"Firesticks"? (guess who my TV provider is)

[MSUDOG24]

I'm so PO'd. Been on DTV for nearly 20 years and pay $215 a month in what I think of as a "nuisance an hassle avoidance fee" to not put up with this shlt and yet, here I am.
I found the July thread on this and seems YTTV is as good as some and better than others so I signed up for the trial and am watching the game. One issue, as a dish w/boxes guy, I only have one smart TV and the rest are dumb.
So on to the "firesticks". Googled around and found numerous options with "features" I'm not sure I understood. All I want to do is watch the ESPN's/SECN on the some of the dumb TV's. Recommendations?

 

[ETK99]

Anyone with access to good internet service is a fool paying for DTV. Go get youtubetv if you have good internet.

 

[Puppers]

I have had fire sticks and rokus. I much prefer the Roku interface and they seemed to last longer. When my fire sticks crashed I replaced them with Roku Sticks.



This is the last one I bought

 

[The Peeper]

And if you didn't have access to good Internet go get Star Link and you can choose your provider

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

If you use AMAZON a lot, I'd go Firestick.
I hate them, but It all seems to flow.

 

[8dog]

I’ve used nothing but fire sticks and fire TVs and its an awful awful product. If for no other reason than I cannot authenticate espn from my phone and often have to do it on the tv multiple times. I’m moving all my TVs to have an Apple TV. Second would be Roku. I wouldn’t use a firestick if they were a dollar.

 

[ronpolk]

Have a Roku tv, a fire stick and 3 Apple TVs. The Apple TV is my favorite but probably the most expensive. Roku is good. Hate the fire stick. Quit using and bought the 3rd Apple TV. The fire stick is just slow

 

[GloryDawg]

Cspire gives you the option of Cspire TV or Direct TV.

 

[The Peeper]

I’ve used nothing but fire sticks and fire TVs and its an awful awful product. If for no other reason than I cannot authenticate espn from my phone and often have to do it on the tv multiple times. I’m moving all my TVs to have an Apple TV. Second would be Roku. I wouldn’t use a firestick if they were a dollar.

Same here. I have a Fire Stick on an outside TV and had to sign in 4x yesterday morning before it finally accepted it. I checked it every time after the first time, even had my wife look at the user/password and it was right but still not taking it. 4th time was a charm. I only bought it to check out the product and I've definitely got mixed opinion. Interface is really confusing but then again I only use it occasionally

 

[trob115]

Roku>firestick

 

[onewoof]

All y'all sleeping on this guy $29.99 all day every day, works great

Chromecast with Google TV

Stream it all, tune in live, or play video games in stunning 4K or 1080p HDR with Chromecast with Google TV.

store.google.com

 

[tired]

"Been on DTV for nearly 20 years and pay $215 a month"

You at least get a reach around?

 

[Hot Rock]

I had early version of chrome cast … it sucked…maybe better now. I got the Amazon block which is newer firestick but it’s so-so … never had Roku… and probably won’t. New frame/smart tv by Samsung that you can get after market frames. Looks like picture on wall.

RETIRING to lake house, already purchased but remodel not finished. Small one BR main house with large decks over looking lake with an even smaller guest house. Frame TVs will be up there. Class the place up

 

[HotMop]

I had early version of chrome cast … it sucked…maybe better now. I got the Amazon block which is newer firestick but it’s so-so … never had Roku… and probably won’t. New frame/smart tv by Samsung that you can get after market frames. Looks like picture on wall.

RETIRING to lake house, already purchased but remodel not finished. Small one BR main house with large decks over looking lake with an even smaller guest house. Frame TVs will be up there. Class the place up

I've got this one ready to ship out if you want to really class up the place.

 

[greenbean.sixpack]

I have Apple TV, Roku and Firestick. I primarily watch Apple TV, there's not much difference between any of them, but Firesticks seem to have more issues than the rest.

There are folks who sell "jailbroken" devices that will supposedly get every channel, but I don't know the legality of that (if that's important to you).

 

[Dawgbite]

I had one Roku and hated it but they could have improved. I have Firesticks on everything, even smart TVs. That way they all work the same. I’ve never had any trouble out of any of them. Don’t order the Firestick Lite, it’s for international service and won’t work in the US. I tried Apple TV and didn’t like it at all even though we have all the other Apple products. It’s Ford vs Chevy to me.

 

[RiverCityDawg]

I'm so PO'd. Been on DTV for nearly 20 years and pay $215 a month in what I think of as a "nuisance an hassle avoidance fee" to not put up with this shlt and yet, here I am.
I found the July thread on this and seems YTTV is as good as some and better than others so I signed up for the trial and am watching the game. One issue, as a dish w/boxes guy, I only have one smart TV and the rest are dumb.
So on to the "firesticks". Googled around and found numerous options with "features" I'm not sure I understood. All I want to do is watch the ESPN's/SECN on the some of the dumb TV's. Recommendations?

YouTubeTV is the way. Get a Roku stick for like $35 if your WiFi is good. If you want to hard wire it you can go with Roku ultra but it's $90. I use WiFi with Roku sticks and never have any buffering.

 

[Dawg1976]

One reason I didn’t mind paying more for DTV Stream is their picture quality was better. That’s no longer the case. I switched to YTTV and theirs is now slightly better. And of course cheaper a little. I was paying $100 for their cheapest plan with the sports package. YTTV is $78 including tax. I just use the app on my smart tv but any of the devices already mentioned are good.

