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What is the best alternative to Chromecast (2015)?
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Roku 4
All
10
Experiences
Pros
8
Cons
2
Top
Con
If you don't want 4K content, Roku 3 might get you more bang for the buck
Since 4K content is still scarce it might be better to get Roku 3 instead. It's practically identical to Roku 4 except for voice search and 4K support that Roku 3 lacks.
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Top
Pro
Built-in voice search
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Con
Voice search is somewhat basic
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Pro
Good 4K support
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Pro
Universal search
Roku's search will look through all available services and offer results in one place. You don't have to search through each app individually to find what you're looking for. It also remembers your previous searches.
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Pro
Offers the best selection of content
Roku offers more than 1800 entertainment channels.
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Pro
Simple, intuitive interface
Roku's interface is fairly straightforward.
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Pro
Headphone jack in the remote
You can plug in any set of headphones in the Roku's remote at which point Roku will mute the TV and allow you to listen to your content without disturbing anyone around you.
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Top
Pro
Motion control capable remote
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Pro
Companion mobile app
Roku comes with a companion iOS and Android apps.
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Experiences
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8
0
Android TV
All
6
Experiences
Pros
4
Cons
1
Specs
Top
Con
Your privacy is for sale with this solution
A lot of data is collected about what you are watching - depending on your TV - your voice is recorded (if it has a microphone) or you are observed watching TV (if it has a camera). That data is sent to the manufacturer, Google and 3rd party companies that you never even heard of. This is all done by presenting you a wall of lawyer-gibberish that no one reads and everyone just agrees to because all they wanna do is watch TV.
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Pro
Easy to use
It is bare and easy to use.
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Pro
Sideloading of apps
You can sideload apps.
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Top
Pro
Can run Android apps
It can run all Android apps, however, you might need a mouse.
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Pro
Built-in Chromecast
Android TV has Chromecast built-in.
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Specs
License:
Apache 2.0, GPL 2.0(Linux Kernel)
Based On:
Android Open Source Project (AOSP)
Default Desktop Environment:
Leanback Launcher
Init-System:
Android init
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51
2
JustStream
All
8
Experiences
Pros
8
Top
Pro
Mirror MacBook on Apple TV
Many people prefer to use Apple hardware with the company’s own software. This is also the case when they mirror MacBook on Apple TV.
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Pro
Supports Screen mirroring Mac to Sony TV
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Pro
Chromecast Mac Streaming and Mirroring
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Top
Pro
Supports Mirror Mac to Roku Smart TV
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Pro
Supports Mirror for Samsung TV
Cables are a thing of the past. Thanks to JustStream, you can mirror Mac to Samsung Smart TV wirelessly and easily.
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Top
Pro
Additional External Audio
If a video file has its audio stored in a separate file, don’t fret. JustStream can open them both, and you can even adjust the audio delay.
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Top
Pro
Complete Subtitle Support
You can expect JustStream to run any common subtitle file. Better yet, you can add external subtitles to your videos and stream like that.
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Top
Pro
Create Streaming Playlists
Collect multiple files into a playlist and keep them running back-to-back without having to switch them manually. Forego all interruptions!
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Experiences
12.99$
4
0
Apple TV
All
5
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
3
Top
Con
No built-in Chromecast
Unlike official Androidtv devices it has no Chromecast built-in.
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Top
Pro
Seamless Airplay support
The Apple TV works seamlessly with Airplay for streaming from Apple devices.
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Top
Con
Remote is very easy to lose
The remote is incredibly small and can easily fall between couch cushions.
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Top
Pro
Simple consistent UI
All apps need to conform to the Apple TV UI, meaning they all act similarly.
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Top
Con
Aged
Compared to newer internet TV options, the Apple TV is a lot less powerful, and has less capabilities, such as not supporting games or voice search.
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11
4
Emby
All
3
Experiences
Pros
3
Top
Pro
Easy to use and configure
But with tons of advanced configuration options available for those that want them.
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Top
Pro
Awesome support
Active and lively support forums where the developers and other users engage to quickly resolve any issues you may experience, which will be few and far between anyway.
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Top
Pro
Live TV and DVR functionality
Add the Premiere option for around $5.00 per month and you get a full featured DVR that will play and record Live OTA TV, IPTV, Cable or Satellite signal and a great EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
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15
0
Roku
All
3
Experiences
Cons
3
Top
Con
Easy to accidentally change channel
It's very easy to accidentally sit on the remote, and stop your video, or exit the channel. Apple Remote does not have this problem.
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Top
Con
Frustrating & complex remote design
For some apps like YouTube, left and right switches videos. While left and right on Netflix will fastforward/rewind. Apple Remote is a better & simpler design, a direction pad & select button is all you need.
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Top
Con
Not a hobbyist platform
It's next to impossible to alter the core of the Roku, like create custom notifications. While new channels can be made, existing ones can't be modified.
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13
1
Nvidia Shield TV PRO
All
5
Experiences
Pros
5
Top
Pro
Option to play a "silent" sound
It has a setting to keep emitting a "silence" sound, just to keep the soundbar (or audio system) awake.
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Top
Pro
Powerful hardware
Better hardware than most other products running Android TV.
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Top
Pro
Mount network storage
It can access remote storage (e.g. from NAS) using either SMB or NFS protocols.
