Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Chromecast or Firestick or ROKU
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Old 03-21-2021, 08:30 AM
Heyitsrick Heyitsrick is offline
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To the OP - you didn't say what kind of TV you have. Is it a 4K/HDR TV? If it is - and many recent models are - you'll want a streaming device that can give you the best viewing (and sounding) experiences.

I have quite a few devices (geek!).

I have a few Roku boxes, including the top-of-the-line 2020 Roku Ultra. The 2020 Roku Ultra (I call it that because there have been other/older "Ultra" models) delivers 4K/HDR, including DolbyVision HDR. It delivers true Dolby Atmos audio. It can decode/convert (aka "transcode") surround sound formats. Example: Most streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Hulu, etc., use "Dolby Digital Plus" audio. If you use an audio/video receiver (aka "AVR") that's older and doesn't decode Dolby Digital Plus, the 2020 Roku Ultra can provide older Dolby Digital surround, instead. Most Roku devices - boxes/sticks - can't decode surround sound. They just "pass it through" to the far end device. In other words, if you have a Roku device that's not the 2020 Ultra and you have an older AVR that can't decode Dolby Digital Plus, you'll get 2-channel stereo, instead. Sad trombone plays here. Go with the 2020 Roku Ultra - model 4800R - for the best audio/video options. Also of note is that the Roku remote control has an earphone jack, so you can hear through headphones instead of TV audio. Works well if you don't want to bother others' sleeping at night. They also have a free smartphone app that can do all the things the regular remote control can do, including listening through your cell phone via headphones instead of the TV.

Some people prefer Roku sticks. They're more portable, of course. But you trade off some features that may or may not be important to you.

From previous posts in this thread, I'm guessing a lot of people don't know about the latest Google Chromecast device. It's been totally reworked, and does have a remote control. $50. I don't have one yet, but it does get some pretty rave reviews (along with some annoyances) from tech types and users.

I also have an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. There's certainly nothing wrong with this, and what distinguishes this from a Roku is that with Amazon Fire devices, you can change some settings that will allow you to install apps outside of the normal Amazon ecosphere. Let's be honest here - while there's a ton of Google Store apps that can be useful to have, many people who go for the installation of outside apps do so in order that they can get "pirate" tv/movie services. These are services that allow you to watch premium content free. It's not legal, of course, but that hasn't deterred many. You can't install outside apps on Roku devices.

As rudimentary as the Roku interface is (the streaming channel choices you see on the main screen), I like it better than the Amazon Fire interface.

There's the Apple TV 4K, as well. I own this device, too. The Apple TV 4K is a powerful streaming box that comes with a lot of audio / video options that other devices don't have. It also comes with a price tag that's about twice what a 2020 Roku Ultra costs, or an Amazon Fire Stick (or box) 4K. So, you're paying for the technology, for sure. A lot of people hate the Apple TV 4K remote, as well.

Tivo has a Google-type streaming stick now, too. You can get these fairly cheaply - $50 or even less on sale. Seems like they have some bugs to work out on this, but it is Tivo's brand name here, so that's probably a sure thing.

One of the power kings of - if not THE power king of - streaming devices is the Nvidia Shield TV Pro. (Make sure it's the "Pro" version). It's about $200, so in the Apple TV 4K price range, but it's a very powerful/fast streaming system.

In the end, I'd go with the 2020 Roku Ultra to give yourself some future-proofing for now. It's $100 - but has recently sold for $80.

But you won't go wrong with any of these devices. Just don't get a device that offers less features than your TV can provide. If you have a 4K/HDR TV, don't buy a device that only provides 1080p (lesser quality) video, for example.