Internet TV options - Page 4

lwmcguire · 03-24-2019, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

We need to set up a rally in the middle of the U.S. and have a real geek come in and break all this down for us with demos on how to use everything. I think the turnout would be huge...another Woodstock. We could have oxygen tents, Geritol smoothies, free eye exams, hearing tests, a dermatologist burning off bumps, a "comb-over" hair specialist...lots of cool things we could really use. Who's in?

[emoji106] In!

bry899 · 03-24-2019, 03:12 AM

We use our home Cable supplier:

Using our laptop connected with an HDMI cord to TV, We log into our cable account (Cablevision) and watch live or stream from the channels that we get at home. I did have problems getting football games though not sure why.

Most other Cable suppliers also allow this so check with your cable company.

For other content amazon Fire stick can be loaded with tons of apps, to access movies, Sports and TV shows.
Caution: streaming some of the content might be illegal.

Blindcoyote · 03-24-2019, 06:09 AM

I wish there was a simple answer to this question.

thor293 · 03-24-2019, 12:55 PM

We use SlingTv, $25 a month.

Blindcoyote · 03-24-2019, 02:46 PM

OK, I was thinking about this and wonder if I had Hulu Live and a good wireless connection, that I could stream live TV to my lap top as I traveled the country. Would that work? If so, could I then use an HDMI cable to then hook it to our RV's TV?
We have a Hulu account that we use a lot at home (ad free) for streaming TV series and some original Hulu content.
Or maybe Hulu has some "lockout" thing going if you are not using your home's ISP?

thor293 · 03-24-2019, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindcoyote

OK, I was thinking about this and wonder if I had Hulu Live and a good wireless connection, that I could stream live TV to my lap top as I traveled the country. Would that work? If so, could I then use an HDMI cable to then hook it to our RV's TV?
We have a Hulu account that we use a lot at home (ad free) for streaming TV series and some original Hulu content.
Or maybe Hulu has some "lockout" thing going if you are not using your home's ISP?

If you have a smart tv then you could download the app to the tv for hulu. I think you can also access Hulu with a roku player and perhaps others.

Tuscany 40 · 03-24-2019, 03:47 PM

Can you provide me with more detail on your WIFI solution. Where did you buy it?

Connico479 · 03-24-2019, 04:03 PM

We use AT&T hotspot with our 4g LTE router for internet. We have Amazon Prime (via Firestick) Netflix & until lately ad-free Hulu via Roku or smart tv. Not knowing about the location restrictions with Hulu Live, we upgraded. We were not happy about that. I began searching for alternatives. The only other service that provided all our favorite channels was DirecTV NOW. 85+ channels at $55/mo. We were all set to switch, the page still on the browser, when the plan changed. Now only 50+ channels for $70/mo (for the channels we want). Back to the drawing board. Since we can’t find another streaming service that suits us, we are sticking with Hulu Live but using an option that no one has really mentioned here. Casting Hulu Live from an iPad via Chromecast. If you use a mobile device rather than a roku or smart tv, there are no location restrictions. As a backup, we also have a Dish setup but sometimes have trouble getting a signal in wooded campgrounds. Fortunately, we only pay for this when it used.

All in all, our options are pretty numerous and convoluted depending on our location. Nothing is ever simple.

TurnerFam · 03-24-2019, 04:47 PM

...while there's really no end to a conversation titled "internet tv options", because of it's depth as to 'what' the OP is referring to when it comes to either the type of internet connection, 'how' to connect to the internet, the 'tv' channel provider, or connection, or even whether the connection is really 'unlimited', or is it actually 'limited'...

...reading many, many of these types of posts on several RVing and similar forums, the only 'real' Unlimited internet connection, no matter where you are, is a true unlimited and no-throttling DEVICE that connects thru a cellular network, whether ATT or VZ or anyone else. Even hardline cable or phone internet connections now have 'limits' after a certain GB of data has been used per month.
The only true 'unlimited'(in all it's forms) internet is from Netbuddy, which uses the Netgear device and the ATT sim chip, at $60 per month. No taxes or other fees. No contract... use it one month, or use it forever, $60 per month. Up to 15 devices can connect thru it's wifi signal. There is no 'throttling' or limit to GB usage per month.
Is it 'always' going to be blazing fast unlimited SPEED? Maybe, maybe not - but the device is not 'limited' in the sense that there is any rule to GB of usage - but the weather, where you are located in light of the originating tower, and other similar aspects could impact the signal and/or speed.

Now, the question of 'how' to get TV CHANNELS on your wifi/cellular connection is up in the air, as there are many ways and types of connections and apps. Some of us will use the 'chrome' or 'roku' devices, and others will use their TV's built-in apps, and some will use physical HDMI or similar connections to our PC or tablet or phone, using an account or subscription already in place with Dish or DirecTV or Hulu or similar services.

If you want to get complicated, you can certainly do that.
If you want to keep it simple, just take your cell phone and go directly to the major network websites and you'll find plenty of 'stuff' to watch, though probably none will be 'live', and as others have mentioned, probably no 'sports'.

If you really want to watch LIVE tv and sports, you'll probably have to either be connected to Cable at an rv park, or use your Dish or DirecTV satellite antenna and receiver. There's little 'live' tv and sports on any of the apps that push content to outside apps, unless possibly it's an app from the Network itself, and probably then only with a 'subscription' to their services.

travel, watch...enjoy!

