NGC Roku or Apple TV?

[kirkemon]

Help me cut the cord!
I need some help deciding which way to go.
I don't need everything (but F1 on NBCS is a must!)

Often I've seen these say "sign in with your provider", but I'm trying to loose my provider, so ?
Is there anywhere on the wide world internet that has the information I need?
Thanks

[ponti_33609]

My 2 cents from what I have experienced........ ..........

Many of the cable stations like USA for example require you not be cut from your cable provider so when you see this on Apple TV etc you need it to gain access.  What we have done is get something like ChromeCast (a few others too) where if you can get to it from your PC's chrom browser you can "throw" it to your TV screen.  Quite a mess and based on what you do most will dictate which device is best for you.  I was told and researched that AppleTV good but if you cut the cord something you can cast from your PC might work better.  We have both unfortunately.   

[PJPR01]

Very happy with Apple TV...excellent service, fast streaming...have been using it since it came out.  The little 3x3 black box is elegant, and there are some nice benefits as well.

1.  Automatically play your ITunes music - connect thru your home stereo system.
2.  All of your photos taken and uploaded to the cloud appear as part of your "screensaver" on the TV when it's inactive for a few minutes..you can control the settings...nothing like seeing your Guzzi shots in 65 inch glory as they scroll in and out.
3.  Automatic updates on software are prompted by Apple TV.
4.  No buffering issues
5.  Can use your Iphone/Ipad to automatically "mirror" items to your TV as well...

Overall...I think it's a great device with multiple benefits...

[PeteS]

I have three Rokus. Two are the latest generation (fast) and one is an earlier generation, slower but it has RCA outputs in addition to HDMI. New ones don't have RCA out so its harder to record from. Even with slow DSL (5MB) we have no issues with dropped signals.
If you subscribe to Sling (20 bucks basic) and then add the sports extra (+5 bucks/mo)  you will get Bein Sports which is now carrying MotoGP and WSB.

Pete

[Moto]

I have three Rokus too, just about like Pete's setup (including one with RCA outputs).

I don't have an iPhone, so that cuts out a benefit of getting AppleTV.

My main complaint about the Rokus is their reliability. I frequently have to reboot the latest one that I use for most viewing, and had a similar problem with one of the others that led me to put it on a shelf.

Moto

[RayB]

2 rokus here. no cable ever. Still have antenna too

[Cool Runnings]

YTD......

Starting to fill up 2.5 terabytes of disk space. 

Example of stuff -> http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ku76x_antarctica-a-year-on-ice-part-1_tv

[mjptexas]

I have both. 

Comes down to what you subscribe to.

We have Netflix, Amazon Prime and Sling TV.  I got Sling so that I could get ESPN (need the Roku to get ESPN).

Apple typically has a pretty good 'for pay' movie selection so we watch most of the recent movies via Apple TV.  However, if I had to do just one it would be the Roku.

[guzziownr]

I have had a Chromecast for several years and it has been very reliable.  I have a 55 inch "smart" TV in the living room and I used the Chromecast with a laptop to tutor the youngsters.

I moved the Chromecast to another room when I got this:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883722001

Its a Windows 10 computer that is smaller than a VHS tape.  I velcroed it to the wall behind the TV and use a wireless keyboard and mouse to control it.  I have Netflix and Hulu, no cable.

[EldoMike]

I have had a Chromecast for several years and it has been very reliable.  I have a 55 inch "smart" TV in the living room and I used the Chromecast with a laptop to tutor the youngsters.

I moved the Chromecast to another room when I got this:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883722001

Its a Windows 10 computer that is smaller than a VHS tape.  I velcroed it to the wall behind the TV and use a wireless keyboard and mouse to control it.  I have Netflix and Hulu, no cable.

Interesting...gonna check it out for sure

[screamday]

I ditched cable a couple of years ago. Put an antenna on my roof and hooked a computer up to my TV. I have a video capture card in the PC and I have the antenna hooked up to the computer also to record TV shows (those that are on too late to stay up and watch). We have Netflix and Amazon Prime Video through our blue-ray player. I have found that if you don't mind being a season behind you can watch quite a few of the cable shows through either Netflix or Amazon.

