gatorburg Posted September 2, 2015 Posted September 2, 2015 I have a Classic Roku and got a letter from them asking me to upgrade. What is a good streaming device out there? Will there be any good deals on them during bf?
Kanyon71 Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 I have AppleTV and Amazon Firestick. I like the FireStick, it's even nicer if you have Amazon Prime. AppleTV to me is still just a side thing, we mostly use it for when we want to share things from our phones or iPad on the TV.
Pnambic Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Interested in more info on Amazon Firestick & Kodi... Anyone have experience?
Bopeep Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 I recently bought the Firestick, and actually just plugged it in this week. So far, I love it. It's much easier to use than I expected. And, as a Prime member, all of my music is on Amazon (I no longer use iTunes at all) so I really love that I can go to my music and my playlists right there on my TV instead of either hooking up speakers to my Kindle or phone or mirroring the Kindle to my TV (which was a nuisance). **disclaimer - I have never streamed Netflix or Amazon video from any device, have only watched Amazon video directly on the Kindle or mirrored the Kindle to the TV so my experience comes from no experience. I can't compare the Firestick to any other device.
Midnight55 Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Does anyone think the Amazon echo will be on sale on black Friday
jaymacfla Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Everyone really needs to check out the Android boxes that run Kodi on Ebay. They are a cheap alternative to many other streaming devices, and offer more options, like ethernet. You can also hook up a wireless mouse and keyboard. I got one for $38.
Bopeep Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 Does anyone think the Amazon echo will be on sale on black FridayI'm hoping so. 1
shopping4my3son Posted September 3, 2015 Posted September 3, 2015 (edited) Does any one have Sling TV? Looking for reviews. Looks affordable but we'd have to upgrade our Roku box. Ours is one of the first models they had. I think I remember seeing them on Black Friday for a good price before. https://www.sling.com/new-home-page Edited September 3, 2015 by shopping4my3son 1
shaneberry21 Posted September 4, 2015 Posted September 4, 2015 We have Amazon Fire Stick and the Amazon Fire box. The only difference we've ever seen is voice command. Box=yes, Stick=no. We stream Netflix and Amazon Prime TV/movies for the most part. We love them. The voice command is top notch too.
Pnambic Posted September 4, 2015 Posted September 4, 2015 Everyone really needs to check out the Android boxes that run Kodi on Ebay. They are a cheap alternative to many other streaming devices, and offer more options, like ethernet. You can also hook up a wireless mouse and keyboard. I got one for $38. Keep talking Jay
len_mullen Posted September 4, 2015 Posted September 4, 2015 I have a Classic Roku and got a letter from them asking me to upgrade. What is a good streaming device out there? Will there be any good deals on them during bf? Virtually every device streams something -- it's not uncommon for televisions and BD players to stream the major services. Since you own one of the early Rokus, you probably have a good idea of how you feel about the Roku specific apps (channels). You may be interested to know that Fire TV has surpassed Roku in number of available apps (both in the thousands). Fire TV has a lot of really good games and supports a number of standard controllers. Are you a cable subscriber? Thinking of changing that? If so, you may want to check out Sling TV.
momlori Posted September 4, 2015 Posted September 4, 2015 I have Directv but would like to stream movies now and again. My DH is technically challenged so it would need to be easy to use. What do you all recommend?
len_mullen Posted September 4, 2015 Posted September 4, 2015 I have Directv but would like to stream movies now and again. My DH is technically challenged so it would need to be easy to use. What do you all recommend? Are you looking for free content, to subscribe to Netflix or Amazon Prime, or to buy/rent from services like Vudu?
flosmoney Posted September 4, 2015 Posted September 4, 2015 We have a Sony smart tv, blue player with apps and Apple TV. We use the smart tv for Amazon prime, Netflix and some YouTube. Smart tvs keyboard entry for apps typing is not fun. We use apple for connecting iPad or iPhone for YouTube. It can mirror easily. I have music and videos in iTunes. I have an echo. It's fun to play music from our library or amazons. We don't use cable TV only Internet.
freesia39 Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Huh, I'm the oddball that uses their PS4 to stream.
