Streaming media

[crandc]

Need infor/assistance on this one.

Current setup: Fairly new (2010) TV, hooked up to old DVR/VCR (because I still have some old videotapes I sometimes view) and DirecTV. I loathe DirecTV with a passion. In another room, desktop computer, wireless internet; actually need a converter for wireless interent.

I've seen gadgets for streaming media at quite reasonable prices but they all say "use your tablet or smart phone", neither of which I have.

So two questions:
Is it possible to do streaming media on a TV if I don't have tablet/smartphone (which I am not getting)?
What is the advantage? Would it enable me to get rid of DirecTV? I've heard people use it for premium channels like HBO, what else?

Thanks for information.

 

[Denny Crane]

Apple TV.

Gets you access to Netflix, which is thousands of shows of network programs, movies, and documentaries. Like, you can see all the episodes of Lost, if you never saw the show. They're making their own original programming now, too.

Hulu Plus is also available. I tried it, didn't like it as much as Netflix, but offers some programming Netflix doesn't.

Gets you access to iTunes, too. If you have media on a hard drive you can stream to the TV. Or you can buy movies or TV shows or music that you want right through the Apple TV. If you buy DVDs, many of them have digital copy that makes the movies available via iTunes streaming.

Basically, if you did have an iPad, you could stream from DirecTV, Netflix, iTunes, etc., all to your iPad. With the Apple TV, you can direct streaming on the iPad to be shown on the TV.

If you buy something like an XBox or Playstation, those have streaming, too. That is, they offer Netflix, Hulu, etc. Plus you can play games on it.

Modern TVs have it all built in.

You'll also be able to stream YouTube and other similar sources, depending on your device.

No, it won't replace DirecTV yet.

 

[donkiez]

Streaming TV as in NetFlix and Hulu? You can get those on any TV with the right set up. They have smart TV add on boxes you can buy to make your TV smart or pretty much any of the new Bluray DVD players are also set up with Wifi and streaming capabilities, thats probably your easiest and cheapest option.

You can get pretty much get anything on TV from the internet easily, except sports. Sports can be done, but usually from a pirate stream site that is often spotty and bad quality image.

 

[Denny Crane]

Streaming TV as in NetFlix and Hulu? You can get those on any TV with the right set up. They have smart TV add on boxes you can buy to make your TV smart or pretty much any of the new Bluray DVD players are also set up with Wifi and streaming capabilities, thats probably your easiest and cheapest option.

You can get pretty much get anything on TV from the internet easily, except sports. Sports can be done, but usually from a pirate stream site that is often spotty and bad quality image.

NBA league pass works with a number of streaming devices, including Apple TV. WatchESPN and ESPNews, too. I didn't check, but league pass for NHL and MLB, too.

 

[donkiez]

I just did a quick search for you.

You can do something like this for just streaming
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgear...olsp-app03-116?id=1218760190535&skuId=6577347

or upgrade your DVD player to bluray at the same time
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/toshiba...-box/8344056.p?id=1218872213589&skuId=8344056

Apple TV as suggested by DC, is also a good option especially for people who are less tech savy, but Im not a big fan as it just seem you are buying a device that makes you purchase more content.

 

[santeesioux]

You can get a Roku as well, it's like an Apple Tv, only without Apple. That may be good or bad for you.

You can get Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon on it, as well as NBA LP and the MLB equivalent. I was able to get LP up until this year now with i assume the Blazer games being blacked out down here, but i assume you would be okay where you are. Keep in mind if you like HBO and Showtime those shows won't show up on Amazon until the season ends.

 

[crandc]

The first best buy requires smart phone or tablet, the second says "connect to the internet" as does Roku; I am not buying a new phone/computer and internet connection is in next room; not sure how I would "connect to the internet". I'm trying to find the "add on box to make TV smart" but so far every one (including apple tv) requires tablet or smart phone or says to "connect to the internet" which my TV does not (presently) do and no information how do make that connection when the computer stuff is in another room.

 

[donkiez]

Your making it to complicated. Tablets are not required, they can be used in addition to those devices but are separate. The only tang you need is a wireless or wired internet connection.

 

[crandc]

Is it OK if the internet connection is in another room?

 

[donkiez]

NBA league pass works with a number of streaming devices, including Apple TV. WatchESPN and ESPNews, too. I didn't check, but league pass for NHL and MLB, too.

Oh yea, my problem has more to do with the Portland blackout then. Doesn't apply to you out of staters.

 

[donkiez]

Is it OK if the internet connection is in another room?

Yes it should be ok, wireless should be strong enough to reach most of your house.

 

[Eastoff]

Is it OK if the internet connection is in another room?

Are your walls made entirely of metal?

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Is it OK if the internet connection is in another room?

If you don't have a wireless router, you will need one, otherwise there will be no medium by which to stream any content. If you have one, then any device you purchase should be able to connect to the internet without issue.

 

[santeesioux]

Yeah, you just need a router, no smart tv or tablet required for the Roku.

 

[Denny Crane]

You can't stream without internet

No tablet or phone required for Apple TV, either.

