After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does he?
It will output to SD also?


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?

In sci.electronics.repair, on Thu, 03 Sep 2015 20:18:07 -0400, micky
wrote:

After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does he?
It will output to SD also?


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?

And if you want to use one of these boxes with a smart-cell-phone app,
that means sending data tot he phone company and getting something back?

Or is it all within the room one is sitting in?

On Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 7:18:10 PM UTC-5, micky wrote:

Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?

G has all the thoughput you need...I stream video (Netflix) and have a half dozen other devices working on the router. A $175 for a 32" HD TV it is pointless to view in the dark ages!

micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does
he? It will output to SD also?


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?

A 54G will be fine , I streamed all kinds of video and audio sometimes
simultaneously . And just because HD content is available doesn't mean you
have to use it - your old CRT TV will be just fine . What kind of cable are
you going to use from the ROKU to your TV set ? Mine has only component and
HDMI outputs ... no RF hookup .
Right now I'm watching Rush Hour from a DVD in a computer - I have 4
inputs hoked up , Roku and the comp on the HDMI inputs , a DVD player on the
component (yellow/red/white) and the satellite receiver on the RF input .
BTW , you really should consider a newer TV , we got a 32" LED/LCD last
spring and just love it . You can get a pretty nice unit for under 300 bucks
, often nearer 200 if you catch a sale . Available inputs are going to be
the biggest problem with older TV sets ...
--
Snag

On Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 7:33:47 PM UTC-5, Terry Coombs wrote:

BTW , you really should consider a newer TV , we got a 32" LED/LCD last
spring and just love it . You can get a pretty nice unit for under 300 bucks
, often nearer 200 if you catch a sale . Available inputs are going to be
the biggest problem with older TV sets ...

Terry, I can't believe you have me blocked? (I said much the same to cheapo mick)

On Thu, 03 Sep 2015 20:21:02 -0400, micky
wrote:

In sci.electronics.repair, on Thu, 03 Sep 2015 20:18:07 -0400, micky
wrote:

After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does he?
It will output to SD also?


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?

And if you want to use one of these boxes with a smart-cell-phone app,
that means sending data tot he phone company and getting something back?

Or is it all within the room one is sitting in?

Your TV may be the best use for a throw away XP computer. Most flat
screens have a VGA input, get a wireless keyboard/mouse and you have a
smarter TV that what they call one.
I have had a PC hooked to my TV for at least 15 years (originally with
a composite video out card)
It is my music player, photo viewer and anything else you can do with
a PC along with all of the internet content you want to see.
If you add a TV in card, you have a DVR although capturing streams
seems a bit elusive. Just about the time you get something working,
the stream provider changes up.

bob_villa wrote:
On Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 7:33:47 PM UTC-5, Terry Coombs
wrote:

BTW , you really should consider a newer TV , we got a 32" LED/LCD
last spring and just love it . You can get a pretty nice unit for
under 300 bucks , often nearer 200 if you catch a sale . Available
inputs are going to be the biggest problem with older TV sets ...

Terry, I can't believe you have me blocked? (I said much the same to
cheapo mick)

I don't ... actually I typed that and got sidetracked before hitting
send . When I started there were no responses yet .

--
Snag
They say the memory is the second thing to go .
I can't recall the first .

Terry Coombs wrote:
micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does
he? It will output to SD also?


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?

A 54G will be fine , I streamed all kinds of video and audio sometimes
simultaneously . And just because HD content is available doesn't mean you
have to use it - your old CRT TV will be just fine . What kind of cable are
you going to use from the ROKU to your TV set ? Mine has only component and
HDMI outputs ... no RF hookup .
Right now I'm watching Rush Hour from a DVD in a computer - I have 4
inputs hoked up , Roku and the comp on the HDMI inputs , a DVD player on the
component (yellow/red/white) and the satellite receiver on the RF input .
BTW , you really should consider a newer TV , we got a 32" LED/LCD last
spring and just love it . You can get a pretty nice unit for under 300 bucks
, often nearer 200 if you catch a sale . Available inputs are going to be
the biggest problem with older TV sets ...

It is not the mode whether G or N or AC. It is a matter of minimum
constant download speed is needed for good media viewing. I'd say
at least 5mbps and up. No one likes stuttering video/audio. I have
50/3 service from my ISP. Always I can have download speed ot 50mbps.
I real time stream always.

In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 3 Sep 2015 19:33:59 -0500, "Terry Coombs"
wrote:

micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does
he? It will output to SD also?


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?

A 54G will be fine , I streamed all kinds of video and audio sometimes
simultaneously . And just because HD content is available doesn't mean you
have to use it - your old CRT TV will be just fine . What kind of cable are
you going to use from the ROKU to your TV set ?

