The Tech Thread

I have cable internet (100 MPS) with TV. I did one DVR box so the wife could record her shows. I used to have the small boxes in every room in the house w/TV ( 4 more boxes). I recently ditched all the boxes and kept the DVR. I put ROKU express in every other room and use the Cable TV app and Amazon Prime for all my content. Works great. I now own the ROKU devices and pay for only 1 box. Saved me $16/month. Roku will be paid for in less than a year.

I have a dual band router with a dual range extender that gets my WiFi to my garage and far reaches of house. All very fast. I white hat all my devices on my network and have a dedicated guest network.

I went to all flat screen years ago. I still have one LCD TV. Puts out a lot of heat, but I won’t replace it till it dies. All the rest are LED.

We cut the cord awhile ago, and never looked back. Between Amazon Prime, NetFlix, and Fubo, we're good. We have a smart TV, and a second smaller flat screen in our room. I would've been happy with only the one.

I recently bought my wife this Smart TV for the kitchen. Granted it is only a 24 inch 720P but..... it is in a kitchen.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-24-class-23-8-diag--led-720p-smart-hdtv/5723390.p?skuId=5723390

5723390_sd.jpg;maxHeight=550;maxWidth=642


She watches Netflix and Hulu on it.

I also added this HDTV antenna.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/mohu-l...v-antenna-black-white/3488006.p?skuId=3488006

3488006_sa.jpg;maxHeight=550;maxWidth=642

What is interesting about this is you can power it from a wall outlet or your TV's USB port. It is also reversible (one side black, one side white) and paintable.

169.99
59.99
229.98 Total cost (plus tax)

Plus side is it is a Smart TV so you don't need anything extra to stream. Works really well, I recommend it.

In the kitchen? What a world we're livin' in!

Oooh hoo hoo...we should have a brew sometime. I see a worthy brain to pick.

^Beat me to it^
 
I am tired of cable but the internet feed is pretty good.
You folks know better than I, I don't want a dish either, so what is a good alternative?
I have read several CNET articles on the subject, but 'I' think they are inconclusive.
There is a plethora of alternates that promise the moon, but, I think they are mostly BS.
Recommendations?
I trust most of you 'Coolers' with this and willing to 'take a leap'.
Best Regards,
xUT
 
I am tired of cable but the internet feed is pretty good.
You folks know better than I, I don't want a dish either, so what is a good alternative?
I have read several CNET articles on the subject, but 'I' think they are inconclusive.
There is a plethora of alternates that promise the moon, but, I think they are mostly BS.
Recommendations?
I trust most of you 'Coolers' with this and willing to 'take a leap'.
Best Regards,
xUT
I have "cable"....just not the TV part. I pay $40 per month for about 30MB download speeds, which is plenty fast enough for streaming. My computer is my TV, but I also have a Roku for several channels. I have an indoor antennae for over the air channels, and we get 27 OTA channels in KC (not counting the religion channels that I deleted from the lineup). I tried Sling TV for a while and got about 20 cable channels (live) for about $20 per month. I didn't watch it enough to keep it though, but it was pretty good since there is no contract....just cancel whenever you want. I also have Amazon Prime which has some good movies and TV shows. I was never into all the network TV shows, so I never missed them. One thing about OTA channels in HD...the picture is FAR superior to cable...even with an indoor antenna.
 
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I have to say I’ve been really surprised at how good the picture is on OTA channels. I guess I was still remembering what it was like when I was a kid.
 
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I am tired of cable but the internet feed is pretty good.
You folks know better than I, I don't want a dish either, so what is a good alternative?
I have read several CNET articles on the subject, but 'I' think they are inconclusive.
There is a plethora of alternates that promise the moon, but, I think they are mostly BS.
Recommendations?
I trust most of you 'Coolers' with this and willing to 'take a leap'.
Best Regards,
xUT
I use Netflix and HULU for television shows and rarely movies.

I use HBO streaming for movies.

If you could only pick one of the 3 I would say Netflix is probably the best option.

Of course you could try each one for 3 months and do round robin to finalize a selection.
 
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I have to say I’ve been really surprised at how good the picture is on OTA channels. I guess I was still remembering what it was like when I was a kid.

