requirements 1. have all the major streaming apps (vudu, Google play Store, fandango now, HBO go, amazon video, hulu, Netflix etc) 2. have access google photos or Amazon photos or onedrive photos and be able to set screen saver when not in use ( basically keep as a huge digital frame) 3. not locked to platform/services 4. bonus : voice control what I see as negatives in current offerings 1. roku : no screensaver /access to photos 2. apple TV : ios ecosystem required 3 fire tv : missing some apps ( fandango now or vudu is missing). youtube app is so-so. Google will probably never bring play store to it.. 4 Google TV : who the hell uses it? no idea if it has negatives... 5 Xbox : expensive not sure if any other negatives now I know why many ppl have more than 1 device! roku + chromecast might be best option.. thoughts?
Can talk about both Apple TV and Xbox. The Xbox is too slow to be a dedicated streaming player. I use mine for blu ray ,gaming and amazon video. Amazon video because Apple TV which is my main streaming box does not have an amazon video app. Also the voice stuff at least on Apple TV is useless. If you are not too strict on the photos a Roku is your best option.
Not sure about laptop sync, but the Roku app itself can display pictures from my iPhone to TV.
A Windows computer. You're compromising in some way with any other device. The only downside to a home theater PC is the lack of HDMI CEC, although there are some semi-DIY solutions.
this is actually interesting. with the big fat cortana on lock screen it might be awesome. why can't Microsoft just make a nice streaming focused device that has all the positives! only issue is Google won't write apps.
Because.. it's Microsoft. In fact they have probably already built it and shipped it. And then we'll soon see Apple ship a consumer friendly and popular version of it.
Roku + win7 media center PC or Chromecast - chrome cast would do everything except for stupid Amazon prime
I do use Amazon prime on my Roku 3
Fire Tv + Kodi + side load other apps and you are set
yep, this works great.
chrome cast can do Amazon prime, but have to get the app not from the play store.
No it can't
Can you start an Amazon stream on a computer in Chrome then cast the video from there? Super clunky but possible right?
FireTV and Chromecast does the trick for me
FYI.. You can push android apps from your android phone or tablet to your fire tv. They may not work perfect, but paired with a mouse app like Mouse Toggle, I've had a lot of success loading missing apps on my fire tv stick.
Roku is far better than the others, but because of the propriety nature of vendors you'll always find some odd thing you need. Roku does the best at being open platform. More apps than any other platform. Pair with a NAS running Plex and you have it pretty much covered.
Which apps can you get on Roku and not Fire Tv?
Amazon Fire has come a long way from its launch, but still a little behind and in my use slower to respond to remote and load apps. Missing Google play movies and TV, Animal planet, Bravo, Comedy Central, Discovery, Fandango, National Geographic, NHL, Nickelodeon, Sci, SyFy now, TLC, Vudu, plus more and dozens of Private channels developed on the open Roku platform. Of course if you jail break a Fire you can run Kodi. But Fire is still considerably better than Apple TV, and Chromecast is just different, not the same thing at all.
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Not sure what you mean by #3 but I'm a fan of my nvidia shields (android tv)
not seen one before will check it out