What are the best devices to stream Netflix to a TV?

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Considered

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Recs.

Oct 5, 2021

Last
Updated

Chromecast (2015) vs FireTV Stick vs Roku 4

vs JustStream vs NVIDIA SHIELD Console vs PlayStation vs Apple TV vs Android TV

Specs

License

Based On

Default Desktop Environment

Init-System

Package Manager

OS Family

Main Usage

Origin

Official Supported Architectures

Developer

Available On

License

Based On

Default Desktop Environment

Init-System

Package Manager

OS Family

Main Usage

Origin

Official Supported Architectures

Developer

Available On

License

Based On

Default Desktop Environment

Init-System

Package Manager

OS Family

Main Usage

Origin

Official Supported Architectures

Developer

Available On

License

Based On

Default Desktop Environment

Init-System

Package Manager

OS Family

Main Usage

Origin

Official Supported Architectures

Developer

Available On

License

Based On

Default Desktop Environment

Init-System

Package Manager

OS Family

Main Usage

Origin

Official Supported Architectures

Developer

Available On

License

Based On

Default Desktop Environment

Init-System

Package Manager

OS Family

Main Usage

Origin

Official Supported Architectures

Developer

Available On

License

Based On

Default Desktop Environment

Init-System

Package Manager

OS Family

Main Usage

Origin

Official Supported Architectures

Developer

Available On

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

Package Manager

APK, Google Play Store

OS Family

Linux (AOSP-based)

Main Usage

set top box, casual game console

Origin

USA

Official Supported Architectures

since NDK r17: armeabi-v7a, arm64-v8a, ix86, amd64

Developer

Open Handset Alliance, Google(certified devices)

Available On

multiple devices

Pros + Cons

Pro
Simple

Once the device is set up, using Chromecast is straightforward. Just click the the cast icon from within apps or programs to stream it to your TV.

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Pro
Can stream many other media

Chromecast can be used to stream Plex, your browser tab, your Android screen, Google Music, Spotify, your photos, and a lot more.

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Pro
Integrates with Android's notification system

When the Chromecast is streaming and an Android phone (at least the ones made by Google such as the Pixel or Nexus 6P/5X) is connected to the same network a notification pops up on the phone allowing the user to take actions (like play, pause, next song, mute, etc..) and provides instant access to the app that's being used. This functionality is available even if the Android device was not the device that initiated the streaming to the Chromecast.

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Pro
Dual-band Wi-Fi support

2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi support.

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Pro
Can be charged using TVs USB port

If you have a USB port on your TV, you can use that to charge the Chromecast. The Chromecast is charged through a standard micro USB port.

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Con
Not supported by Windows Phones

Chromecast doesn't officially support Windows Phone and there is no known application to Chromecast Netflix from a Windows Phone.

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Pro
Color choices available

The device has red, yellow and black options.

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Pro
Does the processing on a different device

Unlike other set top boxes, the Chromecast just takes in a video stream in VP8 or H.264 format, and can stream that content either directly from the provider, or through a device that processes video to those formats. Because everything is done on a different device, you wont need to upgrade the Chromecast as often as other set top boxes, and anyone can play content from their phones, tablets, or computers.

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Con
No on-board browsing or pausing functionality.

All operations are driven from your phone. To start a show you have to: Stop what you're doing on your phone (if you're doing something) Load the app Browse for the content you'd like to watch on your 5" phone screen Hit "play" Wait for the Chromecast to load the app Watch your show. Then, if you want to pause your show you have to: Stop what you're doing on your phone again. Load the app. Hit "pause"

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Con
Somewhat lengthy setup process

To set up Chromecast, attach it to your TV, download the Chromecast app on your host device, pair it, connect the Chromecast to your Wi-Fi, wait for the updates to download and from there you are ready to cast.

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Pro
Cheap

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Pro
Unifies a lot of content through apps

Netflix, Amazon Video, some cable platforms.

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Pro
Reliable

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Con
No way to stream local files without a Plex server

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Pro
Companion mobile app

Roku comes with a companion iOS and Android apps.

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Pro
Simple, intuitive interface

Roku's interface is fairly straightforward.

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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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Pro
Headphone jack in wireless remote

Users can plug in their headphones to the bluetooth wireless remote which allows for quit listening late at night or in noisy rooms. There are also volume controls on the side of the remote that control the volume level of the headphones.

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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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Pro
Chromecast Mac Streaming and Mirroring

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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 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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Pro
Supports Mirror Mac to Roku Smart TV

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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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Pro
Supports Screen mirroring Mac to Sony TV

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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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Pro
Kodi is installable from the Play Store

Kodi media center is now available on the Play Store for Android TV devices which is very convenient since the old method of installing the app was to sideload, which can be difficult for new users.

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Pro
50 curated games at launch

There will be 50 curated games at launch of the device including the likes of Borderlands and Crysis.

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Pro
NVIDIA Tegra X1

The NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet has an NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor, which is reported as having twice the performance of an XBox 360.

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Con
Can only have 2 USB hard drives

There are only two USB ports built into the device, which limits how many hard drives one can hook up, but the kicker is, even when using a USB hub the device will still only read two USB hard drives at a time, no matter how many are plugged into the USB hub.

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Con
Only capapable of low end gaming

Even the demos of the games shown at the unveiling shows that any type of console quality game is going to be too taxing for the system, all running at only 30fps. Adding to that, the majority of console ports for the system are years old which shows that it is pretty obvious how limiting the system will be.

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