Roku

[kelroy55]

How would a Roku allow you to watch Primetime shows on the major networks? Is that possible?

I believe you would need an antenna for that.

[FighttheGoodFight]

Does the stick do the same thing as the Roku 3?

It does. But it has the internals of the Roku 1, no headphone jack on remote, slower than the 3.

I would recommend the 3. It is a great device for 100 bucks

[kelroy55]

One more question... I was looking at the Roku site and they had all the channels you can gat. Do you have to pay extra for the channels like History and A&E?

[Chadanth]

How would a Roku allow you to watch Primetime shows on the major networks? Is that possible?

You can watch them on hulu the next day.

[Chadanth]

One more question... I was looking at the Roku site and they had all the channels you can gat. Do you have to pay extra for the channels like History and A&E?

History is free, I haven't played with the A&E channel yet. They also don't have all of the content, or it's older stuff, from my experience.

[kelroy55]

You can watch them on hulu the next day.

or get an antenna. If I get a Roku I'll also get an antenna for all the local stations..... I imagine any A&E or History shows I can probably find on Hulu or Amazon plus.

[andrew3077]

One more question... I was looking at the Roku site and they had all the channels you can gat. Do you have to pay extra for the channels like History and A&E?

Most cable networks will require you (or a friend, wink wink) to have a cable subscription. If you have Netflix, Hulu+ and an antenna you should be more than covered for most viewing. If you're a light watcher it's far less expensive to go the appleTV/roku route. I'm thinking of buying one myself.

[Chadanth]

or get an antenna. If I get a Roku I'll also get an antenna for all the local stations..... I imagine any A&E or History shows I can probably find on Hulu or Amazon plus.

I have an antenna, it works for the most part. You can watch a lot of content on the day after via hulu, that's what I usually do, and I only have to watch 3 minutes of commercials instead of 15.

[Anonymous.]

I don't really understand Roku unless you don't have a computer you are willing to hook up to a tv. Many smartphones have free apps that are remote controls for computers (so you get your PC screen on ur phone to navigate and can play media files stored on said PC)

Correct me if I am wrong, Roku users.

Seems like Roku is just an easier (dumbed down) version of a web browser on your TV with a "quicker" way to stream movies and shows that are already available online via the same paths the ROKU uses (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon.) And from what I understand, you cannot access website's free episodes on the Roku. Like for instance HGTV's website has many full episodes for streaming, but you would be unable to access this on your Roku since there is no dedicated "channel". It isn't like Roku is providing you with live streams, only avenues to places that do stream.

I can see it for a convenience factor, and even then I wouldn't price it at $100 when you can set a laptop next to, or get a longer hdmi cord for your desktop to TV connection. Also I can see getting a roku for a bedroom or secondary TV in order to avoid buying an additional cable/satellite box since you can use your cable/satellite login information to access live stream content on said Roku.

[shawnw]

With tablets and smart phones, who buys computers anymore?

[Chadanth]

I don't really understand Roku unless you don't have a computer you are willing to hook up to a tv. Many smartphones have free apps that are remote controls for computers (so you get your PC screen on ur phone to navigate and can play media files stored on said PC)

Correct me if I am wrong, Roku users.

Seems like Roku is just an easier (dumbed down) version of a web browser on your TV with a "quicker" way to stream movies and shows that are already available online via the same paths the ROKU uses (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon.) And from what I understand, you cannot access website's free episodes on the Roku. Like for instance HGTV's website has many full episodes for streaming, but you would be unable to access this on your Roku since there is no dedicated "channel". It isn't like Roku is providing you with live streams, only avenues to places that do stream.

I can see it for a convenience factor, and even then I wouldn't price it at $100 when you can set a laptop next to, or get a longer hdmi cord for your desktop to TV connection. Also I can see getting a roku for a bedroom or secondary TV in order to avoid buying an additional cable/satellite box since you can use your cable/satellite login information to access live stream content on said Roku.

