Would you educate me on streaming devices for our TV?

Easiest to use streaming device is probably a google chrome cast. Plugs into the HDMI slot in the back of the TV, controllable via Google Chrome. Runs $35.

Do you subscribe to any streaming services, like hulu or netflix? Are you an amazon prime member?

Do you have good internet service and good wi-fi?

You need an extremely tall antenna to get a signal from 60 miles away.

Here’s a site showing what channels are available over the air for your US location, with an antenna recommendation.

For streaming I think I would go with Amazon if you’re a dedicated Prime customer, otherwise a Chromecast. But I’ve heard good things about Roku, and I’ve happily used Apple TV for a week at a relative’s place. I don’t think you can go too wrong with any of them.

Here are two articles comparing streaming devices:

Streaming sticks from Google, Roku, and Amazon compared

Roku vs. Apple TV vs. Chromecast vs. Amazon Fire TV vs. Android TV: Which streamer should you buy?

Note there’s a new Amazon Fire Stick shipping Oct 20 2016, so if that’s your choice I would wait three weeks.

I use Roku Streaming Stick. My husband understands it, and he’s technologically challenged.

Roku 3, you can also plug in a usb stick or usb hard drive to it and play all your media files too. It’s beyond any other set top box by a mile. Netflix, hulu, hbo go, plus, crackle, youtube, crap you have downloaded off the web etc, etc… We have been doing that and broadcast for a while. I’m more than fine with it. Wifey wants to be able to watch the walking dead and vikings so we will probably bend over and take it from the cable companies again.

I just remembered to ask – what model Aquos TV? You might not need a separate device, new TVs have built in apps.

@ARE_you_kidding_me I see Vikings is free and Walking Dead is $42.99/season on Amazon Prime video.

Even with $100/year for Prime you could save a lot compared to cable.

I also have a Roku 3. Works great.

We use SlingTV. You can get many popular channels including AMC and The History Channel @ARE_you_kidding_me for $25 a month.

That’s likely a better choice, had not heard of it, thanks!

@Dutchess_III: I’m interested in the LED light caster you bought from Walmart! I was looking at Walmart and Amazon today to see choices.

LOLL @jca! At our Walmart they were at the far left end of the store, where you go outside where the plants, with the Christmas seasonal stuff. It was $25.00. Cat’s in a coma as we speak! Severely brain damaged. I think.

Can I get things like AMC, Nat Geo and the History channel with the Roku? How does it work?

@zenvelo they have antennas that are about half the size of a laptop that you just set near the window. The actual antennas are not even 6” tall, and say they can pick up from 50 miles. Haven’t seen one for more than that though.

We have indoor antennas that pick up NBC, ABC, CW and PBS from 60 miles away. We spent about $12 for the antennas. One from Walmart and the other from Dollar General.

^^^^ Cool.

Can someone send me a screen print that shows the type of channels I can get with the Roku, and any costs associated with getting those channels?

I just checked the actual miles. We’re 82 miles from the Quad Cites (Iowa/Illinois).

Cooler yet! Technology is so way cool now a days.

Roku is basically a computer you attach to a TV. The “channels” are applications, and each one (there are thousands) has different content.

There are the big ones like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime. Then there’s the local news stations. There are specialty stations like Pokemon TV and PBS Kids. There are Yoga channels and music channels and channels for watching videos of helicopter rides over Norwegian fjords.

There’s the Plex channel which lets you view content you have stored on your own private home computer. We use it to watch home videos, for instance, as well as pirated movies.

Here is a link to the Roku channel store.

Oh, thank you @Seek. I really couldn’t see that well on my phone.

Are any of those channels free? Or do you pay monthly? Or a one time fee? We have Netflix, actually. We’re just a rider on someone else’s account so it’s free to us.

Hm. Our conversation last night is making much more sense now.

Depends on the channel. Some of them are ad-supported, so free to you (you just have to watch commercials), some are pay-to-play (like Netflix), and some want you to have a cable subscription.

@jonsblond Weeell, thank you for the recommendation! Surprised I had not heard of SlingTV. Set up was easy and a reliable stream on our Roku boxes. Seems to be just what we needed.

What kinds of shows you get on Sling?

SlingTV

Here’s the site @Dutchess. They provide popular cable channels like AMC, Food Network, ESPN, Comedy Central and The History Channel. It’s live television.

Good news @kiddingme!

Thanks.

I get both my high speed internet and cable TV from one provider. Is it possible to quit cable TV without it affecting my internet? I need high speed internet for my CapTel phone. (internet carries the captions) Thinking I’d like to get Roku for the British channel as well as other variety.

@si3tech Check with your provider for separate Internet plans with no TV. I think most offer it now.

I have that from Comcast, Internet only, no TV and no landline phone.

Before that I had AT&T Internet only, with no other services.

Yes, @si3tech. I’ve had only Cox internet in the past, and had D-TV for cable.