Fire Stick vs Roku

[MudShark22]

Panasonic plasma 55" in the living room <snip> The plasma is 12 years old and refuses to lose even a fraction of its picture quality. The software is all way out of date but that doesn't matter because all the streaming services and my cable run though the FireStick.

My 42" is my third and obviously last Panasonic plasma - and it's picture is awesome - still the best true black reproduction of my TVs. I have sold the other two in the last two years.

If Panasonic made plasma again - I would absolutely consider buying - but that ain't happening

[Duncan Glenday]

LG 65" in family room (though using the LG versions on the steaming apps there + will be changing that)
...

Interesting - I never bothered with my LG 65" TV's "smarts". I take it you're not happy with it?

My thinking :

Smart TVs can only upgrade their software, not their hardware. So with modern TVs lasting 10 or 15 years, you'll soon be locked in to very outdated smart technology.

Whereas (Roku, Firestick, Google, whatever) devices are so cheap that I can replace them regularly, and always have the latest software. Plus - if I run the same devices on all my TVs, then all TVs in my house will work in exactly the same way, with a familiar user interface.

So - why pay extra $$ for a smart TV?

[Scott Bails]

So - why pay extra $$ for a smart TV?

Do they even sell "dumb" TVs anymore?

[MudShark22]

Do they even sell "dumb" TVs anymore?

My first two Panasonic TVs were actually dumb plasma monitors (like the airport TVs) - no TV tuner or built in speakers - just video inputs - it was awesome in its simplicity

[progmatist]

My first two Panasonic TVs were actually dumb plasma monitors (like the airport TVs) - no TV tuner or built in speakers - just video inputs - it was awesome in its simplicity

The FCC started requiring *ALL* TVs sold must have a digital tuner. To hasten the transition from analog to digital TV standards.

[Jerjo]

I've been paring down the subscriptions the last few months and it got to a point where I figured I could add a new one. I've got the Disney/Hulu bundle, first time I've had either of those since last winter. I've found quite a few shows that I want to see but didn't get to last time around, or just new seasons of old favorites. Either way, I'll keep it until the snow is gone and then it's farewell to that package.

[progmatist]

^^ Until the snow is gone is a long time, up there in North Dakota.

[Jerjo]

^^ Until the snow is gone is a long time, up there in North Dakota.

Yep, early May is often the date. I laugh when I hear outdoor sex season begins May 1st. That's always wishful thinking here.

[hippypants]

I've been paring down the subscriptions the last few months and it got to a point where I figured I could add a new one. I've got the Disney/Hulu bundle, first time I've had either of those since last winter. I've found quite a few shows that I want to see but didn't get to last time around, or just new seasons of old favorites. Either way, I'll keep it until the snow is gone and then it's farewell to that package.

I did that last year as well, and had Max as well. But I'd still got the Disney/Hulu bundle, and canceled the Max a little while back. I think with Max I just saw everything I wanted. I held onto the Hulu for Fargo. If I can't find anything else on there I may cancel it. I may pick up another, but right now I'm not sure what.

[hippypants]

New streaming budget bundle w/ ads: Peacock, Netflix, & Apple. $15. a month