The Smart TV and Devices thread.

[PNWbrit]

What's your set-up for cutting the cable TV?

[El Chupacabra]

DSL and DVD player with Internet connection, streaming Netflix, and a HD TV antenna mounted on a tree outside.

So far, quite happy with this setup.

Are there any options for getting NBA games via Internet streaming? That's the one thing I'd like to get, but haven't seen how to do it.

[Cruiser]

We're running Roku's on each tv through our Wi-Fi network and using them to stream content from hulu netflix and amazon prime. Then we have a couple of hd antennas for the local channels. And I use my laptop to stream firstrowsports.eu for Thursday and Monday night football. Seems to be working pretty well so far.

[Colorado_Freeskier]

Same as Cruiser except using an AppleTV. I really like Hulu+, but Netflix kinda blows and we'll probably drop it. One cool thing is the Air Play feature on the Apple OS which lets you stream anything on your laptop, iphone, ipad to your TV.

Been using a small Terk antenna for OTA channels, but I think I'm going to try to put something bigger in the attic. I don't know if it is just me but the free OTA HD signal seems a bit clearer than the HD we got through Comcast.

[The Tortoise]

Old Toshiba laptop with a busted screen plugged into the TV using a wireless keyboard and mouse. The computer is running Ubuntu since Vista was such a POS. Netflix doesn't play well with Ubuntu so if I ever go that route I'll need a new setup.

My dad is running a Mac Mini as an HTPC. Total overkill but works great.

Still have cable, exclusively for live sports.

[PNWbrit]

Probably going to just keep the most basic cable package and ditch the v.spendy stuff.

For the Roku users? Can I use it to connect TV to a PC as a DVR?

[char]

I have a ROKU and I have no answer to your question.

I just use Netflix with wireless internet and a Roku. Works fine. But I'm not into watching sports.

[RShea]

Couple of other threads on here over the issue f=of internet viewing and devices:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...light=Smart+TV

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...light=cable+TV

and a few others discussing DVR options....

[Hott Butt Mud]

Samsung 55" connected to networked PC.

uTorrent

[KoKopeLLi]

Torrents streaming to a 50" viahdmi. All tv shows commercial free, movies, ufc, etc. 720 or 1080. Kills it

[KoKopeLLi]

uTorrent laughs at netflix, roku, etc

, 1234

[TeleThor]

Probably going to just keep the most basic cable package and ditch the v.spendy stuff.

For the Roku users? Can I use it to connect TV to a PC as a DVR?

It's very possible.

http://gigaom.com/video/cord-cutters...ku-into-a-dvr/
http://gigaom.com/video/cord-cutters-eyetv-one/

Haven't tried it yet myself, as we have plenty of things to watch between the HD antenna and Hulu/Amazon on the Roku.

[TahoeJ]

Still have cable, exclusively for live sports.

Exactly. I would ditch cable in 2 seconds and buy shows on itunes / amazon, but there's just no alternative to cable for the sports I like to watch. The next time they sit down at the negotiating table, the various leagues and ESPN and other sports channels should absolutely fleece companies like Comcast. I know they already get huge contracts, but they probably have even more leverage than they realize.

[Name Redacted]

I wanted to watch the Broncos game at home a few weeks ago so I dug out some rabbit ears and hooked them up to our big flat screen, I get 4-5 channels clear as day! Pretty good considering we live in the mountains. Now I can watch football and other stuff like news.

I also use a Roku for netflix and other channels. Our TV is a smart tv, so I don't really need the Roku, just a wifi connection, but the roku was free and is faster. Also nice for streaming Pandora and stuff.

Comcast was way too expensive and refused to burry the 200' of cable in the yard so fuck them.

[Hugh Conway]

Exactly. I would ditch cable in 2 seconds and buy shows on itunes / amazon, but there's just no alternative to cable for the sports I like to watch. The next time they sit down at the negotiating table, the various leagues and ESPN and other sports channels should absolutely fleece companies like Comcast. I know they already get huge contracts, but they probably have even more leverage than they realize.

