Comcast tries using Roku to hook college kids on cable

The 'Xfinity on Campus' TV service is now streaming to more than 100 schools.

Senior News Editor

UpdatedTue, August 22, 2017 at 1:00 PM UTC

A few years after launching the Xfinity on Campus service, Comcast says it's now available for over 100 schools -- up by 60 percent from last year. Originally, its streaming TV setup only worked through phones, PCs and tablets, but this fall new and returning students can also watch via Roku. That should work via a stick, box, or even a TV with the system built-in -- like the TCL set included in our Back to School buyer's guide -- with live TV, video on-demand and a cloud DVR setup.

Of course, getting college students used to cable service is a big deal for Comcast too, as it tries to stem the tide of cord-nevers who graduate and avoid traditional TV service altogether. Even if it leads to another internet-delivered service like its planned Xfinity Instant TV or DirecTV Now, getting the kids a taste of cable now could keep them from sticking to antennas and Netflix in the future.

Vizio - $530+

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When you’re not knee deep in homework, a gaming or movie session is always an affordable way to relax. Luckily, top-notch sets can now be had for affordable prices. Vizio’s latest E-Series displays boast 4K Ultra HD resolution along with High Dynamic Range (HDR) for explosive colors, starting at just $470 for the 50-inch model.

Even if your dorm or apartment is strapped for space, it’s worth pushing the limits to 55 inches (hell, even 65) if you can, so you can soak up the rich color and even brightness, courtesy of the full-array LED design. The black levels here are also some of the deepest you can get short of a pricey OLED set. There are HDMI inputs for all your gaming and media streaming devices, so you and your friends can enjoy high-res gaming and movie nights. Plus, the TV is both WiFi and Bluetooth ready, and even has built-in Chromecast support.

Amazon - $450

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If you want a bigger screen than the one on your computer to watch movies and TV shows, Element’s 43-inch Fire TV Edition is a solid choice, for one reason in particular: the price. At $450, you’ll still thankfully have money left to spend on more important things ahead of the school year. Despite its relatively low price, this TV manages to punch above its weight with 4K and built-in apps, giving you direct access to streaming services like HBO Now, Hulu, Netflix, Sling TV and, of course, Amazon Video. Better yet, if you don’t have cable, Element designed an OS that can integrate live TV channels into the overall experience; all you’ll need for that is an antenna.

TCL - $650

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TCL pulled off quite a feat with the 55-inch 55P607 Roku, offering a smart 4K TV with Dolby Vision HDR tech for just $650. Sure, you’re not going to get the impeccable blacks, perfect colors and balanced lighting that you do with high-end models that can reach 10 times the price. However, you get plenty of streaming options thanks to the Roku and remote (which has a cool headphone jack), 4K and, best of all, that sweet extra color gamut with Dolby Vision HDR. And the picture isn’t bad, with an extra-bright screen, good contrast and accurate colors. If even $650 is too much, you can go down to the $500 50-inch model and get all the same features. If you’re planning to use it to game in the dorm, keep one thing in mind: Sometimes the display can jump a bit with fast-moving action.

Apple - $149

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The current-generation Apple TV is nearly two years old now, but it’s still a good dorm room media hub for one main reason: the steadily evolving software. Apple’s set-top platform has become a strong choice for live video thanks to additions like the central TV guide and a single sign-in for multiple services. And of course, there are the apps -- virtually every major video provider has an app ready or in the works, including social networks like Facebook and hardware rivals like Amazon. You can check the weather or play games, too. Combine these with a voice-control remote and you’ll have an easy time unwinding after a stressful midterm.

Google - $69

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Google’s Chromecast dongle has long been a smart choice for dorm-room upgrades -- it adds media streaming to virtually any TV for relatively little cash. The Chromecast Ultra continues that tradition. At $69, it’s decidedly more expensive than the regular model, but it’s worthwhile if you have a 4K set whose streaming support is lousy or non-existent. And its video queuing is great for college get-togethers, since your friends can line up their favorite YouTube clips without waiting their turn.

That said, the Ultra is overkill if you don’t plan on buying a 4K set any time soon. You’re better off saving that money for textbooks if 1080p is good enough. You’ll also want to forget about it if you’re an enthusiastic Amazon Prime Video user, since there’s no casting support in Amazon’s mobile apps. Still, it’s hard to deny the bang for the buck compared to other 4K-capable media hubs.

