Video Streaming Devices
 

We've had threads here on the streaming services and cable cutting, but what about the devices.

I picked up 2 of the Roku Express units. They are relatively cheap, support all of the services and are wireless.

But....

They only support WiFi 2.4 GHZ. The cheapest that supports something other than WiFi "G" is the is the "Streaming Stick Plus". At present, even though the WiFi router is only 2 feet from the Roku Express, it only receives a 12-14 Mbps connection. This is not good enough to support proper streaming.

I do not know if the problem is the low bandwidth or not, but Amazon suffers from out of sync audio. There are lots of "fixes" out there, but none see to work. I have de-installed and reinstalled the Amazon application, but it only helps for a short period. NETFLIX does not have any issues.

I tried to find a device to give the Roku a direct RJ-45 connection, but it is too stupid to connect.

I might consider an Amazon Fire Stick...but I do not want anything with voice recognition (Like Alexa, or Google voice). Bad enough the phones seem to be listening, I do not want something DESIGNED to be listening.

Any ideas?

And to be clear, I want a standalone device (no Android PC on a stick).

I have the fire tv direct wired. Have 3 firesticks. All have the Alexa remote but you have to press the button. No catch "hey Alexa" so It's not (or shouldn't be) listening all the time.

Most providers will stream 720 at 4-5Mbps. 10Mbps for 1080 so I don't think the connection speed is the issue. Could be latency or overhead with the connection though.

That said, even streaming through a wired Ethernet PC Amazon never streams as smooth as the other providers.

I also have a Firestick. I have never pressed the Alexa button. I downloaded a couple apps and watch nearly anything I want. No fees.

Most passive devices like security cams, thermostats, etc... that work wireless will use 2.4 and a lot still use G or below because they are not transmitting a ton of data.

WIFI works at the speed of the slowest connected device.

So if you have some older device attaching to the network on 2.4 it will drag the whole thing down.

I'd do an inventory looking for a or b devices.

After a galling 1/2 hour spent with a Comcast "tech help" guy who never would tell me why I no longer have metv on my available channels, I've been thinking back to childhood days.

No TV in our house until I was 6th grade or so. Entertainment was radio. Of course, no cell phones or the net then. You know, it wasn't bad...prompted me into thinking of going back to it. I'd miss you guys, tho.

So, if I suddenly drop off the web...it may not mean I'm dead. It may mean I really cut the cord. Seriously, the more cable TV I watch, the more I like my old stereo...

No wifi where I live, so many of the cable cutting options to still have TV and net not open to me.

Of course, it could also mean I've croaked...which might not be so bad either. At 76, I don't feel like I belong in the current brave new world of post 1984.

I loved radio, but it went to hell. There used to be a mystery series on every night at 9 on one of our AM stations, but now it’s all national political talk - hour after hour of pissed off people whining and complaining. I heard WLW (Cincinnati) in the house and in the barn every morning from the time I was just a kid. It had local news, music, farm price reports, etc. it was calm and conversational. The last time I listened it was all locally based political talk - more pissed off people whining and complaining with a few news headlines and traffic now and then. Our top 40 station is now all sports talk. Seems like everyone wants to use radio for 2 way communication. :confused:

I listen to podcasts 2 or 3 hours a day now. There is a lot of great entertaining and informative content available.

Hmmm. my roku tv's, cheap TCS's, are rock solid on 5g.

Trying the xfinity beta app as a replacement for playstation vue, which was really nice but dead as of 1/20/20.

My 3 yr old 65 inch Vizio came with Netflix and Prime apps built in.
Not once have either given me any problem...no buffering ever.

Just bought a 4k TCL with Roku built in. If your TVs aren't 4k, worth the upgrade.

Borderline Luddite question: I just got a Toshiba Firestick TV (sales contest). It is hard wired to the cable.
I haven't connected the TV to wifi but it does tell me it sees my wifi. I don't have Alexa and don't want it.
Can I stream video like broadcasts from NHL.com to my TV from my desktop? If so do I need to add anything to the desktop?