Roku? ....want to cancel cable

[Frannie115]

We'd love to get rid of Time Warner cable and are looking into Roku. Are you able to watch any TV shows with this? What about local channels? Would we need a converter box and rabbit ears as well?

Gotta have American Idol Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Nayan]

http://www.roku.com/

 

[h2oophelia]

I have Roku as well as an antenna and converter box (although I rarely use it). You will be able to stream older tv shows through Roku but if you are American Idol fans, you're going to need and antenna/converter box. Check out the watch instantly list on Netflix.....that's what your going to get with Roku.

I only use my tv antenna for my local news and the Oscars, etc. We mainly use the Roku box. My daughter loves it because she can watch shows like Wizards of Waverly Place, etc. and I love it because of everything else! Plus you can play your Pandora radio stations through it as well! We LOVE Roku!

 

[pampam]

http://www.roku.com/

It says it starts at $59.99. Is that per month?

 

[HHSTigerFan]

It says it starts at $59.99. Is that per month?

No, to buy the box.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Is there anything a Roku can do that a Wii can't?

 

[h2oophelia]

No. You're just buying the box outright. Once you buy it, there is no charge for Roku....just your regular monthly fee for Netflix, HuluPlus (which I don't have), etc.

Just make sure your Netflix account is for unlimited streaming.

Edited to add: I meant to reply to pampam's question.....apparently forgot to hit the "quote" button.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Is there anything a Roku can do that a Wii can't?

Yes. It streams in high def, which Wii doesn't.

If you want to watch current tv shows, you'll need a subscription to hulu plus, or you can watch many on your computer through the network sites. Although you can watch current Starz series through Netflix on Roku.

 

[Muushka]

Yes. It streams in high def, which Wii doesn't.

If you want to watch current tv shows, you'll need a subscription to hulu plus, or you can watch many on your computer through the network sites. Although you can watch current Starz series through Netflix on Roku.

It is my understanding that Roku still has some boxes that are not Hi Def. I think they have 3 different models.
Be sure to get the Hi Def one.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It is my understanding that Roku still has some boxes that are not Hi Def. I think they have 3 different models.

That is true. I should have mentioned this. The cheapest one doesn't stream in high def.

 

[JB2K]

We'd love to get rid of Time Warner cable and are looking into Roku. Are you able to watch any TV shows with this? What about local channels? Would we need a converter box and rabbit ears as well?

Gotta have American Idol Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

As much as people would love to get rid of their cable and switch to an interest-based delivery channel, such as Roku, there is much to consider...

Yes, you can watch some TV programs, but not everything - especially, "live" programs such as "American Idol" and other vote-centric shows.

Are you a big CBS watcher? Forget the "box", as CBS has no agreements with internet content providers, such as Hulu Plus and Netflix to deliver their TV programming (Hulu is a joint venture of NBC/Universal, FOX, and Disney/ABC).

Like live sports? You won't find them on the "box" unless you are willing to pay extra. A good example is MLB.TV, which is available on Roku for an extra $120 that covers the entire season from April-October. The only bad thing is you can't watch your home team (meaning if one lives in South Jersey, they won't be able to watch their Phillies games, as they are blacked-out by MLB).

You may also need to boost your internet speed, as some of the "entry-level" plans cannot support streaming video very well (you will know this with frequent interruptions to "refresh" the signal).

I'm not totally against the box, as I have a Blu-ray player that "streams" Hulu, Netflix, and others (I like Hulu, because I can revisit some old programs I haven't seen in many years). In fact, I would recommend if you want to test the waters for yourself, to buy a Blu-ray player that is streaming-capable (most can be had for around $100). If you decide that Hulu isn't your cup of tea, you still have a Blu-ray player that you can watch all those Disney Blu-ray movies you saved 10 bucks on...

As for local channels, they are not available on any streaming services - the best way to get your local stuff is to get a good outdoor antenna. Digital converter boxes are not needed for most TVs manufactured from 2006 forward (check your TV set owner's manual).

