The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

I had every intention of making the game Saturday until I pulled up the forecast Friday night -- I decided to bail on my plans and watch them on ESPN3. Trust me, there is no place I would rather by on a football Saturday than Kalamazoo, Michigan. Living in the Ann Arbor area I've spent some time and a lot of money over the years to take in a Michigan game only to realize that I prefer to watch my alma mater play in a Stadium where I can breathe and simply enjoy the game -- the way it was meant to be. No seat licenses. No hefty parking fees. No crowds. My point is this: while you can catch the game on ESPN3, try to make the game for a true experience.

If you are outside the Kalamazoo area and cannot make the game I would suggest this:

1. Subscribe to ESPN through your cable/satellite provider.
2. Assuming you have a high definition television, purchase Chromecast HDMI streaming player -- $35.
3. Download the Chomecast application to your mobile device.
4. Downoad the "Watch ESPN" application to your mobile device.
5. Enjoy watching the Broncos in your living room through Chromecast.

I would say if someone wanted more than that, get an Acer Veriton computer for ($227 out the door @ http://www.nextwarehouse.com/item/?1487585_g10e ). Comes with 500GB HD, 2GB Ram, Wifi, USB/HDMI ports -- and connect to your TV.

It's powerful enough where there's no lag. Then download a Xubuntu Linux Operating system to overwrite the cheap OS installed on there from: http://mirror.anl.gov/pub/ubuntu-iso/CDs...4/release/ , and install to a USB to boot off of (there's instructions online).

Then download XBMC -- and install the ESPN plug-in for XBMC. And other plug-ins to watch commercial-free TV shows hours after they air... and if you are feeling frisky, to download other plug-ins to watch movies shortly before they officially hit the DVD market.

Having such an "XBMC box" is great for at-home. And easy to carry in a briefcase or backpack for traveling and going to people's places or hotel rooms.

You can also get a close family member or BFF's login & password to their cable provider to get ESPN3 total access, if you don't have all ESPN channels yourself. Several MAC games and other low-watched games on ESPN3 are free anyway, though.

(09-22-2014 01:22 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  I would say if someone wanted more than that, get an Acer Veriton computer for ($227 out the door @ http://www.nextwarehouse.com/item/?1487585_g10e ). Comes with 500GB HD, 2GB Ram, Wifi, USB/HDMI ports -- and connect to your TV.

It's powerful enough where there's no lag. Then download a Xubuntu Linux Operating system to overwrite the cheap OS installed on there from: http://mirror.anl.gov/pub/ubuntu-iso/CDs...4/release/ , and install to a USB to boot off of (there's instructions online).

Then download XBMC -- and install the ESPN plug-in for XBMC. And other plug-ins to watch commercial-free TV shows hours after they air... and if you are feeling frisky, to download other plug-ins to watch movies shortly before they officially hit the DVD market.

Having such an "XBMC box" is great for at-home. And easy to carry in a briefcase or backpack for traveling and going to people's places or hotel rooms.

You can also get a close family member or BFF's login & password to their cable provider to get ESPN3 total access, if you don't have all ESPN channels yourself. Several MAC games and other low-watched games on ESPN3 are free anyway, though.

I experience no lag at all streaming through my Motorola Android phone. Picture quality was great on my Samsung 50 inch television...

I would bet that this weeks game against VT will be a better broadcast team... the last couple weeks it's like the D squad out there trying to make the team... Cameramen focusing on the crowd when the play is going on... the booth not switching to the game when a play is made... I can only hope its better this week..

All in all... its better than not having the option to view on ESPN3...

Yeah, I think newer phones can do well. One can buy a small box for $99 with the Android OS on it -- which I did for my dad 2 years ago -- and it isn't that great. Plus, in the event of surfing the web and/or using as a real computer -- it's best to have a real GUI to be able to work with, and a real computer -- although newer phones will get the last part right in terms of horsepower for playing any videos and other things just fine.

(09-22-2014 11:08 AM)toddjnsn Wrote:  Yeah, I think newer phones can do well. One can buy a small box for $99 with the Android OS on it -- which I did for my dad 2 years ago -- and it isn't that great. Plus, in the event of surfing the web and/or using as a real computer -- it's best to have a real GUI to be able to work with, and a real computer -- although newer phones will get the last part right in terms of horsepower for playing any videos and other things just fine.

I ordered an Apple TV last night with my Visa Rewards! So much for using those to get people Christmas gifts this year.

So Todd...Apple TV and my friend's cable password...I should be good to go right?

Quote:So Todd...Apple TV and my friend's cable password...I should be good to go right?

Yeah -- I'm assuming Apple TV of course has an ESPN plugin (if not coming installed with it).

Now, some people with an Apple TV wipe the system and install XBMC on it instead. :) Of course, that's for watching movies & tv-shows at no cost, which is not "advised" from a legal standpoint. Plus with XBMC, you can install plug-ins like Veetle (which is 100% legal; it cuts out the ads though), VeeHD which is always good, among a lot of, em, "adult" plugins to knock their socks off. And the NAVI-X plug-in which is awesome. I can watch the B10 network in HD on there (NIU vs NW, UM vs Miami-OH).

I have Apple TV too. Works great other than I wish I had more than one. I use it on the 55 inch FS upstairs because my daughter likes to watch Netflix cartoons on it. I'd like another one for the man cave television where I can watch in uninterrupted peace.

I like the controller for Apple TV, but have also been told about the much cheaper Google Chrome system, and have heard good things about it. May go that route if I get a second hookup.