In a fit of pique, I canceled both Netflix and Hulu last night.

[cbayer]

We get our streaming via Verizon cel service and for the past six months, it has slowed to a completely unusable crawl no matter where we are.

I am sick of paying for services I can't use.

Now down to what we can get through the air, which often includes up to 12 PBS stations, so I can live with that.

It's been nice hanging around this forum, though, and I will continue to check it out in case something happens to improve the situation, but, for now, no more streaming.

[siligut]

1. I keep hoping Netflix will redeem itself because I am on the boarder with Cable/Comcast

I want to dump Comcast, we send our payments to Salt Lake City and when Comcast fucking censors content, I assume that it is because they are a bunch of asshole right-wingers.

So I keep Netflix thinking I will dump Comcast, but Netflix mostly sucks and the new seasons of Dexter and Homeland just started and Mr Gut seems to really enjoy those. Damn.

I like that you have adjusted your wants/needs to be happy with what you get through the air, it gives me something to shoot for.

[KoKo]

2. You get 12 PBS stations? How is that?

I didn't understand your post about Verizon except that it does your cable and it keeps going out?

When you say "through the air" do you mean rabbit ears or some kind of antenna?

Sorry to hear about what you are going through.

[cbayer]

3. We don't have any access to cable or satellite, so we either have to stream through the internet

(Verizon) or get it through the air.

Our cellular service is iffy at best and getting worse, so that has become less and less viable.

But, through the air, we can get a lot of stations as long as our very high antenna can *see* the broadcast towers.

So, there are 3 major PBS boadcasters in the Los Angeles area, and each of them has 4 sub-stations through the air.

So we get 12...

but several are in spanish and several are kids shows and some are local government programming or educational shows. But at least 5 on any given night are showing shows that are valuable - news, frontline, independent lens, american experience, etc.

Does that make sense?

Not to worry. TV is low on my list, but I did enjoy seeing Daily Show, Colbert and movies when the Verizon was working.

[KoKo]

5. Have you looked into getting a ROKU box?

I have reliable cable but use ROKU for all my news and can get PBS with Charlie Rose, etc.

I think there was a thread here about ROKU and users talking about it.

I almost never use my cable for watching anything anymore. ROKU has HULU and I've not signed up for it, but believe that someone said you can get the shows of Daily Show & Colbert on there.

Anyway...you might want to check it out sometime. We love the content available on ROKU, particularly the free foreign news channels.

[cbayer]

6. I have a samsung roku player that does essentially the same thing, but...

the problem is with the cel coverage, not the box.

I may be wrong, but you are probably getting your Roku feed through your cable. I can't get cable at all.

[KoKo]

8. I can get it through "Earthlink" my Internet Carrier and not use my Time -Warner..

If you have Internet ..you should be able to get it on your TV Screen.

Let me know why you can't.

We travel with our ROKU and wherever we go we get the "code" to link to our laptops and then we access our ROKU and can watch our Netflix and Media we have already on ROKU.

So far in our travels in the US...we've not had a problem. Our ROKU is our Home Box away from Home for us.

[cbayer]

9. i can't because my download speeds are very, very slow.

I have limited cell options (Verizon and ATT) and neither is providing enough bandwidth to stream.

It will download about 2 minutes of video every 5 minutes. That means it takes me over an hour and a half to watch a 30 show like the daily show. And sometimes I can't even get that, particularly in the evening and on weekends.

I can't stream Pandora anymore and some days I can't even get my email to open.

[KoKo]

10. That's very creepy...

And, just so you know that if I'm on my Home Computer and try to download "You Tube Music Videos" after 5:00 p.m. that I get all "Buffering."

But, I've never had a problem with my Roku Traveling hooking up to whatever Internet Provider they have to get streaming. In fact...I download stuff I want to watch on Netflix and when I travel can always hook into the hotel or vacation place's Internet Provider and watch whatever I want and get ONLINE without problems (after I find the code in the new place...which is often a hassel to find it) but, once I get it I am fine.

I think what you are pointing out is something that is different than what I'm talking about which has to do with where you live.

Can you give more info?

You are able to use Verizon to get ONLINE...but, it won't allow you to use ROKU?

[cbayer]

12. I doubt any of those places are using cellular service to access the internet and

that is probably the difference. While they have wireless routers, those routers are generally hooked into a cable or satellite service.

I could use Roku or any other streaming service if I could hook into a cable or satellite service, but I just don't have access to those. When we first got the Samsung box (which is not technically Roku, but provides the same service), we could stream with no problem. But the cellular companies have not kept up with demand and the bandwidth is just not there.

Downloading straight data takes less bandwidth than downloading audio which takes less than downloading video.

Does that make sense?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

4. I have (ugh) Comcast, but used with an Ethernet cable

(possible on some models of Roku) it's extremely reliable for streaming.

Hulu does have a tendency to freeze, but I haven't had that problem with either Netflix or Acorn Online.

