topic Re: Roku 101 in Electronics

Roku 101

Lucky Dog — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:15:27 GMT

I have cable and want to get rid of it. I am not tech, and was hoping to get some help here. I did read some old Roku threads here, but I need it explained from the beginning.

1. Do I need a special TV (I read there are Roku TVs. What about them? What about if I wanted to get a Roku kit)?

2. Can I get my local TV stations/news?

3. There will no longer be a cable DVR box. So there is no more recording of shows? You just look them up/nowhere to save them like in a DVR box?

4. I am not interested in the extras like Netflix. So there is no monthly bill?

I really do appreciate the help and thank you in advance.

Re: Roku 101

Jordan2 — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:32:23 GMT

@Lucky Dog I am not a techie either, so I can't offer you much help. I have a Roku stick that plugs into the side ( in a port) of my tv. I would think you would want to subscribe to a streaming service that offers you live tv such as HULU, there are others. Good luck, I hope others more knowledgeable than I can help you.

Re: Roku 101

Ladylaughsalot — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:41:15 GMT

You can use Roku with any TV. In order to use Roku you must have internet access. You will not get your local stations through Roku. My family uses Roku instead of cable, but we also signed up for YouTube TV through our Roku. It costs approximately $65. monthly & we're able to view our local stations through that. We're also able to record tv shows through YouTube TV. Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to receive "free" tv anymore. If you want only your local stations, & nothing more, you can look into an antenna. They aren't difficult to hook up, but depending on how far away your stations are, you might have trouble connecting to them. I hope this helps.

Re: Roku 101

Lucky Dog — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:47:13 GMT

@Ladylaughsalot ,

Amateur question: an antenna like one that goes on the roof of your house? How else can I get local news/local stations?

Re: Roku 101

ValuSkr — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:50:39 GMT

You do not need a special TV; a Roku device can make any "dumb" TV smart.. A Roku TV is already smart - i.e. it doesn't need a separate Roku device to make it smart.

You generally cannot get local stations. But if you have an HD antenna plugged into your TV, it's easy to switch back and forth between antenna stations and Roku stations. I do it all the time. If you don't want to do that, there are subscription services, like Sling TV, that include local channels, and can be streamed via Roku.

There is no DVR. I'm sorry I don't know if shows can be saved using a Roku and a recording device.

There is no monthly bill with Roku. However, if you add services like Netflix, Sling TV, etc. you will pay them a monthly fee.

Re: Roku 101

Ladylaughsalot — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:51:41 GMT

@Lucky Dog wrote:
@Ladylaughsalot ,

Amateur question: an antenna like one that goes on the roof of your house? How else can I get local news/local stations?

No, not on the roof. Do a search for "indoor antennas." Not hard to hook up at all. At least mine wasn't.

Re: Roku 101

ValuSkr — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:16:05 GMT

@Lucky Dog I have a Mohu Leaf antenna. Look up their website. The antenna plugs into the back of the TV. On their website, you can enter your address and they'll tell you which channels you're likely to receive, depending on your distance from transmitters and the strength of the antenna. They have different grades of antenna; more powerful are more expensive.

Re: Roku 101

Lucky Dog — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 13:59:27 GMT

@ValuSkr @Ladylaughsalot ,

Say I did not want cable at all. I just hook up an indoor antenna to my TV and I get local stations?

Re: Roku 101

NigelSparkles — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:02:54 GMT

I did find a way to get local tv on Roku, but it's only in limited areas. You can download a channel onto the Roku called Locast. First go to Locast's website to find out if it's available in your area. Last time I checked it's free, but they do keep asking for donations.

Re: Roku 101

ValuSkr — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:02:59 GMT

@Lucky Dog wrote:
@ValuSkr @Ladylaughsalot ,

Say I did not want cable at all. I just hook up an indoor antenna to my TV and I get local stations?

Yes, you can do that. In fact, I'd recommend that before buying a Roku. It may give you all the channels you want. The proper antenna should deliver all your local stations including their digital subchannels. When I switched from cable to antenna, I was surprised at all the channels I could get.

Re: Roku 101

Lucky Dog — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:07:36 GMT

Thank you so much for all the replies. I have learned alot.

Re: Roku 101

CAcableGirl2 — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:24:10 GMT

@Lucky Dog They have little square antennas that you can place in your window that might work, depending on where you live.

Where I live, they don't work because of the mountain range, but for my sister who lives more in the "city", she gets local stations of an antenna she purchased locally for about $20. I think she might have gotten it at Walmart or Best Buy.

Re: Roku 101

moxie11 — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:33:04 GMT

I, boutht a mohu leaf antenna, a fire stick and roku as well, i don't pay for cable, but i do pay for my internet, which is now 48.00 monthly for my computer, so now i can stream, and i get 88 chanels, and major channels for free. But you must have hdmi slots on side or in back of your tv. Hulu sign up right now is 1.99 a month for twelve months, great deal. I, would never change the way my son and i get our programs, plus roku has endless content, and fire. My, friend just bought a little tower for her tv and stated, she was so happy to save and enjoy so much viewing. We, both bought from amazon, great service next day delivery, much happiness. Bless your journey into savings and fun.

