I just found Pluto tv and installed on my Roku.  I can not find a way to stop it from streaming other than close the app, and not sure about then.   There is a little window up at the top right ( can change to full screen with the * button)  that appears there is always something streaming there.  I do not want to use my data , till  I am ready to watch something.  Do not want to be streaming while I am looking for something to watch  I do not have unlimited with my ISP.   Is there anyway to stop  the streaming while  deciding what to watch.?

lfayb wrote:

I just found Pluto tv and installed on my Roku.  I can not find a way to stop it from streaming other than close the app, and not sure about then.   There is a little window up at the top right ( can change to full screen with the * button)  that appears there is always something streaming there.  I do not want to use my data , till  I am ready to watch something.  Do not want to be streaming while I am looking for something to watch  I do not have unlimited with my ISP.   Is there anyway to stop  the streaming while  deciding what to watch.?

The preview window is always there, there is no way to turn it off.

So it is going to be using my data. I do no really  like that.  
thanks

lfayb wrote:

I just found Pluto tv and installed on my Roku.  I can not find a way to stop it from streaming other than close the app, and not sure about then...?

If the app isn't running, the app isn't streaming.

lfayb wrote:

So it is going to be using my data. I do no really  like that. ...

When it's open, yes. Remember, you have to exit the channel to stop it. Don't just turn off the TV and think it'll stop streaming. Must close app.

Thanks

Just hit the Roku Home button before turning off TV.

It would be good if Roku could add an option or app requirement that nothing streams unless the end user presses select or play.

Don

Netflix auto-streams. They won’t care if Roku tried that.

Some unlucky folks may have data caps
https://broadbandnow.com/internet-provi ... -data-caps
Luckily I am not capped. But roku and netflix  and others should consider those unlucky users who might have need to throttle their internet usage. If those users buy a newer roku, their internet usage will increase, while the total viewing availability decreases.

You are correct. But if Roku tried to force Netflix to do, well, anything, Netflix could take its ball and play elsewhere. Roku needs Netflix more than Netflix needs Roku. 

Of course, it's not that difficult to stop the streaming. Exit the app. Or hit the Home button on the Roku remote.

I dropped Netflix some time back, so I don't experience the issue, but family members certainly do. I think it's a poor user experience. But, for the no attention span group of users (that seems to grow every day) it's not an issue. I'm not Netflix's target audience, so what I think doesn't matter to them. So, I keep my money. Or spend it elsewhere, actually.

Even if the channel didn't auto play, you would still be using some data to get all the thumbnails.

lion7718 wrote:

Even if the channel didn't auto play, you would still be using some data to get all the thumbnails.

Exactly. Anytime you use an Internet connected device, you’re using bandwidth. Not much, but some. And pictures increase that. But Netflix and Crackle and others that just start playing a video are using even more, even if you don’t want them to.

Even Facebook lets you turn off auto-play on videos. 

I am one that has data caps,  only have 300G.   Guess I will have to be careful not to spend much time on the home screen for those apps that do  auto stream there.

The good news about Netflix is that you can, by profile, limit the bandwidth usage. It’s lower quality seam, of course, but it helps with caps.