STREAMING 101 - Page 2

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

If you want to still have the 'cable experience' in a streaming service, Directv Stream offers their own streaming device and it comes with a remote control that is top-notch. Using their remote is almost like using a regular remote with numbers to take you directly to the channel you want to watch. Most other streaming remotes requires going through a guide and then looking for your channel. This one is not that. There is no satellite dish. Watch TV using the internet instead.

This is Directv Stream remote control...different from all the others:

Amazon.com: DirecTV Stream AT&T TV Now RC82V 2nd Generation Gemini Stream Voice Recognition Replacement Remote Control, Compatible with C71KW-200 & C71KW-400 Osprey Receiver Set-Top Boxes : Electronics

This is the Directv Stream device, "Gemini":

DIRECTV Gemini™ | 800-480-0872 | Order DIRECTV

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@Icegoddess wrote:
@Mz iMac wrote:
@Icegoddess wrote:

You may need to buy equipment, and make sure the tvs/devices are compatible. For example, I have a 2014 Samsung Smart TV. That is too old for any of the streaming services. So, it's not just the brand, it's how old the device is.

My other gripe is there doesn't seem to be a way to get in touch with a real person to discuss these things. I was considering possibly Sling at one time, but I'd really like to talk to one of their reps to see if there's a way to work with my TV.
@Icegoddess Interesting about your 2014 smart tv. I have a 30+ yr old Toshiba dumb (non-smart) TV in my bedroom that is hooked up to a Firestick 3rd generation which works flawlessly. The 2nd generation died on me after 3 or 4 yrs for some strange reason.
A Firestick should work on your tv on a HDMI port/slot.

If you want to speak w/a real person, all streaming servics have message boards monitored & answered by streaming service "staff" Add, most if not all have FB pages which are public.
@Mz iMac Thanks, I'll look into the Facebook pages. My husband wants to do it more than I do, but he hasn't even bothered to look at what is offered. I'm kinda picky in that I like to watch college football and am adamant that I get Reelz Live so I can watch On Patrol Live when it's Live. I have friends who have Sling, but they only have the very basic and use an antenna for the local stations. I'm also a recorder, so the number of hours of recordings available is another biggie for me.

@Icegoddess Then YouTube TV is right up your alley. Unlimited storage for recordings. Record till the next ice age.

I have movie recordings I recorded 2 yrs ago because I like to watch them from time to time..

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@SilleeMee Everytime I see the pigeon commercial about DirectTV I think of you.

They are all on YouTube in case you have not see those commercials.

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

Etoile308 · ‎01-04-2014

@Tinkrbl44, getting local over the air channels like CBS, ABC, Fox, CW, NBC, PBS is as easy as disconnecting your cable and inserting an antenna to the coaxial port. I have an interior antenna and live in a valley with hills all around and still I pick up 65 over the air channels. Many of these channels are sub channels of your major local stations. For example my PBS station has three additional stations. One devoted to cooking/gardening/crafts, one children's programming, and another that rebroadcasts their older content.

And as mentioned, you don't need a smart TV to stream as long as you have Wi-Fi and your TV has a HDMI port. Having a smart TV makes it easier since many streaming services are easily accessed by pre installed streaming app icons on the TV.

When it comes to streaming there are two different types.

There is live streaming, which is watching shows that are currently showing per a schedule and can be found through a smart TV or by using a Firestick, or Roku type devices that are hooked up to your TV's HDMI port.

Then there is on demand streaming. That's when you go to streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Hulu and so many more that you subscribe to, to watch at that time the specific programs you want to watch.

I probably explained it as clear as mud.

You need to decide which cable programs you currently want to continue watching, and the best way to access those channels.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

@Mz iMac wrote:
@Icegoddess wrote:
@Mz iMac wrote:
@Icegoddess wrote:

You may need to buy equipment, and make sure the tvs/devices are compatible. For example, I have a 2014 Samsung Smart TV. That is too old for any of the streaming services. So, it's not just the brand, it's how old the device is.

My other gripe is there doesn't seem to be a way to get in touch with a real person to discuss these things. I was considering possibly Sling at one time, but I'd really like to talk to one of their reps to see if there's a way to work with my TV.
@Icegoddess Interesting about your 2014 smart tv. I have a 30+ yr old Toshiba dumb (non-smart) TV in my bedroom that is hooked up to a Firestick 3rd generation which works flawlessly. The 2nd generation died on me after 3 or 4 yrs for some strange reason.
A Firestick should work on your tv on a HDMI port/slot.

If you want to speak w/a real person, all streaming servics have message boards monitored & answered by streaming service "staff" Add, most if not all have FB pages which are public.
@Mz iMac Thanks, I'll look into the Facebook pages. My husband wants to do it more than I do, but he hasn't even bothered to look at what is offered. I'm kinda picky in that I like to watch college football and am adamant that I get Reelz Live so I can watch On Patrol Live when it's Live. I have friends who have Sling, but they only have the very basic and use an antenna for the local stations. I'm also a recorder, so the number of hours of recordings available is another biggie for me.
@Icegoddess   Then YouTube TV is right up your alley. Unlimited storage for recordings. Record till the next ice age.
I have movie recordings I recorded 2 yrs ago because I like to watch them from time to time..

@Mz iMac I don't think YouTubeTV has REELZ.

Mz iMac · ‎07-26-2014

@Icegoddess Live sports YES

Reelz NOPE!

**NOTE: Youtube tv channels are also based on your zip code. Have you checked your zip code regarding live sports?

"Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."

SilleeMee · ‎05-22-2016

@Icegoddess

Directv Stream has REELZ.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

@Mz iMac wrote:
@Icegoddess Live sports YES
Reelz NOPE!

**NOTE: Youtube tv channels are also based on your zip code. Have you checked your zip code regarding live sports?

@Mz iMac I corrected my comment to remove the Live Sports.

Twins Mom · ‎04-03-2016

I need simplicity and the Firestick has worked well for us the past few months. U-Tube works well for local and Hallmark. I do know that certain sport shows etc pick other streaming services. DD says many shows appear for a few months on one service (ex. Prime) and then goes to another. Personally I think I am ok with the lack of cable. Cost was too high. One of our TVs is newer and one in pretty old. Works in both.

gardenman · ‎03-09-2010

If you opt for an antenna for local channels, try a cheap one first to see what kind of reception you get. After moving to my new apartment (about three miles from my old house and closer to the broadcast towers) I went from 93 channels on a scan with about seventy of them very watchable to about 35 channels on a scan with none of them watchable. My new building is something like a Faraday cage and TV signals just don't get in here for some reason. And I've tried every trick there is to get a better signal, but nothing works. I get good phone reception though, so there's that. I've tried three different antennas all with the same result. And I've tried three different TVs also, so it's not the TV tuners. We have a cellular tower on the roof that could be playing a role in some way.

Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!