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I have this app through Cox, and it does not work correctly, and hasn't for about a year. All other apps work fine. First, it takes forever to open, then pauses and buffers and the screen freezes and goes black. The sound cuts in and out. It does this literally ever 1-2 minutes. And when it's not doing that, it's giving me an error. I don't know how to post a picture of this, I don't have a URL for the photo I took, but it says "Title Not Available. Sorry, we're having trouble accessing that title right now. Please go back and try playing the title again. And it gives this code: 9be12b52-48ca-444b-e72d-010d7194f5b7 ERR-010." When I retry to open the app and watch, I get a black screen. I had multiple techs out last year when it was messing up, and none of them could tell me what was wrong or how to fix it. The app plays on my phone and laptop just fine, so it is a problem with the Contour box and having to stream through this device and through Cox. I'd like to know if ANYONE has a fix, because Customer Support via phone is completely useless. I can reboot my box until the cows come home and it WILL NOT fix this problem. Any help would be appreciated.
There have been many complaints in the Forum about Contour failing with Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Disney and Paramount.
If you want to steam, I would suggest purchasing a device engineered to stream. Devices engineered to stream have better chipsets, operating systems and customer support. Adding streaming apps to a cable-box was just an afterthought to keep subscribers from cutting-the-cord.
My Roku must be 10 years old and I've never had a problem streaming with it, and there are plenty of contributors to attest they've never had problems with their choice of device, such as Chromecast, Fire TV Stick, TiVo. I understand having one box, one remote and voice command is convenient...but the platform is unreliable. Techs are even coming to your house and can't fix it.
Why can't you install/uninstall apps on your Philips TV? After a quick web search, I found plenty of how-to articles. Is your Philips connected to the Internet?
It just isn't an option. I've seen those how-tos as well, but they don't apply to my particular TV. I go into settings, and there is no option to manipulate the existing apps that are available to me. The apps just have randomly become available over the years. When I first got the set, there was no Hulu or Disney+ app on the screen when I would press Contour on the remote, then navigate to the Apps. Then one day, those two were suddenly available. The remote that came with my TV has buttons for Netflix, Vudu and Youtube, so my guess is it's an agreement between Philips and streaming providers on what apps are available and when. I don't know, I find it odd but it is what it is.
I don't understand if we're talking about the TV and you reference pressing the Contour button. The TV has its own operating system and apps and Contour has its operating system and apps. Two different platforms. The Contour box wouldn't have anything to do with steaming an app on the TV set. You'll need to use the TV remote to navigate the TV apps.
When I use the remote for the TV and go to it's apps, there is only a limited selection, and none of them are the ones I subscribe to. My TV is hooked up to the Contour box so that I can access Cox Cable. I have HBOMax and Netflix through Cox, but I also have Hulu, Disney+, and Prime Video and can access them with the Cox remote. I know it doesn't make sense, but I've spent countless hours looking for a way to manipulate the apps on my TV and it can't be done. It came with something called Net TV where the apps are found, and it just has a bunch of weird ones like Field and Stream, Popular Science, iFoodTV, Outdoor Life. Right now, NONE of my apps are working, so I will have to waste time exchanging this stupid Contour Box.
Yeah...being unable to steam via Control seems to be spreading like a virus.
I read the User Manual for your Philips 55PFL5601/F7, and it appears this online system you had previously noted is Net TV and Net TV controls its apps. Here's a copy-and-paste...
Net TVNet TV offers internet services for your TV. Use the TV remote control to browse the Net TV pages. You can play movies, listen to music and much more, all from your TV screen.– Because Net TV is an online system, it can be modified over time to better serve its purpose.– Some Net TV services can be added, changed or stopped after some time.– You cannot download and save files or install plug-ins.
Meaning, Net TV controls the weird stuff you can stream. This feature reminds me of a quote of Henry Ford, "Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it's black."
I suspect those buttons for Netflix, Vudu and Youtube on the Philips remote are launching Net TV.
I'd take another look at those how-to articles to download apps onto your Philips. These articles may be instructing how to download and use apps outside of Net TV. Of course, this won't solve your problem with streaming via Contour, but the crux of your problem may be streaming via Contour.
Page 48: www.download.p4c.philips.com/.../55pfl5601_f7_dfu_aen.pdf
I just checked all of my 3rd party apps and they are now launching and working. I see others with this issue, and someone said they had called and Cox wasn't even aware of it. I did a little research last night and saw that some earlier Philips TVs (pre-2017) will not allow for the manipulation of preset apps, and will not allow for downloading of any app stores (Google Play being the main one mentioned for Philips). I honestly don't know how old my set is. My parents bought it, and it sat at their house for a few years before they gave it to me, but it's most likey 2015 or so. So I guess I'm just stuck with the Net TV apps or the BS I deal with on Cox/Contour. Thank you for the article though, I'll see if there is anything I can do.
Get a dedicated streaming device. I trust these reviews:
www.soundandvision.com/.../top-picks-streaming-media-players
So, how do those devices work? Do I just install them and then I can navigate to the apps I subscribe to and log on with a code or something like that? Would I have to just buy the device, or is there an additional monthly fee for using Fire Stick or Roku or whatever?
I can only speak for Roku but I'm sure other devices are similar. I think the biggest difference between devices is from where the device downloads its apps, for example, Roku downloads from Roku...Chromecast from Google Play...Fire Stick from Amazon.
You buy these devices in a store. For example, I searched "Where to buy a Chromecast?" and "Where to buy a Fire Stick?" and "Where to buy a Roku?" and got the same 3 results: Best Buy, Walmart and Target. If you don't have these stores, go to the website of a store near you.
You just connect the device directly to your TV set. Do you have any HDMI ports available on your Philips TV?
The model of my Roku requires an HDMI cable; however, some models are so small, it can connect directly into an HDMI port like a USB stick. If you purchase a device requiring an HDMI cable, check its package at the store for what's included. If the device doesn't include an HDMI cable, buy an HDMI cable while at the store.
Connect the device to an HDMI port and, if needed, to an electrical outlet. Power up your TV.
There is an HDMI Select button on your Cox remote and if you've entered a good pairing code, the button will launch the HDMI Input screen of your Philips TV. This screen has to be from your Philips TV because only your Philips TV can detect what's connected to its HDMI ports.
Once you get into the User Interface of the device, you can add and remove apps. All apps are free to download; however, I sure some apps, such as HBO Max, require a subscription fee. If you already subscribe to HBO via Cox, the User Interface will instruct you what to do. It's very easy.
You may, however, need to go to the HBO website to get an activation code to enter into your User Interface. I'm unsure how this worked because it's been a while since I've activated my subscription on Roku.
I think I got everything but if not...just ask.
Okay, thanks. I just wasn't sure if it was a one-time purchase of the device or if there was a monthly fee to use the device once I buy it.
Nope...just a onetime purchase.
There are lots of different models with these streamers and a lot cheaper than when I bought mine. Some have Voice Remotes, 4K compatible, wireless, etc. Take your time choosing a model you like.