Go Back   Winnipesaukee Forum > Winnipesaukee Forums > Home, Cottage or Land Maintenance
Home Forums Gallery Webcams Blogs YouTube Channel Classifieds Calendar Register FAQDonate Members List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-28-2013, 08:39 PM   #1
nhboat61
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Wakefield NH
Posts: 117
Thanks: 52
Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts
Default ROKU instead of cable

I was wondering if any one used ROKU for streaming tv ? If so, do you get local news like WMUR or normal stations.

The kids think we should get it and do away with cable. My concern is that the adults watch news and weather and HGTV the History and Discovery.

Mom and I spend 175 days a year at camp and the boys 40... so I dont want to drop TWC and not get what we watch. Plus TWC just hit us with a 30% increase for cable/TV

Thoughts...
nhboat61 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2013, 09:06 PM   #2
hig
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 58
Thanks: 41
Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts
Default

At home, we completely ditched cable and converted over to Roku (Netflix, Amazon Prime) recently, saving about $80 a month. You lose the local channels, but you can get them with an antenna if they are important to you. Roku has some "hidden" live channels including CNN, CNN International (better than regular CNN), MSNBC, CNBC etc for news.

The interesting thing is that we are now back on cable. After two weeks of not being a Comcast customer, they called us up and offered us full basic cable + HBO + business internet for $5 a month for 1 year. I havn't bothered to hook it up yet though because we don't miss cable at all.

We just got a Roku box at the lake house too. It works great over Fairpoint 3MBit DSL for those that are wondering...
hig is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2013, 09:27 PM   #3
Billy Bob
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Tiera Verdi Fl & Moultonborough
Posts: 295
Thanks: 115
Thanked 154 Times in 92 Posts
Default Hidden CNN etc

Ok you have to give it up.
I have a roku box , how do I get CNN and msnbc ?
If I can get those 2 live cable is gone in the morning !,,,
Billy Bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2013, 02:47 AM   #4
wifi
Senior Member
 
wifi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Lakes Region
Posts: 1,321
Thanks: 282
Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Billy Bob View Post
....how do I get CNN and msnbc.....
To balance this discussion out a little, is Foxnews available on ROKU ?
wifi is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to wifi For This Useful Post:
CGI3 (05-30-2013), HomeWood (11-24-2014), Mboro_Bill (05-29-2013), wickedtravelah (12-07-2014), wynndog (11-25-2014)
Old 05-29-2013, 05:58 AM   #5
egatlake
Junior Member
 
egatlake's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Moultonboro
Posts: 14
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

You can do it three ways, go to the Roku channel station using the remote and choose what you want to add. Also by logging into roku.com you can add channels that way. Also seach google for Roku channels there are some you can get codes (free) in order to add private channels.
egatlake is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Old 05-29-2013, 07:01 AM   #6
nhboat61
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Wakefield NH
Posts: 117
Thanks: 52
Thanked 16 Times in 13 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by wifi View Post
To balance this discussion out a little, is Foxnews available on ROKU ?
For the balance... I searched the news section and NBC and Fox was on the menu. I didn't see CNN, but, like it was mentioned they are "hidden".

I'm going to do some more research today, is there a cost, other then purchasing the wifi transmitter ?

If I could just pay for the inet, that would make me a happy camper !



BTW - this is an awesome site for exchanging information.
nhboat61 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2013, 07:38 AM   #7
TiltonBB
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Gilford, NH and Florida
Posts: 2,880
Thanks: 637
Thanked 2,146 Times in 893 Posts
Default ROKU Rocks!

I bought the ROKU Box two weeks ago at WalMart for $78 and it works great.

We put the Netflix $7.99 streaming movie account on it and with one click it works well. Crackle on ROKU has some decent free movies but it does have some commercials during the movies. They seem less frequent than on regular stations.

