Streaming Services and Devices

Nowadays, these devices are more valued than gold. That might be a stretch, but a good streaming service and device can dramatically upgrade your home entertainment. Streaming services have long been a part of home entertainment, but the early days were clunky, and only true tech-heads were interested. The thought of having every bit of entertainment streamed online as opposed to offered via cable was bizarre. The speed of the Internet was nothing like it is today, and the concept was still a bit nebulous.

Streaming today is ever-present, and we’ve got a fantastic host of services to choose from. We’re going to rundown some market leaders, and give you the ultimate decision.

Roku Streaming Stick+

At an insanely low price point - $50 – this streaming stick provides access to 5,000 plus channels as well as Amazon Video. The stick does not include HBO Max (yet), and it is also not on Amazon Fire TV. Minor blips, but worth mentioning. The Roku is powerful, features 4K HDR compatibility, and expert tests revealed it only needed 5 seconds for all of the content to stabilize at 1080p. To get to a full 4K, it took roughly 10 to 15 seconds.

The Streaming Stick+ contains a wireless amplifier, and getting a strong signal anywhere in the home is within reach. The remote is also a value-added feature, as is Roku’s expansive app selection.

Google Chromecast (3rd Generation)

It’s hard to believe Chromecast is on its 3rd Generation. Your scribe remembers the 1st and 2nd Generations like it was yesterday. In fact, when Google released the 1st Generation, the buzz was hitting record-high levels. People were ecstatic to see Google entering the streaming sphere, and this 3rd Generation Chromecast does not disappoint.

Leveraging the know-how of the Chromecast app, this device finds content easily and has a very intuitive interface. There are no on-screen menus (online reviews have pointed to this being a weak point), but the device works flawlessly. While it doesn’t include some of the bells and whistles that others on this list feature, at just $35, it is hard if not impossible to beat for that price.

Nvidia Shield TV

The appearance alone is enough to set the Shield apart. This thing looks like a mobile power charger, but who cares. If you are streaming games online, look no further. Nvidia is a gaming powerhouse, and the Shield quickly powers up to 4K content faster than nearly any other device on the market. It’s tiny, includes a remote control, and illuminates in the dark!

The only knock on the Shield is its price. Somewhat expensive, especially if you’re a kid using this device for gaming, that will definitely inhibit the take-up. But if you can swing it financially, the Shield is well worth the investment.

Amazon Fire TV Cube

If you’re going to stream, it might as well be with Amazon. The Fire TV Cube is widely recognized as having the best voice control of any streaming device. The second-generation model features a fantastic digital assistant alongside HDMI (switching) inputs and a much faster processor.

The processor, as mentioned above, has sped up command times remarkably. Amazon hopes this will help users stick with the Alexa commands and decrease the frustration that’s been associated with the Fire Cube.

The most interesting part of all these streaming devices is the price. Some are extraordinarily cheap for what they do. Prices could continue to drop, but for as low as $35, you can get your hands on one of these. No excuses, none at all.