Roku Streaming Stick Review

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Streaming video set-top boxes (a category that now includes tiny plug-in sticks) have become a major battleground for three of the world’s biggest tech companies. Apple (AAPL) was first in with its Apple TV, Google (GOOG) released the Chromecast last year, and Amazon (AMZN) made waves a month ago with the launch of its new Amazon Fire TV device.

Roku Streaming Stick Review
Source: Roku

One of the top contenders in this category — the Roku Streaming Stick — doesn’t come from the big three at all. Roku is a privately held, California-based company and digital media players is its primary line of business.

With content partners like Netflix (NFLX), a dozen years in the streaming media business and a new $50 HDMI plug-in streamer, Roku is certainly not ceding its living room territory without a fight. How does the Roku Streaming Stick compare to the competition? Read our review to find out.

Roku Streaming Stick Review: Tiny and Cheap

Roku Streaming Stick Review does have some wires attached
Source: Roku

Apple and Amazon have gone the route of set-top boxes with some fairly impressive hardware inside. That makes them very capable: the Fire TV can play games, and the Apple TV can mirror content from an iPhone, iPad or Mac, for example. But they’re a bit big, and both are priced at $99.

Roku historically sold set-top boxes, too, but after the Google Chromecast’s success, it opted to offer its own HDMI stick — the $50 Roku Streaming Stick. It’s a little more expensive than Google’s offering but it’s half the price of the Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV and much easier to hide out of sight.

Like Google was with the Chromecast, Roku has been a little sneaky with the Roku Streaming Stick product shots. Typically, just the stick is shown. However, it doesn’t draw power through the TV’s HDMI port. So that means a cable plugs in to the back of the Roku Streaming Stick (just like the Chromecast), going to a free USB port or to an included power adapter.

It’s not the end of the world, but also not quite the clutter-free experience the marketing folks would have you believe.

Roku Streaming Stick Review: A Mature App Ecosystem

Roku Streaming Stick Review shows content a plus for Roku owners
Source: Roku

Roku has been at this for more than a decade, and it shows. When you buy a Roku Streaming Stick, you gain access to more than 1,000 “channels” which have streaming content from partners like Netflix and Disney (DIS). Content is streamed in 1080p HD where supported by the source channel.

Roku channels also include content from competing services — Amazon Instant Video and Google’s YouTube, with Amazon even scoring its own dedicated button on the Roku remote. No iTunes access, though.

Although Roku offers games like Angry Birds, you’ll need a Roku set-top box to play them. The Roku Streaming Stick does offer a remote control, though (unlike the Chromecast), as well as supporting smartphone/tablet-based controls with Android and iOS apps.

Roku Streaming Stick Review: Specs

Roku Streaming Stick Review shows plug in HDMI stick
Source: Roku
  • HDMI Roku Streaming Stick measures 3.1 x 1.1 x 0.5-inches, weighs 0.64 oz
  • 1080p and 720p video output
  • Digital sound over HDMI (5.1 and 7.1 surround sound)
  • 802.11 a/b/g/n dual-band Wi-Fi
  • Supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 security
  • Supports casting of Netflix, YouTube and personal media from smartphone or tablet
  • Requires an HDTV, minimum 1.5 Mbps Internet connection (3.0 Mbps for HD streaming)
  • 5v power adapter + USB cable included
  • Remote with 2 AA batteries included
  • MSRP $49.99

Roku Streaming Stick Review: Conclusion

Roku conclusion
Source: Roku

There’s a reason why Roku remains a popular streaming video choice, despite offerings from giant competitors like Apple, Google and Amazon. Its products have a reputation for working well, it has a large and established content library, and it’s largely platform agnostic — you buy a Roku and still get Amazon and Google services.

The Roku Streaming Stick is a nice alternative to the Google Chromecast, offering a lot more out of the box functionality and a remote control for only $15 more. It’s also much cheaper than the Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV. However, as CNET’s Matthew Moskovciak points out in his Roku Streaming Stick review, one price you pay for the Roku’s bargain price compared to set-top boxes (including its own) is performance — apps like YouTube can leave you waiting while they load.

Despite occasionally laggy apps, for most users who just want to access streaming video on their HDTV without a lot of fuss, wires or expenditure, the Roku Streaming Stick should do just fine.

As of this writing, Robert Martin did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2014/05/roku-streaming-stick-review/.

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