TV options?

[frugal-one]

Just tried checking the search option to answer my question.....

We just purchased a Smart Tv and want to get rid of cable. Totally confused..... do we need to do Roku on each tv or do we not since we have a Smart tv? Know we can hook up an antennae for local stations. Ever heard of sling tv? As you can tell, totally in over my head. Any words of wisdom will be appreciated.

[frugal-one]

Just came across this:
http://cordcuttersnews.com/sfn-tv-a-new-live-tv-streaming-service-is-coming-it-could-be-one-of-the-best-starting-at-5-per-month/

[Ultralight]

Do you have the receipt for the Smart TV?

The most simple thing might be to return it. This would also save money.

[frugal-one]

UL... No one asked you what you thought would save money or YOUR snotty opinion for that matter.

[lmerullo]

Also following...

Dh and I are tired of paying $150+ for cable, Internet and phone. We are researching alternatives at this time.

[Teacher Terry]

Some people actually enjoy watching TV.

[ToomuchStuff]

Just came across this:
http://cordcuttersnews.com/sfn-tv-a-new-live-tv-streaming-service-is-coming-it-could-be-one-of-the-best-starting-at-5-per-month/


That doesn't sound promising to me. That sounds as if they are charging you, to be a front end, for others sites. (Hulu, Youtube, CBS.com, etc)
No you don't need a Roku or even a smart tv, as you can use a computer and hdmi cable (or Raspberry PI, etc). It really depends on expectations, verses needs and costs.
The last time I heard of Sling, was by a person who spent part of his time in another country. He had a sling with dvr functions, and ran it through a vpn, so he could record one show and a bunch of sports, so he could watch them in the other country.
You also don't even need the tv (really a matter of what size you want to watch on). I forget the name of them, but there are boxes that have multiple tuners in them, and you can stream the video over your internal network to any computer screen.
Other options include dvd rentals from the library and purchasing new or used dvd's (you are behind a series, but don't deal with commercials, and depending on popularity, can be cost of one months cable to many months of cable, depending on series).
A Roku and a Smart tv are very similar in function. Smart tv's just aren't as upgradeable, (if a Roku is too out of date, I have seen them for around $50, if a tv is out of date, they cost more) I had this same issue with an old laptop, that had an embedded Linux distro. Embedded software, tends to just be a way to get you to buy new hardware more often, IMHO.

Edit: I came back because something was nagging me about your question. I reread it, and want to make sure you understand something. (not clear or I might be reading it wrong)
A smart tv, and a Roku are similar, in that they both will work on the device they are hooked to. You can move a Roku, but you can't use a smart tv, to remotely control another tv.
That may or may not be what you meant, but I thought it important to clarify.

[frugal-one]

Thanks TMS... Working today trying to find the Smart tv apps.... hehe.... May have found it but DH is on tv now. Hate this process! I am aware of various ways to get info (library videos, etc) ... question now is how to use this Smart Tv to the best advantage.

[Miss Cellane]

If you have a smart tv, you probably don't need a Roku for it.

You should be able to link various streaming services directly to the tv, once the tv is connected to the internet.

The question is, what streaming services do you want?

Hulu has current shows, although some may come out a week or so after they air, and some shows are available for a limited time. Netflix has a lot of shows/movies, but they come and go. And you usually only get hit movies for a month or so. Amazon Prime has a lot of shows for free, and if there's something that you really want to watch, you can just pay for that show/movie if it isn't in Prime. There are other streaming services out there. It mostly depends on what you want to watch--movies, current tv shows, older tv shows?

[SteveinMN]

The only reason you might want a Roku (or Apple TV or Chromecast or Fire Stick or whatever) is because it offers you programming you can't get through your smart TV. But, aside from an extensive copy-protected Apple-format iTunes software collection , there's very little that's popular and available on only [I]one device.

The benefits of going with a separate box for the "smarts" is that you get to move it around where you want it; you can use them on non-smart TVs; and most of them have better user interfaces than smart TVs (they're easier to operate). The companies that make outboard boxes are better about providing updates for them than smart TV makers are about updating the TVs. The disadvantages of a separate box are needing to buy another cable to connect each device; spending a little more for the combination of the box and a non-smart TV than for a smart TV alone; and -- probably -- clicking a few more buttons on the remote since most of the outboard boxes have their own remote controls/apps which are not duplicated on the TV remote.

