Top Five Streaming Devices : Roku, Apple TV and More!
There are varied streaming devices that have captured the imagination of the people but there are some definitive winners who lord way up above the rest.
Here are the top five streaming devices and their attributes:
Roku 3
The Roku 3 is the numero uno streaming device in the world as it costs about $84 ($99 is the upper model price). The device includes a motion remote capable of playing games and for personal viewing with headphones. With a dual-core processor for tremendous speed, along with a useful MicroSD slot for storing data including games and channels, the device is pretty much perfect. It supports smart devices with different mobile platforms as remote controls. One can even share screens through the box. It supports 7.1 channel surround sound and play its Media Player online.
Amazon Fire TV
At $99, Amazon Fire TV is more expensive than Roku 3 but boasts of more attributes including voice control and search. Also it includes a powerful quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and a superb dedicated graphics processor which can combine to support gaming for more than 100 titles. It also includes an optional video game controller for better gaming experience. Prime users get more content and for better speed, it predicts your next watch and buffers the same in advance. This device supports 7.1 channel surround sound too.
Apple TV (3rd Gen)
Apple TV is not a stick but a box set streaming device and is priced at $68. It supports plenty of streaming services and can even display personal content streamed from other devices but it is restricted to the Apple ecosystem. Additionally, it supports 5.1 channel surround sound that is not as the other streaming devices deliver.
Google Nexus Player
Experience the details with the Google Nexus Player that can render tiny visual details and even displays stunning 3D graphics with precision. It includes a free online multiplayer that enables sync content too. One can track gaming progress and earn varied achievements across Android devices. This streaming player includes a 1.8GHz Quad Core processor, a remote with voice search capabilities, Wi-fi connectivity, and the like.
Roku Streaming Stick
Roku Streaming Stick is priced at around $50 and is quite similar to Google Chromecast in its working with wireless HDMI input but it includes a controller within the price bracket and can be controlled through a tablet or smartphone. The device also supports 7.1 channel surround sound.
The Best Streaming Services based on Various Specific Criteria
A nearly perfect mix of speed, attributes, reasonable price and powerful ecosystem make the Roku 2 an outstanding streaming device in an overall basis. But an added voice search capability makes the Roku 3 the best streamer in its price class.
- When it comes to channel selection, Roku 4 is better than its competition, offering nearly 2,500 selections. The Roku 4 offers a plethora of channels at 4K resolution, along with a powerful voice search that picks up from 20 services.
- Chromecast 2 is brilliant as one of the best portable devices in the streaming market.
- The Slingbox M2 doesn’t host any streaming services but is perfect enough for people who are recently transitioned cable- or satellite-TV subscribers.
- Apple TV’s awesome remote and voice control makes it the best entertainment device for Apple users, especially for those who love iOS based devices. It is an indispensable living room companion who invest in iTunes content and those who are crazy about HBO Now. The others can stick to the Rokus in all other aspects though.
Dhruvil is a Writer & Marketeer for Nimblechapps, joined in December 2014, based out of Sydney, Australia. He has worked briefly as a Branding and Digital Marketing Manager before moving to Australia. At Nimblechapps, he worked on Social Media Marketing, Branding, Email Marketing and Blogging. Dhruvil studies Business at University of Western Sydney, and also handles Operations for the company in Australia.