Roku legacy products

[dkc7]

I am senior who has had it w/xfinity no service support if you don't operate via a cell phone which I will never link to any account or do financial business on.  I have no smart tv but do have hdmi tvs, can I purchase any roku streaming device to watch tv or do I need to consider other way to stream? Does anyone out there have any intelligent answers to basic questions from seniors?  I am not interested in products to speak to as they are unsafe w/data management, so no siri's or google boxes.  I do have internet, wi-fi, and land line.  Roku appears to have no way to contact the developers or techs for answers, and store employees are young w/no idea how to operate in the world w/o living on a cell phone. Exhausted from trying to get answers on internet as they all discuss cell apps.  Please can I find an accountable human whom knows this product resource?

[Strega2]

Since I'm retired (and not from Roku) I accept no accountability, however, Roku does not need a cell phone. I have a cell phone and a roku, but my Roku knows absolutely nothing about my cell phone.

[JWS9518]

@dkc7 

Keep in mind that if you give up your cable portion of your provider, that you may or may not have all of the channels that you want or are accustomed to watching without subscribing to those channels or getting a provider package with channels you want to watch.  Another option is to give up your cable boxes (saving the monthly rental fee) and use Xfinity's cloud service with your Roku.  You would be able to watch all the channels you have current on cable without having to subscribe to other channels.  That is dependent on what you want to watch.  

Internet is needed, but you do not need a cell phone to use a Roku.  I think what they are trying to explain if that you could watch those channels from a cell phone if you want to do that.  You can also watch from a computer (without using apps) or tablet (with apps) as well.

When purchasing a Roku, I suggest you shop for the latest model generation of whatever model Roku you are interested in getting (or at one that is no more than a couple years old) because older Rokus become obsolete and there are a lot of older models still on the market (especially Ebay) that quickly lose their ability to stream/watch apps due to an older operating system and outdated apps/channels.  Roku has a web page and wiki that shows the current models of their devices.   

Keep in mind that viewing/watching channels and changing channels is going to be a bit different than watching from a cable box.  A Roku remote has no numbers and you have to scroll to either change apps/channels or if you are using the cable providers channel package to scroll through the guide instead of change channels.  That can take a bit to get use to and is sometimes a bit inconvenient if, for example, you are watching your cable channel application and you have to go from channel 2 to channel 200.  Or if you use different subscriptions then you have to change to each of those at the home screen.  I mention that because some people are not comfortable with a remote that has no numbers.

Also, free channels may or may not have the same shows as a live broadcast channel that you would see over the air or via a cable provider.  Free local channels or free channel packages have apps that tend to have limited content or repeated content.   

Hope this information helps you.

[dkc7]

Thanks very much, am quite aware that this is going to be a major unhappy change to my tv viewing the way I like it, but xfinity is highly immoral biller w/no support service unless u operate via cell phones.  They have been dbl charging sales tax on equipment 12% vs. the 6% for years & we would be in court if I could afford it.  I do not appear to have any other choices as their is no other cable provider for this area, considered Satelite but pretty pricy even though equipment much better than x1 which i will not use.  I like the cisco i have today, but xfinity is confirmed deliberatley interrupting our services and taking away dvr service we are paying for to force x1.  I've had enough! Install tomorrow of valley internet for phone, internet & wifi.  U can reach them via phone support, and in this state.  My concern is the exisiting non smart Samsung tv equipment I have w/tv/av/component/hdmi1/dvi/hdmi2 will work w/purchased roku express 4k+ and must i use it as voice control if it is compatible w/tv. Or must I purchase a smart tv and return the unopened express. Change over scheduled for tomorrow do u think u can reply today to this? Again thanking u for your very knowledgeable support. God Bless U.

[suebee1]

I just changed over to watching steam tv because of the cost of cable.  I just have internet service in my home now and I access my internet with my laptop.  I need the laptop so that I can go to roku.com to set up my account with Roku.  The account is needed when I attach the tv to my wifi .  There is zero cost to have your Roku account.

I chose to buy a Roku tv because they are inexpensive and they are easy to use for steaming tv.

I also chose to buy an inexpensive antenea (about 15 bucks) so that I can get my local news stations and free local stations that I had with my previous cable tv connection.

You just bought the tv, opened the box, pluged it in the wall circuit , and the set up is so easy. I follow the instructions on the tv screen .... in conjunction with using my laptop when the instruction told me to use my laptop connection to roku.com.     It only took a few minutes and now, I love steaming tv and I am saving so much money.  

I only pay 50 bucks/month for the internet connection and I chose to add 2 steaming apps to my tv (which only cost a total of 18 bucks/month)  I chose the 2 steaming apps (Paramount and Discovery) because I wanted access to specific shows that I enjoy.  Some apps cost zero dollars ...  free.  Some apps cost money. Adding apps is not required.  You will get plenty to watch on free Roku channel and if you want to add apps, the tv will always show you what is available and it tells you in advance, what the monthly cost will be.  It is easy to subscribe to an app and it is just as easy to cancel an app.  You are control of your tv viewing ! 

I hope this info helps.  I did the connection myself and it was easy.  

[dkc7]

thxs sueebee. So glad u've had good experience. May I inquire what operating system your computer is, i.e. windows 10 or 11? I am operating under windows 10, and my dell laptop though excellent product is too outdated to upgrade to 11, so next big expense is purchase of newer device and what I want is out of budget. Yes my xfinity internet and phone & cable costs will be reduced from $200. for basic tv, to 75 a month for internet and phone.  I know the apps i will be interested in streaming, i read directions well and am detail oriented do a lot of homework before purchases.  My biggest concern is I have for a month now read honestly 100's of reviews on Roku TV's and they appear to have a lot of issues w/their sets it avg.s out to be about 70% happy w/purchases, however Roku's customer service support via telephone is another story, much less than 50% are satisfied w/Roku's support. Your feedback is wonderfully positive, and encouraging, thank u. I have many new digital changes to make, and support is #1, as I am tired of the unaccountable orgs. & Trump world, literally burned out. Dbl Kudo's to you girl, and hope your experience continues to be so good. I would greatly appreciate your feedback on your feedback on the type & vs. of your computer operating system, as this will help me make financial decisions hopefully later than sooner.  God Bless You. 

[Strega2]

All Roku needs is an HDMI connector on the TV. I wouldn't buy a Roku TV myself. I prefer the Julie Brown way of selecting a TV: "I like em big and stupid!"

[JWS9518]

@dkc7 Agree with @Strega2 on this.  Get any brand of TV that you want with a Roku Device.  Any TV that has HDMI is good to go with a Roku streamer or other brands if you choose to get one of those.  The name brand TVs are much better quality, better components and last longer than the Rokus and the many budget brand TVs that use the Roku operating system and the devices are easier and cheaper to replace if something breaks on it than dealing with a TV that has the operating system.  

[suebee1]

I have an ACER laptop and I am not sure which Window program it has.  

As long as your laptop gets you to Roku.com     , you are ready to go.  On the address line, just type in the address   Roku.com    and your laptop should take you to the Roku homepage. Do it now and explore the site. 

I bought 2 brand new Roku brand TVs and I paid around $200 for each ... at Walmart.  Delivered for free and they work great.  You will save enough money, by refusing cable charges, to pay for a new Roku TV.

Don't delay.  Do it now.  I wish I had done it years ago.