Most popular streaming box?

[huskerbear]

http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articl...ort-98068.aspx


Is the Roku what most on here are using?

[jbloggs]

I purchased a Roku3 just over a month ago for $50 and used Sony's Google TV devices before that. Roku3 is great little streamer but out of the 1700 apps the article mentions 1690 are absolute crap. You can use Plex to stream local media files which I haven't done yet as I use WDTV Live for that purpose.

If I was to purchase a media streamer today, it would most likely be the Amazon Fire TV as it can be rooted and have XBMC installed.

[squatting hen]

Originally Posted by jbloggs

I purchased a Roku3 just over a month ago for $50 and used Sony's Google TV devices before that. Roku3 is great little streamer but out of the 1700 apps the article mentions 1690 are absolute crap. You can use Plex to stream local media files which I haven't done yet as I use WDTV Live for that purpose.

If I was to purchase a media streamer today, it would most likely be the Amazon Fire TV as it can be rooted and have XBMC installed.

Just like any other app store.

[Andysol]

Roku is a pretty amazing streamer-

What I found more interesting in that article (I read it several days ago) was that the gap has increased. Roku was 37% and is now 44%. Apple went from 24% to 26%
But its interesting to see that just a year ago, Roku/Apple had a 61% dominance, and now have a 70% dominance. Android/google really is fledging in this market. Their problem is they release a new product it seems every 6 months on a completely different format. Google TV- then they abandon it. Nexus Q- then they abandon it. Chromecast- and are now coming out with Android TV- further fragmenting their market. I'd never jump on that ship. Roku, Apple, and for that matter, Amazon- are all focused and have a specific direction they are headed. Google just throws spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks.
Again- keep in mind- this is in the US.

Globally, the Apple TV still outsells the Roku 2.5:1

The Roku is very US-centric- but they have an open app-store that anyone can develop for. So even as "US" centric as Roku, I feel the Apple TV is even more-so. I mean, Apple doesn't even have BBC. So it's clearly a testament to Apple's marketing and integration with their other products that is driving their sales globally.
Roku is a great little company for what they do, and I'm glad they're successful. Love to hear stories like them, Pebble, etc. Niche markets that go toe to toe with the big boys- and do it better (Except their UI).

Its still the same as its been the last 2 years. If you are in the iOS ecosystem- then Apple TV is the best. If you're in the Amazon Ecosystem- then they are the best. If you're not engulfed in either, or you're android- Roku wins hands down. And the fact of the matter is most people aren't in the iOS ecosystem. Of course, they don't know what they're missing

[chris_s]

I have an Apple TV and a roku 3. I'm fully in the iOS ecosystem so the Apple TV gets the most use. We use it for iTunes movies and shows, Netflix, Hulu, hbo go, watch espn, etc.

The roku is only used for vudu and for the USB channel. And I agree that most of the roku apps are crap no one wants.

[pmac]

Roku 3 here. They only need 2 things, 3D support, and an iTunes app. Oh and a CinemaNow app. then it would be pretty close to perfect.

[BlakkMajik3000]

I've used various devices for streaming in the past (Vizio TV, Roku 2, blu-Ray Player, WDTV Live).

But right now, I'm currently using (and loving) the Chromecast. I only had two complaints when it initially released: No VUDU support and no screen mirroring. Vudu support was added some time back, and screen mirroring just got added last week for select devices (of which my Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 are compatible). I'm hoping that, at some point soon, they add mirroring for the Nvidia Shield.

I honestly haven't thought about getting any other streamer since I got my Chromecast. It's pretty much perfect for everything I need.

[huskerbear]

Originally Posted by BlakkMajik3000

I've used various devices for streaming in the past (Vizio TV, Roku 2, blu-Ray Player, WDTV Live).

But right now, I'm currently using (and loving) the Chromecast. I only had two complaints when it initially released: No VUDU support and no screen mirroring. Vudu support was added some time back, and screen mirroring just got added last week for select devices (of which my Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 are compatible). I'm hoping that, at some point soon, they add mirroring for the Nvidia Shield.

I honestly haven't thought about getting any other streamer since I got my Chromecast. It's pretty much perfect for everything I need.

I picked up a Chromecast when they first came out but didn't use it much as I prefer having a regular remote. This maybe usefull though if I can use it to cast anything I put in my browser?? like the NFL preason package where I usually have to plug a laptop to the TV. Is there limitations to what you can cast?

[BlakkMajik3000]

Originally Posted by huskerbear

I picked up a Chromecast when they first came out but didn't use it much as I prefer having a regular remote. This maybe usefull though if I can use it to cast anything I put in my browser?? like the NFL preason package where I usually have to plug a laptop to the TV. Is there limitations to what you can cast?

Technically, for mobile devices, any limitations went out of the window once they turned on screen casting for phones/tablets. However, you have to have one of the following devices (and updated Chromecast app):

[Show spoiler]
http://www.androidcentral.com/how-mi...een-chromecast
Nexus 4
Nexus 5
Nexus 7 (2013)
Nexus 10
Samsung Galaxy S4 (Google Play edition)
HTC One M7 (Google Play edition)
Samsung Galaxy S4
Samsung Galaxy S5
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Samsung Galaxy Note 10
HTC One M7
LG G3
LG G2
LG G Pro 2

Now from your computer, you have to be using Chrome and have the Chromecast extension installed. I will say this; casting tabs are a mixed bag. While you can technically cast a tab from any computer with Chrome and the Chromecast extension, you need to have a laptop with decent specs to cast Chrome tabs effectively. I have a Samsung Chromebook (2013) and it struggles with tab casting. I also have a gaming rig, but I haven't tried casting a tab from that yet. The following link gives the minimum requirements for casting tabs:
https://support.google.com/chromecas.../3209990?hl=en

For me, I prefer the Chromecast, because I lose the remote constantly, but my phone is usually stuck to me like glue (unless it's charging, then I have my Nexus 10 nearby). I also like that the Chromecast doesn't need to run apps in the traditional sense (I don't have to go to Google Play and download an app to my CC), but instead leverages the app(s) I already have on my phone/tablet. The screen mirroring functionality recently enabled by Google is just gravy.