's worthy? (Older TV and movies?)

Some, nowhere near a real collection IMO. It varies too, depending on which studios they have contracts with. About the same as others. I think Hulu probably is your best bet for a big selection of classic TV shows.

Be interesting to poll LFers on how many have cut the cord.

You, me, Stone, sneakypete come to mind. I think there are a few others. That's a fair number, considering none of us are in the prime cordcutter age group of under-40's.

Cable will go away, the same way that cellphones have mostly killed landlines to the home. Starts with the young people, older folks join in.

I think there are a few others. That's a fair number, considering none of us are in the prime cordcutter age group of under-40's.

I was intending to write an article on cord-cutting, which means different things to different people. To me, it means using internet to as nearly as possible duplicate my DirecTV experience, at a greatly reduced price. Some have the goal of reducing the price to as near to zero as possible with acceptable inconvenience.

To me, it means using internet to as nearly as possible duplicate my DirecTV experience, at a greatly reduced price.

Sure. I dumped Directv too. But I could have just subscribed to their basic $35 internet package instead, a considerable savings since I already have high-speed internet (only 20Mbps but plenty fast for 1080p).

The whole era of small dishes may just go away if SpaceX carries through on Elon Musk's plan to launch a global system of satellite internet via 2,000 small low-orbit satellites that he is planning. These would launch into low orbit and they would have to replace them every few years as they fell into the atmosphere and burned up. But that is still years away.

In the meantime, cable news profits continue to shrink as their base is reduced to the over-fifty crowd. So cable news can't get new customers and is left with their core audience of old farmers out in flyover country staring at the boobs and legs of scantily clad news strumpets on Fox News. It's a captive audience but a shrinking one. And it is not the profitable 18-54 advertising demographic that brings in top ad rates.

Sure. I dumped Directv too. But I could have just subscribed to their basic $35 internet package instead, a considerable savings since I already have high-speed internet (only 20Mbps but plenty fast for 1080p).

Directv Now's lack of a cloud DVR capability means watching live only. That is a deal breaker for me.

Playstation Vue offers about the same channel lineup for $35 (going to $44.99 on 1 Nov). Directv Now's $35 is an introductory price, going up. Playstation Vue offers cloud recording. Just add a show to My Shows and watch whenever.

Directv Now's lack of a cloud DVR capability means watching live only. That is a deal breaker for me.

I know that was the initial deal but I thought that they started offering a cloud-based DVR solution months back. Anyway, they were supposed to. What I recall of the announcement is that you could mark something you recorded and want to Keep and it would stay in the Directv cloud available to you for six months (or maybe it was a year). Then it could be auto-deleted by them. I just recall you couldn't assume you could keep a recording forever but it was long enough for most people.

I thought at the time it was so you couldn't just keep your big Superbowl recording and skip buying the Blu-ray disc. Or so you could keep all your TV series recordings and never buy the box set of the series.

I looked a bit more and found that Directv's cloud DVR is in beta testing now, expected to release nationwide this fall. Apparently, you'll be limited to 100 shows stored on it. Which makes no sense, considering they aren't storing individual copies of anything. I suppose they would say that their contracts with various studios preclude allowing them to run an unlimited cloud DVR for their customers although that would clearly be technically possible without incurring any more storage costs.

I thought at the time it was so you couldn't just keep your big Superbowl recording and skip buying the Blu-ray disc. Or so you could keep all your TV series recordings and never buy the box set of the series.

That is a convenient possibility with the Tivo with 2T drive and a good antenna. Digital TV tends to provide rock solid reception, and the good OTA signal will always be better than cable or sat, both of which are better than internet. OTA does not compress the signal, cable and sat do, and internet does it more. It is just a matter of bandwidth. Internet tends to display the occasional compression artifact, notably on the edges of straight lines. Mostly, this is nitpicking.

Loss of speed will result in signal downgrade from 1080 to 720 to 480 and that will not be nitpicking. That may be just the visible difference one accepts in exchange for a free signal.

Another consideration is sound quality, especially if one plans playback on a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound home theater system. As far as I know, the cable channel providers transmit a PCM stream 2-channel stereo signal. I can get that to show up on the receiver as PL II X Movie, a Dolby 2-channel reception that can be expanded to 5.1 or 7.1 by adding synthesized channels. That does not produce the audio effect of TV, cable or satellite Dolby-encrypted 5.1 channel sound. This is speaking of the signal as provided from a Roku Ultima, using either a digital optical or HDMI cable.

