Smart TV advice

#26
#26
volfanngaytorland said:
Thanks for the responses. I checked and I can use my Comcast info and have logged into the WatchESPN app on my iPad. So that should go smoothly.

Called ahead and gonna pickup a 46" Samsung on sale at Target. Last one in the store!

Should do what we want it to
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Target typically has the worst deals on tv's of any of the big retailers. I hope you did your research.
 
#27
#27
Roku with a family members dish (or whatever) code works great.
 
#28
#28
volinbham said:
Most reviews I've seen of smart TVs suggest the interface is clunky and buggy.
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I agree with this. We bought a Samsung 46" Smart TV a few months ago, and while it kicks the butt of what we had (a 15 year old tube TV), there are times when it decides to really tick me off.

If I'm watching something on Netflix and pause it to take a leak, many times when I unpause it, there is no sound. I then have to completely power down the TV, unplug it and plug it back in for it to work.

It also lags at times with simple things, like volume control.
 
#29
#29
Smart tvs are great, but I've never personally had the need to pay extra for them. I have an Apple TV.
 
#30
#30
volinbham said:
I'm not sure that's the case. I have Charter Internet and DirecTV. IIRC I'm blocked from watchESPN since I don't have cable subscription to ESPN.

Will need to verify
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You're right however you can use another person's login if they would let you. I also agree about getting whichever streaming box versus focusing on the smart TV although it's hard to find a good TV that's not a smart TV. Regardless I'd get the separate streaming device.
 
#31
#31
burntorangeVOLffle said:
How so? I've been using my mom's login for the past 3 years. How would they know that she or someone who lives with her (which is no one but they wouldn't know that either) doesn't just like coming to my house to watch games?
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You're allowed to link X number of devices (5-7 I think) to any account so technically you're really not doing anything wrong.
 
#32
#32
SDV said:
Smart tvs are great, but I've never personally had the need to pay extra for them. I have an Apple TV.
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Exactly. Doesn't make sense to pay extra for clunky interface when you can just plug an Apple TV in for $99.
 
#36
#36
govols/cc said:
The only issue with chromecast, if you wanna call it an issue, is you have to stream through a phone, tablet, or laptop.
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I use my old android phone connected thru my home wifi for my Chromecast "remote" it works really well and I can "cast" from it to any room in the house. I sent my wife some Pandora Christmas music while she was busy in the kitchen and setup my six year old with PBSKids in his room today without leaving my chair :)
 
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#37
#37
I thought chromecast had a few built in apps.

Nothing beats airplay on Apple TV though.
 
#38
#38
burntorangeVOLffle said:
I thought chromecast had a few built in apps.

Nothing beats airplay on Apple TV though.
Click to expand...

It does thru smartphones or tablets, but what separates Chromecast is that thru a laptop, I can cast any website as long as I am using Chrome..that is the way I have to play Amazon Prime videos thru the Cast..Amazon has their own product(FireTV and Stick) so they don't let Google use their instant video app on the Cast.

Here is a list of the Cast ready apps
https://www.google.com/chrome/devices/chromecast/apps.html
 
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#40
#40
VolnJC said:
It does thru smartphones or tablets, but what separates Chromecast is that thru a laptop, I can cast any website as long as I am using Chrome..that is the way I have to play Amazon Prime videos thru the Cast..Amazon has their own product(FireTV and Stick) so they don't let Google use their instant video app on the Cast.

Here is a list of the Cast ready apps
https://www.google.com/chrome/devices/chromecast/apps.html
Click to expand...

I heard the browser mirror feature is a little clunky on chromecast. That was when it first came out though. It may have improved.

Airplay on Apple TV let's you mirror the entire desktop (from a Mac of course). You can even use it to wirelessly extend the desktop into a dual screen set up.
 
