I use one on my upstairs bedroom TV (no cable drop). It uses apps like a phone. You log in to Amazon and get access to their videos. For the other apps, you either log in to the app, like Netflix, or you log into your internet provider (like xfinity) and authenticate (go to a web browser and enter a code provided by the app) to access content. Most apps work well. I like it.

We have the box, not the firestick. LOVE it. We don't have cable.

imstillchloecat, this is the first time I have seen mentioned of a box. What box is it. I am trying to look at my options before ditching cable. Thanks.

I have one, but prefer Roku.

I have Amazon Prime TV, it comes with my membership. I like it. I have a Roku on my tv downstairs. I only use it for Netflix if and when I'm on my treadmill. I've wondered about the firestick. My sister sees shows on their I can't get on Netflix, Amazon or CraveTV.

WalnutCreek - the box (or cube, I think they call it now) is more robust and is faster, with regard to streaming. Well worth the little extra $$ for it, over the fire stick.

I have Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Amazon Fire TV Stick. I like the Amazon Fire TV Stick the best! It is voice-activated, so you just tell it what you want to watch. Definitely worth the money (and it's cheap).

Walnutcreek, My mother ditched cable a few months ago and went with just an indoor antenna! She never cared for the "shows" anyway, usually just watching local news, national news and some mainstream sporting events. Even with having to purchase an antenna for each TV, it was very cost effective.

Wish I could understand all these options for I could ditch this costly cable! How would I find a person to hire for setting up a new option? I couldn't be happy without my Kindle!

Also, if you have a smart tv, all of the apps are built in. You just need to activate the ones you already have and then purchase others if you want. No need for sticks or boxes then.

I am with lovemrmewey. I am a pretty well educated person, generally regarded as being above average intelligence. I use computers at work all day and play at home like now on computers.

I feel so challenged with these options and wish someone would really dumb it down so I might have a clue. I am so challenged - when I visit at my daughter's house I can barely manage to turn on the tv.

Hanging head in embarrassment.

I love my Fire Stick, and it couldn't be easier to set up. The "stick" looks somewhat like a flash drive. Following simple instructions that come with it, you plug the stick into one of the HDMI ports on the side of the TV. Amazon does the setup automatically. The other part you get is the voice remote. It's smaller than a regular remote. You press the mic button and say what you want.

I use it only for Amazon shows and movies because I have Amazon Prime. But you can use it to go to Netflix, Hulu, etc., if you have access to those services.

Another thing I like about the Fire Stick is that you can move it to another TV if you like. And that TV doesn't have to be in your house.

Edited to add: To use it, press the appropriate HDMI button on your regular TV remote. In other words, if you've plugged the stick into HDMI3, press the HDMI3 button on your remote. Then pick up the Fire Stick voice remote and use that.

I have an LG "smart" TV, but it doesn't have all of the apps that I use on the Fire Stick (mine is a few years old, no voice remote). And, the Netflix app runs faster on the Fire Stick than on the TV. Odd, but OK by me.

Nope not me. I'm too afraid of getting more things. I'm letting the phone and my PC and laptop which I run Netflix on be more than enough for me. Danger danger Yeona Robinson! How much further down the rabbit hole should I fall. Also I'm with Salonva it's another thing to learn. I really like voice activated and controlled things!

Speaking of Technology I'm sure you know this Walnutcreek you are posted as cowhorncreek on the list of threads but inside you're posting you are walnutcreek.