The Roku or whatever will probaby input to the DVDR, which already
connects to the TVs via composite, left, and right RCA cables into a RF
modulator, and from there via co-ax to all 8 tvs (with a couple of RF
amps along the way.. I found that every two splitters I have to put an
amp.)

There would be a possibllity of using Y-connectors and going into the RF
modulator directly, but I think the first way, I can use the channel
selector to select the Roku when wanted. There are "channel
selectionss" for the set of jacks1, set of jacks2, and set of jacks on
the front of the DVDR. And I have remote controls on all 3 floors,
with transmitters that get relayed to the DVDR. Not installed but I
also have a remote controlled A-B switch, but only one remote for that.
I'd probably end up having to walk upstairs to change from DVDR to Roku

Mine has only component and
HDMI outputs ... no RF hookup .

Right.

Right now I'm watching Rush Hour from a DVD in a computer - I have 4
inputs hoked up , Roku and the comp on the HDMI inputs , a DVD player on the
component (yellow/red/white) and the satellite receiver on the RF input .

If I could just buy one TV with wifi and a digital tuner and all those
inputs**, I'd do it, but what I need is an output to go to the other tvs
in the house. If I had it to do over, I might have run left, right,
and composite everywhere, but too much work for me now. What was
especially hard was snaking the co-ax though the ceiling of the basement
"family room". Down 6 inches and across 25 feet, to the laundry room
with no ceiling. Maybe I used two snakes. But I made no provision
for running more wires so it would be even harder to do more wires now
than it was to do one wire the first time. I know there is wireless
transmission, but then I'd need 6 or 7 receivers (I rarely use the tv
in the attic these days, mostly for aiming the attic antenna.) ,
including one in the bathroom where there is no room, and wired is
certainly reliable. I"ve had those 2 signal amps running 24/7 for 31
years without a problem. But better to have 2 power amps running.
they don't use much power, than to have 6 receivers running.

**Even the big ones only have speaker outputs and maybe unamplifed sound
outputs (to go to the stereo) but I only want a small TV in the bedroom
where the DVDR is, and they usually don't even have speaker outputs
(although they need them the most.) . In the bedroom I use the earphone
jack but run it to a mechanical rheostat (mounted in a Pong remote
control box), and from there to an amplifiied computer speaker. So I
can control the volume with a knob instead of having to use the remote.

BTW , you really should consider a newer TV , we got a 32" LED/LCD last
spring and just love it . You can get a pretty nice unit for under 300 bucks
, often nearer 200 if you catch a sale . Available inputs are going to be
the biggest problem with older TV sets ...


--

Stumpy Strumpet
the bimbus
for dogcatcher

In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 04 Sep 2015 00:15:01 -0600, Tony Hwang
wrote:

Terry Coombs wrote:
micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does
he? It will output to SD also?


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?

A 54G will be fine , I streamed all kinds of video and audio sometimes
simultaneously . And just because HD content is available doesn't mean you
have to use it - your old CRT TV will be just fine . What kind of cable are
you going to use from the ROKU to your TV set ? Mine has only component and
HDMI outputs ... no RF hookup .
Right now I'm watching Rush Hour from a DVD in a computer - I have 4
inputs hoked up , Roku and the comp on the HDMI inputs , a DVD player on the
component (yellow/red/white) and the satellite receiver on the RF input .
BTW , you really should consider a newer TV , we got a 32" LED/LCD last
spring and just love it . You can get a pretty nice unit for under 300 bucks
, often nearer 200 if you catch a sale . Available inputs are going to be
the biggest problem with older TV sets ...

It is not the mode whether G or N or AC. It is a matter of minimum
constant download speed is needed for good media viewing. I'd say

But G is slower than N which is slower than AC, so I think the wireless
too can bottleneck the signal. So I think the mode does matter.
Except Terry tells me that B/G is fast enough.

at least 5mbps and up. No one likes stuttering video/audio. I have
50/3 service from my ISP. Always I can have download speed ot 50mbps.
I real time stream always.


--

Stumpy Strumpet
the bimbus
for dogcatcher

In sci.electronics.repair, on Thu, 3 Sep 2015 21:39:23 -0700 (PDT),
whit3rd wrote:

On Thursday, September 3, 2015 at 5:18:09 PM UTC-7, micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Smart TVs, BluRay disk players (maybe DVD as well), and settop boxes
all are available with network (wired, wireless, or both) and make streaming
connections. Most will connect to a variety of internet services (or local
home servers). Game consoles count as 'settop boxes'.

Okay.

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does he?
It will output to SD also?

Not necessarily. There's LOTS of boxes with these features, some have
analog outputs, either RF/analog or composite video, or both. Or, neither.

