Apple TV is absolutely bulletproof. I’ve used them for years. I think they are available for about $130 currently on Amazon.

I have a Samsung “smart tv” that is so old that I had to get a Roku to watch Netflix. Inexpensive and works well. In addition to Netflix we watch Roku, Hulu and Amazon Prime.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:


I am thinking Roku but do not what to get sucked into a bunch of apps either. I think we spend about $130 a month on direct tv.

Getting the live Mariner baseball games on rootsports is a big factor. I believe fobutv does it.

Check into YouTube TV, they have sports packages. We just cut Comcast and went to TTTV upon good reviews here and really like it so far.

Past the initial purchase price of the Roku, you technically don’t have to spend any money on apps, there’s a ton of free ones that run on it.

We have PBS Kids (free) Disney+ (grandparents pay for this) and then Amazon Video (included with Prime), Peacock ($5 cheap ad supported version) and Paramount+ ($8 I think)

Thanks all for your great feedback. I’m looking at the Amazon Firesticks for their ability to view not only Amazon Prime content but also the YouTube, Netflix, etc., programming available. Then again with iPhones in the house I’ll also look into Apple TV capabilities. I still have a Roku device that although hard wired is still oh so slow….. Be well and thanks again.

If you ever get a new TV ~ they will have this built in too.
Recently got a new Samsung TV and the built in OS was far superior to my old Firestick.
More convenient to operate too.
However, the new streaming devices today are all pretty good but so far for me no need to change but that could happen at some point - looking at the NVidia Shield but the latest iteration is 2019, maybe on their next rev upgrade.
My requirements would be to have a wired connection and WiFi 6 capable if need be.

.02

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
If you ever get a new TV ~ they will have this built in too.

I still don't get this. Say you are in love with the picture quality of a new LG OLED or Samsung QLED TV that comes with its proprietary OS, but want to stay with ROKU or Android TV that you have on other TV's in the house. Now you have to buy more hardware to replace the brand new TV OS. When you shop computer monitors you shop hardware not software, with almost singular focus on image quality/capability. Why not make me a TV with fantastic hardware/picture quality, and let me select the OS (and sound reproduction) separately?

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:

I still don't get this.

Say you are in love with the picture quality of a new LG OLED or Samsung QLED TV that comes with its proprietary OS, but want to stay with ROKU or Android TV that you have on other TV's in the house.
Now you have to buy more hardware to replace the brand new TV OS.

Why not make me a TV with fantastic hardware/picture quality, and let me select the OS (and sound reproduction) separately?

You are free to use the built-in or an outboard unit.

No need to buy all new hardware unless the old hardware (aka streaming device) isn't up to the standard of the TV.

Use ether / or.

Whether a "Smart TV" has software or not is irrelevant to which one you use.

Not seeing what the gripe is?

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
If you ever get a new TV ~ they will have this built in too.

I still don't get this. Say you are in love with the picture quality of a new LG OLED or Samsung QLED TV that comes with its proprietary OS, but want to stay with ROKU or Android TV that you have on other TV's in the house. Now you have to buy more hardware to replace the brand new TV OS. When you shop computer monitors you shop hardware not software, with almost singular focus on image quality/capability. Why not make me a TV with fantastic hardware/picture quality, and let me select the OS (and sound reproduction) separately?

As smschulz mentioned there is no need to buy new equipment when buying a new tv. He’s just mentioning, like in the OP’s case if someone were going from a non-smart tv to any new model smart tv they have all the streaming apps included. You could stream all these services without an external device at all. Some people do just that. While they could just use the apps on the tv many others prefer the OS, user interface, or speed or smoothness of the external devices over the built in ones. Some just don’t trust the tv manufacturers and what login info they may be mining. Also the ability to unplug the device and travel with it, whether to a hotel or family members house, or just to the new tv in another room, and have all their streaming sources with them already logged in is nice.

