Amazon TV Box
Aug 4th 2016 | 2:11 am
#16
Thread Starter
Proudly Scarberian
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,196
From: Scarberia
Re: Amazon TV Box
Thanks Schnooks- Always good to hear what other people have working!
The neighbour (other half of my semi) has and outdoor aerial and she said I'm welcome to splice off it. $50 for the amazon antenna sounds like a better idea though, and avoids the need to bring a cable in through the back wall.
Ideally once I've bought the antenna and the TV that will mean zero monthly TV costs, which is higher than I'd like, but gotta think of the ankle biters
I was thinking of techsavvy first for internet access. I'll work out streaming later but both kids are generally happy with YouTube at the moment.
And I don't want a landline so good with that.
The neighbour (other half of my semi) has and outdoor aerial and she said I'm welcome to splice off it. $50 for the amazon antenna sounds like a better idea though, and avoids the need to bring a cable in through the back wall.
Ideally once I've bought the antenna and the TV that will mean zero monthly TV costs, which is higher than I'd like, but gotta think of the ankle biters
I was thinking of techsavvy first for internet access. I'll work out streaming later but both kids are generally happy with YouTube at the moment.
And I don't want a landline so good with that.
Pizza, if this is useful, this is our setup.
1) We have an HD indoor antenna that Mr S installed in the attic. Cable is running to two televisions and one computer. I think the antenna cost about $200-odd. It's pretty bad-ass. And large - 3ft x 4ft I think. But we get about 40-50 channels, pretty well the same list that not2old posted above. 36.1 is the only one that gives us some trouble, but only on cloudy/rainy days.
2) Desktop computer that ... acquires content. Managed in Emby which also has a server running. Desktop is hooked up to the family room television.
3) Nexus Player hooked up to the family room television. We bought it for $100 when it was brand new. There are other Android boxes you can buy for various prices. They'll all be similar. We have Netflix, Crackle, and Kodi loaded on it. I've only started using Kodi in the last few months. It's a bit hit and miss with its various add-ons. If you have some time to tinker with it, it's pretty neat. I've used to to stream some sports, it's not as good as cable, but it's decent. The Exodus add-on is fantastic for movies.
4) Chromecast on the bedroom and basement televisions. Can then play Netflix from phones. Casting is also supported by Emby (#2) so any content on the desktop can be played on any television by casting it from a phone.
We don't have any cable package. Our antenna was a one-time setup cost of $200 to purchase all the bits and bobs for it. Internet is about $60/month for 300GB, 25/10 through TekSavvy. (TekSavvy is unlimited between 2am and 8am, which is when the desktop does its work, not that we've ever come close to using that 300GB!) TekSavvy also has the up-front costs for setup and modem purchase. Our home phone was a one-time setup of $50, can't remember the name of the service, but we get free in-Canada calling, and it hooks up to Google Voice so we use that for the occasional UK call.
Works well for us!
Hope that helps!
1) We have an HD indoor antenna that Mr S installed in the attic. Cable is running to two televisions and one computer. I think the antenna cost about $200-odd. It's pretty bad-ass. And large - 3ft x 4ft I think. But we get about 40-50 channels, pretty well the same list that not2old posted above. 36.1 is the only one that gives us some trouble, but only on cloudy/rainy days.
2) Desktop computer that ... acquires content. Managed in Emby which also has a server running. Desktop is hooked up to the family room television.
3) Nexus Player hooked up to the family room television. We bought it for $100 when it was brand new. There are other Android boxes you can buy for various prices. They'll all be similar. We have Netflix, Crackle, and Kodi loaded on it. I've only started using Kodi in the last few months. It's a bit hit and miss with its various add-ons. If you have some time to tinker with it, it's pretty neat. I've used to to stream some sports, it's not as good as cable, but it's decent. The Exodus add-on is fantastic for movies.
4) Chromecast on the bedroom and basement televisions. Can then play Netflix from phones. Casting is also supported by Emby (#2) so any content on the desktop can be played on any television by casting it from a phone.
