Low end Roku devices

I've rarely purchased low end Roku devices. The first Roku device I bought was the model 2100 Roku XDS. That was the top of the line device, and I really liked it. Of course, devices got better, and I bought a newer device the next year. I moved the XDS to another TV and put my new model 3100 Roku 2 XS on my main TV. A year and a half later, I bought a Roku 3. I later bought a Roku Ultra.

I've always had the top of the line devices, but I have purchased other devices along the way. I bought some sticks, but never really liked them until the Streaming Stick+ was released in 2017. However, the sticks went on secondary TVs. I always kept the better devices on my main TV.

Right now, though, I don't have a Roku Ultra on my main TV. Now, to be clear, I maintain the Internet and streaming setup in four residences, my own and other family residences. On the main TV in my home, I actually have a Streambar. The Roku Ultra finally gave out after a little over four years, and I replaced it with a Roku Streambar. I had a Streambar on another TV at another residence, and liked it, so I put one on my main TV when my Roku Ultra died. I also have a Streambar Pro on a family member's main TV, which replaced a Premiere+ model 4630. I have sticks on some TVs, and a Premiere+ model 3921 on one guest room TV.

Notice that I've not mentioned the Roku Express anywhere along the way. The closest is that Premiere+ model 3921, which is the Premiere series that looks like the Express, rather than the older series that looked like an Ultra or Roku 4.

No, I've never had an Express. I don't usually buy the lower end Roku devices. I've used them, but I personally don't care for them.

I once bought a Roku 1 model 2710. The idea was to put it on a secondary TV. I didn't really like it. The device was noticeably slower than the Roku 3, and slower than the older but upper tier Roku devices I was retiring.

Perhaps that soured me on the low end, or entry-level Roku devices. I've never bought one for me. I did help a friend set up a Roku, and she wanted the cheapest one, so I got her the Express. It was okay. I mean, it was a heckuva lot better than the Roku 1 from a few years back, but I didn't like the infrared remote that required line of sight to operate. I always used the better remotes on my Roku devices. Heck, I once bought an Enhanced Remote to go with a Roku 2 model 4210. That turned it into a Roku 3, for all practical purposes. That was actually a cheaper way to get a Roku 3, since the Roku 2 (4210) and the Roku 3 were identical devices inside the housing, and the cost of a Roku 2 (4210) and an Enhanced remote was actually one cent cheaper than a Roku 3, and I got a space remote out of the deal.

However, I've never found it to be cost effective to get an entry level Roku and upgrade the remote. And the lower tier Roku devices were never really my thing. I started with top of the line, liked it, and stayed there.

That's not to say you should not buy an entry level Roku device. If I thought that, I would have insisted my friend upgrade to something other than an Express. But for me, personally, I like the better devices. Yes, I see that the low end devices get a lot more complaints than the upper tier devices, but I suspect that's just because there are more sold. Another factor would be someone complaining about the remote or some feature that's only on the upper tier devices. For many people, a low end Roku is fine. It's just not something that is, nor will be, a part of my Streaming Life.

Netflix costs more

The cost of Netflix has gone up again.

For most of 2020, Netflix standard plan, the mid-price plan, was $13/month. In late 2020, it went up $1, and now it's gone up another $1.50. The top tier plan went from $16 to $18 to now $20.

Of course, it's not unexpected that prices will go up, especially with the inflation rate over four times what it was a year ago. While the price of entertainment hasn't gone up as much as the cost of energy, it all adds up. And now, to watch Netflix, it'll cost you around $2/month more, and 11% hike.

Is Netflix worth it? Well, I dropped Netflix several years ago. I have occasionally subscribed, particularly when new Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes were released, but usually, I don't subscribe. Apart from MST3K, which is gone from Netflix, I'll subscribe about one month every year or two, to catch up on things (Stranger Things) that pique my interest. So, this price increase won't impact me, but I do feel for those that are regular Netflix subscribers.

While Netflix isn't a regular part of my Streaming Life, it may be a part of yours. It's probably worth the extra cost to most people. Netflix is counting on that.

KVM switch issues

This is not exactly streaming related, other than it does involve my Plex server. Since Plex functionality allows local videos to be streamed over a local network, or over the Internet to approved users, this does to some degree apply to streaming, albeit specialized.

I have more than one computer set up. If you're running a Plex server, it may be that you would accomplish it by having a dedicated computer for that purpose. If you do, and if you have another desktop computer for regular computer usage, you can run into space issues. That's where a KVM switch comes in.

A KVM switch allows connecting multiple computers to a single keyboard (K), video device (V), and mouse (M). If you have two computers, your desktop could be PC 1 and the Plex server could be PC 2. Or, the other way around as it doesn't really matter which you call which. The thing is, you connect a single keyboard, a single video monitor, and a single keyboard to the switch, and two or more computers to the switch. Switching to your desktop computer allows you to interact with it while your Plex (or whatever purpose) computer continues to operate. When you want back on it, just switch to that device.