This is not an issue to OTA channels, Amazon or Netflix, all of which send in an apparent Dolby-encoded 5.1 channel stream. The Roku still decrypts that to 2-channel. However, a Tivo Bolt natively handles OTA, Amazon, Netflix, and more. The Tivo Bolt provides the Dolby D encrypted sound which the receiver shows as Dolby D EX, a 5.1 channel sound which expands to 7.1 by synthesizing the 2 rear channels. The sound rivals anything on cable or satellite.

Copping HBO as an Amazon add-on channel also gets the same sound. This would presmuaby work for the HBO Now! app (not to be confused with HBO GO) on Tivo, but I have not tried tried that.

Of course, none of this on sound quality has much to do with someone planning to listen to the built-in tv speakers.

An added benny to the Tivo is afforded for playback of almost all OTA shows. Called commercial skip, when a commercial starts, hit the d key, and the playback skips the whole block of ads and resumes with the program. It closely approximates commercial free viewing.

Good points on Dolby and surround sound. And on the low quality some streaming services offer.

BTW, not sure if it merits a thread of its own since the investigations are not complete yet but:

AmericanMilitaryNews: Navy fires top Admiral and Capt. of 7th Fleet for ‘loss of confidence’ as it investigates deadly destroyer collisions

The U.S. Navy has relieved Rear Adm. Charles Williams, commander of Combined Task Force 70, and Capt. Jeffery Bennett, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 15, from their respective positions, it announced Monday. The firings come amid an investigation into the deadly destroyer collisions over the summer that have killed 17 U.S. sailors, combined. Vice Adm. Phil Sawyer, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet, relieved the officers from their posts due to “a loss of confidence in their ability to command,” the Navy said.

You know I can't resist the followup...

Navy fires top Admiral and Capt. of 7th Fleet for ‘loss of confidence’ as it investigates deadly destroyer collisions

To unscramble that headline, the Navy just relieved the Commander, Combined Task Force 70, and the Commander, Destroyer Squadron Fifteen; not the top anything of the Seventh Fleet.

RADM Charles Williams, Commander, Combined Task Force 70. (relieved)

CAPT Jeffrey A. Bennett II, Commander, Destroyer Squadron Fifteen. (relieved)

VADM Joseph AuCoin Commander, Seventh Fleet. (relieved in August) This was the top admiral of the seventh fleet who was relieved last month.

RADM Phil Sawyer became Commander, Seventh Fleet and was promoted to VADM, the top admiral of the Seventh Fleet. It was VADM Sawyer who did the recent firing of RADM Williams and CAPT Bennett.

There is no such position as the top Captain of the Seventh Fleet. The big cheese of the fleet is a Vice Admiral.

In the first collision, the U.S. ship presented its right (starboard) side to the bow (front) of the oncoming tanker. Relatively speaking, the tanker was on the right (to starboard), and the destroyer was on the left (to port) as viewed from the ships. The tanker had the right of way. When you get T-boned on the right side, it is really difficult to make up a rational explanation. (Even if coming from the other side, you don't play chicken with a ship three times your size.)

The likely explanation came last month when the Vice Admiral was relieved. They were sailing with expired training certificates.

http://dailycaller.com/2017/09/06/training-certificates-for-numerous-seventh-fleet-ships-expired-before-deadly-collisions/

Training Certificates For Numerous Seventh Fleet Ships Expired Before Deadly Collisions

Ryan Pickrell
China/Asia Pacific Reporter
3:49 PM 09/06/2017

The Seventh Fleet may have a severe readiness problem, according to a government watchdog.

The warfare training certifications for eight out of 11 U.S. Navy destroyers and cruisers based in Japan, home to the U.S. Seventh Fleet, expired as of June, according to CNN, which cites an unpublished report from the Government Accountability Office. The certificates were for mobility and seamanship, air warfare, and undersea warfare.

[...]

“Navy officials told us that US-based crews are completely qualified and certified prior to deploying from their US homeports, with few exceptions,” he added. “In contrast, the high operational tempo of ships homeported overseas had resulted in what Navy personnel called a ‘train on the margins’ approach, a shorthand way to say there was no dedicated training time set aside for the ships so crews trained while underway or in the limited time between underway periods.”

The entire chain of command was ignoring expired training certificates.

