Amazonjust harbinger the Fire tv set pin , a cheap streaming media dongle , which face a good deal likeGoogle ’s Chromecast , and theRoku streaming pin . But there some authoritative differences that might make each equipment slenderly better suited to dissimilar people .
We ’ll have a full review article of the Fire TV stick soon ; you’re able to checker out ourRokuandChromecastreviews as well . But in the lag , there ’s still deal to analyse as far as what each of these stream dongles can offer .
Specs are n’t everything , but it ’s worth noting that the Fire TV Stick is positively juiced compare to its contender . It ’s got 8 GB of built - in flash repositing and 1 GB of memory , compared to 2 GB of build - in entrepot and 512 MB of memory on the Chromecast , and 256 Bachelor of Medicine of memory and 512 MB of store on the Roku Streaming Stick .
That extra computer memory should make the Fire TV Stick cruise quicker than its contender . The work up - in storage might not mean much — these are build for streaming more than storing — were it not for Amazon ’s ASAP service , which automatically downloads hooey Amazon predicts you ’re likely to watch so that you do n’t have to wait for the message to soften .
Additionally , the Fire TV Stick uses dual - band Wi - Fi , where the others only have single band Wi - Fi . Still , rumour has it the Chromecast isaboutto get a Wi - Fi cost increase .
Functionality
Each of the three dongles gets you access code to an enormous earthly concern of medium over Wi - Fi , but each run about it a small differently . We ’ll dig into the detail in more detail below , but here ’s the basics of how each gadget run .
Chromecast : you could beam subject over to your TV using a smart gadget or your computer . Some apps come Chromecast - ready , so they leap out over to your boob tube with sweet native fluency . you could also beam anything that ’s running in a Chrome web internet browser over .
Roku Streaming Stick : You primarily interact with the Roku Streaming Stick through a TV - found user interface . You navigate through different channel using either Roku ’s app or the included remote . There ’s some circumscribed mirroring , too .
Fire TV Stick : Basically break reach the dispute between Roku and Chromecast . There ’s an on - screen port you apply to pilot message from download apps , a spot like the stick ’s grown - up Fire TV sibling . you may also broadcast stuff and nonsense over from your sound .
Here , it ’s also deserving mentioningMicrosoft ’s $ 60 wireless display adaptor . It does n’t do apps . It only mirrors , and it ’s not really competitive with the products we ’re discussing in this post .
https://gizmodo.com/microsofts-wireless-display-adapter-makes-your-tv-a-sec-1638179841
Remote
Chromecast : you’re able to only control the content beam to you Chromecast from your phone , pad of paper , or computing machine . There is no disjoined computer hardware remote .
Roku Streaming Stick : You choose depicted object on the Roku Streaming Stick using either the include remote or the Roku app for Android and iOS . Unlike more expensive Rokus , the Stick does n’t support private hearing or motion restraint for game .
flame TV Stick : you’re able to keep in line the Fire TV Stick from your phone , an include remote , as well as from Amazon ’s singly available$30 voice remoteand$40 plot controller .
Apps
The democratic apps chart from the Fire TV Stick ’s product Thomas Nelson Page ( above ) does a expert line of work of die down aboriginal accompaniment for the main inspection and repair multitude would want to practice : YouTube , Amazon Instant Video , Hulu Plus , Netflix , Twitch , ESPN . All the sticks have mostly everything .
And as you may see , each equipment has its gob . Fire TV Stick does n’t support HBO Go . Chromecast does n’t support Amazon Instant Video . Roku does n’t confirm the now Amazon - have Twitch .
If you want to spread out past the basics , Roku definitely has the most extra services , with “ thousands ” of channel uncommitted . Both the Fire TV Stick and Chromecast have C of additional apps . And Chromecast ’s mirroring powers mean that anything that fits in your web internet browser can make it to your television blind .
Games
There ’s no actual competition when it comes to games . The Fire TV Stick supports hundreds of games , and the stick is design specifically to work with Amazon ’s game controller . Both Roku Streaming Stick and Chromecast extend some games , but it ’s not key to their design .
Mirroring
If your favorite app is n’t supported , the mirroring selection on each of these devices will aid you get extra substance up onto your TV .
Fire TV Stick : you’re able to mirror the content that ’s on your Android ( or Fire OS ) equipment on your TV . Which means that if you’re able to exhibit the media on your phone , it can be displayed on your TV .
Chromecast : As with the Fire TV Stick , you may mirror your Android gadget . Chromecast also sum mirroring on iOS and on computers through the Chrome internet browser , which mean that if you want to expose the content on your computer or your iPhone , the Chromecast might be a better stakes .
Roku Streaming Stick : reinforcement for mirroring is pretty special , but the Roku app will lease you throw over media that ’s stored locally on your telephone set or tablet .
Price
If you ’re a Prime contributor ( you should be ! ) , the Fire TV Stick is gettingblown out for $ 20until Wednesday break of the day , which makes it a fairly incredible stack . After Wednesday , though , the Fire TV Stick goes up to $ 40 , which puts it reek between the price of the$35 Chromecast , and the$50 Roku Streaming Stick .
It ’s hard to say that one of these is needfully better than the other , especially until we get a chance to bet with the Fire TV ourselves . But if you ’re thinking about buying one , hopefully this ’ll help oneself you prioritize .
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