What apps are unusable? I'm pretty happy with mine, but all I'm really interested in are the Netflix and Amazon Prime apps (maybe Hulu too). On my TV, there seems to be a tie-in with a bunch of Yahoo apps, but I couldn't care less about those.

I have a Samsung Smart TV, and I'll admit, "unusable" is probably an overstatement. But my netflix and hulu apps are super slow. I have to restart my TV all the time to get them to actually play something, sometimes even having to unplug the power for a full reset. Even after applying all of the updates, compared to my other TV and Chromecast, it's definitely a more frustrating experience. Now that I have SlingTV, I've invested in a Roku 3 which should be here in a few days. I'm interested to see the difference.

I have a Samsung Smart TV, and I'll admit, "unusable" is probably an overstatement. But my netflix and hulu apps are super slow. I have to restart my TV all the time to get them to actually play something, sometimes even having to unplug the power for a full reset. Even after applying all of the updates, compared to my other TV and Chromecast, it's definitely a more frustrating experience. Now that I have SlingTV, I've invested in a Roku 3 which should be here in a few days. I'm interested to see the difference.

Didn't go for the Roku 4?

I have a Samsung Smart TV, and I'll admit, "unusable" is probably an overstatement. But my netflix and hulu apps are super slow. I have to restart my TV all the time to get them to actually play something, sometimes even having to unplug the power for a full reset. Even after applying all of the updates, compared to my other TV and Chromecast, it's definitely a more frustrating experience. Now that I have SlingTV, I've invested in a Roku 3 which should be here in a few days. I'm interested to see the difference.
Yeah, that would be frustrating. I've used Netflix and Amazon Prime on my TV, an XBox360 a PS3 as well as the Kindle Fire stick and haven't had any issues (yet). *Knocks on wood*

I recently purchased a jail broken Amazon fire stick , it litter all is the greatest 100 dollar investment I've ever made, if it continues to work as well as it has been so far , I'll be turning off my cable, Netflix , and Hulu accounts. Anyone else have any thing to add about these little jewels ?

Did it happen to be from something called fire stick guy? I had a paper stuck in my for advertising for him. Looked into it and I'm fairly certain he's on shaky legal ground. Maybe there's a loophole for what he specifically is doing, but ultimately he's providing easy access to pirated television and movies.

Did it happen to be from something called fire stick guy? I had a paper stuck in my for advertising for him. Looked into it and I'm fairly certain he's on shaky legal ground. Maybe there's a loophole for what he specifically is doing, but ultimately he's providing easy access to pirated television and movies.

My friend bought them from a lady online garage sale Facebook page. There's an app called kodi, that streams everything for free live tv , movies, ppv, it's pretty badass , I've seen where some say it's illegal and others say that since your not downloading anything it's legal. Not sure but so far I love it.

I recently purchased a jail broken Amazon fire stick , it litter all is the greatest 100 dollar investment I've ever made, if it continues to work as well as it has been so far , I'll be turning off my cable, Netflix , and Hulu accounts. Anyone else have any thing to add about these little jewels ?

I hope you didn't pay a lot extra. I can show you how to add Kodi to the fire tv or stick. Takes a total of 10 minutes.

For Kodi users.. are you able to see Thunder Games Live?.. I am considering either a Andoid box with Codi or a Firestick and am wanting access to Thunder games

[QUOTE=FighttheGoodFight;918719]I hope you didn't pay a lot extra. I can show you how to add Kodi to the fire tv or stick. Takes a total of 10 minutes.[/QUOTe. It was $100 bucks total, including the stick looks like they sell for around $50 bucks without the kodi app.

For Kodi users.. are you able to see Thunder Games Live?.. I am considering either a Andoid box with Codi or a Firestick and am wanting access to Thunder games it has every single team and sport you can imagine.

it has every single team and sport you can imagine.

Watch your mouth talking dirty like that!

Does Kodi work on Apple TV?

