Can someone please explain how roku works?

It is like a small computer that will stream from internet to your television. You will still need a Netflix, HULU, Amazon Prime, HBOGO subscription if you want to watch any of those offerings. There are some free streaming channels on ROKU but they mostly suck.

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My cable/internet bill is like 180/mo and i still don;t even get most good channels. i don't even have DVR. My contract expires in november and I'd really like to cut cable. I keep hearing about roku and people love it, but no one can really explain how it works and what all is involved. Obviously i need internet. Then i just buy a roku for a one time price, install it, and i can watch whatever i want? Is there a subscription to watch live tv or movies? I've googled and dont really find straight answers either. I'm not a techy guy so this is all new to me. TIA

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Damn, what cable company are you with? They are raping you. With Roku you are going to need to subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and other channels you want to watch. If you get an amazon firestick you can install programs that let you watch pretty much anything but it isn't always convenient.

I'm not super tech guy, but I'll try to help. I have a roku, and no cable.

You download the apps you want, ESPN, ABC, NBC, Discovery, etc. You will still need a cable log in though of some sort (my dad has cox, so I sign in through his).

Outside of ESPN you can't watch most stuff live. We have netflix, which you have to pay for. Also have CBS All Access (allows you to watch CBS live. There is no other way to stream CBS, like all other channels).

Apps like NBC, A&E, etc will all allow you to watch all shows, but not until the next day.

So, in short, some stuff you have to pay for (but none of it is absolutely needed, unless you have specific desires). Most channels are free, but you can't watch live. And you need some sort of log in to get into any of these channels.

Hope that helps. Im sure I'm not even using mine for as much as I could. I am able to watch what I need though.

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Nothing I've read so far makes roku sound appealing

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Why don't you tell us exactly what you are looking for? Then maybe people can help better.

Before cutting the cord, try an antenna first. For some reason where I live in Katy the antenna only picked up a few Spanish language channels. The local channels had scrambled pictures.

Also, cutting Cable sucks if you like sports, esp college football where games are spread out over 7 channels every Saturday. And slingTV, for me at least, was clunky and slow and was not a substitute for cable.

I ended up just paying for cable again, and dropping Hulu.

i've been in it for a year and 8 months...so i guess They had them a year and 8 months ago

i've been in it for a year and 8 months...so i guess They had them a year and 8 months ago

Might want to double check this. I've had Cox a long time ago, no contracts. I recently got internet through cox, no contracts.

It is a media box that has contracts to carry most streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.

It is the most popular media box because it has the most content offerings.

Be aware that just because a service is available, doesn't mean it is free. Some apps require that you already have a subscription for that service.

Roku does offer good cord cutting options like sling tv and directv now along with a boat load of free content.

If you're really wanting to cut the cord, (and you're an Amazon Prime subscriber), the get a FireTV box (the box is only $15 more than the Stick) and install a VPN and Kodi.

There's a cord-cutting thread on the Tech board all about it. That's going to be your best bet.