But even if the output connector is, say, only HDMI, it can still be set
to output a standard definition signal, can't it? What if someone
has one HD tv and another SD tv? Does that mean he can't use the
expensive box?

On 9/4/2015 3:31 AM, micky wrote:
In alt.home.repair, on Fri, 04 Sep 2015 00:15:01 -0600, Tony Hwang
wrote:

Terry Coombs wrote:
micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does
he? It will output to SD also?


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?

A 54G will be fine , I streamed all kinds of video and audio sometimes
simultaneously . And just because HD content is available doesn't mean you
have to use it - your old CRT TV will be just fine . What kind of cable are
you going to use from the ROKU to your TV set ? Mine has only component and
HDMI outputs ... no RF hookup .
Right now I'm watching Rush Hour from a DVD in a computer - I have 4
inputs hoked up , Roku and the comp on the HDMI inputs , a DVD player on the
component (yellow/red/white) and the satellite receiver on the RF input .
BTW , you really should consider a newer TV , we got a 32" LED/LCD last
spring and just love it . You can get a pretty nice unit for under 300 bucks
, often nearer 200 if you catch a sale . Available inputs are going to be
the biggest problem with older TV sets ...

It is not the mode whether G or N or AC. It is a matter of minimum
constant download speed is needed for good media viewing. I'd say

But G is slower than N which is slower than AC, so I think the wireless
too can bottleneck the signal. So I think the mode does matter.
Except Terry tells me that B/G is fast enough.

at least 5mbps and up. No one likes stuttering video/audio. I have
50/3 service from my ISP. Always I can have download speed ot 50mbps.
I real time stream always.



IMO, G isn't fast enough for me and you are correct, AC is thus far the
fastest but here's how it works. If you have a G router, any other
device with G/N/AC capability will only use G. If you have an N router,
any device with G/N/AC will use only N and of course, if you have an AC
router, any device with AC capability will use AC. If a router has AC
capability but a device has max of N, it will only use N. Bottom line,
BOTH devices require the same capability in order to meet the speed they
advertise.

Also keep in mind, even if you have the fastest router and device, your
speed will still depend on what you're paying your provider.

On 09/03/2015 07:18 PM, micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh, that
includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does he?
It will output to SD also?

Make sure the box you get has SD output. There are converters (HD to SD)
but they can be expensive.

Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I buy
with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices are?


AC uses a different frequency than B/G, however all the AC devices 've
seen support both frequencies. AFAIK N can use either frequency.

Always consider a WIRED connection first. It's simpler and more
reliable, as well as more secure.

--
112 days until the winter celebration (Friday December 25, 2015 for 1
day).

Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.us/

"He's a born-again Christian. The trouble is, he suffered brain damage
during rebirth."

On 9/3/2015 8:18 PM, micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh,
that includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these
groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does
he? It will output to SD also?

Check the specs of the specific model of the set-top box. Some newer
ones only have HDMI outputs. Other newer ones have both HDMI and
composite video.


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I
buy with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices
are?


Again, check the specs. Most newer ones are retro compatible with the
older WIFI standards.

Just don't buy a set-top box without consulting the specs and you won't
have an unpleasant surprise. And again, to emphasize, different models
from the same manufacturer often have different specs.

Peter wrote:
On 9/3/2015 8:18 PM, micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box... oh,
that includes the roku that I asked about before on one of these
groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD does
he? It will output to SD also?

Check the specs of the specific model of the set-top box. Some newer
ones only have HDMI outputs. Other newer ones have both HDMI and
composite video.


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream continuously
with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new router with N?
Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect to get it. If I
buy with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which all my other devices
are?


Again, check the specs. Most newer ones are retro compatible with the
older WIFI standards.

Just don't buy a set-top box without consulting the specs and you won't
have an unpleasant surprise. And again, to emphasize, different models
from the same manufacturer often have different specs.

To summarize, OP has to look at both ways. What you have and what you're
connecting to it. Simplest is HDMI but there are converters
like VGA to HDMI, component to HDMI, display port to HDMI, etc. If
not carefully planned, hook up can get very messy. Easiest is get a
entry level HT receiver with speaker kits in a box. Then A/V receiver
becomes hub of every thing. Every thing connects to A/V and one HDMI
cable to TV set.Older A/V receiver can be had for like ~100.00. You can
have simple stereo set up with two speakers and start from there upto 7
speakers plus two woofers. Surround sound is nice to have. WiFi mode is
downward compatible.

On 9/6/2015 11:54 AM, Tony Hwang wrote:
Peter wrote:
On 9/3/2015 8:18 PM, micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box...
oh, that includes the roku that I asked about before on one of
these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD
does he? It will output to SD also?

