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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 1:00:15 GMT
so. my service bill has gone up by SEVENTY-SIX dollars in the last year for phone/internet/tv,now $ 254& change. $110+ of that is JUST tv! mama don't play that, period, so i've been chatting around and doing some research. i THOUGHT i could wait awhile, but the sound is getting wonky on my present tv. so i took the plunge and spent all my vacation cash on a smart tv. 32 inch JVC, roku enabled, voice control option, probably other stuff too. it cost me a total of $129 from wally's and will be delivered next week. it will pay for itself in savings inside 2 months, and " the boys" can use the old one as a monitor for the computer if they want. i think i can sell a few boxsets to recoup some beer money for fantasyfest, lol, or brad will take care of me. it IS my bday present, after all!  i've got some learning to do about roku, and what, if anything, i'll need for a streaming package to get any channel we like that needs a cable subscription. cox is NOT happy with me right now. tough noogies, they shouldn't overcharge ANYONE, much less a customer of 30 years, for pete's sake! SSOOOO..... how smart is YOUR tv? and what do you use for streaming, or cable tv? just curious! |
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kayoneuu1
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smart tvs
Sept 29, 2019 1:10:35 GMT
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Post by kayoneuu1 on Sept 29, 2019 1:10:35 GMT
We have one smart tv and one dumb tv with a fetch box attached. They both come through the same router so without changing service providers I don’t understand how the costs would change.
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smart tvs
Sept 29, 2019 2:15:07 GMT
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Post by figlet on Sept 29, 2019 2:15:07 GMT
Not much help from me. We have two TV's.. one is a bit smarter than the other.
We have a Netflix subscription, one daughter has Stan (movies etc like Netflix), the other has Spotify..all for up to 3 users or family.. so we just share those.
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joono
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Post by joono on Sept 29, 2019 2:53:49 GMT
Things seem incredibly cheap in America, Sin. I think I paid around $600 for our main tv. I wouldn't know if it was smart or not. I suppose it is because I can watch Netflix.
It's been a while since I bought it so maybe the prices have come down now.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 3:14:39 GMT
kay, cox kind of has a stranglehold on local access, simply because of the weather. having any kind of satellite dish means your service goes out REALLY often,since even the slightest wiggle, or snow, or ice( we get mega ice storms about twice a year) or hail, any of that knocks out your service, since it isn't hard wired into something on a pole, if that makes sense. and in my new hood, no access to underground fiber optic yet, if ever. so they get to raise the prices anytime they feel like it.
with this new tv, i can access most everything i need on roku channels, and i'm looking at sling or hulu for the others. even if i get both, along with amazon prime, i still end up with a buttload of new stuff/old stuff/weird stuff for at least 70 bucks less a month, from what i'm told.
joono, good god, how big is your tv??? you're probably right though, that we get electronics cheaper...my DVD player is compatible for both formats and all regions, i think it cost 40 bucks 2 years ago.....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 3:16:19 GMT
figgy, sounds like you've got the idea, i may ask for help, please!
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Post by pennybanger on Sept 29, 2019 3:16:28 GMT
..... Ummm ....... we have a TV. We can can get Iview on it. Is there more to life than that?  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 3:18:36 GMT
depends on what Iview is, lol!
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joono
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Post by joono on Sept 29, 2019 4:01:47 GMT
Gawd, I can't remember what size it is. It's bigger than 32 inch but it's not huge. Probably the next size up.
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Post by pennybanger on Sept 29, 2019 4:13:45 GMT
Iview stores programmes shown on the ABC - our National broadcaster - so you can revisit them or watch them later if you missed them live.
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kayoneuu1
Posts: 4,170
Interests: golf; grandkids; travel; food; sauvignon blanc; pinot gris ......
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Post by kayoneuu1 on Sept 29, 2019 4:28:07 GMT
Iview stores programmes shown on the ABC - our National broadcaster - so you can revisit them or watch them later if you missed them live. Speaking of .... friends of our son were on Landline earlier today. I must catch up on iview and .... our area was featured on Escape From the City this week |
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Post by flashie on Sept 29, 2019 8:37:43 GMT
We have waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too many TV's.
We end up with the cast offs from our children.
They all like to be up to date with the newest technology.
And I don't.
Our TV in the lounge has Netflix and Stan...........(which our son and daughter pay for)
And that suits me fine.
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joono
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Interests: Brussel sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts
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Post by joono on Sept 29, 2019 13:05:38 GMT
I'm waiting for my son to upgrade his phone so I can have his iPhone 10. I've still got the 6 plus but it keeps hanging so it's time for a new one.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 17:49:21 GMT
ah, i see, so Iview is what we call" on demand" then. that's part of the cable connection here, whereas netflix etc. is streamed to the tv from your computer( or phone too, i'm told) and my old tv won't accept most of the streaming sites.
roku seems to be sort of its own network with different channels.. it will be a steep learning curve for this old bird, but i think i can get help from friends who have it, when i get frustrated, lol!
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Post by humanbean on Sept 29, 2019 18:44:14 GMT
I ditched Comcast a while back. Hundreds of worthless channels.
Have Centurylink as internet source( no contract, month to month). Connects thru phone line.
Now have Firestick only, and subscribe to Hulu with live tv and added HBO.
Cost is half.
As far I can understand, if your tv has a USB port you can transition to a streaming device.
I am very happy with what I have at this time. Can always cancel and move on to other providers of content.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2019 21:21:17 GMT
the sound is beginning to go wonky on the old tv, i figured it would be a better investment to just buy the roku equipped tv now instead getting the box or stick and having to get a new tv later anyway.
how does the hulu live work, bean? do you have to switch back and forth between live tv and their other older stuff, or their original stuff?