NVIDIA - $200

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If you’re looking for a single device to cover a lot of ground in the streaming category, NVIDIA’s Shield TV is a top choice. It has an elegant and unique style compared to the competition, but it’s what’s under the hood that really counts. This Android device runs 7.0 Nougat and is Google Cast compatible, with a Tegra X1 256-core GPU running the show. Also important: It handles 4K content along with HDR coloring and supports Dolby Atmos and DTS-X surround sound over HDMI.

In addition to being a capable streamer for video consumption, the Shield TV is also a mini gaming console, letting you stream high-def titles from the cloud as well as play Android games with the included gamepad. The remote sports touch controls for volume and voice control for searching, since you’ll probably be worn out after a hard day of studying and typing.

Avegant - $499

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The Avegant Video Headset (née Glyph) looks like a serious pair of headphones, but if you place the headband in front of your eyes, it instantly becomes a personal video viewer. The device uses micro-mirrors to shoot images directly into your eye, so there’s no screen or pixelation to worry about. The Video Headset produces an image that’s about the same as sitting seven feet away from a 55-inch TV set -- large enough to have a truly cinematic experience with your favorite movies and TV shows. The headset can connect to just about everything that uses an HDMI port, including your phone or tablet (with adapters). If you can’t fit a large TV into your dorm room, or if you simply want a way to watch video on the go in your own theater, the Video Headset could be ideal for you.

Sonos - $699

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Most students are probably not going to the trouble of mounting their TVs to the wall. That makes the Playbase well-suited for wherever else you may drop your TV -- just put the wide, flat Playbase under it, hook it up with the single optical audio cable and you’re good to go.

The speaker provides an immediate and massive upgrade to any TV’s default audio, and it does double-duty as a music speaker that can connect to virtually any streaming service. And if at some point down the line you want to upgrade to full surround sound, you can pair the Playbase with two Sonos Play:1 speakers and an external sub for a more immersive effect.

Sony - $348+

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Sony’s MT300 soundbar system is ideal for anyone stuck in a tiny dorm room. Its main speaker is significantly smaller than a typical soundbar, but it should still be a huge improvement over built-in TV speakers. It also comes with a thin wireless sub that can be shoved underneath your couch or between furniture. As you’d expect, you can also use it as a Bluetooth speaker -- you can even use NFC to easily pair your phone to it. There’s also virtualized surround sound via Sony’s S-Force Pro technology. The name of the game here: big sound in a tiny package.

Vizio - $500

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If you want quality surround sound in a dorm room and don’t want to string wires everywhere, consider Vizio’s 5.1 channel 45-inch soundbar system. In addition to a capable main speaker, it comes with wireless surround channels and a thin wireless subwoofer. It’s so slim, in fact, that you can hide it underneath your couch. It’s huge step up from a standard soundbar; virtualized surround sound will never replace having actual speakers by your couch, and a subwoofer shaking the walls. The soundbar system is powered by Vizio’s Smartcast platform (which is based on Google’s Chromecast), so you can easily shoot music over from your devices. And if you have one of Vizio’s Smartcast-enabled TVs, you can control everything from a single app.

ZVOX - $329+

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If you want to know just how far soundbars have come, take a listen to the ZVOX SB500. Its aluminum case houses three speakers, two 4-inch powered subwoofers and a 140-watt amplifier. This isn’t just a step up from your TV’s speakers; it’s a complete sound system, with enough power to fill your dorm room with detailed sound. It’ll be perfect for both movies and playing music during parties. Best of all, it’s slim enough to sit right under your TV. The SB500 also includes Bluetooth AptX support, for the highest quality wireless music streaming, and its AccuVoice technology will make sure you can actually hear what’s going on during your favorite show.

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55-inch E-Series 4K HDR (E55-E2)

Vizio - $530+

Buy Now

When you’re not knee deep in homework, a gaming or movie session is always an affordable way to relax. Luckily, top-notch sets can now be had for affordable prices. Vizio’s latest E-Series displays boast 4K Ultra HD resolution along with High Dynamic Range (HDR) for explosive colors, starting at just $470 for the 50-inch model.

Even if your dorm or apartment is strapped for space, it’s worth pushing the limits to 55 inches (hell, even 65) if you can, so you can soak up the rich color and even brightness, courtesy of the full-array LED design. The black levels here are also some of the deepest you can get short of a pricey OLED set. There are HDMI inputs for all your gaming and media streaming devices, so you and your friends can enjoy high-res gaming and movie nights. Plus, the TV is both WiFi and Bluetooth ready, and even has built-in Chromecast support.

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Comcast tries using Roku to hook college kids on cable

The 'Xfinity on Campus' TV service is now streaming to more than 100 schools.

55-inch E-Series 4K HDR (E55-E2)

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