what to know before going from cable to roku
- Not every streaming service carries every bear witness
- Roku%2C Boxee and other devices stream video on your TV
- Watch streaming services on the go with Amazon
Need more than proof that the globe is irresolute? Terminal week, the president of the National Cable & Telecommunication Association, Michael Powell, told the Senate that "the largest subscription video provider in the land today is Netflix."
If you oasis't paid attention to the entertainment landscape for the final few years, Netflix is an online streaming video service. You pay $8 a calendar month and can sentry all the TV shows and movies yous want on your computer, mobile gadgets or TV.
It was the first, and not the concluding, serious challenge to the cablevision companies' dominance. Even if cable companies won't admit it, they're working difficult to stay relevant against growing competition from Netflix, Amazon, Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, YouTube and many other online video services.
Millions of consumers have already been lured away from cablevision with promises of lower prices and the freedom to scout what they want, when they desire. I know, because I'm one of them.
Of class, like any large change to new applied science, at that place are challenges to overcome. Hither are five things I've discovered that volition assistance make your transition easier — or might convince you to wait a fleck longer to brand the jump.
KNOW WHAT'South Bachelor
Watching what you want, when you want is like a dream come true. One time you endeavour it, you'll never want to become back to scheduled programming.
Unfortunately, finding means to watch all your favorite shows and movies is a bit of stumbling block. Y'all might find some are available on Hulu, YouTube or other complimentary Telly and free movies sites.
Many will only be available on a paid subscription service, such as Netflix, Amazon or Hulu Plus, which generally cost you lot $7 to $8 a month. Non every service carries every show, and so you could be forced to sign upwardly for multiple services.
Due to licensing restrictions, some shows are only available as paid digital downloads on iTunes, Google Play and Amazon. These tin can cost $1 to $two per episode, and they might not exist bachelor the same time the episodes air. Buying a full season of a testify tin can prepare you back from $20 to $50, just like a regular DVD box set.
Yous can see how this starts to add together up quickly. If you don't program alee, y'all might find yourself paying equally much as cable to proceed up with everything.
You lot could visit the major streaming sites and look through their catalogs to discover out what shows and movies they have. Or you can visit a site like Can I Stream It? It will tell y'all which online providers take the shows you want to watch.
DON'T MISS OUT ON LIVE TV
While on-demand viewing is nice, some people nevertheless want the choice to picket alive Boob tube. It'due south bang-up for news and sports, two things streaming video services still don't accept bachelor.
Luckily, you don't demand a cable subscription to watch either one. You can pick up broadcast TV in full HD with an antenna.
No, I'g not talking about the metallic eyesores that used to perch on your roof. Modern Hard disk drive antennas can be sleek, stylish and mounted indoors.
Major networks are also starting to stream alive Television receiver online. ABC is doing a examination in New York and Philadelphia right now. ESPN and Disney already offer WatchESPN and Scout Disney.
For at present, these services require y'all log in with proof of a cable or satellite account, but that could change in the future.
WATCH IN COMFORT
When streaming online video first appeared, your only real choice was watching it on a calculator. That was fine for early adopters, but regular consumers wanted the full living-room experience.
Thanks to smart TVs and streaming video boxes, that's no longer a problem. Inexpensive gadgets like Roku, Boxee and Apple Television, or any mod video game organisation, will stream video from all the pop services right to your TV. If yous're buying a new TV, you lot can observe smart TVs with online streaming built right in.
A less expensive choice, if you already take the hardware, is to connect your figurer correct to your Television. Many newer computers have HDMI or DVI outputs that will connect to nigh new TVs.
Not but can it stream video, you lot can turn the figurer into a digital video recorder for recording live broadcasts. Or use it to browse the Spider web, display your pictures or anything else you lot can utilise a computer to practice.
The computer doesn't have to be a high-finish monstrosity either. Personally, I use a Mac mini.
Lookout man ON THE GO
Streaming video isn't just for TVs and computers, however. Perhaps you desire to sentinel video on the become with a tablet or smartphone. Because online services are Web-based, it'due south no problem, equally long as y'all take a decent Internet connection.
Sure services work all-time with certain types of mobile gadgets. For example, Amazon will stream video to almost whatsoever tablet, simply information technology works best with Amazon's ain Kindle Burn down. However, information technology doesn't take a smartphone app, while Netflix does.
If you already take a mobile gadget, or are planning to purchase new ones, make sure they play nice with the services you use.
MIX AND MATCH
There's no rule that says you have to choose just one of the options to a higher place. Yous tin stick with cable for at present and gradually explore free streaming video services.
Ease your style into it and find out what works and doesn't work for y'all. Have advantage of the costless trials that the major streaming services offer.
Don't forget that cable companies want to continue you every bit a customer. They're upgrading their services and trying new promotions to make their offerings more bonny.
You lot can leverage this into discounts and savings. For instance, y'all can often get customer service to driblet the monthly rental fee for your cable modem.
Kim Komando hosts the nation's largest talk radio show about consumer electronics, computers and the Internet. To get the podcast, watch the show or observe the station nearest y'all, visit: http://www.komando.com/listen. Electronic mail her at techcomments@usatoday.com.
Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/komando/2013/05/24/cable-bill-netflix-cable-bill/2326245/
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