posted on February 7, 2011 03:03:05 PM new
Xfinity is the TV application for online (or mobile) viewing. I would think your broadband subscription should get it for you but can't say for sure.
I just tried to check it out. I think you can watch SOME things online but not the whole schedule. I signed in and it wouldn't let me watch things on premium channels that I didn't subscribe to, so maybe you have to be a cable tv subscriber. It seems you can program your DVR using the program but I don't have one so couldn't test that out. I guess it must be pretty worthless unless you want to watch tv on your ipad,iphone, ipod touch. So, never mind...
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posted on February 7, 2011 03:20:27 PM new
Penny - my husband is not techie at all. He can't figure out the alarm clock. That leaves it up to me ... I guess the little old ladies have to learn to fend for themselves or find kind folks to help out. My mom has my sister and nephew set things up for her. She can use the devices but if something goes wrong ... oy vay!
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posted on February 7, 2011 03:24:59 PM new
Xfinity is basically Comcast's online version of On Demand. I am not sure, but I believe you have to have cable tv to have access to xfinity.
we have comcast cable, so we can access the xfinity content online. basically, it is exactly what we get on our On Demand features. If you have HBO or other movie channels you can access those movies/shows too. The one thing I really like about On Demand is that we can watch many stations that are not included on our basic cable package. For example, IFC and BBC have shows on their channels that they put in the On Demand and can be viewed even if you don't have the higher level of Cable service. These are also available on Xfinity. Xfinity is a nice feature to have if you are on the go or travel.
hwa- I am guessing you don't have a Wii or X Box or any other game system???
the most economical way to add streaming is getting it built into a DVD, Blu Ray, or game system. That way, you can get more than just a Roku box. If all you need is access to streaming, then I would go with Roku.
posted on February 7, 2011 03:39:38 PM new
Neglus...I understand your husband and sympathise with him. Good for you for learning all this stuff...my daughter is good at it too.
My daughter stayed this weekend and was very impressed that I had learned how to use the remote to play programs saved on our PVR!!
I just googled ROKU because inquiring minds want to know and my DH had not heard of it. I was rather relieved to find that it is not available in Canada so it will not be another new gadget on our shelf for me to learn!
posted on February 7, 2011 03:44:42 PM new
The XFINITY TV AppIntroducing a revolutionary new way to watch TV. Now, with the XFINITY TV app, watch your favorite On Demand shows and movies right on your iPad®. Plus, use your iPad, iPhone® and iPod touch® as your remote control, to search On Demand and TV listings and to schedule your DVR when you're away from home.
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thats for comcast cable ,I have dishnetwork satellite for watching TV,and Comcast broadband service for internet.
Well,I bought a CISCO LINKSYS E3000 wireless router and a ROKU,so I can watch Neflix movies,I am tired of searching for good movies every night,they seem to show the same movies over and over again-Forest Gump,Pretty Woman,Return of the Kings,Untouchables,Aviator,Saving Private Ryan.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 8, 2011 06:24:26 AM new
Well,I just bought Roku and Linksys E3000,you can get refurbished Cisco products on their website,they are offering a 10% discount.
The wireless router E3200 will be plugged into the Comcast modem in one room and the Roku will be programmed to pick up wireless signals from E3200 in another room where the Sony Bravio Tv set is.
The Roku will be connected to the TV with a HDML cable,the blue ray dvd player and the Dishnetwork receiver are already connected to the TV set.
Sounds simple??
Will let you know how it works out.
(My blue ray player and my Sony Bravia TV set are not internet ready,so I cant use them for streaming movie,thats where Roku comes in ,but I would still need a wireless router since my Comcast modem and the Sony are in two different rooms.
The only solution is to move to a loft where there is just one large room and everything is in one room and close to each other,then you dont need a wireless router,you dont need more than one TV or PC and you dont mind cables crisscrossing the room.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 8, 2011 06:29:52 AM new
Shag,
I dont watch law and order,never figure out why people come home from work and want to watch crime solving shows?Dont they want to relax and enjoy their evening?
I went to AMZN and read some of the comments on Vizio TV set with built in wifi,it is a larger model than yours and several buyers said they have problems-it will shut off by itself,and Vizio will come and replace the boards?
One said Vizio dragged their feet and wont send anyone until he contacted AMZN to put pressure on them!
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 8, 2011 09:32:52 AM new
Here is the reality of reviews on Amazon or any other site. Most people who write reviews are doing so to express frustrations with defective units. Mine has worked flawlessly. I think the only downside I have come across with our tv is that I cannot program the timer to shut the tv off when using the internet apps. Not a built in feature and not a biggie.
