roku box, ditching cable

[koditten]

my cable bill is getting rediculously expensive. The wife and I have agreed that we don't watch enough TV to justify the basic cable that we have.

Do the roku boxes really get you the channels you want? Any drawbacks?

Please educate me.

KO

 

[lotsoftools]

IDK about Roku, but we dumped the cable last week and don't miss it so far. I get news of the internet and we watch tv shows and movies via Netflix.

 

[Bull]

We love ours.

What kind of stuff do you watch? I am sure there are things you can't get with a Roku, but for me I don't feel I am missing much.

 

[koditten]

I need the weather channel and the Mrs. needs the Canadian Hockey channel. Maybe FX.

 

[jhasafety1]

We dumped satellite years ago and have had Roku for years. I just upgraded Roku boxes this week. We use Netflix and amazon but with the new box we gained a few more channels and continue to enjoy it.

 

[LG63]

I haven't really explored the available channels, use it mostly for Netflix and Amazon Prime. If a new TV is in your future you can go with one of the "smart" TVs which essentially have Roku capability built in.

 

[koditten]

Do these boxes get the channels I listed and can you watch live hockey?

 

[LG63]

No FX and I don't think there is any live programming.

 

[koditten]

Not what I wanted to hear.

Thanks.

 

[csp]

Go to Roku's website. They have a listing of the channels available. Then you'll probably have to go to those channels' websites to see what they offer.

No there isn't any live programming. You can access some FX shows via Amazon Prime and probably through Hulu, both of with you can get on a Roku box.

This was probably a topic that should have been in the Free Parking forum.

 

[Krodad]

The new roku models are much better than the built in interfaces on tv's.

While I do NOT do this with movies, I download every tv show I like within a day after airing on tv, and rarely watch live tv… but I'm mot a big sports fan so if you want that, you need live tv

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[brownbagg]

i had it, it took me all of ten minute to take it back, the cheapy model has an awful picture, so at least get the hundred dollar model.

 

[koditten]

I have the weather channel in the shop constant, so I figured this would be the best section, plus the FP section seems to get more from the hip responses, I know, I spend a lot of time there

I am appreciating the quality responses.

KO

 

[Regnar]

Have a look into building a HTPC (Home Theater PC) You will be able to view Hulu and many other sites for free. Should also mention that you can install a digital tuner card and be able to record HD over the air broadcast. Don't know about your area but mine has a channel 10.2 that has a live radar on all the time. I gave up Cable years ago. Between Hulu, Video Cluster and Websites my wife and I have more than enough to watch.

Also if you download the right plugins you will be able to skip commercials automatically or recorded shows.

 

[sselander]

I'm looking also, looks like the newest Roku3 has a faster chip inside of the box and works with HDTV only.

Your only other choice is going with an HDTV antenna which is an entirely different subject.

 

[jmlcolorado]

We've had roku for about a year.
For love local channels, check out Aereo.
It has a fee, but it gets all our local channels live.

 

[Highbeam]

I have two rokus just for Netflix, and an antenna in the attic for all television.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Do you have the same interent provider as cable ? Do you call and ask about getting a package deal ?

 

[Fixnair]

I have a roku in both of my houses. The only thing I watch on them is netflix (subscription) and you tube. No live news or otherprograming.
I also have a digital over the air antenna. I get maybe 100 channels in Los Angeles and maybe 50 in Bakersfield. I get all local network channels live plus PBS. In LA I get probably 25 English channels and 75 other languages. I don't miss cable at all.

 

[justanengineer]

No there isn't any live programming.

Yes, there is. You can get ESPN live just like you get the other streaming internet channels and apps. Somebody on the other thread told me I was supposed to have cable TV to get it, the local Comcast office said it only requires a cable company that offers it, which they do.

Many people get caught up thinking its only Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon so they get disillusioned pretty quick. They often overlook all of the internet tv stations, Im particularly fond of the Smithsonian channel.

edit: I asked SWMBO about other "live" channels, apparently we also get CNBC live and some National Geographic streaming feeds from various zoos around the world.

