Electronics

[Susic]

Hi. I have a middle age regular Tv that has an hdmi port and was thinking of getting a Roku so I can get Netflix and watch YouTube and other light streaming that I am just now wanting to see. Will get a smart tv when this tv does. So many Roku and Fire Stick options. Was wondering what the latest models you would recommend or not recommend for me. We don't need need the ones that use Alexa and such. Just a basic one I can watch shows on my big tv instead of IPAD.  I still have cable tv and wifi. Not sure if some still have the cords, but want cordless. Thank you. Susi

[gardenman]

Okay. I'm a little confused by the cordless comment, but here goes. All Rokus have a power cord, and all Rokus but the stick versions use an HDMI cable. The stick ones just plug straight into the TV, but still need a power supply. I currently have the Roku Premiere on my main TV, but I have the Roku Ultra coming on Sunday to replace it. (Amazon has/had the Ultra on sale for $48.) The Premier will then move to my bedroom TV replacing my old first gen Fire TV Stick that will move to the kitchen TV. I'm upgrading to the Ultra because it has volume buttons and a mute button, and you can assign two additional channels to it on the two programmable buttons on the remote. It's a very good deal at $48. The cheapest Roku typically sells for about $30, so to be able to upgrade to the best for $18 more is neat. Rokus come with all of the cords, cables, and whatnots you need. The Ultra even comes with decent earbuds if you want to listen to something privately. I believe it also includes three months free of Pandora and Hulu, but I'll have to see when I get it. Do you need the Ultra? Probably not, but given the smallish price difference, I think it's a good deal.

A Fire Stick is a lower cost option and a good option, but they're a bit more limited. Mine is also much slower than my Roku which is why I'm shuffling them here there and everywhere when the new Roku comes.

[Susic]

Thank you Gardenman, that is all good information.  By the cord, I meant the one from Tv to 'remote' control I would use to turn on and change sites. I am just now checking out options, and will probably watch QVC video presentations , which help. Trying to narrow down which one as don't need a lot of options, but don't want an older version that is almost obsolete for price deference. Will check out the Ultra one now. Thank you for taking time to explain! Susi.

[gardenman]

@Susic 

I really like my Roku Premier. It's a very clever little device. If the TV is off and I hit the menu button on the Roku, it turns on my TV and sets the correct input for the Roku without me doing anything. I believe it does all of this through the HDMI input somehow. I like that. The Premiere remote doesn't have a volume control on it, so you still need the TV remote handy to adjust the volume. The Roku Ultra adds volume control and a mute button on the Roku remote so my TV remote doesn't need to be as handy. Both are capable of outputting 4K HDR, but my bedroom TV isn't 4K, but the Premier will work on it anyway. If I upgrade the bedroom TV at some point to a 4K HDR set, I'll already have a Roku that's ready for it.

The Fire Stick was good in its day, but now it's slow in comparison to the Rokus. Amazon also tweaks the programming that comes through them to optimize it for their fire devices, and that can result in delays watching stuff on the Fire Stick. Britbox showed live coverage of multiple flower shows (Chelsea being one of them) and Amazon would be a day or several days behind in airing it. That's why I bought my first Roku. I was getting very frustrated with having to wait to see something that others could see live.

[Susic]

Well, I braved the Black Friday Crowds at Walmart and bought the last Roku Ultra they had for half price $48.00. The clerk told me it was sold out, so I went home ordered on line, and the very same store had one left, so,will be going back again later to pick up. Worth two trips for half price. thanks again for advice ! susi

[VaBelle35]

I wasn't sure I would like/need the Roku, so I bought the express for my spare tv to see how I liked it.  It was on sale for $20.

I just bought the Ultra the other day from Amazon for my main tv.  It has more remote options than the express which I think has none.

[Jordan2]

I have a Roku Stick and an Amazon Fire Stick, I prefer the Roku, I find it's much more user friendly.