JamieGeek · 03-24-2019, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

...snip...

If you really want to watch LIVE tv and sports, you'll probably have to either be connected to Cable at an rv park, or use your Dish or DirecTV satellite antenna and receiver. There's little 'live' tv and sports on any of the apps that push content to outside apps, unless possibly it's an app from the Network itself, and probably then only with a 'subscription' to their services.

...snip...

Not entirely true as many of the streaming options now offer sports packages (that include both local and national sports offerings). Some streaming services are well known for their sports coverage.

We get more sports through Playstation Vue than we did with a cable subscription.

TurnerFam · 03-24-2019, 05:44 PM

..and, of course, add to the mix of 'where' you are at, sports will be different depending on 'which' local market you are in.... otherwise, don't expect to pick up the Broncos in Miami, or vice versa, etc.

...yes, there are a number of 'services' offering sports and live 'tv', but it gets very convoluted the deeper you go, and the more 'specific' sports teams and specific channels you want. Local networks are that way - if you are in Denver, you won't be picking up Atlanta, etc.

JamieGeek · 03-24-2019, 06:15 PM

Sports can get even more convoluted due to black out rules.

If you subscribe to the national feed (e.g. subscribe to MLB.TV, NHL, etc.) you'll often not be able to watch games for the teams in the area you're at (due to local network coverage/contracts of those games). Thus if you are in Atlanta you may not be able to watch the Braves on MLB.TV.

tinker3030 · 03-25-2019, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

That's too good a deal to be true!! Does AT&T cut the speed down after 20 or so gigs? Verizon offers a similar device but we couldn't get through one NASCAR race before they cut the speed down so slow it quit working. Unlimited by their standards is up too them; not how much you want to use yourself. Streaming TV burns up gigs faster than a cat can lick his...paws. If your TV is a "Smart TV' with app capability, you can use most any of them. I prefer Sling for all channels and have the $7 per month plan with HULU for movies.

The wife and I just watch over the air tv in our unit. Also I did download a lot of tv shows and movies and filled a one terabyte external hard drive to watch also.

buckeywc · 03-25-2019, 03:27 PM

I mostly use amazon prime, Netflix and xfinity

buckeywc · 03-25-2019, 03:29 PM

I also have an hdmi adaptor for my phone that works well with amazon prime and Netflix but Hulu and my xfinity app have copyright blocks

Sscott6940 · 03-25-2019, 07:00 PM

I use DirectvNow. Reasonably priced. No contract. Also Apple TV because I already had it. No complaints. Add or remove movie channels month to month.

Micky/John · 03-25-2019, 09:33 PM

I have been reading through all of this trying to get my head around the whole tv/internet/wifi thing. I'm not a tech geek so this might seem obvious BUT how do I get what's on my phone and/or ipad to the TV??? I get mobile internet through my home carrier and get networks, netflix etc. on phone and ipad but cannot figure out how connect to view this on my mobilehome TV! I tried plugging phone into Jensen radio on dash and selecting USB but it doesn't recognize it. I can't get to the back of the TV and I thought the Jensen dash radio/nagivation setup was suppose to work with TV also. As if you watch a DVD you insert it in the dash. Would like to figure this out before we start out spring travels. Thanks everyone and I must say this site as such a wealth of information.

JamieGeek · 03-25-2019, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micky/John

I have been reading through all of this trying to get my head around the whole tv/internet/wifi thing. I'm not a tech geek so this might seem obvious BUT how do I get what's on my phone and/or ipad to the TV??? I get mobile internet through my home carrier and get networks, netflix etc. on phone and ipad but cannot figure out how connect to view this on my mobilehome TV! I tried plugging phone into Jensen radio on dash and selecting USB but it doesn't recognize it. I can't get to the back of the TV and I thought the Jensen dash radio/nagivation setup was suppose to work with TV also. As if you watch a DVD you insert it in the dash. Would like to figure this out before we start out spring travels. Thanks everyone and I must say this site as such a wealth of information.

Pick up an Apple TV (because you said iPad and I'm presuming your phone is an iPhone as well) and connect it to the HDMI cable you'll find in the kitchen cabinet above the sink. Then you can install all the same apps you have on the phone and iPad (share your internet connection on the phone with the Apple TV).

If you don't want to pay for an Apple TV then get a Lightning to HDMI adapter (Amazon) and plug the iPhone/iPad directly into the HDMI cable in the cabinet above the sink and enjoy--of course you'll have to leave the phone/ipad in the cabinet there while it plays, however.

Micky/John · 03-25-2019, 10:30 PM

Jamie, thank you so much

I do have an ipad but my phone is an android, but I suspect the same would apply to android. We're trying to keep our costs down so we will go the HDMI route.

ofracer · 03-25-2019, 11:05 PM

Look into the TV set up menu for a section on pairing a device. If the TV has the capability to pair with the phone over bluetooth (should be built into the phone, it's how they hook up to a car hands free setup) pairing it should allow you (again based on the "smarts" built into the TV) project the screen from the phone to the TV. There are other ways if it's a "dumb" TV but it involves buying some hardware, like a Chromcast receiver for the TV's USB port.

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