Roku and Comcast
 

Hello,

I am thinking to buy a Roku for Christmas. With a Roku, can I cancel DirectTV and Comcast (TV portion) completely?

What can I NOT do with a Roku that I would still need one of these subscriptions for?

What you won't get is the network stations (NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX) or any "cable" stations such as ESPN, Discovery, NFL Network, etc. Many network shows can be viewed the next day via Hulu. We also use Netflix. You can install an over-the-air antenna to pick up the network stations from Orlando. A Roku box will provide access to an enormous amount of material but it will be a different experience than you have now. We "cut the cord" several years ago with a couple of Roku boxes and an over-the-air antenna and have not looked back. It is not for everyone.

we have chrome cast....

you can put anything that you can get on the computer..internet..on your TV. $30? one time fee...walmart....

Private Channels
 

Most Roku owners don't know that there is a whole universe of channels that have to be added manually. They're called Private Channels but there's nothing private about them. They cover many areas, some interesting and some not.

ROKU Private Channels | Roku Channels 2015 Codes & List
Roku Private Channels

You just get the code and go to your Roku account on your computer and sign in and go to "Manage your account" and "Add a channel". I think it sometimes takes 24 hours for the channel to show up on your player.

For anyone reading this that doesn't have a Roku, it's probably the best thing you can add to your TV and they're inexpensive. One time purchase, no monthly bill but some of the channels, like Netflix, do charge a monthly fee.

We've gone internet only with a Roku and an antenna for free local network TV. The Roku gives us loads of free channels. We added subscriptions to Netflix and Amazon. That's more TV than we can ever watch.

If you interned is via Comcast then you must keep them at least for internet. ROKU requires internet and if you are going wireless you will want at least 30 bps or More for good streaming. I own sever al ROKU boxes.

We've been using a roku and an Amazon Fire stick. Both have similar offerings.

Keep in mind that you do still need to pay for services like Hulu Plus and Netflix.

Currently we subscribe to Sling TV, which offers about 20 streaming cable channels including ESPN ($20 per month) and Netflix, which is less than $10.

For HiDef via Netflix with a Roku box, you need about 5 megabits/sec download internet performance (per box)

We have a roku connection and connect through comcast. Growing tired of netflix and acorn. My second roku stick overheated after a couple of years use. Still better than paying for cable tv. Anyday.

Check Sling tv for Roku. We also got our roku free by subscribing to Sling tv for 3 months. ($20 each month)

Is there a way to sort thru those for free channels?

Sorting Them Out
 

You can't get more sorted out than this!

ROKU Private Channels | Roku Channels 2015 Codes & List

Roku for guest bedroom
 

We have Directv in the LR and MBR but the cable outlet in the guest bedroom is used for Comcast internet.Until last year you could split the outlet and run a cable to the TV and get HDTV for free.No more free HDTV.
I could add a wireless Directv box($6.50 per month and $99 install) but want to look at a Roku box,one time cost $60.The guest bedroom TV is next to the Comcast gateway,so I can wire the internet connection.
Is any one using a Roku box with a Directv account?
I am pretty sure I can get ESPN and some cable channels on the box with my Directv account.
Are any local channels available?
Looking for advice from users with a Roku box and a Directv account.
Thank you.

No live local streaming channels as far as I know. Which stations would you like and I'll search for them? If you have ESPN channels thru Direct TV you should be able to live stream them. I get ESPN, ESPN2, 3, and ESPNU on the Roku using Comcast. The local Boston channel doesn't live stream just clips. Don't watch local FL. It's pretty much if you have it on cable you should get the channel on Roku but most are not live streaming.

a good smart tv has most of what roku offers built in.

I watch CNBC and National FOX mostly, Some NBC. The cheapest way to get them with Comcast Xfinity is a package almost $150 with HD service. Any suggestions?

If I am an college football fan, will I still be able to watch my games live?

I refuse to pay comcast for their overpriced television packages. I do have their internet, which I use with a Roku Box and Amazon Fire Stick. If you are an Amazon Prime member, the Fire Stick is a good addition to the Roku. You can now stream the live feeds of HGTV and Travel Channel on the Fire Stick. If you want to pay for Hulu or Netflix, you would be better off watching them through the Roku, since their are loads of complaints by those watching them on the Fire Stick. So, both Roku anf Fire Stick have their places. I am also looking at an antenna to pick up the local channels. But there is so much content streaming right now, I really don't know how often I'd use it.

I also have a Slingbox connected to my system up in Connecticut, so I can stream everything I have there down here to watch, including DVR recordings. Works great on a laptop, and pretty good through the Roku Slingplayer app.

I have Comcast Xfinity starter package on my living room TV to get news and some entertainment, but I may upgrade to get more channels. I also have a Roku on it for even more entertainment. I have TVs in my three bedrooms with a Roku on each one but no Comcast so I don't have to spend any money monthly.

I used to have Directv and the same setup.

I subscribe to Netflix for about $9 a month and get Amazon Prime free because I have a Prime account. I also get YouTube and that's another streaming channel with vast content.They play on all my TVs for that price, and I've selected 75 other channels that interest me for free via Roku. That's a lot of entertainment options for a little money.

I have two smart TVs and they provide access to Netflix and Amazon Prime, but not much more and of course those channels aren't any cheaper than with the Roku. If you're buying a new TV buy a smart TV, but otherwise a Roku is a fraction of the cost.

If you don't need Comcast then you can put TVs throughout your house and get endless entertainment options for $9 a month or even free if you don't want Netflix. But Netflix is a true bargain so if you don't get it you're missing a lot.

JMHO :beer3:

we use our roku with comcast internet after dropping the tv side of CC. Only problem we had with roku was the roku stick we used on our bedroom tv always stayed hot, so close to the heat vents on the back of the flatscreen and eventually burned up. Roku box in living room works great but we are getting tired of what netflix has to offer. Roku does work but the customer service leaves a lot to be desired.

Which antenna did you get and who installed? I have ROKU and use Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu. Thanks

So couldnt you decrease your comcast to expanded basic as they call it and use a ruko box in living room? And also get a roku for extra bedrooms?