Streaming gadget for new TV

In My Humble Opinion
1

So we’re getting the folks a new TV. They’ll only have basic cable, through a different provider than their internet - the cable is provided by the HOA of the condo they’re moving to.

I’d been planning on doing a connection from the coax to the TV to set up the internet - but as it’s a different provider and internet is not included, that won’t work.

Sooooo, I’m going to get them a Roku or similar.

Amazon Fire looks interesting, and per Amazon’s page has more features than the Roku 3. Price is close enough to be a non-issue.

Google Chromecast might be interesting as well but it requires connection to a computer, and the parents are… not technically savvy.

Roku has a good listing of “channels”, though with some it’s hard to tell if it’s free - some say FREE!!! others say there’s a cost, but most don’t say. Amazon: it’s tough to tell WHAT they have, there’s no overall listing easily available. I can’t tell whether there are movie-type channels at all, and while the in-laws could rent from Amazon, they don’t have Prime access.

Apple TV sounds pretty similar to Amazon in terms of selection.

Wireless access is essential, and they all have that, though Roku 3 says something to the effect of extended-range wi-fi. As the place may or may not have decent internal wi-fi (steel-frame construction), if the Roku’s description means it might do better this would be a big plus.

Opinions?

2

The Roku Stick is cheaper and has no downside against the 3 except that the latter is “faster” - which means the menus pop more quickly. Big whoop.

Side issue: My Roku 2 has had a persistent problem with crashing, particularly on Netflix. Unplugging it and plugging it back in occasionally seems to cure the problem, so I’m guessing it’s some kind of memory leak or buffer overrun with time. Permanent solution has been to put it on a cheap digital timer so it goes off for 15 minutes at 4 a.m. No problems for a week now.

3

I have two Apple TVs, and love them. But I’d be concerned about the tiny little remote getting lost. Otherwise, it’s hard to beat.

However…Roku is quite a bit cheaper, and does pretty much the same stuff. If they don’t have any real investment in Apple products or iTunes, it’s also very tough to beat.

However…the Amazon Fire’s microphone remote may be ideal for an older couple, and gives you access to the Amazon library (with Prime, I believe). That, paired with Netflix, is a TON of content.

Steer clear of the Chromecast at all costs. It’s a fun little widget, but you need to work it via your computer or a network-connected smartphone, and can get clunky, especially for the non-computer savvy.