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#realJSOP13-Apr-21 5:36

13-Apr-21 5:36

Yeah, I'd read about the amazon forced ad crap. Since I'm not even looking a roku "sticks" and won't be using wireless, I don't think the buffering/throttling will be an issue.

Even though the Roku Ultra is almost $100, it seems like a better choice than the low-end sticks. At least to me, without any prior experience/knowledge.

".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013

Mark Miller14-Apr-21 7:42

Mark Miller

14-Apr-21 7:42

We bought the Roku Ultra on Black Friday 2019 and are quite happy with it.
Installing apps is easy enough, many times you will need a computer handy to finish registration when you install an app on the Roku.

Overall, I've never experienced any performance issues other than occasionally needing to reboot it. Playback is smooth and looks great on our 4K LG TV.

Sincerely,

-Mark
mamiller@rhsnet.org

Elrond14-Apr-21 0:49

Elrond

14-Apr-21 0:49

Yes, Amazon do suck in any way they can with the firestick as well.

I find the search absolutely appalling.

And in the main page, it does show the recently viewed (Amazon Prime) shows. That looks like a great shortcut. Except that it does not work. I still have to go through the Amazon Prime app to be able to view the shows. So it ends up being clutter and frustration.

I just ordered a Roku. Hopefully it will be better. Smile | :)

rnbergren13-Apr-21 6:01

rnbergren

13-Apr-21 6:01

simple answer for me. But my data is old kind of.
FireStick tried a few years ago. Disliked./

Have Roku 3(2) and one older roku. Love those things. I have downloaded the Roku app for my smartphone and that works really well as a secondary remote. I have never had any issues hooking up any of my three Rokus to any of the TV's in the house.

So Roku. Cannot go wrong I do not think.

To err is human to really elephant it up you need a computer

Roland M Smith13-Apr-21 6:34

Roland M Smith

13-Apr-21 6:34

I have a Roku TV connected to an A/V Receiver. I'm very happy with it.

Gerry Schmitz13-Apr-21 13:42

Gerry Schmitz

13-Apr-21 13:42

Get an XBox or Playstation: HDMI and digital / optical connections, Blue-ray, apps, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, Controllers.

It was only in wine that he laid down no limit for himself, but he did not allow himself to be confused by it.
― Confucian Analects: Rules of Confucius about his food

#realJSOP13-Apr-21 20:38

13-Apr-21 20:38

Much more expensive than a Roku. No thanks.

danbergen14-Apr-21 2:00

danbergen

14-Apr-21 2:00

Never used fire stick but very happy with 4 Roku devices. Easy to add apps. It just works. Also have Chromecast for casting from phone or pc. Also have Roku app on iPhone and can control using that. Can plug headset into phone for private listening. We have all wireless connections with no problems.

Dan

milo-xml14-Apr-21 2:34

milo-xml

14-Apr-21 2:34

I'm going to throw you for a loop and tell you to look into an Android TV shield. They seem to have the best availability of apps because they're not tied to a larger corporate entity (well, other than google). As a bonus, it has a fully functional version of chrome in case there isn't an app. I bought the one from Nvidia[^] and I'm happy with it, other than the triangle shaped remote.

Hoosier Daddy14-Apr-21 3:12

Hoosier Daddy

14-Apr-21 3:12

I've used both. Started with Firestick which was okay. Then bought my father a new TV to keep him from spending yet another $300+ for a new bulb for his ancient DLP set. The new TV was a smart TV with Roku. I liked it so much better than Firestick, I replaced that with whatever was the top Roku at the time (a year ago).

I also prefer and use Ethernet with the Roku but that wasn't the main reason. The biggest complaint I had about the Firestick was the ridiculous amount of advertising and clutter on the home screen. The only potential downside I see to the Roku platform is no way to pair a Bluetooth keyboard. But fortunately, I don't use any apps that might benefit much from one.

