Streaming sticks, which one?

[Salar]

I've no idea which one to go for. Roku or Amazon Fire or maybe something else.
Chromecast is no good for me, my phone is basic and I don't use a tablet.

Reading the online bumf Amazon prime does give free delivery when buying off Amazon( I think) and it also has Amazon video, but how does that compare to Netflix.

Don't know anything about Roku, but it gets good reviews.

I don't fancy having to pay for extra add ons etc if I can help it apart from the basic monthly subs.

Just looking for something nice and simple we can watch films and documentaries on.

I'd rather ask real people than rely on online reviews, so any help appreciated.

Thanks All.

 

[martint235]

Unless it's changed Amazon Prime don't do a monthly option, it's a flat £79 for the year. The service is good and I almost took it up when my free trial expired last month.

Prime and Netflix do really well with their exclusive stuff but that means that you need that provider (eg Top Gear or whatever it will be called will only be on Amazon). Don't get either if you're expecting access to recent films, they do have huge catalogues but I'd say if I think of a film I want to watch it's a 50/50 whether they'll have it.

 

[KneesUp]

What do you want to stream, an in what quality? We have a NOW box in the bedroom (no aerial, see) which gives is iPlayer, 4OD or whatever it's called now and the ITV catch up service for the TdF and not much else. They're only £15. We very occasionally pay £7 for a 24 hour sport pass if there is a football match either of us is interested in on a weekend we're at home - but our box came with two free passes making it effectively £1 for the box. And that included batteries for the remote. It's only 720p though.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Are you planning to sideload kodi?

 

[Salar]

What do you want to stream, an in what quality? We have a NOW box in the bedroom (no aerial, see) which gives is iPlayer, 4OD or whatever it's called now and the ITV catch up service for the TdF and not much else. They're only £15. We very occasionally pay £7 for a 24 hour sport pass if there is a football match either of us is interested in on a weekend we're at home - but our box came with two free passes making it effectively £1 for the box. And that included batteries for the remote. It's only 720p though.

Just want to watch a few films, documentaries, not too fussed about sport apart from rugby, which is pretty well covered here.

Are you planning to sideload kodi?

I didn't even know what kodi was until I just googled it

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

sideload

 

[martint235]

I've got a streaming cold. You can have that for nothing.




(Sorry, this may not be the most helpful message I've ever posted)

The bar's not very high though is it??

 

[stephec]

I've got a streaming cold. You can have that for nothing.




(Sorry, this may not be the most helpful message I've ever posted)

I wouldn't be so sure there.

 

[Wafer]

Got a Roku 2 for Christmas, not a stick but a very small box, just a bit more powerful than the stick version.

Been very happy with it. Went for it over the Fire TV because it sounded a bit more independant than Amazon's, who are obviously a content seller as much as an equipment supplier and we don't currently use Amazon prime TV. Also has all the catchup apps, Fire TV is missing a couple I think, not that we actually use them.

It works very well, wide range of channels, hundreds of crappy things you wouldn't ever look at but all the major stuff you'd want and might find a few odd channels that suit your tastes. It's loads better than the built-in SMART bit of the Samsung tv in the kitchen. I'm almost tempted to get a Roku stick for the kitchen tv and bypass the built-in stuff...

Not tried the other options but I've not been disappointed by the Roku at all. It can even, sort of, mirror my tablet screen. It's a bit hit and miss, which seems to be because miracast isn't especially stable yet, though I'm hoping it'll improve over time with software updates. Doesn't work from iOS afaik. Only really used it to watch BT Sport rugby on the tv via tablet. They want you to be signed up to the full BT TV package to watch BT Sport on a tv normally, this gets round it with the basic £5/month computer/mobile access)

 

[Salar]

Thanks Wafer,

I'd rather not be tied to Amazon, I know what you mean about the Samsung, we've got one too.

 

[Fnaar]

[QUOTE 4134708, member: 259"]Calling @Fnaar! [/QUOTE]
Miss Goodbody has rooted her Roku. Whatever that means

 

[Saluki]

We have Roku but if Amazon prime is £79 for the year, that might be worth a thought after the move.

 

[Roadhump]

Just found this thread because I am trying to decide whether to buy an Amazon Fire stick or box, so did a search on CC to see if anyone has shared any experience.

Some reviewers on Amazon say the box, which is the more powerful device, is problematic with older TVs (mine is 5 years old, non-smart but does have 2 HDMI slots), but many more tell of positive experience.

Just thought I would post this as a couple of people quote Amazon Prime subscription as £79 a year, which is correct, but they also now do a £7.99 a month option which you can cancel at any time. So, whilst it is slightly more expensive than the full year option, it is more flexible and if you feel you no longer need it after a couple of months, you can just cancel and save the rest of your annual subscription.

FWIW I had some great customer service from Amazon the other day. Having joined Prime when I ordered an item, it didn't arrive the next day, even though the courier reported it as delivered, and handed to me. They sent me an email to respond to if it didn't arrive the next day and promised a replacement if not. It transpired the courier took it to the wrong house as a neighbour from a couple of doors away brought it round the next day, but Amazon still gave me a free month of Prime membership for the inconvenience. They might be a huge corporate monster but they are extremely customer friendly in my experience.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've got the Roku stick and I'm very pleased with it. I started of with the amazon stick but found it to closely tied to amazon. I tend to use it mostly for catch up TV and the occasional film.

 

[DCLane]

Having a Chromecast I'm happy enough with it, but it's used for catch-up TV and Youtube only.