We don't have any cable package. Our antenna was a one-time setup cost of $200 to purchase all the bits and bobs for it. Internet is about $60/month for 300GB, 25/10 through TekSavvy. (TekSavvy is unlimited between 2am and 8am, which is when the desktop does its work, not that we've ever come close to using that 300GB!) TekSavvy also has the up-front costs for setup and modem purchase. Our home phone was a one-time setup of $50, can't remember the name of the service, but we get free in-Canada calling, and it hooks up to Google Voice so we use that for the occasional UK call.
Works well for us!
Hope that helps!
Aug 4th 2016 | 2:16 am
#17
Concierge
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,320
From: Oakville, ON, CA
Re: Amazon TV Box
Thanks Schnooks- Always good to hear what other people have working!
The neighbour (other half of my semi) has and outdoor aerial and she said I'm welcome to splice off it. $50 for the amazon antenna sounds like a better idea though, and avoids the need to bring a cable in through the back wall.
Ideally once I've bought the antenna and the TV that will mean zero monthly TV costs, which is higher than I'd like, but gotta think of the ankle biters
I was thinking of techsavvy first for internet access. I'll work out streaming later but both kids are generally happy with YouTube at the moment.
And I don't want a landline so good with that.
The neighbour (other half of my semi) has and outdoor aerial and she said I'm welcome to splice off it. $50 for the amazon antenna sounds like a better idea though, and avoids the need to bring a cable in through the back wall.
Ideally once I've bought the antenna and the TV that will mean zero monthly TV costs, which is higher than I'd like, but gotta think of the ankle biters
I was thinking of techsavvy first for internet access. I'll work out streaming later but both kids are generally happy with YouTube at the moment.
And I don't want a landline so good with that.
We are very happy with TekSavvy. They needed about 3ish weeks of lead time to come and get things installed. We outright bought the modem instead of renting, it was cheaper in the long run. We have had no problems at all with their service. No surprises on our bill, either. They email my husband when he's used half of the data, and presumably more once we get closer but we've only crossed the halfway point twice I think, lol.
If the kids are happy with YouTube, a few TV channels, and presumably Netflix, then an Android box would certainly do the job just fine.
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:05 am
#18
Dichotomus tinker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,700
From: Ontario, Canada
Re: Amazon TV Box
before I purchased the Amazon flatwave FL5500A I tried three other indoor antenna with amplifier, they were OK, but I could never get more than 15 channels.
My wife did not want an outdoor or attic antenna & neither did I when you take into account the real cost & work involved.
Being the 'retired' thrifty guy that I am, the Amazon flatwave was a good deal from the standpoint it has a 30 day refund policy & shipping it back is free. So what did I have to lose.
Of course, its different results for different folks. Its money back guarantee
As I mentioned our son in the downtown concrete jungle is getting 17 channels
Last night was a good reception night 44 channels, all the US stations, PBS & the Canadian channels.
My wife did not want an outdoor or attic antenna & neither did I when you take into account the real cost & work involved.
Being the 'retired' thrifty guy that I am, the Amazon flatwave was a good deal from the standpoint it has a 30 day refund policy & shipping it back is free. So what did I have to lose.
Of course, its different results for different folks. Its money back guarantee
As I mentioned our son in the downtown concrete jungle is getting 17 channels
Last night was a good reception night 44 channels, all the US stations, PBS & the Canadian channels.
Last edited by not2old; Aug 4th 2016 at 4:07 am.
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:11 am
#19
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,269
From: Ajax, Ontario
Re: Amazon TV Box
I ask again tho N2O is there anything worth watching on them free channels or is it all in French, cooking, and news ????