Re: Roku 101

SixTsChick — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 16:05:27 GMT

Great answers all. I'll just add my two cents and experience.

Just be aware any streaming service (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc), including Roku, you will need wi-fi service. It all depends on what YOU want to watch and what your budget may be. Roku offers both free and pay "apps" to choose from: Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Sling, CBS, Pandora, YouTube, Disney+, etc. I've found some of the free apps on Roku aren't very good, don't load well, and the movies/series lag.

Roku is usually a one-time investment; of one of their devices into the HDMI port on your television. One of the newer models television works best (atleast no more than 10 old). It has it's own remote control, is easily programmable to your television, and a snap to use once you get the hang of it. The antenna you are interested in is a digital one; look for one with a range of 50 - 70 miles. A few of the best have a cost of no more than $75.00 (look for sales now!). Most are flat and usually attach to a wall or window close to your television.

I can only speak to Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu; as those are the streaming services I have experience with - after cutting the cord from cable. All of them are monthly services, and you can cancel at any time without penalties. Hulu is running a Black Friday special for new subscribers for $1.99/12 months for their Basic Plan. Again, it's all in what YOU want to watch and pay. Do you watch live television all of the time? Do you DVR and watch later? And you have to think about not only the news, sports, local programming, etc. I have three young boys and a husband to consider. We do not DVR and The Hubs will not do without live tv. So Hulu+Live is what is in our house. The price just went up to $64.98. We also have Disney+. We did have Netflix, but when Disney+ became available, we ditched Netflix.

Something also to consider is the strength of the wi-fi router in your home. How many devices (tablets, laptops, phones, appliances, etc.) do you have feeding from your router? That plays a very big part on how the signal streams to the Roku.

In the end, I probably pay the same amount for services now (Hulu+Live, Disney+) vs what I paid for cable. But, the streaming services I'm receiving are far, far better than what cable ever offered. Hubs is happy - I'm happy.

Re: Roku 101

Lucky Dog — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 16:12:11 GMT

Thanks, @SixTsChick .

Anybody:

So if I decide to just do antenna TV, I will have to hook up the VCR again?

One indoor antenna per TV?

Can the flat antenna be on the wall behind an entertainment center?

One Roku set per TV?

Thanks.

Re: Roku 101

Nuttmeg — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 17:43:52 GMT

@Lucky Dog

DSLREPORTS.COM is a site with a forum for each cable company. You can find information at cutting the cord. I would suggest a Google search.

I have Hulu. It is a good streaming service. You can view the programming in a browser on your computer until your set up your RoKu.

Re: Roku 101

Etoile308 — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 18:47:51 GMT

Each TV needs its own antenna. Where you place it depends on the reception of the channels you get. Behind an entertainment center may not be the best location and you may find on top of the entertainment center, or on or near a window provides the best reception. Just think back to the days of the rabbit ear antennas and how people would always turn and adjust those ears to find clear reception. It's a variation of the same thing.

Re: Roku 101

gardenman — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 19:25:52 GMT

You also have DVR options. Amazon has their Fire Recast that works with their Fire TV Sticks/Cube. I've got one and it's pretty neat for recording the over the air channels. Many standalone digital tuners also include a DVR function that you can hook up with a portable harddrive to record over the air programming. Other companies make all in one DVRs, some with monthly fees though. There's not much you can't do these days without cable. I have Sling for my cable channels. An outdoor antenna for over the air. Two Rokus. A Fire TV. And two Fire Sticks. I save a little bit over what I paid for cable, but there are no hidden fees. I know what I'm paying for and can add or subtract stuff as I want.

Re: Roku 101

ValuSkr — Fri, 27 Nov 2020 19:41:33 GMT

@Lucky Dog wrote:
Thanks, @SixTsChick .

Anybody:
So if I decide to just do antenna TV, I will have to hook up the VCR again?

One indoor antenna per TV?

Can the flat antenna be on the wall behind an entertainment center?

One Roku set per TV?

Thanks.

@Lucky Dog Yes, one indoor antenna per TV.

Mohu Leaf instructions tell you where to place its antenna for best reception. Mine says above and behind the TV, on a wall, preferably near a window. You have to experiment a bit to see which location works best. I'd guess that behind an entertainment center wouldn't be ideal.

Yes, one Roku device per TV. I have antenna and Roku on my main TV and just an antenna on the bedroom TV.

I think your VCR or DVD player would be independent of the method used to receive your television programming (antenna, streaming player like Roku, or cable) so you wouldn't have to change anything.

Re: Roku 101

thechedda — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 07:02:12 GMT

Thank you for this explanation. My question, is why I want to watch so filled with ads? They are everywhere. It is so annoying.