Streaming Stick/Box for old tube style TV(s)

[smitbret]

Cutting the cord this New Year and replacing my 4 Dish Network boxes with Streaming Devices. I have 4 TVs but 1 is an old tube style with just Component connections and a second, older TV has Component & Composite Connections; no HDMI on either.

I already have a FireTV box on the main TV that I have been using to slowly wean the family off of Dish and onto streaming services (trimming the Dish package down a few channels every month or so). I also own a streaming stick for the other HDTV location with HDMI ports.

I was going to just get 2 more FireTV sticks for the other two TVs and use an HDMI to Component or Composite adapter but I have read that you can have HDCP issues. In my experience, HDCP only comes into play with 1080p content and is a non-factor when the signal is down-rezzed to 720p or SD. Have things changed in the last couple of years?

Anyway, I saw that the Roku Express+ seems to have the answer but I would like to keep the interfaces the same through all 4 TVs so the FireTVs would be better if it is possible without losing programming.

Anyone have any first hand experience for streaming sticks on non-HDMI TVs?

 

[WhiteNoise]

You'll want to use something like this. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HLHR8QY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are many different brands so you can just look around amazon but this is what you will need if you want to use the firestick with old non-hdmi TV's.

 

[smitbret]

You'll want to use something like this. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HLHR8QY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

There are many different brands so you can just look around amazon but this is what you will need if you want to use the firestick with old non-hdmi TV's.

Yeah, that's the kind of device I was planning on using...... until I read a couple of people mentioning the HDCP issues, which surprised me. You have used this without issue?

 

[WhiteNoise]

Not at my home but my friend has an old JVC 32" CRT TV and it works on his. I've seen it in action so I know these work. Your mileage may vary but I think this is your best bet.

P.S. I don't know which brand he has I just know he has one.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

n/m

Sorry, nothing to add.

 

[simas]

what about using something that was created at the same type such connections were popular - i.e. I used Apple TV 1 with that jailbroken with OpenElec (Kodi based center). Still have one laying in the basement somewhere ...

 

[Ichinisan]

Roku 2 has SD output.

 

[sdifox]

Buy a new tv

 

[simas]

"Buy a new tv "

. probably most likely outcome/advice. also convert all/any VHS tapes to digital (family history ,etc) , transfer any analog video you may have to digital, etc.

or
keep one old TV until all of the above is done..

 

[sdifox]

"Buy a new tv "

. probably most likely outcome/advice. also convert all/any VHS tapes to digital (family history ,etc) , transfer any analog video you may have to digital, etc.

or
keep one old TV until all of the above is done..

There are tvs with composite input. Or composite to hdmi box.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

With the cost savings from cutting the cable you can buy some new TV's and probably come out even after 2-3 months. Imagining $150 a month for your cable service; that $150 will easily buy a 32" LED TV from any major retailer (including some with a Roku or Chromecast built in), and AFAIK CRT's maxed out around 36". You'll save on your energy costs too. A big CRT ran over 100W (36" probably more like 200-250W), which any modern LED/LCD of a comparable size will be around 10W or less.

 

[smitbret]

Yeah, there's a lot of logic in just replacing the old TVs but they are just small (15"-18") sets that sit in the kids rooms. They only really get turned on when they get kicked out of the living or family rooms or maybe when the kids are stuck at home sick or something. I would guess that the old CRT is on 4 hours a week if at all and the little LED is on about 8 hours a week. Power savings would be minimal and since we will be moving into a new house within the next year we are really not investing in anything of significant size that needs to be moved.

I just picked up some little converter boxes:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F8GXZ5W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

A dual tip mUSB charger:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WF5C4ZM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And a five pack of miniUSB to mUSB adapters:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JA75J18/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

....... after I discovered that literally all of these converters use miniUSB instead of mUSB.

Everything is supposed to show up today. Crossing fingers.

I guess my real dilemma was whether or not to just cut bait on the FireTV box that I already had and go with Roku since the Roku Express+ comes with an adapter that will run to Composite hookups.

In the end, my investment in the Android library and the ability to play some really decent family games on the FireTVs kind of sealed the deal. When we move and upgrade TVs then it will be a moot point anyway.