Clueless about streaming devices

If your Samsung TV is smart, did you see which ones are available on their platform?

And if you still needed a device, I would just get a stream 4k or chromecast w/Google TV. Everything will end up being on Android Tv's play store.

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The first two are Android based. Tur Google version will be updated more since it's Google. Tivo will update theirs as Android tv is their future, and they are heavily invested in Android as their cable box OS. So it won't be forgotten.

If you like aggregation and Google telling you what you should watch, get the chromecast. If you prefer app specific rows of your choosing and info more your way, get the stream 4k. Stream 4k also has a nicer remote, especially if you ever migrate away from their DVR system and go to a more iptv based setup. You also have a separate usb+c port with microUSB for power on the TS4k. CC just has usb-c so you need a ub of sorts to add a drive, Ethernet and so on.

My 4k fire stick is collecting dust still in its plastic after I retired my 1080 version. Just didn't see the advantage to it. Others could expand on that.


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Given what I've seen of the upcoming UI changes to the FireTV devices, I cannot recommend them. My wife and I are leaning towards switching from FireTV to NVIDIA Shield (which is Android TV) for the standard streaming device on all of our TVs. The only thing lacking on the platform is AppleTV+, and that is forthcoming.

We used to like Roku, but it is just too buggy these days, I suspect due to the changes in their business practices causing changes in their software platform.

We really like the AppleTV, but neither of us like the remote.

Between the new Chromecast and the Stream 4K, I would choose the Stream, largely due to the remote design.

We no longer have cable or satellite service. We stream everything.

 

I’m still on with the Roku Ultra 2020. The only thing I’ve seen that is a bit buggy is app crashes on fairly rare occasions. All else seems solid.

 

It does not matter. There is really no reason not to get a "4K" device at this point.

 

Maybe they have fixed some things recently. Frequent app crashes are my biggest complaint, followed closely by whole device reboots. In comparison, the Android-based and AppleTV devices we have rarely have any similar issues.

 

Yeah, I did have an issue with device reboots with some earlier versions of Roku. Now it seems pretty solid. AirPlay on it is a bit twitchy with sync on occasions. I don’t use that since HBO Max finally came to it.

I can’t argue with that. AppleTV is rock solid. If it had a much better remote I’d probably still be in that camp. My issues with the remote are mostly its use with live streaming services, it is just twitchy to use for trickplay.

As to Android devices, well I only have 2. FireTV is Android based but different. It too is pretty much rock solid but the UI is just a big irritant. My other Android device is the AT&T TV Osprey box which is a great idea poorly implemented. Sluggish in most things and not too kind with launching apps either.

 

Fire TV is probably the easiest to set up and use, but may include the most promotion of additional streaming content you can buy, rent, or subscribe to (because, well, Amazon). It's stable and reliable though, and I don't mind the relatively simple remote. The remote does have wonderful Android "Back" button.

My wife seldom used any apps on the TiVo, but after I got Fire TV on all our sets that she started using streaming services regularly. She would have no patience with a Stream 4K, especially if I customized it, and I'm sure she wouldn't even like the Chromecast either. We're Fire TV all the way here.

 

I think you are doing this backwards. You should start by researching the various services to see which one or ones would be a suitable replacement for what you have now. Once you know what services you want/need, it will be easier to figure out which device will let you enjoy TV the way you want to.

I, for instance, mostly watch broadcast television. For me, the TCL Roku televisions are a perfect device. If you plug an antenna into one of these, you can watch broadcast television, use a PSIP sourced (no service or even internet required) program guide, and trick play (pause, rewind, fast forward) if you plug a 16GB usb stick into the television. Plug in ethernet (or go wireless with built in AC networking) for all the apps that come with a Roku -- including Airplay.

Amazon nicely integrates broadcast television with streaming via their FireTV Stick on the set and a Recast whole house DVR. Broadcast and streaming services can be combined in a single program guide. If you just want to build your own OTT service, skip the Recast.

We could walk through a hundred permutations, but it's all mental masturbation until we understand what you want to watch.

 

You got him buying a new TV as opposed to just a streaming device to watch streaming services not available on tivo? On top of before he even looks at what services are available on his Samsung TV.

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Have you made sure you've updated to the latest Firmware on the Samsung TV?

-KP

 

Not at all. I simply used the television and fire tv sticks as examples of viewing devices. Who knows, maybe the addition or replacement of a television is in order. I bought a pair of 55" 4K TCL Roku TVs in November for $148 each -- less than the cost of an Nvidia Shield, an Apple TV, or a TiVo.

When we fired Comcast, I decided we did not need a DVR at all. We had a year's worth of unwatched episodes of Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Bonnie Hunt on our only DVR. Within a month of cutting the cord, I was shopping for a DVR. It turns out we spend a lot of time pausing, rewinding, and fast forwarding programs.

When we put a television in my sister's camp (no phone, cable, or internet), that PSIP guide came in handy. We also put one of these at my in-laws who have no landline or ISP.

The point is that you have to understand the objective before tossing out random suggestions.

 

If you're a Netflix customer, it would be difficult to argue that you shouldn't buy at least one Chromecast with Google TV device ... given the current bundle promo being offered, which results in a net cost of $12 or less (after taxes) for the 4K-capable Chromecast.

See: Chromecast with Google TV and Netflix bundle

(We're still a Roku household, but I've dropped 4 of these at our main TVs to supplement our streaming, for a few apps the Roku lacks. If we hadn't already had Roku's everywhere, we might have just gone w/ these.)

 

The Chromecast with Google TV does offer an "App-only" view, which renders the UI similar to a Roku, with just app thumbnails (and a single advertising row to hop over).

 

Yes. And the point was clearly to just watch some streaming services that weren't available on tivo. Please show me where my response was filled with random suggestions?

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As someone who owned a 2013 Samsung TV, I am almost sure none of the streaming apps will be usable.

 

Agreed, apps on my 2015 Sony big screen Bravia started aging out a couple years ago. Sony went with Android after that model, and five years later no longer supports the old OS and apps. Last time I checked Netflix still worked but was slow and dated, while Prime and other apps kept crashing. But I plugged in a Fire TV Stick 4K, which automatically recognized the TV model and set itself up so that the Fire remote and the original TV remote work perfectly. I haven't looked at the built-in apps since.