Chromecast / Firestick / Roku / Other?

[LosOjos]

I'm looking to add some smart functionality to a small TV in the bedroom. Would ideally like one of the HDMI stick type devices.

 

Like the look of Chromecast, but it's reliance on having a mobile device to control it is a bit of a put off.

 

Fire Stick looks like an improvement, but reading lots about it being geared towards Amazon Prime users puts me off a bit.

 

Roku stick, again looks ideal but I hear it's pretty slow and unresponsive, which would drive OH crazy.

 

I thought maybe one of the many Android sticks, but as there are so many I'd ideally like one that can be recommended by my fellow geeks...

 

Any thoughts? Minimum requirements: Netflix.

[pscott]

Amazon Fire Stick is geared towards Amazon Prime, but if you use Netflix it will go in your recently used list (Default on startup) and just one click from launching, very fast, had no issues with it yet...

 

I haven't tried yet, but if you are in netflix and put the stick to sleep, I don't know if it will stay in Netflix on wakeup, or boot back to the start screen, will try tonight)

Edited June 29, 2015 by pscott

[sparkeh]

I used a Roku (mainly for Netflix) for years without any issue. Chromecast was also good but yeah needing a device to control it was a bit annoying.

[abillybob]

My Roku stick is ace. The reason it lags is due to the remote more than the stick itself. If you download the Roku app on your phone and use your phone as a controller there absolutely no lag when browsing through the menu's. I've never had a video that's streaming stop on me and it's been rock solid to be fair.

[Ant]

I've got a few Chromecasts at home, which combined with a few extra apps such as BubbleUPNP and Plex, is the perfect solution for me. This is on top of the likes of Google Play, Netflix, etc.

 

Although I don't have Amazon Prime, I was tempted by the Fire Stick when it was recently on offer for £25 and running Kodi on it. This solution, unlike the Chromecast, has it's own remote so doesn't rely on you having an extra device to hand.

 

No idea about Roku!

Edited June 29, 2015 by Ant

[localzuk]

Does it need to be a stick? Can it not be a tiny little box? I've got a Roku 2 XS and its pretty snappy. The newer ones are even better.

[abillybob]

Chromecast: Dosen't work with ITV Player, All 4, Demand 5, works with iPlayer Netflix Amazon Prime and Plex

Amazon Fire Stick: Only has iPlayer, Demand 5 & Amazon Prime (Not sure about Netflix) also has Plex

Roku: Has iPlayer, Itv Player, All 4, Demand 5, Netflix, Plex (Doesn't have Amazon prime)

 

It all depends what apps suit your needs.

[pete]

I have the Fire Stick (disclaimer, have Prime) and a Chromecast. I bought the Fire Stick because I got fed up hunting for a phone/tablet and I wanted Amazon content on the TV.

 

It works for my needs.

 

My quibbles with it are:

 

If I pause a stream (Netflix, Prime, iPlayer, whatever), turn off the TV and go to bed, it doesn't gracefully resume/refresh when I next come to use it. Often it'll whine that it's lost connection to the WiFi (when it hasn't) and it takes a while for it to get started again. Sometimes I have to go into System > About > Check for updates to make it test the Internet.

 

Whereas in a browser or app on a computer/tablet/phone resuming works without issue.

[LosOjos]

Does it need to be a stick? Can it not be a tiny little box? I've got a Roku 2 XS and its pretty snappy. The newer ones are even better.

 

I could fudge a solution with a box, but a stick is preferable as we have very limited space in the new bedroom and the TV will be wall mounted. I could fix the box to the back of the TV if it's a much better solution though, although I'd then need to make sure it was an RF remote rather than IR...

[Arreks]

For a stick, Roku.

 

If you wanna bump up to a box, get Kodi and a bunch of plugins!

[tombry]

I use both a chromecast and a pi running kodi - both use my nexus 7 as a remote, and that lives in the t.v. room anyways, so I'm sorted.

 

I'd use the chromecast alone, but it doesn't always like the things I try to stream through it, so I use the pi for my...."backups"

[rich_tech]

I have 2 chromecasts, their decent and controllable from a phone/ipad when your using netflix, I have had more in free credit from google than both of them cost here, (both of them cost £35 between them and I have had about £45 back in free credit and movies.

 

Also decent that you can cast tabs and have web screens thrown up there from chrome on any OS that will run it, thats how I play stuff from itv player from there when we moved and were living like cavement and didnt have sky TV installed

[Ant]

I have 2 chromecasts, their decent and controllable from a phone/ipad when your using netflix, I have had more in free credit from google than both of them cost here, (both of them cost £35 between them and I have had about £45 back in free credit and movies.

 

Also decent that you can cast tabs and have web screens thrown up there from chrome on any OS that will run it, thats how I play stuff from itv player from there when we moved and were living like cavement and didnt have sky TV installed

Also, not sure if you're aware, but you can mirror your whole screen now, not just Chrome tabs.

 

When you click on the cast icon in Chrome, in the top right corner of the box is a tiny down arrow. Click this and you get the option to cast the entire screen. It does warn you that this is still experimental. There is a little lag at times, but depends what you're viewing I guess.

[Gibbo]

Amazon Firestick for £35.

Install and configure Kodu (takes around half an hour tops)

You will be absolutely amazed at the power of it and the wealth of TV programmes and movies streamed.

 

The best thing is that it leaves the stick intact so you can access all the legitimate programmes and services - many of which are free, such as the UK TV on-demand services (C5, BBC etc)

[LosOjos]

People recommending Kodi - how do you "do" Netflix? I have a HTPC with Kodi on it and I never found a reliable way to get Netflix working on it, either on Windows or Linux based installs.

[MatthewL]

Sorry to bump, looking at these for a friend, think its going to be a Amazon Fire Stick or a Roku box/stick, any pros and cons I should be aware of?

 

Going to be mainly for Netflix.

[markwilfan]

I have 2 firesticks. Love em. You can sideload kodi or tvmc onto them dead easy. Also look at firestarter for a non root launcher replacement. Can't beat it for the price

[MatthewL]

Cheers, think I will get one.

[Gibbo]

Look on Facebook for "Dales Build" a really good community build of Kodi addons specifically for the Fire stick.

[Localtechie]

If anyone is interested I will be selling my fire tv stick in the next few days.

 

£22 including recorded delivery

 

Let me know or to ebay it goes!

[DalekSec]

I have 2 Chromecasts (new and old model) mainly because I have all android devices and I love them!

[Disaster]

Sorry to bump an old thread but I just need a bit of info: I've just got sky so what are my options to stream Sky Go to one of these sticks? I'm under the impression that Chromecast will just mirror what's on your device? Or will I need something that supports sky go?

 

Chars and that