 

[Poor Ol' State]

You tube TV free trail is what I used last night . If Bally/mlb work something out where I can watch the Braves, then I’m considering punting direct.

 

[dawgman42]

All y'all sleeping on this guy $29.99 all day every day, works great

Chromecast with Google TV

Stream it all, tune in live, or play video games in stunning 4K or 1080p HDR with Chromecast with Google TV.

store.google.com

This is my go-to streamer on both of my TVs. Now, you have two newer options such as

Onn Google TV 4K Pro Streamer
or
Google TV Streamer (4K)

I've used every interface out there and currently have a firestick 4K pro, a Roku Ultra, and the older version of the two Google/Android TV streamers on my TVs, but I always prefer the Google ones by a mile.

 

[HumpDawgy]

I heard this was a pretty good streaming option at Wally World.

 

[NWADog]

We use Amazon a lot so we have firesticks. I’ve got a Roku tv too outside and it’s good.
We have neighbors that we share YouTube tv with and split the cost 40$ a month each. Super easy. If you’ve got family or friends that live within a mile or so then cut cost even more by doing that

 

[StateCollege]

Genuinely can't believe that people still pay $200+ per month for DirecTV.

YouTube TV >>>

 

[Faustdog]

I had early version of chrome cast … it sucked…maybe better now. I got the Amazon block which is newer firestick but it’s so-so … never had Roku… and probably won’t. New frame/smart tv by Samsung that you can get after market frames. Looks like picture on wall.

RETIRING to lake house, already purchased but remodel not finished. Small one BR main house with large decks over looking lake with an even smaller guest house. Frame TVs will be up there. Class the place up

The newer Chromecasts are really good. I've had Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast.

I'd put them all pretty even. I'll say I really like the apple, but I don't think the added cost is justified over Roku. Roku is probably the must user friendly.

 

[RockyDog]

"Been on DTV for nearly 20 years and pay $215 a month"

You at least get a reach around?

Good lord. At $215 a month just for tv service you’d hope they would throw him a free porno channel or something.

YTTV is less than 80 bucks. Run and don’t look back!!

 

[Noname.sixpack]

Anyone with access to good internet service is a fool paying for DTV. Go get youtubetv if you have good internet.

A little harsh but spot on. Sans poor internet I'm not sure why anyone is still on cable or satellite. I use 5G internet averaging 40Mbps running multiple smart TVs(YTTV), smart phones, laptops, pads, hvac, garage door, 3 ring devices, roomba, and several more when kids/family are over with no issues. Only issue might be gamer demand but I don't play games.

 

[mcdawg22]

I had one Roku and hated it but they could have improved. I have Firesticks on everything, even smart TVs. That way they all work the same. I’ve never had any trouble out of any of them. Don’t order the Firestick Lite, it’s for international service and won’t work in the US. I tried Apple TV and didn’t like it at all even though we have all the other Apple products. It’s Ford vs Chevy to me.

See I’m like you. I have 2 fire sticks and one Roku that I won at a golf tournament. I hate the Roku. It’s unresponsive, the remote is somewhat broken but they charge $25 for a new one so that ain’t happening. I will agree the having to constantly sign in to ESPN is a pain, but what’s weird is one firestick recognizing my network and pulls my info in so I just have to click, where the other one I have to enter a password.

 

[Mjoelner]

Reminder. You can go to www.suppose.tv to check which streaming package is best for you.

 

[BluffParkDawg]

We were all firesticks until we upgraded our main TV and it has Google TV on it, so we use that mostly now (YouTubeTV subscriber). We have Firesticks on some of the secondary TVs in the house (bedrooms and such) and I have never had an issue with them.

 

[MSUDOG24]

Thanks for the thoughts and experiences. Seems there is a little less consensus on this than the provider side. Back to Googling around but appreciate having something to refer back to here.
Also thanks for the smart *** comments and good natured? insults. I fessed up what I was paying assuming I would get such and wasn't disappointed. I have indeed been a hard headed dubmass on this but time to move on. (and save some money!)

I can't figure out DTV's play here. Anyone still on it like me is likely simply resistant to change and will pay about anything to keep things as they are. Now they have "forced me" to finally download YTTV and am getting all I want for about a third of the price. That doesn't seem like a good business strategy.** Navigation was pretty simple and will get used to it pretty quickly I assume. Already have our favorites loaded and guessing like a lot of folks, consists all of 12 things, 4 local, 6 sports, 1 news, 1 weather.

Reading up on the dispute this seems more "strategic" around sports and entertainment bundles, overall direction, etc. versus a simple price dispute but either way, they've managed to push some of their gravy train out the door.

 

[dickiedawg]

I’ll throw another vote on the Roku pile. That’s what we have on our main living room TV. It’s dead simple and they’re not trying to steer you toward their programming like Apple TV or Amazon. They do have a spot on the right side of the home screen with one featured channel or show.
I can see how some people would prefer Apple, we use that on another TV. Amazon has to be a distant last.

 

[Guy From Gulfport]

If you want to venture into IPTV land... https://apollogrouptvs.com/

(I've been familiar with it for a couple of years, and know people who have used it for far longer. Not the most user friendly experience. So, it isn't for everybody.)