Ultimate Newbies Cord Cutting Wiki Guide

The Ultimate Cord Cutting Wiki Guide for Newbies: How to Save Money and Take Control of Your TV Viewing Experience

Are you tired of paying high cable bills every month and getting limited TV options? It's time to cut the cord and take control of your TV viewing experience!

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of cutting the cord, step by step. Whether you're a complete beginner or just curious about the world of cord cutting, this guide is for you.

Here's what you'll learn:

What is Cord Cutting?
Benefits of Cord Cutting
Equipment You Need to Get Started
Best Streaming Services for Kids and Families
Best Streaming Services for Adults 18+
How to Choose the Right Streaming Device
Troubleshooting Common Cord Cutting Issues
Tips for Saving Money on Streaming Services


With this guide, you'll be able to say goodbye to high cable bills and take control of your TV viewing experience. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to cut the cord and join the cord cutting revolution!

What is Cord Cutting?

When people talk about "cutting the cord," they're usually talking about getting rid of cable TV. Cable TV is like a big, long rope that brings shows and movies into your home from a company. But now, people can watch shows and movies on their computers, tablets, or even their phones!

When you cut the cord, you're breaking the connection with the cable TV company and finding other ways to watch what you want. It's like breaking the rope that was tying you to one way of watching TV.

Nowadays, there are lots of streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu that you can subscribe to and watch on your device of choice. This means you can watch what you want, when you want, without having to pay for cable TV. Cutting the cord can save you money, and give you more control over what you watch.

Benefits of Cutting the Cord

Cord cutting is when you stop paying for cable TV and start watching shows and movies through other means, like streaming services. There are lots of benefits to cord cutting that can make it a great choice for families!

1. Save Money: Cable TV can be expensive, especially when you add up all the extra fees and taxes. When you cut the cord, you'll only have to pay for the streaming services you use, which can save you a lot of money in the long run.

2. More Control: With cable TV, you have to watch what the cable company decides to show you. But with cord cutting, you get to choose what you watch and when you watch it. You can pick and choose your favorite shows and movies and watch them whenever you want. 

3. More Options: There are lots of different streaming services available, like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. Each of these services has a different selection of shows and movies, so you can choose the ones that you and your family like the most.

4. Better Quality: Streaming services use high-speed internet to deliver shows and movies, which means you'll get a better picture and sound quality than you would with cable TV.

5. Easy to Use: Cord cutting is easy to set up and use. You'll just need a streaming device and a good internet connection. And once it's set up, you and your family can watch shows and movies on your TV, computer, tablet, or phone.

So if you're tired of paying high cable bills and want more control over what you watch, cutting the cord might be a great choice for you and your family!

The Equipment You Need to Get Started

Getting started with cord cutting is pretty easy, and you won't need a lot of equipment to get started! Here's a list of what you'll need: 

Internet Connection: To use streaming services, you'll need a fast and reliable internet connection. Make sure you have enough speed to stream movies and TV shows without any buffering or interruptions.

Streaming Device: A streaming device is a small device that connects to your TV and lets you access your favorite streaming services. There are many different types of streaming devices to choose from, like the Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, or Apple TV.

TV: To watch the shows and movies you stream, you'll need a TV. If you already have a TV, that's great! If not, you'll need to buy one.

Remote Control: Most streaming devices come with a remote control that makes it easy to navigate and select what you want to watch. Subscription: Some streaming services require a monthly subscription, like Netflix or Disney+. To access the shows and movies you want, you'll need to pay for these subscriptions.


That's it! With these items, you'll be ready to start streaming your favorite shows and movies. Cutting the cord is a great way to save money and take control of your TV viewing experience! 

The Best Streaming Services for Kids and Families

There are many streaming services that offer great content for kids and families. Here are some of the best ones:

Netflix: Netflix has a wide selection of kids' shows and movies, including original content like "Stranger Things" and "The Umbrella Academy."

Disney+: Disney+ is a streaming service from Disney that offers a wide selection of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content. It's a great choice for families who love Disney movies and shows.

Hulu: Hulu has a variety of kids' shows and movies, as well as popular network TV shows for families to enjoy.

Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video offers a range of kids' and family-friendly content, including Amazon Original series like "The Tick" and "Tumble Leaf."

Apple TV+: Apple TV+ is a streaming service from Apple that offers original content for kids and families, including shows like "Helpsters" and "Ghostwriter."


