I bought my used Apple TV 4th Generation 64 gig model last May when we decided to cut the cord with our local cable TV provider WOW. I have the channels app and a HDHomeRun setup for local TV channels and Direct TV now deluxe package for the other channels.
We have a basic 50MPS connection that cost 30 dollars a month along with the Direct TV now package that is $70.00, we where paying close to $180.00 a month for cable. So our total savings is $80.00 a month. This savings pays a large portion of our property taxes and I couldn't be happier.
When we first subscribed to Direct TV Now, we didn't have the local channels like ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX. Since that time, we now have all the local channels and a few more have popped up and our bill is still the same cost. Not like cable who kept raising our rates and removing some of the channels as part of their package consolidation methods.
I do miss the cable remote which allowed me to select the channel i wanted by a number compared to scrolling through the Direct TV menus with the Apple remote. But for the money we are saving, I have learned to adapt. The picture quality of the Direct TV streaming service has been vastly improved, at first we would get server loading errors and the service would go down for a few hours at a time.
But the past few months the service has been great and I haven't noticed any difference in the picture quality compared to my cable company. I watch the golf channel, hockey college and pro football and it's as good as any cable service. My initial investment for my entire system has been as follows:
Apple TV 4th Generation 64 gig used $80.00
HDHomeRun box used 50.00
Arris Cable model used 20.00
Total Equipment investment $150.00
If you where thinking about cutting the cable cord, I would say go for it, even with the few quirks I get now and then, the cost savings has been well worth it for my brother and myself and we are not looking back.
Another nice feature is we are planning on moving to Florida in the near future and we can take our equipment with us and all we need is a cable connection, give our router MAC ID to the new cable company and sign in to our Apple TV and Direct TV now accounts and we are back in business. Just thought I would pass it along.