gatorburg Posted September 5, 2015 Author Posted September 5, 2015 Virtually every device streams something -- it's not uncommon for televisions and BD players to stream the major services. Since you own one of the early Rokus, you probably have a good idea of how you feel about the Roku specific apps (channels). You may be interested to know that Fire TV has surpassed Roku in number of available apps (both in the thousands). Fire TV has a lot of really good games and supports a number of standard controllers. Are you a cable subscriber? Thinking of changing that? If so, you may want to check out Sling TV. Virtually every device streams something -- it's not uncommon for televisions and BD players to stream the major services. Since you own one of the early Rokus, you probably have a good idea of how you feel about the Roku specific apps (channels). You may be interested to know that Fire TV has surpassed Roku in number of available apps (both in the thousands). Fire TV has a lot of really good games and supports a number of standard controllers. Are you a cable subscriber? Thinking of changing that? If so, you may want to check out Sling TV. Yes I have cable for the internet. I am in a area where you have to have the bundle just to have the internet. I dont have a amazon prime account so does the Fire TV work good without the prime account?
jaymacfla Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 http://www.ebay.com/itm/MXQ-Android-4-4-Quad-Core-WiFi-Kodi-1080P-Smart-set-TV-Box-8GB-XBMC-Fully-Loaded-/121709127802 Ok, I will keep talking and bragging about them. I found that the wireless mouse and keyboard that was just sitting around from twwo Black Fridays ago worked flawlessly with the box. There are so many options available that you have to purchase one to see what i'm already excited about. I am telling my relatives to ask Santa for one. It looks af if the mini keyboards and mice will once again be on my BF list this year. 1
len_mullen Posted September 6, 2015 Posted September 6, 2015 Yes I have cable for the internet. I am in a area where you have to have the bundle just to have the internet. I dont have a amazon prime account so does the Fire TV work good without the prime account? I think it does. I have only ever had a Prime account for a few months here and there for free trials or because it came with a device. Right now, I have Netflix, but I have been looking for something better for five years I don't have a strong preference for the Roku or Fire TV user interface. Fire TV puts your most used apps right at the top of the screen and Roku lets you put the tiles in whatever order you like. Don't care for the ads on the Roku, but it's not a big deal. As far as content goes, Roku has better news content, but the Fire TV has an amazing collection of games and can use standard controllers (I use wired xbox controllers),
Kanyon71 Posted September 8, 2015 Posted September 8, 2015 Does any one have Sling TV? Looking for reviews. Looks affordable but we'd have to upgrade our Roku box. Ours is one of the first models they had. I think I remember seeing them on Black Friday for a good price before. https://www.sling.com/new-home-pageMy in-laws have Sling TV. When we were down there in July for a few weeks I used it quite often. It's pretty nice the streaming works well you get to watch TV as if you didn't change anything. The channels are still somewhat limited but from when I helped them get it all up and running in April and when we were back in July they had added a few more channels. All in all it worked pretty well. If you have shows you are really into just make sure you can still get those. 1
jesusluvu Posted September 8, 2015 Posted September 8, 2015 i WILL BE LOOKING FOR ONE OF THESE AS WELL. I have the Google Chrome but have never taken it out of the box. I also have it built in on my xbox but never set it up. Needless to say I really don't need one but just want one. Then I can have one for every room.
starbeck96 Posted September 8, 2015 Posted September 8, 2015 I think it does. I have only ever had a Prime account for a few months here and there for free trials or because it came with a device. Right now, I have Netflix, but I have been looking for something better for five years I don't have a strong preference for the Roku or Fire TV user interface. Fire TV puts your most used apps right at the top of the screen and Roku lets you put the tiles in whatever order you like. Don't care for the ads on the Roku, but it's not a big deal. As far as content goes, Roku has better news content, but the Fire TV has an amazing collection of games and can use standard controllers (I use wired xbox controllers), I am glad to hear that with the Fire you can use xbox controllers. Does this include xbox 360 controllers? We are looking into getting a streaming device for possibly 3 TVs. We will be getting Amazon Prime (since hubby has gone back to school and can get it for 50.00/year). So, I thought if we are going to have prime, then the Fire TV or Fire Stick would probably be a better option for at least one or two of the TVs. Do any of the streaming devices have parental controls? If so, we may even consider getting one for my daughter.
