Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639 
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Jun 9, 2016 13:53:41 GMT
I'm sorry but I just don't understand what these new TV things do. I understand that they plug into one's current TV (well, at least I think that's what they do). But after that ... what are they, what do they do, and how do the systems work (are these new subscription services like NetFlix - pay a monthly subscription and get free streaming)
Would this be a device to take on vacation - plug into TV at rental home/hotel room and get one's subscriptions at that location?
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Post by austnscrapaddict on Jun 9, 2016 14:03:36 GMT
I have 3 apple tv's and have had them for a long time,You're correct, they connect to the TV, and use it as a portal to stream you tube, Netflix, Hulu, or whatever subscription you already have, it allows you to watch them on your TV rather than laptop or ipad, ( you can also do this thru Wii and I think PStation and X-Box) The beauty of apple TV is that you can use the Remote App and use your ipad or iphone as a remote, and using apple play, show whatever is on your ipad onto your tv. even browse the web.
I'm not familiar with the other choices that are cheaper in cost, but I think they work similarly, I've stuck with Apple TV, because I'm an iphone, ipad and I cloud user.
I hope this helps... a little. :-)
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Post by candygurl on Jun 9, 2016 14:23:31 GMT
The Amazon Fire stick plugs directly into the tv and that is all that you need. That way it is easy to take with you on vacation. I like the Amazon as well as the Apple TV but in term of setting it up, the Amazon is much easier in my opinion.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,279
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Post by iowgirl on Jun 9, 2016 14:31:02 GMT
My kids have ChromeCast. It was only $35. It plugs in to the HDMI plug of the TV and you run it from an app on your phone/iPad/iTouch - maybe other devices too. Works really great.
We have Netflix. We also have HBO, etc through DISH. I just download the HBO app to my device, log in with my Dish Account, then find the show and hit the "cast" button and it goes to the TV. Simple.
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Post by peasapie on Jun 9, 2016 14:53:42 GMT
I only know about Apple Tv. It gives you options that you don't have on your regular tv.
Once connected, you can watch (at your convenience) shows that have appeared on different tv stations, as well as watching things like movies on netflix and amazon. You download the apps for the stations you're interested in.
I think firestick is the same, but not sure.
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paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Jun 9, 2016 14:55:44 GMT
We have an Apple TV and a Roku.
The Apple TV is a box that gets plugged into the tv with a cord. The roku plugs into the tv and we can take it on vacation. We access our Netflix this way.
I prefer the Apple TV but the Roku system has improved over the years. Both similar. The Apple TV is clean looking - our cord isn't visible. We plug it into our receiver and the receiver is plugged into the tv behind the wall. The roku is more noticeable because you can see the tip of the fob sticking out from the side of the tv.
I prefer the Apple TV Remote to the roku remote.
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Post by teri on Jun 9, 2016 14:58:46 GMT
love the firestick
it connects you to anything that can be purchased / viewed thru Amazon. Tons of free tv shows / movies or you can rent / buy
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,171
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Post by Gennifer on Jun 9, 2016 15:36:14 GMT
They are very similar, but as competitors, they won't work for each other. If you tend to buy movies on iTunes, get the Apple TV. If you buy them on Amazon (or have Prime with its free streaming), get the Firestick.
They both stream other apps, like Netflix, HuluPlus, etc., as long as you have a subscription to them.
You don't pay any monthly fees for the actual Apple TV or Firestick; just the initial purchase price.
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Post by Scrapbrat on Jun 9, 2016 15:41:36 GMT
The things you're talking about are ways for your TV to connect to the internet (using wifi) so that you can stream shows and things right to your TV. One of our TVs is a so-called "smart" TV and we can access many apps right through it since it's connected to the internet via our home wifi. A screen shows up with apps on it that look a lot like the apps on a phone. We don't have Netflix so I'm not sure how that works but I know that we can access shows through Amazon Prime right from the TV.
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Post by jenis40 on Jun 9, 2016 15:54:35 GMT
Apple TV doesn't offer an app to play Amazon but I can connect it to my iPad which does. My experience with the Firestick hasn't been great. It is constantly buffering and is very annoying. My Apple TV is much better. However the price points are very different. About $40 for the Firestick vs $100 for the Apple TV.
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,639
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Post by Loydene on Jun 9, 2016 17:18:24 GMT
Okay -- thank you everyone ---
It is JUST a device that streams otherwise paid content. But, maybe the Apple TV one also records what comes in on the regular TV -- like a DVR would do?
So - I have one TV that already receives NetFlix; another TV that already receives Amazon for Prime Videos .... so I think I'm already covered since I don't really want more "paid" content providers. Right?
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vanessa
Full Member
Posts: 142
Sept 15, 2015 4:25:10 GMT
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Post by vanessa on Jun 9, 2016 19:36:44 GMT
I love Apple TV. But we currently use my Xbox one or my husband's play station to stream. These devices just are different ways to make your tv a smart tv and to stream from services you already pay for.
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