I present some of their histories without much comment. This is two flag officers and a destroyer squadron commander. You may find it somewhat informative.

http://www.c7f.navy.mil/Leadership/Display/Article/644276/commander-us-7th-fleet-vice-adm-joseph-p-aucoin/

Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin

Vice Admiral Joseph P. Aucoin

Aucoin graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and received his commission through the University of North Carolina Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program in 1980. He was designated a naval flight officer in 1981 and reported to Fighter Squadron (VF) 101 for initial training in the F-14 Tomcat.

Aucoin served in VF-33 "Tarsiers" embarked aboard USS America (CV 66); VF-101 as an instructor; VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" embarked aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68); and, VF-41 "Black Aces" embarked aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). He served as Carrier Air Wing 8 operations officer embarked aboard Theodore Roosevelt and returned to VF-41 as commanding officer embarked aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and Theodore Roosevelt. He commanded Carrier Air Wing 5 forward deployed in Japan and embarked aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). He commanded Carrier Strike Group 3 homeported in Bremerton, Washington, and embarked aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).

Ashore, he has served in the Program Planning and Development Branch (OPNAV N801); Programming and Budget Division Joint Staff (J8 PBAD); Aviation Strike Warfare Requirements (OPNAV N880); head, Program Planning and Development Branch (OPNAV N801); head, Maritime, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Aviation Training Plans and Programs (OPNAV N882); deputy director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N88B); and director, Programming Division (OPNAV N80). From May 2013, Aucoin served as deputy chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems (OPNAV N9). Aucoin assumed his current responsibilities as Commander, U.S. SEVENTH Fleet in Sept 2015.

Aucoin has accumulated more than 4,700 hours and more than 1,300 carrier-arrested landings. His personal awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross with "V" and Bronze Stars. He is an Arthur S. Moreau Scholar and holds master's degrees in Public Administration from Harvard University and in National Security Studies and Strategic Affairs from the Naval War College.

Note: When a pilot, as part of a squadron, flies onto a carrier, he is not a crew member of the ship. He is a member of the squadron.

http://www.public.navy.mil/surfor/cds-15/Pages/Bio1.aspx#.WcGW59GQxaQ

Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15 (COMDESRON FIFTEEN)

September 26, 2016 - Present
CAPT Jeffrey A. Bennett
Commodore

Captain Jeffrey A. Bennett II is from Michigan, and a 1992 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Naval Architecture. He also earned a Master of Science in Applied Physics Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

His sea assignments include command of USS STOCKDALE (DDG 106) and MCM Crew CONSTANT, where he had command of USS GLADIATOR (MCM 11), USS DEXTROUS (MCM 13), and USS AVENGER (MCM 1). Captain Bennett also served in USS ANTIETAM (CG 54) and USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (FFG 58).

Ashore, Captain Bennett served as Senate Director in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Legislative Affairs, Military Assistant at the Defense Business Board, and as a defense fellow for Senator Jeff Sessions. He also served on the Chief of Naval Operations Staff, Surface Warfare Directorate (N86), and at Naval Personnel Command (PERS 41).

Note: the vessel designation MCM does not begin with USS, the designation for United States Ship, the official ships of the U.S. Navy. It is a mine countermeasures vessel.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenger-class_mine_countermeasures_ship

Hull

The hulls of the Avenger-class ships are constructed of wood with an external coating of fiberglass. The wood used is oak, Douglas fir and Nootka Cypress because of their flexibility, strength and low weight. This construction allows the hull to withstand a nearby blast from a mine, and also gives the ship a low magnetic signature.

[...]

General Characteristics:

Type: Mine countermeasures ship
Displacement: 1,312 tons
Length: 224 ft (68 m)
Beam: 39 ft (12 m)
Draft: 15 ft (4.6 m)

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/bio.asp?bioID=778

Rear Admiral Charles Williams
Special Assistant to Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet

Rear Adm. Charles Williams is a native of Virginia. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia in 1985 with a degree in history and commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Program. He holds master’s degrees in systems engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and in National Security from the Naval Command and Staff College.

Williams’ previous sea duty assignments include tours aboard USS Deyo (DD 989), USS Elliot (DD 967) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54). He commanded USS Firebolt (PC 10) and USS Stethem (DDG 63).

Williams served as the first deputy commodore in Destroyer Squadron 15 in Yokosuka, Japan, and then as commodore and Strike Force Anti-Submarine Warfare commander for Commander Task Force 70, where he was the on-scene commander for the Navy’s response to the sinking of the Republic of Korea ship Cheonan. He then reported to Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet as the chief of staff, where he served from July 2010 to July 2012, including during Operation Tomodachi, the U.S. response to support Japan in disaster relief following the March 2011 Great East Japan earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.