I live in a valley, kind of a void.
I tried OTA with limited success. Bought top of the line antennas (twice) but not worth it.
I have xfinity, but that is killing me, financially wise.
I don't have a 'home phone' anymore and, at times, I use my data feed on AT&T mobile as a hot spot.
My 4G hot spot is much better than wifi but I will have to see what costs are the best.
I am on a shared 6GB plan, but I really don't track my 'home internet' usage.
That is my failing and I am looking for a tracker.

I am sure in the future, that Cell access will be comparable to wifi, but JMHO, we are not there yet.
I am ready to kill xfinity as I don't get much out of it for what I pay.
Sure, the 'glitz' is impressive, but do I really need it?

Some of the issues are, home automation.
I was pretty heavy on X10 technology in the 90's but it has been replaced by wifi devices.

I tried to install the 'Ring' door bell but my wifi was too week at the location that I have it.
Moving it is a cumbersome task, that I can not do anymore.

I really appreciate all of the advice that everyone has given me.

Lets keep it moving...

Thanks!
xUT
 
Try your local library.They have a decent verity of movies, including blue ray. Can't beat the price!
 
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HD TV......do I need 4k and HDR? I want a smart tv so I can go internet, have an older Roku box too.
What about getting a dvr? I'd like one with several tuners.....I read the Hopper is supposed to be pretty good.....will it work away from the dish network? Hopper record OTA also?
 
I live in a valley, kind of a void.
I tried OTA with limited success. Bought top of the line antennas (twice) but not worth it.
I have xfinity, but that is killing me, financially wise.
I don't have a 'home phone' anymore and, at times, I use my data feed on AT&T mobile as a hot spot.
My 4G hot spot is much better than wifi but I will have to see what costs are the best.
I am on a shared 6GB plan, but I really don't track my 'home internet' usage.
That is my failing and I am looking for a tracker.

I am sure in the future, that Cell access will be comparable to wifi, but JMHO, we are not there yet.
I am ready to kill xfinity as I don't get much out of it for what I pay.
Sure, the 'glitz' is impressive, but do I really need it?

Some of the issues are, home automation.
I was pretty heavy on X10 technology in the 90's but it has been replaced by wifi devices.

I tried to install the 'Ring' door bell but my wifi was too week at the location that I have it.
Moving it is a cumbersome task, that I can not do anymore.

I really appreciate all of the advice that everyone has given me.

Lets keep it moving...

Thanks!
xUT
They sell repeaters/boosters for wifi. Sometimes they are called "extenders".

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/netgea...h-ethernet-port-white/2733324.p?skuId=2733324

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/linksy...-range-extender-black/7401006.p?skuId=7401006

Just go to your favorite retail site and type in "wifi booster/repeater/extender"

Good luck.
 
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HD TV......do I need 4k and HDR? I want a smart tv so I can go internet, have an older Roku box too.
What about getting a dvr? I'd like one with several tuners.....I read the Hopper is supposed to be pretty good.....will it work away from the dish network? Hopper record OTA also?
Delldude HDTV can be from 720 to 1080. People call 4K HDTV but in fact it is actually Ultra High Definition.

Sharp is going to offer an 8K TV next year.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/1/16239250/sharp-8k-tv-ifa-aquos
https://www.extremetech.com/electronics/254909-sharp-announces-aquos-8k-television-will-ship-2018

I am sure 4K prices will drop significantly then.

This will tell you everything you need to know about HDR. Basically it improves contrast and provides a much sharper picture. I would not say you NEED them (4K / HDR) but they will provide you a sharper more defined picture.

https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2490643,00.asp

Most TV's you buy now are going to be SMART. It is more or less an expectation. I made a post on this thread stating I had just bought my wife a 720 SMART TV for the kitchen. Also if your wanting to use your TV as a web browser that is going to be an uncomfortable experience at best. Remember you can hook a computer up to a TV as well. In fact the screen I am using right now is a 40 inch 1080 and I am typing this on a desktop PC. They make mini PC's you can hook to your computer.

If you opt for a flat screen what I did in my living room is wall mount a 4K television and used Velcro to mount my apple TV to the back of the television so it is out of sight. If you have an outlet behind the TV it is a nice no wires solution.

