Read the forum guidelines
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.
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.
I do have a few HDMI ports on my TV and I've looked into the Fire Stick. Once in a blue moon, they go on sale for $24.99
Oh, okay...so you already know which device to get and what to look for. My brother has Fire Stick and loves it. I only mentioned Voice Control because it seems you like it with Contour.
Honestly I don't use the voice control all that much. I have friends with Fire Sticks that they did a jailbreak on to get everything free, I don't need that. I have friends with Roku that love them, so I'll look into some other devices.
Yup...i know all about Fire Stick with Kodi. It's not illegal to have Kodi because up until 2015, Amazon offered Kodi on their Appstore. The free stuff,, however, you'd need a good VPN to keep it hidden..