Streaming options ???
- Thread starter 1blkc5
- Start date
If you get a smart TV for that patio area, and it can connect to your wireless router for internet, then you dont need to pull any additional cables besides power of course. Most all the cable and internet connectivity providers have some provision for streaming services that can be used with smart TVs.
Yes, our cable provider set us up on Eero. TV, internet, all seamless. No wires needed.
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2021
- Messages
- 1,116
You can go the route of a smart tv with apps and Wi-Fi built in or pick up a fire stick or roku either option is a great choice. Lots of free content on Pluto and tubi.
The first thing to do is decide what content /provider you want to use, then go from there, how to get that to the TV.
Personally I hate streaming, a lot of BS extra effort to go through, but I do use it occasionally. People seem fascinated about the tech working at all but then overlook, what a poor user interface and inefficient it usually is, as if watching a single show is a gauntlet and achievement, as if they don't know any better way.
Regardless, for no cables, determine what wifi standard the TV supports, (or an HDMI dongle, on a tether, wifi from a dongle that plugs directly into a TV socket is typically terrible because the TV itself blocks a large % of signal) and make sure the site has wifi that can maximize that. Now we are drifting into specifics you did not mention, not just the client TV wifi capability but also # clients, ISP rated speed, and more.
Shows I watch a lot, I prefer to find *sources* to download it head of time and put on a DLNA server. Having a HTPC in the same room as the source is even more versatile, but not for everyone, drifts back into the area of fiddy to use (like streaming) but more control over everything, including image enhancements to upscale to 4K (like sharpening) for lower res content.
Already too much information. Is it that you have some reason that prevents running a cable to the TV or you "just don't want to"? If it is not prevented in some way, just being lazy/whatever, run a wired cable, it is always the best outcome. Even so in some scenarios, wifi can totally handle streaming needs, but at the same time also eats up wifi spectrum that could be kept free for other uses, like wifi security cams or computers/phones/etc.
Personally I hate streaming, a lot of BS extra effort to go through, but I do use it occasionally. People seem fascinated about the tech working at all but then overlook, what a poor user interface and inefficient it usually is, as if watching a single show is a gauntlet and achievement, as if they don't know any better way.
Regardless, for no cables, determine what wifi standard the TV supports, (or an HDMI dongle, on a tether, wifi from a dongle that plugs directly into a TV socket is typically terrible because the TV itself blocks a large % of signal) and make sure the site has wifi that can maximize that. Now we are drifting into specifics you did not mention, not just the client TV wifi capability but also # clients, ISP rated speed, and more.
Shows I watch a lot, I prefer to find *sources* to download it head of time and put on a DLNA server. Having a HTPC in the same room as the source is even more versatile, but not for everyone, drifts back into the area of fiddy to use (like streaming) but more control over everything, including image enhancements to upscale to 4K (like sharpening) for lower res content.
Already too much information. Is it that you have some reason that prevents running a cable to the TV or you "just don't want to"? If it is not prevented in some way, just being lazy/whatever, run a wired cable, it is always the best outcome. Even so in some scenarios, wifi can totally handle streaming needs, but at the same time also eats up wifi spectrum that could be kept free for other uses, like wifi security cams or computers/phones/etc.
Roku player and call it a day.
Agreed on the Roku. Son was using other brands and came back to Roku. They buried them in ads on the others.
