Just cancelled my cable. Need opinions on devices like Roku (Dallas: movies, live in)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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Question: I cut the cord years ago, I have a Mohu Leaf, Netflix and Amazon Prime, all of which plays easily over my SmartTV.
Is there any ADDED benefit of having a Roku if I don't get Sling? Basically, I'm asking if I'd get any additional value or options without paying additional subscriptions. (Yes, I understand I'd have to buy the Roku equipment).
Just wondering, and this seemed like the right discussion to ask.
One perspective:
The overall experience of Roku is infinitely better and IF you watch a lot of shows you'll get a lot out of it. If you only watch occasionally you might be fine to stick with built in TV apps.
The integrated SmartTV apps will display a show on the screen pretty much the same, but the differences come into play when navigating and searching, interacting with a show (pause/rewind, etc), dealing with favorites, etc. The SmartTV remotes I've used are ok in a pinch but are screwy by comparison. Also I've had cases where the TV version of an app exhibited problems or wouldn't work, where the Roku worked fine (for the same service). In some cases the picture quality was better over Roku using the same Internet connection. I've had similar experiences with game consoles -- you can get by with them, but the controllers are optimized for playing games and don't make very good show navigators.
With a SmartTV, the apps are usually updated while the TV model is for sale and a couple of years after, and sometimes degrade in reliability through lack of ongoing maintenance. Apps for Roku are better generally speaking, because it's such a widely sold platform that developers often give it priority for testing.
I have the top of the line Roku. I like having the "good" remote (is not picky about line of sight / where you point it), and the "find remote" feature is nice. I recommend a wired connection for best results, especially if you browse for movies and such often. Wi-fi is passable for streaming video usually, but if you have a lot of devices using it, it can cause problems. Having a super fast interface for navigation is important for me, and I liked the future option of 4k. A lot of folks would be fine with the lesser equipped and thus cheaper models I'm sure.
If all you're going to want is Netflix and Hulu - Apple TV, Roku or Amazon Fire TV with included remote and tons of apps OR a Chromecast with a tablet or smartphone and relatively limited app selection will do fine. I'd want the same streaming device on each device, instead of mixing them.*
Apple TV ($150-$200) is way overpriced for what you get - and I prefer Apple over Android/Google (not an Apple hater). Most expensive on the market and the only one without any 4K! But if you're already in the iOS ecosystem, it may be the best choice. Apple TV kinda forces you to use iTunes and their stuff a lot, so movie rentals are more $ than other options.
Amazon Fire TV ($40-$80) is good, but they throw Amazon content and services in your face a lot - if you want/have Amazon Prime you might be OK with that.
Roku ($30-$130) is my favorite, the Streaming Stick at only $50 is a good choice IMO (don't buy the Express). Or the better models add 4K and other features.
Chromecast ($35-$70) is the cheapest and they works well. But it has the fewest apps by far, and you have to use a tablet or smartphone to "cast" with it. If you're OK with that, the $35 Chromecast is your cheapest option. If you want 4K, the Chromecast Ultra.
There are a few others, but mostly way more expensive or low end junk.
IMO The right way to go about this is to first decide all the apps you might want, anything other than Netflix or Hulu, and make sure whatever streaming device you buy has them.
* I'm going to use a Roku Premiere + on my 4K TV, and Roku Streaming Sticks on my other two TV's where 1080p is fine. The UI looks the same on all of them.
These are pretty much my same thoughts. I had an Apple TV, but ended up selling it. WAY overpriced for what it does.
Getting an Xbox One is also an option. Even if you don't play video games, the ability to stream and use apps, plus play DVDs/BluRays is worth it. It's what I use now.
But you're still paying for internet, so you're not saving 120 a month.
Yes I am, my Directv package was $120 a month. I have Earthlink internet at $41.95 a month that I was paying regardless if I had corded TV or not. So I am saving $120 a month by not paying for Directv.
But if you drop internet from my cable package you're left with around $50 a month. I don't have DVR's, but DVR's are sort of useless on a cable-cut because you're watching everything after the live-air anyway.
It's a pain to have to bounce back and forth between cable companies to get a good price, but I'm getting way more channels, live sports, local channels, and it's just easier in my opinion.
Did you drop it? Not trying to be snarky, but rather to answer your original question. If you didn't drop it, you aren't saving it. If you had it before, and after, the only thing that changes is your cable bill, which 'seems' like it must be around $90-$100 for you? So instead of $10-20 you thought you might save, figure on $1000.00+ per year. Is it worth it to you? (As another person pointed out, it really is an individual thing, it may or may not be worth it to you.)
I cut the cord years ago, and just don't miss it. I often consider the reverse of your reasoning. I consider adding Sling for $25/mo. Every time I consider it, I just can't feel like I'll get anything more, other than the occasional sporting event, for my money. I 'can' afford it, easily. It doesn't pay for me.
Yes I am, my Directv package was $120 a month. I have Earthlink internet at $41.95 a month that I was paying regardless if I had corded TV or not. So I am saving $120 a month by not paying for Directv.
You were paying $120 for DirectTV without internet? Yikes - don't blame you for changing.
Did you drop it? Not trying to be snarky, but rather to answer your original question. If you didn't drop it, you aren't saving it. If you had it before, and after, the only thing that changes is your cable bill, which 'seems' like it must be around $90-$100 for you? So instead of $10-20 you thought you might save, figure on $1000.00+ per year. Is it worth it to you? (As another person pointed out, it really is an individual thing, it may or may not be worth it to you.)
I cut the cord years ago, and just don't miss it. I often consider the reverse of your reasoning. I consider adding Sling for $25/mo. Every time I consider it, I just can't feel like I'll get anything more, other than the occasional sporting event, for my money. I 'can' afford it, easily. It doesn't pay for me.
Most triple play-type package promotions are $99/mo. Add on the fees and boxes and all that BS, and I guess it's around $120 or so? Internet alone will cost 40-50, so I figure the TV and phone are costing me 70-80 bucks. If I need to buy phone, even less.
A lot of the people with these enormous cable bills have 5 boxes, 3 DVR's, premium channels, etc.
50/5 mb internet (Earthlink)
VOIP home phone
SlingTV Orange (this is for my wife who likes the "white noise" of TV shows on in the background)
Netflix
Local channels (ABC, NBC, etc.)
Kodi (as DVR for broadcast TV shows as we don't have a DVR with our system)
...is $530.
We canceled Dish after one night coming to the realization that there really wasn't anything on TV...despite our 200 channels! Another benefit is no more unsightly cable boxes over/under/around our TVs. With the Roku Stick or a Roku integrated TV you just mount the TV and plug it in. That's it. No other cords to run. Looks nice and clean.
It's not for everyone. If you watch hours of TV a night, go for cable! The two experiences are vastly different.
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