I have no idea how compatible either is with a Logitech remote since I don't use any remote other than the Roku since it can control the TV power and volume and has apps for all other media sources I care about.

I copy all my DVDs and BlueRays to an HTPC and access them via the Emby Roku app. FWIW, the Emby app for Firestick sucked so while I was using Firestick I would use the TV remote to switch inputs from the HDMI port for the Firestick to the HDMI port for the HTPC and them use a remote for HTPC.

Peter R. Fletcher14-Apr-21 3:46

Peter R. Fletcher

14-Apr-21 3:46

I have a (WiFi connected) Roku, and have been very happy with it.

The only significant problem I have had has been with trying to use it as a remote Miracast (q.v.) target for 'projection' from a Windows 10 laptop. Although this is supposed to be feasible, I have never been able to get the two connected in a way that works. My workaround has been to connect my laptop directly to the TV by an HDMI cable, but this would not help someone who wanted to make a Miracast connection from a device that was located further away from the TV.

One other warning: There is currently a squabble going on between the Charter/Spectrum people and the Roku people. If your Roku doesn't come with the Spectrum App (mine didn't), you will not be able to download/install it until the two parties come to an agreement, which may be a while.

djdanlib14-Apr-21 5:04

djdanlib

14-Apr-21 5:04

I've tried PS4 Pro, Fire TV ~ 3 years ago with the new remote (w/ power button!), old Chromecast, and the new Chromecast with Google TV. So far the new Chromecast with Google TV has blown away the rest. I'm waiting on the Ethernet adapter to arrive but its wifi has been strong. It's the only one of the bunch that has a positive experience with Paramount+ if that matters to you.

FittyFrank14-Apr-21 5:23

FittyFrank

14-Apr-21 5:23

I'd recommend the new Roku Ultra or the Nvidia Shield TV (Not the Pro one). Roku has a great OS and lots of free content, which will include their own propriety content in the future. The remote also has really nice features like a headphone jack input and find my remote feature, and supports all of the newest video and audio standards such Dolby Vision and Atmos (Need to check if DTS and DTS:X are supported). You can cast from any device (including Apple) and can even mirror your screen from your laptop and tablets. Incredibly user friendly and capable device. Ethernet port is 10/100 compared to 10/100/1000 on the Nvidia Shield TV, but from what I understand this is more than capable for streaming non-local 4k content.

If you're someone who rips your dvds and blurays and watches them via an application like Plex, the Nvidia Shield might be the better option as it supports the "non-streaming" Dolby Vision and is the only player that can support this (You'd need 4k rips that have Dolby vision for this). It supports more video and audio formats than other players, and if I remember correctly it's the only one that lets you pass through video. There's one more feature that also makes the Shield an interesting alternative; it has the best AI up-scaling of any player. I haven't personally used the shield so I can't speak to it in depth, just based on what I've read/seen on YouTube. If you would like to use an Antenna to get TV as well you can plug in a USB TV Tuner to the PRO version of the Nvidia Shield TV and it will give you a TV guide feature as well.

Regarding the remote question, reviewers have used their LG Harmony remotes with the Nvidia Shield. Not sure if that would work with Roku.

jlongo14-Apr-21 6:53

jlongo

14-Apr-21 6:53

I have found the “Internet” browser in fire stick to work with “putlocker”, the successor to “couchtuner”. It is primitive enough to not be consumed by the pop-ups, but functional enough to run putlocker. Firefox on Fire Stick cannot run putlocker.

jd80808014-Apr-21 8:39

jd808080

14-Apr-21 8:39

I've used both, but prefer the Roku. I find the UI more intuitive than on the Fire Stick, but that really is more of a personal preference.