HWA- have you considered buying your own Cable Modem??? Comcast rates jumped to $7 a month rental on the first of the year. We've had Comcast internet for 5 years and paid $5 a month during that time for the same Cable modem. I figured we gave Comcast $300 for a $60 modem during that time. With the rental increase, that jumps to $84 a year. I purchased a brand new Motorola SB6102 Cable Modem that is super fast on Amazon for $77. No more rental fees and the newer model is much faster than what we had before.
posted on February 8, 2011 10:18:09 AM new
I used to have my own modem ,a Toshiba one which I bought on Ebay,used one.
But first I have to return the Comcast one to its office and it is a long drive and then stand in line ,the line is long with plenty of people returning their TV modem which is not working.
I am surprised so many comcast customers returning their cable modems,they all said the modem does not work,makes me wonder if I should use their cable TV service.
Anyway,back to my Toshiba modem,it ran fine until one day it does not run anymore,then a Comcast tech came and said this Toshiba modem is too old and they gave me a new one,I am looking at it now and it is an Arris and it costs me 5 dollars a month.
Do you think this motorola one will work better and faster and compatible with my Cisco E3200 WIRELESS router?
$77 is not a bad price,I saw it at Bestbuy,I dont remember how much it costs ?
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 8, 2011 10:44:12 AM new
It should work fine. I have a Cisco Linksys wireless that the motorola works with. This Motorola is the latest technology and should be up to date for at least 3-5 years.
Fortunately, I live about a mile from Comcast, but I know what you mean about it being a pain to deal with... which is exactly why I did it.
I am not a fan of Comcast, but we don't have phone service in our house so DSL would be more expensive and slower. Cable has very fast download speeds (great for streaming), where DSL has fast upload speeds and slightly better security (better for businesses that share content to customers through their servers).
posted on February 8, 2011 10:56:46 AM new
The Vizio TV they are complaining on AMZN is a much bigger one than yours,but if several buyers complained and then Vizio will come and replace one - two boards,thats does not sound good!
Who else has built in WIFI ,I know Sony does not?
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 9, 2011 03:05:53 PM new
Neglus,
I ordered a Roku and a cable kit on its website,it has not arrived yet.
But in the mean time,the cost of watching free movies is adding up-first the Roku and the cables,then the Cisco wireless router and now the Motorola modem like Shag suggested ,I just ordered one from AMZN for 75 dollars,free shipping !
Question-
I like Bestbuy ,they provide a venue for us to view the merchandise before we buy,I was willing to pay more for the Roku and the router,unfortunately they have none in stock.
I went thru the whole store,hoping may be they misplaced the items,but no such luck.
I walked thru the entire store,the TV sectiion is empty,so is the appliance section,it is a Sunday afternoon and not too many people buying or even browsing.
So now I am buying online,AMZN,CISCO and Roku sites.
They are in a bind,their online price for the motorola modem is 99.99 and AMZN is 75 with free shipping,they cant lower to 75 as they will have to lower the store price,how do they pay their bills ,they have a large staff in the store?
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 10, 2011 06:59:35 AM new
Sorry misunderstood - thought the motorola was for tv cable not internet.
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posted on February 10, 2011 08:10:00 AM new
The motorola modem I am buying is for Comcast broadband internet connection,I am sure Motorola has something for TV as well.
Right now I pay Comcast $7 a month for their Arris modem,when I have my own modem,I will return this modem back to Comcast.
My Tv receiver is provided by Dishnetwork,pretty fancy piece and it will let me hook up two TV sets in different rooms,I can watch one channel on one TV and another channel on another.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 15, 2011 01:19:47 PM new
Well,I got the Roku and the router up and running and right now my TV is showing a movie streamed from NETFLIX- a movie about Venice,nice girls either go to a convent or a brothel if family cant come up with the dowry.
So far so good,tomorrow the Motorola modem will arrive and I can return the Comcast modem and save myself 7 dollars per month!
Costco is selling HP desktop pc with 23 inches LED monitor with built in wifi for 649.99 and 90 dollars off for a 26 "Vezio high definition TV set with built in WIFI.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
You don't have to run lines or anything. It just uses your regular wall plug to access your modem. You plug one in near your modem and hook it up to your modem and the other end near your other computer and hook it up to that computer via wall plugs on each ends.
It's worked really well for me. I liked it so well I bought their router too.
posted on February 18, 2011 12:14:43 PM new
is it like a more sophisticated version of Easyjack ?
