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Thread: The Television Thread: The Best New Ways to Watch

  1. #31
    Five-O Diehard Ute's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NorthwestUteFan View Post
    How much is Vue? Slingtv plus the Sports Pack is around $30 iirc. Bundled TV packages that include everything aren't much more than that. The nice thing about Sling and Vue and XBMC is the savings on equipment rental. I pay $25+ per month for the cable modem plus two Xfinity X1 HD receivers. :banghead:
    If you don't use Xfinity Voice buy your own modem


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  2. #32
    Quote Originally Posted by Diehard Ute View Post
    If you don't use Xfinity Voice buy your own modem


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    Yup.
    “To me there is no dishonor in being wrong and learning. There is dishonor in willful ignorance and there is dishonor in disrespect.” James Hatch, former Navy Seal and current Yale student.

  3. #33
    Sam the Sheepdog LA Ute's Avatar
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    I bought Amazon Fire and will connect it this weekend. After a trial with that I might get Apple TV for our other smart TV. Sounds crazy but maybe I'll let them compete right inside my house and eventually choose one as my only gateway.


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    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
    --Antoine de Saint-Exupery

    "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
    --Yeats

    “True, we [lawyers] build no bridges. We raise no towers. We construct no engines. We paint no pictures - unless as amateurs for our own principal amusement. There is little of all that we do which the eye of man can see. But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; we correct mistakes; we take up other men's burdens and by our efforts we make possible the peaceful life of men in a peaceful state.”

    --John W. Davis, founder of Davis Polk & Wardwell

  4. #34
    Sam the Sheepdog LA Ute's Avatar
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    The FCC took action this week to allow us to use Apple TV, Amazon Fire, etc., to access cable. So soon I guess we won't have to rent those stupid boxes (assuming we even stay with cable).

    http://nerdist.com/fcc-ruling-cable-...google-amazon/


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    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
    --Antoine de Saint-Exupery

    "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
    --Yeats

    “True, we [lawyers] build no bridges. We raise no towers. We construct no engines. We paint no pictures - unless as amateurs for our own principal amusement. There is little of all that we do which the eye of man can see. But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; we correct mistakes; we take up other men's burdens and by our efforts we make possible the peaceful life of men in a peaceful state.”

    --John W. Davis, founder of Davis Polk & Wardwell

  5. #35
    I picked up a FireTV a few weeks ago. It is great. It is even better if you sideload Kodi (xbmc) and Firestarter to dual boot Amazon Prime of Kodi.

    With Kodi I worry that I should run a VPN because the streams available are certainly illegal.
    If the FCC will allow people to stream cable programming to their streaming boxes without a cable box, will that effect internet rates? This new development has to be the reason Comcast et al were/are fighting tooth and nail against Net Neutrality.

  6. #36
    Quote Originally Posted by NorthwestUteFan View Post
    I picked up a FireTV a few weeks ago. It is great. It is even better if you sideload Kodi (xbmc) and Firestarter to dual boot Amazon Prime of Kodi.

    With Kodi I worry that I should run a VPN because the streams available are certainly illegal.
    If the FCC will allow people to stream cable programming to their streaming boxes without a cable box, will that effect internet rates? This new development has to be the reason Comcast et al were/are fighting tooth and nail against Net Neutrality.
    So what does kodi or plex do? Why would you want that?

    Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
    "Be a philosopher. A man can compromise to gain a point. It has become apparent that a man can, within limits, follow his inclinations within the arms of the Church if he does so discreetly." - The Walking Drum

    "And here’s what life comes down to—not how many years you live, but how many of those years are filled with bullshit that doesn’t amount to anything to satisfy the requirements of some dickhead you’ll never get the pleasure of punching in the face." – Adam Carolla

  7. #37
    Kodi/xbmc is a self-contained streaming environment that makes it very easy to access streaming content. For instance I streamed The Revenant in perfect BluRay quality to test it. Very easy, very free, and certainly very illegal.

