We live in an era of abundance of things to watch on TV.
There have been times when you had to use a cable or satellite box to live or
on demand to keep up with your favorite shows. Today, streaming is a question
for many people, and TV networks include the space with apps that display their
content. The objective is to help you see everything you want, whether you're
out or at home, on the couch and before a big TV. But you will need some
hardware to enjoy such applications. That's where these boxes into play.
The good news is that you don't have to break the bank in
2019 to get one of these, although if you want something that does more than
just giving you access to TV apps, you definitely can. Moreover, many streaming
boxes, streaming sticks and gaming consoles now support 4 K and HDR (high
dynamic range), allowing you to watch high quality series and movies.
Below you will find a breakdown in a range of shapes, sizes
and, most importantly, prices of what we think are the best streaming devices
right now.
Google
Chromecast Ultra
In
contrast to costliest streaming devices such as Apple TV or PlayStation 4 Pro,
Google has no TV-interface at $59 Chromecast Ultra, by itself. Instead, to
control what you want to stream to the Chromecast Ultra, you'll need to download
the Google Home app for your iOS or Android smartphone. It's pretty easy to set
up: you plug it into your TV's HDMI port, use the Google Home app to connect it
to WiFi, and then you can start using your mobile device as the Chromecast
Ultra remote.
It
is a no-frills streame option, which makes Chromecast Ultra great. You can see
a list of apps that you can use to stream material into the Chromecast Ultra,
from Netflix, Hulu and HBO Go to the sound applications Spotify, Pandora and,
of course, YouTube music. You'll find them in the Google House application and
you'll find them all over the world. In essence, if you can watch or listen to
stuff on your iOS and Android phone, you can also send it and enjoy it on your
TV to the Chromecast Ultra.
Not
only that, the Chromecast Ultra works with computers like Mac, Windows, and
Chromebook where you can stream and mirror content. The Ultra offers support
for 4-K and HDR video, faster loading times or Ethernet, compared to the
regular Chromecast for $35–if you don't want Wi-Fi to show, music, etc. If your
google's Chromecast Ultra is just $60 for you to create a straightforward
streaming experience that can handle 4 K and HDR.
Roku Streaming Stick+
The
Streaming Stick+ is very much like the Chromecast Ultra, mainly because the
device of Roku has a TV interface, which makes it feel much more like a set-top
box. Just pop the unit in one of the HDMI ports on your TV and connect to
Wi-Fi, just like the Ultra. Again, in comparison to the Chromecast Ultra, you
can use a physical Roku on your TV using the Streaming Stick+ (more about this
later) to complete the entire setup process.
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| Roku Streaming Stick+ |
Roku
says you can choose what streams from over 500,000 films and TV episodes, once
you have the Streama Stick+ running. It's thanks to Roku's Apps platform for
the world's most popular channels, like Netflix, Hulu, AmazonVideo, HBO Now,
Showtime, ESPN, NBC, Sling TV, YouTube, Pandora, etc. The best thing is to be
able to watch Netflix and other channels in 4 K and HDR for movies or shows with
$50 Streaming Stick, which you can not do with the cheaper, more affordable
Roku stick streaming device.
And
the Streaming Stick+ is also particularly enjoyable with the physical remote,
because even basic functions such as quick-forwarding and tedious rewinding can
sometimes be controlled using a smartphone. The Streaming Stick+ remote
controls have both buttons and Netflix and Hulu buttons, which are probably the
most frequent apps for many people. You can also find movies or shows with your
voice, just hit the microphone logo button, say the title name of an actor or
director in order to look for the result of thousands of streaming channels
from Roku.
Taking
everything into account and the fact that it costs a mere $50, it is difficult
to beat Streaming Stick+.
Apple TV 4K
The
Apple TV 4 K is no better stream box for all of you on Apple's ecosystem than
the Apple TV 4K. The latest Apple TV supports the 4 K and HDR video, including
the Dolby Vision standard and the immersive sounds from Dolby Atmos. The Apple
TV 4 K works with popular string services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video,
HBO Go, Showtimes, ESPN, Sling TV, and thousands of others, of course, as with
the Chromecast Ultra and Streaming Sticking+.
