i see...i think my blu ray player does a lot of the same things...i've just never looked into it. so maybe i already have all the streaming services i need.
Roku has a great selection of different 'channels', though really a lot of the major stuff (like the big pro sports or HBO) is either non existent or still dependent on your cable/satellite service. Same with AppleTV. Though if you have any kind of idevice, Airplay makes and AppleTV a big draw. Being able to stream from any ipad or iphone to the device is really pretty awesome. iTunes also generally has a good selection. Jailbreaking certainly enhances these devices, but it'll still be very hit or miss on those main services. An antenna is a must of course, it takes care of all the local stuff like ABC, CBS, FOX, etc. etc. Netflix or Netflix+Hulu is also mandatory IMO. Really, if it wasn't for sports or the fact that I'm big on some cable shows/services that offer things like Game of Thrones or Mad Men, I'd have done this already. If I could find a way around it it would be perfect (OR if HBO would offer a separate streaming service ). A friend of mine is using a combination of all of them - OTA, Roku, AppleTV with the streaming services - and he's pretty happy with it. But a solution for sports is definitely a pain in the ass he says.
Apple and Google are apparently trying to get the rights to broadcast Premiere League games in England. It doesn't really do anybody here any good, but hopefully companies putting up that much money is a sign that streaming sports is on the way. I think as TV deals come up for renewal and more people drop cable we'll see streaming rights sold separately from broadcast rights, or at least be a requirement to get the broadcast rights. http://www.browsermedia.co.uk/2012/01/11/google-and-apple-tv-planning-audacious-bids-for-english-premier-league-broadcasting-rights/
http://dvr.about.com/od/capturetvwithacomputer/tp/otahdtv.htm I've been wanting to try a USB HDTV Tuner, any suggestions?
I've been dabbling in this for a couple of years. My biggest thing is simplicity and integration. Oh, and staying legal. What I've found: -Roku is probably the most elegant/simple solution. IE, Streaming TV for idiots. -Boxee has an add-on dongle for Live TV now. It's a bit more techy but it's better than Roku if you an handle the tech aspect of it. -AppleTV has a ways to go. However, it's one huge selling point is mirroring of newer ipad and iphone devices for video and games. If you hack it you can get way more functionality out of it. The major sources for streaming are Netflix and Hulu Plus, and the upcoming library is Amazon Prime. Something that you really miss out on aside from Sports with streaming boxes is cartoons. There simply aren't that many, which could be a concern if you have kids. Also a big negative is no DVR, although there are new services popping up with cloud based DVR and Boxee is trying to implement DVR into their boxes. Another free alternative is Free-to-air dishes. Google it.
That depends on the age of the kids. Nick Jr. has most of their catalog on Netflix, and I'm seeing more of it crop up on Amazon. Netflix also has Shaun the Sheep as well as Wallace and Gromit, and my kids are huge Nick Park fans.
I went with the Roku. I converted from DirecTV + HDDVR to the Roku. I have NetFlix and Hulu accounts. I don't have a DVR anymore, so Hulu mostly gives me what I want when I want it. As for Netflix, I have twin daughters (14 mo) and they can watch Yo Gabba Gabba from Netflix. I enjoy the simplicity. The fewer cords the better since I have the Roku picking up the WiFi signal. I only have one Roku, so I don't get to watch TV as OnDemand in my other rooms, this is solely in the living room. With the Roku, you can also get the NBA app and watch League Pass games if you pay for that service. I've been happy with Roku, and it has cut my bill by 80%!
Does anybody have experience with PlayOn? It looks like a pretty good deal and right now for $80 you can get a lifetime membership and a free Roku, which I was thinking of getting anyway. Here's the full channel list.
It does. I'm installing the free trial now, I'll try it over t he weekend with my PS3 and if it works well I'll probably sign up and get the free Roku.
I am trying to move this week I have XFinity and the new place doesn't offer it [TV Wave or some such . . . use to be Optel] This maybe the way to go Rocket River
If you have a friend who is an hbo subscriber (parents are good for this) you can use their subscription to log into hbo to go. You could even tell them that you'll pay part of the service if they don't have it and viola hbo to go.
Just to offer a counter position. You don't need a Roku to stream to your tv. The technology of a Roku isn't necessary. I for example simply run an hd cable from my video card to my tv and then pull the broadcast in from my web browser. If your tv isn't internet ready, you can buy devices to make it a wireless device. Beyond that, heypartner, I think you are making the right move. Cable and high priced dish are a dying medium. Soon, I think that the cable providers and cable channels who are not on board WILL have to get on board with this as they lose market share.
Really the only channel that playon is offering that you can't get already or want is espn. Everything is can pretty much be streamed from your browser. Don't be fooled!
Unfortunately comcast/xfinity does not allow HBO go to be streamed through Roku in our (woodlands) area.
That's why you need to get rid of the Roku and hook your computer up to your tv instead. Way more functionality.
There's a lot of good information in this thread. Thanks, everyone. If you spend a considerable amount of time outside the US an annual subscription here would be worth considering: http://hidemyass.com/
