Smart TV advice

#1
volfanCLT

volfanCLT

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#1
Looking into getting a SmartTV mainly to watch WatchESPN instead of paying for cable. Anybody have experience with this? Any suggestions or anything on it? How easy is it to download the app?

Any help would be appreciated.
 
#2
#2
I think in all cases you have to have cable with a logon to access ESPN on a Smart TV
 
#3
#3
vol_in_ar said:
I think in all cases you have to have cable with a logon to access ESPN on a Smart TV
Click to expand...

I may be wrong but I think if one's internet provider is also a cable TV carrier. I think you can logon with the Uverse, Charter, Comcast etc account and watch ESPN.
 
#4
#4
I agree with ViAr - make sure you can do what you think.

Also, my advice would be to forget the smart TV and get a regular TV and a Roku/AppleTV/Googlecast/Amazon thingy. Most reviews I've seen of smart TVs suggest the interface is clunky and buggy. Roku and AppleTV are simple and reliable.

You can get a Roku for 50 bucks; probably cheaper than the "smart" in a smart TV. My folks are 80 and they can figure out how to work theirs (Roku)
 
#5
#5
Gramps said:
I may be wrong but I think if one's internet provider is also a cable TV carrier. I think you can logon with the Uverse, Charter, Comcast etc account and watch ESPN.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that's the case. I have Charter Internet and DirecTV. IIRC I'm blocked from watchESPN since I don't have cable subscription to ESPN.

Will need to verify
 
#6
#6
volinbham said:
I'm not sure that's the case. I have Charter Internet and DirecTV. IIRC I'm blocked from watchESPN since I don't have cable subscription to ESPN.

Will need to verify
Click to expand...

I am in a similar situation. I have Uverse Internet with Directv.

How would ESPN know what services or channel packages one would have ? They would simply know that is a valid login to one of their providers. jmo.

If I add Uverse cable to my package I would continue to have the same login.
 
#7
#7
I tried doing this w/ just internet service, and it did not work. I only had access to ESPN3. My brother gave me his ATT login (with uverse) and I then had access to WatchESPN. Somehow it knows what you have, and limits your viewing abilities.

That being said, I wouldn't buy a whole new TV. There's too many cheaper alternatives that can convert your TV to a smart TV. Look @ Roku, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast. All will do what you're wanting to do, all for less than $100.
 
#8
#8
Thanks for the responses. I checked and I can use my Comcast info and have logged into the WatchESPN app on my iPad. So that should go smoothly.

Called ahead and gonna pickup a 46" Samsung on sale at Target. Last one in the store!

Should do what we want it to
 
#9
#9
Try to limit your tv watching to just a few hours each week. Make sure you turn off off an hour before you go to bed so your brain can relax and you can sleep better. Read a book every once on a while. Smart tv advice...
 
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#10
#10
CanadianVol said:
I tried doing this w/ just internet service, and it did not work. I only had access to ESPN3. My brother gave me his ATT login (with uverse) and I then had access to WatchESPN. Somehow it knows what you have, and limits your viewing abilities.

That being said, I wouldn't buy a whole new TV. There's too many cheaper alternatives that can convert your TV to a smart TV. Look @ Roku, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast. All will do what you're wanting to do, all for less than $100.
Click to expand...

I had that same thought but we are in need of a new TV anyway. Getting a pretty good deal as well.
 
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#11
#11
volfanngaytorland said:
I had that same thought but we are in need of a new TV anyway. Getting a pretty good deal as well.
Click to expand...

If the plan was to get a new one anyway, go ofr it! I love my Samsung. It's 5 1/2 years old and still going strong. It's not a smart TV, so I went the Roku route.
 
#12
#12
volinbham said:
I agree with ViAr - make sure you can do what you think.

Also, my advice would be to forget the smart TV and get a regular TV and a Roku/AppleTV/Googlecast/Amazon thingy. Most reviews I've seen of smart TVs suggest the interface is clunky and buggy. Roku and AppleTV are simple and reliable.

You can get a Roku for 50 bucks; probably cheaper than the "smart" in a smart TV. My folks are 80 and they can figure out how to work theirs (Roku)
Click to expand...
This....... I have found that the extra price for a "smart" TV is pretty wasteful compared to what you can purchase in a regular set.
 
