ESPN3+ AppleTV/Roku, etc...

[Cuseregular]

The Roku box is overall preferred by most reviewers to the Apple box unless you are tethered to the Apple ecosystem and own iPhones and iPads etc. More apps can be found on it and you can add private channels, with every kind of content available. Roku has wifi only boxes and I have one that offers a wired connection.

I also have a Chromecast but use that primarily to run Google Music through my main stereo - since it does not require me to turn on my projector/tv - you control it through your smartphone. The casting feature from Chrome can work well depending on your computers components and your wifi connection. Google still considers it an experimental feature at this time so expect improvements.

Even though I have an Xbox and a PS3, I normally watch Netflix, Amazon etc through my Roku. I highly recommend it.

with Roku you need to have wifi in place right? I'm one of the tethered with the ipad and iphone and would have to get the Apple tv I think.

 

[thebigeast44]

The top of the line Roku3 has an ethernet connection, so you don't need wifi. It costs the same as an Apple tv. They do seem to have sales far more often than Apple as well.

 

[thebigeast44]

The Watch ESPN app is now available on Roku. The SU/Fordham game is available for replay.

 

[007]

with Roku you need to have wifi in place right? I'm one of the tethered with the ipad and iphone and would have to get the Apple tv I think.

Whether you have Roku or AppleTv, they all have to be on the same network. AppleTv, like Roku, has an ethernet port (so you can be hard wired) and wifi connectivity. The issue is not whether you have wifi. The issue is whether or not you have other Apple products. I have an iMac and iphones, so it's a no brainer to have AppleTv.

 

[Cuseregular]

Whether you have Roku or AppleTv, they all have to be on the same network. AppleTv, like Roku, has an ethernet port (so you can be hard wired) and wifi connectivity. The issue is not whether you have wifi. The issue is whether or not you have other Apple products. I have an iMac and iphones, so it's a no brainer to have AppleTv.

thanks for helping out 007. Tech challenged here. So it sounds like some kind of internet connection is required. I'm looking to add something to our camp location on Lake Ontario and have no hard wired or wifi internet so I think I'm SOL. We do get 4G service up there so we can use the iphones and ipad but I fear with Apple TV the data suck would be too huge and make it not worthwhile. Then this morn. at work someone mentioned something about creating something called a "hotspot" but have no idea what that means or how it works.

So time to do some Google research...thanks again

 

[upperdeck]

netflix do a big upgrade on their system the next few days will roll it out.. everything but the Apple TV gets a new facelift

 

[TexanMark]

thanks for helping out 007. Tech challenged here. So it sounds like some kind of internet connection is required. I'm looking to add something to our camp location on Lake Ontario and have no hard wired or wifi internet so I think I'm SOL. We do get 4G service up there so we can use the iphones and ipad but I fear with Apple TV the data suck would be too huge and make it not worthwhile. Then this morn. at work someone mentioned something about creating something called a "hotspot" but have no idea what that means or how it works.

So time to do some Google research...thanks again

We need to call TW and see how much just for Internet at the camps...hard wire it in...get a Roku3 and stream your TV. I gotta see if they'll give me a seasonal rate. I'll look into it next Spring...I have a TW sign in from my Texas account...otherwise IIRC if you just get TW Internet you still can't get Watch ESPN.

BTW, you're more than just "tech challenged".

 

[Dnyr85]

Quick question...

When streaming to your TV, does everything go full screen? (ROKU or APPLE TV)

I hate when I am relegated to watching ESPN3 on the comp(full screen), but letter boxed after hookup to my TV(TV is set to full screen).

 

[qdawgg]

I just bought the roku even though I own everything apple. Watching espn on a flatscreen with the roku plays like a normal channel would - so yes, full screen. Quality is very impressive actually and my wifi connection isn't great where the roku is in the house.

 

[Dnyr85]

I just bought the roku even though I own everything apple. Watching espn on a flatscreen with the roku plays like a normal channel would - so yes, full screen. Quality is very impressive actually and my wifi connection isn't great where the roku is in the house.

Thanks for the reply.

Getting the Roku 3 today.

 

[TexanMark]

Thanks for the reply.

Getting the Roku 3 today.