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Top
Pro
Optional Android app for a virtual remote control
There is an Android app that works as a remote control. In fact, the app can simulate either directional keys, or a virtual mouse using an on-screen touchpad.
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Top
Pro
Remote can light itself up when picked up
You can configure the brightness of the backlight of the buttons of the remote. And such backlight will automatically turn on when it detects movement, and turn off seconds later.
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$199
3
0
Kodi
All
12
Experiences
Pros
6
Cons
5
Specs
Top
Pro
Can install on several devices
Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, Xbox, Apple TV (jailbroken), and more.
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Top
Con
You may have to jailbreak some devices
This is only for things like a Fire stick, but Android TV boxes etc. should be fine.
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Top
Pro
Lots of plugins available
Like PlutoTV, Curiosity Stream, and YouTube. 3rd party repositories, such as the SlyGuy Repository, contain more plugins like Disney+, Paramount+, Hulu, and Netflix.
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Top
Con
Terrible navigation
Menus over menus with dozens of submenus.
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Pro
Free
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Con
Not Client/Server Capable
While most solutions provide a client/server setup the KODI developers REFUSE to adopt this approach forcing individual setups for every device.
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Pro
Open source
Completely FOSS, licensed under GPL 2.0
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Con
Poorly optimized
Often not a fluid experience on low-end devices.
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Top
Pro
Great customization/multiple skins
You can change navigation flow and other aspects of Kodi with the plethora of customization options and skins.
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Top
Con
No official AAA addons for streaming services
It does not have any official AAA addons and fully relies on the community which result in often broken packages/addons.
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Top
Pro
Can play many different file formats
It supports Blu-ray Discs, CDs, DVDs, USB Flash Drives, local Hard Disk Drives, AirPlay, network file shares, basically every video, audio, and image format available, subtitle files, and even retro game console ROMs.
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, AndroidTV, iOS, tvOS
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Experiences
Free
76
14
Nexus Player
All
4
Experiences
Pros
2
Cons
2
Top
Pro
Straightforward UI
The UI is similar to the of XBox and Fire TV. The homescreen consists of four rows - things you've watched, apps you've installed, games you've installed and settings.
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Top
Con
No ethernet port
The Nexus player is WiFi only, making for an odd choice for a streaming box as much content could use the extra bandwidth an Ethernet port would offer in order to buffer faster when playing videos..
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Top
Pro
Built-in voice search
You can use the remote to search for movies based on a range of criteria such as release date, actors, genre, etc.
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Top
Con
Voice search looks only through google's services
Voice search won't look through, for example, Hulu or Netflix.
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1
0
Plex
All
8
Experiences
Pros
3
Cons
4
Specs
Top
Pro
Supported on many devices
It's pretty hard to find a NAS or STB that doesn't support Plex.
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Top
Con
Needs registration
You need a PLEX account even if you use it on your local LAN.
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Top
Pro
Accessible via web browser
A modern web browser is enough to get everything Plex has to offer.
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Top
Con
Proprietary software
Unfree software.
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Top
Pro
Added lots of media databases
Metadata for media files will automatically be updated by using media databases. This provides posters, movie trailers, descriptions, information about actors, etc.
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Top
Con
No gapless audio-playback
Plex still does not support gapless playback of audio files such as mp3 or FLAC.
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Top
Con
Playback error: This server is not powerful enough to convert video
More hardware requirements on Plex due to a useless/non-intuitive transcoder. When using lower spec hardware (eg SBC) Plex will not transcode or play HD+ videos. When compared to other packages (eg Jellyfin which transcodes nicely using FFMeg), Plex falls short on video playback and transcode settings to get videos to play (fastest/lightest option still fails).
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Specs
Platforms:
Windows, Linux, Mac, Android
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Experiences
Free / paid
57
18
Amazon Fire TV
All
7
Experiences
Pros
5
Cons
2
Top
Pro
Voice search
There is a dedicated voice search button on the remote so you can quickly bring up the voice search prompt from any app that works fast and accurately.
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Top
Con
Lots of Amazon advertisement
The Fire TV prefers Amazon services, and is tailored to purchasing shows and movies through Amazon. The voice search does not clearly expose if it's already available on a non amazon service.
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Top
Pro
Has support for tons of media service integrations
The Fire TV has support of the following of services: Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, ESPN, Pandora, Showtime, MLB, iHeart Radio, Vevo, Vimeo, Crackle, Bloomberg, Twitch, NBA, Amazon Music, Plex, YouTube, Tune In, Flixster, Quello, AOL on, WWE, HuffPost Live, Frequency, Red Bull TV, and Smithsonian Channel.
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Top
Con
Inconsistent UI between apps
Each app has a unique UI making it harder to jump between each app, and requires you to learn a slightly different UI for every app.
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Top
Pro
Has a simplified kids mode
There is a mode called "freetime" that lets you whitelist specific apps and set watch time limits for kids, or for a simplified interface with only certain apps.
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Top
Pro
Most powerful set top box
Even though it's only $99, it's far more powerful than its competitors, with a quad core processor and 2GB of ram, and that power really shows in the fluidity of the UI.
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Top
Pro
Bluetooth Remote
The Fire TV remote doesn't require line of sight, and has a microphone for voice search, thanks to bluetooth support.
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Experiences
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3
2
Built By the Slant team
Find the best product instantly.
4.7 star rating
Add to Chrome
Add to Edge
Add to Firefox
Add to Opera
Add to Brave
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Try it now - it's free
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