Streaming TV devices

[Gamecock]

My local cable company shut off my cable TV, forcing me to go with their streaming service. They did give me a free Fire tv Stick 4k. Two of them, actually. I think I overpaid.

The functionality is less than HALF of what I used to have with my cable TV and DVR. I mean simple stuff, like slow motion, is gone. The joy of watching TV is gone.

So, what alternatives are there to Fire Stick? Does someone make a full featured streaming device? I'd pay hundreds to get my TV back.

 

[Onomea]

Other than slow motion — and I gotta admit it has never occurred to me to want/try that while watching TV/movies — what functionality do you want? Maybe you are just not familiar with streaming yet?

 

[chuckie]

I have Roku sticks, same concept as Firestick. I subscribe to Fubo for streaming, mostly because I want NESN for the Bruins and Red Sox. Keep in mind that you still need internet to be able to stream.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Cut the TV cord years ago.
OTA, Over the Airwaves, plus some free streaming channels on the Roku TV.


Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[Ranger17]

We have both Firesticks and Rokus, generally the Firesticks cover most of what we need for streaming in other rooms that dont yet have smart tv's. But as we still have Spectrum's tv service we have to use a Roku to use their app. Which so far is not available on a Firestick. If we go to stream only with no Spectrum tv options we either would find a service that includes cloud dvr or just drop it all and not worry about those features.

 

[cballman]

Cut the cable a couple years ago ourselves. Have both Rokus and Firesticks. We subscribe to Sling tv. Daughter pays for Hulu. All on both. I like a few channels and to be able to stream a show we have sling for that. Wife and daughter watches all kinds of movies and shows. I watch just a few now as compared to when we had cable. Whole lot cheaper. We have Windstream for internet and use that to stream the televisions.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Watching YouTube on Roku right now.
Don't know about slo mo.
Not really a Slo Mo Guy.

 

[jmiles1960]

Roku is the way to go. Or, buy yourself a Smart TV with onboard apps. I have Samsung Smart TV's and stream everything I enjoy watching without additional devices. Pick and choose your providers: Paramount+, Apple TV, etc.

 

[boykinlp]

Gamecock, who did you have your local service with? It is funny you brought this up. I was given 2 Netflix gift cards for Christmas by 2 of my sisters. Yesterday, the one visiting asked me how I liked Netflix. Unfortunately, I had to admit not using the cards yet. I had to tell her that I didn't have a smart TV ( I haven't had a smart phone for all that long). I think she mentioned Roku??
Larry

 

[Gamecock]

Gamecock, who did you have your local service with?

Comporium.

But as we still have Spectrum's tv service we have to use a Roku to use their app.

That's the rub. I discovered, as Ranger17 says, you have to have the streaming services app on the device. So even if I bought a super device, I wouldn't be able to use it. Effectively, you have to get your device from the streaming service, because they will load it with their app.

It is obvious now that the streaming service companies use a really, really cheap, low function device so they can keep their cost down. I'll have to talk to Comporium about offering upgraded devices.

For you unbothered movie watchers, I watch a lot of sports. Freeze frame and slo mo are important viewing features.

Another significant feature that is gone is time-of-day scheduling (firestick has only 20 pathetic hours of storage, so recording management is required). An example, MLB Plays of the Week, the last ten minutes is the only thing I'm interested in. Now, firestick only allows show recording, forcing me to record the whole dumb hour, 5% of my total storage.

 

[03hemi]

Dumped cable and satellite years ago too, streaming is the only way to go these days.

 

[Gamecock]

I found that Directv Steaming has an extra cost device available. Can't find full description of features. I do notice it has a number pad, so you might be able to enter a channel number and go to it. How novel!

 

[Golddollar]

The only streams I know about have trout in them.

 

[Pisgah]

I remember when TV was 2 channels, came in black and white, didn't come on until noon and was shut off at 11 PM (with a shot of a waving flag and The Star Spangled Banner playing in the background).

My heart bleeds for your difficulties...

 

[Gamecock]

I remember when remote control came out. Push a button to change the channel. We couldn't figure out what the point was; you had to get up to adjust the antenna, anyway.

 

[Gamecock]

Golfing buddy today said his brother talked to Comporium about a better device. Comporium told him nope. What you see is what you get. I'm hoping brother will investigate Directv Streaming more.

Golfing buddy said he has Comporium Streaming now, too. He said his biggest gripe is you can't enter a channel number and go to it. You have to scroll through the available channels til you get there. And he gets 600 channels.

 

[boykinlp]

He said his biggest gripe is you can't enter a channel number and go to it. You have to scroll through the available channels til you get there. And he gets 600 channels.

YIKES!!!!!
Larry

 

[kraynky]

Remember when cable TV came out, and they said "You pay for the channels, so NO COMMERCIALS!"?

Remember when satellite radio came out and they said "Commercial free radio, because you're paying up front!"?

THEY ALL LIE! Our cable company (Comcast) is closely monitoring what we watch, and then they take the "most watched" channels in our package, and move them to a package we don't get! So we have to upgrade to watch what we want!

If I had anything to say about it (which apparently I don't), there would not be a cable bill being sent to my house each month! But what do I have to say about it anyway? I just pay the bills!

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Also have Comcast.
The took away my RFDTV! All that country music, horses, tractors, and country stuff for us Country Boys.
But their internet is A 1.
That's what you use for Streaming!
I can at least see some of the Marty Stewart show!
To happy stream you need a fast reliable internet hook up.
With a WiFi. And a Streaming device. Stick, Roku, Smart TV, etc.
Then signup, hook up, get it done!
I only pay for Netflix and Amazon . Amazon mostly for the free shipping.
There's bunch of free stuff streamed. More all the time.
Sounds like some of the regional or satellite services are putting limitations on the streaming.
Satellite Radio? I love my Sirius. Listen to Willie's Roadhouse when I roll.
No Ads! Maybe except they talk about some of the events they are backing.

 

[Gamecock]

To happy stream you need a fast reliable internet hook up.
With a WiFi. And a Streaming device. Stick, Roku, Smart TV, etc.
Then signup, hook up, get it done!

I guess it's too early in the technology cycle for the carriers to realize it is that damn simple . . . to switch carriers.

Comporium was the only game in town for cable TV. The marketplace is now wide open for other streamers. I don't see how they can compete.