The Best Media Streaming Devices of 2.Cut the Cord.There are many ways to watch online content on your TV.Your television itself might have apps, or you might have a Blu ray player or game system connected with built in streaming services.If neither case applies, or if your TV, Blu ray player, or game system doesnt have the exact media features you want, you can get a dedicated media streaming hub.Most media streamers allow you to set up your TV with any online or local media streaming services you need for well under 1.Among the media streamers currently available, five platforms stand out Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Google Cast, and Roku.All of these platforms except Google Cast have on screen menu systems and dedicated remotes so you can view whatever you want from the couch, without a mobile device to control everything.Google Cast is a bit different, as it relies on a smartphone, tablet, or PC with Cast compatible apps to stream content.No matter which you choose, they each give you access to many of the most popular music and video streaming services available.Resolution is another big factor to consider.All of the platforms mentioned aside from Apple have options for ultra high definition 4.K and HDR content.In the list above youll find the top rated media streamers weve tested.Below is a closer looking at the top media streaming platforms.Best Software For Streaming On Twitch With Music' title='Best Software For Streaming On Twitch With Music' />Create an account.All streaming services will require you to create an account with them in order to stream.All offer a free account option, and many offer paid.Best Software For Streaming On Twitch With Music' title='Best Software For Streaming On Twitch With Music' />Amazon Fire TVAmazons Fire TV platform is built around Fire.OS, a modified version of Android designed with Amazons content in mind.Fire TV devices are focused heavily on Amazon Prime content, with Amazon Instant Video and Amazon Prime Music built prominently into the menu system.There are plenty of other content services available through Fire TV as individual apps, like Hulu Plus, Netflix, and You.Tube, but the big advantage of Fire TV is having all of your Prime content right at your fingertips.Amazon has equipped its Fire TV platform with Alexa, the same voice assistant used in the Amazon Echo speaker.Its basically Amazons version of Siri, and its a useful tool to use with the voice remote included with the current Fire TV and Fire TV Stick.The newest Fire TV supports 4.K video, and the newest Fire TV Stick features a lower price and includes a voice remote by default.Element Electronics plans to release new sets with Fire TV built directly in next month.Google Cast.Google Cast is the least visually obtrusive and physically complicated media streaming platform you take a Chromecast or Chromecast Audio, plug it into a power source, plug it into your TV or sound system, and control everything through your mobile device.There are no remotes, no on screen interfaces, and no app stores to separately navigate.You just connect your Chromecast to your home network and stream whatever youre watching from a Google Cast compatible app, of which there are many on your smartphone or tablet.Its easy to use and economical, since both the Chromecast and audio only Chromecast Audio are the least expensive media streamers on this list at 3.Chromecast Ultra is the least expensive 4.K media streamer at 6.And all three work with Google Home, so you can issue voice commands for what you want to watch, and even see supplemental information related to voice searches such as your Google Calendar.Roku.Roku calls the services and apps available on its devices Channels, and currently offers thousands of choices on the Roku Channel Store.All of the big streaming media names are available, including Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix, Sling TV, and Twitch, along with many smaller, niche apps and services for movies, sports, weather, news, and international content.Rokus current lineup is its largest, with a total of six models across a wide range of prices and features.The Roku Streaming Stick and Premiere stand out as the top choices, for respectively offering an affordable package with a point anywhere remote and 4.K capability. 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Roku has also pushed into the television market with its Roku TV platform.The company doesnt make TVs itself, but it offers its technology to manufacturers to incorproate into their screens.This has allowed many more budget priced televisions to include connected features they couldnt use a few years ago, while keeping prices low.Roku TVs work just like Roku media streamers, only theyre built directly into the TVs themselves.Now many Roku TVs natively support 4.K as well.Android TVAndroid TV is Googles dedicated Android based media streamer menu system, different from the heavily modified version of Android used in Amazons Fire TV products.On paper, it offers a more powerful and feature rich interface than Apple TV or Roku, but weve yet to be truly impressed by it.It feels clunky, and its app store is tiny compared with Googles conventional Android app store, as well as the Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku stores.However, Android TV was the first platform to offer Netflix 4.How To Install An Air Conditioner In A Horizontal Sliding Window .K content outside of a TV with the Netflix 4.K app built in, and it remains a powerful system, especially when paired with powerful hardware like in the Nvidia Shield TV.Android TV devices are also all Google Cast compatible, so you can use your smartphone or tablet to stream content to it just as if you had a Chromecast.Apple TVThe latest Apple TV got some long anticipated upgrades, but it hasnt gone far enough to keep up with the competition.The new Apple TV now has its own App Store, greatly expanding the software and services available on the device.Its also equipped with a voice control remote, and you can use Siri with it just like you can with your i.OS phone or tablet.Its still very Apple centric, with music services focusing more on Apple Music than third party apps, and unlike Android TV, Fire TV, and Roku, it doesnt support 4.K.
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