[Cider Jim]

I admit that I probably have even fewer technology skills than PAmedic, but for my birthday this year (yesterday) my wife was trying to choose between Roku2 or Chrome Cast, and she bought Roku2 because it cost more, so she thought it would be a better present.

I know nothing about either, and Mrs. Cider said it would be fine if I wanted to exchange it for Chrome Cast.

I can't get the Liberty Channel on my DishNetwork, so if I could watch some LU away games (and maybe some Netflix), which of those devices would be better for me? What are your recommendations?

[Purple Haize]

I admit that I probably have even fewer technology skills than PAmedic, but for my birthday this year (yesterday) my wife was trying to choose between Roku2 or Chrome Cast, and she bought Roku2 because it cost more, so she thought it would be a better present.

I know nothing about either, and Mrs. Cider said it would be fine if I wanted to exchange it for Chrome Cast.

I can't get the Liberty Channel on my DishNetwork, so if I could watch some LU away games (and maybe some Netflix), which of those devices would be better for me? What are your recommendations?

is she taking you to the Spring House for the show tomorrow night for your birthday?

[Cider Jim]

If it's on Friday, we may be there!

[Purple Haize]

If it's on Friday, we may be there!

Tomorrow would be Friday.....

Alabama always says he's going but never does. You need to bring friends!

[jcmanson]

I'm not sure either the Roku or the Chrome Cast will help you watch many Liberty games other than the Watch ESPN app which you can get from a variety of sources. I have the Roku 3 and Apple TV but use these as an alternative to cable.

[PAmedic]

XBox 360

my kids help me when I can't figure out the controls

[Sly Fox]

Don't overlook FireTV. But the guys above are correct, you will be using be using the WatchESPN app on any of these devices unless Liberty Channel develops an HD app for these devices. My Chromecast typically only gets used by my kids to watch Netflix on TVs in hotels when we travel. Most smart TVs have similar capabilities.

[Yacht Rock]

We use Apple TV and stream the Liberty Channel to the Apple TV from our iPad. Works pretty well.

[jcmanson]

We use Apple TV and stream the Liberty Channel to the Apple TV from our iPad. Works pretty well.

Yes Apple TV works well for this. You can also use it to stream Big South Sports .com

[LUminary]

We use Apple TV and stream the Liberty Channel to the Apple TV from our iPad. Works pretty well.

That's the only way I've found to get the Liberty Channel on the big screen from an internet source. There isn't a Roku app for the Liberty Channel. Don't know why. Used to have SkyAngel but it went belly up. Don't care for Apple TV otherwise, but it does come in handy for mirroring.

[lynchburgwildcats]

I can't get the Liberty Channel on my DishNetwork, so if I could watch some LU away games (and maybe some Netflix), which of those devices would be better for me?

Neither would help with LU games. Unless you can watch them through the Chrome browser, then you can cast the tab to the chromecast and watch it over the TV that way.

I have a Roku and a Chromecast. I prefer the Roku. That's mostly because I use the Plex app and I like the Plex app on the Roku better than the Android/Chromecast implementation, plus I like having an actual remote instead of having to use my phone or tablet as the remote.

Using YouTube through the Chromecast is a whole heck of a lot easier than on Roku, but Chromecast also does not support the WWE Network yet while Roku does.

[alabama24]

My Apple TV is my favorite... Roku has more channels, but mostly worthless stuff. The big difference is Amazon, which isn't currently on Apple TV (and I don't know if it will ever be). Hopefully Apple releases a new device before Christmas.

[Cider Jim]

Okay, a follow-up question: if watching LU games is not really an option, which is better for Netflex streaming so that I can take it from my laptop to my flat screen--Chromecast or Ruku2?

[Sly Fox]

Both work just fine with Netflix. But again I say don't sleep on the FireTV. A few bucks more but if you are a Prime member it adds a bunch of other entertainment options and does it without the buffering of most of the other devices.

My son used Chromecast to get the best HD signal for today's World Cup opener. It ran better through Chromecast than the built-in app on our TV.

[ALUmnus]

Okay, a follow-up question: if watching LU games is not really an option, which is better for Netflex streaming so that I can take it from my laptop to my flat screen--Chromecast or Ruku2?

Cider, you strike me as someone who likes a remote. If so, Roku.

And doesn't Chromecast require another device, like a tablet or computer? It doesn't have any built-in channels or apps, does it?

[TDDance234]

The only advantage with the Roku, and I'm not positive this is even available with the "2" is that you can plug headphones in to the actual remote. It's nice for watching TV when the misses is sleeping.

[Sly Fox]

Of course, you get real voice search on FireTV.

I run Chromecast off a free app on my android phone.

[Hold My Own]

Chromecast.

They are adding things/features all the time and you can stream anything you're doing on your browser (including just web browsing)...so in theory you'd stream the Liberty Channel on your browser and just send that to your tv. Pretty much a cheaper alternative to Airplay by Apple.

FireTV is pretty sweet but I'm not sure about the limitations with things outside of the AMZ ecosystem....if they have a Chrome extension or something else that will let you stream non AMZ things then it's a winner.

[Sly Fox]

Netflix and a bunch of apps are built-in.

[LUminary]

Does the voice search on FireTV work well, or do you have to be Gary Busey? I hate the remote for Apple TV. Takes forever to type something in.

[Sly Fox]

The voice search and the better remote are the big advantages over Apple TV. And then you have the ability to play Android phone games on a big screen. It actually is kind of cool with certain games.

[jcmanson]

Does the voice search on FireTV work well, or do you have to be Gary Busey? I hate the remote for Apple TV. Takes forever to type something in.

Not to mention I lose that thing about every other day

[lynchburgwildcats]

You might want to wait until the fall if you are considering a Chromecast. Google will be releasing Android TV. It's like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, etc. Apparently it is designed where it would be very easy for Android devs to make their apps work on it, so the amount of apps on it will likely be quite expansive. I know Google said at their devs conference today that one of the top mobile game manufacturers already has a slew of their games adapted for it. It also can function as a cast device, so if you have an app on your phone that you can cast to a Chromecast, you can cast it to Android TV if there isn't an Android TV-ready app yet.

I'm likely going to sell off my Roku and Chromecast and buy that, assuming it's reasonably priced.

Not quite sure why Google released the Chromecast to begin with when they had Android TV in the works to duplicate the functionality of the Chromecast. Seems like Android TV will just cannibalize the Chromecast.

http://lifehacker.com/all-the-best-stuf ... 026978/all

[Sly Fox]

Completely different devices for different purposes. One is primarily for mobility and the other is going to be a another true set-top box.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Completely different devices for different purposes. One is primarily for mobility and the other is going to be a another true set-top box.

Which is true, but if you want the Chromecast because you travel a lot, one big problem is that it doesn't support wi-fi networks that you have to login to through a webpage, which is the case at a lot of hotels and the like. At least that is what I have read online, I have never actually tried it myself.