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Ermm.. how to get Netflicks etc onto my inexpensive TV

50.92.35.29

Posted on September 26, 2016 at 10:08:55
bare
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: April 14, 2009
Have a Best Buys house brand; Ensign 42" Tv.
It works (hey It was Cheapish)
It has 2 hdmi plugs and a USB plug and a couple of Cable jacks.
It's Not a 'Smart' set.
Sooo I have no clue (never done it before) of how to get Internet accessed TV onto my Flat screen... which is in another room on another floor of my home.
What do I needs buy ?

Thanks..

 

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RE: Ermm.. how to get Netflicks etc onto my inexpensive TV, posted on September 26, 2016 at 16:48:34
Demo
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Posts: 320
Location: Kansas
Joined: May 24, 2000
ROKU just announced new models today, and one of them should fit your budget.

http://tinyurl.com/gln4w38

 

RE: Ermm.. how to get Netflicks etc onto my inexpensive TV, posted on September 26, 2016 at 18:44:09
mrdavis842
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Posts: 274
Joined: February 22, 2013
Either a Roku or Apple TV streamer device will do a fine job for you. There are also streaming sticks from Roku and Amazon Fire TV stick if you want to go that route.

https://www.apple.com/tv/

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Fire-TV-Stick-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B00GDQ0RMG

 

Roku proved a disapointing Failure, posted on September 27, 2016 at 07:55:30
bare
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Joined: April 14, 2009
Bought one yesterday.. a Roku 2 (wireless and cable capable)
Effing thing would not connect wirelessly.. 3 hours of troubleshooting later, I plugged in an ethernet cable direct to my Modem.
It at least connected and got into the setup nonsense, eventually, about 1 out of 4 tries.
Oddly the router and my Computer recognised the Roku instantly.
Sooo.. NOT a Router /puter issue.
Also discovered that One needs Sign Up ! with Roku and give them a Credit card # before it will Activate (didn't work either).. When it finally gets that far.
Seriously? 'sign up'with an open Credit Card Account..given that I have an existing Netflix account.

Seems the Roku is merely a vehicle for extracting Coin.

Odd how ..No One.. especially the sales types.. mentions the gotta sign up/gimme your credit Card.. gambit
Largely irrelevant as MY copy Roku (at least) was non functional.
Roku Junk..went back to the store for a Full refund 5 hours after purchase.
Caveat Emptor.. kids
I will buy a 'smart' TV .

 

RE: Roku proved a disapointing Failure, posted on September 27, 2016 at 09:01:54
mrdavis842
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Posts: 274
Joined: February 22, 2013
Rokus are far from junk, there are tens of thousands of them working fine for people, read the reviews. Why is the setup nonsense? Why is it odd that the router and computer recognize the Roku instantly, they are suppose to. Maybe you got a bad one, sounds that way, it does happen. Did you at least try a second one? Can your wireless signal get to your upstairs room? My Roku 3 has always worked flawlessly using ethernet or wireless, it took all of about 20 minutes to get it streaming channels.

Everything is "a vehicle for extracting Coin", have you taken a look at Windows 8/10.

Reviews mention that you have to sign up with a credit card. They also mention that you can immediately delete your credit card information afterwards.

Sounds like a smart TV might be best for you. Are you going to sell the Ensign?

 

Many Blu-Ray players, and/or gaming systems will do the trick., posted on September 27, 2016 at 10:08:06
David S.
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Posts: 3552
Location: Mountains of WNC
Joined: August 31, 2000
Sure, you can get a dedicated device, like a Roku, or an Amazon Fire Stick, or a whatnot - and they are great.

For $40 or so, you could also get quite a few different Blu-Ray players that feature built in Netflix & other services.