momlori Posted September 8, 2015 Posted September 8, 2015 Are you looking for free content, to subscribe to Netflix or Amazon Prime, or to buy/rent from services like Vudu?Probably a subscription service
msomnipotent Posted September 8, 2015 Posted September 8, 2015 I bought a Roku 3 in April, spent 30 mins playing with it and then put it back in the box. I thought it was confusing to use and the news channels had sound but no voiceovers. As an example, there would be footage of a car chase and you could hear tires squealing, but no one explaining what was going on or where. I'm looking to replace my Panasonic blu ray player, too. I bought the DMP-BDT500P and I cannot tolerate the remote any longer. It is slow and rarely hooks up to Netflix or Amazon Prime. I'm thinking about buying a few of the Fire sticks if they have a good sale. I will have to research the blu-ray players. Maybe just get a cheap and simple one this time.
hockeyfanamo Posted September 8, 2015 Posted September 8, 2015 I had never heard of Sling TV before this discussion so thank you for starting this thread!
riven3d Posted September 8, 2015 Posted September 8, 2015 I like my Roku 3 that I have, i dont stream much content so its good for what I want. Last year I bought the Smart Blu-Ray player that was in the Target ad, it doesnt have a huge selection of channels but it has Vudu and Amazon which are 2 of the 3 channels I stream the most from so it fits my needs well enough as its in my bedroom it doesnt get used all the time.
Bopeep Posted September 8, 2015 Posted September 8, 2015 Do any of the streaming devices have parental controls? If so, we may even consider getting one for my daughter.I would imagine they all do, but I know for sure the Fire Stick has parental controls. 1
len_mullen Posted September 9, 2015 Posted September 9, 2015 I am glad to hear that with the Fire you can use xbox controllers. Does this include xbox 360 controllers? We are looking into getting a streaming device for possibly 3 TVs. We will be getting Amazon Prime (since hubby has gone back to school and can get it for 50.00/year). So, I thought if we are going to have prime, then the Fire TV or Fire Stick would probably be a better option for at least one or two of the TVs. Do any of the streaming devices have parental controls? If so, we may even consider getting one for my daughter. My USB controllers are from a 360 and work with Windows. We had them, so I plugged one in and it worked. Fire TV has very good parental controls. The Roku has no parental controls. Many have complained that ads inserted in apps are not consistent with program rating as well. Good overview of Amazon's parental controls here... http://www.howtogeek.com/204881/how-to-enable-parental-controls-on-the-fire-tv-and-fire-tv-stick/ Amazon help for this feature here... http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=201452530 1
shortie062 Posted September 10, 2015 Posted September 10, 2015 I have Apple TV and love it!! So many apps available. I'm actually getting rid of cable and I'll just use my Hulu and Netflix account off the Apple TV since that's all I truly use now to watch TV.
jaymacfla Posted September 11, 2015 Posted September 11, 2015 I bought a Roku 3 in April, spent 30 mins playing with it and then put it back in the box. I thought it was confusing to use and the news channels had sound but no voiceovers. As an example, there would be footage of a car chase and you could hear tires squealing, but no one explaining what was going on or where. I'm looking to replace my Panasonic blu ray player, too. I bought the DMP-BDT500P and I cannot tolerate the remote any longer. It is slow and rarely hooks up to Netflix or Amazon Prime. I'm thinking about buying a few of the Fire sticks if they have a good sale. I will have to research the blu-ray players. Maybe just get a cheap and simple one this time. You should be able to load KODI on it, so that will give you much more content.
jaymacfla Posted September 11, 2015 Posted September 11, 2015 I had never heard of Sling TV before this discussion so thank you for starting this thread!Most people are now just hearing about it. Due to limited content and a fee, some will steer clear of it to become a cord cutter in every sense of the word. If people could learn to change the way they watch TV, KODI would rule the planet. Most want instant gratification with a time slot and content, but rarely have the time to watch what is offered and when they do, they must be subjected to commercials which drive me absolutely crazy. With KODI, you search for the content you want, and if it is available you get the satisfaction of commercial free TV shows.
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