Another option for cutting the cord to cable:

[FSogol]

If you have a ROKU box, have you added Pluto.tv yet? It a free channel with 75 stations.

Among it's offerings, it has 10 news stations (including a few awful ones), MST3K, Rifftrax, The Onion, a classic movie channel, and a whole lot more. It will put another nail in cable's coffin. Check it out.

[Egnever]

1. youtube.tv just launched and has msnbc

$35 a month but still.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Could someone explain to me how ROKU works?

I gather you buy some sort of a box, but is there a monthly fee attached?

I don't happen to own a TV, and I can watch just about everything I'm interested via the internet, but I keep on hearing about these other alternatives, if you have a conventional television set, and I'm quite befuddled by how they work.

[Big Blue Marble]

4. Roku is a one time purchase.

You are able to then subscribe to multiple services such as Netflicks. Amazon Prime, Hulu,
SlingTV etc. I have relied on receiving most of my TV though the Roku for five years
and love it. I officially cut the cord last year after buying a full $34 antenna for the local
channels. Big savings and lots to watch.

[padfun]

5. No monthly fee

Just buy the little box and plug it in. I have a subscription to both Netflix and Curiosity Stream. But me and my wife mostly just watch YouTube anymore. You can find just about anything on YouTube.

Total cost for me: Netflix $10, Curiosity Stream $3 and super fast (200m) internet $85.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. I have Netflix, both streaming and DVDs,

Hulu paid subscription, and Amazon Prime. PBS streams a decent number of their shows, and there is an amazing amount of stuff on YouTube.

There really is far more out there than I (or anyone else) can possibly keep up with.

[padfun]

12. I agree, more out there than you can ever watch

I hear that every minute, there is 30 hours of content that is uploaded to YouTube. That's a 1800-1.

And if you have a smart TV, then you don't need Roku.

[Ninsianna]

14. But how much of that is actually worth watching?

I was trying to find an old documentary and had to wade through the weirdest stuff. Everyone with a camera on their phone seems to be uploading "content" that really no one needs to see.

[padfun]

16. It can be fun to watch video's of Trumsters obliterating themselves

But you do have to filter it..

[Ninsianna]

17. I prefer to have that curated for me, via Twitter, samantha Bee, John Oliver

and various other sources. Too much nastiness to wade through myself, and it requires more showers afterwards than is really healthy.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

21. We all have different opinions on that.

I've finally come to understand that what I consider crap is someone else's favorite program.

There are very many TV shows I consider crap and will never watch, but were you to ask me about some specific such show, I'd say something, like, "I haven't had a chance to watch that one."

But honestly, for almost all of us, there are more good quality shows than we have the time to watch.

Although I'll also add that many shows are good the first season or two and then become total crap. Of course, there's no law that says I must keep watching, and I don't.

[Ninsianna]

22. Youtube isn't about programs, it's just any video that anyone chooses to put up.

[bathroommonkey76]

18. PLEX

Download the Plex app and you can stream movies/tv shows off your laptop, or tablet.

I use Plex more than any app on ROKU.

https://www.plex.tv/apps/streaming-devices/roku/

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

23. But I'd need a ROKU.

Can the ROKU device be hooked up to a computer? Remember, I don't own an actual TV.

Although I can watch most of what I want over the internet, so I'm extremely disinclined to buy another device or download another app.

[Freethinker65]

3. Never had cable, so nothing to cut

[Beausoleil]

6. Message deleted by DU the Administrators

[underpants]

7. Can you use it on Apple TV?

[FSogol]

9. Sorry, no idea. Not an Apple family. n/t

[underpants]

10. Apparently Yes. Should've looked it up before I asked.

https://techcrunch.com/2015/11/10/pluto-tv-brings-its-streaming-video-app-to-apple-tv-with-improved-look-more-licensed-content/

[marlakay]

11. Cut cord for tv with cable

but my internet is $80 and its not that great. Of course no one tells you when you buy a house, this part of town gets the worst internet, the guys at cable company call it a black hole. And only internet is Suddenlink or Att but then you have to have cell with them which I don't.

I have antenna for local tv and the basic 4 cbs, abc, fox and nbc. Netflix, hulu, amazon prime, hbo go.

I have apple tv and can mirror other stuff from iPad.

[womanofthehills]

19. I cut my cable over a yr ago because I rarely watched tv

I spend too much time on the internet. If I watched tv too, I would have no life. I podcast Randi Rhodes and Rachel and then I can listen while I'm doing other stuff or driving.

I've been toying with getting an antenna, but it's not a priority.

[Liberal In Texas]

13. Have Roku.

Haven't had cable since 2001. Don't miss it.
Off the air is good if one wants to watch local news/programming.
With Netflix and Amazon Prime, we have lots of stuff of stuff to go to.
Much cheaper than the bandits that sell $100+ per month crap.

And it's in HD with no extra fees.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

15. All I ever use is phone internet.

[bathroommonkey76]

20. Look into an Amazon/Kodi device

Last edited Sat Apr 29, 2017, 05:59 AM - Edit history (1)

They are the best bet in the streaming world- You can find apps like 123Movies and live TV on there for free. I'm talking all the channels in the world and all the current movies in the theaters, or on DVD. I use my Roku often, but I use my Amazon/Kodi box more. The best way I can describe is like this... Remember those big satellites people used to have? Well, during the 80s and 90s there were receivers people could buy those descrambled receivers that could open up all the channels on satellite-- Amazon/Kodi devices are exactly like those receivers. haha

[WinkyDink]

24. When cable companies die, who will buy the various channels and shows? Corporations ain't givin' it

away.

IOW, cable subsidies the freebie sources. When cable dies, there will be nothing.

Well, maybe commercials and "Amazon originals."

[sarcasmo]

25. Have been using a Roku for a couple years now. Hulu, Nextflix and HBO.

The best thing about a Roku, when I travel it goes with.

[VigilantG]

26. Thank you for info. I cut cord last Spring after

I got "jail broken" Amazon Firestick. It is ridiculous, the amount of programming available. I watch a lot of different new sources from around the world. Love it! So happy to not pay the outrageous price of cable to Cox!

I'm glad to hear about other apps for Roku and SmartTV, since we have one of each, too. Thank you!

I bought Roku first but it seemed a bit limited since I was not going to pay for a lot of subscriptions. Then SmartTV. I have Netflix for those. PBS Kids is free and my daughter loves it! (F u Trump!)

My SmartTV is a Samsung, so who knows who's been watching me!

[VigilantG]

27. Yes, the portability of Roku and Firestick is great!

I take Firestick to my friend's houses sometimes to watch a new movie or older or more obscure films and documentaries. Took it to Mexico on vacation last Fall too.

Good stuff!