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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 8 Mar 2016 07:08pm
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So I sold my big flat panel and bought a 32-inch Roku smart TV for the cabin. I got it now so I could program it and see what it could do, what I might need to adjust in the setup when I'm off-grid.
I'm running it on a cheapo non-HDTV antenna now and the picture is crystal clear. It's pulling in 9 channels. I'll buy a decent HD antenna that has at least a 75-mile range so I can get more channels at the cabin.
The TV has built-in WiFi so NO wires. It also has built-in apps for Roku (obviously, lol), Netflix, Amazon Prime streaming, Sling TV, Hulu, and a host of both paid and free apps for TV, movies, and music.
Setting up app access is magic. When you plug in the TV, it takes you right through it, giving you a Roku link website and a password. You choose the apps you want and it downloads them onto the TV via your PC or Smart Phone. The free apps appear instantly; for your paid app accounts, you type in your user info and password for those accounts and it verifies and loads them onto the TV.
From then on, you can access everything on the TV using the ROKU remote. It's very, very easy. For me, it's the perfect marriage of being a very "smart" device but it's so easy for tech dummies like myself to set up and use. It guides you ever step of the way!
For us off-gridders, the TV is energy efficient. First, the TV itself uses 60 kWh/year based on 5 hours of TV-watching per day. (I don't watch that much.) Secondly, you don't need other power-using devices for streaming. Just the router that you're already using for internet.
The streaming services I use require 1.5 mbps to work. That's doable. I am going to give SlingTV a go -- it offers a package of popular cable channels such as A&E, History, CNN, DIY, etc. for $20. No equipment, no contracts. You pay month-by-month. You can add on specialty packages of channels that interest you for $5/month, if you wish. And an HBO package is available for $15/month if you want it. Cheaper than cable, no commitments.
Love this little TV. It's going to work well off-grid. Right now, I'm just trying to decide on my best option for internet on the mountain.
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KSalzwedel
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# Posted: 28 Mar 2016 11:36pm
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Julie, is this a Round branded tv. We are in the market, and I like "tech for dummies" as technology and I have a love hate relationship-mostly hate.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 28 Mar 2016 11:51pm
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It's the TCL Roku TV. The Tech site articles gave it high marks and user reviews have, too. My experience backs that up. I LOVE this TV. The number of free apps it has already loaded is great. Very user-friendly, energy-efficient, crisp picture.
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KSalzwedel
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# Posted: 28 Mar 2016 11:55pm - Edited by: KSalzwedel
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Thanks, Julie. How many HDMI things does it have? My husband has outdoor cameras to hook up, and I need three (I think).
Nevermind, looked it up myself and the 32" doesn't come in 1080, which I know I need (though I haven't a clue what it means) for the cameras.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2016 12:41am
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Sorry, almost forgot that tomorrow is trash pickup day and I needed to empty waste baskets and get a trash bag out to the bin. Yeah, this is more of a TV for apps and such. I sold my full HDTV.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2016 10:18am
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Does it hold the channel sets, etc in memory when it is not connected to power? Or does it reboot from a cold start?
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groingo
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2016 10:58am - Edited by: groingo
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Sounds like it should keep you from going "Bat Crap Crazy", when you have some relaxation time, does it filter out the commercials?
For the past few years I have been using my 15 inch laptop to do it all mainly because of space, power consumption and I can't abide commercials.
I get all my video off of four sites off the Internet and when the net is down the laptop has the DVD player so life goes smoothly on.
Now I know a 15 inch screen seems small but when sitting two feet in front of it does feel much bigger.
Power consumption is also ok at 15 watts with laptop, modem and overhead light.
Keep us up to date on how its going, been looking for something similar for mum.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2016 11:36am
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MtnDon
It remembers the channels. It does a scan for the channels in your area on the initial setup and locks them in. You just need to have an antenna connected.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 29 Mar 2016 11:50am
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groingo
Regarding commercials, it works like any TV. If you're watching broadcast, there are commercials. The difference is in streaming. This TV connects to a large number of streaming services with a click. Some of them include commercials, others don't. What I REALLY like is the ability on some to adjust the bandwidth usage so it doesn't eat up a lot of data. I'm currently testing it at 1 mbps and it's performed flawlessly!  That's considered "Medium" on Sling TV. I'll see what happens on Low.
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bronco_ed
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# Posted: 31 Mar 2016 05:30pm - Edited by: bronco_ed
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"I'm running it on a cheapo non-HDTV antenna now and the picture is crystal clear. It's pulling in 9 channels. I'll buy a decent HD antenna that has at least a 75-mile range so I can get more channels at the cabin."
I went out and bought a "HD" antenna to get as a test to see what channels could be had for free(As in the old days-regular TV). My brother told me they worked great.
In my last discussion at the electronics store the fellow told me that that is all marketing hype. No such thing as an "HD antenna".
Yes the signal has changed to digital, and that old small analog tv still in the cabin wont work unless you have a digital convertor. But you can still use that rooftop antenna you used with that old black and white analog TV to pull the new crisp HD signal for your new smart TV ;)
The cabin already had an antenna on the roof so I hooked up the newer digital TV to the old rooftop antenna and it works great as you have noticed. You may need an antenna that gives you a longer range but it does not need to be stamped "HD"
You may find a roof top antenna that someone is getting rid of in the city because they only use cable that may serve the purpose.
-Ed
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bronco_ed
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# Posted: 31 Mar 2016 06:25pm - Edited by: bronco_ed
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Similar to the smart TV topic...
