Smart TV's, vs. Dumb TV's, cable and Amazon Prime

fieldgrade

fieldgrade

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I know this has been discussed here hundreds of time.

I'm moving across the county in a couple of weeks and ordering Spectrum cable for my internet service (because Ting isn't in our new town just yet ((but soon)).

I don't watch TV. At all. I mean never. Wife watches Hallmark, and only Hallmark, on Sunday nights.

I have Prime, and thought maybe I'd watch some reruns or old movies instead of sitting up late arguing with knotheads on the internet (but never here;)). My current plasma TV that is 12 years old is like new from lack of use but is a "dumb" TV.

So, is there a TV made today that I can access Prime besides on my Apple computers, but without all the privacy concerns that I keep hearing about with newer TVs?
 
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I have two Samsung tv's. The one in the living room, I have to use an Amazon fire stick and is about 6 years old (maybe older can not remember for sure) The one in the bedroom is smarter (a lot newer then the one in the living room) and I do not need the firestick with it. I have no concerns about privacy on either.
 
My guess is that if you are connected to your network and using something like Amzaon's Alexa or that Google home thing there will be privacy issues. No way around it. You either have to disconnect or find a way to disable some of the functionality. Typically those huge technology companies are smarter than us with these things, and find a way to get the information they want.
 
Check out TCL Roku tv’s. I found out about them via consumer reports. They connect to your wireless internet and run a Spectrum app and eliminates the need for cable boxes. (And I’m sure the Hallmark app). I signed up for Spectrum tv and internet and rented a couple of cable boxes. Found out about these TV’s and turned in the boxes saving $10 each box per month. Had my house wired for cable and wish I hadn’t. All you need is a power outlet anywhere you want a TV.
My buddy built a mountain house and put 5 of these TV’s in and has been happy. No cable boxes, no pre-wiring. My $.02
 
CZfool68 said:
My guess is that if you are connected to your network and using something like Amzaon's Alexa or that Google home thing there will be privacy issues. No way around it. You either have to disconnect or find a way to disable some of the functionality. Typically those huge technology companies are smarter than us with these things, and find a way to get the information they want.
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My current TV can't "see or hear" as far as I know. That's the part that creeped me out about new ones. I don't have Echo or Alexa in the house.
 
Midliferally said:
Check out TCL Roku tv’s. I found out about them via consumer reports. They connect to your wireless internet and run a Spectrum app and eliminates the need for cable boxes. (And I’m sure the Hallmark app). I signed up for Spectrum tv and internet and rented a couple of cable boxes. Found out about these TV’s and turned in the boxes saving $10 each box per month. Had my house wired for cable and wish I hadn’t. All you need is a power outlet anywhere you want a TV.
My buddy built a mountain house and put 5 of these TV’s in and has been happy. No cable boxes, no pre-wiring. My $.02
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So would I just need Spectrum for internet service, and eliminate the need to order "cable TV" with the internet service
 
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So I just ordered Spectrum internet for the new digs. No cable TV. First time since 1981.

I’m giddy at the thought. I’ll get on the Roku bandwagon and maybe a TCL Roku TV after I start moving in, then next week see what size I “need”. Let me rephrase. What size the spouse will allow in the living room.
 
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I'm not sure what service you're planning on, but you can get Hallmark with an internet connection, Roku and Sling TV. That's my plan when our current contract expires. Does Prime also have Hallmark?
 
Catfish said:
I'm not sure what service you're planning on, but you can get Hallmark with an internet connection, Roku and Sling TV. That's my plan when our current contract expires. Does Prime also have Hallmark?
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I don't know if Prime does or not, yet.
My plan today was just to get all utilities ordered for the new digs, including cable ordered (less cable TV) so it will be ready when we close next week.

I'll make final decisions after I get in the house as to what I need, if anything, beyond ROKU.
 
Look for your Roku around Black Friday. I heard they’ll almost be giving them away. ;)
 
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fieldgrade said:
My current TV can't "see or hear" as far as I know. That's the part that creeped me out about new ones. I don't have Echo or Alexa in the house.
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We have an LG tv that a freind bought us last year. It is a smart tv but can’t see or hear as far as the manual says. Is there somewhere you can look that up? The nice thing about it is the Prime button right one the remote to open the app.
 
