Watching the British Open

One of the hardest achievements in sports to accomplish is the golf Grand Slam. That's when a golfer wins the four major tournaments in a year. It's only been done once. Or twice. Depending on what you mean by "in a year."

Bobby Jones achieved a Grand Slam in 1930, winning the British Open and Amateur, and the U.S. Open and Amateur titles. Nowadays, the Grand Slam is the Masters Tournament, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the British Open (traditionalists call it "the Open"). Tiger Woods held all four titles at the same time, but that was across two calendar years, 2000 and 2001. So, maybe that's a Grand Slam, maybe it's not.

It won't happen this year, because of the three majors so far this year, three different golfers have won. So, when the British Open is done, there could be four major title holders this year. And that's pretty much normal.

Still, the British Open is a big deal in golf. And it started today. If you're a golf fan and a streamer, how do you watch it? Easy. Peacock TV. Some action will be on the Gold Channel, and some will be on NBC this weekend, but everything -- just about -- will be on Peacock TV.

If you want to see the schedule of what will be carried where and when, go to the Peacock TV Webpage for the tournament.

It's nice that more and more major sports events are available streaming. That makes the Streaming Life of every sports fan more enjoyable.

Roku or Roku TV

I'm not intending to disrespect Amazon's Fire TV devices in any way. However, as I prefer Roku, I'm going to talk about Roku, but this could probably apply to Amazon Fire TV devices as well.

When it comes time to get a streaming device -- and I prefer Roku for my personal use -- some people will purchase a smart TV. That's a good idea. In theory. There are problems with making such a purchase, however.

First, what kind of smart TV is it? There are Roku TV devices -- TVs with Roku functionality built in. There are Fire TV devices -- TVs with Amazon Fire TV functionality built in. There are Android TV devices -- TVs with Android TV built in. WebOS ... well, let's stop after those first three, and add that there are other generally inferior platforms.

Why inferior? Well, I'm going by my experience. Those other platforms -- not Roku, Amazon, or Google/Android -- don't generally have as many apps available. I've found some of those off-brand smart TV platforms to be sluggish, too.

The conclusion I've reached is that if you get a smart TV, try to get one for the platform you want. Which means the answer is Roku TV.

But, that brings up the question: do you need a smart TV?

The answer to that question is "no." You do not need a smart TV, particularly if the TV you have otherwise works like you want. If the picture is good, if the sound is good, if everything but the TV "smarts" is good, you really don't need a smart TV. Just connect a Roku (or Chromecast, or Fire TV, or Apple TV, etc) to the television and start streaming.

So, the answer is Roku, not Roku TV.

Unless, of course, you need a new TV. Why would you need a new TV? Well, if the TV is bad, or the picture is bad, or you want better resolution, then sure, go ahead and get a new TV.

So, the answer is Roku TV.

But don't get a new TV if the only thing you want is the "smarts" of a smart TV. Get a Roku device and connect it to your otherwise perfectly good TV.

So, the answer is Roku, not Roku TV.

Confused yet? Yeah, it can be confusing. If you need a new TV, get one with the streaming platform you want. If you have an otherwise perfectly good TV, just get the device that connects to your TV.

So the final answer is Roku or Roku TV. That wasn't a question, it was the answer all along.

I'm not trying to make your Streaming Life complicated. It's just that sometimes, the answer depends on what you need.

IPTV, Again

Some weeks back, we talked about IPTV. I gave a rundown on what it is, and my reasons for rejecting those services.

I recently re-read that post, and I'm not really happy with it. I don't disagree with anything I wrote. After all, I gave my thoughts on it, and they haven't changed. But, I don't think I really emphasized what I don't like about IPTV services.

Here it is: IPTV services are a bunch of thieves selling stolen content.

Also, if you support them, you're supporting theft.

There. That's straight to the point.

Am I being a little harsh? Yeah, maybe. But I'm also being truthful, and very blunt about it.

I wonder how many people buy IPTV devices or subscribe to IPTV services -- and I'm talking about pirate TV boxes and pirate TV services -- not realizing just what they are.

People always want to get a good deal on something. And they see all these hundreds and hundreds of channels they can get for a really good price.

