Anybody here use a streaming device other than a game consul?
Streaming device
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Chromecast, if that counts. I stream using my phone or laptop and cast to the TV.
I use an Apple TV...I'd suggest getting a 3rd party one like Roku if you are looking into it. Allows you to play all the apps/streaming services. For example, can't watch Amazon Prime shows on Apple TV
Roku stick here. Got it 2 years ago, don't use it all that much, but it's nice to have it when you want to cast to it from our phones or tablet.
We just don't remember to use it much and still pay for DirecTV anyway.
I've used both Roku and Amazon Fire tvs and would recommend both.
I have HD cable at the house but I don't subscribe to any premium channels. I have an Amazon Prime membership so I get free videos. I had a Roku but had issues with it so I replaced it with an Amazon Firestick that works much better. I mainly use it to access Netflix. I have a 10 Meg cable service and recently upgraded my router and all of my streaming zaps right in with no buffering.
We have both Amazon Fire TV Stick and Roku. Got the Roku for my wife. Had the Fire for 2 yrs and Roku for one. I use the fire most and wife doesn't use the Roku much. But both are good. I would give a slight edge to the Roku, but the fire works well with Amazon Prime. If you don't have a Prime membership, go with the Roku, IMO.
I am in the process of dumping cable and going to Roku + Sling/DirecTV now/YouTube TV (not sure which yet). I'll still have most cable channels and reduce my monthly expenses by around $50.
I did a lot of research and reading about the various options. Happy to share what I found. Did you have a specific question about anything?
Roku is a stand-alone content source that comes with a remote and dedicated apps for most things you'd want (Netflix, Hulu, streaming TV) and its own free "Roku Channel" with many free movies. It's user friendly and intelligent - you can search for a show/movie and it'll search all your connected apps for the content.
Chromecast is a "hub" for your TV that you control with your phone. You cannot use a Chromecast without a smartphone. You find what you want in your phone and, if the feature is available, "cast" it to your TV from your phone. Once the content is playing you can do whatever you want from your phone again - your phone is the remote here, and not everything is cast-able.
I went with Roku myself - I liked having a dedicated remote and a ton of support for so many various media sources. Plenty of other neat features depending on which model you get and what you need.
Netflix is used via laptop, PS3 and WiiU
amazon fire tv stick and laptop connected to the tv's have Kodi Krypton installed and run various addons for movies, tv shows , live tv /sports music etc
We've decided on the Roku Streaming Stick.
Roku devices.
2 Amazon Fire boxes and 2 AF sticks. No more cable. Subscribe to Playstation Vue, Nexflix and Amazon Prime. Very satisfied.
I have the Roku 2 ( upgraded faster version of it). Had the original stick and it was pretty choppy, dog are the remote, realized I could replace the unit cheaper than the remote, so I did. Went wired this time and have no regrets, but I wish this had IR sensors so I didn’t have to position it where the remote sees it. I believe the 3 has that. I also have a ROKU TV, 4K, etc in the bedroom which was a $279 special at Best Buy, it works flawlessly and I prefer it to my bigger 5x the cost Samsung.
I have been happy with my Firestick's, but am a Prime member.
Chromecast is cool for casting on the TV from my phone or computer, but I use my firesticks much more
Does any of this stuff allow you to watch golf channel, local baseball team games, any local sports, Fox News, turner movie classics. That’s about all I watch