Hope this helps.

 

[crisi]

Yes, you can watch some TV programs, but not everything - especially, "live" programs such as "American Idol" and other vote-centric shows.

Sports are tough as well. We did great with our Roku (and other devices) until the Twins were doing well last season - then we broke down and got cable again.

We make heavy use of our Netflix subscription with the Roku.

The plus side of the Roku is that its harder for kids to browse for junk.

(ETA: They can browse for junk - but its a different type of junk - i.e. my son is currently watching stupid Discovery supernatural shows - he's home sick - without the cable, that wouldn't be available for him easily.)

 

[NVDisMom]

We just bought the Roku and we love it. We cut cable almost three years ago and don't really miss it except for live sports. We got a Netflix subscription about 6 to 9 months ago and really wanted a way to get it to the tv rather than streaming to our computers. We tried two different low end Blu Ray players and neither of them would sync with our wireless internet very well. We didn't care about the Blu Ray aspect; we aren't going to purchase any more discs in any format. And we had absolutely no intention of buying a gaming system. So we had given up until we found out about the Roku. Works like a charm. Synced with the wireless connection with absolutely no problem. We use it for Netflix and Pandora and a couple of the other 'channels' available on the system. Outside of the cost of the Roku, we only pay our Netflix fee every month. No need to buy or rent movies and tv programming hasn't held any appeal to us in years. If the NFL offers a season ticket option we would probably spring for that and make my DH VERY happy. In the long run, its a ig money saver for us.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Like live sports? You won't find them on the "box" unless you are willing to pay extra. A good example is MLB.TV, which is available on Roku for an extra $120 that covers the entire season from April-October. The only bad thing is you can't watch your home team (meaning if one lives in South Jersey, they won't be able to watch their Phillies games, as they are blacked-out by MLB).

Sports is the killer for many people when it comes to cutting cable/satellite, just not there yet..

 

[cglaura]

Do you happen to have Comcast there? You could get the basic cable $10.50/month to get those NBC/CBS/ABC/some local/CW/ION. and a few more.

Or maybe TimeWarner has a very low package?

My "entertainment" monthly bill is $75, which includes internet.

I have basic cable & performance internet $57

Hulu Plus $7.50

Netflix 1/DVD + Unlimited Streaming $10.50

My mom bought us the Roku for Christmas. It is the low non-hd version, as my tv is on old crt and wouldn't have mattered.

DD streams all of this through her PS3.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

So whats the difference between having one of these and an internet ready TV? We bought a Bravia EX710 last year, but need to buy an $80 USB adapter to enable it..

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Love the Roku. We kept our most basic cable ($17 a month) which includes all the major networks and PBS in HD. We bought the mid-level Roku box and it's direct-wired to the router via CAT-5 cable. It will work wirelessly, but it's much faster wired. We have Netflix, Hulu Plus and soon I will be adding MLB TV. Our local cable provider offers the Padres games in HD for free, but this way we can watch our beloved Red Sox any time, any day, all season. Love it. We also use our Netflix and Hulu Plus on our iPad, too. It's like having an extra portable TV.

 

[JB2K]

Do you happen to have Comcast there? You could get the basic cable $10.50/month to get those NBC/CBS/ABC/some local/CW/ION. and a few more.

Or maybe TimeWarner has a very low package?

That option is already on borrowed time, as "analog cable" (cable without a set-top box, which is usually local network affiliates and the home shopping channels) is likely to become extinct sometime in 2012.

 

[JB2K]

So whats the difference between having one of these and an internet ready TV? We bought a Bravia EX710 last year, but need to buy an $80 USB adapter to enable it..

For the most part, there shouldn't be any difference at all -- so long as your TV has the Hulu Plus and Netflix logos on the main menu.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

But can also watch Youtube content and shows from the network websites???