Actually French cooking news would be interesting lol
Actually French cooking news would be interesting lol
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:20 am
#20
Dichotomus tinker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,700
From: Ontario, Canada
Re: Amazon TV Box
refer you back to post#9 for the channel lsiting
Its all of the network stations, all of the canadian channels, PBS channels & all buffalo & Rochester stations that you get on cable
What is not on the digital 'ove the air' that I do not get are the specialty channels, such as ... CNN, BNN, TSN, Discovery, FOOD network, Life stationschannel40 channels as in post 9, match those to what you have on full blown 100 channels from Rogers or Shaw
Its all of the network stations, all of the canadian channels, PBS channels & all buffalo & Rochester stations that you get on cable
What is not on the digital 'ove the air' that I do not get are the specialty channels, such as ... CNN, BNN, TSN, Discovery, FOOD network, Life stationschannel40 channels as in post 9, match those to what you have on full blown 100 channels from Rogers or Shaw
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:22 am
#21
Concierge
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,320
From: Oakville, ON, CA
Re: Amazon TV Box
I'm not N2O but I get the same channels.
Mr S and I don't watch that much television anyway, but the main networks carry a decent number of shows... basically you get general programming. You don't pick up any of the main sports networks (ESPN, TSN, SportsNet, etc) so if you are wanting to watch sports you are mostly SOL. That said, you do get SOME sports on the main networks - Olympics are covered on the main networks, CBC has hockey on Fridays and Saturdays, some of the American channels have American football, NBC carries the occasional football game, and so on. So you do get a bit.
I mean, "is there anything worth watching" is a bit like how long is a piece of string... You hear from lots of people with 500 channels who complain that nothing is on...
Go to TV Listings - Find Local TV Shows and Movie Schedules - Listings Grid | TVGuide.com, and click "Setup a provider" when prompted. Enter zip code 14201, click Antenna, and then click "Buffalo Area Broadcast" and that gives you the listings of what's on as well as the channel list, of which you should be able to pick up most of them. (We can pick up about 80% of it.)
Mr S and I don't watch that much television anyway, but the main networks carry a decent number of shows... basically you get general programming. You don't pick up any of the main sports networks (ESPN, TSN, SportsNet, etc) so if you are wanting to watch sports you are mostly SOL. That said, you do get SOME sports on the main networks - Olympics are covered on the main networks, CBC has hockey on Fridays and Saturdays, some of the American channels have American football, NBC carries the occasional football game, and so on. So you do get a bit.
I mean, "is there anything worth watching" is a bit like how long is a piece of string... You hear from lots of people with 500 channels who complain that nothing is on...
Go to TV Listings - Find Local TV Shows and Movie Schedules - Listings Grid | TVGuide.com, and click "Setup a provider" when prompted. Enter zip code 14201, click Antenna, and then click "Buffalo Area Broadcast" and that gives you the listings of what's on as well as the channel list, of which you should be able to pick up most of them. (We can pick up about 80% of it.)
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:32 am
#22
Thread Starter
Proudly Scarberian
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,196
From: Scarberia
Re: Amazon TV Box
If the kids squirrel too much about the free to air stuff we'll see what we can down;load.
I've no idea what to expect in terms of internet requirements though. We're at 200G at present but as I don't have the kids that much I should get away with well under 100.
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:37 am
#23
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,269
From: Ajax, Ontario
Re: Amazon TV Box
Thanks snooks that helps
Looks like local programs mostly with different areas featured. And lots of cooking and local news channels.
Just as an example:
Last night I watched:
CBC News and Corrie (free upstairs)
Toronto FC game while streaming the League 1 all star game on my surface. (Rogers downstairs
I like to watch car shows usually, anything on history, comedy stuff and some drama shows
Then CNN
And fell a sleep.
Looks like local programs mostly with different areas featured. And lots of cooking and local news channels.
Just as an example:
Last night I watched:
CBC News and Corrie (free upstairs)
Toronto FC game while streaming the League 1 all star game on my surface. (Rogers downstairs
I like to watch car shows usually, anything on history, comedy stuff and some drama shows
Then CNN
And fell a sleep.
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:42 am
#24
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 55,309
From: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Re: Amazon TV Box
The last I watched was the Boston Marathon bomb.
"is there anything worth watching" is a bit like how long is a piece of string... You hear from lots of people with 500 channels who complain that nothing is on...
They were the best that was on.
But then once you see stuff produced by the likes of HBO and Showtime and, yes, Netflix, the CBS type stuff just doesn't "do it" anymore. It becomes fodder.
