Roku w/Hulu+ and Amazon Prime

[Kable24]

So, I've been thinking of dumping my cable because frankly Concast cable sucks. I've been reading about Roku and it sounds to good to be true. I can get Hulu Plus for $8 a month and join Amazon Prime for $80 a year plus I have Netflix and can stream all kinds of tv shows for a lot less than I pay a month to Concast.
Anyone own a Roku box and what do you think of the services it offers? I am considering the $99 version that streams in 720P.

 

[KALEL114]

The $99 one is the top of the top. It does 1080p and tons of other things. My friend has one and it is pretty cool. No issues with it and the playback is very consistent. If you want to cut the cord and just go streaming, this is the way to go.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00426C57O

 

[Alistair]

Yeah, I've been thinking about this to for a long time. Despite, I'm not the TV Watcher, my wife is, but she is finally getting the idea so I think after my contract is up with Dish I'll be canceling and do streaming. Save myself a few bills in the process.

 

[KALEL114]

The only reason I haven't done it yet, is the NFL. I am huge football fan and would go crazy not watching Redzone or my team play live.

 

[Kable24]

The only reason I haven't done it yet, is the NFL. I am huge football fan and would go crazy not watching Redzone or my team play live.

That's my dilemma too. I love the Steelers and will go nuts if I can't watch. And of course I can't buy an NFL streaming online either.

I still may do it and just hit a Steelers bar on Sundays. I'll still save a ton of money not paying a giant cable bill for crappy channels, I don't even watch.

 

[KALEL114]

If you decide to jump in, let us know how it goes. I am so on the fence, because of the NFL thing.

 

[Prison Mike]

I have Roku XD (the middle of the three players) and love it to death. I use it everyday. I have Netflix, Amazon Video, and Hulu Plus on the Roku. I don't have Amazon Prime though but from what I've seen, Netflix streaming has the same movies. The lack of an NFL channel may be the only drawback. It's definitely possible to ditch cable and use Roku as your primary TV/Movie viewing device though.

 

[Kable24]

I just ordered the Roku XDS. I think I will be good for tv and will be cancelling my concast cable when I get it all hooked up. I'll let you know how it goes and give a yay or nay after I get it all going.

As for the NFL dilemma, I think I got it figured out. I ordered a HDTV antenna to pull in local channels so I'll have CBS, FOX and NBC for Sunday Football. My Xbox streams ESPN, so I am hoping I will be able to stream Monday night games. I'll only have problems when the NFL channel starts airing games.

 

[KALEL114]

The HD antenna is a brilliant idea. Make sure to check to see if you need a digital converter box since all of the channels are digital now. They are pretty cheap ($20-$40). This may help you as well when you get it set up.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx

 

[Kable24]

Sweet. Thanks for the link.

 

[Kable24]

Finally, got the Roku box hooked up and I like it a lot. I haven't joined Hulu Prime yet, but I do have a free week that I can try it. I hooked up the HD anntena and unfortunately, I can only pick up CBS, CW and PBS. Fox comes in but barely and no ABC or NBC, so i think I will keep basic cable for my local channels. I won't save huge amounts of money but I'll save at least $50 a month doing it this way.

 

[KALEL114]

I went ahead and got the Hulu Plus 1 week trial and I was underwhelmed by it. I liked the interface, but the selection does not include things that would justify the monthly fee for me personally. I may just stick to Amazon Prime and Netflix.

That sucks about the HD channels bro. Maybe sticking to basic cable is the way to go for me as well just in case.

How was the installation of the Roku unit? Pretty easy? Do you like the interface and how does the video look?

 

[Kable24]

I'd give Hulu Plus a try for more recent shows I can stream. If I decide to not go the Hulu route, I may just bit torrent the shows I like and stream them through my X-Box
I may sign up for Amazon Prime though. I've noticed you can get the latest episodes there as well. Might be better than Hulu

Setup was so easy. Plugged in the hdmi cable and cat5 cable (it does wireless too) powered it up and it came up asked how I wanted to connect to the internet and then did a firmware update a couple of settings and I was picking my channels. The interface could be a little better and there is some delay in some channels with the remote. The UFC channel being the worst. The resolution is amazing. it does 1080p and shows in HD take advantage of that.