Quote:
Originally Posted by GA Russell
GA Russell
Argos win the Grey Cup!
Location: Raleigh, NC
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I assume GAR is a Grey Cup fan living in the US posting to a Canadian forum.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GA Russell
I purchased the original for $19, and have never opened the box. I am a Prime member.
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I assume, too, that GAR is a subscriber to Prime with video. (I believe some of the discounted subscriptions do not include video.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by GA Russell
If I set up the unit now, will I be required to pay something? I am thinking that the Prime videos (which I can watch for free) could be shown on my TV. Correct?
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It costs nothing to activate a Fire TV device. Of course, you are already paying for Prime and an ISP.
Quote:
Originally Posted by GA Russell
Can I purchase cable channels (like sports channels) and then cancel my cable tv subscription?
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If you go to amazon.com, select apps and games and tick the Fire TV (1st Generation) box, you will see apps for your device. Click on 'Sports' to see the sports apps. Read the 'fine print' as most require a subscription to some kind of service (cable or satellite). Drill into Movies & TV to see TV apps including cable alternatives like DirecTV Now, Sling TV, and Vue. It looks like Sling TV and Vue are supported on the First Gen FTV Stick, but not DirecTV Now, but people say the new DirecTV Now app can be side loaded...
http://www.aftvnews.com/how-to-conti...ire-tv-sticks/
I assume there are reasons other than 'too many paying customers' for DirecTV Now to discontinue support for the old sticks and would look at Sling TV for an inexpensive alternative to cable (about $20/mo plus $5/mo for the Extra Sports package) or Vue as a less expensive very good substitute for cable ($45/mo for Core which includes Sports).
Raleigh, NC has very decent broadcast television. Consider supplementing your streaming choice with an antenna (especially if you are an NFL fan)...
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wr...9038c05eb3c7cb
Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres
The FireTV ecosystem is still evolving on both the hardware and app/services sides but the first gen stick is still supported and it is a nice tool to explore the modern media landscape. And there is a lot of under-publicized activity in it as the transition from broadcast to streaming rolls on.
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Not sure we are transitioning from broadcast to streaming. In the US, at least, broadcast television is acquiring eyes and adding networks. Most of the streaming growth is coming at the expensive of cable and satellite. We put an antenna on the roof of my sister's camp in Ebeemee Maine (which feels like Canada) because she could not get locals or HDTV from her satellite provider...
https://freetvforme.wordpress.com/20...patriot-games/
Quote:
Originally Posted by fjtorres
You may also want to look at the Roku streamers. They also have a low-cost entry-level stick product. They're not as open as the Fire stick but their interface is a bit more polished and source neutral, whereas the FireTV tries to put Prime content front and center as often as possible.
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I'm no fan of the Roku company, it's products (except for the tcl TVs), or its support, but there is a lot of free streaming content for those devices. Again, read the fine print and check their support forums because support for some popular apps is lacking or not very good on the low end models...
https://forums.roku.com/index.php?si...b0701bc3719b73
I think that GAR being a Prime subscriber and already owning a FTV Stick will be fine without shelling out for a new streamer.
That said, the Roku has some special interest content not otherwise available and it is the only mainstream streamer to support adult entertainment out of the box...
http://mkvxstream.blogspot.com/2014/...els-guide.html
On the other hand, Kodi can be installed on the FTV Stick...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PYRzqsuzN4
@GAR, if you want to look into broadcast television, post a link to your TVFool.com report here or PM it to me and I'd be happy to help you look into your options. The more precise your location, the better. I use an app on my phone to get GPS coordinates at the location where the antenna will be installed. AGL is the distance Above Ground Level the antenna will be installed. Whether it will be outside, in an attic, or on the television matters too.
Good luck!