OT: Smart TV...Hulu, Roku, questions

saluki2007

johnmitchell said:

My apologies in advance if this has been addressed already.. Is there a difference in picture quality by streaming vs using the cable box?

That all depends on your internet speeds.  Typically you can get better picture quality with streaming because they offer a 4k option where as most cable providers do not.

johnmitchell

saluki2007 said:

johnmitchell said:

My apologies in advance if this has been addressed already.. Is there a difference in picture quality by streaming vs using the cable box?

That all depends on your internet speeds.  Typically you can get better picture quality with streaming because they offer a 4k option where as most cable providers do not.

Thank you.. I just ran my test with Spectrum who is my cable provider and my download speed is 116.8 mdps and upload is 11.7 mdps I am a dinosaur with this stuff, how does that sound for streaming quality ?

Wolfpack

John-

you will be fine with those speeds. 

aem

I have two Roku TVs, a 50" Insignia and a 55" TCL. What I love about them is the simple remote that handles everything - OTA, Streaming, etc.. No juggling remotes, no trying to program a "universal" remote. One simple remote to control them all. The picture quality is excellent (Both 4K) and streaming performance is flawless. We use Amazon Prime for most of our streaming and the integration of premium channels such as HBO and Showtime is seamless. The only problems I have had is (1) the TCL doesn't play nicely with my sound system via ARC so I have to use an optical cable and (2) if you use the Live Pause feature for OTA with a USB Flash drive the drive eventually wears out and causes skipping during live play.

Botch

johnmitchell said:
I just ran my test with Spectrum who is my cable provider and my download speed is 116.8 mdps and upload is 11.7 mdps I am a dinosaur with this stuff, how does that sound for streaming quality ?

I'm only getting about 26 download, and have no trouble watching free TV shows and movies.  
 
I did finally get off my butt and hooked up my 4K FireTV Stick.  I tried powering it off a USB port on the back of the TV; once I got the language set it told me to move to a separate power adapter, but it also had a "Continue" button, so I hit that, logged into my wifi, it downloaded new software for about 6 minutes, set up my remote, logged into my Amazoid account, I selected the "apps" I thought I might use, and everything seems to be working fine.  It's only playing through my TV's speakers right now, so I'll have to fiddle with that, and I haven't tried streaming anything in HD (the TV itself is not 4K, I don't think).  

Toxarch

You need about 5 Mbps download for HD streaming. You need around 20-25 Mbps download for 4k or UltraHD streaming. Of course, that is per device streaming at the same time. 

Botch

Toxarch said:

You need about 5 Mbps download for HD streaming. You need around 20-25 Mbps download for 4k or UltraHD streaming. Of course, that is per device streaming at the same time. 

Much thanks, that's a good reference.  
 
That's one irony about growing older; we finally have 4K, and I can afford a $4,500 camera lens, but my eyes are so bad I can't appreciate them.  I can afford nice speakers with sparkling tweeter performance, but I have multi-tone tinnitus in both ears.  I can pay cash for a smokin' fast motorcycle, but my knees won't bend enough to get on the damn thing...
Bother.  
 
EDIT:  Oh yeah, while I had all my passwords and magic keys out, I tried firing up the old Roku again, and realized it was updating very out-of-date OS, took awhile, but then I was able to download the SiriusXM app (Sirius just recently allow you to use the same account for your car, devices, and home), and am now listening to RealJazz on my home music system,  Yes!!  

poster

How you guys like the TCL tv's? I was thinking of buying a 75". Reviews seem pretty good and they are under $1500

Dollinger

if you have a slow internet connection, you may want not want to use the smart TV built in interface as it has much less buffering capability than the stand alone devices. I like the Roku but each has it's own plus and minus. 

milesvdustin

My download is about 4mbps average and i can watch Netflix, hulu, etc. 

Living way out in the sticks has its disadvantages 

billt01

I would imagine your current situations allows you to have an app on a mobile device (a phone is not necessary, just a tablet of some flavor and WIFI). 

• cheap tablet w/ TV app
• Cheap Smart TV
• mirror or "sling" the video to the TV from the tablet.

no service change or monthly charges incurred.

billt01

johnmitchell said:

My apologies in advance if this has been addressed already.. Is there a difference in picture quality by streaming vs using the cable box?

MY ESPN app on my FireTV is much better than my Spectrum cable box.

aem

poster said:

How you guys like the TCL tv's? I was thinking of buying a 75". Reviews seem pretty good and they are under $1500

I'm generally happy with my 55R615. I did have problems getting it to work properly with a sound system via HDMI after the 9.1 update, but once I switched to an optical cable all is well.

KatieHolland

Toxarch said:

You need about 5 Mbps download for HD streaming. You need to go around 20-25 Mbps download for 4k or UltraHD streaming. Of course, that is per device streaming at the same time. 

Thank you.. I just ran my test with Spectrum who is my cable provider and my download speed is 116.8 mdps and upload is 11.7 mdps I am a dinosaur with this stuff, how does that sound for streaming quality ?

buzd504

KatieHolland said:

Toxarch said:

You need about 5 Mbps download for HD streaming. You need to go around 20-25 Mbps download for 4k or UltraHD streaming. Of course, that is per device streaming at the same time. 

Thank you.. I just ran my test with Spectrum who is my cable provider and my download speed is 116.8 mdps and upload is 11.7 mdps I am a dinosaur with this stuff, how does that sound for streaming quality ?

