Most economical way to stream amazon videos

[disneymagicgirl]

We have all apple devices so I need to purchase something, Roku or similar, to stream movies for the kids on the TV. That is all we will use the device for, so it doesn't need to do anything else. We have a wii, but it is in dd14’s room, so that won't work for my boys to watch. Suggestions?

 

[RitaE]

Do you have WiFi in your house? I'd buy a Blu-Ray player with streaming capability and hook that to the tv. We have a Sony but I'm sure there are other brands that work. I think I paid about $60 for it on a Black Friday deal or something. That way you could watch Blu-Ray/DVDs and Amazon Prime or Netflix etc.

I have a Roku too. They are pretty cheap and reliable.

I also have a connector that will allow my Mac to stream to the TV. I hardly ever set that up though. I probably will tomorrow night for Pre-Season football. I think our iPADS actually stream Amazon video too but I've never really messed around with using them to stream to the TV.

 

[disneypharm]

We have all apple devices so I need to purchase something, Roku or similar, to stream movies for the kids on the TV. That is all we will use the device for, so it doesn't need to do anything else. We have a wii, but it is in dd14’s room, so that won't work for my boys to watch. Suggestions?

Definitely Roku for less than $50. We bought 3 from Amazon and we stream movies and TV shows through Amazon and Netflix. We also have PLEX to stream more recent episodes of our favorite shows. We also use PLEX to add all our photos and videos of our travels, so we can access them very quickly.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Definitely Roku for less than $50. We bought 3 from Amazon and we stream movies and TV shows through Amazon and Netflix. We also have PLEX to stream more recent episodes of our favorite shows. We also use PLEX to add all our photos and videos of our travels, so we can access them very quickly.

Is there some cheap version of roku that's only $50? Costco dot com has one for $96.

 

[cglaura]

Here is a comparison, you can order the device directly from Roku, or at least compare to find a lesser price elsewhere.

http://www.roku.com/roku-products

I have what would be considered the light ($49.99) version, but mine is an older model. I pretty much only use this now...Netflix, HuluPlus, AmazonPrime.

It also has a bunch of free channels through Roku. News, radio, weather, etc.

If you use Ebates (3.5%) or Mr. Rebates (3%), they are available for a cash back.

 

[disneypharm]

Is there some cheap version of roku that's only $50? Costco dot com has one for $96.

I am sorry. We have this one that is now $58. We bought 3 about 6 months ago when they had a sale for about $45 each. I think we paid around $125 for all three.

Correction: I just checked our order summary and it was back in Feburary for $49 each, total of $147.

http://www.amazon.com/Roku-2500R-HD...2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375917173&sr=8-2&keywords=roku

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I am sorry. We have this one that is now $58. We bought 3 about 6 months ago when they had a sale for about $45 each. I think we paid around $125 for all three.

Correction: I just checked our order summary and it was back in Feburary for $49 each, total of $147.

http://www.amazon.com/Roku-2500R-HD...2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375917173&sr=8-2&keywords=roku

Great, thanks!

 

[Lilliputian]

If you have a laptop (or a computer close to the TV), Google Chromecast is only $35. My husband got one a few days ago and has been playing with it continuously since then. I haven't used it and don't know the specifics, but you use it to watch things on TV that you're doing with your computer or smart phone.

 

[formill]

We bought a couple of cords from amazon for $10 each- they hook up to ipods to tv via rca plugs and also have a plug on them to get power while hooked up to a tv. They work great to watch netflix etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Composite-Video-Tv-rca-Cable-Touch/dp/B0084Z2AHY

We also just use an older netbook hooked up tv- stays hooked up to one tv all the time.

 

[StacyMarie]

So glad somebody brought this up. Looking to cut the Comcast cable cord. Was looking at Roku. Just worried about being able to watch current seasons of my favorite HBO shows such as True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, and Game of Thrones. They are really the only shows I watch faithfully. Also, my favorite channel is Investigation Discovery (not Discovery Channel) and I can't seem to find any info on if that channel is available. Any more info on Roku and channel/show availability would be GREATLY appreciated! I'm really not entirely sure how it works and the website is kind of confusing.