Does Kodi work on Apple TV?

No. They are working on it for the new one though.

Best Kodi boxes are the Shield TV and Fire TV right now.

What if you have the Amazon Fire TV box thing (no idea the name but it's not the stick) sorry but you guys are talking a little greek and I'm trying to interpret ! ha

What if you have the Amazon Fire TV box thing (no idea the name but it's not the stick) sorry but you guys are talking a little greek and I'm trying to interpret ! ha

Yes you can install Kodi on any FireTV product,

Here is a basic guide: How to sideload apps like Kodi onto the Fire TV ? Using nothing but the Fire TV | AFTVnews (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-sideload-apps-like-kodi-onto-the-fire-tv-using-nothing-but-the-fire-tv/)

How to launch after install: How to launch Kodi, XBMC, SPMC and other sideloaded apps from the Fire TV homescreen | AFTVnews (http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-launch-kodi-xbmc-spmc-and-other-sideloaded-apps-from-the-fire-tv-homescreen/)

Maybe I can charge 50 bucks like the one dude re-selling them with Kodi on it. 10 minutes of time for 50 bucks is nice.

Amazon Fire box you could use Kodi. I am not geeky enough to tell you how however.
my Geeky friend is wanting to set me up. said I can just get a 2x box and that works to and is only about 35.00.
but I might just do the Fire box..

It makes me wish for standards across devices. For example, the Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, WD TV Live, all use different software. Then you look at the different built-in apps in the TV's themselves for those that want to stay away from set-top boxes. I know that Reed Hastings has pointed to this as a real problem. For one thing, the user interfaces are all different. Netflix on Roku looks completely different than the Netflix UI on Chromecast, which looks different than....on and on. I have many friends with problems of lack of firmware updates with proprietary apps from TV manufacturers. One in particular complains that they can't access Netflix "Profiles" using their built-in TV app. I think the "Roku inside" HDTV's are the best, or a Roku box itself, because their entire mission is to offer content, stay on top of all the changes, and update them on-the-fly. Where TV manufacturers, using their own apps, are only ok in my opinion, I realize that's NOT their primary mission. There will be a shake-out with all of this, but I don't think the HDTV manufacturer apps are going to be the best solution in the end. Roku built-in to HDTV is very good and perfectly maintained. I know that their pitch to manufacturers is that they can offer licenses to their service, with all updates, and customer support, and it be a better deal financially than companies rolling their own and then having to support it.

As a content creator who wants to port their videos onto these boxes and TVs it can be a nightmare trying to write and maintain apps for all these devices. I looked into it about 9 months ago, and finally decided on a solution that was a no brainer for me. I use a company who after I upload my video to dailymotion, they then download the video from there, figure out the captions and metadata and then put it in their apps/channels that are on just about every device/tv. And on top of it all, they pay me for it. I get half the revenue from the ads they serve. Right now they are my primary source of income with my little side project. I get maybe $10 in donations from my website and I haven't seen anything from dailymotion, I have made around $50 so far in 4 months of payments from this company, anyway long story short, if I would have done it all on my own I probably would have just done Roku and hoped for the best.

Ok. got my Google box and kodi rigged up.. MAN!!!. I love this thing!
I called to cancel my cox.. I only had basic with HBO, ENCOR, STARZ and Cinemax with a box plus my internet. it was a special deal they offered after I cut them years ago.. well my total bill was usually 115.00 and 78.00 of that was Internet.. they kept my internet speed as it was.. and I turned in the box and they left me with just basic cable and my bill is now 68.00.. I will take that.. and with Kodi and Netflix I am plenty entertained and get Thunder games.. SCORE!

As for sports packages. I've read about ballstreams, nfl2go, and I'm currently beta testing reborn4hdlive. Any other services that should be noted? It doesn't have to be sports related, but I am considering looking into doing this next season.