  8. #38
    Quote Originally Posted by NorthwestUteFan View Post
    Kodi/xbmc is a self-contained streaming environment that makes it very easy to access streaming content. For instance I streamed The Revenant in perfect BluRay quality to test it. Very easy, very free, and certainly very illegal.
    Can I stream the pac12 network, fs1, ESPN channels? If someone offered that I would buy.

    Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
    "Be a philosopher. A man can compromise to gain a point. It has become apparent that a man can, within limits, follow his inclinations within the arms of the Church if he does so discreetly." - The Walking Drum

    "And here’s what life comes down to—not how many years you live, but how many of those years are filled with bullshit that doesn’t amount to anything to satisfy the requirements of some dickhead you’ll never get the pleasure of punching in the face." – Adam Carolla

  9. #39
    Quote Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death View Post
    Can I stream the pac12 network, fs1, ESPN channels? If someone offered that I would buy.

    Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
    Kodi is a free download.

    I will neither confirm nor deny that those channels are available.

    (the available streams at any time number well into the thousands worldwide, and some site scrapers will inevitably pop up with anything you want).

    It isn't particularly user friendly, but it isn't really hard if you know how to load programs on a computer. I am not a programmer but I will try to explain it anyhow. (note there are automatic programs that will load anything you will need).

    Kodi has a simple user environment, with sections for Pictures (from your local network), Videos (stream from local network or from internet), Music (has apps for Slacker, Pandora, etc, plus countless others), Programs (apps), and Settings.

    Basically you preload a few collection programs into Kodi for Video. Then you scroll to Video, select the program, choose the type of file you want (movie or tv replay, live TV, etc). Choose what you want to watch, click on it, and either play it or download it for later, or even stream it to another device (i don't know how well this works). My FireTV has about 4gb of storage iirc plus I could plug in a usb thumb drive or hdd to store as much as I want. If I plug if into the network then I can save to or stream from the 6TB cloud drive or to/from any other computer in the house.

    It isn't as easy or as stable as Netflix, but with a bit of work it gives access to essentially all of the interwebz. Every movie or tv show that has ever been digitized is available from somewhere, and the programs make it very easy to search. I can typically find 10-50+ servers for ant title I look for. Quality ranges from 480p to 4k. Obviously a metric shit-ton of bandwidth is required.

    Frankly I am a bit concerned about security, and that is the reason I want to investigate using a VPN. FireTV is an Android device and Kodi is a Linux type OS, iirc.

    My FireTV boots to a simple environment where I can choose Fire (Amazon Prime), Netflix, ESPN, Showtime, HBO-go, the file explorer, or Kodi. Scroll to the desired system, select, and go. Hit the Home button to jump back to that starter environment. Easy Peasy.

    Look for YouTube videos on loading/using Kodi. There is a lot of great info out there.

  10. #40

  11. #41
    As a cord cutter I noted that there is a NCAA March Madness app which appears to have the games on it and doesn't require a carrier login... Is that correct? If so that basically fixes my annual problem.

  12. #42
    Quote Originally Posted by Rocker Ute View Post
    As a cord cutter I noted that there is a NCAA March Madness app which appears to have the games on it and doesn't require a carrier login... Is that correct? If so that basically fixes my annual problem.
    I added that to my FireTV but it required activation online. When I tried to activate it, I had to pick a provider.

    Every single provider I can imagine was listed (probably over 100), EXCEPT FREAKING COMCAST.

    I am planning to dump Comcast soon, but I guess I need to wait until after March Madness is over.


  13. #43
    Five-O Diehard Ute's Avatar
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    The Television Thread: The Best New Ways to Watch

    Quote Originally Posted by NorthwestUteFan View Post
    I added that to my FireTV but it required activation online. When I tried to activate it, I had to pick a provider.

    Every single provider I can imagine was listed (probably over 100), EXCEPT FREAKING COMCAST.

    I am planning to dump Comcast soon, but I guess I need to wait until after March Madness is over.

    Did you look under Xfinity?

    Cause that's what it's listed as on that app


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  14. #44
    Quote Originally Posted by Diehard Ute View Post
    Did you look under Xfinity?

