General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAnother option for cutting the cord to cable:
If you have a ROKU box, have you added Pluto.tv yet? It a free channel with 75 stations.
Among it's offerings, it has 10 news stations (including a few awful ones), MST3K, Rifftrax, The Onion, a classic movie channel, and a whole lot more. It will put another nail in cable's coffin. Check it out.
Egnever
(21,506 posts)$35 a month but still.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,926 posts)I gather you buy some sort of a box, but is there a monthly fee attached?
I don't happen to own a TV, and I can watch just about everything I'm interested via the internet, but I keep on hearing about these other alternatives, if you have a conventional television set, and I'm quite befuddled by how they work.
Big Blue Marble
(5,155 posts)You are able to then subscribe to multiple services such as Netflicks. Amazon Prime, Hulu,
SlingTV etc. I have relied on receiving most of my TV though the Roku for five years
and love it. I officially cut the cord last year after buying a full $34 antenna for the local
channels. Big savings and lots to watch.
padfun
(1,792 posts)Just buy the little box and plug it in. I have a subscription to both Netflix and Curiosity Stream. But me and my wife mostly just watch YouTube anymore. You can find just about anything on YouTube.
Total cost for me: Netflix $10, Curiosity Stream $3 and super fast (200m) internet $85.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,926 posts)Hulu paid subscription, and Amazon Prime. PBS streams a decent number of their shows, and there is an amazing amount of stuff on YouTube.
There really is far more out there than I (or anyone else) can possibly keep up with.
padfun
(1,792 posts)I hear that every minute, there is 30 hours of content that is uploaded to YouTube. That's a 1800-1.
And if you have a smart TV, then you don't need Roku.
Ninsianna
(1,349 posts)I was trying to find an old documentary and had to wade through the weirdest stuff. Everyone with a camera on their phone seems to be uploading "content" that really no one needs to see.
padfun
(1,792 posts)But you do have to filter it..
Ninsianna
(1,349 posts)and various other sources. Too much nastiness to wade through myself, and it requires more showers afterwards than is really healthy.
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,926 posts)I've finally come to understand that what I consider crap is someone else's favorite program.
There are very many TV shows I consider crap and will never watch, but were you to ask me about some specific such show, I'd say something, like, "I haven't had a chance to watch that one."
But honestly, for almost all of us, there are more good quality shows than we have the time to watch.
Although I'll also add that many shows are good the first season or two and then become total crap. Of course, there's no law that says I must keep watching, and I don't.
Ninsianna
(1,349 posts)bathroommonkey76
(3,827 posts)Download the Plex app and you can stream movies/tv shows off your laptop, or tablet.
I use Plex more than any app on ROKU.
https://www.plex.tv/apps/streaming-devices/roku/
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,926 posts)Can the ROKU device be hooked up to a computer? Remember, I don't own an actual TV.
Although I can watch most of what I want over the internet, so I'm extremely disinclined to buy another device or download another app.
Freethinker65
(10,090 posts)Beausoleil
(2,860 posts)underpants
(182,988 posts)FSogol
(45,579 posts)underpants
(182,988 posts)marlakay
(11,527 posts)but my internet is $80 and its not that great. Of course no one tells you when you buy a house, this part of town gets the worst internet, the guys at cable company call it a black hole. And only internet is Suddenlink or Att but then you have to have cell with them which I don't.
I have antenna for local tv and the basic 4 cbs, abc, fox and nbc. Netflix, hulu, amazon prime, hbo go.
I have apple tv and can mirror other stuff from iPad.
womanofthehills
(8,801 posts)I spend too much time on the internet. If I watched tv too, I would have no life. I podcast Randi Rhodes and Rachel and then I can listen while I'm doing other stuff or driving.
I've been toying with getting an antenna, but it's not a priority.
Liberal In Texas
(13,605 posts)Haven't had cable since 2001. Don't miss it.
Off the air is good if one wants to watch local news/programming.
With Netflix and Amazon Prime, we have lots of stuff of stuff to go to.
Much cheaper than the bandits that sell $100+ per month crap.
And it's in HD with no extra fees.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,941 posts)bathroommonkey76
(3,827 posts)Last edited Sat Apr 29, 2017, 05:59 AM - Edit history (1)
They are the best bet in the streaming world- You can find apps like 123Movies and live TV on there for free. I'm talking all the channels in the world and all the current movies in the theaters, or on DVD. I use my Roku often, but I use my Amazon/Kodi box more. The best way I can describe is like this... Remember those big satellites people used to have? Well, during the 80s and 90s there were receivers people could buy those descrambled receivers that could open up all the channels on satellite-- Amazon/Kodi devices are exactly like those receivers. haha
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)away.
IOW, cable subsidies the freebie sources. When cable dies, there will be nothing.
Well, maybe commercials and "Amazon originals."
sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)The best thing about a Roku, when I travel it goes with.
VigilantG
(374 posts)I got "jail broken" Amazon Firestick. It is ridiculous, the amount of programming available. I watch a lot of different new sources from around the world. Love it! So happy to not pay the outrageous price of cable to Cox!
I'm glad to hear about other apps for Roku and SmartTV, since we have one of each, too. Thank you!
I bought Roku first but it seemed a bit limited since I was not going to pay for a lot of subscriptions. Then SmartTV. I have Netflix for those. PBS Kids is free and my daughter loves it! (F u Trump!)
My SmartTV is a Samsung, so who knows who's been watching me!
VigilantG
(374 posts)I take Firestick to my friend's houses sometimes to watch a new movie or older or more obscure films and documentaries. Took it to Mexico on vacation last Fall too.
Good stuff!