Xumo Streambox Availability for Non-Streaming/Live TV customers

I am currently an Xfinity customer for Internet and non-streaming/live TV. I have wanted to try one of those Xumo boxes to see if and how they might work for me. Unfortunately, I cannot get one directly from Xfinity as according to their customer service I would have to change my service to qualify. I have seen some of those boxes on eBay and FB marketplace, and I would like to know if I can buy one of those and hook it up to my TV. I know the set-op boxes are owned by Xfinity and cannot be purchased on the secondary market. Do those Xumo boxes follow the same rule? Do they have to be registered with Xfinity for them to work? I know about the Xumo play app, but I would like to try the actual stream box.

Responses

DreamSayerZ

Problem Solver

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683 Messages

9 days ago

@CustomerMS You cannot use a Xumo Stream Box with a live TV sub with X1. Even if you were internet only, the box from eBay wouldn't work. It needs to be registered on Xfinity. If you are that interested in dabbling with streaming, I recommend a Roku. Amazon always has deals on them. Xumo boxes are very limited in the apps offered. Not worth the hassle IMHO.

(edited)

CustomerMS

Contributor

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32 Messages

Hey @DreamSayerZ , thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I will switch plans then and look into getting a Roku device instead. I have no experience at all with the "Xumo OS", if I can it call it that, so I wanted to try it out and see what it had to offer. One feature that caught my attention was the remote with the numerical keys, so I assumed it would work better to change channels inside the Xfinity stream app. Maybe I can find something similar that will work with a Roku device.

8 days ago

DreamSayerZ

Problem Solver

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683 Messages

@CustomerMS Which plan are you on? It would be helpful to understand what you are trying to achieve. Do you want to have access to your traditional cable TV channels such as all your local channels and the extras? You mentioned the Stream app and wanting to change the channels from the number pad. Yes, you can do that with Xfinity Xumo, but not with Roku. Roku doesn't have a number pad. Actually most if not all other streaming devices do not. You would need to use the up/down arrows to scroll through the guide. However, you can make your own custom list/view of your favorite channels in the Stream app. In that view you just see the channels you starred/favorited.

6 days ago

XfinityJorge

Official Employee

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2K Messages

7 days ago

Hey there CustomerMS thank you so much for using our Forums and our team is here happy to work with you to make sure we help you explore all your options for our TV services. To get started can you send us a DM with your full name and service address?
Here's the detailed steps to direct message us:
• Click "Sign In" if necessary
• Click the "Direct Message" icon (upper right corner of this page)
• Click the "New message" (pencil and paper) icon
• Type "Xfinity Support" in the to line and select "Xfinity Support" from the drop-down list
• Type your message in the text area near the bottom of the window
• Press Enter to send your message

CustomerMS

Contributor

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32 Messages

4 days ago

Hey @DreamSayerZ,

I apologize for just now replying back to you last message. I do have the ultimate TV plan that is advertised as providing access to 185+ channels which I mostly watch via X1 type boxes. My TV plan also includes access to the same channels via the Xfinity stream app.

All this started with my attempt to lower my bill by replacing most, but not all, of my X1 boxes with the Xfinity stream app. I know about the Now TV option, but I am not ready for it yet. I am aware of the favorite channel feature in the app, and I have used it with my Roku device. However, I like to punch in the number of a channel and switch to it that way. It might be something similar to some people liking radio knobs and other knobs in their cars instead of the current touchscreen trend.

An additional goal is to experiment with different flavors of TV Operating Systems as eventually I will have to transition to full streaming as that appears to be the direction the industry is heading to. This might be odd to some, but my favorite TV operating system thus far has been Vizio. Unfortunately, the Xfinity App is not available for it. I have an LG TV as well, but I can't get used to their system. Although the Xfinity app is available with LG TVs, the numerical key pad on their remote cannot be used with the Xfinity app.

DreamSayerZ

Problem Solver

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683 Messages

Hi @CustomerMS

Thanks for the clarification of your setup, plan etc.

I think the biggest issue with traditional cable is all the fees. Local broadcast, box rental, DVR, sports fees etc. If you use a TV streaming service, those fees are baked in the price. And as you have found, some TV's or streaming devices might not have the app you need.

Also, all of the companies doing cable TV streaming keep raising prices. People are complaining and some say cheaper to get cable. That's not quite the case yet, but is getting close! You also have to consider what channels are included. Cable still has an advantage in the amount of channels they offer.

You also mentioned NOW, but that service doesn't include any local channels ABC, NBC, CBS etc. And most of what they do offer is free on the XUMO app. And the channels they do include are the ones nobody watches!

I have also dabbled with most all of the streaming devices, and several different TV OS's. They all have their plus and minuses. For TV's, I like Samsung. They support most all of the major apps. Interface is easy and app startup times is fast as well as the TV. For streamers, I prefer Apple TV and Roku. Least cluttered. I have also used Fire sticks and Chromecast. Google TV's/Chromecast do not support Stream app. Fire has become cluttered with ads, but Xfinity Stream app is supported.

4 days ago

CustomerMS

Contributor

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32 Messages

Hey @DreamSayerZ , I really appreciate your input as you have been providing a lot of good information! What you mentioned above regarding the cable channel lineup offering in comparison to streaming is the reason I want to keep the Xfinity service for now. I have done some research on streaming services out there, and I can confirm the Xfinity channel lineup offering has a better appeal to me.

My experience with the Apple TV is very limited to having used it at a friend's house. I have considered getting one to actually try it out, but they are pricey.

You want to see a cluttered interface, get you an LG TV with their WebOS. It is as visually unpleasant. I also started with the Chromecast like many, and one other thing that attracted me to the Vizio TVs, in addition to the user interface, was the built-in integration with Chromecast and Apple Airplay which I still use. Other brands are not including that as well.

On the topic of TVs, and your preference for Samsung TVs, do you currently have a Samsung TV with a remote that has the numerical keypad? If so, does it work with the Xfinity app? I ended up purchasing a used Xumo box on eBay last night to try out and it see what it can offer. Hopefully it will be here sometime next week.

3 days ago

DreamSayerZ

Problem Solver

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683 Messages

@CustomerMS The remote for my Samsung TV does not have a numeric keypad. None of their current TV's come with one. It's similar in function to those that come with streaming devices, with a few extras.

Oh, and good luck with that Xumo box. I hope it works out.

(edited)

1 day ago

Flex

CustomerMS

Xumo Streambox Availability for Non-Streaming/Live TV customers

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