No more $100 cable bill! Meet our friend, the Roku!
We have never had a $100 cable bill, but many people we know do. We converted from half that amount over a year ago to this little streaming device, the Roku - www.roku.com
No, you cannot access LIVE Jazz games or prime time TV (not that I would want to), but it allows you to connect to your Netflix account for instant streaming to your TV, Amazon on Demand (for more instant streaming movie choices) and other free specialty channels like Hulu, news, radio, and spiritual channels. There are other paid channels one may subscribe to as well.
This past weekend, we had the marvelous opportunity to watch General Conference http://lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng at home because of the Mormon Channel on Roku. Since we do not have any kind of TV access, it was a fabulous experience to view the conference, not just listen to it on the radio.
I like the Roku device vs. standard TV or cable because:
- It forces you to make a choice and look up something worthwhile, rather than scroll aimlessly through bogus channels, looking for something to watch.
- It takes your monthly bill down to $0.00 after the purchase of the Roku which is as low as $59. (If you want to stream from your Netflix account, you do have your $8/month fee)
- Many movie choices are available to rent without having to run down to RedBox or Blockbuster. Convenience!
- Entertainment becomes more of a "plan and do", rather than an always-on annoyance.
- The remote is simple and easy to use...less than 10 buttons!! Even kids can figure it out. (Maybe that's not such a good thing) Or should I say, even Mom can figure it out?
- DVD purchases and DVD storage are becoming obsolete. Many of our current DVDs are accessible through these Roku channels. Also, movies can be purchased through Amazon Instant Video to be watched over and over again. No scratched or lost DVD's. No freezing or skipping. It's fabulous!
- It helps a family focus on what's really of worth or valuable to watch. Do you watch the football game "just because it's on?"
Thanks, Roku, for saving us money, giving us options, and allowing a "choice" rather than an "expected".