These are just a few of the many great streaming services that are perfect for families with kids. Choose the one that offers the best selection of content for your family, and start enjoying great shows and movies together!

The Best Streaming TV Services for 18+ Adults

As with mainstream streaming services, the adult industry has also embraced streaming TV technology. While you can still rent or buy adult movies on DVDs, it's the unlimited streaming that has changed the way adult movies are watched.

Now you can sign-up for unlimited access to huge libraries of adult content from sites like AdultEmpire, and Fame Entertainment. These are the two giants in adult streaming and they have many adult sites with libraries containing thousands of full-length HD movies and clips. 

Here's another extensive guide to many adult streaming channels and services available for cord cutters and how you can watch on Roku.

How to Choose the Right Streaming Device

When selecting a streaming device, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Here's what to consider:

1. TV compatibility: It's crucial to ensure that the streaming device you choose will work with your TV. Some devices need an HDMI port, while others may work with different types of ports.

 

2. Ease of use: It's important to choose a device that is user-friendly and has an interface that is simple to navigate. The device should have a straightforward menu and be easy to use. 

3. App availability: You want to make sure the device you select has access to the streaming services you plan to use. Some devices may not have access to all the apps you want, so be sure to check ahead of time. 

By taking these factors into consideration, you'll be able to choose the right streaming device for you and start enjoying all your favorite shows and movies without the hassle of cable TV!

Popular Media Streamers

When it comes to choosing a streaming device, there are several brands to choose from. Here are some of the best brands on the market:

Roku: Roku is known for its user-friendly interface and wide selection of apps, including popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.

 

Amazon Fire Stick: The Amazon Fire Stick is a popular choice due to its ease of use and integration with Amazon Prime Video. 

Apple TV: The Apple TV is a great choice if you have other Apple products, like an iPhone or iPad, as it integrates well with these devices.

Android: An Android TV box like the Nvidia Shield is also another popular option. It's the least restrictive and offers a great selection of apps for streaming TV shows and movies.

Google Chromecast with Google TV: Chromecast is a small and affordable device that is easy to set up and use. It allows you to cast content from your phone or tablet directly to your TV.

These are just a few of the best streaming device brands. Consider your needs and preferences, and choose the brand that works best for you and your family. Happy streaming!

Troubleshooting Common Cord Cutting Issues

If you're facing issues with your cord cutting setup, don't worry! Here are some common issues and solutions:

1. Slow or buffering content: If you're experiencing slow or buffering content, try restarting your device or modem. If that doesn't work, try lowering the video quality in your settings.

2. No sound or picture: If you have no sound or picture, check your connections and make sure they're secure. Also, check your TV settings and make sure the right input is selected.

3. App not working: If a particular app is not working, try closing the app and reopening it. If that doesn't work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

4. Device freezing or crashing: If your device is freezing or crashing, try restarting it. If the issue persists, try resetting the device to its factory settings.

5. Connection issues: If you're having trouble connecting to the internet, check your modem and router to make sure they're working properly. If the issue persists, contact your internet service provider.


By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve common cord cutting issues. If you're still facing problems, don't hesitate to reach out for assistance.

Tips for Saving Money on Streaming Services

Here are some tips for saving money on streaming services.

1. Take advantage of free trials: Most streaming services offer free trials, often for a period of one to two weeks. This can be a great way to test out a service before committing to a subscription.

2. Share your account with family or friends: Sharing your account with others can be a way to split the cost of a subscription. Just make sure everyone knows the rules and is okay with sharing the account.

3. Subscribe to only one or two services: Having multiple subscriptions can add up quickly. Consider limiting yourself to one or two services that you use the most and canceling the others.

4. Choose a basic or standard package: Some services offer different levels of packages with varying levels of features and pricing. Consider opting for a basic or standard package if you don't need all the extra bells and whistles.

5. Look for deals and discounts: Streaming services often offer special deals or discounts, especially around holidays or special events. Keep an eye out for these promotions and take advantage of them when you can.

6. Use a virtual private network (VPN): Some streaming services are only available in certain countries. By using a VPN, you can access content from other countries and potentially save money on subscriptions by switching to a cheaper service.

7. Wait for a discount before subscribing: If you are considering subscribing to a service, consider waiting for a sale or special promotion before signing up. This can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.

Also, use a Free Online Steaming TV Calculator - It lets you combine multiple popular streaming services and plans to give you an estimate of your total monthly streaming TV costs.