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fieldgrade said:
So I just ordered Spectrum internet for the new digs. No cable TV. First time since 1981.

I’m giddy at the thought. I’ll get on the Roku bandwagon and maybe a TCL Roku TV after I start moving in, then next week see what size I “need”. Let me rephrase. What size the spouse will allow in the living room.
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Smart move here. Look into Philo TV. It's $16? A month for 44? Channels. Might have something your wife is interested in.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk
 
premise said:
I've got one of the older RCA Roku 2s if you need.
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I appreciate it. I buy stuff then keep it well place obsolescence. Thus, my "like new" 42" plasma Samsung I got for the bargain of $1800 12 years ago. lol

I think I'll buy new stuff, hopefully get it figured out, and maybe it will outlast me, and I can leave the missus stuck with it.
 
If you can get the internet where you are moving. Get a wireless router and a smart TV then you can do anything you want, mostly.
But you can't get Netflix or prime without a subscription to Netflix or be a prime member for Amazon.
 
One thing they don’t tell you is that just about any TV app (ESPN, TLC, History, NBC, Food, etc - basically all of them) require a TV subscription for full access to their content. So unless you have a close friend or family member that is willing to give you their Spectrum TV/Dish/DirectTV login, you will be drastically limited to what you can watch on Roku/AppleTV/Chromecast, etc.


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What he said^^^

I am pissed. I bought and set up the Roku, but you can't see the freaking new series of shows on Hallmark for the wife, so I hafta continue paying $70 a month for cable so she can watch that sappy show once a week. You can only see their older shows on Roku that she has already seen.

SMH
 
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fieldgrade said:
What he said^^^

I am pissed. I bought and set up the Roku, but you can't see the freaking new series of shows on Hallmark for the wife, so I hafta continue paying $70 a month for cable so she can watch that sappy show once a week. You can only see their older shows on Roku that she has already seen.

SMH
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I think we discussed this previously...but did DIRECTV Now have the Hallmark channel you were after? I think it's only $35 assuming you have the internet already.
 
And if Amazon is key, and you end up wanting a new TV, there are some Fire TV models out there that make it even easier. You can move your Roku somewhere else. Here's an example.

IMG_2772.PNG IMG_2771.PNG
 
fieldgrade said:
What he said^^^

I am pissed. I bought and set up the Roku, but you can't see the freaking new series of shows on Hallmark for the wife, so I hafta continue paying $70 a month for cable so she can watch that sappy show once a week. You can only see their older shows on Roku that she has already seen.

SMH
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No, you do not. Sling TV has Hallmark. Get Sling Orange or Blue and add "Lifestyles" extra channels for total $30 a month. Add a virtual DVR for another $5

https://www.sling.com/
 
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Catfish said:
No, you do not. Sling TV has Hallmark. Get Sling Orange or Blue and add "Lifestyles" extra channels for total $30 a month. Add a virtual DVR for another $5

https://www.sling.com/
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Thank you. I rescind the "I am pissed" post. I see it on their website.
 
Catfish said:
No, you do not. Sling TV has Hallmark. Get Sling Orange or Blue and add "Lifestyles" extra channels for total $30 a month. Add a virtual DVR for another $5

https://www.sling.com/
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I went with Sling for a few months. I liked it but I realized that 90% of the things I watched were on Hulu the next day so that's where I'm at still.

The Hulu Live is a good option too but It had a quirk where I couldn't access my account from the office because of the different IP address.
 
Fieldgrade, yes I have a Spectrum tv and internet package, and 1 dvr to record shows. You do need the Spectrum log in to work the app to watch TV. I’m paying $105 per month. A similar set up in my old location with more boxes was over $200. I don’t consider what I’m paying bad considering I have 6 tv’s and a dvr. The secret is to be a “new customer “ and not to transfer service.
 
J R Green said:
Roku is my favorite streaming device, no smart tv is needed. There is also an app just for Hallmark network.
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J R Green said:
I went with Sling for a few months. I liked it but I realized that 90% of the things I watched were on Hulu the next day so that's where I'm at still.

