Streaming/TV devices

LARK

Well I have "Cut the cord" from cable tv service for 12 months now and love it. I have a couple of Roku 3's that I use at home and was wondering if anyone uses a streaming device on the road. I'm sure you have to have cable hookup at the park in order to stream. Just wondering if it is really beneficial, don't like to really be tied to watching tv while camping. Thoughts? 

Verna

Lark, tell us what you use at home for service, what products you use, and why, please. Novice here at streaming and cutting the cord.  And, yes, how this can be used while camping.

I carry a DVD wallet with over 100 DVD's for those cold Arizona nights and rainy days. I also have a Tailgater portable satellite and receiver to watch cable TV and basketball. I had problems remaining within my data plan limits, and I need to make better use of Wi-Fi service when I find it. 

LARK

Verna- You still have to have a provider for internet without the tv service. I went from paying 230.00 a month to 89.00 a month. You must purchase your streaming device (i.e. Roku, Apple tv, Amazon fire,etc). Then you can purchase subscriptions to channels or use free ones. There are ones like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and one called Sling TV. With sling it is live tv with selections of channels you can sign up for. Why did I choose the products I use....the Roku 3 seemed to be more user friendly and I liked the small size of the unit. They have a forum also!

Nomad

Streaming devices rely on an internet connection rather than a cable "TV" connection - Correct?

LARK

Yep! Do most park sites that have a cable hook up only have TV service? With streaming devices you can receive wireless signal but I hear most signals are not very robust at camp sites.

jkjenn

PXLated said:

Streaming devices rely on an internet connection rather than a cable "TV" connection - Correct?

Correct.

Do any of the available streaming devices allow for offline use? I have used my Surface Pro 3 to download movies and TV from the Microsoft (Xbox) video service and then use a wireless display adapter (Miracast) to watch on the TV and through the Jensen or stream music. The bonus is that it allows me to use the TV as a monitor.

Photomom

Do any T@Bbers use a flat panel antenna like this one to pick up local HD stations? http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Ultra-Thin-Indoor-HDTV-Antenna/dp/B00DIFIO8E

LARK

Jenn- does this count against your minutes from your service provider? Offline use?

LARK

photomom- This is the one I use. Works great!

Nomad

I've only been in one campground that had internet service (a National Monument). But I don't stay in commercial campgrounds like a KOA so can't speak to those. In my travels the only way I have internet service is through my cell phone, hitting a library, coffee shop, or other commercial venue. If I want a movie or something, I download it there for later viewing. Streaming services for me are out, it has to be a download. Streaming can just eat up a data plan quickly if you don't closely monitor it.

LARK

Jenn- Are you just downloading movies to your computer and then playing through the Jensen system? If so then I get your "Offline" question. Some streaming devices have a data storage device, but what would be the point of using that....you have your computer. I was most concerned with watching live tv (i.e. College football on ESPN Now via Sling tv). But if their cable service has ESPN, then that works for me! Just like to have options.

jkjenn

LARK said:

Jenn- Are you just downloading movies to your computer and then playing through the Jensen system? If so then I get your "Offline" question. Some streaming devices have a data storage device, but what would be the point of using that....you have your computer. I was most concerned with watching live tv (i.e. College football on ESPN Now via Sling tv). But if their cable service has ESPN, then that works for me! Just like to have options.

Correct. As a matter of fact, I have been scouting for locations with WiFi in Silverton so I can stream my nephew's college football game while I am out west on ESPN3. I think watching 2 hours of TV streaming over data to another device is going to super expensive unless there is a way to decrease the video quality. I think you can with Netflix. Live TV would use less data on your phone. I think in @Verna's case, since she wants to catch lots of games, satellite is the way to go, or find a good sports bar that will let you tune into your channel, there.

LARK

PXLated said: Streaming can just eat up a data plan quickly if you don't closely monitor it.

Oh yes it sure can. I used my "Myfi" to stream a college football game and used nearly 4 gig for one half of the game! What a rip off data plan minutes are!

mickietucs

LARK said:

photomom- This is the one I use. Works great!

Lark - what antenna is that one?

Verna

@Skwhee was going to show me how to put movies on a flash drive with some software, but we never could seem to spend enough time together at Tearstock.  Hopefully they will join this discussion because they have a lot of video knowledge.

LARK

Mickietucs asked: Lark - what antenna is that one?

ClearStream 2V Long-Range HDTV Antenna

Just was at Uwharrie NF and got 30+ channels. I believe the nearest stations were 40+ miles away, plus LOS (line of site) was encumbered from the forest.

I use a 17 ft. painters fiberglass pole to hoist it up. Has ALWAYS worked for me.

