Need technology advice, please

[flowergirl45]

Good morning. My husband and I would like some advice. Let me say up front that we are NOT very technology savvy. But we want to make some headway in that regard. Right now we have very basic cable with Comcast. As in, the $15 package lol. We each have a smartphone and I have an iPad with service through Verizon. We have 6GB of shared data monthly on our plan. My husband has a PC at work, and I occasionally use the computer at the local library. However, my husband will be retiring soon and we will be moving away from the city - so we will need a computer and WiFi at home. We also want DVR functionality and ESPN on our tv. I would like to do some streaming too - not sure how to do that. We aren't opposed to buying whatever we need (hardware and services), but we don't 'speak the language' and aren't really sure what we need. And we don't want to spend more than necessary.

I hope this makes sense! any advice for us? Thank you in advance!

 

[LinderInWonderland]

This is our setup:

High speed cable internet only
Wifi router for in-home network (accessed by our desktop, laptop, tablet and our phones at home).
Roku 3 for streaming (a tiny set-top box), where we watch the following paid services: Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Amazon Prime and WWE Network.
Digital Antenna for local channels (news and sports)

The router, Roku and Digital antenna were all one time expenses totaling $200.
Our internet is $95/mo, though we could get less speed for less money.
Our streaming services total $53/mo.

We do not have a DVR, but there is no need for one with all the streaming content we have. A TiVo would give you the DVR, work with your existing cable and you can also stream Netflix, Prime, Hulu etc.

If you are trying to go internet only and keep ESPN, you could get SlingTV, which includes ESPN and runs $20/mo. I don't think it works with TiVo yet, but I know it works on a Roku.

 

[flowergirl45]

Thank you, Linder. Do you happen to know the speed of your cable internet? I've read different ideas of what constitutes 'high speed'. And I assume the router can be purchased at a Best Buy type of store - anything specific I need to look for when I buy one?

 

[LinderInWonderland]

My internet is 100mbps download and 10mbps upload.

As for routers, I got mine at Target because my last one died and I needed something quick. Eventually I will get a higher-powered one because I had to get a signal booster for this one to use it in our bedroom. I generally go to CNet reviews to get tips on what is good for my needs.

 

[Albort]

Thank you, Linder. Do you happen to know the speed of your cable internet? I've read different ideas of what constitutes 'high speed'. And I assume the router can be purchased at a Best Buy type of store - anything specific I need to look for when I buy one?

FCC declares that 25mbit+ is considered high speed. Since you mentioned that you were gonna move, your carrier options could change. I would hold off until so to find out what is available. Some companies like Charter will always bundle in the modem/router cost into the monthly so no point in buying a modem. I think, DSL/FIOS, ur very limited on what u can purchase.

For Streaming, i personally enjoy using chromecast, but it does lack amazon prime videos. If you got a friend who has cable, you can borrow his login information and that will give u access to many many streams, ie ESPN, syfy, etc via app.

i have no experience with DVRs though, but i heard u can install a mini computer and it would be able to record everything without a monthly fee like TiVo does...

 

[flowergirl45]

Thank you, Linder and Albort. The speed is confusing to me. Is Mbps the same as mbit? The Comcast representative told me the speed would be 6mbps, high speed. A vast difference from 100 or even 29! And he didn't differentiate between upload and download (admittedly, I did not know to ask). I do not know what DSL or FIOS is. If it matters, we live in the Charlottesville, Virginia area and will be moving east, between Charlottesville and Richmond.

 

[Nayan]

DVR and ESPN? I would recommend checking out who your provider will be first, then look at your options. I tried to go without cable for a couple months and used Sling, but I hated it and ended up going with DirecTV (who I have now). If you are not tech savvy and like the idea of just pushing a button to watch TV, then I suggest you stay with cable. Sometimes simple is best .

 

[LinderInWonderland]

Thank you, Linder and Albort. The speed is confusing to me. Is Mbps the same as mbit? The Comcast representative told me the speed would be 6mbps, high speed. A vast difference from 100 or even 29! And he didn't differentiate between upload and download (admittedly, I did not know to ask). I do not know what DSL or FIOS is. If it matters, we live in the Charlottesville, Virginia area and will be moving east, between Charlottesville and Richmond.

Mbps is megabits per second. Per the FCC, 25 megabits per second or higher is considered high speed. It used to be 4 mbps or higher was considered high speed, so the guy you spoke to seems to be going by old rules.

Some areas have monopolies on broadband. I am lucky to live in a city with a local cable utility so I am not required to use ComCast. Verizon Fios is another big company. Contact your new local utility company to see if they have other options for you.

DSL is internet through a phone line instead of cable broadband. I used it in Seattle because in my neighborhood, the only other option was Comcast. It was okay. They were charging me the same I pay now for half the speed I get now.

 

[cvjw]

We have Comcast and pay around $200 per month for TV, high speed internet and phone service. We also stream Netflix thru Apple TV.

We get 300 mb of internet usage per month. Our internet is blazing fast - no complaints from my teenage gamer and tech savvy husband.

We have their new X-1 operating system for cable, which includes multiple DVR's, which holds hundreds of shows. We also pay for all the premium channels (we are hooked on Game of Thrones and Homeland), so your price would probably be less without those channels.

I know other people have been able to give up cable and use other streaming devices, but we have been happy with Comcast, and it meets our needs now, so we are staying put.

It is also extremely easy to use. I am also not very tech savvy, but I can easily operate the X-1 system

 

[flowergirl45]

Thank you, Nayan, Linder, and cvjw. Every response helps me gather information! Do you think a smart tv is a worthwhile investment? We will be buying a new television and want to get one which has all the necessary technology.

 

[Nayan]

No. Although most TV's now are "smart", they are not updated as often like a Roku or Apple TV would be, if at all. Here's a CNET article on them:

http://www.cnet.com/news/smart-tv-or-media-streamer/

 

[LinderInWonderland]

I chose not to get a smart tv when it came time to purchase. I was able to get a much larger flat screen for way less money and adding the Roku 3 and digital antenna still didn't come close to the cost of a smart tv.

I can also stream using my Blu-Ray DVD player (and go online as well), but I never do it. My smartphone is usually not far from my hand and the laptop is usually in the living room, so I don't need to see it on the big screen.

 

[Albort]

Thank you, Nayan, Linder, and cvjw. Every response helps me gather information! Do you think a smart tv is a worthwhile investment? We will be buying a new television and want to get one which has all the necessary technology.

Its convenient to have a smartTV but not necessity because sometimes if you only have 2 HDMI port, the constant of switching devices becomes a hassle have u add more HDMI devices...

 

[hsmamato2]

Not sure about what you need exactly, but you can get broadband only for a computer etc in your home, and then an anetanna+ roku+ whatever for tv pretty simply..... If you use hulu, it's kind of like a dvr for all the shows that are current,which is handy.(you get to choose when you want to watch)
I also have an older tivo box that I bought off ebay, it came with a lifetime membership,so one time cost. It's handy for recording antenna tv network shows that I like- I think there are a few brand options that are tivo like now.... including a tivo that costs about 15 bucks a month to operate(it's a dvr)

 

[flowergirl45]

Thank you, Albort and mamato2. I have been doing a lot of research and the advice of everyone on this thread was very helpful. I told my husband that I am ready to *somewhat intelligently* discuss this subject with him over the weekend.