I’d also be curious to hear from you about which devices are best in your country.
Roku vs chromecast for mac tv#
If you live outside the US, first be grateful that your TV industry is probably more progressive than ours, and then make sure to check on specific local details. Many of the streaming media players are available in other countries, and many of my points apply, as well, but the availability of specific apps and specific shows varies so much that it’s impossible to do a global review.
So that’s where I’m coming from. Note that all of the guidance in this review assumes you live in the United States. If you aren’t one, you don’t need really need an Xbox. But videogame consoles are not considered here because they are more expensive and still primarily aimed at hardcore gamers. Then there are game consoles like the Xbox, which offers a great experience for watching TV shows and movies. Many “smart” TV sets will do it for you, without the need for an additional device, but I’ve never found one I didn’t want to toss through a window. This piece only concerns streaming media players, but of course there are other ways to connect your TV set to the internet. I’ve owned every version of the devices mentioned in this piece, along with some competitors, like the Nvidia Shield and Google Nexus Player, that aren’t good enough to merit a review. But since the first Apple TV was released in 2007, I’ve learned a lot about the joys and frustrations of this odd category of electronics. I have used streaming media players since they were called “set-top boxes.” They no longer sit atop your set many don’t resemble boxes, either. All the details in this piece are intended to help you make an informed decision about which one to buy, and I’m happy to do my best at a personal recommendation if you ask me questions on Twitter or Facebook. Truth is, recommending a streaming media player is difficult without taking into account your specific needs and circumstances. I only wish it had a workaround for connecting to hotel Wi-Fi systems, like the similarly sized Amazon Fire TV Stick and Roku Streaming Stick. It’s not as full-featured as its larger competitors, but works very well and fits in your pocket. (Amazon and Apple may offer something like this in the future.)Īnd the Chromecast is a good option if you want to bring your shows on the road or need to save money. The Roku 4, meanwhile, is worth considering if you’re already accustomed to its software, want to support a smaller company, or subscribe to television service from Time Warner Cable, which has a superb Roku app that will let you enjoy live TV without a cable box. If all you care about is watching TV shows and movies, the Fire TV is your best bet. It’s also the ideal way to take advantage of Amazon Prime’s increasingly great video selection, which you can’t get from Apple.
Roku vs chromecast for mac android#
But the experience is better if you also own an iPhone or iPad, so Android users might prefer something else.Ĭoming in a very close second is the Amazon Fire TV, which has the best interface and streaming quality of all these devices. Buying the device is a bet that, like with the company’s other gadgets, Apple TV will only get better as developers build more apps for it. It’s the first of the streaming media players that not only makes television easier but seems to expand the possibilities of what television can be. But if I had to recommend just one, it would be the new Apple TV.
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