need some tech advice - again - please

Vast experience with this. Given that you buy a firestick, (and be sure it outputs in 4k if you have a 4k tv or may do in the future, it's mostly standard by now) it would plug into an HDMI port on the TV. Thus, it would act independently and be self contained. So you would have to login to apps on the firestick as well as ones you have logged into on the TV's Smart apps. No great shakes. It would just be a duplicate.

All you would do is change the TV's input source using the TV's "remote" to access it, then switch to using the Firesticks remote.

As to the tv itself being that smart or have space to download the software in order to access the channels is something I can't answer. I remember you have a Sony but a few years old. I also understand that it will probably be based on Android.

In which case you should look for an android or Google Store so you can download your channel app. If this is not available and Sony just put Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime on it, then that's it, then you would probably have to get a Firestick which has storage for other Apps, and access to an App store. 100 percent certain you would find the TV package App you want and be able to download it in seconds and sign up.

If you cannot find any store or options to download stuff from a store on the tv's smart options then you may need a Firestick.

However, one thing I must say. Please, before dashing off to get a Firestick, look inside the Prime App on your TV first, see if there is a store within the Prime App. You could use the search box, Look for an app menu and the ability to add apps. That may save you a few bucks if there.

Your Firestick will occupy a different HDMI port than your cable system. When you want to watch Discovery on the stick, you'll change inputs on your tv to whichever port your stick is in. This gets more complicated if you have a sound bar or sound system depending how it's configured.

When you want to watch your normal channels, you'll just change the input back to its port.

Am I getting the gist of your question?

Thanks - EXACTLY the info I needed to sort it out in my head.


The TV is a 2018 model Sony Bravia - bought it in 2019. Yes it's 4k - and it may be I can upgrade or go through the 'store'...I have to dig in and see how that goes. Plugging the fire thingie into a port makes sense - and I didn't even think of it that way....



I have a soundbar/surround sound setup as I was not happy with the sound on this TV. I have it set now so the sound bar is operated by the cable remote but I think I could figure that stuff out...maybe.



Thanks - sounds like it's not as complex as I thought it might be. I KNEW you guys could explain it to me so even I could understand.

This is TOO funny....after spending an hour reading online - and then asking about it here and people taking the time to explain it to me.


I just learned that AMAZON just added DiscoverPlus - Prime members can sign up through Amazon - no fuss, no bother. I had checked a few weeks ago and Amazon didn't have it then.



It's the $6.99 option (no ads) which I would have chosen anyway. I guess if non-techies like me wait long enough...someone realizes there's a market!

Here is what I know (and it's not much) - I was able to sign up for the non-ad version of Dicovery+ through my Prime membership on Amazon. I get the 7 day free trial and I access the programming on my TV using the same Amazon app or whatever I use for movies, etc.



I'm not sure I WANT the Discovery+ but I wanted to see what was offered as the ads are good for it. I haven't even tried it on the TV yet - last night I accessed it on my computer and there's a LOT of stuff there to go through.


Today is Mom Day and we're headed out for a day of 'fun and shopping' (not really my thing but makes the kids happy)...so may be tomorrow before I have time to play with it.


I don't watch that much TV so depending how easy it is to access - will determine whether I keep it or not. I doubt I can record shows on it but with no ads that's not a biggie.


Don't mind getting a firestick if I need to - but would like to see if I even want this network first....

It's ok - but lot of junk on it and not as many shows that I'd want to watch as I expected.


I canceled it - so can watch till end of the trial and then it goes away. I was interested in the nature shows but mainly in the Chip & Joanna Gaines shows...they are launching their Magnolia network next January and I'll wait and get that one.

Fire Stick?

Uhm ... yeah.

Them tech guys sure know how to prompt a smirk from a gal with a head fulla smut.

Meantime, you have no ideah how much time I spend hopin' my microwave will frazzle jus' so's I can pitch Fearo or Rifflepops for fix-up smarts.