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Why has there to be an alternative? Just don't. Roku is not exactly solving world hunger, it is not essential.
by project2501a 3y ago
Why has there to be an alternative?
Just don't. Roku is not exactly solving world hunger, it is not essential.
- loloquwowndueo 3y agoSo do you watch cable and broadcast tv exclusively? Or to rephrase my question - what should I use for streaming, for example, Netflix to my nice big tv?
- deleted 3y ago[deleted]
- stonogo 3y agoJust cast to it from your phone like most people?
- Talanes 3y agoMy Roku is the device I use to do this? I'm aware that I could buy something from Google, Apple, or Amazon to do the same thing, but that's just trading one shitty provider for another.
- peteforde 3y agoI do not agree with your conclusion. Google ChromeCast dongles cost a third or half as much a equivalent Roku gadgets. More importantly, Google doesn't make any attempt to prevent you from running vlc or mpv apps that you download. Roku explicitly blocks 3rd-party media playing apps. The Roku media player has a terrible UI/UX and can't play many file codecs. Also, Roku has nothing resembling a web browser app, whereas there are a few crappy web browsers available for Google devices. This isn't my use case, but it could be important for some. Having spent time with both Roku and ChromeCast, I am hard pressed to present a single compelling reason to stay on Roku, much less choose it over Google.
- Talanes 3y agoPersonally the reason I chose a remote-based option over a cast was A: that price difference didn't manifest when I was shopping, and B: I don't want to have to deal with making sure everyone in the household has the login credentials to every streaming service we use.
- loloquwowndueo 3y agoOh so casting from phones magically works over broadcast airwaves? It doesn’t. You need a set-top box. Those can run Roku, fire tv, chrome cast, Apple TV or something else. So for the third time - which of those does the OP which is so vehemently opposed ro Roku, recommend? It’s not a hard question if you stop being snarky about it.
- stonogo 3y agoI'm not sure what you're trying to say. Yes, casting from phones works over radio frequencies. I do it every day. I haven't owned a "set top box" since I got rid of cable. Tons of TVs and projectors support casting.
- treyd 3y agoI have my old laptop running PopOS connected to the TV with a wireless keyboard and mouse and I watch content streamed from a Jellyfin/Plex server or YouTube. It works fantastically and I never have to worry about DRM getting in the way of anything.
- loloquwowndueo 3y agoThanks for the concrete suggestion!
- project2501a 3y agoi watch neither. youtube mostly, but that's only instructional videos or something.