All this sounds great, if it works. Mine had a problem.

When I got my new Plex server last year, I also bought a new, larger video monitor. I really like it. And that's where the problem began.

When I connected my keyboard, video monitor, and mouse to the KVM switch, and then connected the first computer, I tried it to confirm everything was working. No video signal to the monitor.

Well, that was frustrating. I got a bad switch, right? Well, maybe not.

Prior to getting the switch, I had a keyboard and video monitor for each computer. So, when my new monitor wasn't working, I decided to try my old, smaller monitor. It worked.

That means my KVM switch is good -- probably -- and the issue is the monitor. Yeah, maybe something about the switch is causing the new video monitor to not work, but if so, it's not stopping the old monitor.

So far, that's the only thing wrong with my setup. I don't know what steps to take next. I think more research is in order.

I really would prefer to use the newer video monitor if I can, so I'll be running this down for as long as it takes. I may even try a different switch, just in case it's not the monitor or HDMI cable.

If you want to run a Plex server, and another computer, and save on desk space, a KVM switch is the way to go. As long as it works.

Frndly.TV staying friendly

Frndly.TV has been a favorite of mine since it launched. It offers good family friendly entertainment at a good price. It's one of the cheapest ways to get Hallmark Channel streaming content.

Recently, Frndly.TV has added several channels to its lineup, and went up a dollar a month -- still a good deal starting at $7/month -- but some of the new channels aren't as family friendly as the original lineup. I'm not saying the content isn't good, but some of the crime shows may be too intense for children. Not quite as family friendly.

However, the most recent addition is more in the family friendly style. Frndly.TV has added FMC: Family Movie Classics to its lineup. While I've not seen that channel, it is one I will be checking out.

I'm glad to see more family friendly content available for streaming. And while I may not be tuning in FMC or Frndly.TV every day/night, it is something that will be a daily stop in some people's Streaming Life.

Roku Live TV

Roku has launched a new "Live TV" item on its menu. It's similar to the Live TV section of Amazon Fire TV, but there are some differences, as you might expect. But not many.

The main difference, really, is that Fire TV will try to autoplay selections for you while you are reading the description of the content. There are settings that will turn some of this off, but that only works on the items at the very top of the Live TV section, the Featured section. When you go to the other sections, Fire TV autoplays. I hate that. Roku doesn't autoplay, which is something I prefer. So right off the bat, Roku wins the comparison.

Roku Live TV focuses primarily on The Roku Channel. All of the content you can access directly from the Live TV menu is from The Roku Channel. There are sections of content that are actually shortcuts to Roku apps. Of course, since Roku calls apps by the name "channels" it's difficult to tell if this is a live TV channel, or an app. The way to tell is the actual live content from The Roku Channel has a "LIVE" indicator on the thumbnail. If it doesn't have that, it's either an app, or a section of The Roku Channel.

And if it seems I've mentioned The Roku Channel a lot so far, that's because the Live TV section is really heavy into The Roku Channel. Too heavy, I think. Let me offer an example.

I have the AMC+ app and subscription directly to AMC+. I can log in on any device that supports the AMC+ app. However, on the Roku Live TV menu, under the "Watch with your Premium Subscription" section, the AMC+ item takes me to the AMC+ "channel" within The Roku Channel. That can only be access via a subscription through Roku. My subscription is not through Roku, but through AMC+ directly. I can't log in and watch from The Roku Channel, or from the Roku Live TV section. However, I can launch the AMC+ app from the Roku main menu and watch.

I can see this causing some confusion and frustration for Roku users. What should happen is an additional item, both in the Roku Live TV section and in The Roku Channel for "I already have a subscription" that launches the appropriate app.

Which brings me to another thing about the Live TV section. Roku doesn't just list apps you have installed on your account when it lists live TV apps. If you have the app installed, it launches the app. But if you don't have the app installed, it will install it for you. If you have your Roku configured to require a PIN to install apps, it will prompt you. If you don't have your settings to require a PIN, it will simply install the app.

One other thing about Live TV: I don't see a place or setting for OTA content. If you have an antenna, it's not accessible within Live TV. At least, not on a standard Roku device. I need to see if the implementation on a Roku TV is different. And, it doesn't pull in content from Tablo or Air TV, or from what I can tell, any other apps that use antenna content.

There are some good things about the Live TV section, and some things I don't like, mainly the push for Roku subscriptions at the expense of existing subscriptions. However, that's been a sore point for me about The Roku Channel for some time, and this is really the same issue, since the Live TV section is so Roku Channel focused.

Still, overall, I live it better than the Amazon Fire TV implementation, if for no other reason, the autoplay that Amazon won't let me turn off. Despite the things I don't like about it, overall it's good, and I see it becoming a part of my Streaming Life.