How is your computer (that you're using to post here) connect to your internet connection? Wire? Wireless (WiFi)?

Apple TV (and other devices) can be rooms away and communicate to the internet over the wifi. If wired, you can pull a wire/ethernet cable between your cable modem in the next room and your streaming device.

Your cable modem probably looks like this:

You buy a cable (cat 5 or cat 6 ethernet cable, they're called) long enough to reach. It'll have this on each end:

One end in the back of your cable modem, the other into your Apple TV or Roku or whatever.

Hide the cable behind furniture, under rugs, etc.

 

[crandc]

My internet is wireless. I have a gadget that actually plugs into the computer (well, into the USB attachment), though. I'd have to make a hole in the wall if I needed to use a physical cable as the rooms are back to back and I don't want a cord stretching all around for me to trip over. Thanks.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Roku is cheaper then Apple TV and imo gives you much more content that you can view (for close to free mostly to boot). Especially if you are not an "Apple" person.

http://www.roku.com/products/models

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Get a roku type box, dem shits is WiFi, plug it in to your TV, done

 

[3RA1N1AC]

i have hulu+, Netflix, HBOgo, etc on the rokuHD, easy peasy

 

[e_blazer]

You can find pretty cheap deals on blu ray players with built in wifi that will stream Netflix and the other common media sources. Here's one that you can get for $49.99 at Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E16882116174&gclid=COa--7CBkLoCFW9xQgod9V0AiA

This option gives you streaming and also upgrades your movie watching if you want to use blu ray discs. As long as you have an open HDMI input on your TV you can just plug it into that and can continue to use your old system for legacy stuff.

 

[santeesioux]

I can't believe you can't just subscribe to HBO GO off of the app yet, it sucks that you have to subscribe through your tv provider. I bet they'd make more money the other way for people that don't want cable or satellite anymore.

 

[Denny Crane]

Http://filmon,com

 

[3RA1N1AC]

I can't believe you can't just subscribe to HBO GO off of the app yet, it sucks that you have to subscribe through your tv provider. I bet they'd make more money the other way for people that don't want cable or satellite anymore.

Can't go online only without screwing their relationships with cable providers.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

Can't go online only without screwing their relationships with cable providers.

Exactly. I think the day is coming though, a la carte "cable" tv over the net (aka IPTV). Microsoft has been talking about it for years (but hasn't made much ground in the U.S.). Supposedly Intel is up to something as well.

 

[crandc]

I know people have wanted a la carte cable (and satellite) since forever. I get about a hundred or more channels I have never watched, even once. Including the stupid home shopping channels. And there are channels I would watch if I had them.

Or just read a good book.

 

[Denny Crane]

If they went to a la cart pricing, you'd pay $25/mo or more for ESPN. The DirecTV types and Cable providers charge their customers $2 for ESPN and the many who don't watch it subsidize or bring down the cost of it for those who do.

 

[Bob Dobalina]

If they went to a la cart pricing, you'd pay $25/mo or more for ESPN. The DirecTV types and Cable providers charge their customers $2 for ESPN and the many who don't watch it subsidize or bring down the cost of it for those who do.

Maybe. Although going the IPTV route cuts out the middle man "cable co./directv". However, I'm guessing comcast internet would jump.

 

[Denny Crane]

Maybe. Although going the IPTV route cuts out the middle man "cable co./directv". However, I'm guessing comcast internet would jump.

An interesting read.

http://www.thewrap.com/why-a-la-carte-cable-could-kill-tvs-golden-age/

And this, too:

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2013/07/true-cost-la-carte-tv-high/67289/

ESPN, for example, if sold on its own, would cost somewhere in the $20 to $30 dollar range, according to various analyses. HBO, another valuable property, would cost more than the $15 or $20 per month it gets in the cable bundle. Then add in AMC for Mad Men, Bravo for Top Chef, the FX for Louie, and other sports channels for lesser sporting events, and you're nearing that average $73.44 Americans pay for cable TV. Plus, you might feel compelled to add on more channels just in case of special programming events, like Sharknado on SyFy. Even if each one of those cost less than the $10 per month, as the TV industry says they would, that's still nearly a $100 per month bill.

The current system is a deal specifically because all cable subscribers are paying for channels they never ever watch. "We are all paying each other's TV taxes," Derek Thompson explains over at The Atlantic. The people who don't ever watch ESPN pay $4.69 per month, but in turn people who never watch AMC pay around $3.50 per month. "The idea is that if 100+ million households all pay $70ish a month for television, the breadth of the customer base will support a diverse and thriving entertainment business without asking any group to pay too much for what they want." Unbundling the channels would put more of a financial burden on each person.

In addition, a la carte channels would have to charge even more because the audience drop would result in decreased advertising revenue. The bundle brings more viewers to channels—you can't channel surf your way onto a station you would never watch if you don't pay for it a la carte. It's also a guaranteed sell to advertisers. AMC can say, look we have access to all of Comcast's subscribers. Unbundling that would ruin everything—in theory.