Ok. got my Google box and kodi rigged up.. MAN!!!. I love this thing!
I called to cancel my cox.. I only had basic with HBO, ENCOR, STARZ and Cinemax with a box plus my internet. it was a special deal they offered after I cut them years ago.. well my total bill was usually 115.00 and 78.00 of that was Internet.. they kept my internet speed as it was.. and I turned in the box and they left me with just basic cable and my bill is now 68.00.. I will take that.. and with Kodi and Netflix I am plenty entertained and get Thunder games.. SCORE!

KODI is great. Big fan here. What "Google Box" do you have? I have KODI set up on a PC as well as a custom KODI OS callled OSMC for a Raspberry PI 2, all with a MythServer backend and a HDHomeRun network tuner, made essentially useless by Cox DRM crappage.

KODI is great. Big fan here. What "Google Box" do you have? I have KODI set up on a PC as well as a custom KODI OS callled OSMC for a Raspberry PI 2, all with a MythServer backend and a HDHomeRun network tuner, made essentially useless by Cox DRM crappage.

In an ethical sense, Kodi (formerly XBMC) is complicated.

It's kind of like BitTorrent. In and of itself, BitTorrent is not illegal. It's what people do with the client. Most download movies, music, and TV shows from KAT, Demonoid, etc. That's what makes using BitTorrent "illegal."

Do you see people use Kodi without illegal plug-ins? Price aside, what makes it better than a Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, etc. if you choose to not use the illegal plug-ins that can basically replace your cable service?

In the end, stealing from writers, actors, singers, bands, etc. will lead to LESS content.

Illegal Plug-ins for Kodi?

In an ethical sense, Kodi (formerly XBMC) is complicated.

It's kind of like BitTorrent. In and of itself, BitTorrent is not illegal. It's what people do with the client. Most download movies, music, and TV shows from KAT, Demonoid, etc. That's what makes using BitTorrent "illegal."

Do you see people use Kodi without illegal plug-ins? Price aside, what makes it better than a Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, etc. if you choose to not use the illegal plug-ins that can basically replace your cable service?

In the end, stealing from writers, actors, singers, bands, etc. will lead to LESS content.

There's no ethical issue for me and Kodi. I only want it to work with what I'm already paying for, eg my HD Homerun device that uses a paid-for Cox cablecard in conjunction with my paid-for Cox subscription in conjunction with my MythTV recorder back-end (and I don't even have any premium movie channels). That's exactly how I use my DVR with Cox, and exactly how I should be able to use it myself without paying for Cox equipment. Not interested in grabbing illegal torrents or illegal plug ins or whatever.

Illegal Plug-ins for Kodi?

I'm thinking of the plugins I mentioned earlier (sports ones). While not technically legal, sketchy at best.

KODI is great. Big fan here. What "Google Box" do you have? I have KODI set up on a PC as well as a custom KODI OS callled OSMC for a Raspberry PI 2, all with a MythServer backend and a HDHomeRun network tuner, made essentially useless by Cox DRM crappage.

You are way more Techie than I my friend.. I had to have a friend set mine up.. I bought a X2 smart android box and a keyboard controller off gearbest.com..

There are many plug-ins for Kodi that replace Cable for me that aren't illegal and are from the source. such as Redbull TV which we enjoy. I am not really interested in watching a first run movie that someone went into a theater and filmed with a pocket cam.

Cable company finds only 28% of consumers watch live TV - Business Insider (http://www.businessinsider.com/cable-company-finds-only-28-of-consumers-watch-live-tv-2015-12)

Cable company finds only 28% of consumers watch live TV - Business Insider (http://www.businessinsider.com/cable-company-finds-only-28-of-consumers-watch-live-tv-2015-12)

So what is Cox's point? Everyone wants a DVR? IN other news, water is wet, the sky is high, and dirt is dirty.

OF COURSE everyone wants a DVR. That's what spurred the entire DIGITAL CONTENT ADVENT in the last thirty years. Anyone remember VCR's? The Format Wars?