I am still discovering all of the available channels and some of the suggestions above will help to get more use of it. If anyone has more information about available channels or different ways to get codes it would be great to see those ideas posted here.
TiltonBB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2013, 08:47 AM   #8
patman
Senior Member
 
patman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NH
Posts: 374
Thanks: 56
Thanked 152 Times in 76 Posts
Default

The official list is here:

http://www.roku.com/channels/#!brows...her/by-popular
(that's news and weather...you can select other categories to browse)

There are several unofficial lists, here's one:
http://streamfree.tv/apps/index.php?...s&ascdesc=DESC

Some of the private channels are free...some require subscriptions...some are live...some are not...some work...some don't. It's a mixed bag.

Time Warner Cable recently introduced a Roku channel that lets you view content based on what cable TV you are subscribed to. That might work out well for folks with two houses with a roku at the 'other' house.
patman is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to patman For This Useful Post:
Chat Noir (05-30-2013)
Old 05-29-2013, 06:19 PM   #9
HellRaZoR004
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Litchfield/Gilford
Posts: 828
Thanks: 233
Thanked 224 Times in 131 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rusty View Post
HDMI ports in TV sets have made it easy to use the TV as your computer monitor. I used to use RCA and "S" cables before HDMI became the way to go. I stream Netflex and Amazon prime from my Kindle Fire HD to my TV for all my videos.
I agree - don't waste money on the devices when you can use your laptop with HDMI ports.

I originally bought a Google TV box so I could surf the web and watch streaming shows/video. It's gotten to the point that providers have blocked use of this device from streaming online media to no longer supporting the interface.

I have since purchased a laptop to do everything else. My roommate let's me use his parents cable provider login account to stream everything else (including the live Bruins game through nbcsports.com last week).

Needless to say I no longer have cable TV. We use Netflix & Hulu+ for shows we like to watch the day after it aired.
HellRaZoR004 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2013, 06:45 AM   #10
diz
Senior Member
 
diz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Laconia
Posts: 141
Thanks: 125
Thanked 35 Times in 20 Posts
Default ROKU instead of cable

We got Aereo last week. It's replacing our cable and TiVo bills. The Roku app clinched it for us.
diz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-30-2013, 09:19 AM   #11
HellRaZoR004
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Litchfield/Gilford
Posts: 828
Thanks: 233
Thanked 224 Times in 131 Posts
Default

And I forgot to mention - I still get the basic channels (like the OTA ones) through my cable line still. Not sure why it's not blocked.

That being said, it's worth connecting your digital capable TV up to your cable line and scan for available channels. You might actually find some.
HellRaZoR004 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-31-2013, 02:37 PM   #12
Argie's Wife
Senior Member
 
Argie's Wife's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Alton
Posts: 1,908
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 533
Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts
Default

We've almost shut off the cable altogether - we have basic cable, TiVo, which we love, and a Blu-ray player with wi-fi. Our cable bill is now about $60, and that's our cable and internet. TiVo's are about $70 re-furbished - great investment and fewer commercials.
Argie's Wife is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2014, 06:28 PM   #13
Slickcraft
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Welch Island and West Alton
Posts: 3,210
Thanks: 1,166
Thanked 1,999 Times in 913 Posts
Default ROKU streaming stick

Just introduced, $50, designed to compete with the google chromecast.

http://www.roku.com/products/streaming-stick
http://www.google.com/intl/en-US/chr...es/chromecast/

We have a ROKU 3, $100, which we really like. The stick is missing two features that we use on the 3. The stick is wifi only with no Ethernet jack and stick remote does not have the ear phone jack. The stick remote also does not have motion sensors for game playing.