#41
#41
burntorangeVOLffle said:
How so? I've been using my mom's login for the past 3 years. How would they know that she or someone who lives with her (which is no one but they wouldn't know that either) doesn't just like coming to my house to watch games?
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Tracing IPs and GPS coordinates. It's generally hard to prove, but it does throw a red flag when an account is being used several miles from its location. I've seen users get cease and desist letters. While I haven't seen it, I've heard of people getting fined for it.
 
#42
#42
volfanbill said:
Tracing IPs and GPS coordinates. It's generally hard to prove, but it does throw a red flag when an account is being used several miles from its location. I've seen users get cease and desist letters. While I haven't seen it, I've heard of people getting fined for it.
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But the whole point is that you can access content from locations not at your house. That's how they advertise this stuff. Ever seen those commercials where a bunch of dudes are sitting around in a coffee shop watching ESPN on tablets? Or the "clutch" commercials they play on the radio where guys joke about watching the game while at a wedding or shopping with their wife?

Online access to subscription accounts has little value if you are only supposed to use it at home.
 
#43
#43
burntorangeVOLffle said:
But the whole point is that you can access content from locations not at your house. That's how they advertise this stuff. Ever seen those commercials where a bunch of dudes are sitting around in a coffee shop watching ESPN on tablets? Or the "clutch" commercials they play on the radio where guys joke about watching the game while at a wedding or shopping with their wife?

Online access to subscription accounts has little value if you are only supposed to use it at home.
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From what I gather it's continued use at one location. Most people I know that have gotten the letters were in different states and what not though. You can pretend like it's on the up and up, but it's stealing. They are still going to monitor for that.
 
#44
#44
volfanbill said:
From what I gather it's continued use at one location. Most people I know that have gotten the letters were in different states and what not though. You can pretend like it's on the up and up, but it's stealing. They are still going to monitor for that.
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Never said it was on the up and up.

When TV moves to an à la carte model I will gladly pay for what I watch.
 
#45
#45
volfanbill said:
From what I gather it's continued use at one location. Most people I know that have gotten the letters were in different states and what not though. You can pretend like it's on the up and up, but it's stealing. They are still going to monitor for that.
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When I go to Tennessee away from upstate SC mine just doesn't work. No biggie. How is it not on the up and up? When I pay for my cable service I'm allowed up to so many devices to be used on my account and whoever they belong to is irrelevant.
 
#46
#46
burntorangeVOLffle said:
I heard the browser mirror feature is a little clunky on chromecast. That was when it first came out though. It may have improved.

Airplay on Apple TV let's you mirror the entire desktop (from a Mac of course). You can even use it to wirelessly extend the desktop into a dual screen set up.
Click to expand...

Yeah it's a little hit and miss sometimes..I have had to close and reopen Chrome because it freezes up sometimes but as long as you see the little cast rectangle you can watch pretty much anything online on your TV..that is what I like about the Chromecase..I don't think you can do that with Amazon or Roku
 
#47
#47
As others have mentioned, Smart TVs use really slow and funky software. I'd stick with one of those add ons instead. Your TV will be faster and the streaming components will be the same, plus you will save money.
 
#48
#48
VolnJC said:
Yeah it's a little hit and miss sometimes..I have had to close and reopen Chrome because it freezes up sometimes but as long as you see the little cast rectangle you can watch pretty much anything online on your TV..that is what I like about the Chromecase..I don't think you can do that with Amazon or Roku
Click to expand...

I think Roku has some sort of mirror app but it might be a little more difficult to get set up then the plug and play of Chromecast or ATV.
 
#50
#50
I have a Samsung Smart TV and absolutely love it. My only issue is that recently I have been starting to get pop up ads on my tv. For example if football is on I'll get a pop up saying click with your samsung remote to see other game info. Or another example would be if you're watching a show an ad will come up saying to put your cell number in and it'll text you to remind you when that show is coming on again. Does this happen to anyone else? Does anyone know how to get rid of them when they come up? They last about a minute or so and go away but they're really annoying especially the football on because it blocks part of the screen when you're trying to watch the game and I have no clue how to get rid of it. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
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