[SNIP] Streaming Media Gadgets - Comments Page 1

Can you plug, say the ROKU SMP into our main cable line which then splits it for each TV? Or do you have to buy a SMP for each RV?

My daughter gave me a ROKU LT as a birthday present a year ago. I like the program offerings, especially the FREE ones. I had Dish years ago and never understood why they offered A bazillion sports channels, half a ton of Spanish channels, and numerous shopping channels along with the "normal" selections. I dropped them when they wanted to charge even more to provide broadcast network channels. That was a real process, OY! Now I have an outdoor antenna and I can get the network broadcast channels and as an addition I have my ROKU LT as a bonus. I cannot see paying for something that I have watched for FREE for more than 50 years. (I'm old) IF I wanted to pay for it my ROKU would satisfy me.

I've had Roku for years, now have Roku 3. I subscribe to Netflix, Amazon Prime and Acorn, and that combination provides me with everything I want to watch. Internet (which I would have anyway) is $40/month, Netflix is $8, Amazon is $8, Acorn is $6.

I have a Leaf antenna for broadcast.

Lets Not forget the Android Tv Boxes(SMP) i really like mine and also all those other services like netflix, hulu plus, sling tv, hbo go all cost an extra monthly fee

I was surprised that you never mentioned anything about how to get the streaming to the ROKU device as if it was magic. You need some type of wireless device in my case a UVERSE wireless router.

A big drawback to looking at this is that there is no list of what channels are available for free and how much each of the others will cost.

Roku proudly indicates 2500 channels but how many are actually something I would want to see and how much do they actually cost?
At least the satellite and cable companies can give you a list so that you can determine what ones are important to you and decide a level of service from that.

I use a Smart TV, Mohu Leaf HD (indoor) antenna, a pair of powerline network adapters (one connected to the router and one connected to the TV), and Amazon Prime instant video. Between the 32 broadcast channels and Amazon Prime, I'm okay. I also use a VPN that has servers in other countries to watch foreign programming on my computer.

I have a ROKU, a Samsung Smart TV and an Apple TV. The interface with the Apple TV is the best, it can turn on the TV and adjust the volume by itself. However you can't stream Amazon prime with it. The ROKU has the most channels available and if I only had one, I would choose the ROKU 3. The smart TV is convenient, but doesn't offer very many streaming choices.

I cut the cord over 13 years ago. Roku, Plex and Netflix DVD and stream and Amazon Prime stream.

I have a Ligger small indoor antenna for approx 30 local channels in Jax, Fl. I have a Roku 3 which gives me Amazon Prime (extra fee) and Sling (extra fee). Sling gives me 24 channels such as Espn 1&2, History 1&2, A&E, Disney,etc. I ordered Sling thru T Mobile at $16 mo. I am more than satisfied.

Good information to spread around. We have had ROKU 1,2 & 3. Only had one problem with 3 and it fixes with unplug and reset when you see too much buffering. Otherwise we are thrilled with the concept and savings. We kept Dish on a cheaper plan and I have to agree with Mike Brose about the awful selection with so much out there. Thanks Again, I read them all.
Phil

Cord-cutting in small towns like ours is not a popular option, so we continue to rely on our cable service for TV, internet, and telephone. Our broadcast TV stations are from two towns 90 miles away. We still watch the "local news" and rely on our local broadcast stations for general information for our area. We also record lots of weekly shows for watching at our convenience, but usually watch them within a day or two of being aired. We have an Apple TV, but rarely use it. Our cable continues to be our TV content provider-of-choice for our area.

I love ROKU. I have an XS ROKU box and an outdoor HD antenna for local channels and main network channels. It brings in 20 channels. On ROKU, I subscribe to Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Acorn. I also subscribe to Sirius XM radio which gives me all the cable news stations to listen to plus sports. There are some really cool internet radio stations on ROKU through Tune In. I cut the cable cord about three years ago, and I am very happy with my entertainment through ROKU.

I don't like Roku because they are always forcing you to upgrade your hardware. I got a 1080P Roku box once and within 2 years the box was obsolete. Roku limited many of the channels I received just to get me to upgrade. I now find all the content I desire through the PC and then stream it to my TV via Chromecast.

I made an antenna out of coat hangers and receive channels about 75 miles away with no pixelation.

Like John S, I also made an antennta--out of a piece of paper, a plastic sheet and a sheet of aluminum foil. Cost $5 for the balun.

I get 21 HD stations and one music only. BUT it doesn't pick up the cable-only "oldies" station so my wife won't give up her cable :-(

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are plenty of streaming radio stations that play oldies. Pandora and/or Slacker probably have you covered there.

We successfully cut the cord years ago by connecting a PC directly to the TV. The PC need not be expensive and puts everything from the net on your TV. Use a laptop, tablet or a wireless keyboard and mouse. Make sure it outputs at HD resolution.

Had a Roku 3, it's a nice box unless you are a heavy YouTube watcher, the Roku YouTube app is crippled and rarely plays content at its optimuum resolution. This was a dealbreaker for me and many others who switched to a Chromecast which I love. Yes you have to use a phone or tablet to communicate with it but honestly I prefer using the up to date android apps compared with the sometimes clunky Roku "channels", there is nothing that the Roku did that I can't do on the Chromecast.

I guess "cutting the cord" for some is akin to some bragging rights! Such streaming gadgets do have their shortcomings although it is a matured (but narrow) market. At the higher end of the price category ($150) for these streaming devices; some may wish to entertain the purchase of "Intel's Compute Stick (version 2.0)" instead.
Similar to the streamers, The ComputeStick ($160) connects directly to the HDMI input of any TV; yet is a full-fledged Win10 PC (keyboard/mouse required).

I can watch Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime on my ROKU Box the rest of the so called channels are either pay or things my Dog would not want to watch. The three I mention are subscription which I can watch on any Tablet Computer or cell phone. ROKU went out yesterday for 24 hours so I had to watch my shows on Notebook. because it would also not work on Tablet as well as my three paid ones.

I use an android tv box. I get links from sites across the web, and just pay for internet and the bundle.