Internet TV devices - questions

[mrsap]

Hey everyone! I have seen some posts regarding getting rid of cable, so it got me thinking. I was considering an Internet TV device (like Roku or Apple TV, etc.) but I was wondering exactly how it works. Here are my questions I hope you can help me with...

1) When using one of those devices, do you have to buy other services to actually watch TV or movies?

2) Are there any devices or services you can subscribe to or pay for where you can watch current TV shows? (I called Netflix and they told me they don't air the shows till the following season.) Do any offer current shows more quickly?

Anything else you think I should know would be very helpful!!!!!! Thank you SO much!!!!!

 

[BaxterSaysMeoww]

I actually just bought Roku yesterday and it's actually pretty great. I wanted it specifically to watch HBOgo on my TV but there's so many apps you can watch movies and TV from. It has HuluPlus which you can subscribe to and I believe they do offer shows a day or two after they normally aired. There's also Amazon Prime which you can subscribe to and get movies and TV shows. It's definitely a good option. We were going to purchase Apple TV but went with Roku instead cause it offers a lot of the same stuff and it's cheaper.

 

[mrsap]

Thank you for your reply! I should also mention I love watching BRAVO TV. I just looked up Hulu Plus and it doesn't include any Bravo shows. If anyone knows one where its programs are included, I'd love to know.
As far as amazon, I just looked them up too and the cost for their service right now is more than I pay for all 3 home services!! lol So crazy! Thanks again for the leads!

 

[LaLalovesWDW]

Ive had Roku 2 for about a year now and absolutely love it. The only thing is that you do have to be subscribed to the services that you want to watch. For me I subscribe to Netflix, Hulu Plus (lots of TV shows but not Bravo), HBOGo, Pandora. They also have Redbox, Blockbuster and a bunch of free channels as well. I haven't looked too closely to see if any of them offer BravoTV shows, but I do know that Bravo does do full episodes now on their website. The way my Roku works is that I have a HD cable that goes from my TV to the box and then I connect the box (which is like the size of a cigarette box) to my wifi. Its a lot of fun to have, and I love it. You can also get your Facebook on it as well.

 

[BaxterSaysMeoww]

No problem!

Hmm, i believe the Roku 2 offers a Time Warner Cable option that does stream Bravo through it, but you'd have to have Time Warner Cable so I'm not sure if that would work for you or not..

 

[mrsap]

No problem!

Hmm, i believe the Roku 2 offers a Time Warner Cable option that does stream Bravo through it, but you'd have to have Time Warner Cable so I'm not sure if that would work for you or not..

It's ok!!! I appreciate the leads!!!! I would definitely do this to get rid of cable. I have a smart TV which includes most of the apps you guys have mentioned. My biggest problem with doing this is not being able to see my favorite TV shows. Thank you again!!!

 

[wiigirl]

I actually just bought Roku yesterday and it's actually pretty great. I wanted it specifically to watch HBOgo on my TV but there's so many apps you can watch movies and TV from. It has HuluPlus which you can subscribe to and I believe they do offer shows a day or two after they normally aired. There's also Amazon Prime which you can subscribe to and get movies and TV shows. It's definitely a good option. We were going to purchase Apple TV but went with Roku instead cause it offers a lot of the same stuff and it's cheaper.

 

[mrsap]

Ive had Roku 2 for about a year now and absolutely love it. The only thing is that you do have to be subscribed to the services that you want to watch. For me I subscribe to Netflix, Hulu Plus (lots of TV shows but not Bravo), HBOGo, Pandora. They also have Redbox, Blockbuster and a bunch of free channels as well. I haven't looked too closely to see if any of them offer BravoTV shows, but I do know that Bravo does do full episodes now on their website. The way my Roku works is that I have a HD cable that goes from my TV to the box and then I connect the box (which is like the size of a cigarette box) to my wifi. Its a lot of fun to have, and I love it. You can also get your Facebook on it as well.

Thank so much for writing. I guess it's more of an app I need to find, not the actual device.

 

[livndisney]

Thank you for your reply! I should also mention I love watching BRAVO TV. I just looked up Hulu Plus and it doesn't include any Bravo shows. If anyone knows one where its programs are included, I'd love to know.
As far as amazon, I just looked them up too and the cost for their service right now is more than I pay for all 3 home services!! lol So crazy! Thanks again for the leads!

What did you look up on Amazon? I watch shows/movies for free with Prime. I think Prime is 79 a year.

 

[mrsap]

What did you look up on Amazon? I watch shows/movies for free with Prime. I think Prime is 79 a year.

I looked up pricing and whats included with it. We pay $80 for our home TV, Internet and Phone. So paying $79, which is going up to $99, isn't worth it for us. I also called them and they told me they aren't sure if their TV shows are current or if I'd have to wait to watch them. Called twice on that question.

 

[powellrj]

Its 79/99 a year and I do lots of amazon shopping plus I have a kindle, so amazon prime is worth the cost for us.

There are people who like to watch certain channels that leaving whatever service they have isn't worth it. I am one of those people. I love my channels and have tried and found I just enjoy them too much to give them up and have found other ways to cut the costs.

 

[snoopy5386]

Amazon is $79 a YEAR not a month.

If you have a smart tv then you probably don't need a roku box or Apple TV. All of those things are the devices you would use to stream the internet tv services such as huluplus or netflix. Hulu plus has the major tv networks (abc, nbc and fox) shows the next day. Getting Bravo shows is going to be difficult, since Bravo is a cable network. You may want to look into Playon.

 

[mrsap]

Its 79/99 a year and I do lots of amazon shopping plus I have a kindle, so amazon prime is worth the cost for us.

There are people who like to watch certain channels that leaving whatever service they have isn't worth it. I am one of those people. I love my channels and have tried and found I just enjoy them too much to give them up and have found other ways to cut the costs.

I think I am with you here. I love my shows and am not willing to part with them!! lol lol

Also, as far as Prime, although we also have a Kindle, there weren't any movies that I haven't already seen 100 times. Their free shipping alone is great, I don't think I ever waited more than 5 days for shipping, unless an item is back ordered. I don't know, just can't justify the cost for our family.

 

[mrsap]

Amazon is $79 a YEAR not a month.

If you have a smart tv then you probably don't need a roku box or Apple TV. All of those things are the devices you would use to stream the internet tv services such as huluplus or netflix. Hulu plus has the major tv networks (abc, nbc and fox) shows the next day. Getting Bravo shows is going to be difficult, since Bravo is a cable network. You may want to look into Playon.

Thanks for writing!! Thanks, that makes more sense!!!! Still not something I'm interested in.

I will look into Playon right now!! Thank you!!