Since we're almost exclusively an Apple house, we went for an Apple TV along with our antenna. The integration is just simpler and better. We have one for the main TV and we just received one as a gift for our basement TV. We went with Hulu largely because that's what DW chose; it has what she wants to watch and she watches far more than I do. *shrug*

One caveat for smart TVs and similar outboard devices is that much of the programming is behind some sort of gate. CBS has an on-demand app ("CBS All Access") but it runs some dollars a month; there is no free content. Some CBS content is carried on other services; some is "All Access" only. ABC's on-demand app requires that you "authenticate" your device/your use of the app by providing cable TV/dish subscription info -- even if you can get ABC programming free over the air. And, of course, you need high-speed Internet to make it all work since video moves a lot more data over the Internet than audio or text. We pay about $75 a month for Comcast's middle level of high-speed Internet and "limited basic" cable (essentially OTA channels, shopping, CSPANs, local access, etc.) -- all but $10 of that is the high-speed Internet. So go ahead and price out what you want to watch and then figure out the best way to get it.

[freshstart]

this is very confusing but will be helpful if I ever get my father to agree to trying life without premium channels at least. We have hulu (I hate hulu because of the commercials and they have billed my credit card twice for an upgrade to Showtime that I never ordered), Netflix and Amazon. We should be able to at least drop the premium channels since we have enough content to last a lifetime.

IDK about smart tvs but I love tivo DVRs, I can stream everything over them, record 6 shows at once, ping shows to different tivos in the house and a bunch of other great features.

[freshstart]

am I correct in assuming if I cut the cable cord, I don't need a smart tv because the tivos perform similar functions?

[ToomuchStuff]

am I correct in assuming if I cut the cable cord, I don't need a smart tv because the tivos perform similar functions?


The last time I dealt with a tivo was a long time ago. Back then, at least, a tivo was a dvr, that is in comparison to a vcr. So it wasn't similar. No idea now.

[frugal-one]

For some reason, haven't been able to connect to the forum for a few days????? It was really slow and would time out.

Have been playing around with Netflix 30 day free trial and checking channels we actually watch on tv to see what we actually want. Called the cable company and they offer a 20 channel option (10 of which would be local that could be gotten using an antenna) at a lower cost. Sling tv is only good for one tv so that option stinks. Have yet to check with the dish company to see what options are there. DH is looking for a way to see BTN sports channel without having cable... doesn't look like that is an option??? Checked out tivo dvr. Shows it is $15/mo and it eliminates cable boxes and can tape up to 4 things at a time. Thanks for all the input... lots to think about. Will let you know the outcome.

[Miss Cellane]

am I correct in assuming if I cut the cable cord, I don't need a smart tv because the tivos perform similar functions?

I don't know about older model Tivos--can they update the software? I do know that my brother has a Tivo, and a Smart TV, and he uses the Tivo to watch Amazon Prime. The Tivo has many of the functions of a Smart TV.

One thing I have noticed is that the user interface for all these streaming services varies greatly from device to device. Some do a better job than others. I have a Roku and a BluRay player. The BluRay player has a better interface with Netflix--you can have the different profiles, for one thing. But on the Roku, you can't see the different profiles and everything is lumped into one queue. Same thing for Amazon Prime, only in reverse. Lots more options for recommendations on the Roku, very limited on the BluRay player. My brother has noticed the same thing, between his Tivo and the Smart TV. The problem is, there seems to be no way to check this out in advance.

[ToomuchStuff]

I don't know about older model Tivos--can they update the software?

The last time I dealt with one, it was hooked to a tube tv. It could be updated, to a point (basically have a limited lifespan, as hardware changes).

