Which Roku(or other box) should I get for my needs?

Cafe Society
1

My last Roku was model 1 from 2010. I have not used it in awhile. My Samsung TV has had apps for Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and a few other things. Anyway, with the arrival of Disney+, I have no device that has this app and I want to stream straight to the TV without my computer.

My desires are:

  • About $50 or less
  • Has ethernet port(I have wifi, but still like ethernet for streaming)
  • Has Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Disney+ apps available
  • prefer box to stick, needs a remote as well

I figured Roku would be the way to go, but am not sure which one to get.

I even looked at Android boxes from aliexpress, but would not know where to begin.

Thoughts? I appreciate it.

2

I’m going to get the Roku Ultra LT from Wal Mart - it has ethernet and a remote with TV controls (which I need because I got a free tv without a remote).

It’s $80, though. But I am going to wait for Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday and see if there’s any deals. It still might not hit your $50 limit, but I think it doesn’t hurt to wait and see.

Everything I hear about streaming options is that people like the Roku interface the best.

3

Would this one do?
How do we know which devices Disney+ has an app on?

4

Google turned up this article, which is a few hours old: Disney+ Launches Today on Samsung Smart TVs in the US.

How old is your Samsung TV?

5

How old is your TV?

Disney+ is available on Samsung 2016 through 2019 Smart TV models.

6

I bought it in May of 2014.

7

With very few exceptions, every Roku app runs on every Roku device.

8

Well, it’s an age issue I am wondering about. I have a Roku version 1 and no way does it has Disney+.

9

I should have said every currently supported Roku device. If you’re looking at buying a new Roku, I’m pretty sure all the currently sold models will support Disney. But I’m not 100% sure. I’m not working for Roku anymore, so I don’t have the latest scoop. The Channel Store description doesn’t mention any device limitations.

10

We have a Roku 2, and got this email from Roku last week:
Dear Roku customer,
Thanks for being a longtime Roku streamer. We see that you own a classic Roku player that’s many generations behind our newest devices. We’re reaching out to let you know that, as of November 15th, this Roku player will no longer receive new software updates.
What does this mean?
You can continue to enjoy this classic Roku player and stream your currently available channels. However, this Roku player will no longer receive new features, updates to existing channels, or support for new channels like Apple TV and support for the Apple TV+* premium streaming service. You may also potentially lose existing channels if our partners decide to update their channel in the future.

11

Surely Roku 2 isn’t that old? Very disappointing if they are making that obsolete already. I have this box and I’m very happy with Roku but I’ll look elsewhere instead of upgrading if they can’t provide the channels I want. The next device I get will allow me to load up Kodi.

12

It’s 8 years old(2011).

13

In a reddit thread last year, a YouTube engineer stated that he considers Smart TVs to have a three to four year life before the app code advances beyond the capabilities of the Smart TV. After that, he recommends an external device.

14

I think the only current Roku with an ethernet port is the Ultra:

Roku

That one is going to be in the $80-100 range. If you want a Roku under $50 with an ethernet port, you’ll need to check ebay/craigslist.

15

My recommendation is an Android Box. The Disney+ and Disney Now apps are available at Google Play. Any box in the ~50+ range will do everything you listed plus more including the ability to play videos directly from USB. Plus, you can add a mini keyboard (Bluetooth or RF) for easier typing.

16

The Roku Ultra will be on sale for $49 at Wal Mart and Best Buy this Black Friday.

17

Nice! It looks like Walmart and BestBuy have different bonus trial packages with the Roku. Walmart comes with a Hulu+Pandora trial. Best Buy has a discount off of SlingTV.

BTW, one nice thing to have in a streaming device is a remote where you can jump back 10 seconds, which the Roku has. FF/REW is often a pain and inconsistent between streaming services. It’s really nice to have a button you can press to jump back when you miss a detail and want to rewatch. Without the button, it can be an exercise in frustration trying to REW, FF, REW, FF, to the part you missed.

18

Nice find. I have a Roku tv (a TCL model), and I am loving the interface. And with the addition of the Apple TV channel, the Roku should be a no-brainer for anyone who has digital content across platforms.

The Roku app is really nice as well. It can function as a keyboard, and you can connect your headphones to your phone to listen quietly if you need to turn the volume of the TV off. (It also looks like the Ultra and Ultra LT remotes have headphone jacks for that as well, which does the same thing.)

19

Roku Ultra apparently will be on the $50 sale from Roku.com as well Roku

20

I’ve already started to see Amazon match prices in early-bird BF ads from Target and such. So that Roku might go on sale there as well. You can use camelcamelcamel to track items.

I am not at all a fan of “smart” TVs. It’s just extra electronics that will fail and kill the whole TV or go obsolete and not be replaceable. It’s like those junky TV/VCR combos of old. A regular TV and a replaceable/upgradable device works better in the long run.

But … TV makers are now getting subsidies from the various streaming companies to make their TVs “smart”. And so they are oftentimes cheaper than the regular equivalents.