I couldn't be happier with this product. The Roku is simple to use and it works well. I'm able to watch all of my Internet-based television including Netflix, HBO go, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and literally thousands more channels. The Apps for android and iPhone come in handy too because they function as a controller among other features like allowing you to add channels to your Roku account. I can't tell you how many times I sit down and forget to grab the roku controller on my way to the couch, but I have my cell phone or iPad handy and don't need to get up because of the app.
There are some neat features you might not realize the Roku has, and of course some less than perfect things about it....read on.
On the good side: The Roku has a setting that lets it tune the TV to its input channel when you hit any button on your Roku controller (or the convenient app). This means that if you have say the cable box running but want to switch to Roku you don't have to get the TV control out and hit the Input button, you just hit any key on the Roku remote.... pure genius. The Roku app for android/iOS has a "private listening" feature. So when you are watching that horror flick alone at night and your wife and kids are asleep in the next room you can plug in your standard headphones into your phone or iPad, turn on private listening and the sound is piped through the headphones, not the TV speakers. In the Roku menu you can see the % of battery left in the Roku remote, even though it uses standard tripple A batteries, not rechargeables. When using the app on your phone you can use your phone's keyboard or voice recognition to enter text. This feature is amazing for example when you are searching Netflix for a long movie title and don't want to have to select each letter off of a screen keyboard using arrow keys and the "Ok" button to input each letter.
On the negative side: Probably 90% of the channels are garbage. They give you short clips of news or movies that you weren't really interested in the first place (don't worry too much, you'll still love Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and the rest of the 10% of great stuff). The games are mostly simple and not worth it...think Tetris and Snake (not that I don't love both of those games, but I'm not going to pay money for them like the channels require). The Roku stick itself requires a power supply separate from the HDMI plug. This is hardly unexpected but it means that you either need to have a free USB port on the back of your smart TV or you need to have a power strip space handy (they do include the outlet plug and wire if you don't have the USB spot available).
In summary: I got more than my money's worth with this purchase and I would recommend this device to any cord cutter like myself. Its smooth, well designed' and has all the things you need and more in an internet streaming TV device. The price is right for the stick, I personally didn't see the advantage to the other more expensive Roku options, like the set top box, because they are many times more expensive and the extra features are either minimal or not really necessary. Buy this device and you will be happy with your purchase.
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$26.99
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- Roku Streaming Stick 4K | Portable Roku Streaming Device 4K/HDR/Dolby Vision, Roku Voice Remote, Free & Live TVAmazon's Choicein Streaming Media Players
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This Item  Roku Streaming Stick (3600R) - HD Streaming Player with Quad-Core Processor | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $35.97 | -12% $28.98 Typical: $32.95 | -18% $33.45 Typical: $40.98 | -42% $29.00 List: $49.99 | -40% $24.00 List: $39.99 | $24.99 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, Dec 2 | Get it as soon as Monday, Dec 2 | — | Get it as soon as Monday, Dec 2 | Get it as soon as Monday, Dec 2 | Get it as soon as Monday, Dec 2 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | Amazon Resale | Terrace Mall | Cellmigo | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | MallStop |
| memory capacity | — | — | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | — |
| connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | HDMI | HDMI | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | USB, HDMI |
| controller type | amazon alexa | Remote Control, Voice Control | Remote Control | Voice Control, Remote Control | Remote Control, App Control | Remote Control |
| supported services | Amazon Instant Video, Google Play, Hulu, Vudu, Netflix | Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, The Roku Channel, Apple TV+, Sling | Netflix | Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Prime Video, Vudu | Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Prime Video, Vudu | hulu |
| video output resolution | — | — | 4K | 4K UHD (up to 2160p at 60fps) | 3840 x 2160 | — |
Fast for streaming, remote can't control TV power or volume (plus potential remote solution)
For years we've been a TiVo household, but that is changing in the face of increased streaming options, and currently our only tie to regular old cable TV is live sports (and we're not sports nuts, so the cord cutting is probably sooner rather than later).When looking for a non-TiVo streaming solution, we wanted something that was content-provider neutral, which eliminated the Fire and to a lesser degree Chromecast. We took the plunge on Roku, starting small with the new stick.First and foremost, this thing is speedy. The screen and apps are very responsive, and navigation is intuitive. The breadth of streaming support is astonishing.Initially I was going to use the TVs USB port to provide power to the device, but unfortunately what that means is that every time you turn your TV off the stick goes off, and every time you turn your TV on the stick has to boot up. It's not a huge delay, but it's a friggin' delay, so that was a no go for us.Now for the big con - the remote can't control even basic TV functions, like power and volume. As far as I can tell, *none* of the Roku models have remotes that can do this. So, if you have a TV with a Roku, by definition you now need two remotes. They don't even offer a more functional remote as an extra-cost option. What the hell?I went looking for consolidated remote solutions, and none of them worked for us (price, complexity, functionality, etc), and very few seem to support the RF protocol used by Roku. I ended up finding a Kickstarter for a product called the Sideclick, which is an snap-on, add-on for the standard Roku remotes that adds TV control.On top of that ridiculous omission by Roku, the remote also has hard-coded buttons for services selected by Roku (not you). So even if you don't use Sling or Rdio or Google Play, there are permanent buttons for them on your remote, taking up real estate (and NOT controlling your TV).The lack of a 'premium' remote that also controls the TV on any of the Roku models, and the pre-selected, hard-coded remote buttons for services I may or may not use are close to deal-killers for me, because it indicates that Roku is not designing their products for me. Note to Roku if you ever read this, I (and many, many others, based on my research) would happily pay you for a 'premium' remote with the following characteristics:1. Ability to control basic TV functions (on/off, volume)2. No hardcoded service buttons (or have them programmable by the owner)3. KeyboardAs it stands, the Roku stick is a solid device with an overly simplistic and marketing-focused remote. I was stuck between 3 and 4 stars because to me the inability to have an out-of-the-box single remote solution is ridiculous, but you can temper that criticism with the fact that since I found the Sideclick snap-on remote enhancement I've already ordered my second Roku.Picture of remote with Sideclick is attached.