 

RE: Roku proved a disapointing Failure, posted on September 27, 2016 at 10:38:17
bare
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Posts: 1877
Joined: April 14, 2009
Salesman claimed they get few returns.
But when pressed..admitted they DO get some.
I was one of the lucky ones I suppose.
Yes My wireless works :-) The Roku found it instantly and the signal strength was as high as the Roku graphic allowed.
Just would Not connect. Same with the Cable (which did finally connect..albeit barely).
Clearly Something was broken
No idea that one can delete the Credit card nonsense after the fact.
It's not mentioned ..Anywhere.. in the brochure babble.
But then Neither is the Mandatory Credit card sign up.
Not overly clever marketing IMO.
Clearly it made me angry and cost them a customer/sale and a returned unit.

Maybe ? in a few months when the just released 'revised' Roku versions show up on the shelves I'll consider spending another afternoon Chasing down gremlins.
Now that I know that the retailer will give full refunds for 30 days .. without question
Although My Son just told me an Xbox is the Ideal interface/gizmo for TV watching.
No extraneous nonsense Plus one can play Xbox.

 

RE: Many Blu-Ray players, and/or gaming systems will do the trick., posted on September 27, 2016 at 10:46:05
bare
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Posts: 1877
Joined: April 14, 2009
Ooooh ! I didn't know that. Thank you.

 

My Roku experience, posted on September 27, 2016 at 12:57:58
Alex F.
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Posts: 877
Location: Florida
Joined: February 29, 2004
We also have a Roku 2 (updated version), which has worked nicely since purchased about a year ago. What Roku does not advertise is that a credit card is NOT needed to install their units.

When I began to set up an account I was not happy that a credit card was required. We sometimes have houseguests and I didn't want a youngster running up Amazon and Vudu charges, for example. So I called Roku. The representative said no problem and proceeded to help me set up the account without any credit card. It just took one friendly telephone call.

 

RE: Roku proved a disapointing Failure, posted on September 28, 2016 at 17:28:40
Sondek
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Posts: 9605
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since:
April 5, 2002
So sorry you had such a frustrating experience with Roku. My personal experience with my 3, and WAY more importantly, my wife's experience with setting up our Roku3 solo (without any help from me), was the exact opposite of what you saw. I would've recommended a Roku to you just like MrDavis did. That's the kind of rep Roku has; near-bullet proof. Again, sorry your install didn't work out - I do know how infuriating it can be.

 

RE: Roku proved a disapointing Failure, posted on September 30, 2016 at 12:20:38
bare
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Posts: 1877
Joined: April 14, 2009
Yesss Well... stuff happens.
The advise was appreciated... despite my whining re my Roku gizmo.

Could have been Great IF my copy worked.
May wait and see what the 'New' Roku is like.
If tempted I would opt for their simpler/cheaper Usb device.
Sales type said that there is sometimes Wi Fi link blanking due to it's being located oddly up against a TV. Suggesting it was best avoided.
Subsequently occurred :-).. that a simple USB cable extension would allow one to locate the Stick remotely.

 

Roku credit card, posted on October 1, 2016 at 15:39:23
pbarach
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Posts: 3292
Location: Ohio
Joined: June 22, 2008
Roku only uses the credit card if you subscribe to one of their own channels that requires a fee. Movie channels like Vudu, Netflix, Amazon Prime do not use the credit card in fo that Roku requires.

I've had a Roku for several yrs without buying any of the channels that would use the Roku card.

Also, I've had to trouble setting it up either wirelessly or via ethernet connection to the router.

 

Amazon Fire Stick - cheapest way to make a dumb TV smart., posted on October 25, 2016 at 03:38:46
MannyE
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Posts: 2088
Location: Miami Beach
Joined: March 4, 2001
It costs $40 and no monthly fees. Just load the apps you subscribe to on it.

 

RE: Roku proved a disapointing Failure, posted on November 8, 2016 at 06:37:22
volunteer
Audiophile

Posts: 5666
Location: Louisville, KY
Joined: January 7, 2012
Mine was easy to set up and worked flawlessly. Must be a lemon. It happens.


-Wendell

 

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