Best Streaming App for Mobile and Home

[masterdrago]

Trying to find the best streaming service for use when we travel. Getting ready to drop Dish Network due to high cost. Looking for something similar. Looking at their respective web pages, it looks as if Disney+, ESPN+. Paramount+ Essentials, NFL+ Premium & AMC+ allow streaming from an ISP wifi that is not the home service. Some of the threads at Hulu say no will do but the Hulu web page is mum on the details. We like the plan at Hulu so far. We will be streaming using 5 Roku devices, two of which are in the RV. Rarely will more than two screens at one time (just me and Joy). We like the channel lineup at Hulu as it most mirrors Dish but if we cannot use it at different campgrounds, will be a no-can-do. Any experiences with mobile streaming would be appreciated.

 

[MoonShadow_1911]

Trying to find the best streaming service for use when we travel. Getting ready to drop Dish Network due to high cost. Looking for something similar. Looking at their respective web pages, it looks as if Disney+, ESPN+. Paramount+ Essentials, NFL+ Premium & AMC+ allow streaming from an ISP wifi that is not the home service. Some of the threads at Hulu say no will do but the Hulu web page is mum on the details. We like the plan at Hulu so far. We will be streaming using 5 Roku devices, two of which are in the RV. Rarely will more than two screens at one time (just me and Joy). We like the channel lineup at Hulu as it most mirrors Dish but if we cannot use it at different campgrounds, will be a no-can-do. Any experiences with mobile streaming would be appreciated.

We use Philo, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.

 

[masterdrago]

I'm sure it depends on wifi connectivity strength. Some family and friends use Peacock and Philo. We are hoping to get a package that will closely mirror what we are loosing in our Dish Network package. We (I) like news and sports (NFL+ Premium & ESPN+). Joy can get all she needs from PlutoTV, Philo, or Peacock for sure.

 

[MoonShadow_1911]

I'm sure it depends on wifi connectivity strength. Some family and friends use Peacock and Philo. We are hoping to get a package that will closely mirror what we are loosing in our Dish Network package. We (I) like news and sports (NFL+ Premium & ESPN+). Joy can get all she needs from PlutoTV, Philo, or Peacock for sure.

We also have Starlink since we are full-time and I work full time.

 

[masterdrago]

Here is a reply I got from a Hulu community post I made. So it looks like Hulu will not work for us.

"I believe I can answer that question. I also have Hulu+ Live TV at home. I recently purchased a Starlink system with roaming plan for our RV. Great WiFi internet service with it but when I connect to that WiFi and open Hulu Live TV it tells me I'm not connected to my home network and won't allow the live TV. And that's when I'm sitting in my own driveway. Hulu really needs to recognize this problem and find a solution."

 

[BoredWeasel]

we have youtube tv, the price has creeped up over the years, but It is still the best thing going. It will let you watch local to your location channels or your home location. we use it over a cell network so I cant speak to any starlink issues.

 

[COGrandDes]

Here is a reply I got from a Hulu community post I made. So it looks like Hulu will not work for us.

"I believe I can answer that question. I also have Hulu+ Live TV at home. I recently purchased a Starlink system with roaming plan for our RV. Great WiFi internet service with it but when I connect to that WiFi and open Hulu Live TV it tells me I'm not connected to my home network and won't allow the live TV. And that's when I'm sitting in my own driveway. Hulu really needs to recognize this problem and find a solution."

That's a great post as we were thinking of also discontinuing our Dish Network at home and going with the Hulu+ assuming that an added bonus would be the ability to stream with that across our Starlink when camping. If that's not an option---I will keep looking. This weekend we streamed Netflix for several movies in the middle of the CO mountains and it worked awesome. We were getting over 190Mbps on our Starlink.