Why were studios and content providers behind the original push to digital content away from analog? Because they were incensed that SCOTUS granted legitimate home users the ability to create libraries of recorded material for which they were paying on their old, clunky VCR's without shelling out the equivalent of per-view fees every time the credits rolled. Right now, Cox and their ilk are the prime beneficiaries of this scheme, with a practical impossibility of enjoying recorded content without being forced to rent *their* equipment at *absurd* prices.

Of COURSE people want to watch what they want to watch when they want to watch it, and that should be (and, legally, is) part-and-parcel of paying for the content.

But what's happened in the interim is that the media industry has constructed this abhorrent scheme to prevent or at least complicate the legitimate creation of personally recorded content. The industry realized early on that technologies based on analog TV could never be altered to prevent the practice of creating home recording libraries of over-the-air or over-the-wire content. As a result, only control of the content delivery system could afford the technology necessary to frustrate this legitimate use. The incredible waste is seen in the artificial creation of a layer of technology (called "Digital Rights Management") that provides *zero* end-user benefit, drastically complicates the means of content delivery from a technical perspective, yet costs that same end-user more and more. We should be seeing an even *greater* explosion and expansion of digital content and consumer options for enjoying it, yet the spectre of DRM hovers a cancerous shadow over the entire universe of digital media delivery - all to the detriment of the legitimate, paying consumer. But what's getting ready to happen? The industry is getting ready to refocus home digital media delivery through consoles like PS4's and XBox Ones - provided they are "DTCP certified," which means paying certification fees in the tens of thousands of dollars, and "allowing" you to record local content provided your network is as fast as they think it should be - or the inference will be that you're a pirate.

I'm going to stop. This pressed a button for me.

I'm sorry for the rant, which I realize is slightly orthogonal to cord-cutting, but this is a *serious* sore spot with me. Yes, I know piracy is a thing and I have no desire whatsoever to advocate it; stealing is stealing. My rant is focused on what has already been established as the legitimate use of content for which I am already paying. Studios have broadly oversold the piracy argument to defeat the legitimate purposes of paying consumers. But this idea that it is acceptable for DVR technology to seem this closed, reserved, balled up secret necessarily costing hundreds of dollars every year is an egregious lie perpetrated by an industry who could not care less about the legitimate consumer public.

Rant mode off.

I don't want a DVR it requires too much thinking. I want what I want when I want it without having to know ahead of time that I ever wanted it.

I don't want a DVR it requires too much thinking. I want what I want when I want it without having to know ahead of time that I ever wanted it.

Same. I've never owned a DVR and don't want one. Yes I used to have a VCR that I programmed, but even then I rarely used it that way.

water is wet, the sky is blue, and women have secrets.

Fixed it for you

We dropped cable back in February, and I've found that I miss the DVR more than the channels we no longer get. We had several shows that were set to auto-record when a new episode aired. We just had to find some time in the evening and/or weekend to sit down and watch them. On the rare occasion that we could devote an entire Saturday to watching the DVR, I called it a DVR Clearance Sale - "Everything Must Go!"

We dropped cable back in February, and I've found that I miss the DVR more than the channels we no longer get. We had several shows that were set to auto-record when a new episode aired. We just had to find some time in the evening and/or weekend to sit down and watch them. On the rare occasion that we could devote an entire Saturday to watching the DVR, I called it a DVR Clearance Sale - "Everything Must Go!"

Get an Amazon firestick.

Cord cutters face a sea of streaming options - LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-01013-ct-ott-mania-20151229-story.html)

I've watched the whole bowl season on ESPN on my Roku through Sling TV. It's been great!

If you hurry, you can get a Sling two MONTH trial at:
https://www.google.com/chromecast/get-offers/sling/
(No, you don't really need a Chromecast to get the 2 month trial)

Sling has a Roku app that is really nice, you can also watch on your laptop if you're not at home.

