Learn A Streaming Device Buyers Guide

A Streaming Device Buyers Guide

Last Updated: December 13, 2019

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With the Holiday shopping season rapidly coming to a close, is a streaming device on your list this year? Use our streaming device buyers guide to help you make the right choice. It’s a great way to enjoy popular services, like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Hulu.

While some use their smart TV or videogame console to stream content, others cast video from their smartphone. Still, a dedicated streaming device provides a straightforward solution. In the same manner as our buyers guides for streaming services and wireless routers, here’s a streaming device buyers guide.

Roku Ranks at the Top of the Media Streaming Device World

There are good reasons for Roku’s massive popularity among consumers. For example, their family of devices provides a simple user interface and excellent performance. Most importantly, they are neutral when it comes to the various streaming services on the market.

roku-streaming-stick-plus — The Roku Streaming Stick+ is a great option. Image copyright Roku.

While the Amazon Fire TV Stick is another great option, its interface favors content from Amazon Prime. While this isn’t a problem for Prime subscribers, other users might find that tendency annoying. It’s a major reason why so many turn to Roku.

The Roku Streaming Stick+ ranked first on CNET’s list of the top streaming devices for 2019. For nearly $50, users are able to easily stream 4K HDR video. It includes voice control and a fast processor. This Roku’s portability also lets you grab it and go when traveling.

Alexa Powers the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K

Subscribers to Amazon Prime need to check out the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. It’s also priced at $50, which tends to be the sweet spot for most streaming devices. One advantage over the Roku Streaming Stick+ is its superior voice control provided by Alexa. Pairing the device with an Amazon Echo works best for this feature.

As noted earlier, the Fire TV Stick’s user interface strongly suggests content from Amazon Prime. Frankly, it’s over the top at times. If this isn’t bothersome, this streaming device’s feature set compares well with the Roku family and others.

Also, note that the Fire TV Stick 4K doesn’t provide an app for You Tube TV. This is likely to be a showstopper for many users. You Tube TV continues to grow in popularity. In that case, the platform-agnostic Roku family remains the best choice.

The Apple TV 4K Provides Great Performance at a Premium

The Apple TV 4K is likely on the wishlist of Apple fans if they already don’t own one. With support for 4K video and Dolby Atmos sound, its feature set ranks at the top of the streaming device heap. Of course, being an Apple device, this high-end functionality comes with a high-end price. The Apple TV 4K costs $169, over three times as much as the other devices in our buyers guide.

For this price, users receive superior performance, a great remote and voice control capabilities powered by Siri. Unfortunately, the Apple TV 4K won’t stream YouTube content in 4K or HDR. This is due to incompatibility with the codec. Remember what we said about the platform-agnostic Roku?

In the end, expect the majority of users to opt for the cheaper options from Roku or Amazon.

Remember to stream HD content you need at least 5 Mbps of Internet speed per device. For streaming content in 4K, the speed requirement increases to 25 Mbps. As always, perform regular Internet speed tests to ensure you get the speed your ISP promised.

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Learn A Streaming Device Buyers Guide

Streaming Media Players are the Rage

Last Updated: June 1, 2018

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Americans continue their growing love affair with streaming media players. According to a recent study, these devices – Roku, Amazon TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, etc. – are now in almost 40 percent of all U.S. homes with broadband service. Cord-cutting consumers prefer to stream TV shows and movies instead of paying a large monthly cable bill.

Roku 3 — A Roku streaming media player. Photo copyright Roku.

News about the study on the rise of streaming media player usage appeared this week in Telecompetitor. Read further to see if you and your family need to join this bandwagon. It’s a great way to take full advantage of your home Internet service.

The Rapid Growth of Streaming Media Players

The streaming media study from Parks Associates includes a data point making the rapid growth of this market quite obvious. In 2010, six percent of U.S. homes with high-speed Internet service owned a streaming media player. As of last year, that number grew to nearly 40 percent.

Kristen Hanich, a research analyst for Parks, commented on the reasons behind this consumer growth. “Since their inception about a decade ago, consumers have purchased streaming media players due to their modern and friendly user-interfaces, wide app support, and low cost, making them easier to upgrade and replace than a television set,” said Hanich.

She also noted the most popular streaming players are the Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV. Their ease of use and robust feature sets obviously also matter to consumers. The Google Chromecast comes in fourth place among installed households.

The Parks Associates study also noted fewer households stream using video game consoles, like the Sony PlayStation. Additionally, over 50 percent of U.S. homes own a smart TV, which also provides streaming. Half of those smart TV owners also own a streaming media player.

In short, expect this market to continue to grow for the rest of the decade and beyond. It remains one of the reasons Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, and other streaming services are popular. Make sure you own enough HDMI cables to power your home theater!

Which Streaming Media Player makes sense for My Family?

If you are an Amazon Prime member, the Fire TV definitely makes sense. This same rule applies for the Apple TV at households with iPhones and iPads. The Roku provides a platform agnostic experience compared to those other streaming media players.

For example, some users find it difficult to search for content from other services when using an Amazon or Apple media player. So keep this in mind when shopping for your own streaming device. Support for 4K video and HDR is another factor worthy of consideration. Most higher-end players offer these features.

Also consider voice remote control features. If you are used to Alexa or Siri, consider an Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV unit. The Roku Ultra also offers voice control functionality.

More inexpensive units like the Roku Express or the Amazon Fire TV Stick provide fewer features. Ultimately, the most important thing is to perform your research!

Once again, streaming media players let you get the most out of your Internet service. They also save you money on monthly cable or satellite TV bills. Some devices even play video games! Maybe you need to put a Roku Ultra or Amazon Fire TV on your shopping list?

Stay tuned to Bandwidth Place for additional insights on broadband Internet service. We even help you test your Internet speed!