TV / Internet solution? (Page 3): I am going to dump Spectrum TV cable and try streaming with either Roku or Fire Stick. I have two (new-unused) 3rd generation Fire Sticks I bought...

hj Loc: Florida

I am going to dump Spectrum TV cable and try streaming with either Roku or Fire Stick. I have two (new-unused) 3rd generation Fire Sticks I bought during a highly discounted sale and have never tried. Has anyone used both Ruko and Fire Stick and can advise which you preferred?

hj Loc: Florida

bobmcculloch wrote:

Problem with streaming is that certain channels are only available on certain services. So you end up with more than one service.

rcarol

TriX wrote:

One solution is Spectrum for internet (unless you ... (show quote)

I opted to go with T-mobile's 5G Home Internet (or whatever they call it). I get download speeds on the order of 300 mb/sec. It cost me $50/month.

Carl S

I cut off satellite Direct TV, and use their streaming services which can be used by up to three devices running at the same time if you have the band width. It includes all of the channels you want and costs about $90/month without the premium services. If you have a Smart TV, you just need to connect it to Direct TV streaming, and for my sets that are stupid TVs, I use Roku, which also has a nice stable of channels. There are many options to cut the cable: all you need is sufficient bandwidth to stream. I've even used Direct TV on my laptop and cell phone when I travel to supplement the channels offered by the hotel or motel where we are staying to watch football games.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

bobmcculloch wrote:

Problem with streaming is that certain channels are only available on certain services. So you end up with more than one service.

An example of the mind-boggling decisions we have to make in Yakima this year when we want March Madness college basketball, beginning with the Pac 12 tournament, and Mariners live:

- Sling includes TBS and TNT for NCAAM tournament (and Root Sports for Mariners), but no local channels or Pac 12
- Fubo has local channels, Pac 12 and Root, but no TBS or TNT
- YouTube TV has TNT, TBS and local, but no Pac 12 or Root

SteveR Loc: Michigan

TriX wrote:

One solution is Spectrum for internet (unless you ... (show quote)

Trix...I've been Googling Roku to try to find out what channels it carries, but cant't find a channel list. There are some that I watch quite often like the ID channel. I do see that PLEX is available which is a great plus. Is a DVR available with it? Also, what about sports channels? We do pay extra for sports channels for my son. Direct TV is a bit expensive. Also, do you get Roke by satellite or cable? I've found that satellite delivery seems to be crisper.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

SteveR wrote:

Trix...I've been Googling Roku to try to find out what channels it carries, but cant't find a channel list. There are some that I watch quite often like the ID channel. I do see that PLEX is available which is a great plus. Is a DVR available with it? Also, what about sports channels? We do pay extra for sports channels for my son. Direct TV is a bit expensive. Also, do you get Roke by satellite or cable? I've found that satellite delivery seems to be crisper.

The Roku device just hooks you up to the internet. That's why the cost is $40 ($30 if you get the one without volume control).

The device has some apps already loaded with free programming, but if you want "regular" channels with live-time programming, you must then subscribe to something like YouTube TV, Sling, Fubo, or the full-package Hulu.

DVR is online and part of the packages I mentioned.

"Crispness" of high definition programming will be determined by your internet service provider and speed.

twowindsbear

SteveR wrote:

Trix...I've been Googling Roku to try to find out what channels it carries, but cant't find a channel list. There are some that I watch quite often like the ID channel. I do see that PLEX is available which is a great plus. Is a DVR available with it? Also, what about sports channels? We do pay extra for sports channels for my son. Direct TV is a bit expensive. Also, do you get Roke by satellite or cable? I've found that satellite delivery seems to be crisper.

Send me a list of the channels of interest & I'll try to check them for you.

It seems to me that the 'quality' of any individual program depends on the actual quality of the source feed. 'Older' TV shows are still in the 'older' TV 4:5 aspect ratio & many times the resolution is not so great. OTOH, 'new' programs, recorded in high(er) resolution and 'new' 16:9 aspect ratio are very much better. Even 'older' programs that have been 'remastered' or otherwise renewed look a lot better, too even in the 4:5 aspect ratio.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

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TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

SteveR wrote:

Trix...I've been Googling Roku to try to find out what channels it carries, but cant't find a channel list. There are some that I watch quite often like the ID channel. I do see that PLEX is available which is a great plus. Is a DVR available with it? Also, what about sports channels? We do pay extra for sports channels for my son. Direct TV is a bit expensive. Also, do you get Roke by satellite or cable? I've found that satellite delivery seems to be crisper.

While Roku does have some channels, it’s primarily streaming HW that provides a menu of online streaming services and translates them into an HDMI or USB output that the TV can display - think of it as a streaming tuner. It does not have a built in video recorder. I think you’ll find that you need a more comprehensive streaming service such as UTube TV, Sling or Hulu. Those are the 3 largest and each has its own channel lineup, local channels and cost. UTube TV has unlimited storage, but I can’t speak for the others.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

TriX wrote:

One solution is Spectrum for internet (unless you can get Google), a Roku streaming device and UTube TV.

There never was a UTube tv nor will there ever be:

https://tv.youtube.com
My most recent subscription was $72.99 + tax for "basic plan."

Fubo offers a choice for the amount of DVR storage (hours) you buy.
https://www.fubo.tv/welcome

Sling: https://www.sling.com

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TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Linda From Maine wrote:

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Actually, it displays as YouTubeTV - I was just using an (incorrect) abbreviation.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

TriX wrote:

Actually, it displays as YouTubeTV - I was just using an (incorrect) abbreviation.

https://tv.youtube.com

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twowindsbear

TriX wrote:

While Roku does have some channels, it’s primarily... (show quote)

What am I missing by not having a video recorder? If I happen to miss a broadcast, I can generally find it and view it at my leisure. Same with viewing a program, broadcast, movie or what ever. I can even 'rent' a PPV again - generally I'm too 'frugal' to pay for the same PPV again. It seems what ever I'd pay, to own outright or rent from the provider, for any sort of recorder would MORE than cover all of the PPVs I'd be interested in.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Bultaco wrote:

How did you get local channels?

Some streaming services offer local channels in their line-up. Check your zip code with these:

https://www.fubo.tv/welcome

https://www.sling.com

https://www.hulu.com/live-tv

https://tv.youtube.com

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