I don't know when I became such a tech junkie, but I've really been updating my viewing gear lately. I've updated my blu-ray player to a 3D blu-player with WiFi. I've also updated my own piece of crap flip phone to a Samsung Galaxy Centura. Combine that with my Roku 3, my Kindle Fire 7" (which is already out of date), and my LG flat screen (which isn't a Smart TV), and you'll find that I am slowly but surely joining this century. I suppose all that is left is for some sort of computer upgrade.
Not too long ago I purchased this Roku Streaming Stick thingy. Why? Well, I really like my Roku 3. Love it, in fact. If I could I'd somehow make some babies with it and raise a horde of Rokabs. That's probably too much information, though.
The main reason I wanted to get the streaming stick was because I wanted to see how good it was considering the price. It was only about fifty bucks (half the price as my Roku 3), but it looked like it might have be an improvement. So I bought it. That's my sound reasoning on the subject.
The Roku Stick is small. Really, really small even compared to the Roku 3. The Roku 3 is about the size of the palm of my hand, but the streaming stick is as long as my index finger and as wide as a wristwatch. The actual stick is detachable from the fitted USB cord that comes with it, too.
Basically, the end of the cord with the large USB head plugs into the AC adapter while the end of the cord with the small USB head would plug into the streaming stick itself. Plug the adapter into your plug outlet and then stick into your TV's HDMI port and you're ready to stream once you set up your internet connection. It's insanely simple.
If you already have a Roku account then all your channels should be there and you shouldn't have to sign up for Netflix again or anything like that. In fact, if you want to be really lazy you can plug both of your Roku devices up to the same TV in order to minimize the amount of channel changing you have to do.
The stick itself has a reset button, but nothing else in term of things you'd have to worry about. It's a very low maintenance system and that is what I like about it.
What makes the streaming stick different from the Roku 3 is both picture and speed, though. The picture on the stick is fantastic. I could see the difference and everything just looked so good.
But the speed... The speed doesn't touch the Roku 3. Not even close. I can skip over 300 episodes of One Piece in no time on the Roku 3. I just hold down the arrow and they'll zoom by. Not so on the streaming stick. The stick is a lot slower and will require a bit of patience if you are watching a very long series and lose your place. The Funimation channel never remembers my last spot and so everytime I leave the channel I have to go find my last place each time a come back.
With the streaming stick that is even more of a pain in the ass.
The headphone jack on the remote of the Roku 3 is no longer on the streaming stick remote. That could be a downside to some people since there are sites like Pandora that are on Roku. In return the stick remote offers shortcut buttons to Netflix and three other channels. I'm not sure if that's an even trade although with how slow (comparatively) the stick is I can understand the need for shortcut buttons.
The streaming stick is also not ideal for playing games since it doesn't quite have the speed. I don't really use my Roku for games but every now and then I will play a game of Angry Bird in Space and that can be really fun. So ixnay on the games for the streaming stick.
However, the best thing about the streaming stick is that it seems like the ideal thing for traveling because of its very small size. The Roku 3 is small, but not small enough to fit in your pocket.
You could also plug the USB straight into your television or laptop if your system can support that. Some USB ports can't provide the continuous power, but if yours can you don't even need an outlet. Just plug the USB cord into your TV or laptop and then plug your stick in and everything will be connected to your TV or computer. You won't even need the AC adapter.
I won't be tossing out my Roku 3 anytime soon, but I can certainly find a use for my streaming stick. My advice would be to choose what you might think will fit your needs the best. If not for it's lack of speed and slow bootup times... I'd totally recommend it to everyone. For now, if you want speed then get the Roku 3.
Hey, you got a flat screen TV. How do you like that? It makes a huge difference on those blu-rays, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI love my TV. I can't remember exactly when I got it, but I know I've had it for a while by now. My old TV was big, but insanely heavy clunker. Not a bad picture for what it was, but it took two people to carry the damn thing and I'm surprised my dresser didn't break from holding it up for so long.
Delete"Not too long ago I purchased this Roku Streaming Stick thingy. Why? Well, I really like my Roku 3. Love it, in fact. If I could I'd somehow make some babies with it and raise a horde of Rokabs. "
ReplyDeleteI think you can do that with the Roku 4.
I have a question about the roku. Does it do more than say the sony blu-ray player with the streaming channels built in? I've got a sony in my bedroom that suddenly seems to be having difficulty streaming. So I probably am going to replace it but I was curious about the Roku compared to the blu-ray. I think you have or had one of the sony blu rays so I was wondering if there was any difference in streaming between the two.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a Sony blu-ray player. My mom and dad do and I have used it. I've also had an LG and currently have a Samsung. Obviously, the Roku can't play blu-rays but as far as pure streaming goes the Roku (depending on the model - the 3 is excellent)) is one of the best. Blu-rays players with streaming capabilities are just fine if you want access to things like Netflix or Hulu, but if you want a bigger variety of channels than you might want to look for a Roku. I think Netflix loads quicker on my Roku than it does on my blu-ray player, though. However, the picture on the blu-ray looks a bit shinier to me. But since my blu-ray player doesn't have my anime channels I kind of feel biased toward my Roku. I really don't use my blu-ray player for streaming, lol.
DeleteIn the bedroom, my TV hangs on the wall and the blu-ray is attached to it and sits on my chest of drawers under the TV. With the stick, I wouldn't have to have anything hanging down. I don't usually watch discs in my bedroom anyway so the stick is sounding like a good idea for the bedroom. I don't watch too much stuff in the bedroom so I don't think the menu speed would bother me too much.
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ReplyDeleteOne more question. On the Roku 3, is there a usb input where I can plug in a flash drive and play mp-3 music with? That is one thing I do with my Sony in the bedroom that I like. When I'm taking a shower and getting ready in the morning I usually play music through the Sony. I realize the stick can't do that but I was wondering if the 3 does.
One thing you should look into now that you have a flat screen is getting a sound bar, They are really great for a small area like a bedroom. This is a good low cost one that doesn't need a subwoofer (I bought on for my dad a while back). You can attach to a wall or it will sit up on it's own. The soundbar is particularly good if you want to play music through your streaming services or by cd in your bluray player. It's much better than the TV speaker sound.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/VIZIO-2.0-Channel-Home-Theater-Sound-Bar-with-High-Performance-Bass/23990928
The Roku 3 has a USB port. I haven't had a chance to use it yet, though.
DeleteI noticed that there is one massively cool feature with the Roku 3 and that is a headphone jack in the remote control. There should be a law that all remotes must have a headphone jack.
ReplyDeleteOh, you'll get spoiled to it. You just turn on your pandora radio, take your remote with you to the fridge in the other room, and still listen to your tunes. You could even take it outside with you as you check the mail or whatever.
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