Second thoughts on Chromecast

I've been using Roku as my primary streaming device since 2010. But, along the way, I've used many other devices. I currently have an Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, and Chromecast with Google TV. And Chromecast is my topic today.

I've talked before about what I like about Chromecast, and what I don't like about Chromecast. The things I like are still true, but the things I don't like are becoming more and more apparent. For example, my Chromecast is sluggish. Sure, there are ways to fix that, but having to do that isn't something I particularly care for.

These little nagging things -- sluggish and requiring a restart, running out of space -- can wear on my patience. Now, if all devices were like that, I wouldn't complain so much. But, over time, it turns out that Fire TV, which was on my naughty list for years, now performs better over time. And Roku performs best overall. Well, Roku and Apple TV perform the best.

This isn't to say that Chromecast with Google TV is a bad device. Rather, it's not quite up to par with Roku or Apple TV, and right now, if behind Fire TV. It's number four on my list of four devices. It was second, behind Roku. That's not a good trend.

Still, it works well enough. And if it's your device of choice, that's a good decision. It's just not my device of choice. However, it will remain a part of my Streaming Life.

App cleanup

I noticed that on my primary streaming device, a Roku device, I have 62 apps listed. That kinda surprised me.

Side note: Roku calls their apps by the name "channels" which I never really liked. I'm calling them apps, because that's what they are.

I asked myself, "Self, do you really use 62 different apps? Surely you can't be serious." But I did not complete the Airplane joke, I stopped at the Flip Wilson joke. And if you don't get that, you're a lot younger than I am.

I know I don't use 62 different apps, so it's time for a cleanup. Only, I discovered it's actually 60 apps. Turns out, I still have the "Add Channels" and "TV Off" selections on the main menu, which Roku calls "shortcuts." Those were the first to go. Down to 60.

On a Roku home screen, there are nine fully visible apps, and three mostly visible apps. The two I use most, Plex and YouTube, are the first two items. ESPN is on that block of nine, as is Sling TV. During college football season, that made sense.

After those first four apps, the next five are apps I will occasionally subscribe to: Disney+, Paramount+, Showtime, HBO Max, and Discovery+. Sometime during the year, it's likely I'll subscribe for a month to one or more of those, just for a month, and binge stuff. Of course, I might not. But if I do, I'll move it to the top of that listing.

Next are AMC+, Starz, and Curiosity. Those first two are like the previous four. I may subscribe some time during the year. I do have a Curiosity account, though. It's cheap, and they have good content. I don't watch it that much, though, probably because of where the app is located. So, I'm moving it to the 3 slot.

The next one is Hulu. I was surprised that it was so far down on the list. I've subscribed to Hulu since they sold subscriptions. I'm not subscribed at the moment, waiting for the queue to build up, and will likely subscribe again later this month or next month. I'll keep it until I'm all caught up, then let it lapse until I want to play catchup again.

Movies Anywhere is a favorite of mine, but it really doesn't bring much to the table since I started using Plex. All of my movie purchases are downloaded onto my Plex server, so I can watch them that way. I keep Movies Anywhere around, of course, but I don't use it that much. I do recommend it, however. Not everyone has all of their movies on a Plex (or similar) server. It's a great app and great service. I highly recommend it.

Pluto TV is next, and I really like it. I need to move it up the menu. Same with Prime Video and Pub-D-Hub. I've written about them before, and may again. I do watch it, but not as much as I really would, because it's so low on the menu. It's getting moved up.

Don't worry, I'm not going to list all 60 apps, but I will mention a few more. Tablo is a favorite, but at my house, I don't have it high on my Roku device for a reason. The antenna is at another location, and I have to access it across a different network. Tablo doesn't support watching from another network on Roku, but they do on Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android/Google TV. Tablo is the first app listed on Fire TV, for instance, and that's how I watch TV over the air. The Tablo device is at a different location, and I can't watch it on my Roku at home. I have a Roku at the other location, though, and use Roku to watch it there. So, I keep Tablo on my Roku menu. But at home, it's down on the list for a reason.

I was surprised to see Xumo so far down. Next to Pluto TV, it's my favorite free live streaming service. Tubi, to me, is not as useful as Xumo, but I know a lot of people like it. I keep it around, but not as high on the menu. Xumo is being moved higher though.

Peacock TV needs to be moved higher, but not too high. I hate the autoplay, and don't use it as much as I would.

All the news apps will stay down on the list. I never watch them, but I do keep them around. For now. I probably should delete them, since they aren't serving any purpose.

I think I'll take one day a week to go down on the menu and pull up one I like to watch. After a couple of months, I'll delete the apps that are at the bottom of the list. Unless there's a good reason to keep them. I can't think of a good reason, but I'm open to keeping something that might be useful.

For now, most of those apps aren't useful. I may end up removing them from my Streaming Life, as I try to get my streaming devices in order.