 

[Tallted]

Havent had cable for years and have been using a roku for over two. The three channels we use are Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix

Hulu. Has a lot of current popular shows, and episodes are available the next day. This will cover a fair chunk of what you may want to watch. Some movies, nothing amazing, although they do have the Criterion collection which is a lot of classic cinema for film buffs. Some original programming but nothing has really taken off. Has commercials but only one or two. Under 10 bucks a month

Amazon. Has a channel which literally has almost every movie or show you can imagine. Movie price varies, but I usually rent if I want to see something, like 3-4 bucks. Redbox is cheaper but I always forget to return, as I rent maybe 2 movies a month. Episodes are 1.99 and seasons are about what you'd pay for a dvd set at Target etc. I use this for shows I really want to watch (Game of Thrones). If you're a prime member there are a ton of shows and movies you get access to for free. Good selection of stuff to watch. Original programming just started and I'm enjoying it a lot. I believe 90 a year. Utilize free shipping to make this worth while. Return policy has been great to me so far.

Netflix. The original and if it needs explanation, I don't think I can help you. I rarely use Netflix but their original programming is really popular. Still haven't checked it out myself.

I don't really follow sports teams but it is my understanding that they are only available through standard tv options (satellite, broadcast, cable).

I also sold off all my dvds and no longer use a dvd player. Everything I want is available between these three. Lots of older stuff is often free. Everything else can be rented or.bought. Prefer to rent though, I don't rewatch movies like when I was a kid.

 

[theoldwizard1]

koditten - Aereo would be pretty good addition because you pickup all the major networks out of Detroit, except for CBET (no Hockey Night in Canada) for $8/month.

 

[92GreenYJ]

The problem as it sits now with Roku, Apple TV, etc is that any of the tv apps for the various networks require you to already have a cable subscription to use them. I have two Apple TVs in my house. Mostly used for Netflix, Crackle, and streaming music, videos, etc from my iMac, iPad, iPhone, etc. (yeah, I'm an Apple guy)

In order to access any of the tv network channels, you have to sign into them with your existing cable subscription information. I can't use the HBO go app on any of my devices because we don't subscribe to HBO via our cable provider. I have been reading rumors for a while now that Apple at least has been in talks with the various networks to try to change this, but as it sits now, if you want cable channels thru any of these devices, you have to already subscribe to cable and get those particular channels. This of course kinda defeats the purpose in my mind, all I can watch via these apps are shows that have aired previously, and it's usually not all of their shows either. I may as well just watch them on regular tv.

 

[Dale1962]

try this
http://www.playon.tv/playon
I get most content next day

 

[nehog]

I have two Sony Blu-Ray players and they have Internet video capabilities. You can go free if your needs are not great, or pay for stuff if you want more. I don't watch TV very much at all so I don't bother with anything that is pay. Side bonus is that it has 'Internet Radio' and you can get thousands of radio stations, and music, most of which is free, no commercials, minimal announcements.

 

[LEVE]

I just installed a Roku 3 box about two weeks ago. I like it. Right now I'm listening to music I like on Pandora. The Movie channels are limited, but I do use Netflix. All in all, it's a good thing for me... as I live in an area where Free over the air TV is non existent unless you've got a 300 ft tower. I don't need TV that badly.

 

[Jarcese]

The only bad part about getting rid of cable is no hockey which is one of your requirements unless the games are on local TV which is rare. You can find the games streaming pretty easily, though. I have a macbook hooked up to the tv to stream games. I went two years without cable. It can be frustrating sometimes when you have to spend half of the first period finding a good stream and it might not last all game.

Do not invest in NHL Game Center. You can't get local games. If you could it would be worth the investment since it's the only thing I miss without cable. The only way it's worth it is if you don't live in the area of the team you or your wife like, which might be the case for you.

A subscription to Hulu, Netflix, and Prime altogether is cheaper than basic here.

 

[mtnwalton]

I still have cable but don't like the huge bill. Pretty sure it's sports that drives that market and its ridiculous pricing.

We have two smart tvs with dvrs and rokus. I prefer the interface roku provides rather than the built ins on the tvs or dvd players.

 

[Bobdog]

Basic cable here (local stations......I'm too far from the city to get anything without a tower antenna) is something like $35/mo.

Fios is running a special for internet, unlimited phone use and basic cable for $70/mo.

Doesn't really seem all that bad when you break it down.

For me, everything I watch besides the local sports and news is on cable only channels (AMC, FX, Velocity, Showtime) plus I get a ton of free stuff from On-Demand so for me, it's worth the cost of the plan, since I can't get any of that stuff from the free services.

I also stream a lot of Netflix, which I think costs me $5/mo or something close to that.

Point being, maybe stripping down your plan to just the channels you watch would be a better option.

 

[brownbagg]

the problem with roku is , you still need some type of internet, and my internet comes in on cable, so i still have the channel no matter what. my cable company won't separate basic cable from internet

 

[slopdog]

Most hockey games are live viva the interweb