    Cause that's what it's listed as on that app


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    I couldn't find Xfinity. I will try again.

  15. #45
    Confirmed. Neither Xfinity nor Comcast nor any variant are listed now through the website.

    Maybe they just don't support FireTV.


    The app seems to work without a login, but I don't know whether the actual games will stream.
    Last edited by NorthwestUteFan; 03-16-2016 at 09:45 PM.

  16. #46
    Five-O Diehard Ute's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NorthwestUteFan View Post
    Confirmed. Neither Xfinity nor Comcast nor any variant are listed now through the website.

    Maybe they just don't support FireTV.


    The app seems to work without a login, but I don't know whether the actual games will stream.
    Or Fire doesn't like them

    The phone app works.


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  17. #47
    It is the ncaa.com/activate web page that doesn't list the provider.

  18. #48
    FWIW it seems the games are all available on ncaa.com so perhaps the login for the FireTV and AppleTV apps is irrelevant.

  19. #49
    Administrator U-Ute's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NorthwestUteFan View Post
    FWIW it seems the games are all available on ncaa.com so perhaps the login for the FireTV and AppleTV apps is irrelevant.
    You do need to specify a provider on the site. That's how I'm watching it today.

  20. #50
    Administrator U-Ute's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by U-Ute View Post
    You do need to specify a provider on the site. That's how I'm watching it today.

    LOL

    The "Boss" button is awesome.

  21. #51
    Sam the Sheepdog LA Ute's Avatar
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    The Television Thread: The Best New Ways to Watch

    Quote Originally Posted by LA Ute View Post
    Does anyone have Amazon Fire TV? I'm thinking about it. Here's a summary of all the major options for such devices and services:

    http://www.wsj.com/articles/apple-tv...oom-1446080460
    We got Amazon Fire a couple of months ago and I finally installed it Saturday night. We're loving it.
    Last edited by LA Ute; 05-30-2016 at 07:17 AM.

    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
    --Antoine de Saint-Exupery

    "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
    --Yeats

    “True, we [lawyers] build no bridges. We raise no towers. We construct no engines. We paint no pictures - unless as amateurs for our own principal amusement. There is little of all that we do which the eye of man can see. But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; we correct mistakes; we take up other men's burdens and by our efforts we make possible the peaceful life of men in a peaceful state.”

    --John W. Davis, founder of Davis Polk & Wardwell

  22. #52
    Quote Originally Posted by LA Ute View Post
    We got Amazon Fire a couple of months ago and I finally installed it Saturday night. We're loving it.


    If I have Amazon prime and a smart tv, does the Fire add anything?

  23. #53
    Quote Originally Posted by concerned View Post
    If I have Amazon prime and a smart tv, does the Fire add anything?
    You get "alexa". We have the echo downstairs and the amazon fire upstairs. Google "alexa" and see if it's worth it for you

    Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk
    "Be a philosopher. A man can compromise to gain a point. It has become apparent that a man can, within limits, follow his inclinations within the arms of the Church if he does so discreetly." - The Walking Drum

    "And here’s what life comes down to—not how many years you live, but how many of those years are filled with bullshit that doesn’t amount to anything to satisfy the requirements of some dickhead you’ll never get the pleasure of punching in the face." – Adam Carolla

  24. #54
    Sam the Sheepdog LA Ute's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by concerned View Post
    If I have Amazon prime and a smart tv, does the Fire add anything?
    For us it made navigating a lot easier. Our smart TV (a Samsung) is annoyingly complex and we had to use three remotes to get around -- and doing so was awkward and frustrating (long story). Also, we can use the smartphone app as a remote, which is cool and actually works better than the Fire Stick. And yes, Alexa. Not a reason by itself to get Fire, but it's pretty cool and works very well, both with the Fire Stick and the smartphone app.