Check the specs of the specific model of the set-top box. Some
newer ones only have HDMI outputs. Other newer ones have both HDMI
and composite video.


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream
continuously with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new
router with N? Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect
to get it. If I buy with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which
all my other devices are?


Again, check the specs. Most newer ones are retro compatible with
the older WIFI standards.

Just don't buy a set-top box without consulting the specs and you
won't have an unpleasant surprise. And again, to emphasize,
different models from the same manufacturer often have different
specs.

To summarize, OP has to look at both ways. What you have and what
you're connecting to it. Simplest is HDMI but there are converters
like VGA to HDMI, component to HDMI, display port to HDMI, etc. If
not carefully planned, hook up can get very messy. Easiest is get a
entry level HT receiver with speaker kits in a box. Then A/V
receiver becomes hub of every thing. Every thing connects to A/V and
one HDMI cable to TV set.Older A/V receiver can be had for like
~100.00. You can have simple stereo set up with two speakers and
start from there upto 7 speakers plus two woofers. Surround sound is
nice to have. WiFi mode is downward compatible.

Tony,

Not all home theater receivers provide video output in a different
format than the format of the video input. My home theater is a Best
Buy Insignia unit - which came with all the speakers; a unit that meets
your description of "entry level HT receiver with speaker kits in a
box". The receiver appears to be a re-labeled Onkyo unit. I have HDMI,
component, and composite input sources connect to the HT receiver.
However, I found to my surprise, consistent with the user's manual, that
the receiver outputs those video sources only to the same format output
jacks on the receiver. Fortunately, my HDTV has sufficient input
sources of each type so I don't have a problem. In summary, my HT
receiver won't output a composite or component video input signal to the
HDMI output jack. If an when I ever replace my HT receiver, I'll make
sure the replacement can do that. Peter

Retirednoguilt wrote:
On 9/6/2015 11:54 AM, Tony Hwang wrote:
Peter wrote:
On 9/3/2015 8:18 PM, micky wrote:
After the previous thread, I'm interested in a set-top box...
oh, that includes the roku that I asked about before on one of
these groups.

Well 2 more questions:

The descriptions keep talking about HDTV. One doesn't need HD
does he? It will output to SD also?

Check the specs of the specific model of the set-top box. Some
newer ones only have HDMI outputs. Other newer ones have both HDMI
and composite video.


Are some of them wireless and can I expect it to stream
continuously with wireless B/G? Or do I have to buy a new
router with N? Remember, I don't have HiDef, and I don't expect
to get it. If I buy with AC, will it still suppport B/G, which
all my other devices are?


Again, check the specs. Most newer ones are retro compatible with
the older WIFI standards.

Just don't buy a set-top box without consulting the specs and you
won't have an unpleasant surprise. And again, to emphasize,
different models from the same manufacturer often have different
specs.

To summarize, OP has to look at both ways. What you have and what
you're connecting to it. Simplest is HDMI but there are converters
like VGA to HDMI, component to HDMI, display port to HDMI, etc. If
not carefully planned, hook up can get very messy. Easiest is get a
entry level HT receiver with speaker kits in a box. Then A/V
receiver becomes hub of every thing. Every thing connects to A/V and
one HDMI cable to TV set.Older A/V receiver can be had for like
~100.00. You can have simple stereo set up with two speakers and
start from there upto 7 speakers plus two woofers. Surround sound is
nice to have. WiFi mode is downward compatible.

Tony,

Not all home theater receivers provide video output in a different
format than the format of the video input. My home theater is a Best
Buy Insignia unit - which came with all the speakers; a unit that meets
your description of "entry level HT receiver with speaker kits in a
box". The receiver appears to be a re-labeled Onkyo unit. I have HDMI,
component, and composite input sources connect to the HT receiver.
However, I found to my surprise, consistent with the user's manual, that
the receiver outputs those video sources only to the same format output
jacks on the receiver. Fortunately, my HDTV has sufficient input
sources of each type so I don't have a problem. In summary, my HT
receiver won't output a composite or component video input signal to the
HDMI output jack. If an when I ever replace my HT receiver, I'll make
sure the replacement can do that. Peter

Your only choice is then using little converter box. 3 cable component
cable/digital audio in and HDMI out. Some time ago wife won a HT in a
box, LG brand in a raffle. It has HDMI o/p to HDTV. Since we did not
need it, I sold it to a neighbor's kid for 100.00. I never like Onkyo
receivers.
Their power supply seems to be little under rated. Unit runs always too
hot to my liking. I was a fan of Denon stuff. Now I moved up to Anthem
receiver and all Paradigm speakers except PBS 250W 12" Woofer. When
organic TV price comes down I'll upgrade TV set.