The old adage about if it seems too good to be true, it probably is? Yeah, that applies.

Now, if you feel totally different than I do, that's your choice. Am I going to say I respect that choice? No, I'm not. It's theft and I don't respect theft.

If the cost of something means I have to do without it, then I have to do without it. It's simple as that. My Streaming Life isn't complicated. It doesn't have everything, but I'm happy with what I have.

Movies! Times Ten!

Why do we stream TV? To watch TV, of course.

Of course, there are other ways to watch TV, including cable and satellite, but we stream. And streaming is just another source for TV.

TV means TV shows and movies. And we spend money on streaming services and streaming devices in order to watch TV shows and movies. Which means we really like TV shows and movies.

And that's my lead in to a post about something I read on Facebook.

There was a question about movies one had seen ten times. So, I thought about it and came up with several.

Now, there are two ways to consider this. Watching the movie in a theater, as the movie makers intended, narrows the list quite a bit. Watching movies on TV opens the list up.

So, let me start with movies I've seen in theaters ten time. I can think of one and only one: Star Wars.

I loved that film, and went back to the theater over and over to watch it. I think I saw it 13 times, if memory serves.

Opening the list up to watching movies on TV, it grows.

• The Wizard of Oz
• Stagecoach
• Casablanca
• It’s a Wonderful Life
• The Angry Red Planet
• A Hard Day’s Night
• Mary Poppins
• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• Patton
• Blazing Saddles
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail
• Star Wars
• The Thing
• Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
• The Princess Bride
• They Live

Maybe there are more. Probably. But these are the ones that come to mind. And I don't want to hear it regarding The Angry Red Planet. Yes, it's a stupid silly bad science fiction film with a stupid plot and some stupid characters and some bad acting. Okay, the bad acting is a little harsh. It's not that bad. Some is good. But, considering the type of movie it is, it can't have great acting.

The other movies on the list? Yeah, those seem about right. They are some of my favorites, of course. And they're all great films. I'm talking about the others, remember? Not that silly sci-fi movie with the bat-crab-spider thing in it.

The next movie I watch? Maybe one of those on the list. Maybe something else. I got lots of options. My Streaming Life is good.

Reporting Roku issues: Model number

I've been a streamer since 2010. Well, actually before that, but I got my first dedicated streaming device in late 2010. Two different ones, actually: Apple TV (2nd generation) and Roku (XDS model 2100). I had used Netflix on my TiVo prior to that, but the TiVo wasn't really what I considered a streaming device. The Apple TV and Roku XDS were definitely streaming devices.

I liked the Roku better, because you could do more with it. Today, I'm still a fan of Roku. I've used a lot of different streaming devices, including a lot of different model Roku devices. I'm very familiar with the devices, and might even be considered an expert on them. Roku considers me one, to some degree. Seriously.

That's from my Roku Community page. Roku assigned me that. I'm one of several who are listed as Community Streaming Expert on the forum. If one of the experts suggests something, it's a good suggestion. The other CSEs know their stuff. And, to be frank, I do too.

So, with that bit of background, I want to offer suggestions should you find yourself needing support from Roku with an issue.

It's difficult to speak to Roku directly, so the Community is probably one of the best options you have regarding getting support for issues. Who knows, you might even encounter me there. Which isn't a big deal, since you can get me here too.

Anyway, if you go to the Roku Community support forum to get help, there are a few things that you really should do to help those that are trying to help you.

Provide the Roku device model number. You can locate the model number on the device itself, or from the menu system by going to Settings > System > About

Now, why is this important? Well, different devices may have small details different in how you approach them. For example, if for one problem, the first step in fixing it is to change the HDMI cable, that would not be the solution for a Stick, that plugs directly into a TV. Knowing which device it is makes a difference.

Another is that sometimes, people aren't sure which device they have. That may sound silly, but it can be difficult to know which device you're using. I've seen people report they were using the Roku Express Ultra Stick. Well, the problem with that is that there is a Roku Express, a Roku Ultra, and a Roku Stick, but there is no combination of those. The model number would help support determine which Roku it is.

When you're needed help with Roku, always provide the model number of the device. It helps them help you. And, if that makes your Streaming Life easier, it's worth it.