    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
    --Antoine de Saint-Exupery

    "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
    --Yeats

    “True, we [lawyers] build no bridges. We raise no towers. We construct no engines. We paint no pictures - unless as amateurs for our own principal amusement. There is little of all that we do which the eye of man can see. But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; we correct mistakes; we take up other men's burdens and by our efforts we make possible the peaceful life of men in a peaceful state.”

    --John W. Davis, founder of Davis Polk & Wardwell

  25. #55
    Quote Originally Posted by concerned View Post
    If I have Amazon prime and a smart tv, does the Fire add anything?
    If you are still looking at which unit to buy, you might take a look at Roku. The Roku has a search function that looks across all platforms for the show you want. You search for something and it will tell you where you can watch it, whether on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Vudu, etc. This is much smoother than searching individually through each platform.

    The trade-off is FireTV can be easily hacked to add Kodi if you want a very powerful local server. (Kodi also has access to grey market streams, use at your own risk, and a VPN is recommended).

  26. #56
    And btw I love the FireTV. It is fast, easy to use, and has incredible picture quality.

  27. #57
    LA's comment about using 3 remotes reminded me to mention my recent universal remote purchase. They are worth every penny. Our marriage was in jeopardy if we had to go through any more phone calls from my wife saying" The tv is on, but there is no sound", and try to walk her through the 3 different remotes to troubleshoot the issue. Now she presses one button to watch tv, or a movie.

    I had this Logitech Harmony universal remote for 5 or 6 years and loved it. When we changed providers, I tried to reprogram it, but it was no longer able to sync with the software on my computer.

    I recently replaced it with this version:
    http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmo...ilpage_o03_s00

    It was very simple to program my TV, cable box, receiver, and dvd player. In addition to having a sleek remote, I can also use the app on my phone as the remote.
    “To me there is no dishonor in being wrong and learning. There is dishonor in willful ignorance and there is dishonor in disrespect.” James Hatch, former Navy Seal and current Yale student.

  28. #58
    Five-O Diehard Ute's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chrisrenrut View Post
    LA's comment about using 3 remotes reminded me to mention my recent universal remote purchase. They are worth every penny. Our marriage was in jeopardy if we had to go through any more phone calls from my wife saying" The tv is on, but there is no sound", and try to walk her through the 3 different remotes to troubleshoot the issue. Now she presses one button to watch tv, or a movie.

    I had this Logitech Harmony universal remote for 5 or 6 years and loved it. When we changed providers, I tried to reprogram it, but it was no longer able to sync with the software on my computer.

    I recently replaced it with this version:
    http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmo...ilpage_o03_s00

    It was very simple to program my TV, cable box, receiver, and dvd player. In addition to having a sleek remote, I can also use the app on my phone as the remote.
    I just use my Xfinity remote. It controls everything. (The voice remote is a great remote)

    Of course I voice control most everything with my Xbox One, haven't used a power button in 2 years. Just tell my Xbox to turn on or off and it controls everything.

    I had a Harmony. I liked it but found there were always a couple of things that wouldn't work so I had to keep my other remotes close by.




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  29. #59
    Sam the Sheepdog LA Ute's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NorthwestUteFan View Post
    And btw I love the FireTV. It is fast, easy to use, and has incredible picture quality.
    I forgot to mention this. It's remarkable how great the picture is.

    "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
    --Antoine de Saint-Exupery

    "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold."
    --Yeats

    “True, we [lawyers] build no bridges. We raise no towers. We construct no engines. We paint no pictures - unless as amateurs for our own principal amusement. There is little of all that we do which the eye of man can see. But we smooth out difficulties; we relieve stress; we correct mistakes; we take up other men's burdens and by our efforts we make possible the peaceful life of men in a peaceful state.”

    --John W. Davis, founder of Davis Polk & Wardwell

  30. #60
    Quote Originally Posted by LA Ute View Post
    I forgot to mention this. It's remarkable how great the picture is.
    4K, no problem.

    The thing I enjoy most is the fast response time. My smart TVs seem to buffer forever before loading. FireTV is so much quicker than everything else. I might get another unit to use with every other TV just to eliminate hassles.

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