#13
#13
volfanngaytorland said:
Thanks for the responses. I checked and I can use my Comcast info and have logged into the WatchESPN app on my iPad. So that should go smoothly.

Called ahead and gonna pickup a 46" Samsung on sale at Target. Last one in the store!

Should do what we want it to
Click to expand...

Do you only have Comcast Internet or do you currently have a tv package with them?
 
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#14
#14
volfanngaytorland said:
Thanks for the responses. I checked and I can use my Comcast info and have logged into the WatchESPN app on my iPad. So that should go smoothly.

Called ahead and gonna pickup a 46" Samsung on sale at Target. Last one in the store!

Should do what we want it to
Click to expand...

You can log into your iPad because you currently have cable service with your account. Did you call Comcast and ask about dropping cable service and being able to log in using your iPad?

Also, as mentioned, it's way cheaper and a better interface to get a regular TV and use Roku/Apple TV/etc as compared to a Smart TV
 
#15
#15
CanadianVol said:
I tried doing this w/ just internet service, and it did not work. I only had access to ESPN3. My brother gave me his ATT login (with uverse) and I then had access to WatchESPN. Somehow it knows what you have, and limits your viewing abilities.

That being said, I wouldn't buy a whole new TV. There's too many cheaper alternatives that can convert your TV to a smart TV. Look @ Roku, Apple TV, and Google Chromecast. All will do what you're wanting to do, all for less than $100.
Click to expand...

Does your Internet service provider also provide tv services?
If so is it a small provider or one of the big guys?
 
#17
#17
volfanbill said:
You can log into your iPad because you currently have cable service with your account. Did you call Comcast and ask about dropping cable service and being able to log in using your iPad?

Also, as mentioned, it's way cheaper and a better interface to get a regular TV and use Roku/Apple TV/etc as compared to a Smart TV
Click to expand...

We currently do not have TV services with them. Internet only and using a 3rd party, who has cable with them, and their code to watch the app.

If there's an issue before the return date, I may take it back and check out some other options. I've been using the code for a couple months now when I'm in public to watch it and haven't had any issues yet.
 
#19
#19
volfanngaytorland said:
We currently do not have TV services with them. Internet only and using a 3rd party, who has cable with them, and their code to watch the app.

If there's an issue before the return date, I may take it back and check out some other options. I've been using the code for a couple months now when I'm in public to watch it and haven't had any issues yet.
Click to expand...

The ability to chase those third party users has gotten a lot easier. It's a huge risk to try that. Not just for you, but from whoever is the third party.
 
#20
#20
Not to beat this horse to death but be sure to confirm that you can have Internet only (no cable) and still be able to use WatchESPN.

It's like HBOGO - (though it is changing) now you can't just do HBOGO without having a cable subscription to HBO. What you can do is stream HBOGO to AppleTV, Roku, and your devices as long as you have the cable subscription.

Bottomline, most providers are still requiring the cable subscription to the channel to use the streaming version.

This will likely change but verify, verify, verify (e.g. if I don't use you or anyone else for cable can I still stream the channels)
 
#23
#23
volfanbill said:
I took his last post to say he's basically taking it from someone else's cable subscription.
Click to expand...

Yep - just posting for others looking at this thread.

As soon as HBO allows you to buy direct I'm paring down to the most basic DirecTV option.
 
#24
#24
Don't bother with searching out "smart TV" features. Rely on cheap and upgradable devices like a Roku, Chromecast, Fire TV, Apply TV, bluray player, video game console, smartphone, bedside radio/alarm clock, bluetooth enabled xmas ornaments, etc. for your streaming needs. But the truth is that most high-end televisions are going to be smart TV's. So if you're looking for the best, you'll have some features included, and that's not bad.
 
#25
#25
volfanbill said:
The ability to chase those third party users has gotten a lot easier. It's a huge risk to try that. Not just for you, but from whoever is the third party.
Click to expand...

How so? I've been using my mom's login for the past 3 years. How would they know that she or someone who lives with her (which is no one but they wouldn't know that either) doesn't just like coming to my house to watch games?
 
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