# Help me replace my Roku **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 11, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879 "2014-07-11T18:30:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/1 "2014-07-11T18:30:18Z")
My Roku box is obviously on its last legs so I’m in the market for a new streaming device. I currently view Netflix, Amazon & Hulu+ with it. Do any of the devices out there have the automatic next episode start capability that I have in my Xbox or maybe that’s the Playstation? I love this feature and my current Roku doesn’t do this. It’s a Roku2 if anyone is interested. I think my only deal breaker is it must have access to Amazon as I’ve found being able to take my video library to a lady friend’s house is sweet. Before anyone asks, I’m using 'my 'collectively, the games mentioned above belong to my kids one of whom will be getting his own place next month and the other who is saving for a flat-screen of his own and will most likely take his game to his room. I’m a Wii man myself. ---
**Author:** ![sideshowkar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@sideshowkar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sideshowkar)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/2 "2014-07-13T02:32:14Z")
I moved to the Roku Streaming Stick about two months ago. I have two older Roku boxes and a Chromecast and I like this stick the best. It does have Amazon, but those don’t autoplay next episode. Netflix does though. Hulu+ had it even on the older Roku boxes, so I’m assuming it has it on the stick (I don’t subscribe anymore, but it is available). ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/3 "2014-07-13T03:01:03Z")
Wow. It’s too much effort to tap a button to watch the next ep of something? Do you have your beer on an NG tube, too? ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/4 "2014-07-13T18:09:39Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Wow. It’s too much effort to tap a button to watch the next ep of something? Do you have your beer on an NG tube, too? I just like that feature and since I’m replacing it anyway… ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2014, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/5 "2014-07-13T18:59:27Z")
Have you considered the [Amazon Fire](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CX5P8FC/)? I don’t need one, since I currently have both an Apple TV (for iTunes and everything else but Amazon) and a streaming-enabled Blu-ray player (for Amazon and everything else but iTunes), but it seems comparable to Roku/Apple TV/etc. > [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > Wow. It’s too much effort to tap a button to watch the next ep of something? Do you have your beer on an NG tube, too? Dude, have you ever _had_ the auto-play feature? It’s not that tapping a button becomes too much effort, it’s just super handy. ---
**Author:** ![Stuffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f17d59/32.png) [@Stuffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stuffy)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/6 "2014-07-14T01:13:55Z")
[quote=“Misnomer, post:5, topic:692879”] Have you considered the [Amazon Fire](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CX5P8FC/)? Yeah I’ve been really thinking about that one. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/7 "2014-07-14T16:29:28Z")
Anyone know anything about Chromecast? We bought the in-laws a Roku recently, because as I understood it the Chromecast required a computer connection to work (and it was unclear how their new condo would work with wireless connectivity, and I knew that if all else failed I could connect the Roku to coaxial with an adapter). ---
**Author:** ![sideshowkar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@sideshowkar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sideshowkar)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/8 "2014-07-14T17:00:25Z")
I have a Chromecast, but don’t use it anymore; I moved to a Roku Stick, which is very similar in terms of design, but not functionality. With the Chromecast, you need to start the program on either a computer or tablet and then “cast” it over to the Chromecast. It worked fine for Netflix and HBO Go, which both have plug-ins that you can use to cast over from a tablet. There are a few other apps that have the ability too, but not many. You can cast anything from a Chrome browser over though, but that’s kind of a hit or miss. I was never able to cast anything from my computer without some issues (mostly sound syncing problems). I ended up going back to just plugging in my computer to the tv. The Roku Stick has channels, just like the Roku boxes, so there isn’t any need to cast from the a computer of tv. ---
**Author:** ![Krouget](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b38774/32.png) [@Krouget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krouget)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/9 "2014-07-14T17:05:10Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Anyone know anything about Chromecast? > > We bought the in-laws a Roku recently, because as I understood it the Chromecast required a computer connection to work (and it was unclear how their new condo would work with wireless connectivity, and I knew that if all else failed I could connect the Roku to coaxial with an adapter). The Chromecast is an outstanding product, mine has worked great. You’ll need a computer, tablet, or phone to set it up on the network, but once on the network, you can stream using most any device which can wirelessly connect. > **[Set up your Chromecast device (3rd gen or older) - Android - Streaming Help](https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/2998456)** > > The Google Home app walks you through the steps for Chromecast and Chromecast Ultra setup. If you've already set up your Chromecast on a mobile device, you don't need to set it up again on a differen You’ll need an HDMI and USB port on your TV (the USB powers the device, and it comes with an adapter for the standard wall socket, IIRC). [http://cdn.elite-strategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/chromecast-box.jpg](http://cdn.elite-strategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/chromecast-box.jpg) Are you connecting the Roku to the TV using some type of HDMI to coaxial adapter? ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/10 "2014-07-14T18:44:46Z")
I replaced my Roku 2 with a Roku 3. It does auto-next-episode on Netflix, but I haven’t tried it on any other devices. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Don\_t\_Call\_Me\_Shirley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Call_Me_Shirley)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/11 "2014-07-14T19:16:05Z")
My Roku 3 automatically starts the next episode. I know that’s already been mentioned, I just chimed in to say that I hate that feature. There have been several times when I’ve fallen asleep, or paused a show, turned off the TV and then accidentally hit the Play button, or something else happened, and then hours later I discover that it’s played several episodes, and then I have to go back and figure out where in the series I left off. I like the general idea, but it should force you to hit one button to start the next episode, not play it automatically. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2014, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-replace-my-roku/692879/12 "2014-07-14T20:36:15Z")
The Amazon Fire seems really interesting (I have an older Roku - the highest level one before they did the Roku 1, Roku 2, Roku 3 thing), but then I subscribe to some other streaming thing that Amazon Fire doesn’t have. First it was [MLB.tv](http://MLB.tv), and now Amazon Fire has [MLB.tv](http://MLB.tv), but then I went and subscribed to MLS Live, which Amazon Fire doesn’t have yet. Oh well… So, consider that Roku has the most channels, by far. I also have a Chromecast, and I really like it as well, but for some things (WatchESPN for one), the Ethernet connection on the Roku is far more stable than the Wifi of a Chromecast.