For both the 3 and the stick the only output is HDMI, no separate optical digital audio. Anyway Netflix surround sound is Dolby Plus which is not supported by optical cable. So you will need either an A/V receiver or a TV that will decode Dolby Plus. Otherwise you will only get stereo.
Slickcraft is online now   Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Slickcraft For This Useful Post:
Merrymeeting (03-05-2014), Orion (03-05-2014)
Old 03-05-2014, 08:13 PM   #14
Merrymeeting
Senior Member
 
Merrymeeting's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham
Posts: 2,216
Thanks: 299
Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slickcraft View Post
Just introduced, $50, designed to compete with the google chromecast.

http://www.roku.com/products/streaming-stick
http://www.google.com/intl/en-US/chr...es/chromecast/

We have a ROKU 3, $100, which we really like. The stick is missing two features that we use on the 3. The stick is wifi only with no Ethernet jack and stick remote does not have the ear phone jack. The stick remote also does not have motion sensors for game playing.

For both the 3 and the stick the only output is HDMI, no separate optical digital audio. Anyway Netflix surround sound is Dolby Plus which is not supported by optical cable. So you will need either an A/V receiver or a TV that will decode Dolby Plus. Otherwise you will only get stereo.
The big advantage here is that competition is good for the consumer. ROKU needed to up their game to compete with Chromecast features/pricing. Amazing how quickly this stuff is changing now.
Merrymeeting is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2014, 04:43 PM   #15
BroadHopper
Senior Member
 
BroadHopper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Laconia NH
Posts: 5,504
Thanks: 3,113
Thanked 1,089 Times in 783 Posts
Default Xbmc

Just discovered this freebie. Much like Hulu Plus / Amazon but mostly free. You can run it on a multitude of platforms.
__________________
Someday may never be an actual day.
BroadHopper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-26-2014, 07:16 PM   #16
webmaster
Moderator
 
webmaster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,427
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 437
Thanked 3,697 Times in 820 Posts
Default

If you're looking for the Aereo posts they have been moved to their own thread:

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...ad.php?t=18504
webmaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2014, 08:39 PM   #17
trfour
Senior Member
 
trfour's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX.
Posts: 3,694
Blog Entries: 3
Thanks: 3,069
Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts
Post Streaming Foward...

A Cord Cutter's World...

http://www.zdnet.com/reports-show-it...ld-7000036371/




Terry
______________________
__________________
trfour

Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU!

Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html
trfour is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-19-2015, 05:08 PM   #18
wifi
Senior Member
 
wifi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Lakes Region
Posts: 1,321
Thanks: 282
Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts
Default

Here is another thing to help making the decision to cut the cord:

https://www.sling.com/
wifi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2015, 08:53 AM   #19
AC2717
Senior Member
 
AC2717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay
Posts: 2,520
Thanks: 742
Thanked 344 Times in 257 Posts
Default

what about apple tv, I just bought it to stream movies and videos from my ipad to the tv, do it work like a Roku?
__________________
Capt. of the "No Worries"
AC2717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2015, 04:04 PM   #20
SteveO123
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Laconia, Lake Opechee
Posts: 174
Thanks: 286
Thanked 86 Times in 45 Posts
Default Apple TV

Quote:
Originally Posted by AC2717 View Post
what about apple tv, I just bought it to stream movies and videos from my ipad to the tv, do it work like a Roku?
Yes Apple TV comes with Netflix and about 30 other apps pre-loaded==more than Roku last time I checked. In addition, with Apple TV you can mirror anything from your Ipad onto the TV.. It's awesome! (I tried Google ChromeCast to do the same but it didn't work as well for me)

I use my IPad and Slingbox with Apple TV to let us see whatever we want by connecting to the FIOS Box we have at our Mass. house. So for the cost of a couple hundred dollars of hardware, we've got "full" FIOS TV at the Lake. Since we already pay for FIOS TV at home, we get to watch everything at the Lake for "free"! No Cable TV!

