BuckyB93
Sunday, November 9, 2014 3:28:51 PM
I have a retired friend. He got rid of his cable service, too much garbage channels for what he wants. However, he likes to watch movies and local news channels for weather and what not.

I know there is the internet streaming thing but don't know enough about it. Hulu, Roku, Amazon Prime... What are the good and bad for these or others? Subscription fees?

Do you just buy a little box and connect it from your internet service into your TV?

I can google it, which I will, but would like to get some real world info from you guys.

I would ask RAM but he's too busy trying to get his rabbit ears to work and scaring kids off his front lawn with his bat.

blackfoot11
Sunday, November 9, 2014 4:51:51 PM
you should've asked ram if you could even post a question like that.......#-o
MACS
Sunday, November 9, 2014 5:03:54 PM
I really liked Netflix... until they doubled the price.

I use www.rainiertamayo.com for movies, TV and Game of Thrones when there isn't much on TV.

BuckyB93
Sunday, November 9, 2014 5:04:59 PM
Blacky, shouldn't you be prepping for the Packer game?

GO Pack GO!

BuckyB93
Sunday, November 9, 2014 5:09:23 PM
MACS thanks for the squeaky win over the Aints.

Hope the Giants take out the Seachickens.

blackfoot11
Sunday, November 9, 2014 5:18:37 PM

Blacky, shouldn't you be prepping for the Packer game?

GO Pack GO!

BuckyB93 wrote:

what kinda beer do you reccomend?

stout or boston lager?................

Abrignac
Sunday, November 9, 2014 5:28:52 PM
It really depends. I've got an Amazon Prime account. It costs about $80 a year. As far as content, don't expext too much. Up until a month ago I had never watched an episode of The Sopranos. I'm about 3 episodes into season 3. They have the complete series available for streaming free with Prime. They have other series and movies, but selection isn't very broad.

I used to have a NetFlix account. Like MACS I punted when they changed their pricing model.

At the end of the day, your friend is gonna have to see what each service provides and determine if that's what he's willing to pay for.

To stream, he can use a laptop. I take my everywhere. You would be surprised at who provides free internet. He could also by an Internet ready TV.

On the other hand, he can be like Jamie and troll the bars while watching TV.

ZRX1200
Sunday, November 9, 2014 5:33:48 PM
No I buy malt liquor and use my grocery stores.
Abrignac
Sunday, November 9, 2014 5:38:08 PM

No I buy malt liquor and use my grocery stores.

ZRX1200 wrote:

Sounds like you and Cooper are hanging out.

blackfoot11
Sunday, November 9, 2014 6:10:54 PM
i've had a lg 55" smart for about 6 months now and still haven't used them services. might give it a try........
MACS
Sunday, November 9, 2014 6:25:24 PM

i've had a lg 55" smart for about 6 months now and still haven't used them services. might give it a try........

blackfoot11 wrote:

My TV's are dumb, like me.

jackconrad
Sunday, November 9, 2014 6:54:09 PM
I have been streaming for 4 years . You have to have decent Wireless internet.

Roku has the best format and is the most organized and complete thing to do it with. There are thousands of free channels with everything imaginable.. There are a few mega providers available and worth while to pay for. They Are Netflix 7.99 a month with a huge library of movies, (Just watched Django Unchained last nigt a kick ass western),definitely worth it. It might have gone up for new subscribers..Then is Amazon Prime.with alot of free content but not as much as Netflix it also comes with free shipping on Amazon orders which to me makes it worth it, currently it is 79 bucks a year but will go up to 99 next year. Finally there is Hulu which is more geared toward tv .It shows current and past shows from as far back as the fifties and has a ton of BBC and some decent movies . I have all three and it averages out to about 20 bucks amonth for more stuff than you could ever get on any cable package. As for the ROku the make several models i highly reccoment the Roku 3 which runs 89 - 99 bucks and can often be bought refurbished at Eversave for about 67 buck.. Don't let rebuilt electronics scare you because i consider them better than new because they have been benched tested for operation wher new isn't..

To me it is the best invention since VHS/DVD.

And if you want some adult stuff there is a channel called Sugar DVD i hear for 7.99 a month with a bunch of content according to rumors..

BuckyB93
Sunday, November 9, 2014 7:24:30 PM
Thanks for the input.

I think he's already got a Netflix subscription. He likes it but wants to watch movies while lounging on the couch rather than sitting in front of the the computer. He has cable internet and a digital TV.

Is there a little black box that goes from the router to the TV without going through the computer first or do I need to set up his TV as a second monitor?

Thunder.Gerbil
Sunday, November 9, 2014 7:30:53 PM

Thanks for the input.

I think he's already got a Netflix subscription. He likes it but wants to watch movies while lounging on the couch rather than sitting in front of the the computer. He has cable internet and a digital TV.

Is there a little black box that goes from the router to the TV without going through the computer first or do I need to set up his TV as a second monitor?

BuckyB93 wrote:

Roku or Amazon Fire connects directly to the TV. No computer needed other than to set up / register the account.

I had a Roku for a while, thought it was great. Amazon Fire, I've never used but know a few people who bought them - every one of them regrets buying it rather than the Roku.

blackfoot11
Sunday, November 9, 2014 8:10:30 PM

My TV's are dumb, like me.

MACS wrote:

me too. just learning how to work the dam thing.

Ram27
Sunday, November 9, 2014 8:40:06 PM
[frypan] [ram27bat] [frypan]
jackconrad
Sunday, November 9, 2014 8:54:16 PM
Like TG said computer not needed..
Abrignac
Sunday, November 9, 2014 10:26:45 PM
Does one need a Roku player if you have an internet capable TV or a laptop? Why would one need Roku to use Hula or some other channel if they can already connect to the internet?
Thunder.Gerbil
Sunday, November 9, 2014 10:33:41 PM

Does one need a Roku player if you have an internet capable TV or a laptop? Why would one need Roku to use Hula or some other channel if they can already connect to the internet?

Abrignac wrote:

If you have an internet capable TV, then it comes down to features, ease of use and channels/apps available. Some TVs are more capable than others both in features/channels and up-scaling the video. The Roku boxes tend to have more processing power than most TVs, so they can often do a better job of playing back the video. Also, the Roku interfaces are very easy to use, there is more support and often more free add on features available. Not all TV's have good interfaces for their web services.

Really all depends on how much you plan to do with it and what you are comfortable using.

jackconrad
Sunday, November 9, 2014 10:36:56 PM
Like TG said Roku has it all put together better and many more channels are offered thru Roku since they Lead the business..