[cbayer]

7. My hope is that Netflix and Hulu will begin to make some demands on the cel companies.

They are basically promising a service that depends on the services of the cellular companies, who are slowly but surely choking of those of us that use them to stream.

[KoKo]

11. I think all our Internet Sevice Providers SUCK...because they aren't servicing people

all over the USA for CHOICE! It seems that folks who are "Rural America" use Satellite or Dish Network and that when there's storms or rain those sites go out. And the rest of us who live in High Internet Build Out areas seem to have problems with our computers/PC/Laptos on Weekends and after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays getting our You Tubes or other stuff online because of Buffering issues.

That's separate from ROKU...which I advised you about. I wonder how they can provide me Movies, etc....without buffering no matter where I am...and yet they don't do "You Tube" but provide International News, PBS Videos and Free Movies from their Content Section.

There is something wrong since we Taxpayers paid for the Government to develop the Internet....but we have less bandwidth and access than THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES! How can this be?

[cbayer]

13. Again, I think your Roku is hooked into a cable or satellite service, not cellular service.

[KoKo]

14. Our power went out for cable in vacation place over Labor Day..and ROKU

was the only way we could watch anything. Since it was Labor Day we couldn't get our cable back in the place we rented (barrier island off coast of SC) and so we were thrilled we had our ROKU as we were under Hurricane Issac Watch and wouldn't have know what the heck was going on.

Our ROKU was our lifelink..

On Edit...Our vacation place used a separate "Internet Service Provider" that I wasn't familiar with but it worked. They left the code in the rental so we could access our e-mail, etc. We used our ROKU to stream to the Big flat Screen they had in the place while we were on computer checking our business stuff. It worked fantastic..or we would have spent three days with no access to anything but radio.

[cbayer]

15. But it wasn't streaming through your cellular service.

That's where it gets bogged down. The Roku doesn't have it's own connection to the internet, it has to connect through an ISP, right?

The ISP they gave you connected to the internet through a cable or a satellite.

It's the cell service that's the problem.

[KoKo]

16. CBayer...whatever connection you use to connect you to DU will work with ROKU...

ROKU is dependent on your ISP.. not your cable. That's what I'm trying to say.

I'm hardly tech savvy as many DU'ers but, got this all working and yes...it's only through the ISP that you get on to DU that you need to use your ROKU BOX.

And believe me...I laughed out loud to "Whoever" that I could watch movies on Netflix and get the the local Savannah, GA. weather news...plus Weather Underground (ROKU) and Accuweather on my internet that I survived that whole thing with NO CABLE. The Big Flat Screen allowed us to watch whatever we wanted from Netflix and we could get on the ROKU "Local Stations" the links to Savannah and back home to our town in NC to know what was going on with Hurricane Isacc..

So, this ROKU was a LIFELINE to us. Plus...I could watch RT/Bloomberg Business and CBS/ABC/CNBC/BBC and others ....much more... And...we went on with our break from the "Maddening Crowd."

[cbayer]

17. I'm not being clear, I am afraid.

I connect to the internet through my cellular service. While it can handle straight internet data, it can't handle streaming audio or video most of the time.

This ability varies depending on location, towers and bandwidth. The Roku has no ability to independently connect to the internet for data, audio or video. It has to have an isp connection.

[KoKo]

18. It will connect using your ISPN wherever your router is in your house, vacation place, hotel...

If you leave your home..how do you check your e-mail or conncet to DU? Are you saying you use Verizon for your ISP and you can't access your e-mail or anything from your mobile?

Where ever you can connect to an ISPN no matter who provides it you get their code..Hote/Vacation Place or wherever and get the password and log in. ROKU will know you when you hook your box up (easy) to the TV. It's three plugs and works on even older TV's. Takes just a couple minutes to hook it up then it does the work connecting and will ask you for the password if it doesn't instantly connect.

[KoKo]

19. I use Earthlink... Does that help?

whatever you use for your connection...but, I think I'm not understanding.

[cbayer]

20. Let me see if I can break this down.

I get all my internet services through Verizon. All of them.

That includes my internet connection, my connection to music services like pandora and any streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu or even youtube.

My computer gets its connection through a router. The router is connected to an cellular card that communicates with the nearest Verizon tower.

My iPad gets its connection through the same router, which also connects to the cellular card which communicates with the nearest Verizon Tower.

My Samsung DVD player, which does the same thing as your Roku box, is directly plugged into a cellular card, which connects with the nearest Verizon Tower.

My Wii works the same way as the Samsung, and also gets Netflix this way.

We move around a lot, as we live on a boat. Unless there is no Verizon tower to hook with, we can connect to any of these services.

If there is no Verizon tower within range, we get nothing - no phone, no internet, no streaming.

If there is a tower, but the bandwidth is not sufficient, we get enough speed for the phone and generally the internet for data, but not enough for streaming video or even audio at times.

We have no other way of connecting to the internet.

Does that make sense?

When you we in the area without power, the person you had rented from supplied you with a connection to an internet service that was working - either a cell tower, cable service or satellite. It wasn't the Roku box itself. It won't work without an internet connection of some sort.