I heartily recommend the Slingbox/Apple TV combo to anyone who has a second home.
SteveO123 is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to SteveO123 For This Useful Post:
Leoskeys (04-09-2015)
Old 02-23-2015, 08:30 AM   #21
AC2717
Senior Member
 
AC2717's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay
Posts: 2,520
Thanks: 742
Thanked 344 Times in 257 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveO123 View Post
Yes Apple TV comes with Netflix and about 30 other apps pre-loaded==more than Roku last time I checked. In addition, with Apple TV you can mirror anything from your Ipad onto the TV.. It's awesome! (I tried Google ChromeCast to do the same but it didn't work as well for me)

I use my IPad and Slingbox with Apple TV to let us see whatever we want by connecting to the FIOS Box we have at our Mass. house. So for the cost of a couple hundred dollars of hardware, we've got "full" FIOS TV at the Lake. Since we already pay for FIOS TV at home, we get to watch everything at the Lake for "free"! No Cable TV!

I heartily recommend the Slingbox/Apple TV combo to anyone who has a second home.
Hi SteveO
I have fios as well at my house in MA
how would that work
Feel free to PM me, I don't want to get off topic in thread
thank you
__________________
Capt. of the "No Worries"
AC2717 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2015, 08:39 PM   #22
SteveO123
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Laconia, Lake Opechee
Posts: 174
Thanks: 286
Thanked 86 Times in 45 Posts
Default PM Sent

Quote:
Originally Posted by AC2717 View Post
Hi SteveO
I have fios as well at my house in MA
how would that work
Feel free to PM me, I don't want to get off topic in thread
thank you
Check your messages!
--Steve
SteveO123 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2015, 02:25 PM   #23
braunbayboater
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 22
Thanks: 3
Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts
Default Slingbox

We have slingbox and it works great EXCEPT we need a better internet provider. The Fairpoint is too slow and too expensive. Any suggestion for Moultonborough Neck near Braun BAy?
braunbayboater is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2015, 08:02 PM   #24
wifi
Senior Member
 
wifi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Lakes Region
Posts: 1,321
Thanks: 282
Thanked 287 Times in 169 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by braunbayboater View Post
We have slingbox and it works great EXCEPT we need a better internet provider. The Fairpoint is too slow and too expensive. Any suggestion for Moultonborough Neck near Braun BAy?
What speed does Fairpoint achieve at your location? Certainly Time Warner goes by your place. Nothing is more economical than DSL. What are your expectations? Is Fairpoint not giving you a deal because you are seasonal? Is it the same for Time Warner?

You are at the fringe of one of my APs with some terrain interference. I'm willing to work with people, but it might not work to your expectations at your location.
wifi is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to wifi For This Useful Post:
braunbayboater (03-31-2015)
Old 04-08-2015, 05:12 PM   #25
mcdude
Senior Member
 
mcdude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME
Posts: 5,359
Thanks: 374
Thanked 1,041 Times in 489 Posts
Default

Caution: Google Chromecast is NOT compatible with Windows8 (or with a Verizon router either) Just ordered Roku 3....hope it works!
__________________

mcdude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-08-2015, 08:11 PM   #26
Lakegeezer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Moultonboro, NH
Posts: 1,656
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 342
Thanked 614 Times in 277 Posts
Default What's wrong?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mcdude View Post
Caution: Google Chromecast is NOT compatible with Windows8 (or with a Verizon router either) Just ordered Roku 3....hope it works!
What problems are you seeing with Win8? I have three Chromecasts and Win 8.1 and have no problems at all. While I don't have a verizon router to check with, I can't imagine what problems there would be, unless you need to "log in" via a browser to connect to the network. The Chromecast has no browser, so doesn't work in some hotels or other public wifis.
__________________
-lg
Lakegeezer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2015, 10:17 AM   #27
BroadHopper
Senior Member
 
BroadHopper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Laconia NH
Posts: 5,504
Thanks: 3,113
Thanked 1,089 Times in 783 Posts
Default 4G and other routers.

I found out the streaming sticks (ROKU, Chromecast, AppleTV et al) usually do not stream well inless you have high speed internet. Usually cable or fiber optics and a middle or high tier internet plan.

