ROKU Users and non-ROKU users

New channels and a new platform are now coming on line. As an ongoing leap into streaming channels, a new platform has been added recently to Roku

INSTANT TV This is being added slowly, piece meal, and is an ongoing process We first found the individual stations before knowing of INSTANT TV. Being inquisitive, checked further and found the following This information and a few small bugs lead me to believe the total process is still in progress.

Here is the ROKU blog which is received on a regular basis https://blog.roku.com/

Some of the channels available with this platform can be found here: https://www.instanttvchannel.com/roku/channellist

The platform is somewhat different than ones seen in the past. Demos of the operation are found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKPe4EBY0Ac https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQzk_Iq9dYI

More information on INSTANT TV can be found here https://www.rokuguide.com/private-channels/instant-tv-channel-demo http://www.instanttvchannel.com/

There are new movies and clips added to the channels on a regular basis. If you enjoy old movies (some silent) and retro television, you might wish to check it out. Of course, there are many freebies on the list, but new ones as well(for a cost).

FOR NON ROKU users – this might be of help to you The streaming platform is OV GUIDE - http://www.killthecablebill.com/what-is-ovguide/

I’m not familiar with how Roku works. I thought it was just a series of devices, not services ?

Looking around their website I was surprised to see it shows Fox News and Fox Business Network in their “News” channels. Any idea what service you’d subscribe to to get live feeds for those ? And would they be 1080P ?

I’m not familiar with how Roku works. I thought it was just a series of devices, not services ?

The Roku device is sorta like a smartphone for your tv. You install the device and can download "apps" (channels) to it. For example, Roku comes standard with Netflix already installed.

Looking around their website I was surprised to see it shows Fox News and Fox Business Network in their “News” channels. Any idea what service you’d subscribe to to get live feeds for those ? And would they be 1080P ?

For most of the dedicated TV channels, like Fox News, you will need to enter the credentials of your TV provider in order to access the network. So, for example, you would still need a valid cable or sat subscription to access the contents of that channel.

I do believe 1080p is pretty standard.

Now you might ask why have a Roku to stream Fox News if you already have a cable subscription? Let's say you purchase a Roku-enabled smart tv for one of your kids or to put in your basement. You can simply plug the TV in, download the Roku channels, connect to your wifi and watch those channels. No cable box needed. So you can basically drop the TV anywhere within WiFi range and start watching.

Services like TWC have apps so that if you have a cable subscription, you can stream live tv to other devices without needing a box. I did notice with that app that sometimes local sports channels can be blocked out.

Maybe you want to mount a tv out on your back deck for a party? You can stream Netflix, watch live tv, listen to Pandora, etc without running cable wires out your patio door.

You can access the remote on your smartphone. You can also stream your phone's photo and video library right to your TV to show grandma and grandpa pics of the kids on vacation.

In case you can't tell, I love smart-tvs, especially with the Roku platform. Pull the tv out of the box, plug it in, connect to the network, and start watching!

Thanks, that is what I thought. I understand the wireless aspect of using Roku or other smart TV enabled devices. My bluray players all have smart TV apps. I have no actual smart TV sets because I use projectors and watch everything at 122”.

What keeps me from cord cutting is live TV, including the broadcast networks and Fox channels in full 1080P (kind of necessary at 122” size). I wish Fox offered their own subscription away from cable or satellite subscriptions. I doubt they are getting more than $5/mo for all the Fox channels including news and FX. I feel like I am paying $100/mo for DirecTV for just the dozen channels I watch. I was hoping the Roku website was saying there was such a way to assemble an ala carte package of just the channels I want, not buying huge bundles of channels for $100/mo.

I’m not familiar with how Roku works.

It's easy. You connect it to your TV via HDMI cable, and you can choose whatever channel you want on your homepage.

There are tons of channels: Sports, Cooking, Movies, Travel. Most of them are free.

Way better than cable, satellite, or even local TV. I have Roku 3 exclusively on my TV. I don't even watch local channels anymore.

I was hoping the Roku website was saying there was such a way to assemble an ala carte package of just the channels I want, not buying huge bundles of channels for $100/mo.

You don't need to go to the website. Once you buy the Roku, you can select from a menu of choices.

Again, there are literally 100s of channels out there and most of them are free.

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