MHL TV's; will it make you leave cable?
September 22nd, 2013 at 11:28:45 AM
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MHL is a standard for an HDMI port on the back of TV that introduces several new features. But one in particular is it allowed ROKU to put all the features of it's box on a 1 ounce streaming stick, and control it with the TV remote. ROKU introduced this product in October 2012, and for the first time you can hang a TV on the wall with a single power cord and have a workable internet TV. The ROKU stick is currently selling for $70-$80 and TV's with this MHL port are now on sale for as low as $170.
ROKU stick plugged into MHL port.
The table is details of the Insignia line of televisions, which is house brand of Best Buy. They are reasonably priced TV's, but not the absolute cheapest.
Models with MHL enabled ports are indicated.
Even the 55" television at $600 with $80 Roku Streaming stick and $20/month for internet services will probably pay back in a year if you drop cable TV. The Google Chromecast stick is only $35, but all it does is mirror you phone or your tablet. Even if you already have a phone or tablet, why should you buy a TV that requires you to use it?
In light of these developments, what do you envision as the future of your home connectivity?
ROKU stick plugged into MHL port.
The table is details of the Insignia line of televisions, which is house brand of Best Buy. They are reasonably priced TV's, but not the absolute cheapest.
Models with MHL enabled ports are indicated.
| MHL | MSRP | Sale | Insignia™ - | Diag | Dynamic Contrast Ratio | Notes | (kWh/year) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $149.99 | NS-19ED200NA14 | 19" | LED | 720p | 3,500 | DVD combo | 36 | ||
| $189.99 | $179.99 | NS-24ED200NA14 | 24" | LED | 720p | 24,000 | DVD combo | 45 | |
| $229.99 | NS-28ED200NA14 | 28" | LED | 720p | 24,000 | DVD combo | 54 | ||
| $149.99 | $129.99 | NS-22E400NA14 | 22" | LED | 1080p | 9,000 | games? | 45 | |
| $119.99 | $99.99 | NS-19E310A13 | 19" | LED | 720p | 3,000 | 36 | ||
| $169.99 | $139.99 | NS-24E200NA14 | 24" | LED | 720p | 24,000 | 45 | ||
| Yes | $199.99 | $169.99 | NS-28E200NA14 | 28" | LED | 720p | 30,000 | 54 | |
| Yes | $229.99 | NS-32D200NA14 | 32" | LED | 720p | 40,000 | 54 | ||
| $229.99 | NS-32D120A13 | 32" | LED | 720p | 100,000 | 13 lbs. | 75 | ||
| $249.99 | NS-32E321A13 | 32" | LED | 720p | 10,000 | 16.6 lbs. | 65 | ||
| Yes | $279.99 | $249.99 | NS-32E400NA14 | 32" | LED | 1080p | 25,000 | 72 | |
| $299.99 | NS-32E440A13 | 32" | LED | 1080p | 80,000 | ?? $$$ | 100 | ||
| Yes | $349.99 | $329.99 | NS-39D400NA14 | 39" | LED | 1080p | 32,000 | 109 | |
| Yes | $379.99 | $349.99 | NS-39E400NA14 | 39" | LED | 1080p | 20,000 | 109 | |
| $329.99 | NS-39L400NA14 | 39" | LCD | 1080p | 7,000 | 190 | |||
| $329.99 | NS-40D40SNA14 | 40" | LED | 1080p | 10,000 | 109 | |||
| Yes | $499.99 | NS-46D400NA14 | 46" | LED | 1080p | 160,000 | 145 | ||
| Yes | $549.99 | NS-46E440NA14 | 46" | LED | 1080p | 10,000 | 120Hz | 145 | |
| Yes | $549.99 | NS-50D400NA14 | 50" | LED | 1080p | 200,000 | 154 | ||
| Yes | $699.99 | NS-50E440NA14 | 50" | LED | 1080p | 50,000 | 120Hz | 154 | |
| $699.99 | $399.99 | NS-50L260A13 | 50" | LCD | 1080p | 10,000 | 120Hz | 210 | |
| $549.99 | $479.99 | NS-50L440NA14 | 50" | LCD | 1080p | 24,000 | 120Hz | 281 | |
| Yes | $699.99 | $599.99 | NS-55D440NA14 | 55" | LED | 1080p | 200,000 | 120Hz | 172 |
| $1,399.99 | $1,199.99 | NS-65D260A13 | 65" | LED | 1080p | 165,000 | 120Hz | 390 |
Even the 55" television at $600 with $80 Roku Streaming stick and $20/month for internet services will probably pay back in a year if you drop cable TV. The Google Chromecast stick is only $35, but all it does is mirror you phone or your tablet. Even if you already have a phone or tablet, why should you buy a TV that requires you to use it?
In light of these developments, what do you envision as the future of your home connectivity?
September 22nd, 2013 at 8:12:42 PM
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Let me guess... its the Cable Co. providing the Internet service.
Can't be ATT, copper is too slow.
Can't be ATT, copper is too slow.
Some people need to reimagine their thinking.
September 23rd, 2013 at 1:55:57 AM
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Quote: 98ClubsLet me guess... its the Cable Co. providing the Internet service.
Yes, it would be the cable company providing the internet service. Usually at much less cost than RF television.
These TV's that are marketed as "Roku Ready" are just televisions that have an MHL port. They simplify the physical issues.
The price of such televisions has been reduced radically in the last few months.
| MHL | MSRP | Sale | Insignia™ - | Diag | Dynamic Contrast Ratio | Notes | (kWh/year) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | $199.99 | $169.99 | NS-28E200NA14 | 28" | LED | 720p | 30,000 | 54 | |
| Yes | $229.99 | NS-32D200NA14 | 32" | LED | 720p | 40,000 | 54 | ||
| Yes | $279.99 | $249.99 | NS-32E400NA14 | 32" | LED | 1080p | 25,000 | 72 | |
| Yes | $349.99 | $329.99 | NS-39D400NA14 | 39" | LED | 1080p | 32,000 | 109 | |
| Yes | $379.99 | $349.99 | NS-39E400NA14 | 39" | LED | 1080p | 20,000 | 109 | |
| Yes | $499.99 | NS-46D400NA14 | 46" | LED | 1080p | 160,000 | 145 | ||
| Yes | $549.99 | NS-46E440NA14 | 46" | LED | 1080p | 10,000 | 120Hz | 145 | |
| Yes | $549.99 | NS-50D400NA14 | 50" | LED | 1080p | 200,000 | 154 | ||
| Yes | $699.99 | NS-50E440NA14 | 50" | LED | 1080p | 50,000 | 120Hz | 154 | |
| Yes | $699.99 | $599.99 | NS-55D440NA14 | 55" | LED | 1080p | 200,000 | 120Hz | 172 |
