Roku vs Fire Stick
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We're looking to get rid of satellite TV and go full streaming, and we're looking for a streaming device. We already do Netflix and Amazon Prime (although we're not happy with the content choices on prime) through our Blu-Ray DVD player, but we can't add apps to the player, so here we are. It looks like the top 2 choices are Roku and Amazon Fire Stick, I'm looking at the Roku Ultra 2020, mostly because it supports wired ethernet without any additional hardware... and it's not from amazon, but I'm willing to entertain the Firestick because you can get a wired ethernet adapter for it (and even with the ethernet adapter, it's cheaper than the roku). I'm still trying to fiond out if the ethernet support is GB or MB... My primary concern though is whether or not I can plug the devices into my A/V receiver, and possibly program my Logitech remote to replace the device's remote. So, if anyone here has used either device, I'm interested in how you like it. Is it easy to install streaming apps on it? Is it easy to configure/use?
".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, 2013I'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.
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We're looking to get rid of satellite TV and go full streaming, and we're looking for a streaming device. We already do Netflix and Amazon Prime (although we're not happy with the content choices on prime) through our Blu-Ray DVD player, but we can't add apps to the player, so here we are. It looks like the top 2 choices are Roku and Amazon Fire Stick, I'm looking at the Roku Ultra 2020, mostly because it supports wired ethernet without any additional hardware... and it's not from amazon, but I'm willing to entertain the Firestick because you can get a wired ethernet adapter for it (and even with the ethernet adapter, it's cheaper than the roku). I'm still trying to fiond out if the ethernet support is GB or MB... My primary concern though is whether or not I can plug the devices into my A/V receiver, and possibly program my Logitech remote to replace the device's remote. So, if anyone here has used either device, I'm interested in how you like it. Is it easy to install streaming apps on it? Is it easy to configure/use?
".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, 2013I 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.
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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.
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.
".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 -
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.
".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#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[^]
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#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[^]
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.
".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
