Electronics

[Lilysmom1]

I am thinking about buying one mainly for streaming.  In reading about it, I am aware that it is five years since they did a new version.  There is some rumour about a new version being past due.  If a new one is on the horizon, I would rather wait.  I just missed AI on my iPhone 15 so that has made me a bit more cautious.

Anyone here knowledgeable?  TIA.

[Kachina624]

@Lilysmom1.  Never heard of it and have no idea what it is or does.  I stream on my TV. 

[Lilysmom1]

@Kachina624 , good morning.  It is a higher end android streaming box.  It is also a gaming device.  My interest was streaming.  It is top of the line for streaming but my research shows it is old technology (5+ which is old in the technology world).  I will wait and see if they make a newer version.

[gardenman]

@Lilysmom1 

There are tons of options when it comes to streaming devices. I mostly use Fire Sticks. They're cheap and do what I need them to do. Rokus are also very nice. Both Rokus and Fire Sticks get updated regularly, so you get newer tech (WiFi 6/7, various HDRs, Dolby updates, etc.) with them. I find my Rokus are more prone to overheating while the Fire Sticks never do.

With Black Friday coming up, every streaming device will be on sale at around 50% off so it's a good time to be out shopping for one. My most recent purchase (September) was a Fire Stick 4K. I was going to get the 4K Max, but it went off its sale price when I was ready to buy so I opted for the plain old 4K (which was still on sale and meets my needs anyway) and it's been great.

Since you are an Apple user you might also want to consider the Apple TV streaming boxes. I've never used one but they generally get good reviews. 

[Lilysmom1]

@gardenman , I was hoping I would hear from you.  I am going to check out Apple TV.  I think it is version 4 now.  I have an older one.  I have heard good things about them but I don't know the details.

It is good to hear your comments about Roku heating up.  I am going to be travelling this winter and would like one small enough but powerful enough to go with me.  Maybe Firestick is the way to go.

[gardenman]

@Lilysmom1 

Yeah, I have two Rokus, one a Roku Ultra, and both overheat in the summer if I'm streaming a lot. And I often have the Big Brother live feeds up for hours at a time. I've never had an issue with the Fire Sticks. They don't seem to have any issues. The Rokus will pop up an overheating warning from time to time.

[Kachina624]

@Lilysmom1.  I have a Firestick on a Samsung TV  and the steps I have to go through to get to my streaming services are ridiculous.  I often have to repeat the tedious steps several times. I commend myself for ever figuring it out.  I'd never buy another. 

I also have a voice controlled Roku which I've had for 4-5 years.  Never had a bit of trouble with it and it's fast and easy to use.   I vastly prefer it over the Firestick.

[Lilysmom1]

@Kachina624  Thanks for the feedback.  Does the Roku heat up?

[Kachina624]

@Lilysmom1.  I've had 2 of them and neither ever heated up.

[gardenman]

@Lilysmom1 

Okay. That intrigues me. My Fire Sticks are very easy to use. They turn off and on the TV and even adjust the volume. My frequently used apps are right there on the home screen. I simply hit the power button to turn on the TV, the Fire TV interface is right there and so are my apps. The five (or more) most used are right there and the less used ones are just a click or two away and can be moved to the front by clicking on the three horizontal bars to rearrange the home page apps and move one to the front. 

Both of my Rokus overheat with lots of use and give me the overheating warning. My Roku Ultra seems to do it less than my older Roku but it still does it with lots of use. If you Google "Roku overheating" you'll find it's a common issue. I like them and their interface but if I'm watching anything for more than a few hours, it becomes a pain having to let them cool back down. Both of mine are in the open, clean and dust-free, with no airflow restrictions, just sitting under the TV with nothing hot beneath them. 

I've used my Firesticks for twenty-plus hours straight on occasion with no overheating and they're tucked behind the TV in a less ventilated area.

I'd recommend heading to YouTube and watching install and use videos for both devices to get a feel for which might suit your needs best. Also Google "common issues with((insert name of device here)" to see what kinds of trouble you could experience with either one. 

I don't think you can go too far wrong with either one (or an Apple TV or other streaming device.)  Oddly, one of the better-reviewed devices recently is the ONN brand streaming box sold by Walmart. I believe it's a US exclusive though so that's an issue.