Roku setup

[anniescaplan]

Hi,

I just moved from Canada to the US. I do not have a TV, I only have my laptop. What do I need to buy or do to get TLC Go on my laptop?

Thank you.

[DBDukes]

TLC Go is an app for watching The Learning Channel (or TLC, one of the Discovery network channels) by authenticating against a cable/satellite/streaming service.

First, you need to see if there is an app for your laptop's operating system. I think it's only for dedicated streaming devices. You can watch TLC on a laptop without the TLC Go app: https://www.tlc.com/watch/tlc 

As with TLC Go, you'll need to authenticate against a subscription service that contains TLC in its package.

So, I'm not really sure what you're after. If you simply want TLC content, and you want it on a laptop, that's got nothing whatsoever to do with Roku or any other streaming device.

I'm getting the feeling you don't really get what Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast, and other such streaming devices are all about. If that's the case, I'm going to suggest you look at Websites dedicated to that, such as https://cordcuttersnews.com (there are many others, that's just one I use).

If I'm mistaken, and you do get what streaming devices are all about, maybe ask your question from the standpoint of what it is you're really trying to do, rather than assuming a few things that you might not have right.

We're here to help. We just need to know what it is you're really after.

[anniescaplan]

You are correct, I do not know how TV streaming devices work. I am not technology saavy whatsoever.

I do not have cable or a TV, my roommate will not allow it. I am trying to figure out a way and I thought with Roku you could buy channels and stream them.

[DBDukes]

You can do exactly that, just not the way you were asking about. Your roommate's restrictions may damper it, though.

With a Roku (or other similar device; Roku is my personal choice) you can stream content over the Internet and display it on your TV. If having a TV is not possible, then you can't really use a Roku.

Are you sure there is no wiggle room whatsoever regarding a TV? Do you have Internet service? Or are you dependent on a cellphone plan to access the Internet?

The answers to these questions may determine just how successfully you can be with this.

[anniescaplan]

I have my laptop and I have internet. But I have a canadian credit card so im trying every possible way to make this work. I MIGHT be able to get a tv in my room

[DBDukes]

If you get a TV, you don't need a cable run to it. You would get a Roku (or other) and connect it to your TV via HDMI cable. You'd connect your Roku to your wireless network, and you could stream content.

I'm not trying to talk you out of anything you have in mind, but there is a lot of content available for free. Just not TLC current content.

If you go the Roku route, and you want current TLC content, you can subscribe to a streaming service such as Philo (it's $20/month) and watch TLC live. If you don't care about watching live, but find that on-demand is fine, you can subscribe instead to Discovery+ (https://www.discoveryplus.com/) for around $6/month.

You'll just need to ensure you have sufficient Internet capability.

Oh, when it comes to getting a TV, you can use any TV (even a smart TV) and connect a Roku to it. A Roku TV is another option; that's a TV made by another company that includes Roku built-in. Depending on the size screen, you can get them for under $100. If you already have a TV you can utilize, just find a Roku you like. Many start with the Express, but I'd recommend a dual-band device such as the Express 4K, or the Express+, as a starter Roku. Personally, I like the Stick+, the Ultra, or the Streambar (if you want improved sound with built-in Roku functionality). 

Mull that over, and let us know what questions you have.

[anniescaplan]

Thank you!