![]() ![]() ![]() AI upscaling doesn't add that much -Somewhat expensive Read our full Chromecast with Google TV review. All of these upgrades helped the Chromecast with Google TV win the 2021 Tom's Guide Award for Best Streaming Device, as it instantly made the Chromecast a bigger player in this category. On top of that, its $49.99 price makes it more affordable than the Chromecast Ultra, Google's previous 4K streaming device. It's got the power and volume controls you need to turn on your TV, plus a TV Input button for switching to other devices, such as gaming consoles. While it's not the minimalist streaming device that the Chromecast 3 was, the new Chromecast remote could even replace your TV's remote. A lot of other streaming devices can't boast as much. That means you get everything from HBO Max to Disney Plus to Peacock - plus Netflix. Also, it's got Google TV, an interface and operating system that supports the over 6,500 Android TV apps. It starts with 4K UHD streaming with support for HDR and Dolby Vision, for excellent picture quality, and Dolby Atmos for immersive sound. General Google searches poorly formattedĪ Chromecast with a remote? Yes, Google finally did it, and the Chromecast with Google TV makes the company's traditional streaming device a whole lot more complete. Read our full Roku Streaming Stick 4K review. And if you need to listen to your shows without disturbing anybody, improved performance on private listening through the Roku app and wireless headphones is a welcome boon. Roku wins overall though thanks to its perfect streamlined interface, which puts apps above content. In our testing, content jumped to 1080p and then 4K in short amounts of time, and app loading is comparable to the Chromecast with Google TV. It's got all the apps you could need (though you need to poke around in YouTube for YouTube TV, thanks to an inter-company spat). ![]() Otherwise, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a perfect balance of price and performance, costing $50 and providing snappy navigation and smooth streaming. Most notably, we've finally got Dolby Vision on this Roku stick, so your favorite streaming shows will have the right color balance and contrast (provided your TV supports it, too). The king stays the king, though, because little changed - and only improvements came with. The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is a small, but noteworthy, upgrade over the Streaming Stick Plus it replaces. Dolby Atmos is missing -Amazon offers better live TV integration. On top of that, Android TV app support, via Google TV, means you don't need to worry about missing out on the latest streaming services. And the new Chromecast also streams in 4K, with HDR and Dolby Vision. Its remote enables you to put down your phone already and focus on what you're watching. We also really like the new Chromecast with Google TV. Oh, and you can rearrange the heck out of the Roku home screen, putting all of apps in your order of preference, while the Fire TV just lets you control that top row and makes you go to another screen for the rest. Trust me, as someone who uses at least one device from every streaming platform, if you can limit yourself to just one device, your entertainment cabinet or counter will look a lot nicer. Practically every app is on the Roku Channel Store, meaning you'll probably never say "my favorite show isn't on here!" And it's finally got Dolby Vision, which it was missing when it was just the Streaming Stick Plus. The first is that Roku is the best platform when it comes to streaming media. We love the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, and recommend it as the best streaming device to friends and colleagues, for two simple reasons. While Netflix and Hulu are ubiquitous, across all devices, some other apps are only available on Roku, Fire TV or Apple TV. Oh, and if you want the Apple TV shows and services, but don't want the to pay the higher price for their streaming boxes, good news: the Apple TV app just rolled out to Vizio Smart TVs. Some of us at Tom's Guide own multiple entries from this list of the best streaming devices, to see how they evolve over time.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |