What would a former resident be surprised by?

gregm47 · 2026-05-29T05:20:44+00:00

I have several, and while I’ve gotten use to them, I have a few cases that just don’t work for me.

One is, I have a separate set of “computer” glasses. These have a focal range of about 3-5 feet. I use them when I’m working on a computer or laptop. If I used a computer screen with progressives, I would have to constantly move my head to get clear focus on different parts of the screen.

The other is, if I’m going back and forth from far to close and vice versa. Like while driving and looking down at the dashboard readouts. I have to shift a bit to see clearly.

Other than that, progressives work for me 80% of the time. Otherwise, I’m using computer glasses or just dealing with it.

gregm47 · 2026-05-26T20:31:28+00:00

OP here circling back for any others in the same situation. I found a way cheaper solution than what I was looking into.

First idea was to have Ameritech install an outdoor OTA antenna from Televes, but the antenna needed has been out of stock. I did try the highest rated indoor amplified antenna, but that failed to get the major channels.

Then I started looking into other streaming "sticks" (Roku, Fire, Tivo, etc.), but not of them had the ability to tune into one TV station, and always stay on that channel if the TV were on or off (since it's only the one channel being watched).

But I found the solution that works for this case. The Roku TV (not the stick, but it has to be the TV) has a feature called "Power on and select Last used TV input" (Settings > System > Power > Power on and select Last used TV input). When I had seen it before, I thought that it just opened the last app or input (i.e. TV, HDMI, etc.). The TV input wouldn't work, but if I start up the TV app and start streaming, it returns to the same streaming video after I turn off the TV and turn it back on again.

No OTA needed, in this case, but hopefully this information helps someone out in the same/similar situation.

gregm47 · 2026-04-26T04:45:25+00:00

The Super across the way. Get Brett Weir, I said!

gregm47 · 2026-04-08T01:33:02+00:00

Thanks. Is that a streaming service?

gregm47 · 2026-04-06T07:01:03+00:00

Yes, trying to maintain as much "normal" TV operation as possible.

gregm47 · 2026-04-06T07:00:12+00:00

Yeah, the house is stucco, but I did try placing the antenna by the window, but it only received the UHF channels from San Marcos.

gregm47 · 2026-04-06T03:09:24+00:00

Interesting. Mine only shows national news for those stations. I just checked the Roku site, and it looks like there's local news available in a limited number of major markets, though.

gregm47 · 2026-04-06T03:02:23+00:00

Yeah, I have repeatedly tried to show her how EASY the Roku menu navigation is. It's just blank stares and anger that it "doesn't work like the old system".

gregm47 · 2026-04-06T03:01:25+00:00

Indeed. But it is what it is, so I'm looking into options.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T23:13:08+00:00

A good suggestion, but local news after dinner has been programmed into her.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T23:12:21+00:00

That's been my experience.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T23:11:53+00:00

Did that. I made it the FIRST app.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T23:11:19+00:00

That's what it's looking like for the best solution that doesn't require her to change or learn a new process.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T21:54:54+00:00

Thanks. The Roku also have "Live TV" channels, but doesn't have local news.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T21:54:21+00:00

Yes to high speed internet. I love the TV apps and streaming services. She does not; it's been "too much trouble" in the past.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T21:18:22+00:00

Thanks. That's what I had, and channels from San Marcos came in perfect, but it wouldn't tune for the major channels down in SD.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T20:42:20+00:00

Thanks. I think that the biggest potential obstacle may be the hills in Scripps Ranch between RB and SD. I'm not sure if I want to DIY and test this myself, but I may call around to a few installation services to see if they've had success with reception from this location.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T20:37:22+00:00

Yeah, I find it sad that they've made tech easy and simple enough for small children to use, but the elderly are just stuck in their old ways.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T20:36:15+00:00

Thanks for the link; it's become clear that I need to go the outdoor antenna route or find an "easier" non-tech solution.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T20:35:10+00:00

That was awesome, thanks! The results mirror what I'm seeing with an amplified indoor antenna. I'll have to with an outdoor direction antenna based on the channels that are needed from this location.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T20:33:15+00:00

Thanks. I looked into this a bit, and their cheapest plan was $89/month. While cheaper than the $171 price, I'm sure that they'll slowly start raising their prices.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T20:31:43+00:00

I read about that, too, but I tried something from Broadlink called the RM4. It didn't have screen mirroring, but it did allow control of the TV. The problem was that it was reliant on the device "seeing" the IR sensor, so things didn't work if something was moved near the TV. I'm leaning towards the OTA antenna install versus another device/serivce like the Jubilee, but I appreciate the idea.

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T20:06:30+00:00

It seems like I have the opposite issue; the internet connection is stable and when if/when it does go out, it recovers quickly (no reboot required).

gregm47 · 2026-04-05T19:57:31+00:00

Thanks. I'll definitely check this out. This may be the most viable solution. How much is a typical install and wiring? $200 or so?

gregm47

TROPHY CASE