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Post by humanbean on Sept 29, 2019 22:07:26 GMT
I recommend that you view the above and there are many other vids on youtube that can give you an idea of what is available.
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Post by humanbean on Sept 29, 2019 22:34:56 GMT
I am paying for internet only and Hulu with HBO. I "cut the cord"....
Gave up my land line phone and pay for my grandma Jitterbug phone(large print) separately. About $25 per month. No text messaging or voice mail but can get it for more money. Basically, like old rotary phone but I can take it with me when I leave the house in case of an emergency on the road.
It's a lot to figure out …..took me months to decide what was best for my needs.
Good luck....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2019 19:27:13 GMT
thank you so much! i have a consumer cellular phone, same deal, talk only, 20 bucks and change, but curtis takes that on the road with him, and i take it traveling.
i'm looking into getting another line for it, phone is only 40 bucks or so, and i THINK it's an additional 15 for another line, i'm researching that. the 2 lines would be close to what i pay cox for the landline and i could drop the second line once he retires anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2019 23:51:31 GMT
bean, how does centurylink connect through your phoneline? do you mean like, the thing in the wall originally from good old AT&T?
btw, the magic box arrived earlier today, but will have to wait til the weekend to get completely set up. i need a youngster with good knees to connect the cords, lol!
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Post by humanbean on Oct 4, 2019 17:01:07 GMT
Yep, my modem rented from Centuryline is plugged into an old pre-existing phonejack. Came as a surprise to me.....I thought it would be connected to cable cord. itstillworks.com/cable-modem-vs-telephone-modem-6909588.htmlSo far, it's been great. The modem (wireless) is plugged by a cord into a DSL hole and into the wall phonejack. It is located in a bedroom. The most MB available to me here is 25. It is plenty fast for our needs We don't play games etc. In fact, better than the performance provided by Comcast. Two tv's (able to run simultaneously) and two computers. You can research availability of services and bundles for your area online. Might be very different where you are..... I pay $45 for internet and $10 per month for modem rent, total with tax $57 and change. The cost is locked in for life unless I make any change at all in the original deal. The no contract was a selling point for me. Haven't had any problems so can't comment of service. I love getting rid of all the cords and wires....tv and the firestick cords are all I need now. Of course, I keep my laptop plugged in and on all the time. That's everything I know.....beside the fact that is really hard for rotary phone types to figure out or understand. |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2019 17:22:33 GMT
well, got the tv partially set up, and you're right, it is COMPLICATED! but i've managed to get the netflix and tubi up and running, and got the cable box plugged in for now so curtis doesn't have to deal with major confusion just yet.
i looked up centurylink, it looks like it's not in my district yet, and there doesn't look to be a locked for life price here. could be that's up to the franchisee though.
so i'll look at other options too, after i get all the tv stuff figured out. tell you, i felt like SUCH an idiot when i realized that the feet are too far apart to fit on my tv stand, lol! my old tv is on a pedestal, didn't even occur to me to check the width!
a little creative thinking( not an easy thing at 2am) fixed me up temporarily. i dug out my old ice bin and dumped my lid bin( tupperware lids), put the lid bin upside down on the ice bin and put it on the speaker next to the tv stand, et voila! the tv now stands comfortably! next week i'll go to the lumber yard and get a length of shelf board and attach that to the tv stand, that will solve the issue permanently.
this evening after he heads to bed, i'll get the dvd player hooked up and start activating all the other free services i have already, then start activating the roku stuff.
i'm thinking of going with philo as a streaming service, it's only 20 bucks a month, no sports makes it cheaper. the only thing missing is scyfy, and since i only watch 2 shows on that channel, not a big deal. both of them are on netflix, and i can watch episodes on the website a week after broadcast with no cable.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2019 3:39:55 GMT
i am learning SO MUCH! i've decided that with cheapo hulu and netflix, and plutotv, i don't need anything but an antenna for the local news and weather. AND i'e figured out that i'm right on the cell phone thing, i can pay 5 bucks more for TWO phones and dump my landline from cox too.
i've already lowered my internet speed, thanks to what you said, bean, and i can't WAIT to dump the rest. if necessary, i'll find a new internet source as well, i am DONE with paying far too much due to blind loyalty.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2019 3:42:02 GMT
i may lower my internet speed even more, later in the year, with a bit more research, lol!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2019 16:33:09 GMT
DONE. i dopped cable tv,landline and went down to 10MBPs, my bill will now be $190 LESS a month, WHOOT! that's a whole lot a month to stash towards a new used car, i THINK i can pull that off in a year, yay!
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Post by prim on Oct 14, 2019 23:41:52 GMT
That is great for you Sin but I bet it was a headache working it all out. Your perseverance is rewarded.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2019 22:49:17 GMT
you ain't just whistlin' dixie there, prim, lol! i had headaches for DAYS trying to figure it all out. i don't have bean's patience, so i spent too much time in a day working on the tech side and it got to me.
today was headache free, yay! i went out walking to see all the foliage nearby, had a beer& a lovely conversation with a nice old man i met at the local bar and we are going to be beer friends once a week,when i'm not traveling. he's very smart and likes to cook, we had great fun!
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Post by prim on Oct 15, 2019 22:52:53 GMT
Don't think I have ever whistled Dixie, though I have whistled up Waltzing Matilda a couple of times |
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2019 23:02:32 GMT
lol, i can only whistle" strangers in the night", my dad taught me that one.
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