Chromecast with Google TV (HD) - Streaming Stick Entertainment on Your TV with Voice Search - Watch Movies, Shows, and Live TV in 1080p HD - Snow

My cable bill due on the 24th of this month is $265. I've rationalized the amount thinking if I calculate it as a daily use fee then it's more justifiable. Sorry, but I've gotten to the end of my rope and want to cut my cable cord in favor of using much cheaper streaming as my main source of TV entertainment. So, what does it take. Well, it takes something like Chromecast or similar and a wifi source that allows for a strong internet connection. I'm a perfect candidate and hope to cut my bill in half even after subscribing to premium streaming services like Netflix, Prime and others. The way I look at it is I can always come back to cable if streaming gets to be too big a pain, but I'm optimistic.So, I've been playing with my new Chromecast and there are advantages that outweigh the disadvantages, imo. The signal reception is perfect, so I don't have any tech issues that are a constraint on picture quality. The only negative I've found to this point is navigation to the subscription services. There are a few extra steps, sometimes, navigating to a one service or another. Some of the account validation challenges can be a pain. Some services don't store cookies that could easily make authorization automatic. In my view, when you've successfully logged into a service through their validation process then that result should remembered forever on that device. I don't appreciate having to pull up a text or email every time I change to another streaming procider.Bottom line is Chromecast works exactly as advertised and I'm happy. I saved a couple of bucks because I don't have a 4k TV, but the high def is more than adequate. You'll need to survive a short learning curve because there are unfamiliar processes to figure out, but if a 73 year old like me can do it, so you can you. Honestly, for what Chromecast does it's a stone bargain. I just wish I had a cheaper source of wifi as a connection. That would be the cherry on top, so to speak. I suppose I could use my cell hotspot, but I only get one bar where I live. Everything is a compromise, right?Now, I'm going to get on something of soapbox and say a few things certain people might not want to hear. My cable company, which is the biggest in the country is simply gouging it's customers. Think about it for a moment. We're talking about a LOT of $$$ for what is basically an electric signal coming through a wire. Sure, I know they've got expenses, but it's not like they're investing in my cable infrastructure to improve my service. My cable has been in place for over 30 years and it's incredibly unreliable. I pay way too much for that kind of mediocre service and so do you. It's a basic flaw in Capitalism. Our economic system is the BEST on the planet, but it's not perfect. Price gouging isn't illegal and companies naturally want to reward all of their stock holders and return a profit. But, when we see CEO salaries in the millions and incredibly high pricing models straining middle class wallets, well, it makes me crazy.Elon Musk has inserted thousands of Starlink satellites in low earth orbits right above our heads for a reason. He's taking communications to a whole new level, a much better level. It won't be long before we'll be able to stream through that kind of satellite service. And given his cheap reusable rocket tech to carry literally hundreds of micro-satellites into orbit with each launch the cost of deployment will hopefully be small and reflected in our monthly bills. I will switch to that kind of new tech for my basic wifi when it becomes available. In the meantime, I'm cutting the cord with my cable provider and hopefully never looking back, but never say never, right?

I do recommend this device. I was using my Xbox for TV viewing for years. There were a few issues, but the Xbox is very much overbuilt for just watching TV, so things went generally smoothly. Previously, quite a few years ago, I used an Amazon fire device. That device just got slower and slower until I got so frustrated I threw it away. Had about four Rokus, same deal - just like the Fire cube, the Rokus seem to get their brains full and they start to act like they're reacting to everything in slow motion. You get what you pay for, I guess, and the Xbox was the greatest solution for a long time. I do recommend using an Xbox, except setup is typical Microsoft, very confusing and management is aggravating, as you have to decide on "plans" to pay Microsoft in various ways.Now I have this. I got it because I had one in the bedroom. The NUMBER ONE best thing about this device, after confirming it is NOT a piece of junk (in the bedroom there have been no slowing down over time issues at all), the thing my Xbox did TERRIBLY, was the content and design of the home page. I'm currently watching a free movie I had NO IDEA was available. It was easy to find on the Chromecast home page, which shows you lots of great content (UNLIKE the Xbox, which is NOT helpful in ANY way with it's after-thought-inspired home page. The other thing, the actual motivation for me to ditch the Xbox for the Chromecast, is that you can not get the Roku Channel on Microsoft devices.I'm glad to be off the Xbox, and might end up selling it.The remote control is great - it's sensitive and every button press works, even with obstructions.I highly recommend this device, as well as setting up the Roku Channel (TRC) when you get it. You may find you can cancel three or four other channels and watch even better stuff on the Roku channel for free. The content is quite excellent, and you can find shows like "Pawn Stars" that are simply not otherwise available, or cost money ... but on TRC they are free.Best wishes and happy TVing!