Video Streaming-Opinions

GordonThree wrote:
I wouldn't buy a phone that had a full size HDMI port on it, they're huge and that would be ridiculous.

What phone is that ? I don't believe there ever was a phone with full size HDMI port.

MrWizard wrote:


but that is the history of cell phones and electronics..with 'PRIORITY' cable connectors so the MFG can sell you more Branded items at inflated prices..their profit is in the accessorizes

The only people who get ripped off are those foolish enough not to realize they don't need to pay inflated prices for the manufacturer's cable. Amazon has a number of micro-HDMI to HDMI cables available for <$10.

As someone who once owned an electronics store, I can tell you with confidence that cables are among the highest markup items in any such store (along with wall mounts for large screen TVs). Quite a few customers do their research as to what price they should pay for a TV or other electronic item and don't spend the time to do the same thing for the accessories, such as cables, that they need. Stores know this and slam customers with high prices for all the extra stuff they need to make their new TV actually work.

The same thing is true for stuff like memory cards for cameras or phones. High quality ones are dirt cheap online, but try to buy one with a Canon or Nikon name on it and you'll pay much, much more.

neither would i..but also i have never seen one built that way

i think 'they' already have the micro hdmi to full hdmi cable

and just did not like the idea of buying another cable/adapter

but that is the history of cell phones and electronics..with 'PRIORITY' cable connectors so the MFG can sell you more Branded items at inflated prices..their profit is in the accessorizes

I wouldn't buy a phone that had a full size HDMI port on it, they're huge and that would be ridiculous.

Thanks for all replies. I think I'll go with the Roku streaming stick.

My Motorola Xoom tablet
Has the micro HDMI port....to use it I had to buy a special HDMI cable

In my opinion...There is little difference between buying a special HDMI cable and buying a slim port to HDMI adapter
Either way is a purchase of something that did not come with the device in order to use HDMI video output

GordonThree wrote:

strollin wrote:

GordonThree wrote:
Most of the time, I just use my phone, the LG G2 with Verizon... it has the advantage of connecting to both WiFi as well as my 4G data (unlimited plan). It has HDMI output and plugs right into my rig's tv at 1080p resolution. ...

I have an LG G2 on Verizon but it doesn't have an HDMI output which I was disappointed about when I first got it. However, it works great with my Chromecast or my Roku 3 to play videos and such on my TV.

The G2's HDMI is bundled within the USB port... you need a SlimPort adapter ($10-$15 on amazon)

Which means that the LG G2 does not have HDMI, it has a SlimPort capable USB port. A different animal in my book. My previous phone, a Droid Razr, had both a USB port AND an HDMI output port, no adapter needed.

strollin wrote:

GordonThree wrote:
Most of the time, I just use my phone, the LG G2 with Verizon... it has the advantage of connecting to both WiFi as well as my 4G data (unlimited plan). It has HDMI output and plugs right into my rig's tv at 1080p resolution. ...

I have an LG G2 on Verizon but it doesn't have an HDMI output which I was disappointed about when I first got it. However, it works great with my Chromecast or my Roku 3 to play videos and such on my TV.

The G2's HDMI is bundled within the USB port... you need a SlimPort adapter ($10-$15 on amazon)

I don't know if this will help, but we use a Nintendo Wii video game console for streaming Netflix at home. If you have an Xbox, Nintendo, etc laying around you might already have a "streaming device".

As someone else posted, we also routinely hookup our laptop to the TV to watch online programs. Our TV, by now, is a little older flat screen so the speakers of the TV don't work when the laptop is plugged in - we either need to use headphones plugged into the laptop, or hookup portable speakers to the laptop.

mileshuff wrote:
Instead of Roku I opted to get a wifi/network capable Blu-Ray player. If you need a player why not get one with wifi? You'll get Netflix, Hulu and most other popular streaming sites. Works great for us.

The problem we discovered with this approach is that the software in these devices is rarely updated after the manufacturer brings out a newer model. We have a Blu-ray player with Netflix and Pandora but it doesn't have Hulu, and Amazon streaming didn't even exist at the time we bought it. Roku software is periodically updated and any new channels can easily be added.