Category: Equipment Guides

TiVo Stream 4K Review

by Bill Frost | Jan 29, 2024 | Equipment Guides, Reviews

At $30.95, the TiVo Stream 4K is one of the cheaper streaming devices on the market, and it features a cross-platform aggregation function that can save you some jumping between apps. Unfortunately, that function is limited to a handful of apps, only one of which offers live TV streaming.

Amazon Fire TV Cube Review

by Bill Frost | Jan 24, 2024 | Equipment Guides, Reviews

The Fire TV Cube is the full-featured, bigger/squarer brother to Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks. The Fire TV Cube is also one of the most futuristic and feature-rich streamers we’ve reviewed on CableTV.com, and one of the first to challenge our love for the Roku Ultra (that’s a big deal around here).

DISH Hopper 3 vs. DIRECTV Genie

by Randy Harward | Jan 8, 2024 | Equipment Guides, Versus Reviews

When you sign up for DISH or DIRECTV, you’re not just choosing a TV package—you’re choosing a DVR/receiver, which is your portal to all that delicious, mind-rotting eye candy.

Feature-rich and powerful, the DISH Hopper 3 is consistently named the best TV box in the biz. DIRECTV’s Genie is well-regarded, but not as mighty, and consistently second-banana to the Hopper 3. If you want more details, keep reading to see what we’ve dug up on both boxes.

What Is Roku?

by Taylor Kujawa | Dec 28, 2023 | Equipment Guides, TV FAQs

Roku is one of the most popular brands in the digital media player industry. Its streaming devices have helped shape the way we now consume video content. But Roku is more than just a device. It’s also an operating system, an advertising platform, and a production company. Read more to find out if Roku is right for you.

How to Get the Best Internet for Gaming

by Rachel Oaks | Dec 21, 2023 | Equipment Guides

Tired of lag taking down your gaming sessions? Here’s what you need from your internet setup to game optimally.

How to Set Up a Plex Media Server

by Eric Chiu | Dec 20, 2023 | Equipment Guides

Tired of hooking up adapters to play content from a computer onto your TV? Plex is a free media server service that lets you wirelessly watch home videos, stream music, or view photos on any compatible device.

Best OTA Antennas 2024

by Randy Harward | Dec 15, 2023 | Best Of, Equipment Guides

Congratulations, cord-cutter! Our guide to the best OTA antennas recommends models from Mohu, 1byone, ViewTV, Winegard and FiveStar. And they’ll all have you back to watching your local channels (and subchannels) in no time—and with no monthly payment.

Top 5 DVRs of 2024

by Randy Harward | Dec 15, 2023 | Best Of, Equipment Guides

Do you love TV but don’t have a schedule that lets you watch your favorite shows when they air? You need a DVR. With the recording and storage power of a good DVR, you can keep up with everything you like to watch, and then some. And you won’t need a half dozen streaming subscriptions to do it.

Your Guide to Internet Speeds

by Rachel Oaks | Dec 13, 2023 | Equipment Guides

Internet service providers use a lot of specialized language to talk about Wi-Fi and internet plans. If the technical stuff goes over your head, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to be confused about your internet plan anymore—we’re here to explain internet speeds so you can be a Wi-Fi wiz.

How To Program an RCA Universal Remote

by Randy Harward | Dec 12, 2023 | Equipment Guides, TV FAQs

Setting up your remote is actually a pretty simple process. But trying to figure out which set of instructions to use can get confusing. There are a few different procedures you can follow, depending on whether your remote has a Code Search button or whether you have a device code for the gear you want to pair with your remote.