The products says they can stream and found otherwise.
__________________
Someday may never be an actual day.
BroadHopper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2015, 02:16 PM   #28
Leoskeys
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lakes Region
Posts: 147
Thanks: 131
Thanked 27 Times in 21 Posts
Default Slingbox

We use Slingbox at our Alton home and love it! We have Metrocast high speed internet. Internet is steep at roughly $55/mo, but to have full cable/dvr and internet for $55 makes it worth it!
Leoskeys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2015, 05:20 PM   #29
mcdude
Senior Member
 
mcdude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME
Posts: 5,359
Thanks: 374
Thanked 1,041 Times in 489 Posts
Default

Lakegeezer: I couldnt find exactly the information I found before but this is from a Verizon forum:
Quote:
After speaking with Verizon Expert Care, I was told that Verizon FIOS does not support UPnP, as they only provide Internet Access.

I have the Actiontec MI424WR-GEN3I (hardware version I), with firmware version 40.20.7. Perhaps previous versions of this router have UPnP working, but this version does not.

I guess the result is that Chromecast is not able to be installed on Verizon FIOS networks.
AS I search for the info about Windows 8.....now I'm finding lots of installation advice. Earlier the info I consulted suggested that it was not compatible and to call Microsoft (yeah....right) to get a work-around. As you can tell I'm not real knowledgeable about computer hardware, installation etc.....just the basics here. Sorry if I misled anyone. A Roku 3 is on order and I hope I'll haVE better luck!
__________________

mcdude is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2015, 06:13 AM   #30
Blue Thunder
Senior Member
 
Blue Thunder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine
Posts: 935
Thanks: 247
Thanked 323 Times in 148 Posts
Default

I recently purchased Slingbox as well. I've been sort of beta testing it until I can get to my place and try it with my Fairpoint dsl. I was on a cruise last week in the middle of the Caribbean, using the ship wifi and it worked great. The wifi was approx 3mbps.
I can connect my ipad to the TV and the picture quality is quite good. Again, it remains to be seen how good it will be with fairpoint.

BT
__________________
" Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"
Blue Thunder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2015, 10:52 AM   #31
bigdog
Senior Member
 
bigdog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Central MA-Gilford
Posts: 1,409
Thanks: 304
Thanked 117 Times in 94 Posts
Default

OK, not so sure how this Sligbox actually works....

I have Charter Cable in Mass. house, and use Roku at the lake combined with Metrocast internet. I have lots of options with Roku, but not regular TV stations as Charter. I also have Amazon Prime but haven't used that option yet....

So what everyone is saying, I should be able to stream "all" my Charter stations through my iPad and Roku at the lake ? Do I have this correct?

I went out to the Sligbox website, but didn't find a lot of information ?
Looks like the basic Sligbox M1 is priced at $199.

Your feedback i s greatly appreciated !
bigdog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2015, 05:35 PM   #32
depasseg
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 129
Thanks: 16
Thanked 33 Times in 28 Posts
Default

Think of the sling box as a really long cable back to your mass house. You plug it in to your cable there and give it a network connection. Then you use an app to stream your video to wherever you are. The app lets you change the channel and control your cable box just like if you were at home.
depasseg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2015, 07:12 PM   #33
Blue Thunder
Senior Member
 
Blue Thunder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Eastern MA & Frye Island/Sebago Lake, Maine
Posts: 935
Thanks: 247
Thanked 323 Times in 148 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bigdog View Post
OK, not so sure how this Sligbox actually works....

I have Charter Cable in Mass. house, and use Roku at the lake combined with Metrocast internet. I have lots of options with Roku, but not regular TV stations as Charter. I also have Amazon Prime but haven't used that option yet....

So what everyone is saying, I should be able to stream "all" my Charter stations through my iPad and Roku at the lake ? Do I have this correct?

I went out to the Sligbox website, but didn't find a lot of information ?
Looks like the basic Sligbox M1 is priced at $199.