[freshstart]

I have one really old tivo, it still works fine as a DVR but can't stream content or display in HD. I don't watch tv in HD anyway so it's fine. I have it set up in the exercise area

[frugal-one]

Here is what happened......Well, after contacting my internet provider and threatening to cancel and, checking all options (that I know of)... the best we can do is stay with the current provider who radically reduced the price. We changed some of the channels and got rid of one cable box and put regular antennas on tvs we use rarely. We are now trying Netflix free for a month and are going to keep it too. We were all set to pull the plug on cable but cannot find options that meet our needs/wants. We think this is the best we can do! I spent a lot of time checking the options and, this is it! Ask me again next year. sigh

[beckyliz]

We have a Smart TV with a Roku stick. We cut cable last October and I figured with the money we saved in a year, it would pay for the TV. We subscribe to Netflix, Sling TV (gets cable channels), Hulu and CBS All access (our antenna doesn't get the local CBS station). We have a smaller TV in our bedroom that Dh watches - it has a Roku also and picks up the same channels. The process of watching TV is a bit more clunky than just being able to channel surf like you'd do with cable, but I think that makes us more mindful of turning on the TV. We also have Amazon because of Prime, but we don't watch it a lot. There are 4 of us in the family, including our 20 year-old son and 17 year-old daughter and they're not complaining. It's my Dh who is having technical issues. I will say that SlingTV can be a bit glitch at times, but I think it's improving and they are adding more channels.

[frugal-one]

We have a Smart TV with a Roku stick. We cut cable last October and I figured with the money we saved in a year, it would pay for the TV. We subscribe to Netflix, Sling TV (gets cable channels), Hulu and CBS All access (our antenna doesn't get the local CBS station). We have a smaller TV in our bedroom that Dh watches - it has a Roku also and picks up the same channels. The process of watching TV is a bit more clunky than just being able to channel surf like you'd do with cable, but I think that makes us more mindful of turning on the TV. We also have Amazon because of Prime, but we don't watch it a lot. There are 4 of us in the family, including our 20 year-old son and 17 year-old daughter and they're not complaining. It's my Dh who is having technical issues. I will say that SlingTV can be a bit glitch at times, but I think it's improving and they are adding more channels.

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought the reason to get Smart Tv was so you didn't need any outside equipment (such as Roku)? Or does Roku offer things not available on the Smart Tv apps?

[ToomuchStuff]

Maybe I am wrong, but I thought the reason to get Smart Tv was so you didn't need any outside equipment (such as Roku)? Or does Roku offer things not available on the Smart Tv apps?

In all honesty, it is getting harder to find a tv that isn't a "smart" tv. Some of the reviews I saw, (and heard from one who tried) said Smart tv's tend to be slower then some of the add on's (a Roku and Amazon fire stick). There is also the upgrade issues, mentioned earlier. That said, I don't think all Smart tv's are the same, as I think (if they haven't already), some do things others won't (effectively branding).

[JaneV2.0]

And they may be able to monitor your every word. http://www.clark.com/your-smart-tv-spying-you

I suppose I should buy another dumb one before I have no say in the matter.

[freshstart]

tv is getting too confusing

[Cypress]

I think cable companies are getting scared. I cancelled internet and tv at my house in April. I've adjusted quite well to life without. On Friday, I took a vacation day and stayed home. I was surprised to get a knock on the door mid day. I looked out and saw it was a Charter Communication rep, since I didn't order service, I ignored the knock. The guy put a business card in the mail box. I have been thinking about getting internet only and here was my chance. But, sales people say one thing and another happens. If the rate was a reasonable $25 a month, I'd go for it, costs are too high for my wallet.

[frugal-one]

I think cable companies are getting scared. I cancelled internet and tv at my house in April. I've adjusted quite well to life without. On Friday, I took a vacation day and stayed home. I was surprised to get a knock on the door mid day. I looked out and saw it was a Charter Communication rep, since I didn't order service, I ignored the knock. The guy put a business card in the mail box. I have been thinking about getting internet only and here was my chance. But, sales people say one thing and another happens. If the rate was a reasonable $25 a month, I'd go for it, costs are too high for my wallet.

As I mentioned earlier, I would get rabbit ears for local stations, a roku to get Netflix (and other aps if interested) and have internet hookup. There is a recorder available to record local networks. We went through this a month ago and we did stay with cable because DH loves sports and there is really very little alternative. We did get the cable billed radically reduced however.