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Anyone here use these? Can you get the local TV channels with them?
Firestick TV
- Thread starter aquariuscsm
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You can get some local channels by side-loading certain apps. Not sure if it's fully legal - a bit of a grey area, maybe?
We have used Roku for years. I like it better because it not limited like Firestick. Roku offers many free tv channels just using your isp. Of course you can run Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services as well. If you want additional cable channels, there are a few services that can provide them at a significant savings (Sling TV). For local channels its recommend to just add a low end tv antenna. Just as an example, our tv entertainment cost runs about 23.-28. monthly, and we have access to well over 100+ channels. (You don't get that from just an antenna.)
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I get local channels by using Roku Ultra and Youtube TV. But definitely not free. I live too far in the sticks to pick up anything OTA
but at the same time I have 100mb fiber optic service (with 500mb and 1G optional) through my ISP. Go figure.
but at the same time I have 100mb fiber optic service (with 500mb and 1G optional) through my ISP. Go figure.
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I cut the cord (Directv @ $140 a month!!). Girlfriend brought home a fire stick last night. I think I’m going to pair that up with one of those small outdoor antennas .
That's not how that Firestick TV works. It doesn't have an antenna input. Antenna goes into a TV.
If you don't own a TV (that can take an antenna), then maybe this is for you, I have one too:
https://www.silicondust.com/product/hdhomerun-connect-quatro/
They even have two models with included DVR function, see a comparison here:
https://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/
The quality of streamed video might good enough for her... but is not the same as trough the antenna.
Plus it eats up data, I am not sure if OP, in rural area, has unlimited high speed data.
I
There are many apps that you can get on the firestick. Some are available directly from Amazon and like QP said you can side load stuff using third party apps. You can search for "Curiosity Cafe" on YouTube and get a flood of information. There are grey areas so understand what you are getting into. You may need to get yourself a VPN as well. I cut the cord Feb 2020 and I'm happy to be saving $.
I bought firesticks for all of my TVs. I have a Roku TCL tv, but I prefer the firestick.
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I guess I worded that wrong. I meant to say that I’ll have both and use the antenna to pick up the local channels,and use the fire stick for everything else. Switch back and forth between the two,depending what we want to watch.
Batteries? I have an AC adapter that came with it.
Zee09
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Remote batteries
Ah
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I'm really digging the Fire Stick!! Watching the Horror Channel right now on Pluto TV. Bye bye $140 a month Directv!!
All major network stations plus 25 (or more) additional local stations through our attic TV antenna connected to 5 TVs in the house, 6th TV has no connection to the antenna.
Also hooked up to the TVs are 6 Roku players. We have had this setup over a decade now since we last paid for pay TV from a cable company. Talk about American fat and spoiled. Its stupid even for us how much TV we have, literally hundreds of channels and apps that can be loaded for entertainment that we watch a few hours every evening, wife does cook and watch movies sometimes on the kitchen TV or TV in her home office.
Over ten years now we have not in the traditional sense paid for TV, good god how we get used to companies taking after tax money from our earnings.
We do subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV and Amazon.
We do not need Amazon, we only have it because our daughter in another state shares her account with us and we share our Netflix account with her for free. I rather not have it, as its stupid, half the problem every night is what to choose from what service, LOL literally stupid, to this day I make fun of my wife who "bookmarks: everything we may like to watch together, I will be dead (gulp) before that list ever gets done.
Our total cost for TV is LESS then $25 a month
My preferences if had to choose 2, besides the free stuff and local channels on through our TV would be Apple TV for its lows cost and stellar 4k picture quality as well as quality programming, there isnt much programming but what there is, is quality and the price is low so its not like you are paying a lot for it and not getting what you pay for. We love quality video and audio and programming.
Also Netflix for its maze of overwhelming choices, though a lot of it is not quality and just s++ks there is much good stuff on it.
Hulu and Amazon are also good but having all 4 is too much. Im a Amazon hater but their TV isnt bad if that is your thing
With all the above said, the Roku player has TONS of free stuff, channels and apps so if you super saving money, you dont have to pay for anything.
Also hooked up to the TVs are 6 Roku players. We have had this setup over a decade now since we last paid for pay TV from a cable company. Talk about American fat and spoiled. Its stupid even for us how much TV we have, literally hundreds of channels and apps that can be loaded for entertainment that we watch a few hours every evening, wife does cook and watch movies sometimes on the kitchen TV or TV in her home office.
Over ten years now we have not in the traditional sense paid for TV, good god how we get used to companies taking after tax money from our earnings.
We do subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV and Amazon.
We do not need Amazon, we only have it because our daughter in another state shares her account with us and we share our Netflix account with her for free. I rather not have it, as its stupid, half the problem every night is what to choose from what service, LOL literally stupid, to this day I make fun of my wife who "bookmarks: everything we may like to watch together, I will be dead (gulp) before that list ever gets done.
Our total cost for TV is LESS then $25 a month
My preferences if had to choose 2, besides the free stuff and local channels on through our TV would be Apple TV for its lows cost and stellar 4k picture quality as well as quality programming, there isnt much programming but what there is, is quality and the price is low so its not like you are paying a lot for it and not getting what you pay for. We love quality video and audio and programming.
Also Netflix for its maze of overwhelming choices, though a lot of it is not quality and just s++ks there is much good stuff on it.
Hulu and Amazon are also good but having all 4 is too much. Im a Amazon hater but their TV isnt bad if that is your thing
With all the above said, the Roku player has TONS of free stuff, channels and apps so if you super saving money, you dont have to pay for anything.
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Remember, the OP said he had a FireStick, so I don't think he is worried about limited data. The picture quality on Locast is as good, if not better, than the quality of satellite TV that my mother had before. In this case, I doubt my 81 year old mother would notice (or care) if the resolution was only 480. ymmv
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