 

[Marionnette]

We bought a couple of cords from amazon for $10 each- they hook up to ipods to tv via rca plugs and also have a plug on them to get power while hooked up to a tv. They work great to watch netflix etc.

http://www.amazon.com/Composite-Video-Tv-rca-Cable-Touch/dp/B0084Z2AHY

We also just use an older netbook hooked up tv- stays hooked up to one tv all the time.

I have those cords too. They work great for Netflix but are not supported by the Amazon Instant Video app.

OP, do you have a Wii, Playstation 3 or Xbox? All of them can be used to stream Amazon Instant videos to your TV. You can find a list of compatible devices here. The only problem is getting the audio and video to stream to the TV.

 

[hsmamato2]

Definitely Roku for less than $50. We bought 3 from Amazon and we stream movies and TV shows through Amazon and Netflix. We also have PLEX to stream more recent episodes of our favorite shows. We also use PLEX to add all our photos and videos of our travels, so we can access them very quickly.

How do I get plex to work on roku? I thought I had downloaded it, but can't figure it out...thanks! Also I got my Roku on Amazon a few months back for 39.00,they go on sale all the time.....

 

[elgerber]

We use a ROKU. Some of the cheaper ones do not play in full HD, thus the price difference. If your kids don't mind, you can get by with a cheaper one.

Amazon doesn't support video out on Iphones/Ipads, unfortunately.

Not all streaming Blu Ray players work for Amazon either, Amazon does have a list of devices that do on their website.

 

[crisi]

We've had Roku for years, and despite having a SmartTV, Google TV, an X Box and a Playstation, its still the simplicity of the Roku we use for Amazon and Netflix (though we are short boxes, so my son streams through his xBox and my daughter ended up with the Google keyboard). We've bought them for our parents as well, because they are easy to use.

But if you already have something hooked up to your TV in terms of an entertainment box (like a xBox) you may have streaming capability already.

 

[blfbrat]

How do I get plex to work on roku? I thought I had downloaded it, but can't figure it out...thanks! Also I got my Roku on Amazon a few months back for 39.00,they go on sale all the time.....

I just ordered one, we have 4 boxes, and my dh is an invalid, so we can maybe save rental on 2 boxes and he can have some more choices.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I have those cords too. They work great for Netflix but are not supported by the Amazon Instant Video app.

OP, do you have a Wii, Playstation 3 or Xbox? All of them can be used to stream Amazon Instant videos to your TV. You can find a list of compatible devices here. The only problem is getting the audio and video to stream to the TV.

We do have a wii, but dd14 put it in her room so she can stream the movies/shows in her room and hang out with her friends. I need 2 more devices so we can watch on the downstairs TV and the playroom tv.

How do I get plex to work on roku? I thought I had downloaded it, but can't figure it out...thanks! Also I got my Roku on Amazon a few months back for 39.00,they go on sale all the time.....

I found the roku LT for $40 on amazon...is that sufficient? Did you get a newer version for $39?

To those who mentioned ipad/pods, etc....only the audio works if streaming/mirroring from those to Apple TV. Annoying.

 

[disneypharm]

How do I get plex to work on roku? I thought I had downloaded it, but can't figure it out...thanks! Also I got my Roku on Amazon a few months back for 39.00,they go on sale all the time.....

Sorry, it took so long to respond. I forgot about this thread. I tried to figure out Plex and gave up. I remember it was very frustrating. DH is very tech-savvy finally figured out Plex. He loves adding a ton of stuff to Plex in Roku, including all our family photos and videos. Sorry, I can't help you. Maybe I can get him to write down some instructions.

 

[disneypharm]

We do have a wii, but dd14 put it in her room so she can stream the movies/shows in her room and hang out with her friends. I need 2 more devices so we can watch on the downstairs TV and the playroom tv.



I found the roku LT for $40 on amazon...is that sufficient? Did you get a newer version for $39?
To those who mentioned ipad/pods, etc....only the audio works if streaming/mirroring from those to Apple TV. Annoying.

We have the HD version because of our HD TV. If you have a newer HD TV, I wouldn't get a Roku LT.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We have the HD version because of our HD TV. If you have a newer HD TV, I wouldn't get a Roku LT.

Yes! If you have an HD TV, you need an HD Roku.

 

[mymeme]

Research the Apple TV. You are already with Apple and this works with all of them. I think they are usually $99.