[KoKo]

21. Okay...let's start from scratch as to how I get ROKU

Last edited Sat Oct 13, 2012, 07:45 PM - Edit history (1)

I have had Earthlink since I got on the Internet and when it was Mindspring...(liberal leaning) bought out and I still had legacy and kept with it..and because I'm not so tech savvy. Our "Land Line Phone" which we moved here with was and still is ATT. (We have not given up our Land Line..yet) AND...when we got our I-Phone for Business we hooked it up through ATT.

So...our LAND LINE and I-Phone upgraded still uses the ATT that we've had forever which we still pay to use our Land Line. So...we are consistent ATT users for Land and I-Phone to this day.

When we moved here around 20 years ago...Time-Warner was the only Cable of Choice for us.

We did Tier 2 and never signed up for the "extras" of Sports/HBO or other Premium Channels. We still have the Time-Warner Cable connection...although we rarely watch it since we got ROKU BOX.

Two years ago we bought a BIG FLAT SCREEN TV! It's a SAMSUNG supposedly Internet TV and I was thrilled that I could now use my TV for Internet. Turned out the SAMSUNG was a "bait and switch" in some ways because while we could get NETFLIX the remote they had was beyond us to try to get You Tube or any other services where one needed to search and had to code in through clicking through alphabet to try to get the "INTERNET" they advertised. (Supposedly SAMSUNG TV has gotten better and I do constantly get updates from them...but, my remote has not changed.

So: Here it is: I still use Earthlink for my internet connection where it supplies NETFLIX and Much Other Content to my old TV's that are connected to ROKU. I can watch what I want and not ever be bothered with what the MSM or Time-Warner is pushing with their endless commercials. When I hit AV-2...I'm on ROKU and I'm in heaven.

We do not have a ROKU box on our BIG SCREEN SAMSUNG and find we almost never turn the thing on unless "other half" is watching GOLF or we want to re-watch a Harry Potter and want the Big Theater Experience where I make popcorn so we can enjoy.

SO....I'd suggest to you that you sign up with a SEPARATE Internet Service Provider so that you have an alternative to VERIZON which you seem to use for everything. Once you sign up for another service your ROKU/APPLE TV should work and you will be amazed at what's out there.

All I can tell you is what I do and that I'm not high tech savvy...but, managed to find another way of doing things...and maybe that all hinges on that I have a different ISP Source than you do because you use VERIZON for EVERYTHING.

The only difference in us is that we use ATT for EVERYTHING...but we use EARTHLINK for ISPN and thats HOW we get our ROKU to work for us.

Forgive "Full Caps" ...I wasn't shouting at you but trying to do emphasis.

I wondered if this is helpful to you to maybe figure that your total dependence on VERIZON is maybe the problem with your ISPN not being able to connect to ROKU?

I still don't quite get why VERIZON would not allow you to connect...but, thought that sharing "My" experience might sort out some of the problems you've faced..or not..

Anyway, I'm spending time on this because I believe that as many independent sources of news one can find is worth the time. Our time is too precious to be fed 24-7 propaganda with overwhelming Commercials that break up the content and make our brains fried in the process.

Diversity of Options will probably become more true for us to live going forward in the years to come rather than only ONE OPTION. Just saying. And I realize, I'm too dependent on ATT in going through this to post to you.

I don't know if what I said helps or you will be offended at what you might consider "full cap raving" ...but, I've done my best to try to understand and explain what I feel might work for you.

Peace!

[cbayer]

22. Koko, I so apprecaite your time and patience with me on this.

The bottom line for us is that we really have not other options. We travel most of the time and are generally in very remote areas. At the most, Verizon and ATT are the ONLY sources of internet access of any kind. We can't get cable, because we are not stationary. Same for satellite. We could buy a $2000 gyroscopic satellite dish, but that's way to prohibitive.

The problem for us is that the companies don't provide sufficient bandwidth to provide what Netflix and Hulu sell. And they really have no intention of doing so at this time because there is absolutely nothing in it for them.

At any rate, thanks again. We are about to take off on a trip where we will have no access to any towers of any time and completely off internet and phone......

which will be just fine!

[bodem1955_om]

23. i'm with you

am thinking about canceling Netflix as well..

[Glimmer of Hope]

24. I cancelled after I saw that they added Dreams of My Real Father to streaming.

[Generic Brad]

25. Your router may be overheating

Two years ago I had that same problem with Comcast. They refused to replace their router because they insisted the problem was my new iMac. Riiight.

Then I remembered a lesson from chemistry class and wondered if the heat was the problem. I removed the casing from my router and instant success! The streaming suddenly worked without a problem.

Six months after that Comcast notified me my router was obsolete and they upgraded me to new equipment that has worked fine ever since.

[cbayer]

26. I wish it were that simple. We have two separate routers, and neither is doing the trick.

OTOH, I did have a router overheating problem in the past, and had the same experience as you. Cox also blamed me and refused to replace the router.