I think you're on the right track. Roku is t content, per se, it's an easy interface for a lot of providers. Having a media PC or server hooked up to your tv would provide a lot more content, but it's not as easy/clean/user friendly.

[jn1780]

With tablets and smart phones, who buys computers anymore?

Programmers, PC gamers, and people wanting media servers. lol

Edit: Oh and graphic designers.

[GaryOKC6]

It does. But it has the internals of the Roku 1, no headphone jack on remote, slower than the 3.

I would recommend the 3. It is a great device for 100 bucks

Definitely spend the extra 20 bucks for the roku 3. I have two of roku 2's and a roku 3 If I had it do over they would all be Roku 3's. they are far superior.

[jn1780]

I don't really understand Roku unless you don't have a computer you are willing to hook up to a tv. Many smartphones have free apps that are remote controls for computers (so you get your PC screen on ur phone to navigate and can play media files stored on said PC)

Correct me if I am wrong, Roku users.

Seems like Roku is just an easier (dumbed down) version of a web browser on your TV with a "quicker" way to stream movies and shows that are already available online via the same paths the ROKU uses (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon.) And from what I understand, you cannot access website's free episodes on the Roku. Like for instance HGTV's website has many full episodes for streaming, but you would be unable to access this on your Roku since there is no dedicated "channel". It isn't like Roku is providing you with live streams, only avenues to places that do stream.

I can see it for a convenience factor, and even then I wouldn't price it at $100 when you can set a laptop next to, or get a longer hdmi cord for your desktop to TV connection. Also I can see getting a roku for a bedroom or secondary TV in order to avoid buying an additional cable/satellite box since you can use your cable/satellite login information to access live stream content on said Roku.

Its nice not having to move your PC or laptop around to multiple tv's. That's the only reason I would get one anyway,
For people with PC towers acting as media servers, its great being able to use Plex on either Chromecast or Roku to pull content off a PC in a closet.

[GaryOKC6]

I don't really understand Roku unless you don't have a computer you are willing to hook up to a tv. Many smartphones have free apps that are remote controls for computers (so you get your PC screen on ur phone to navigate and can play media files stored on said PC)

Correct me if I am wrong, Roku users.

Seems like Roku is just an easier (dumbed down) version of a web browser on your TV with a "quicker" way to stream movies and shows that are already available online via the same paths the ROKU uses (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon.) And from what I understand, you cannot access website's free episodes on the Roku. Like for instance HGTV's website has many full episodes for streaming, but you would be unable to access this on your Roku since there is no dedicated "channel". It isn't like Roku is providing you with live streams, only avenues to places that do stream.

I can see it for a convenience factor, and even then I wouldn't price it at $100 when you can set a laptop next to, or get a longer hdmi cord for your desktop to TV connection. Also I can see getting a roku for a bedroom or secondary TV in order to avoid buying an additional cable/satellite box since you can use your cable/satellite login information to access live stream content on said Roku.

It is not so dumbed down. The Roku3 gives you clips and a synopsis with out opening the movie in Netflix. I like the remote control features. You can plug the headphones into the remote and it automatically kills the sound to the room. I also like the menu. You go into available channels (about 1000) and pick the ones that you want. When choosing what to watch they all categorized for you. It also has an advanced search feature that will search by actor or title and give the several rent or buy options if it is not available for free.

[ctchandler]

Shawnw,
You might be surprised, I have a Mac Pro, a new Imac (top of the line), and a Macbook and I have no need for a smart phone or tablet. I am retired and do a lot on the computer and don't see how a tablet or smart phone could replace it. I am a touch typist and can't handle the smallness of tablets and smart phones. I also have fat fingers. My sons do have tablets and smart phones, but also seem to think they need a desktop.
C. T.

With tablets and smart phones, who buys computers anymore?

[shawnw]

Programmers, PC gamers, and people wanting media servers. lol

Edit: Oh and graphic designers.