 

[fladoans]

We had Hulu Live for years and used it in our RV for quite a while. But there are some issues:
First, we are weekend warriors. So what I describe below worked for us. This won’t work for full-timers.
2nd Hulu Live must connect to your home Wi-Fi at least once every 30 days.
3rd the only way this works in the RV is to connect Hulu Live on your cell phone on your home Wifi network. Then you can stream from that cell phone for 30 days with no issue. But you have to connect that phone to the TV directly with an HDMI Cable.
Also depending on your cell phone this can use a lot of data. Our T-Mobile plan has unlimited “On-Device” streaming, so for us this worked great.
We also used Netflix and Amazon Prime on our Hotspot and that is usually easier.

We have now switched to an IPTV plan from Apollo TV group for home and the RV and it works no matter where we are. It’s does take some work to set it up the first time, but it’s been great for us.

 

[masterdrago]

We had Hulu Live for years and used it in our RV for quite a while. But there are some issues:
First, we are weekend warriors. So what I describe below worked for us. This won’t work for full-timers.
2nd Hulu Live must connect to your home Wi-Fi at least once every 30 days.
3rd the only way this works in the RV is to connect Hulu Live on your cell phone on your home Wifi network. Then you can stream from that cell phone for 30 days with no issue. But you have to connect that phone to the TV directly with an HDMI Cable.
Also depending on your cell phone this can use a lot of data. Our T-Mobile plan has unlimited “On-Device” streaming, so for us this worked great.
We also used Netflix and Amazon Prime on our Hotspot and that is usually easier.

We have now switched to an IPTV plan from Apollo TV group for home and the RV and it works no matter where we are. It’s does take some work to set it up the first time, but it’s been great for us.

So if I understand correctly, I use my cell service to connect to my home WiFi via Firefox or other browser. Then connect to the streaming service (Hulu+ LiveTV, YouTube TV, etc), then connect some cable from the phone USB C to the TV HDMI?? I'm a bit foggy on connecting the phone to my home WiFi from 300 miles away.

BTW, YouTube TV allows direct streaming when away from home using the campground WiFi. I've been doing some research on this because I'm seeing many on Hulu and some other communities saying many problems streaming Hulu thru a remote (not home) WiFi.

 

[fladoans]

As mentioned in the post - this only worked for us, because we are home between trips. If you are away for extended periods this will not work. Also Hulu by itself will stream directly from our hotspot - it is "Hulu Live" that will not. When ever you are trying to get local channels they seem to want to know where you are.

 

[masterdrago]

As mentioned in the post - this only worked for us, because we are home between trips. If you are away for extended periods this will not work. Also Hulu by itself will stream directly from our hotspot - it is "Hulu Live" that will not. When ever you are trying to get local channels they seem to want to know where you are.

Maybe that's the issue - live tv. I had not separated the two. We are not full time. Just spend a dozen weeks/yr out enjoying other parts. This entire streaming thing is beginning to look like more work than saving the $80/mo is worth it. I set up a big dish (1000.2), align it, and bingo. No problems so far with trees, luckily. Both small displays getting great signals from Wally receivers. DW has no issues with the single remote. All is good.

 

[BoredWeasel]

So if I understand correctly, I use my cell service to connect to my home WiFi via Firefox or other browser. Then connect to the streaming service (Hulu+ LiveTV, YouTube TV, etc), then connect some cable from the phone USB C to the TV HDMI?? I'm a bit foggy on connecting the phone to my home WiFi from 300 miles away.

BTW, YouTube TV allows direct streaming when away from home using the campground WiFi. I've been doing some research on this because I'm seeing many on Hulu and some other communities saying many problems streaming Hulu thru a remote (not home) WiFi.

this has nothing to do with your home wifi.

 

[trailrydr]

Internet connection being key...

One could stream from a stick built home PC attached to a local router (which is authorized equipement/location wise by the streaming provider) and use a PTP connection to that PC (with TV windows software for those feeds that needed it) to gain access to the stream for content viewing. Did it for awhile with our older dish equipment before breaking down and purchased a VIP211K and Tailgater. Also still do it for local news in our stick built home for storm, news alerts, and local pro games.

Always a way...... of course it helps being an IT Engineer for 35+ yrs.

 

[masterdrago]

Internet connection being key...