I have found that the Amazon Prime app on Roku doesn't seem to sync as well as the Fire Stick across devices, e.g. a view of a show on the Roku won't necessarily show up on my Fire Tablet. Also, the Roku doesn't seem to carry over the multiple Amazon profiles.

rwprice14-Apr-21 11:09

rwprice

14-Apr-21 11:09

I'm a big fan of the Roku and have now bought 4 of them. They work well and support all services. The big reason I didn't switch to the Fire Stick is because Amazon and Google don't get along, so Amazon does not support Google Play services. You may not care about that, but if you buy or rent from Google Play Movies, you won't be able to stream those on a Fire Stick.

matblue2515-Apr-21 14:42

matblue25

15-Apr-21 14:42

I have both and there are pros and cons for both. Why not buy one of each, try them out and return the one you don’t like. An alternative is to get a new smart TV that has the streaming apps you need.
Biggest con for Firestick is the horrid user interface. But it’s cheaper and from my experience works more smoothly once you get streaming.
The Roku user interface is better but the system is buggier.
Like most things these days, you have to pair the streaming device to your TV/audio system. Do you need 2K, 4K or 8K? HDR? If so, what spec? What sound output do you need? What’s going to be your main streaming app, YouTubeTV, Hulu or something else? All of these can affect which device suits you best. For example, we’ve had problem recently with YouTubeTV on Roku that we haven’t seen with the Firestick.
I have two different Harmony remotes and neither works with Roku or Firestick. The Harmony remotes are IR. The Roku and Firestick use RF.

#realJSOP15-Apr-21 23:40

15-Apr-21 23:40

matblue25 wrote:
An alternative is to get a new smart TV

I have a smart tv - I refuse to connect it to the internet.

matblue25 wrote:
we’ve had problem recently with YouTubeTV on Roku

I refuse to pay Youtube for anything

matblue25 wrote:
I have two different Harmony remotes and neither works with Roku or Firestick. The Harmony remotes are IR. The Roku and Firestick use RF.

A friend told me they were able to use a universal remote with their roku. I haven't tried it yet, so I cannot verify.

I bought the roku.

matblue2516-Apr-21 8:06

matblue25

16-Apr-21 8:06

#realJSOP wrote:
I have a smart tv - I refuse to connect it to the internet.

But you have your BluRay connected? I don't see any real difference there.

#realJSOP wrote:
I refuse to pay Youtube for anything

That's the way I feel about AT&T and Spectrum (my non-streaming choices). You have to pick something, I liked YouTubeTV over Hulu at first but YouTubeTV has been raising prices while, at the same time, dropping channels so we may switch soon.

Hope the Roku works out. I have 2 Rokus, one connected via Ethernet and one to 5Ghz AC Wifi. Can't tell any difference in the performance. I get 150Mb on the Wifi which is plenty for 4K HDR. My internet service is only 200Mb.
BTW - I googled using a Harmony Remote with Roku and it came up with this. I tried it and it works!
Harmony and Roku[^]

modified 16-Apr-21 14:45pm.

#realJSOP16-Apr-21 9:08

16-Apr-21 9:08

The DVD player doesn’t have a camera or microphone in it.

YouTube has been pissing me off for a year or two with their censorship. That’s why I refuse to buy anything from them.

CCC OTD 13-Apr-2021

DerekT-P12-Apr-21 22:07

DerekT-P

12-Apr-21 22:07

Impressively equipped but exploited aquifer (4, 7)

Unrelated note: I was going to go with "It's lovely under the tree (7)" which I'd had "in reserve" for a couple of weeks, but the sods at Metro newspaper used it last week! Extra kudos if you get that one too...

pkfox12-Apr-21 23:41

pkfox

12-Apr-21 23:41

Well dressed / drilled ?

"I didn't mention the bats - he'd see them soon enough" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP

modified 13-Apr-21 6:04am.

Rich Leyshon12-Apr-21 23:55

Rich Leyshon

12-Apr-21 23:55

I suspect you need to think more "Black & Decker" but as I've got to be collecting the car after a small repair tomorrow morning at the appointed hour, I won't risk a guess!

DerekT-P13-Apr-21 0:13

DerekT-P

13-Apr-21 0:13

close but no cigar... $Shucks | :-\$