Electronics

[matty liz]

Does anyone know anything about the Samsung TV instead of cable?  My cable is 200$ , husband died and I get very little SS.  Looking for an alternative, thanks

[deeva]

What do you want to know?
We have Samsung tv's, they come with Samsung tv plus which includes hundreds of free channels.

And many apps like Prime Video, Netflix, and Hulu. But if you don't subscribe to those streaming services, they won't work. 

Why don't you buy an over the air antenna, mine was less than $20 about five years ago. 

[Kachina624]

Samsung TV Plus is not a substitute for cable.  It's a collection of channels of news programs,  pop music videos, and old obsolete sitcoms and series.  How about Bob Ross 24/7?

Not only that, it interferes with the operation of the TV in that you can't go up or down to check channels.  It always defaults to TV Plus.

Frankly, I hate my Samsung TV  and would never buy another.   Periodically, I brush a key on the remote accidently and it messes up the TV.   I then spend a week trying to straighten it out.

What you need to do is get a Roku device (simple to install) and subscribe to a streaming service.  You can hook up a simple interior antenna and get all your local channels.

I did all these things myself and I'm a senior with 0 tech skills.  Just follow the instructions.

[matty liz]

Thank you.  Of the services you mentioned due you have an approximate cost.  I live in an appt. and the only cable that comes to us is xfinity.  If what I ask doesnt have easy answers, I want you to know I appreciate you trying.  My SIL asked if I would be interested and offered to buy me the needed TV.  Thank you

[matty liz]

Kachina624, thank you.  That is what I was afraid of.  It was hard to answer my dear SILs offer to help but you gave me insight, thank you

[Tori3569]

You may want to get a smart tv in general, not specifically a Samsung.  We have had an LG from QVC for years and like it.  

Any smart tv will allow you to view streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc.  Roku and YouTube tv seem to be the ones with the most to offer in terms of basic network channels like CBS, etc.

 I've used both recently due to sports games my husband wanted to watch while Directv was negotiating with Disney / ESPN.

Here's a blurb from Roku's website--after paying for the Roku device, it's free unless you want things like Netflix.  YouTube tv has a per month charge that's approx $60/month that I saw.  There may be a lower tier.  

[deeva]

You can go to the smart features in general settings and change which apps run when you turn on the tv. Samsung plus is only one of the options. 

I have my tv set to go to the last channel watched when I turn it on. 

[AuntG]

Cable costs are high, but that's all I understand. We get about 40 channels for $75 a month. 

@matty liz last year I bought a 32 inch RokuTV for our rec room in the basement. We pull up a lot of movies and old TV shows. My husband uses his phone to control the volume and channels - I don't understand how it works. If someone could help you set it up, a RokuTV would be a cheap alternative to cable.

[matty liz]

Thanks to all of you.  It gives me thoughts to work with

[Nightowlz]

@matty liz 

You can buy any brand Smart TV.

You can also buy a Roku or a Firestick to stream TV. There are channels you pay for. They also have free TV. It is a lot of older shows & movies.

You can download Apps for Tubi, Freevee, Pluto, Plex to watch free TV. I use Tubi & Freevee the most.

If you want your local channels free you need an antenna. The antenna may work inside or you may need one outside. Depends on your location. My SIL in Fl uses an indoor antenna to watch TV free. It works in her Apt. 

We had to install our antenna outside.

You can also get your local channels streaming with Youtube or Hulu+ but those are $70 or more per month now. 

I got deals on Peacock, Paramount+ & Hulu. I also have Amazon Prime. Without Prime you can get Prime TV for $8.99 per month. I have these 4 pay streaming packages that I pay about $22 per month. 

Online it says to stream TV, you'll need an internet connection with a minimum speed of 12 Mbps, but you'll want at least 25 Mbps for live TV or high-definition video. Fiber-optic and cable internet connections are generally the best options for streaming.