For movies, Netflix, Amazon and Vudu are good ones. Amazon requires a prime membership which is I think around 80 bucks a year but also gets you free 2 day shipping from amazon.com. Netflix is around 10 to 20 bucks a month (I think)depending on whether you want streaming and/or dvds. Vudu you only pay for what you watch. These services all usually offer various TV programs as well.
There are literally hundreds (maybe now thousands) of internet services that have sprung up and been ported to the roku platform.
lot of foreign TV series on ROKU ~
I really like the Roku device. It has limitations as far as browsing the Internet that other devices like the Raspberry Pi doesn't have (but these are harder to setup using XBMC and etc).
You really need at least 6 - 10mb download speeds to properly view HD streaming. You can lower the video quality however.
On Dish, you can easily select the channels you want on your personal list ( or lists). Ive had it for 13 years. Not sure what you found difficult.
All we have in the house is internet and streaming services across the Roku.
We have Netflix and Hulu. Total cost is less than $20/month for both services. There is more content on there than we can possibly watch, but you have to be satisfied with giving up current programming.
You can also pull local network television off the airwaves with a digital antenna for free.
Netflix has enough series to keep me satisfied. Hulu has more current content and a wider variety of TV content. Netflix has movies and TV - a nice balance.
You will discover new shows to enjoy. You will discover the joy of “binge watching” television series (that is, watching a series from episode to episode without waiting a week between episodes, usually without watching other series in between). You will discover the joy of on-demand viewing without having to program the DVR.
Do it. I’m never going back to cable or dish.
My father-in-law - who is obsessed with TV - moved in with us a few months ago. He couldn’t believe we didn’t have cable. All he does is watch TV. He’s been as happy as a bug in a rug with the content on Netflix and Hulu.
My panties are all wet about devices like Equiso, Infinitec Pocket TV and others.
I just ordered an infinitec kickstart version from Ebay for $85. The production versions are the same but run twice as much. EQUISO is around $80 new and shipping now. There are several manufactures with similar devices with prices below $50 to over $200.
Basically I am talking Android on a stick. Plugs into an HDMI port and away you go.
Since we already use Netflix, Hulu, Vudu and more the monthly cost is nil.
One thing to note is our situation is unique. We live in an area where over the air broadcast is degraded by the landscape so for almost anything we need our Comcastic “ service.”
Also I enjoy live harness racing from the local track as well as QVC and a few other channels. Because of that we keep our cable but really we could blow it away and go with Roku -which we like- or just the sservices I mentioned.
Pinging you A.M because I think Roku would be a good solution here.
Anything but left/liberal, PC, anti-conservative Dish.
I tried Roku. I was not impressed. The quality and features of using my DVD player with built in premium services is far superior. Some TV’s have these features built in as well. Roku seems to be very limited on cpu power and memory. Picture and sound quality was not so good. However- since you want Blaze TV then your options are limited.
We have had a Roku box for about a year and have really enjoyed the heck out of it. While there are many “channels” available through Roku, the one we use almost exclusively is Netflix.
However...just today the Roku started acting up and will not allow me to access any content. Have not tried a factory reset, but that might fix it. Anyone else encounter this?
Also, while I have a subscription to “The Blaze”, and can access it via computer, it will not play on Roku - although it did when I first signed up....Do I razz Roku or Beck?
And, as long as I am asking questions, what should I have for dinner tomorrow? Thanks, all!!
We dumped DirecTV last August and went with Roku. Saved $100 a month by doing so. We subscribe to Hulu and Netflix for TV and movie content and never have a shortage of quality content to watch.
We also have an OTA antenna that picks up some 100 plus channels, I can turn it towards Springfield, Rockford, Milwaukee, Chicago, south Bend and other locations to pick up Networks and independent stations also.
The hidden secret about Roku are the “private channels” ... If you google Roku Private Channels you’ll see what I mean.
There ARE some shows we missed when we dropped DirecTV at first, but have found other LEGAL ways to watch them. Burn Notice being our favorite is available via USA Networks website the day after it airs. I have a home theatre PC for that purpose.
So if you’re willing to look for other ways to get the content you want or can live wiout one or two shows untol they come out on Netflix or Hulu next season, Roku is a great money saving way to go.
Mark for later reading.