Can someone clear something up for me, please? (re: streaming)

[madamesilverspurs]

Last edited Sat Jul 11, 2020, 12:10 AM - Edit history (1)

I hear about things like CBS All Access, and now Peacock. I'm guessing those are viewed via computer instead of TV? And are those services worth it, or just another expense?
As always, thanks in advance.

ETA: Guess I should have mentioned that I was born long before the chips were implanted. Under the present circumstances I can't borrow the usual 8-year-old to do this stuff for me; and, adding to my frustration, my vocabulary doesn't understand the meaning of words like 'roku stick' or 'firestick' or 'streaming app' or 'playstation app' or 'x-box app' or 'widget'. I grew up plugging in the tv and twisting a dial to turn it on, and that's pretty much the extent of my technical comprehension. So maybe someone could "dumb down" the conversation to the level of a complete neophyte, because that's really where I am in all this...


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[temporary311]

1. Depends on the service and what you want to watch.

For example, I subscribed long enough to CBS to watch Picard, then cancelled when it was finished. I'll likely resubscribe for season 2. You can watch them on TV if you have a streaming player like a Roku, or a cord long enough to go from your computer to your tv.

[tulipsandroses]

2. You can use a tv for streaming - I have a smart tv. Roku device built in. Or use a regular tv with

whatever streaming service you plan to use. I used the Firestick before I bought the Roku tv

I think Streaming services are worth it. You get to program what you want to watch and cancel and are not locked into long term contracts if you don't like " your package" - if you are comparing it to cable tv packages. You can get carried away though. I probably need to do some cleaning up this week as I have things that I added that I haven't watched in a while that I need to remove that I am still paying for. All that 3.99, 4.99 and so forth adds up.

I probably wouldn't have made it through this shutdown without streaming tv. LOL!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

3. I use free streaming services such as Pluto TV...

... Tubi, Kanopy, etc.

I connect my smart phone directly to the TV, using a converter/charger and an HDMI cable, and use my unlimited data plan for streaming. No Wifi in my home, just the cellular connection. The phone plan's "hotspot" data doesn't get used because of the direct connection to the TV.

The HDMI converter that I use looks like this: https://store.storeimages.cdn-apple.com/4982/as-images.apple.com/is/MD826?wid=1144&hei=1144&fmt=jpeg

Works great. Puts anything from the phone's screen onto the TV. Still works when the screensaver makes the phone's display go dark.

I also watch PBS and other local channels through the TV's antenna connection.

[csziggy]

4. I love streaming - because I don't pay for stuff I don't watch

I use a Roku stick for each TV. Roku (and the other streaming devices) use my WiFi to connection to the different streaming services and play it on my TVs. You can watch on a computer and most will allow you to also streaming on a smart phone.

[mr_lebowski]

5. Apart from the aforementioned devices like Firestick

If you have a 'smart' TV of somewhat recent vintage, many of those have an app store type of thing, where you can go and then add the CBS app to your TV and stream that way. Playstation 4 and XBox One can also add streaming apps via a store.

Your internet provider might also have a streaming device available, in my case it's a $5/month rental (which I do not do cause I have a PS4 and smartTV with Roku built in). They will typically only 'have what they have' though, no store.

[RainCaster]

6. Many streaming options

I can watch on my phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop. Also I have a smart TV, a FireStick, and my DVD player will stream as well. It's likely that you have such a widget already.

[dawg day]

7. Peacock comes free if you have Xfinity on your TV, I know.

You can sign up for the "apps" for these streaming service usually on your cable provider, and pay. They're usually about $7 a month. Usually I'll sign up for a couple months if there's something I want to see (like Hamilton is on Disney +), then cancel.

[Lars39]

8. We have an older Vizio tv.

Definitely not a “smart” tv. Finally got a Roku. After the one-time cost of the Roku, we only pay for Netflix and Prime (amazon prime), but the Roku has a lot of free stuff and news on it. It is easy to lose the little Roku remote though

[intrepidity]

9. In the "old" days, our TVs got their signal via antennas

More recently, by cable boxes.

Nowadays, the Internet is the main conduit for intertainment.

So, devices that can connect to the internet (phones, computers, and more recently, TVs (often via a device such as Roku or Firestick, etc) can deliver content via what's become known as "streaming".

Several years ago, as cable companies were charging an arm and leg for service, a trend of "cutting the cord" began, wherby folks would ditch their cable provider and instead get their entertainment via the Internet. So, Netflix and similar services (cheap, compared to cable) filled the need. It mainly began as a service for cell phones ("smart" phones).

Nowadays, there are so many services that it almost feels like we're coming full circle, in terms of cost. But, you don't need to subscribe to several, if you can get what you like from just one. I predict those days are numbered, though.

Right now I have: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Showtime, HBO, Hulu, Acorn, PBS Masterpiece and MHz Choice. (but some are in free trial phase. Like how they all started, lol)

Hope that helps

[samnsara]

10. Maybe on ROKU? I watch Pluto tv on there and its free..