The Best Online Streaming Video Devices for 2016
First, why get an online streaming media device? Well, No cable, no satellite? No problem. With a streaming media player (internet access, of course) and with typically over 4000 channels, apps and games you can watch Netflix, Hulu, HBO, YouTube, Amazon Video, NBC, WatchESPN, Disney, STARZ, SHOWTIME and more with no satellite TV or cable subscription. You can also play music, find movie show times and sports scores, check out the weather, order a pizza, and more. Also, watch the best of live TV or your favorite episodes and movies with over 250,000 TV episodes from providers such as NBC News, the NBA, and Sling TV (which also includes ESPN, CNN, HGTV, AMC, A&E, Cartoon Network, and more).
Now, if you have already decided to go the way of owning or purchasing an online streaming media device for your entertainment viewing needs, then the question would be which device to purchase? There are basically 2 ways to go: a Media ‘stick’ or a Media ‘box’. The top 3 manufacturer choices are ROKU, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV.
In fairness to Google, they do have a ‘stick’ called Google Chromecast, but it does not compare to the totality of what Roku, Amazon and Apple can offer. If you are wanting simple and most inexpensive, Chromecast is a good place to start. However, if you want more, ROKU, Amazon, and Apple stand head and shoulders above.
All things equal, though, Apple hasn’t quite caught up to the totality of what ROKU and Amazon offer either. In all fairness to Apple, though, Apple has done much to catch up by adding more than 5000 apps and games in this last year. However, if you are not already heavily invested in Apple devices or services, then Apple TV being, by far, the most expensive option, ROKU and Amazon are more appealing in regard to more ‘bang-for-your-buck’.
If you are still with me, that leaves us with the choice of ROKU or Amazon Fire. The question would now be whether to purchase a ‘streaming media stick’ or a ‘streaming media box’. They are both considered online streaming video players since they both are capable of playing streaming videos or other kinds of streaming media.
The decision on whether to purchase a ‘stick’ or a ‘box’ comes down to 2 aspects: (1) the importance of the ease of being able to use the device on multiple TV’s and/or locations, and (2) the amount of speed (and power) you desire for launching and searching. To make the ‘sticks’ as small and less power hungry (cheaper, essentially) as they are, means they don’t have nearly the processing power and memory of a streaming media box. Therefore, if power isn’t an issue and mobility of the streaming media device is important, then a streaming media stick is for you (The final decision, on which is the best, Roku or Amazon Fire, will still stand true for the decision of whether to get a streaming media stick or a streaming media box).
Which is better, Roku or Amazon Fire? In comparing the Roku 4 Streaming Media Player Amazon Fire TV, they each have their outstanding features. For Amazon Fire TV, the only real outstanding feature over the ROKU 4 is the access to Amazon’s own products (which is essentially Amazon Prime in regard to online streaming media). Aside from access to Amazon Prime, ROKU 4 has the more capable and powerful system. ROKU 4 has a quad processor, where Amazon only has a dual processor. ROKU 4 has 4K HD TV capabilities, the only one on the market. I call this cutting edge. 4K HD TV is the next generation of resolution in televisions and delivers a more detailed, immersive, and realistic entertainment experience. This essentially means that 4K HD TV has over 4 times the detail and clarity capability of the typical 1080p (1920x1080 pixels). 4K Ultra HD has 4 times the number of pixels as Full HD (3840 x 2160 pixels), resulting in its “4K Ultra HD” title. This enhanced resolution is made possible by 4K Ultra HD’s 8.3 million pixels (vs. Full HD’s 2.2 million). This essentially means that it would take every pixel from four 1080p sets to fit on just one 4K screen. Thus, picture quality is made much better by reducing ‘gaps’ between pixels (referred to as the "screen door" effect) which sharpens detail and creates smoother lines so that even up-close images are clearer, more genuine, and less pixilated.
Thus, the ROKU 4 Streaming Media Devices including the Roku Streaming Stick are the best online streaming media devices for 2016. To purchase your ROKU 4 streaming media player console, click here. To purchase your ROKU Streaming Media stick, click here.