It is $99.00 though!

larrygon

Funny that this topic came up. I am working on using an Android computer on a stick that connects to the HDMI input on the TV. My goal is to digitize my DVD's and make them available when a WiFi signal is not available. I will also install Netflix and Amazon to stream content. I am lucky that I have a grandfathered data plan on my phone that allows me unlimited data so I sometimes use my phone as source of streaming if I can get a decent signal. I will make a write up and post it when I finish the project.

jkjenn

LARK said:

Mickietucs asked: Lark - what antenna is that one?

ClearStream 2V Long-Range HDTV Antenna

Just was at Uwharrie NF and got 30+ channels. I believe the nearest stations were 40+ miles away, plus LOS (line of site) was encumbered from the forest.

I use a 17 ft. painters fiberglass pole to hoist it up. Has ALWAYS worked for me.

It is $99.00 though!

I am thinking height is #1 factor here.

Nomad

Height and the fact that it's a 50 mile range antenna.
Lark - AC powered?

LARK

PX- No, it's not a powered one.

mickietucs

Lark - thanks for that info which I'll tuck away when I finish outfitting and organizing my T@B. I know Jenn manufactured something to hold the pole to one of the handles. Did you also do that? Pic?

Photomom

We always struggle to keep up with the weather and news when we're camping (if and when the zombie apocalypse happens it would be nice to get some warning). Lark's antenna looks useful. I assume I'd just run coax from it to the cable connection on the T@B? We'd probably want to take it down in a lightning storm, right?

LARK

Mickietucs- I haven't done that yet...I just tie it to the handle. Seems to work just fine.

Photomom- LOL "Zombie Apocalypse".....although a disease apocalypse could happen. Yep, just attach cable connection. To be on the safe side you could take it down or lower it to possibly still get weather report. I always bring a weather radio also.

mickietucs

LARK said:

Mickietucs- I haven't done that yet...I just tie it to the handle. Seems to work just fine.

Lark - did you use the "J mount mast" and also the base and somehow attached that to the pole (I couldn't tell from your picture) or instead of that J mast, the pole would go in there?

LARK

Mickie- Not sure what a "J mount mast" is? That yellow pole is a painters pole you can get from HD or Lowes. I was checking yard sales for and umbrella base to hold the base in place if the winds got up.

LARK

Mickie- If you click on the attachment file (i.e. site 1.jpg) underneath the picture, it should show a larger picture.

Kevin@7

larrygon said:

Funny that this topic came up. I am working on using an Android computer on a stick that connects to the HDMI input on the TV. My goal is to digitize my DVD's and make them available when a WiFi signal is not available. I will also install Netflix and Amazon to stream content. I am lucky that I have a grandfathered data plan on my phone that allows me unlimited data so I sometimes use my phone as source of streaming if I can get a decent signal. I will make a write up and post it when I finish the project.

I'm looking into this as well...would be interested in how you progress.  Lugging around DVD's with high potential for them to get scratched (especially while camping) makes this a worthwhile effort.  Most camping I do is void of wifi and very weak 4G/3G signal.  Best solution for me is to have all my media on a portable hard drive that I can choose to watch at home or in the t@b.  Keep the DVD's locked up in case of HD meltdown.

bgualtieri

We use a USB to HDMI video out adaptor for an iPad (or MacBook Air) and play movies saved on whichever device is attached. It also works for Netflix (or other streaming) if the cell connection is good and if data use isn't an issue. I think PXL does something similar

Verna

I am going to have to find the name of the program that will copy movies to a flash drive or hard drive.  Just plug it into the USB port on the Jensen and it appears on the TV screen.  It worked because Sunny Day got to watch an old John Wayne movie while the humans were attending one of the Tearstock evening functions. 

judymac

I just unplugged at home!  We unplugged satellite the entire summer but needed football and basketball coverage.  Sling TV is awesome and has a deal with free ROKU stick.  Of course it uses Internet to stream, but it is LIVE TV. 
Free Wifi @ campgrounds has never work for me, too many people for the package they purchase.
My GE flat screen antenna works well and the only time we watch TV is when husband has a weather panic.

mickietucs

LARK said:

Mickie- Not sure what a "J mount mast" is? That yellow pole is a painters pole you can get from HD or Lowes. I was checking yard sales for and umbrella base to hold the base in place if the winds got up.

Lark - When I looked at it on Amazon there was a PDF of the manual. Opening that I was looking at how it is to be assembled and part of the actual device is a piece that kind of looks like a "J" - the top of it is attached to the actual antenna part and the bottom is normally attached to a base (that would screw onto a roof if it is mounted that way). I wondered if you put the painter's pole in place of the "J". Looks a little like this below. I clicked on your picture but the top of the antenna was hard to see as it was obscured by the trees. Thanks!