Cool...let everyone know how it set up and worked. I'm a Windows guy by default and I plan to move my Apple TV to my much less used Bedroom TV. Interested in a Roku3 now for my main TV now that they have WatchESPN.

 

[Dnyr85]

Cool...let everyone know how it set up and worked. I'm a Windows guy by default and I plan to move my Apple TV to my much less used Bedroom TV. Interested in a Roku3 now for my main TV now that they have WatchESPN.

Ok. So I picked up the Roku on my way home from work.

Setup is a breeze. Couldn't be any simpler actually. In fact my post will be considered extremely more difficult to understand, sorry about that, LOL.

Take the Roku unit and hdmi cable( you need to provide) and connect to the tv(your open hdmi port). My tv only has three ports so I had to unhook my blu Ray player. No big deal there. I have extra hdmi cables, so a quick switch between the two will not kill me.

Once that step is done, put the 2 AA batteries into the remote, then add your power cable to the Roku unit and plug into an outlet.

Power on the tv and Roku. Follow prompts to set up your WiFi with password.

Have a computer nearby, or smartphone, as you will receive a code that will aide in linking your Roku player to your new account. Pretty painless. Once the code is submitted. Your Roku then downloads latest software, etc, etc.

During your new account set up, you will need a credit card handy( I used my debit card ). Although Roku is free, in order to buy or rent movies, apps, etc, you need to have a card#.

After set up, on the Roku page via your Internet source, it congratulates you then let's you select channels to add. I only added watch ESPN at this point, free of charge. It then updates your Roku player.

That all took me about 12 minutes total.

So I then opened the watch ESPN app. You will then be promoted to get to an Internet source ( comp. Or smart phone ) so you can verify your provider. You are given a code and website to go to. Follow the prompts. You then get moved to your Providers website asking for your username and password. Pretty simple and done!! Now time to play !!!!

The first thing I did was check out a few minutes of an Alabama football game replay.

Full screen indeed!! Sweet looking picture as well. I am now sold, LOL. So much better than watching on a computer or letter boxed on my tv. I have sinned switched to a live program. Syracuse vs. Clemson, girls volleyball. This picture is still good, but not the quality of the football game. This live game is in fact better than standard definition, but not truely HD. Kinda looks like a Timewarner local broadcast of a high school game. Still, me likely.

The user interface/menu is easy to use, understand and navigate through. I'm impressed with it actually.

The remote looks cheap, but is a breeze to use, and is set up just about right. One thing that is neat about the remote, if you need to go stealth mode ( no volume ) in order to let your better half enjoy their peace, you can plug in your headphones right into the remote! Snazzy, LOL.

Over all in the short time that I have had it on, I am impressed. Will I cut ties with my Directv? No, but overall for some people that don't have pay tv for specific options, this would be a way to go.

I will update after tomorrow's Pitt game, and other odd viewing hopefully by the end of the weekend. But I can tell you this right now......

My Christmas shopping has just gotten easier!!!

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk HD

 

[qdawgg]

I actually really like having the headphone jack on the remote. It's one of those things, like the redzone channel, that don't seem like they are big deals until you have them.

 

[TexanMark]

One thing that is neat about the remote, if you need to go stealth mode ( no volume ) in order to let your better half enjoy their peace, you can plug in your headphones right into the remote! Snazzy, LOL.

Do not answer if you think it will incriminate you...LOL

Do you get an ESPN3 feed through just your Internet provider? I heard Time Warner won't allow that.

 

[Dnyr85]

Do not answer if you think it will incriminate you...LOL

Do you get an ESPN3 feed through just your Internet provider? I heard Time Warner won't allow that.

No you can't.

I really do enjoy this little Roku. And it is small.

I changed the settings from 720p to 1080p and picture quality has seemed to increase. Was watching part of the Navy football game, nice. Watched part of the Indiana/Uconn BB game, nice...rented Fight club in HD for 3.99, nice picture. Pretty sharp little streamer.

 

[Dnyr85]

I actually really like having the headphone jack on the remote. It's one of those things, like the redzone channel, that don't seem like they are big deals until you have them.

I have tested the headphones out. Pretty nice. I can walk around the whole house without losing sound. The remote uses radio frequency not infrared so you don't need to have a direct line of sight. Well done by Roku.