Does anyone use Roku?

[TruckDriver]

One of my co-workers has it and loves it for the $100 he pays a year, for like 1600 channels. I would like to hear some pros and cons of it.

https://www.roku.com/

Can I get these channels on Roku as these are the main channels I watch.

Weather Channel
Travel Channel
Velocity
Fox Sports 1
History channel
Discovery channel
MavTV

And are local channels available too? I forgot what he said about that 

[JB400]

Never heard of it, but consider me an interested party as well.

[Bob]

Been using it for about 8 months know and love it. Set up the channels you want. $39.99 for the hard ware and that's it. Never pay again.

[TruckDriver]

But I thought not all channels are available from what my co-worker said. My main thing is I want to know for sure the channels I listed in the first post, if I can get those because they are the main channels I watch. And can I get local channels too or do I have to get a digital box for the free local channels? And he said he paid $100 for the kit at Walmart I believe.

[Troy]

I will have to do some research but I though Roku was just a way to connect to other services? For example, I have Netflix and Amazon Prime (that I pay for) and the Roku box is hooked to my internet and TV. When I want to watch something I switch over to Roku and then use its menus to find content on whatever media service I have. Hulu, Amazon (non-prime), and YouTube are available free (there's a Hulu Plus that you pay for) just like on your computer. I watch a lot of USA shows and it seems like most aren't available on any of these services. Neither are most sports that I want to watch. So basically, Roku itself just gives you access to other stuff you pay for.

Troy

[TruckDriver]

I think part of what you said is right. He said it's like $100 a year he pays for the 1600 channels.

[b5blue]

   I get 60+ channels in the local Tampa area with an over the air antenna. Roku streams from computer to TV so internet speed is a factor. I bought a TV/DVD player from Walmart that came "Ready for Roku" but not tried it. (It's "ready" for you to buy Roku.)

[rt green]

I use it for Netflix. bought it used on ebay. I think I paid  40 bucks for it.  works good even though its an old one. roku 2 if I remember right. I can catch a b movie or star trek in the mancave when I want.

[hatersaurusrex]

I've had one for a while - the thing to remember is it's not like regular TV.  Those 'channels' are not ones you can just flip to and watch whatever's on like you do on TV.  They're just 'channels' of streaming content.   They have a mixture of full episodes, short clips, and other things in it.  It's more like a video library than a TV channel.

So for example, if you want to watch Modern Marvels on the History Channel it will be in there, but you have to go into the channel and select the program to watch then stream it out on demand.   You don't just flip to the History channel on Tuesday Night at 7PM to watch Modern Marvels.  You'd go into the History Channel menu, find Modern Marvels and scroll down to the episode you want.

I personally like streaming, but there's something about watching TV that's just better in a weird way.  Kind of like how hearing a song on the radio is better than hearing it on a CD.   When someone at the station chooses it, and then airs it, and you know others are watching it too, it seems more like a shared experience somehow.  Can't really explain it, maybe it's just growing up in the TV era has conditioned me to like channel surfing as opposed to on demand.   Kids growing up now will roll their eyes one day when we all describe watching whatever we had on 3 channels of TV, like we're Fred Flinstone or something.

[b5blue]

I know what you mean, I miss out with some talking about what's on cable sometimes.  (But I'm spending the money saved with my antenna and cheap trac phone on my Charger.  )

[TruckDriver]

Thanks for all the input. I guess I'll stay with Direct TV for at least another year. I got them to literally cut my bill in half after telling them I was thinking of dropping them for Roku 

[b5blue]

I'll check with my IT dept. (My son.) about which is best. I just got A/Prime so it's on my list to pick one. 

[Troy]

So I got this email today from my Roku subscription:

Experience hundreds of FREE channels

Get ready for an amazing adventure because did you know that hundreds of Roku channels—yes, literally 100s in our library of 2,000+ channels—are 100% free for streaming? From food to fitness to fashion to funnies and full-on music concerts, you'll find something for everyone.

