Streaming Sticks

[Prior22]

I'm considering purchasing a streaming stick to replace an old Roku unit, as the stick would allow for easy transporting between TV's. Any recommendations as to whether the Roku or Amazon fire stick is better in terms of stream reliability?

Also one of the TV's is wall mounted, and the HDMI port is tough to access. Would I be able to plug the stick into the HDMI port on the cable box, rather than the TV. Thanks.

 

[YuuB0t]

I'm considering purchasing a streaming stick to replace an old Roku unit, as the stick would allow for easy transporting between TV's. Any recommendations as to whether the Roku or Amazon fire stick is better in terms of stream reliability?

Also one of the TV's is wall mounted, and the HDMI port is tough to access. Would I be able to plug the stick into the HDMI port on the cable box, rather than the TV. Thanks.

I've never had a Roku, but ever since Google stopped supporting YouTube on the firestick I started recommending the Chromecast to people.

 

[Kioku]

If you buy a stream stick for YouTube I have to question your sanity. Bought a Firestick and prefer it to the roku 3 box it replaced.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I'm considering purchasing a streaming stick to replace an old Roku unit, as the stick would allow for easy transporting between TV's. Any recommendations as to whether the Roku or Amazon fire stick is better in terms of stream reliability?

Also one of the TV's is wall mounted, and the HDMI port is tough to access. Would I be able to plug the stick into the HDMI port on the cable box, rather than the TV. Thanks.

Have you considered a Chromecast? They're easier to use since you navigate with your phone to what you want to play, and lots of apps work with it. Plus, they're dirt cheap.
Roku to my knowledge is rather limited in what you can do with it. A Fire Stick, being Android, should be far more flexible. You could for example put Kodi on it and stream pretty much anything you'd like there, including not-so-legal things.

Are you sure the cable box has a HDMI input as opposed to just an output? If it is indeed an input then I assume it would just work like a passthrough so it should be fine. Try plugging a game console, laptop, bluray player or similar into it and see if you can get it to display the image from that.

 

[dpad_5678]

Chromecast > Fire TV/Stick > Roku

 

[Prior22]

Chromecast > Fire TV/Stick > Roku

Does this ranking factor stream reliability into the equation? Also since I'd prefer to use a standard remote, rather than a smartphone, is this process easy to setup and have full access to all the key remote features.

 

[Chary]

If you're looking for Kodi to run on a Fire Stick, it's going to be very stuttery, but it will work at least. SlingTV's app is also terrible on it, but otherwise its a solid option.

 

[DaTank45]

Fire stick. Throw terrarium tv apk on there for movies and tv shows, mobdro for live tv, and kodi for ppv/live sports all for free. Also you could do an amazon fire tv box and put happychick (all in one emulator and games) plus a Bluetooth controller and you are set

 

[dpad_5678]

Does this ranking factor stream reliability into the equation? Also since I'd prefer to use a standard remote, rather than a smartphone, is this process easy to setup and have full access to all the key remote features.

Well, I'd still say the Fire TV/Stick is better than the Roku. The Alexa Voice Remote does wonders.

The Chromecast is REALLY great though, honestly. You can get the new version for $20 CiB at Target, and the navigation is super easy since you're using a smartphone.

 

[emigre]

I'm in team Chromecast. I've got them plugged in for the two TVs in the house. Super straightforward. The lack of conventional remote is a plus for me.

 

[VashTS]

I used to be chromecast but since i got a smart tv with youtube built in i prefer that for youtube.

if you don't care about youtube, then yes chromecast all the way.

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

Stream stick? I got a shield tv... with chrome cast built in, so I guess I side with it technically. But $70 for the 4K one, maybe should wait for discount.

 

[deinonychus71]

I use firetv / shield for all my "non smart" tvs to stream from plex/emby. I got a roku for my parents. All work well with plex/emby (until you start playing with subtitles haha)