One could stream from a stick built home PC attached to a local router (which is authorized equipement/location wise by the streaming provider) and use a PTP connection to that PC (with TV windows software for those feeds that needed it) to gain access to the stream for content viewing. Did it for awhile with our older dish equipment before breaking down and purchased a VIP211K and Tailgater. Also still do it for local news in our stick built home for storm, news alerts, and local pro games.

Always a way...... of course it helps being an IT Engineer for 35+ yrs.

This help would be great if I understood what you said. Not an IT Engineer. But a Sears repair guy for almost that long. Now retired and trying to learn the streaming lingo.

 

[BoredWeasel]

This help would be great if I understood what you said. Not an IT Engineer. But a Sears repair guy for almost that long. Now retired and trying to learn the streaming lingo.

more keyboard warrior flexing....... for the average guy it is more difficult than it needs to be and it doesn't solve the issue of a wireless connection, be it cell or starlink

you can use the hotspot on your phone to stream as well.

 

[COGrandDes]

The bigger question that must be answered first is.....is there always cellular service or Wi-Fi service where you camp? If so, then many of the streaming options will work. In our case, we only boondock in the mountains of CO where there is normally not a lick of cellular signal. With this in mind...we went with Starlink and can now use things like Amazon prime, Netflix or other available streaming services providing they don't have the "use at home" limitations as some have described.

 

[trailrydr]

The bigger question that must be answered first is.....is there always cellular service or Wi-Fi service where you camp? If so, then many of the streaming options will work. In our case, we only boondock in the mountains of CO where there is normally not a lick of cellular signal. With this in mind...we went with Starlink and can now use things like Amazon prime, Netflix or other available streaming services providing they don't have the "use at home" limitations as some have described.

Unfortunately... Netflix is a home based app because of their concerns of sharing accounts (with others likely to follow). Prime is also sensitive, but for other reasons. Prime doesnt like VPNs when viewing their content - especially on the road.

This issue with VPNs and shared accounts is the nemesis IMO to using streaming provider content. And just like Napster, it will probably find its way into the abyss.

FWIW, I personally wouldnt use my cell or travel PC without a VPN. Too many bad actors out on the interweb looking for unencrypted low hanging fruit.

 

[COGrandDes]

Unfortunately... Netflix is a home based app because of their concerns of sharing accounts (with others likely to follow). Prime is also sensitive, but for other reasons. Prime doesnt like VPNs when viewing their content - especially on the road.

This issue with VPNs and shared accounts is the nemesis IMO to using streaming provider content. And just like Napster, it will probably find its way into the abyss.

FWIW, I personally wouldnt use my cell or travel PC without a VPN. Too many bad actors out on the interweb looking for unencrypted low hanging fruit.

We use Prime and Netflix more away from home when traveling than we do at home and it works flawless so far. Never had an issue using it away from our home address. As fas as a VPN for streaming video content......it's not high on my priority list at the moment. Sure, if I were doing banking or wanted enhanced privacy, I get it. Watching a movie on my smart TV is a low attack vector IMHO and yes....I am a Cyber IT Engineer guy.

 

[trailrydr]

We use Prime and Netflix more away from home when traveling than we do at home and it works flawless so far. Never had an issue using it away from our home address. As fas as a VPN for streaming video content......it's not high on my priority list at the moment. Sure, if I were doing banking or wanted enhanced privacy, I get it. Watching a movie on my smart TV is a low attack vector IMHO and yes....I am a Cyber IT Engineer guy.

Obviously, to each their own. When camping longterm.. we always have a need to check certain accounts out. Not to mention other "saved content" that also gets transmited. When even credit bureaus cant protect your identity...I will stay on the side of caution.

Also, I have had to re-auth my Netflix acct for 30 day increments. And yes.... then it works flawlessly until the 31st day.

 

[LKWiandt]

We use YouTube TV which gives us about the same channels as DirectTV's Ultimate package. We also have Nedflix, Paramount+ and a couple others. This works well over cellular networks using a hotspot. We also have T-Mobile's Home internet device that we carry with us which works a bit better than using the phone hotspot.