Just for general knowledge for ‘new to this’ people, the apps are all free downloads, whether it be on a Roku, the tv itself, a phone, a tablet. The app is merely how you get the service you signed up for streamed to you. Regardless which you choose, you still have to sign up separately for each companies services. If a tv advertises “Netflix built in”, all it means is the app is downloaded, not that Netflix service is included. Some streamline the setup for convenience so you can “hey it’ll let me sign up for Netflix/Hulu/Prime/etc, right here through the tv”, I still prefer to go to each service’s website, make an account, then log into to the app once on the device. If I have to give personal info and my credit card to to someone, I’d rather not give it to someone else to pass it along.

Just for general knowledge for ‘new to this’ people, the apps are all free downloads, whether it be on a Roku, the tv itself, a phone, a tablet. The app is merely how you get the service you signed up for streamed to you. Regardless which you choose, you still have to sign up separately for each companies services. If a tv advertises “Netflix built in”, all it means is the app is downloaded, not that Netflix service is included. Some streamline the setup for convenience so you can “hey it’ll let me sign up for Netflix/Hulu/Prime/etc, right here through the tv”, I still prefer to go to each service’s website, make an account, then log into to the app once on the device. If I have to give personal info and my credit card to to someone, I’d rather not give it to someone else to pass it along.[/QUOTE]

and for me here in lies the problem.

Lets say I have a couple older Samsung TV's. Flat screens maybe 5-6 years old. Adequate in terms of my needs.

I do not do amazon. Where do I start. Scrap the direct TV, then what? I do not watch a ton of different stuff. Like most people I pretty much watch mostly the same stuff when watching TV.
I am paying $130 for DTV monthly now. I really do not want to pay for 3-6 streaming services even if I can get them on these TV's. And would I be paying less than $130 a month? And if so, would it be worth the trouble?

quote:

Lets say I have a couple older Samsung TV's. Flat screens maybe 5-6 years old. Adequate in terms of my needs.

I do not do Amazon.
Where do I start?
Scrap the direct TV, then what?


I do not watch a ton of different stuff. Like most people I pretty much watch mostly the same stuff when watching TV.
I am paying $130 for DTV monthly now.
I really do not want to pay for 3-6 streaming services even if I can get them on these TV's. And would I be paying less than $130 a month?
And if so, would it be worth the trouble?

It used to be cutting the cord was a cost saver.
Not so much anymore.
If you are getting what you want now then keep on with DTV.
On the other hand you could:
* buy a Fire Stick, or similar Roku stick
* Then you could sign up ala carte for whatever you might want to add.
* If you get enough content then sign off DTV and you will have to add the stick to whatever TV you want to view on or move it from TV to TV (PIA).

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

TV's. And would I be paying less than $130 a month? And if so, would it be worth the trouble?

YouTube TV is $68 a month

We also have a couple others that range from $5 to $13 I think

You can do better than $130

I'd start with these for paid streaming apps and get the Roku stick:

Netflix
Peacock
Hulu

See how you like them, then try YouTube TV

Don't forget the Roku has TONS of free content

We've had DTV for 15 years. It goes up every year and customer service sucks.

Until Starlink we couldn't stream anything. Our only internet source was a Verizon mifi, not enough bandwidth to stream. Years ago we tried Hughesnet and it was horrible in every way.

We were paying $160 for DTV and $70 for the Mifi. We dropped both.

Our TV's are 10 years old. We bought 2 Fire Sticks as we are already Prime members. This works perfectly...no need to upgrade the TV's.

We added SL for $130 a month. Everything else is a la carte. No contracts. Youtube TV was best for us. I believe it is $69 a month after a 3 month discounted trial. Discovery + is $5.99 a month.

For us it has been great.

I got the RV version of SL as it was available and we can pause it when we go away for the winter. I am buying another SL set up to travel with in our motorhome. This way one system will always be paused.


We have had zero issues being de-prioritiized, which is a possibility for the RV version. The service has been fast and 100% reliable.

No regrets at all, glad to be done with DTV.

Thanks guys. Jeff Y., sounds like you are spending a lot of $ for TV.

$75 for Youtube TV and Discovery +.

Roku with youtubetv

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

and for me here in lies the problem.

Lets say I have a couple older Samsung TV's. Flat screens maybe 5-6 years old. Adequate in terms of my needs.