As far as ROKU. That provides most of the benefit I get from having a SMART TV. I have a SMART TV, an APPLE TV, and a ROKU and use all 3. For what it's worth I find the ROKU easier to use than the APPLE TV. I don't like the touch pad on the APPLE remote.

You can buy stand alone DVR's these days. I would not limit myself to Dish Networks offerings.

This one can record TV and stream it right to your ROKU.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/tablo-...nnas-with-wi-fi-black/8236064.p?skuId=8236064

Tablo
4-Tuner Digital Video Recorder for HDTV Antennas with Wi-Fi: This next-generation DVR plugs in to your HDTV antenna so you can watch free, local broadcasts from any connected device in your home or anywhere you have Internet access. Record or stream up to 4 live or recorded HDTV programs simultaneously on multiple devices, including your iPad, Android tablet, laptop, and smartphone, or on your TV using Roku, Chromecast or Apple TV.

Then there is the old standby TIVO.

https://www.bestbuy.com//site/brand...ageType=REDIRECT&issolr=1&searchRedirect=TIVO

This shows you a variety of models. Check it out.

Did this answer all of your questions delldude?
 
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Read up on 4k/HDR and find not a lot of production in those formats....YET.
8K would seem to be worse as far as movies, tv and so on go.
Concern is buying cheaper HDTV would quickly be out dated just like everything else.

Smart isn't as smart as one would think.......some are Amazon Prime capable, some Android, some Roku.......it looks like you have to carefully choose......I'm not into handheld internet.

So a 4 tuner HDTV recorder can record OTA, but what about shows off the net? I see the answer is a stream capable dvr......too much crap to digest.LOL

Thanks for your help.
 
Read up on 4k/HDR and find not a lot of production in those formats....YET.
8K would seem to be worse as far as movies, tv and so on go.
Concern is buying cheaper HDTV would quickly be out dated just like everything else.

Smart isn't as smart as one would think.......some are Amazon Prime capable, some Android, some Roku.......it looks like you have to carefully choose......I'm not into handheld internet.

So a 4 tuner HDTV recorder can record OTA, but what about shows off the net? I see the answer is a stream capable dvr......too much crap to digest.LOL

Thanks for your help.
You may just need to bite the bullet. It's not really much different than PC's were when they first came out - by the time you got one home and unboxed it, a better and more powerful model came out. Back then you were behind the technology curve before you ever got logged into AOL. I have a LED Toshiba "dumb" TV. But I have a Roku plugged in so I get Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Youtube and a host of others that are part of the "smart TV" package. I could walk into the Best Buy and get the latest and greatest smart TV and not do anything more than what I already do. IMHO, as far as picture quality of a 4K or 8K...the only way I'd really notice that is if I were in the Best Buy and watched the two side by side....when I'm in the comfort of my den, the picture is pretty awesome all by itself.

One thing though....isn't "handheld internet" code for internet porn sites?
 
You may just need to bite the bullet. It's not really much different than PC's were when they first came out - by the time you got one home and unboxed it, a better and more powerful model came out. Back then you were behind the technology curve before you ever got logged into AOL. I have a LED Toshiba "dumb" TV. But I have a Roku plugged in so I get Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Youtube and a host of others that are part of the "smart TV" package. I could walk into the Best Buy and get the latest and greatest smart TV and not do anything more than what I already do. IMHO, as far as picture quality of a 4K or 8K...the only way I'd really notice that is if I were in the Best Buy and watched the two side by side....when I'm in the comfort of my den, the picture is pretty awesome all by itself.

One thing though....isn't "handheld internet" code for internet porn sites?

LOL....Maybe, I meant I phone types......KC, that was a good one.
 
I have a LED Toshiba "dumb" TV. But I have a Roku plugged in so I get Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Youtube and a host of others that are part of the "smart TV" package. I could walk into the Best Buy and get the latest and greatest smart TV and not do anything more than what I already do.

I agree with KCFLyer on this one. The only thing getting a SMART TV would do is let you cut down on number of remotes.

Also why would you want to record something you are streaming? If you are streaming it don't you already have access to it?
 
I agree with KCFLyer on this one. The only thing getting a SMART TV would do is let you cut down on number of remotes.

Also why would you want to record something you are streaming? If you are streaming it don't you already have access to it?

I'm interested in recording shows that are on the same time I want to watch something else.

Seal show is on the same time as Hannity for one......

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