I dont think it would work for streaming movies ,the latest technology called N something will filter interruptions from your other apopliances ,this technology is built into the lastest wireless routers such as the Cisco 3xxx,4xxx series routers
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 18, 2011 05:23:39 PM new
I have no idea what Easyjack is but Zyxel kind of knows what they are their product is and what is supposed to do. I'm sure you won't take my word for it though. I've used it for about 4 years now.
The powerline solution simplifies network setup by turning the existing power lines into a high-speed network. Just plug a PLA-407 with Ethernet link to a broadband modem into the power outlet in one room, and plug another with link to a PC or any devices requiring Ethernet connection in the other rooms, you can easily and instantly connect to the network without laying complicated wiring at home. With advanced HomePlug AV technology and data transfer rates of up to 200Mbps, the PLA-407 provides users with stable and high-speed network environments to enjoy HD video streaming and sharing.With the AC pass-through design, the PLA-407 provides both powerline network connection and power supply to multiple electrical devices at the same time.The PLA-407 enables users to easily get Internet access without the inconvenience of insufficient power outlets. For children safety, the power outlet has been designed to avoid electrical shocks caused by children inserting foreign objects into the receptacles. With a built-in noise filter, the PLA-407 can suppress noise interference level down to 1/1000 and optimize powerline communication performance. The noise filter can effectively reduce noises generated by surrounding electronic equipments such as dryers, vacuum cleaners, lamps or mobile phone chargers plugged into the power outlets and ensure clean and stable signal quality on the powerline network. Inherent advanced QoS improves the quality of multimedia services like high-definition video streaming, data transmission and VoIP by prioritizing the applications. QoS provides users with high voice communication quality while other network applications are being intensively used.
posted on February 18, 2011 06:00:42 PM new
sounds good,but then why has expensive wireless router then?what is the difference between your gadget and a high power router?
Easyjack tuns a wall socket into a phone line,you plug the base unit into a phone outlet and then zync it with the extensions,then you plug the extention into any electric outlet in the house and plug the phone cord of the phone into the extension unit,voila you phone is alive .
This is how people can afford to have phones in garage,bathroom etc.
soon we will have a chip implanted in our brain !
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 18, 2011 06:42:10 PM new
this is not a router. this is not a phone jack. this is so you can use a additional computer without adding another router or using a long cable.
My router is upstairs with one computer. I have another computer downstairs. If I had wanted a connection to my router I would have either had to use a wireless USB connection which is not as stable/powerful or a very very long cable. Or I could have paid out the butt to have Comcast to put in another line and router to my other computer. I opted for this. I can move this to another room if I like - or if I move.
Wireless N is only good if your cable company is capable of Wireless N speed. Mine doesn't. Does yours?
posted on February 18, 2011 07:42:44 PM new
"Why would any one WANT a 26" TV?"
Wow. Apparently, glassgrl expects everyone to have the same needs/requirements.
I suppose we all just need a car... perhaps we should just make one type of car. Why would anyone want a sub-compact or a cargo van when we can all drive the same thing.
What size tv do you have? Do you have more than one? If so, what sizes?
posted on February 19, 2011 08:19:27 AM new
I have Comcast high speed broadband connection and now it is connected to my Cisco E3000 WIRELESS router.
And my pc is connected to the router,all three are in one room .
In another room,I have the roku connected to my TV and using the Roku,I can stream movie from Neflix and it travels down the comcast modem and broadcasted by the wireless router .
Roku picks up all the video and audio signals from the wireless router.
My question is -if I want to use my laptop in another room,what do I need?Can I use what you use?or will it pick up signals from my wireless router?
I envy people who live in a loft or just one large room.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on February 19, 2011 08:52:57 AM new
Your laptop should have a wireless antenna built right into it. You should be able to click on the wireless icon and find your wireless signal. Set up would be the same as your Roku, just locate the signal and enter the password (if you have secured wireless).
posted on February 19, 2011 08:54:23 AM new
glassgrl- not a problem. i had to rub my eyes to read your question, b/c i wasn't sure i read it right the first time.
We use a 26" in our bedroom and it is the perfect size. 32" would be too big.
posted on February 19, 2011 09:29:11 AM new
I guess because I am hearing impaired and I depend so much upon the CC that it doesn't make sense to me to have a small screen. Bigger is better for Closed Captioning.
posted on February 19, 2011 09:40:34 AM new
hwahwa - you might find Network Magic Pro helpful setting things up. You can download a free trial. I bought a copy on Amazon for $14.99 but it's no longer available there that cheap. You can also find copies on the internet if you are inclined to do it that way (if you know what I mean)
If your laptop does not have internal wireless then you can buy an USB wireless adapter.
