Roku vs. Apple TV

[kalliyan1]

Any thoughts for those of you who have either one?
Is it realistic to think we can get rid of direct tv all together using one of these and an antenna? Realistically we don't EVER watch live TV. We always record and then watch a day or two later, primarily so we don't have to watch commercials. It would save so much money if we did one of these and the netflix and huluplus subscriptions I'm just not sure what it's like
One of the big questions I have is, for my little girls who watch Disney and some Nick jr., what would my options be for them?
TIA

 

[Purseval]

We have Roku. It's not supposed to be much different from apple TV. For us the only difference so far is that instead of wasting $60/month not watching cable we're only wasting $8/month not watching Hulu. We have a free month of Netflix and we're not watching that either. So my advice would be to get whatever box is cheapest, probably the Roku.

 

[JB2K]

Any thoughts for those of you who have either one?
Is it realistic to think we can get rid of direct tv all together using one of these and an antenna? Realistically we don't EVER watch live TV. We always record and then watch a day or two later, primarily so we don't have to watch commercials. It would save so much money if we did one of these and the netflix and huluplus subscriptions I'm just not sure what it's like
One of the big questions I have is, for my little girls who watch Disney and some Nick jr., what would my options be for them?
TIA

Best to check the Hulu/Netflix websites, directly to see what Disney/Nick content may be available.

As Hulu goes, since Disney owns a stake in it, you may see some of their programming. Not exactly the case for Nick programming...

 

[timmac]

Any thoughts for those of you who have either one?
Is it realistic to think we can get rid of direct tv all together using one of these and an antenna? Realistically we don't EVER watch live TV. We always record and then watch a day or two later, primarily so we don't have to watch commercials. It would save so much money if we did one of these and the netflix and huluplus subscriptions I'm just not sure what it's like
One of the big questions I have is, for my little girls who watch Disney and some Nick jr., what would my options be for them?
TIA

I currently have a Google TV, which is similar. While I definitely love it, if you're used to having regular TV subscription of some kind (Cable, satellite, etc), it really doesn't compare, in my opinion. As a side note, GTV currently isn't supported by Hulu, so I haven't used it, though I suspect that would give you a lot of the shows you are looking for.

That said, I have found that Netflix has plenty enough stuff, particularly endless episodes of children's shows. However, it's generally not going to be the most recent and latest and greatest.

Depending on how much you like your DirecTV, and how expensive it is, will ultimately direct your decision. Since you say you DVR everything, that implies you at least *do* actually watch the programming, yes?

 

[DawnM]

If you can get good over the air TV, you might look into a Tivo box. The newest Tivo boxes allow you to get Netflix and Hulu streamed with a subscription and will allow you to Tivo (DVR) your favorite over the air shows.

Dawn

 

[hsmamato2]

DawnM how much is a good Tivo box? and how do you know what is a good one?

 

[DawnM]

Go to Tivo.com. There aren't that many models to choose from but they are all made from the same company, so there shouldnt' be too much variation in quality.

Dawn

DawnM how much is a good Tivo box? and how do you know what is a good one?

 

[Cynestra]

We have AppleTV. Hulu is not supported. It's easy to use, and we use it to stream netflix a lot, as well as radio while I clean.

 

[DawnM]

So you cannot stream Hulu at all?

That would be a negative for me.

We have 2 Roku boxes and need a 3rd device for our 3rd TV at some point.

Dawn

We have AppleTV. Hulu is not supported. It's easy to use, and we use it to stream netflix a lot, as well as radio while I clean.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I love the Roku. Full HD. We typically watch Hulu, Netflix and MLB TV. I love it because when I arrive home late I can see my shows in 2/3 the time they normally air and watch my favorite baseball team after. I don't even pay attention to what day my favorite programs are on. I just watch them on Hulu. Ipad and iphone also work as remotes. Crackle also has some good (older) movies on it.

 

[Abbeys_mom]

We love our XDS Roku, it rocks!

DD gets all the Disney shows on Netflix, she just started watching them in the last six months, so getting the most current ones was not a big deal to her.