Shawnw,
You might be surprised, I have a Mac Pro, a new Imac (top of the line), and a Macbook and I have no need for a smart phone or tablet. I am retired and do a lot on the computer and don't see how a tablet or smart phone could replace it. I am a touch typist and can't handle the smallness of tablets and smart phones. I also have fat fingers. My sons do have tablets and smart phones, but also seem to think they need a desktop.
C. T.

I was being mostly facetious (sorry, forgot an emoticon), but do know a surprising number of people that have gone PC-less (at home). Though I suspect many of them get their modest PC-needs addressed at work. And I do have an HTPC/media server, so I get it, truly, but still also own Rokus. Saves a lot of trouble with my kids, or my GFs kids, or visitors/family, etc, to just hand them a remote and a straight forward interface and say watch what you want.

All of that said, the only thing I feel I (personally) NEED a PC for these days is printing and scanning. But even those two things are near term replaceable... once more printers have Google Cloud Print built in, PC printing becomes optional, and often I'm lazy and just snap a pic with my phone rather than taking the extra few moments to use the scanner (plus phone-based scanning apps are getting quite good).

I know there are folks that will always need a desktop/laptop (for the near term). But I also think there will be future generations that will carry devices so powerful that the idea of needing anything else could well seem laughable.

[BBatesokc]

With tablets and smart phones, who buys computers anymore?

Millions and millions of people.... that's who.

Tablets and smart phones have yet to come anywhere close to the abilities of a full fledged laptop, desktop or all-in-one computer.

Do they handle my grandmother's computer needs? Yeah.

One day will the handheld computer replace the full size traditional computer in a home? I can certainly see it happening. But not in the next decade or even two.

Personally, I prefer the much larger screen (my Mac Pro has 3, 27" cinema screens attached). Even a single screen is much preferable to the tiny screen and keyboard on a hand held. If I'm going to connect these handhelds to a larger monitor and sync a full size keyboard, I might as well continue to own an iMac or laptop as they are much more convenient.

[trousers]

While I will miss the Golf Channel with True Detective ending I'm really thinking about cutting the cord. You guys are pushing me in that direction.

[kelroy55]

I bit the bullet and ordered one. I'll hook it up and give it a try before I cut the cord.

[ylouder]

Thy have them at best buy...but online is good.way to get around sales tax

[Drake]

Recently Woot.com had the ROKU 3 refurbished from the manfacture for $65

We have two Roku's and and are getting a third. We love them

[kelroy55]

I got my Roku and indoor antenna and got them both set up. I get a ton of channels on just the antenna and narrowed it down to a list of 21 channels (including network channels) that have shows I like and aren't in Spanish.

The Roku was easy to set up and I went through and got several channels in areas I like including A&E, History and several others. I have Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime and Netflix so I'm not lacking in finding something I like to watch. All the channels I have are free, except for the Hulu, Netflix and Amazon, but those three are a 1/4th the cost of my satellite bill. So far I'm very satisfied with the Roku and antenna and I'm sure I'll miss the convenience of some of the features with pay TV but I'll get over it.

[Chadanth]

I got my Roku and indoor antenna and got them both set up. I get a ton of channels on just the antenna and narrowed it down to a list of 21 channels (including network channels) that have shows I like and aren't in Spanish.

The Roku was easy to set up and I went through and got several channels in areas I like including A&E, History and several others. I have Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime and Netflix so I'm not lacking in finding something I like to watch. All the channels I have are free, except for the Hulu, Netflix and Amazon, but those three are a 1/4th the cost of my satellite bill. So far I'm very satisfied with the Roku and antenna and I'm sure I'll miss the convenience of some of the features with pay TV but I'll get over it.

Sounds like we're using the same setup. Honestly, the lack of some programming has me reading a lot more, which is a good thing.

[kelroy55]

Sounds like we're using the same setup. Honestly, the lack of some programming has me reading a lot more, which is a good thing.

Now the weather is getting nicer I'm getting out more and doing things. I'll miss the DVR and one or two stations but I'll just have to watch the shows when they come on or catch them on Hulu. I'm able to stream movies and music and movies from my laptop to the Roku but I need to figure out how to stream TV shows I can get on the net.