Questions about Roku devices and service

[Earth 2 Chris]

So, we're on Dish Network, and the prices just keep going up. We honestly watch a pretty limited number of channels. Mostly watch Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube through the two Playstations we have in the house (PS3 & 4).

So I was wondering what those who have a Roku device think of them, and how much do the paid channels run on average?

The amount of free channels sounds very tempting, as does the one time fee for the box.

Chris

[Blue Meanie]

My big bro WannabeMego is in Boston right now doing the Tri-State Trek with my Sister-in-Law and Nephew...but I would message him when he gets back on Monday. He's doing the "Cutting" the cable bit and looks like he's going to be saving a lot of $$$$ between Roku/Digital Antenna/and other stuff. He's basically getting rid of all the garbage channels he pays for and doesn't even watch. I know that doesn't help you right now...but I'd message him and ask. He's trying to get me to do it...but there are a few sticking points. I watch a lot of Baseball and Football and there seems to be at least one problem with that whole thing.

[jwyblejr]

The paid stuff runs pretty much the same as with any service. They mostly have what everyone else has i.e.,Netflix Hulu,and so on. As I've said before,PlutoTv is your best bet for the free stuff. It's pretty much a geek's dream. My only beef is when they show Thunderbirds,there is no sound.

[cjefferys]

Yeah, the paid stuff runs mostly the same as getting the channels from other sources but there are lots of free channels and more channels than available anywhere else. I bought a Roku SE for $25 last Black Friday, but it's basically a repackaged Roku 1. I'm not really happy with the video quality on my big TV, the picture is kind of jittery when I watch stuff, compared to watching on my PS3 or smart TV, where the video quality is great. I'm wondering if I should try a newer Roku that might have better video processing.

I cut the cord a few years ago, and with an OTA antenna, Netflix, Amazon Prime video, HBO Now and other sources, I would NEVER pay for cable or satellite again. Of course, I don't watch sports, so that might be a deal breaker for some that do.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^I don't watch sports either, so that's not really a problem. Since the kids can pretty much get all the shows they like on Netflix and other outlets, I think the only channel I'd really miss would be TCM.

It's not worth $100 or whatever a month.

Chris

[cjefferys]

Yeah, it looks like you can get TCM if you subscribe to Playstation Vue's "Core" package (75+ channels) but it's around $45 per month (still cheaper than cable or satellite)

Luckily my kids get more stuff than they could ever watch with Netflix and Youtube.

[thunderbolt]

All I pay for is Netflix and Hulu, there are tons of great free channels like Pluto, Shout Factory, Cartoon Circus, OSI74, etc.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Thanks for all the info guys. This is looking more and more like the way I want to go.

Chris

[drquest]

We have three Apple TV's and the kids are always on Netflix at my house.

[mike69]

You can get TCM, AMC, Epix, History channel, HGTV, and some other channels through Sling TV. It cost around $22.00 a month. I also have Netflix and Hulu. It costs me around $54.00 a month for all three paid channels. I've had Roku now for about 3 years and don't miss cable at all. I do have an outdoor antenna for my local stations. If you decide to get a Roku, be sure to get the Roku 3. It has a faster processor in it.

[gummi]

I bought a Roku to replace my leased Time Warner cable box and also to save some wear and tear on my PS3 and 4 for streaming Netflix. I can only pull in a few stations with an antenna where I'm at, or I would do away with cable altogether. It's definitely worth the price if you want to cut the cord, never had any issues with mine.

[samurainoir]

We're running an apple tv and mostly Netflix through it.

Considering getting a Roku since at least 3 friends are raving about it and I've enjoyed watching channels while visiting. Noticed stuff that is on there like Shout Factory is actually streaming online anyway and I just direct it to Apple TV from my laptop.

http://www.shoutfactorytv.com

[cjefferys]

I also installed Kodi on an Amazon Fire TV stick, which lets you stream tons of movies and TV shows for free. Right now it's technically legal in Canada, as you are streaming opposed to downloading. It's in a kind of grey area in the law, there's currently no law that expressly forbids it, but the cable companies are sure trying to fight it. Not sure about the legality in the US though, I don't want to tell someone to try something that might not be legal in your country.

[thunderbolt]

Kodi's probably going to get shut down here. I know Amazon is trying to crush its use thru its devices.

[cjefferys]

I know Amazon is trying to crush its use thru its devices.

I didn't know that, but I guess I'm not surprised since Amazon is trying to sell their own services to people who use Fire TV. I wonder if they will succeed, considering that Kodi is an Android app, and Fire TV and tablets use a heavily customized version of Android. Honestly, I'm not thrilled with the picture quality of Kodi anyway, on a 70" TV the video doesn't look great and I have issues with picture "jerkiness", dropped frames, etc. So, I'll continue to pay for Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc, which have terrific HD video quality.