Ashore, he served in the Joint Staff, in the Command, Control, Communications and Computers (J-6) directorate, Current Operations Division. Williams also served as head, Surface Warfare Junior Officer Assignments, in Pers-41 in Millington, Tennessee; and as deputy, Surface Warfare Combat Systems, on the chief of naval operations staff. He was assigned as commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific; commander, Task Force (CTF) 73; and Singapore area coordinator.

Williams’ decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal among other individual and unit awards.

Updated: 18 September 2017

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Firebolt

USS Firebolt (PC-10) is the 10th member of the Cyclone-class of coastal patrol boats. She is a 174 ft (53 m) vessel with a crew of approximately 30 sailors, normally homeported at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. Her armament includes two Mk38 chain guns, two Mk19 automatic grenade launchers, and two .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns, as well as six Stinger missiles. She was laid down by Bollinger Shipyards on 17 September 1993, launched on 10 June 1994, and commissioned into the Navy on 10 June 1995.

CDR Charles F. Williams, Commanding Officer, USS Stethem (DD-63), July 3, 2003 to May 12, 2005.

http://www.uscarriers.net/ddg63history.htm

July 3 [2003], Cmdr. Charles F. Williams relieved Cmdr. David W. Melin, as commanding officer of USS Stethem. Melin was CO since Nov. 21, 2001. Foreign port visits during Melin’s tour included two trips to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and most recently, Victoria, British Columbia. Stateside port visits included Juneau, Alaska; and Seattle, Wash., for annual Seafair Festival.

September 26, [2003] USS Stethem pulled into Port Hueneme, Calif., for a three-day port visit to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Navy’s Seabee (Construction Battalion) community; Held an "Open House" from Sept. 27-28.

May 27, 2004 Raytheon Company’s Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile officially achieved initial operation capability (IOC) with the loading of the first missile aboard the Stethem.

June 11, [2004] USS Stethem recently pulled into Portland, Ore., to participate in the 97th annual Portland Rose Festival.

September 21, [2004] USS Stetham conducted Tomahawk OTL while underway off the coast of southern California, from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) sea ranges, that flew a fully-guided 674-nautical-mile land-attack mission. The test marked the first such use of a new Tomahawk block IV production missile. The first Production Verification Test was conducted at Naval Surface Warfare Center's Indian Head Division on Sept. 16. The new capabilities that Block IV Tomahawk brings to the Navy’s sea strike capability are derived from the missile’s two-way satellite data link that enables the missile to respond to changing battlefield conditions. The missile can be redirected to a new target and for the first time it can execute Global Positioning System (GPS) missions.

[May 12, 2005 CDR Charles Williams relieved by CDR Robert P Gonzalez]

June 17, 2005 USS Stethem arrived in its new homeport of Fleet Activities Yokosuka in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. [Under Command of CDR Robert P Gonzalez.]

You certainly outdid yourself with that research.

I think I'll be lucky to recall the ranks of the relieved officers in two weeks, let alone their names.

I do expect that the Navy is undergoing a top-to-bottom review of its training program and operations and not in just the Pacific fleet.

The endless Mideast wars and the defense sequester have taken their toll on multiple branches. The ICBM program was neglected, the B52's as well. And now the Navy has problems navigating in civilian sea traffic.

Look at what is NOT there.

VADM Aucoin commanded some squadrons which embarked on a ship. He held staff positions ashore. It appears he never commanded a ship at sea, or was ever a ship's officer at sea. And then he was head of the Seventh Fleet.

RADM Williams commanded a 174-ft patrol boat, and for 22 months the USS USS Stethem (DDG 63) 7/2003 - 5/2005. It appears they went to Portland, Oregon and sailed offshore southern California doing tests. When the ship left for Japan, it picked up a new CO.

CAPT Bennett was commanding officer of the USS Stockdale (DDG-106) April 2010 - October 2011. The maiden deployment for Stockdale was 30 November 2010 – 22 July 2011. The MCM craft he commanded were wooden hulled, 224 ft. mine countermeasures vessels.

Surely those cannot be typical.

Or are our naval leadership positions entirely hollowed out from retirements and our navy now led by callow youth?

It kind of reminds you of what you're likely to end up with when all the Pentagon thinks about is how to celebrate sodomy in the ranks and Trannies Uber Alles.