And you can't seem to get those channels (and the football ones) without having all the other stuff to begin with.
I have Netflix but something like 90% of my viewing comes courtesy of downloads from streaming sites like Primewire and WatchSeries, some of which is also on Netflix anyway.
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:43 am
#25
Dichotomus tinker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,700
From: Ontario, Canada
Re: Amazon TV Box
in conjunction with the interactive channel map on post 9 also
Magnumpi, are you still paying Rogers for basic channels - is it worth the extra cost to fall asleep?
Repeating myself - the OTA channels have most of all the cable channels including corrie on CBC - just not the premium channels mentioned up thread
Magnumpi, are you still paying Rogers for basic channels - is it worth the extra cost to fall asleep?
Repeating myself - the OTA channels have most of all the cable channels including corrie on CBC - just not the premium channels mentioned up thread
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:45 am
#26
Thread Starter
Proudly Scarberian
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,196
From: Scarberia
Re: Amazon TV Box
I watched most of "Vinyl" on the plane back to TO, enjoyed it, surprised it's not getting a second series. I also watch Big Bang Theory & Modern family on the plane.
I get my news from BBC online, watch Browns games in the pub, and thats about it folks.
Last night I read a few chapters of Harry Potter 2 after chainsawing down part of a tree that's overshadowing the new cherry. Hoping I'm not too late.
I get my news from BBC online, watch Browns games in the pub, and thats about it folks.
Last night I read a few chapters of Harry Potter 2 after chainsawing down part of a tree that's overshadowing the new cherry. Hoping I'm not too late.
Aug 4th 2016 | 4:49 am
#27
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,269
From: Ajax, Ontario
Re: Amazon TV Box
in conjunction with the interactive channel map on post 9 also
Magnumpi, are you still paying Rogers for basic channels - is it worth the extra cost to fall asleep? Every penny lol
Repeating myself - the OTA channels have most of all the cable channels including corrie on CBC - just not the premium channels mentioned up thread
Magnumpi, are you still paying Rogers for basic channels - is it worth the extra cost to fall asleep? Every penny lol
Repeating myself - the OTA channels have most of all the cable channels including corrie on CBC - just not the premium channels mentioned up thread
But I wanted to know because I want to add it to my main room T. V as my OH would like to use this TV other than for the Apple T.v Box and $store 4 channel antenna
Last edited by magnumpi; Aug 4th 2016 at 4:51 am.
Aug 4th 2016 | 5:18 am
#28
Dichotomus tinker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,700
From: Ontario, Canada
Re: Amazon TV Box
Yeh I pay $70 month and have all the sports and history etc. No movies or kids. This is all on my basement T v
But I wanted to know because I want to add it to my main room T. V as my OH would like to use this TV other than for the Apple T.v Box and $store 4 channel antenna
But I wanted to know because I want to add it to my main room T. V as my OH would like to use this TV other than for the Apple T.v Box and $store 4 channel antenna
Best to get a DNS service for catchup TV, even vmedia type service appears cheaper than Bell internet together with the Rogers cable add-on IMO
Aug 4th 2016 | 5:38 am
#29
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,269
From: Ajax, Ontario
Re: Amazon TV Box
so basically, its $70 for sports, CNN, History & Discovery - all which you said you could get on your android box? Are you still using the android box?
Best to get a DNS service for catchup TV, even vmedia type service appears cheaper than Bell internet together with the Rogers cable add-on IMO
Best to get a DNS service for catchup TV, even vmedia type service appears cheaper than Bell internet together with the Rogers cable add-on IMO
The antenna u use sounds like a good compromise on my upstairs Tv.
Aug 5th 2016 | 2:15 am
#30
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,269
From: Ajax, Ontario
Re: Amazon TV Box
I had an older RCA flat powered antenna I found in my shit I don't use cupboard. I connected it up and 14 channels came up lol. One I don't get on Rogers called "Bounce" dedicated to black TV programmes. Wonder if they will show "Love Thy Neighbour" ?