[EldoMike]

I would have no problem moving away from cable TV but can't do without the Cable Internet so would have to keep that...

[Dilliw]

I always ask the "kids" around here (young engineers) what they are doing.  Almost all of them are sharing passwords- one gets cable, one gets Netflix, one gets Amazon Prime, one gets HBO GO, one gets Showtime, etc etc etc and they share all of the passwords.  As long as you keep each service under the device limit I guess it's not technically a foul.

I'm about to buy into DirectTv once again.  I've had it a couple of times before so so results but with all of the competition from the online stuff it's not a bad base to build from.  In addition to the cheap first year (of two) and the $100 Visa card, if you sign up the AAA you get another $10/mo off your package.  This gives you the streaming rights to lots of channels (like you get from your cable provider) and the 4k stuff is starting to develop too.

[screamday]

I would have no problem moving away from cable TV but can't do without the Cable Internet so would have to keep that...

Still have internet with the cable company, just not TV. Cut the cost almost in half

[charlie b]

So, once you add up all of the internet fees and subscriptions fees, then compare that to a cable with a normal subscription and the same services, how much real savings is there?

Last time I compared I 'saved' about $10 a month, then ended up spending that much more for certain TV shows that were part of the cable package but were not included for free in any of the Netflix/Amazon/Hulu/etc packages.

What irks me is that you have to pay so much to watch previous seasons' TV shows.

[screamday]

Time Warner was getting up to $140.00 a month for internet, extended basic HD TV, 2 HD boxes and no premium channels. The price just kept going up every year. Now I pay about $100.00 a month for internet, Netflix & Amazon Prime. Amazon has a few extra perks like free shipping and discounts on many items on their website when you have a Prime membership. I tried getting TWC to lower the price with newer promotion pricing but they always wanted to include their phone service which I did not want or need. Plus TWC's customer service is almost non-existent. So, limiting my exposure to their customer service also has some savings.....mostly medical costs. 

[kirkemon]

Thanks for all the replies.

So at this point I'm thinking an antenna for local channels, and I'm leaning to Apple TV for other channels.

My big concern is NBCS for Formula 1 races -not sure how to accomplish that.

[Penderic]

I got me a Android TV box. Takes some effort and tech savy to get free stuff over the internet with free streaming services but I have access to stations, news, old tv shows from all over the world.


And and couple of days ago I just put up a big 100" Elite Screen on the back wall and now awaiting delivery for my bargain basement priced lcd projector.

 

[PJPR01]

100 inches...RESPECT!  Almost like a Drive In theatre!! 

[Boj1]

Was a Roku guy, now I do Amazon cause I already had a Prime membership. About to experiment with the 'add-on' function. Buddy had his setup to get all kinds of first run movies and live tv for free. Check out this video on how to do it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_gkSeGBJP4

Questionable legality aside, it worked great. Pretty sure the handheld bootleg version of the new Star Wars movie we may or may not have watched probably violated copyright laws...

[mjptexas]

My big concern is NBCS for Formula 1 races -not sure how to accomplish that.

I had a similar concern re MotoGP and not having Fox Sports One.  Bit the bullet and subscribed to MotoGP's video program.  Not Cheap but about the same as what I was paying for a month of cable tv.  Bonus is you see all 3 racing classes. 

I suspect F1 offers something similar.

[PeteS]

I had a similar concern re MotoGP and not having Fox Sports One.  Bit the bullet and subscribed to MotoGP's video program.  Not Cheap but about the same as what I was paying for a month of cable tv.  Bonus is you see all 3 racing classes. 

I suspect F1 offers something similar.

The other streaming option is to subscribe to Sling and for 25 bucks you can get Bein Sport. Bein is now carrying MotoGP, WSB, and Moto America. Thats 20 bucks for basic Sling subscription plus 5 bucks for the Sports extra package.
AT&T recently announced they will be doing similar A la Carte deal with their newly acquired Directv as Dish is doing with Sling. You'll have to wait a few months to see what they roll out.

Pete