You
can also directly stream the content from your iPhone, iPad or Mac using the
AirPlay feature on the Apple TV, if you're an Apple Music or ITunes user. You
can also use Apple AirPlay to play the content directly from your iPhone, iPad
or Mac.
Although
the Apple TV has a remote system, you can simply control whatever you watch or
hear in the setting-top box with the Apple TV Remote app on your iOS device!
You can either search for movies, TV series or music with Apple's Siri vocal
assistant by simply stating the name of an actor or artist or you can diktat
your email or your password when you have to connect to a service with the
microphone. Apple's Single Sign-Up feature uses cable provider information to
log you in into all compatible video apps, such as ESPN, MTV, Comedy Central
and more, makes Apple TV 4 K easy to use.
Apple
has also recently introduced Channels, a feature which enables you to subscribe
directly with Apple TV to streaming services from networks such as HBO,
Showtime, Cinemax and CBS. These channels are an à la carte option for people
without pay television providers and who want to get content from a selected
network.
The
Apple TV is definitely on the high end side of streaming equipment at $179 for
the 32 GB version (or $199 for 64 GB. But you're going to find a better
streaming set-top box if you have already an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer. And
as a bonus, Apple is casting a free year on its next streaming service called
Apple TV+ if you buy one right now.
PlayStation 4 Pro
In
the case of a big deal, look no further then the latest game consoles than
Chromecast Ultra or Streaming Stick. Not only are you going to get access to
applications from Netflix, Amazon Video, HBO, Hulu and any of the other big
streaming apps from Sony's PlayStation 4 Pro, but you will get them in 4 K and
HDR too— if they support them and you're on the right track, of course. There
is also a PlayStation Store from Sony, which allows you to buy new (and old)
movies and TV shows right on your console. If it wasn't clear for the first
time, the better thing with PS4 Pro is that you can see content in 4 K compared
to the regular PS4.
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| PlayStation 4 Pro |
Now,
while players can play on streamers such as the Apple TV 4 K, the best is the
ultra high-definition PlayStation 4 Pro. It helps Sony to make many of the most
prestigious games of the last few years, including Marvel's Spider-Man, only
available on PS4. The PS4 Pro can not be designed first and foremost as a
streaming set-top box, but works well. And don't forget, if you are willing to
pay $20 per month to the Sony game subscription service, you also have access
to the PlayStation Now.
Sure,
$350 will be needed for the PlayStation 4 Pro, which is more than put together
by Apple TV 4 K, Chromecast Ultra and Roku Streaming Stick+. But where else can
you watch a Netflix show or 4 K film and then play God of War on the same
device as soon as you get tired of watching TV?
Xbox One S All-Digital Edition
No
device celebrating the golden age of streaming more than the Xbox One S all-digital
edition of Microsoft may exist. It is a game console with no disks, a move from
the company that shows the future of home entertainment. As with PlayStation4
Pro in Sony, the Xbox One S has all-Digital Edition apps for Netflix, Hulu, HBO
Go, Sling TV, ESPN, etc. And 4 K and HDR video are supported. However, it also
supports HDR standards such as Dolby Vision and DTS: X or Dolby Atmos sound
formats.
However,
apart from its diskless aspect, there is one major difference between the PS4
Pro and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition: The console does not make 4 K
games, so it's much cheaper for Microsoft. It is also not much more than an
Apple TV 4 K and you get a lot more flexibility with the All-Digital One S. Of
course Microsoft also has a digital store to buy or rent films and shows from
the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition–in addition to the content from apps like
Netflix.
The
all-digital console of Microsoft is basically an all - in-one divertising hub.
The Internet Explorer application enables you to stream movies, television
shows and music, download and play video games and even browse websites-all on
the same device. Mine Craft, Thieves Sea and Forza Horizon 3 are
the best deal to make. The console and three titles are included. It's much
more than a streaming machine for Netflix.
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