Your feedback i s greatly appreciated !
All the info you need is on their site. If you want to go slingbox buy the latest box which is the 500. HD capable. It connects to your home cable and you can watch TV just like at home including all your DVR'd programs. Use the app on your iPhone or iPad. I have a cable from Apple that allows me to connect my iPad to an HDTV and I can watch my home cable in Maine.
__________________
" Live for today because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come"
Blue Thunder is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2015, 07:30 PM   #34
depasseg
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 129
Thanks: 16
Thanked 33 Times in 28 Posts
Default

You can get a $30 Chromecast stick and stream it wirelessly directly to your TV assuming you have an HDMI port on your TV.
depasseg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2015, 08:19 PM   #35
bclaker
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Laconia
Posts: 479
Thanks: 545
Thanked 147 Times in 66 Posts
Default Apple iPad to Chromecast to Samsung TV

I had an older computer with Windows Vista and bought a Chromecast, but, never could get Chromecast to work. I was given an iPad Air as a Christmas present. Does anyone know if the Chromecast will work with the iPad?
bclaker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2015, 08:24 PM   #36
depasseg
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 129
Thanks: 16
Thanked 33 Times in 28 Posts
Default

Yes it does, but it is dependent in the application. For example, Netflix, YouTube, Sling all have the ability to use the Chromecast.
depasseg is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to depasseg For This Useful Post:
bclaker (04-11-2015)
Old 04-11-2015, 07:54 AM   #37
Merrymeeting
Senior Member
 
Merrymeeting's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham
Posts: 2,216
Thanks: 299
Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts
Default

I have 2 Chromecast sticks for our non-smart TV's. In essence, what the stick (or similar devices) will do is make a non-smart TV into a smart one.

Simply stated, the term smart TV means that the TV can be connected to the internet and receive streaming video over the network connection. For the price, I think the Chromecast device is the best option. Roku is another but the cost is much higher.

Other things you need to understand before buying any one of these devices.
  • First, you need a good, ralatively high-speed, network connection, ideally hardwired. If you are using a wireless router connection, this means that the TV needs to be located where it will get a strong signal from the router. Otherwise you will get dropouts or choppy, pixelated video. If this is happening, it's usually not the fault of the device. It's an indication of a network signal problem.
  • Once connected, there are 2 ways that the streaming gets to your TV. You can "cast" the stream from the device controlling the video source (PC, smartphone, tablet, etc). Or there are some apps (eg:Netflix) that, once started, will work directly with the Chromecast device to stream from the Netflix internet server directly to the Chromecast device. The latter usually ends up producing a cleaner, higher-definition signal.
  • If you are attempting to stream from a browser, with Chromecast you need to use the Chrome browser. Internet Explorer does not support casting to the Chromecast device. (The old competition between Google and MS). I suspect that those of you who tried, and failed, to get this to work from your PC may have been stuck here. Other browsers than Chrome may support the Chromecast device, but I'm not sure.

This is a greatly simplified description of how all this works. But for those who have had issues, I'd suspect the majority of them start with a poor network stream to the device. Garbage in, garbage out. Changing devices won't help here. You need to solve the root problem first.
Merrymeeting is offline   Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Merrymeeting For This Useful Post:
bclaker (04-11-2015), Blue Thunder (04-11-2015), Flylady (04-11-2015)
Old 04-12-2015, 06:43 AM   #38
Leoskeys
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Lakes Region
Posts: 147
Thanks: 131
Thanked 27 Times in 21 Posts
Default

One of the best features of Slingbox is you have access to all your DVR shows from your primary home/box. Same with OnDemand shows. Basically EVERYTHING you can watch on your home box you can watch via slingbox on your Ipad, laptop, iphone, etc. we,ve had it for over two years, so the one-time $200 we payed for Slingbox is totally worth it!
Leoskeys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2015, 05:37 PM   #39
mcdude
Senior Member
 
mcdude's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Rock Haven Lake - West Newfield, ME
Posts: 5,359
Thanks: 374
Thanked 1,041 Times in 489 Posts
Default

J'aime ROKU beaucoup! Easy plug and play type set-up & operation. Tons of choices!
__________________

mcdude is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

This page was generated in 0.33910 seconds