That should be plenty.

SonVolt

saluki2007 said:

A projector seems like a better option for outdoors for a variety or reasons. What are you using for sound? 

NorthPilot06

Yup, to @Toxarch's point, that will be more than sufficient for HD streaming, even with multiple devices on the network.

@milesvdustin I used to have that problem - when I moved to DFW everything changed.  I get 500Mbps via Frontier FIOS for $50/mo....it's unreal.

Botch

Botch said:
I tried firing up the old Roku again, and realized it was updating very out-of-date OS, took awhile, but then I was able to download the SiriusXM app (Sirius just recently allow you to use the same account for your car, devices, and home), and am now listening to RealJazz on my home music system,  Yes!!  

And it hasn't... happened... again.
I go to "Real Jazz, by Sirius XM", and it pulls up the picture, does the little spinny thingie, says "Cannot download content", and repeats.  
My new-to-me Oppo disk player is now hooked up, so I'll ignore Sirius at home, for now.  
Bother.

saluki2007

SonVolt said:

saluki2007 said:

A projector seems like a better option for outdoors for a variety or reasons. What are you using for sound? 

Projector would be too much of a hassle. Just use the TV speakers for sound. 90% of the time I'm watching sports on that TV so don't need anything special.

Cornholio

saluki2007 said:

SonVolt said:

saluki2007 said:

A projector seems like a better option for outdoors for a variety or reasons. What are you using for sound? 

Projector would be too much of a hassle. Just use the TV speakers for sound. 90% of the time I'm watching sports on that TV so don't need anything special.

I think he assumed that is a projector setup because of the stand. 

Cornholio

I’m a big fan of the FireTV platform. All of our streaming services in one spot, kicking myself for not getting rid of regular cable/satellite sooner. 

Toxarch

Don't forget to figure out your monthly data limit and calculate if you will likely go over that limit. Going over limit leads to hefty overage charges. 

Calculate how many hours you watch TV each day/week and then come with an hours per month number. Multiply that by 3 GB (for 1080P) and then add to your normal monthly usage (on your bill). That will be your monthly data usage.

Calculate 3 GB per hour for 1080P and 16 GB per hour for 4K video. 

blind99

there was a good article in the wsj a few months ago where they had people stream multiple videos, music, and stuff, all at once.  even with 6-7 streams going at a time, people used very little bandwidth - like 7-8 mbps

maybe i'll try streaming a few things at once later and checking my google wifi, it'll show how much bandwidth is used

speed51133

johnmitchell said:

My apologies in advance if this has been addressed already.. Is there a difference in picture quality by streaming vs using the cable box?

This depends on so many factors. It is like asking if red cars are faster than blue cars.  BUT, in short, streaming typically offers a better picture than a cable company does through their cable programming.

CigarCityEgger

We cut the cord this week. Currently have YouTubeTV for our live TV needs. Only downside is no NFL Network, but saving over $100 a month from our cable bill I can get past it. 

Botch

CigarCityEgger said:

We cut the cord this week. Currently have YouTubeTV for our live TV needs. Only downside is no NFL Network, but saving over $100 a month from our cable bill I can get past it. 

If you're in an area with OTA reception, you can get an inexpensive antenna and still see most of the games.  

DoubleEgger

CigarCityEgger said:

We cut the cord this week. Currently have YouTubeTV for our live TV needs. Only downside is no NFL Network, but saving over $100 a month from our cable bill I can get past it. 

I did the same thing before the season started. It sucks not having the Ticket but saving over $1500/yr is worth it. 

CigarCityEgger

Botch said:

CigarCityEgger said:

We cut the cord this week. Currently have YouTubeTV for our live TV needs. Only downside is no NFL Network, but saving over $100 a month from our cable bill I can get past it. 

If you're in an area with OTA reception, you can get an inexpensive antenna and still see most of the games.  

Thanks @Botch. I get all the local channels plus every fox,ESPN,cbs,nbc sports(just not nfl) so I’ve got the regular games covered. However the Bucs have an NFL network game on Dec 21st which is NFL network and a local off channel that isn’t on this plan. So I do plan on getting a digital antenna if only for this game and if needed in the future. They can take my good morning football and total access, but not my damn game 😁

CigarCityEgger

YouTubeTV app is legit 

Botch

CigarCityEgger said:

Botch said:

CigarCityEgger said:

We cut the cord this week. Currently have YouTubeTV for our live TV needs. Only downside is no NFL Network, but saving over $100 a month from our cable bill I can get past it. 

If you're in an area with OTA reception, you can get an inexpensive antenna and still see most of the games.  

Thanks @Botch. I get all the local channels plus every fox,ESPN,cbs,nbc sports(just not nfl) so I’ve got the regular games covered. However the Bucs have an NFL network game on Dec 21st which is NFL network and a local off channel that isn’t on this plan. So I do plan on getting a digital antenna if only for this game and if needed in the future. They can take my good morning football and total access, but not my damn game 😁

You sound like a fan like my last roommate in Dayton, OH.  He was a YUGE Chicago Bears fan, and this was in '86, '87.  A Bears game wasn't being broadcast locally, so he got in his car and started driving west, aiming at Chicago but eventually finding a broadcast somewhere in Indiana.  He stood, in a TV store in a mall, to watch the entire game.