You realize it's ComcastNBC now and they have their own sports network now? ESPN needs the cable money more than cable needs that useless piece of shit.

[oftpiste]

smart blu-ray player with netflix etc, dedicated media-only mac mini (HDMI) with wireless keyboard/trackpad combo and loaded with torrents accessed thru PLEX (very cool and seamless once set up) with cables and power at each TV so it can be moved to the screen you want to watch.

FYI, for you mac mini users, the power supply cables - in spite of what Apple will tell you - is a generic cord easily acquired at Radio Shack and even thrift stores making it economical to essentially set up 'docks' in multiple locations.

Also have the macbook pro for HDMI connection to tv's as external monitors or for watching media but with the mac mini it doesn't get much use for this purpose.

[Cruiser]

Just picked up a Mohu Leaf Antenna. I was using a cheapo RCA model and getting a few channels but now that I have the Mohu I'm getting something like 30. Granted, about a third of them are in Spanish but still they're coming in clear as day.

[TahoeJ]

You realize it's ComcastNBC now and they have their own sports network now? ESPN needs the cable money more than cable needs that useless piece of shit.

Yes, I was just throwing out some company names quickly without thinking about it. And while I'm not an ESPN fan, that's just not true - it's a mutually reliant situation. Look at Monday Night Football ratings. But... well, yeah, fuck ESPN.

[lrjcrj]

Jailbroken ATV2 ($99, ATV3 can't be jb yet)) with XBMC installed, see http://forum.xbmc.org/ and http://www.xbmchub.com/forums/forum.php
Fully featured media center, stream anything from computer/nas (not just from itunes). Addons for netfilx, hulu etc etc, live tv streams etc etc. 1channel and icefilms addons allow streaming of tv shows and movies. For sports I have a subscription to starstreams (with xbmc addon) which has good quality, reliable streams for virtually all major sporting events and streams popular cable channels. XBMC ported to most os's and even the new Raspberry Pi. Lot's of active development meaning it's getting more automated and user friendly to intall and maintain. Coupled with usenet/torrent downloads there really is no need for cable subscriptions.

[MontuckyFried]

Jailbroken ATV2 ($99, ATV3 can't be jb yet)) with XBMC installed, see http://forum.xbmc.org/ and http://www.xbmchub.com/forums/forum.php
Fully featured media center, stream anything from computer/nas (not just from itunes). Addons for netfilx, hulu etc etc, live tv streams etc etc. 1channel and icefilms addons allow streaming of tv shows and movies. For sports I have a subscription to starstreams (with xbmc addon) which has good quality, reliable streams for virtually all major sporting events and streams popular cable channels. XBMC ported to most os's and even the new Raspberry Pi. Lot's of active development meaning it's getting more automated and user friendly to intall and maintain. Coupled with usenet/torrent downloads there really is no need for cable subscriptions.

Biggest downfall to ATV2 is that (AFAIK) it cannot output 1080p, which was a dealbreaker for me. Especially when my $50 Roku can, my old (and cheap) Western Digital TV can, and my Boxee can. However, for the everyday Joes out there who don't give a crap about 1080p video or hd audio, AppleTV's a great way to go since it's super easy to use.

[lrjcrj]

Biggest downfall to ATV2 is that (AFAIK) it cannot output 1080p, which was a dealbreaker for me. Especially when my $50 Roku can, my old (and cheap) Western Digital TV can, and my Boxee can. However, for the everyday Joes out there who don't give a crap about 1080p video or hd audio, AppleTV's a great way to go since it's super easy to use.

True, the ATV2 can play 1080p but downscales to 720p. The ATV3 does play/output 1080p but can't be jailbroken yet, it's only a matter of time though. Both have optical audio out. I only have a 32 inch lcd, so the 1080p is not an issue.

[El Chupacabra]

Bump for this announcement from Dish:
http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/05/medi...html?iid=HP_LN

$20/mo. gets you ESPN and TNT (and some other stuff) over the internet = NBA games!