The Hulu Live is a good option too but It had a quirk where I couldn't access my account from the office because of the different IP address.
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JR, are you getting Hallmark with Hulu? I was looking on line at their website and it's not as easy to see their individual channel offerings as with Sling. I know Sling offers it as @Catfish pointed out. I guess I could get the Hulu 7 day free trial.

My wife wore me out yesterday over this whole cable versus no-cable thing. Holy crap. Talk about first world problems.

If I order any plan that does not include the Hallmark channel she will spend the rest of her life secretly planning my gruesome demise.
 
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fieldgrade said:
JR, are you getting Hallmark with Hulu? I was looking on line at their website and it's not as easy to see their individual channel offerings as with Sling. I know Sling offers it as @Catfish pointed out. I guess I could get the Hulu 7 day free trial.

My wife wore me out yesterday over this whole cable versus no-cable thing. Holy crap. Talk about first world problems.

If I order any plan that does not include the Hallmark channel she will spend the rest of her life secretly planning my gruesome demise.
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It is for her own good. Skip the Hallmark Channel and watch your back. :D

For what it is worth my 12 year old binge watches that channel on the weekend. Maybe you and your wife should adopt?

Someone has to pay for her college.
 
Just as a point of reference...the bottom level DirecTV Now has both Hallmark and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries based on what I see.

IMG_2778.PNG
 
fieldgrade said:
What he said^^^

I am pissed. I bought and set up the Roku, but you can't see the freaking new series of shows on Hallmark for the wife, so I hafta continue paying $70 a month for cable so she can watch that sappy show once a week. You can only see their older shows on Roku that she has already seen.

SMH
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No you don't. Check out Philo. It's $16 a month and includes 44 channels which one of them is Hallmark. Go to Philo.com register, download the app on the Roku and your set. Message me if you have more questions and I can walk you through it over the phone. You just need internet that is all. trust me I deal with TVs for a living, this is the best thing out there for what you need.

Forget Direct TV now, YouTube TV, Sling, Hulu etc. All of them are more expensive and not what you are looking for I promise. I have tried them all and been in homes for my job that have them all. Philo is the way to go for your specific situation. PM and we can discuss more over the phone.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk
 
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fieldgrade said:
JR, are you getting Hallmark with Hulu? I was looking on line at their website and it's not as easy to see their individual channel offerings as with Sling. I know Sling offers it as @Catfish pointed out. I guess I could get the Hulu 7 day free trial.

My wife wore me out yesterday over this whole cable versus no-cable thing. Holy crap. Talk about first world problems.

If I order any plan that does not include the Hallmark channel she will spend the rest of her life secretly planning my gruesome demise.
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I may have mislead on Hallmark, I don't watch it but one of my colleagues at work does and the app always shows up on our recents page. Maybe she puts her own password in.

Doing some research I see you do need a subscription to a service or there's the Hallmark movies Now for $4.99 a month.
 
22Rimfire said:
No you don't. Check out Philo. It's $16 a month and includes 44 channels which one of them is Hallmark. Go to Philo.com register, download the app on the Roku and your set. Message me if you have more questions and I can walk you through it over the phone. You just need internet that is all. trust me I deal with TVs for a living, this is the best thing out there for what you need.

Forget Direct TV now, YouTube TV, Sling, Hulu etc. All of them are more expensive and not what you are looking for I promise. I have tried them all and been in homes for my job that have them all. Philo is the way to go for your specific situation. PM and we can discuss more over the phone.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk
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Good to know! Thanks!
 
22Rimfire said:
No you don't. Check out Philo. It's $16 a month and includes 44 channels which one of them is Hallmark. Go to Philo.com register, download the app on the Roku and your set. Message me if you have more questions and I can walk you through it over the phone. You just need internet that is all. trust me I deal with TVs for a living, this is the best thing out there for what you need.

Forget Direct TV now, YouTube TV, Sling, Hulu etc. All of them are more expensive and not what you are looking for I promise. I have tried them all and been in homes for my job that have them all. Philo is the way to go for your specific situation. PM and we can discuss more over the phone.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk
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This does appear to be the most economical choice (by far) to get Hallmark for the Mrs.
I appreciate you posting it.

https://try.philo.com
 
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