I do not do amazon. Where do I start. Scrap the direct TV, then what? I do not watch a ton of different stuff. Like most people I pretty much watch mostly the same stuff when watching TV.
I am paying $130 for DTV monthly now. I really do not want to pay for 3-6 streaming services even if I can get them on these TV's. And would I be paying less than $130 a month? And if so, would it be worth the trouble?

The guys above gave great advice. The signing up for multiple services may be a pain in the ass but I think it’s worth it. You only have to do it the first time, then once you sign in to that app on your tv or streaming device once, the content it just there every time. You don’t log in and out each time. The only time you have to mess with the accounts is if you want to change payment method to upgrade/downgrade service.

The first thing to identify is WHAT you watch. While I don’t personally have YouTube TV, it sounds like a good base replacement for your TV needs. Beyond that, do you watch “a ton of stuff” because it’s on and you like that genre or specific things like Yellowstone, Game of Thrones, The Amazing Race? The cable shows like amazing race, etc should be covered by YouTube tv, but then you get Paramount + for $7 for Yellowstone and HBO for GoT for $10. In that specific scenario you are still well under $100 and you have your wants covered. The a la carte is nice. Also let’s say Game of Thrones is the only thing you watch on HBO, then sign up, watch the season and cancel until the following season next year. I think the best solution, mentioned above is get a device of your choice, turn on a couple of services and see if they cover enough of what you want and that you can live with that. Most services offer a free or discounted first week/month the first time signing up. If you are satisfied with it as a replacement then you can cancel your direct tv.

I know it seems daunting at first but it really is pretty easy. Old Rugged Cross, please feel welcome to give me a call if answering questions in person is easier. Just reach out through email for my number. I cut the cord in 09 and couldn’t be happier. Now if only the NFL would make it easier to watch my Saints out of market without selling a kidney and making a blood sacrifice. But that’s another issue.

We have Amazon Firesticks, always on sale at Woot for lower than normal prices, and we have a TCL ROKU TV.

The ROKU tv is easier and faster to operate than adding a stick or box to an existing tv, since the interface is there when you turn it on, no switching input from HDMI 1 to HDMI 3 or cable to change sources. The ROKU main interface reads all the input sources and you can move between them by choosing the appropriate app

DirecTV - Satellite App
LocalTV - Local channel app
Netflix
Prime
Hulu
etc

the ROKU is faster than the amazon sticks, as we replace TV's it will with a ROKU ready tv in the future.

Any of the devices can serve up any streaming content, you don't need an Apple TV box to watch your apple tv subscription or purchases, you just download the app and put in your appleID.

Same for Netflix, Hulu, Prime, Yahootv et all.

Just find the interface you like that makes it simpler to use, and put it on all your TV so they all operate the same.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Yarchin:
$75 for Youtube TV and Discovery +.

is starlink not a tv/streaming service? and a second SL set up?

That is not cheap by any means. Good for you. Sounds like it is a great set and suits the budget. That is what matters

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:


is starlink not a tv/streaming service?

Not sure I understand this statement.

Starlink is INTERNET service

You need INTERNET service of some kind: DSL, Fiber, Cable internet, Starlink to be able to use a streaming device like a Roku or Firestick.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:


Starlink is INTERNET service

You need INTERNET service of some kind: DSL, Fiber, Cable internet, Starlink to be able to use a streaming device like a Roku or Firestick.

ORC he is correct.
Once you have an Internet connect then you need a device that contacts and consolidates the TV streamers aka NVidia Shield, ROKU, Amazon Firestick, Apple TV, or a Smart TV that has an OS to do the same.

You need to pay for the Internet Service, pay for the Device unless using built in the late model TV's and then pay a subscription fee usually monthly or yearly to whatever service you desire.

Amazon Prime TV, Netflix, YouTube TV, HULU, and a whole lot others have offerings.
Pick and choose ala carte what you desire.

As opposed to an existing Cable Service that basically does it all for you in one fell swoope.
The former is better targeted to your needs.
The later is more convenient and easier to use.

Which one is cheaper can vary widely depending widely on what content you choose.
Could be much cheaper but not always.
Cutting the cord per say isn't all that much cheaper now days but could be or maybe not.