topic Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU? in Electronics

Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

bargainsgirl — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 12:29:10 GMT

Which device would you recommend for someone who watches minimal tv and is not tech savy? Also, do these work on tv's that are 5 or 6 years old?

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

gardenman — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 12:55:48 GMT

As is often the case, the answer to your questions are: "It depends." Let's tackle the TV question first. If your 5 or 6 year old TV has an empty HDMI input then you're good. If it has HDMI inputs but they're all in use, you have two options. Option one is swapping cords when you want to use your new set top box (STB) and option two is buying an HDMI switch that lets a single input be shared among devices.

As to which device to buy, both will give you all of the mainstream stuff Netflix, Amazon, Pandora, etc., but if you want the more exotic stuff then a Roku is probably a better option. I love my Fire Stick and I've also got their 55" Element Fire TV (which is a tad quirky at times, but I like quirky.) If you have an Amazon Prime membership, then I'd go with the Fire Stick.

Setting up either a Roku or Fire Stick is pretty easy. You simply plug it into an empty HDMI port on your TV, plug in the power, set the TV to the HDMI input you plugged the device into and follow the onscreen prompts. You'll have to give it your WIFI password, wait while it downloads an update, and you'll be good to go. Each channel you select may require you to verify your identity in some manner (typically through your cable company for cable channels) but they'll guide you through whatever they need.(You'll typically be given a code you have to enter at a website to activate that channel on your device. It's pretty easy.)

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

SydneyH — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 04:03:35 GMT

I've used both and I prefer the Amazon Fire Stick. Much easier to pair with a Bluetooth speaker imo.

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

glb613 — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 10:46:00 GMT

@bargainsgirl wrote:
Which device would you recommend for someone who watches minimal tv and is not tech savy? Also, do these work on tv's that are 5 or 6 years old?

If you have Apple computers, look into an Apple TV. While more expensive, you can pair your devices and stream what is on your phone, tablet or computer.

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

topcat10 — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 14:31:05 GMT

Go to Walmart and buy yourself a SmartTV (less than $200.00).....they sell a Roku TV, but I chose the Samsung SmartTV and love it....but regarding your question, you'll probably get a 50-50 response - people like both....I have the FireTV stick 4K that QVC offered at $40+ a few mths ago for my older tv and I love it.

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

wildcat fan — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 14:35:29 GMT

@glb613 wrote:
@bargainsgirl wrote:
Which device would you recommend for someone who watches minimal tv and is not tech savy? Also, do these work on tv's that are 5 or 6 years old?

If you have Apple computers, look into an Apple TV. While more expensive, you can pair your devices and stream what is on your phone, tablet or computer.

I agree with @glb613 if you have an iPad, iPhone, or Apple computer. I looked into the Roku and Fire stick but ultimately went with the Apple TV. We have really enjoyed it.

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

Jordan2 — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 15:23:35 GMT

I was just wondering, I have four Samsung TVs, two are Smart TVs, two are not. Can you use a streaming device on the non Smart TVs but still keep your cable box, or would they not work well together?

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

Mz iMac — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 19:34:35 GMT

@gardenman

Could you please clarify this statement please....?

"(You'll typically be given a code you have to enter at a website to activate that channel on your device."

Are you saying if I want to watch something on HBO, I would have to go to HBO's website to enter a code or to FS website on my computer?

If from the tv, do you enter codes from your remote? If so, which remote, cable or tv?

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

wildcat fan — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 19:51:13 GMT

@Jordan2 wrote:
I was just wondering, I have four Samsung TVs, two are Smart TVs, two are not. Can you use a streaming device on the non Smart TVs but still keep your cable box, or would they not work well together?

@Jordan2 Our Apple TV is connected to a non-smart Samsung. At first we also had a cable box connected to it, so we were able to do both. We decided to cancel cable, though, and now have an indoor antenna connected to that TV along with the Apple TV. The Samsung remote allows us to go back and forth between the devices by selecting the Source button.

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

gardenman — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 20:36:32 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@gardenman

Could you please clarify this statement please....?
"(You'll typically be given a code you have to enter at a website to activate that channel on your device."

Are you saying if I want to watch something on HBO, I would have to go to HBO's website to enter a code or to FS website on my computer?
If from the tv, do you enter codes from your remote? If so, which remote, cable or tv?

What happens is when you install an app on the device, it'll give you a code (something like 123SDFGH) and have you go to a site like CBS.com/activate on your computer/tablet to enter the code and then the app will be usable. It's not hard.

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

Mz iMac — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 22:19:22 GMT

@gardenman wrote:
@Mz iMac wrote:
@gardenman

Could you please clarify this statement please....?
"(You'll typically be given a code you have to enter at a website to activate that channel on your device."

Are you saying if I want to watch something on HBO, I would have to go to HBO's website to enter a code or to FS website on my computer?
If from the tv, do you enter codes from your remote? If so, which remote, cable or tv?

What happens is when you install an app on the device, it'll give you a code (something like 123SDFGH) and have you go to a site like CBS.com/activate on your computer/tablet to enter the code and then the app will be usable. It's not hard.

@gardenman

Thank you. My paramour has a FS & gets a bunch of free movies & tv shows local & cable, no codes necessary. He had his FS "jailbreaked."

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

Catlady Nicole — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 22:44:11 GMT

I have both, two each in fact. Lately I find myself using the Firestick more. It's more user customizable in that you can allow unknown sources and add all sorts of apps. The term jailbroken isn't really accurate, it's just that apps from unknown sources are allowed to be installed. I have done this on both my Firesticks and sometimes watch my TV that way. Free movies, TV, music, oddles of things to explore. The catch is the feeds can be wonky and unreliable, it takes some savvy and patience to get good results. I have learned a lot about this from a group called Midian Inc on Facebook, if you're interested......

One big reason I keep the Roku's is that my cable provider, Spectrum, only has an app for the Roku. I use the Roku to be able to watch our cable subscription on any TV the Roku is connected to, without separate set top boxes or cables. I love that freedom and simplicity.

ETA - as long as you have an available HDMI port you're good. I'm using both on a set that is at least 15 years old!

Re: Amazon Fire TV stick or ROKU?

VaBelle35 — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 09:38:03 GMT

I bought the Roku because it was supposed to allow me to watch Xfinity but my understanding is that you can only watch Xfinity if you have internet through Xfinity as well (I do not).

And I subscribe to Hallmark Movies Now, which is only available on Roku right now.

I will probably buy a Fire Stick at some point since I have Amazon Prime.