DH loves all the documentaries, true crime, and weird shows he used to watch. For football, he is getting a cheapo indoor HD antenna.

I love Netflix and Hulu Plus, especially since I never was up to date on shows anyway. I found a few places to watch or listen to playoff hockey, so no big deal there. The Chow Channel and TED are probably my favorites.

We still watch the Today Show in the morning, Jay Leno at night, and the Nightly News too on the Newscaster channel.

The only thing we miss is the $90 Directv bill! NOT!

 

[JB2K]

I love the Roku. Full HD. We typically watch Hulu, Netflix and MLB TV. I love it because when I arrive home late I can see my shows in 2/3 the time they normally air and watch my favorite baseball team after. I don't even pay attention to what day my favorite programs are on. I just watch them on Hulu. Ipad and iphone also work as remotes. Crackle also has some good (older) movies on it.

MLB.tv is worth mentioning (if you are a baseball fan, and considering "going virtual", read-on!).

While ExPirateShopGirl is obviously a Red Sox fan living elsewhere in the U.S., she is able to watch all of her team's games (for a fee which covers the entire 2011 season).

However, if you are, say a Phillies fan living in South Jersey (or in my case, a St. Louis Cardinals fan living in the St. Louis area), those live games are "blacked-out" by MLB, meaning even if you pay big bucks for the package, you will still not be able to view any of those games live.

And, since in St. Louis, there is no over-the-air TV outlet for baseball, we have little choice but to stay with cable/satellite.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

You are absolutely correct. I paid $119 for the entire 2011 season for MLB.tv for the express purpose of watching Red Sox games. When I am in the Boston area I have to watch them on NESN or hope it was recorded. MLB.tv is far more reliable than a certain someone whose piloting skills are better than his tivo-ing skills.

In any case, I prefer watching the games on MLB.tv because a) I can always get the home feed regardless if they are playing home or away and (the VERY BEST PART) no more Cialis and Viagra commercials! Yay! Woot!

MLB.tv is worth mentioning (if you are a baseball fan, and considering "going virtual", read-on!).

While ExPirateShopGirl is obviously a Red Sox fan living elsewhere in the U.S., she is able to watch all of her team's games (for a fee which covers the entire 2011 season).

However, if you are, say a Phillies fan living in South Jersey (or in my case, a St. Louis Cardinals fan living in the St. Louis area), those live games are "blacked-out" by MLB, meaning even if you pay big bucks for the package, you will still not be able to view any of those games live.

And, since in St. Louis, there is no over-the-air TV outlet for baseball, we have little choice but to stay with cable/satellite.

 

[RitaE]

Just wondering - is it possible to get around the MLB.tv blackouts with a Proxy Server?

We keep a subscription to hidemyass.com for when DH travels overseas and wants to watch US tv shows.

 

[prncess674]

Just as an FYI, hulu plus is still listed as "coming soon" so hopefully it will be soon. I refuse to buy a new Tivo box till I know for sure that it will support Hulu.

 

[DawnM]

coming soon to who/what? It is already available on the computer or on Roku.

Dawn

Just as an FYI, hulu plus is still listed as "coming soon" so hopefully it will be soon. I refuse to buy a new Tivo box till I know for sure that it will support Hulu.

 

[prncess674]

coming soon to who/what? It is already available on the computer or on Roku.

reading is fundamental

Just as an FYI, hulu plus is still listed as "coming soon" so hopefully it will be soon. I refuse to buy a new Tivo box till I know for sure that it will support Hulu.

 

[JB2K]

Just wondering - is it possible to get around the MLB.tv blackouts with a Proxy Server?

We keep a subscription to hidemyass.com for when DH travels overseas and wants to watch US tv shows.

Possibly -- I do understand that MLB.tv determines your home market based on the IP address of your computer/ISP...

 

[Cynestra]

Correct. Apple TV does not support Hulu. I haven't read any plans for them to add Hulu either. Given the choice, I probably would have gone Roku, but my husband is a huge Apple fanboy.

 

[DawnM]

Never mind.