Chromecast/firestick

[JenEMT]

Can some please explain all this firestick or chrome cast stuff? Id like to know info on how it works, the capabilities, costs involved, etc. Is this something folks use in replacement to cable or satellite and is it saving money?
Thanks!

 

[Iowajes]

We use a chromecast to watch things that are normally on the computer on our TV. We have a smart TV so most of Netflix, Youtube streams right on there, but there are a few websites we have trouble with. So this lets us watch ABC on the TV too. (CBS is fine on the TV internal browser, that's all we watch).

We don't have cable or satellite, but it won't really replace content from cable/satellite if you like that. But if you used to watch something on your computer, now you can watch it on your TV.

 

[Narnia_girl]

We bought the Amazon FireStick when they had a two day special last fall ($19!) So far we have not used it a lot but that's because we have a Playstation 4 hooked up and we can access Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, etc... that way. Mostly we use the FireStick when we can't find a PlayStation remote or the remote is not charged.

 

[scard192]

you can't stream Amazon Instant/Prime to a Chromecast.

Kind of interested about Streaming ABC, recently when I want to stream ABC to my Kindle Fire it asks me for my cable provider information to stream. I wonder if its some sort of Kindle Fire issue with the APP, I did not have to provide a cable log in previously. I have cable so not a problem; just wanted to catch up on ABC shows in a room with no TV.

 

[Justin Headley]

If you get the Amazon Fire TV stick or a roku. Check out sling TV. $20 per month for approx 20 great channels. No contracts. We love it. Includes the Disney channel too.

 

[Best Aunt]

OP, were you looking for basics? Chromecast is a little thing that looks like flash drive. You stick it in an HDMI port in your TV. You also plug its second cable into a USB port in your TV. You download the app onto your phone or tablet or laptop. Then you go to a website like Netflix (assuming you have a Netflix subscription). Instead of watching the Netflix show or movie on your phone/tablet/laptop, you use the app and watch it on your TV. I find that it's very glitchy when I start watching a show or movie. Often the show starts on my tablet and I have trouble "casting" it to my TV. Once I get it to play on the TV, it works fine. I get frustrated very easily when technology doesn't work correctly immediately (even if it's my fault) so I end up swearing at my Chromecast a lot.

The Chromecast itself costs $35 (sometimes Best Buy has it for $30).

There is no subscription cost for the Chromecast itself. But if you want to watch something that has a subscription cost, you have to pay for that. So, as mentioned above, you must have a Netflix subscription to watch Netflix. Since Youtube has no subscription cost, you can watch Youtube for free. If you go to the Chromecast website, it will tell you what you can watch on it (Huluplus, HBO Go, etc.).

 

[kellyjeanie]

I found the chart in this article very helpful when I was comparing Chromecast/Firestick/Roku. Which one you decide to go with will depend on which streaming services you want to have access to.

http://www.cnet.com/news/fire-tv-stick-vs-chromecast-vs-roku-streaming-stick-battle-of-the-sticks/

 

[Hummingbird]

If you get the Amazon Fire TV stick or a roku. Check out sling TV. $20 per month for approx 20 great channels. No contracts. We love it. Includes the Disney channel too.

Also right now if you sign up for Sling ($20 a month) they will give you a Firestick for free OR $50 off of Fire TV. You have to keep your sling subscription for 3 months. But I was looking to sign up for Sling anyway so it worked out well for me.

 

[tasha99]

I found the chart in this article very helpful when I was comparing Chromecast/Firestick/Roku. Which one you decide to go with will depend on which streaming services you want to have access to.

http://www.cnet.com/news/fire-tv-stick-vs-chromecast-vs-roku-streaming-stick-battle-of-the-sticks/

Amazone has added HBO Go and I think Starz since then.

 

[MikeNames]

The chromecast app is awesome for youtube videos streamed from my phone/tablet... its how i watch the dis / dis universal every week.

 

[JenEMT]

Thanks to everyone! Now I'm going to have to research the sling also! Mostly, I'd just like to save some money by not paying $95/mo for dish. We watch a ton of Netflix and YouTube. I also want to try Hulu. And I saw that chromecast also now has Pac 12 network, so maybe I can talk hubby into trying this out.