Devices supported:

WATCH ON YOUR TV

Amazon Fire TV

Roku Player

Xbox One

Chromecast

Nexus Player

WATCH ON DEVICES

iOS

Android™

Mac

PC

I don't want a DVR it requires too much thinking. I want what I want when I want it without having to know ahead of time that I ever wanted it.I agree. That's why I like cougars.

Does anyone have any idea what kind of pricing Giggablast from Cox will be , it supposed to be 100 times faster than their fast current offering... I'm guessing this is in answer to google fiber announcing they were coming to town.

Get an Amazon firestick.

I just got an Amazon firestick, and haven't set it up. I've had a Roku for 2 years but didn't really get in-depth with it. What would you suggest I look into as far as setting up my fire stick?

Does anyone have any idea what kind of pricing Giggablast from Cox will be , it supposed to be 100 times faster than their fast current offering... I'm guessing this is in answer to google fiber announcing they were coming to town.

$99.95. Actually, it's been in the works for quite some time. Expect promotional pricing.

I just got an Amazon firestick, and haven't set it up. I've had a Roku for 2 years but didn't really get in-depth with it. What would you suggest I look into as far as setting up my fire stick?


Add Kodi to it. You can google how. It's fairly simple and adds a lot value to the fire stick. Also, if you have any iOS devices you can add AirPlay capability to it.

I just got an Amazon firestick, and haven't set it up. I've had a Roku for 2 years but didn't really get in-depth with it. What would you suggest I look into as far as setting up my fire stick?


Add the Kodi app if not already loaded, then the possibilities are endless.... Phoenix and 1Channel are a few of my favorite add-ones

$99.95. Actually, it's been in the works for quite some time. Expect promotional pricing.

I wonder how that will compare to google fiber, I just checked and Giggablast isn't available in my neck of the woods yet.....

I wonder how that will compare to google fiber, I just checked and Giggablast isn't available in my neck of the woods yet.....

Here's the latest pricing for Google Fiber in Kansas City:
https://fiber.google.com/cities/kansascity/plans/

Here's the latest pricing for Google Fiber in Kansas City:
https://fiber.google.com/cities/kansascity/plans/

Google Fiber, consider this my official order. The day you come to Mustang, sign me up for Gigabit + TV. Three additional TV boxes please. (Adds $15/month).

Honestly I was surprised by gigablast. They actually offer 1gig down and up. I figured they would have lower upload speed as they usually do.

Wonder if it still has the cap...

According to Data Plan and Usage (http://www.cox.com/residential/support/internet/article.cox?articleId=2fd6ccb0-b13a-11df-4be3-000000000000), Gigablast service has a 2TB/mo data cap. In general, I greatly dislike data caps, but 2TB/mo seems at least roughly within the realm of reason (if at the low end of that realm)... That said, I would rather have Google Fiber so there is no cap.

According to Data Plan and Usage (http://www.cox.com/residential/support/internet/article.cox?articleId=2fd6ccb0-b13a-11df-4be3-000000000000), Gigablast service has a 2TB/mo data cap. In general, I greatly dislike data caps, but 2TB/mo seems at least roughly within the realm of reason (if at the low end of that realm)... That said, I would rather have Google Fiber so there is no cap.

Truth. Google is cheaper at the same speed with no cap. I want to support the better option with my wallet.

The cap used to be 300gb a month on Cox. It is now 700gb. I easily hit my 300gb a month every month.

Sorry Cox your service has been fine but you were also my only choice.

I wonder how the wifi speed will be and if a special wifi router will be needed, to handle the speeds/

I wonder how the wifi speed will be and if a special wifi router will be needed, to handle the speeds/

If you want high speeds you could use an AC router. They have been out for quite some time.

In all honesty, even with an 802.11n router, you'll most likely notice a significant bump in speed using Google Fiber vs all but Cox's top tier (below Gigablast). But yes, an 802.11ac router (along with 802.11ac-compatible wireless devices) would allow you to receive the full gigabit connection over wireless.