I have explored several ways to get certain shows while away.
Generally I have found that internet service is generally the problem for folks that have both a home and "off the grid" cabin. Most do not want to pay for two internet services one at home and another at the cabin.
Although not as user friendly...(Just requires you to know how to use phone as a hotspot)
If you are lucky enough to have good cellphone reception and a large enough data plan. If you are only at the cabin for small periods of time and your data plan is large enough with your cell phone. You can use use your cellphone as a hotspot (internet source)
The TV uses the phone for its internet connection. Keep in mind that streaming does use a lot of data but it is possible. Your data amount may limit you to a few movies
Another option may or may not be as user friendly...
I also visit a cabin that cellphone coverage is terrible,and... cant even get the regular free broadcasts. They have no choice but to purchase internet service (Although very limited)while visiting the cabin if they need internet access.
If folks are in this situation you may have another option to stream shows if you already have a source of paid TV... ie... cable at your main home many service providers also allow you to connect via the internet so you can access many shows that you would generally watch on cable at home via streaming.(All channels are not available but you would not have to purchase additional service such as netflix/hulu etc...)
Depending on where your cabin is will determine how difficult your issues are or how much you will have to pay to surf the internet stream or even watch some basic TV broadcast!
After seeing what is involved many folks resort to the old VHS player or DVD player for their movie time.
After no TV... three channels of crystal clear HD TV is great for occasional viewing.
Reminds ya of the old days as a kid when broadcast actually stopped at night.
Just I thought I would add a bit...Sometimes the smart TV is the easy part.
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 31 Mar 2016 08:16pm
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bronco_ed
I'm a bit leery of putting an old-school rooftop antenna on my cabin as an invitation to lightning. The leading cause of forest fires (perhaps even greater than people in my neck of the woods) is lightning.  But the so-called HD antenna are small and powerful. Many of them mount inside and still pull in a lot of stations. That's what I'm after. I don't really care if I get "HD" or not. I guess the proper term for them is digital antenna, as opposed to analog like I'm using now.
Yeah, Internet options in remote areas stink. They really do. I'm going to be living at my cabin full-time. Verizon has the cellphone coverage I need for that area, but I'll be damned if I pay their prices for a data package large enough to use the cell phone for my Internet and TV/streaming needs, too. It's crazy expensive.
I seem to have 2 options -- satellite Internet or another one I just found last night that transmits broadband signals via over-the-air towers. That latter one is a local company called Steelnet that set up transmission towers all over the area. It's not terribly fast but it would get the job done, even for streaming, and there aren't any caps. Reviews are mixed so I guess it depends on where you live in relation to the towers. There are 2 not very far from me. I'll probably give them a shot, as long as I don't have to sign a long-term contract.
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bronco_ed
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# Posted: 31 Mar 2016 09:40pm - Edited by: bronco_ed
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I guess what I was trying to say is an antenna is an antenna. Some have longer ranges then others, don't get wrapped up with the term HD regarding an antenna they will pull in the signal analog or digital.
I never thought about lightning... Neighbors cabin was set a blazing by lightning. So that is a legit thought.
yep...Full time at the cabin, phone internet is not cost effective unless you could get an unlimited data plan like t-mobile (problem is they are only in well populated areas)
Have not looked in a while but last i checked satellite Internet was very costly considering the amount of data and speeds you get.(i don't think it would have changed much) Sounds like Steelnet would be a good option to try.
My wife gets a pretty good discount from work with Verizon plus they pay a nice portion of the bill. After many years with another carrier we are giving them a try. I can tell you that although the service is available in most places, their customer service really stinks. We were almost ready to get rid of it weeks after switching. All has settled now and when checking out the cabin... internet use and occasional streaming has worked out fairly well via phone. The cabin relies on a small generator for electricity no plans on hooking up to the grid even though the power is not far away now. (When the neighbor rebuilt last year from the fire he had electricity ran back so it is only a 40 acre parcel away (I heard he spent a lot of coin to get it there. So if anyone else in the area is interested cost would not be too bad).
Living full time in a cabin/home life would be much easier with electricity. I really like the idea of being offgrid and would definitely be interested in solar possibilities... I see folks on this site are doing it successfully.
Funny how we now take internet for granted in urban/suburban areas. I had to do a bit of research for a cabin in the thumb area of Michigan and learned how difficult folks in certain areas have trying to do what we routinely do each day.
I am jealous my wife would never live in a rural area...You get natures solitude, beauty and still have "access" very nice!
-Ed
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Julie2Oregon
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# Posted: 1 Apr 2016 03:01am
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Quoting: bronco_ed I never thought about lightning... Neighbors cabin was set a blazing by lightning. So that is a legit thought.
Oh, hellz, that settles it!  I'm near summit of a mountain so I don't want to tempt fate further with an antenna on my roof, lol.
Power really isn't all that far away from my land BUT the cost of bringing it over is crazy expensive. Something like $45,000 for less than a quarter of a mile. Um, no.
Since I started this process a year and a half ago, I'm shocked at how much more is available in regard to solar and how the prices have come down. Lithium batteries are more widely available now and they're a big improvement. Panels are less expensive, too. I'm getting more for my money now than I could have previously.
Regarding cell phones, I have Sprint now and it didn't work at all on the mountain so I'm going to have to switch companies when I get there. One of the neighbors had Straight Talk which worked great. I think they use Verizon towers.
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