I have ached to cut the cable and use something like Roku to watch TV. But as I understand it, you need a cable connection for Roku to run on. So what do you gain? You’re not really free from cable. Please advise.
Roku just needs an internet connection. You may be getting that already from your Cable TV provider, but when people say they are cutting the cord, they mean they are opting out of the cable TV channel packages, and instead using internet-connected devices to stream the content they want.
Ultimately you would only be paying the cable company for the internet connection, and not the TV channels, rental on the cable box, dvr, etc..
If you are going to look into Roku, I highly recommend the Roku 3. It is a small box about the size of a deck of cards that connects to your TV, and can provide streaming with either a wireless or wired (Cat 6 cable) connection. If you can make the wired connection, it is awesome. But even with wifi, it does a damn good job. Good luck.
Technically, no, you do not need a cable connection. What you need is Internet, wired or wireless, connectivity.
Now many people get Internet thru their cable company. In effect, they have a broadband coaxial connection using the same wire cable TV comes in on.
However, in many cases, they’re not the only game in town. Your local phone company might offer a similar broadband connection, or DSL, or even old fashioned modem-like technology, but sped up considerable. Some folks, especially in rural areas without cable TV use satellite Internet.
What I’ve found is using my smart phone as a Internet sharing device can also work.
I have Verizon, as it has coverage in my area no one else has. I actually went to an unlimited data plan that wound up CHEAPER than my previous plan!
Now, compared to cable Internet, my phone’s bandwidth is much slower. I’m getting about 5 Mpbs, vice 25 Mbps on the cable. However, it is enough to pull good content from Roku’s built-in wireless adapter to make a high-quality 55” 4K video and sound TV experience, as long as I don’t add a bunch of other devices on to it.
Yes you need high speed internet but what you gain is losing the cable TV fee