If Google lays fiber to my neighborhood, you better believe that I'd drop Cox in a heartbeat. Internet and TV, all in for $130/mo? Done and done. I'm really hoping that the competition causes Cox to re-evaluate their pricing for their current products until that day comes, or I might just drop the TV side and give Sling TV a try.

In all honesty, even with an 802.11n router, you'll most likely notice a significant bump in speed using Google Fiber vs all but Cox's top tier (below Gigablast). But yes, an 802.11ac router (along with 802.11ac-compatible wireless devices) would allow you to receive the full gigabit connection over wireless.

If Google lays fiber to my neighborhood, you better believe that I'd drop Cox in a heartbeat. Internet and TV, all in for $130/mo? Done and done. I'm really hoping that the competition causes Cox to re-evaluate their pricing for their current products until that day comes, or I might just drop the TV side and give Sling TV a try.

They will not have a choice, to drop their prices no more monopoly for those sorry dogs

I've tried Sling and it was okay. When it came to sports I was consistently a minute or so behind. In addition, since I have Uverse and not cox (aka 45 mbps max) bandwidth was a thing to take into consideration.

I've tried Sling and it was okay. When it came to sports I was consistently a minute or so behind. In addition, since I have Uverse and not cox (aka 45 mbps max) bandwidth was a thing to take into consideration.

How did you know you were a minute behind?

How did you know you were a minute behind?

Group chat with friends were talking about things that were happening. Judging by the timestamps of me reacting to it, a minute had gone by.

Is the $130 for Internet and tv with Google an introductory price?

$130 is currently for the best package (1 gig up and down + 150 HD channels)

$130 is currently for the best package (1 gig up and down + 150 HD channels)

Correct, but does anyone know if that price will double after the first year or when the promo expires?

Correct, but does anyone know if that price will double after the first year or when the promo expires?

They do not have promo prices. It is just that price.

I like how the games the dinosaurs have been playing have gotten us to the point where we're so suspicious. "Yeah yeah yeah, $130, right...$220 in six months, right?" Nope. When Google says $130, that's because it costs $130. They have no interest in playing games, so they don't. There's a possibility the price will go up at some point in the future, as it does with everything else, that's called inflation. But the $130 is not a hook to get you into the van and then rape you. It's just simply the cost. "Yeah yeah, $130, but that's Kansas City, right? How much will it be for us?" Kansas City: $130. Provo: $130. Austin: $130. https://support.google.com/fiber/answer/2657118?hl=en

I like how the games the dinosaurs have been playing have gotten us to the point where we're so suspicious. "Yeah yeah yeah, $130, right...$220 in six months, right?" Nope. When Google says $130, that's because it costs $130. They have no interest in playing games, so they don't. There's a possibility the price will go up at some point in the future, as it does with everything else, that's called inflation. But the $130 is not a hook to get you into the van and then rape you. It's just simply the cost. "Yeah yeah, $130, but that's Kansas City, right? How much will it be for us?" Kansas City: $130. Provo: $130. Austin: $130. https://support.google.com/fiber/answer/2657118?hl=en

And I'm inclined to believe that the ol' economies of scale will prevail in this technology realm just as it does in others - that is, the technical cost of providing that service should stay steady or decrease, in all honesty. The CATV folks want us to believe gigabit on their side is a new deal, when in reality it was demonstrated something like two or three years ago - but there was no cost benefit in rolling it out even though it was a technically superior product. It wasn't *entirely* that simple, but the point is that gigabit service isn't some magic thing. They surely want to create the *illusion* it is, so as to make the higher monthly rate seem reasonable, but you always have to keep in mind Cox is shoving bits across a data pipe designed for a technology originally intended to push TV shows downstream, not to send data the other direction. It's all lipstick on the proverbial pig. That's what makes Google Fiber so compelling - it's a fundamentally superior technology with all manner of upside. There's only so far Cox (or any other supplier with CATV in its DNA) can go.