Go ahead...Find what moves YOU. From the Roku Channel Store, select "Top Free" and give these channels a whirl.

https://blog.roku.com/blog/2015/06/02/free-channels-in-the-roku-channel-store/?utm_source=IMM&utm_medium=EML&utm_campaign=DR&utm_content=9616-278662083399616582-

Again, the Roku box is just a way to access all the content from various providers. So, the "free" channels aren't run by Roku - it just lets you connect to them. You'll have to go to each provider to get the channel/show lineups. I did learn that there are Red Bull and GoPro channels so I may have to check them out.

Troy

[Ponch ®]

As I said in the Apple TV thread, the "savings' start going away pretty quick once you realize that a lot of the quality content (netflix, amazon prime, iTunes) isn't free and each requires you to pay either a monthly subscription or "buy" a certain shows episodes/seasons.

Sure, the idea of paying for TV "a la carte" is great if you don't watch a lot of it, but if you do, $8 bucks a month for netflix here, $25 for Season one of Better Call Saul there, and $4-5 per movie over there adds up pretty quick.

.....I guess I'll stay with Direct TV for at least another year. I got them to literally cut my bill in half after telling them I was thinking of dropping them for Roku  

We do that every few months with our cable company TWC. We call them up and tell them we want to cancel services as of the next billing date bc we are a) getting AT&T Uverse or b) getting a ROKU/Apple TV. We end up getting a pretty big cut on our bill and they throw in whatever premium movie channels we dont have for free for a year or 6 months. Then we repeat the process.  

[Paul G]

We have one hooked up to the TV. One of the kids left it here for us to use with Netflix. Problem is I cant figure the dvmm thing out. I gave up. 

[Troy]

We have one hooked up to the TV. One of the kids left it here for us to use with Netflix. Problem is I cant figure the dvmm thing out. I gave up. 

It's not that hard - it doesn't even have an "off" button! The thing you have to realize is that it's just a means of getting to all your other stuff so you have to set up your accounts for all the ones you're paying for. When you find Netflix in the menu and click on it the first thing that should happen is that it asks for your login information so it can access your account. Well, first thing I guess is that you need to hook it up to the TV and internet. All of them are wireless (as far as I know) so you need a wireless router of some sort in your house. The instructions are available online.
http://support.roku.com/entries/402905-How-to-set-up-Roku-general-steps-for-all-models-

Troy

[Paul G]

The router. Thats the problem then. We have a new router.  I need to connect the roku back to the router. Thanks Troy.

[Troy]

You're welcome. Just like "fuel, air, and spark" to make an old car run, everything new is "power and internet connection"!

Troy

[BananaDan]

Troy's comments are spot-on. I have a Roku 3, have had it since it came out. It was a one-time spend of $100 and I use it mostly for streaming Netflix and Amazon Prime but sometimes HBO, Disney for the kids and PBS/PBS Kids. I haven't signed up for any pay channels other than what I am subscribed to via my cable service, NetFlix or Amazon Prime. The recurring costs come from the content providers. Amazon and NetFlix are subscriptions, Prime is ~$80/year I think and NetFlix is ~$8-$10/month. Other channels that are typically on cable/satellite networks like HBO, Disney and ESPN require you to authenticate with your cable/satellite credentials. For example, on Verizon FIOS, I subscribe to HBO which entitles me full access to HBO's Go streaming service. I can access that service on the HBO Go website, or on a streaming device that supports it like the Roku. On both HBO's site and HBO Go on the Roku, I have to use my Verizon FIOS username/password to get in. Typically you only have to do this once on the Roku and it saves the activation of your Roku so the experience is pretty good. Another thing to note is that streaming services from providers like HBO and Showtime have vastly larger catalogs of content than you will see in your cable box's Video On Demand catalog for those channels. Here are some helpful links. Overall I'm very happy with my Roku.

Channel database:
https://www.roku.com/channels#!browse/movies-and-tv/by-popular

Roku model comparison:
https://www.roku.com/products/compare

Roku vs. competitors:
https://www.roku.com/roku-vs-appletv-vs-firetv-vs-chromecast

[Troy]

Heh, I didn't know I could access the On Demand stuff from cable. I may have to check that out!

Troy

[TruckDriver]

cool thanks