Roku/Chromecast

Richard_T_

Ive got both the Roku and the Chromecast.
I originaly purchased a chromecast, and mostly used it for BBc iplayer and a few video services, however the lack of the main catchup tv services (4od/demand 5/itv player ) moved me over the roku, with the chromecast becoming a £30 mistake.
the Roku walks all over the chromecast the only thing missing from roku is Amazon, also being able to use a remote makes a huge difference.
one word of cautin with the stick, is that it can be prone to suffer from interference when plugged directly into a TV this can be overcome with a short extension lead, although if you dont have one you can request one from roku.

the stick is currently£40 at currys, and £47.99 at costco

rockin_plumber

I have both, one upstairs and one downstairs, use mainly for streaming from PC using PLEX...


Lets start with Chromecast, you need to have a tablet or smartphone to use this, and then you use this device to instruct the Chromecast what to do.


The only really useful apps I have found on here are, Youtube, BBC iPlayer and PLEX, (which gets a lot of use)


I think you can mirror your android device onto this but not too sure as I have an IOS device.


Now the ROKU stick...
You have all the iPlayers for BBC, 4OD, ITV Player & 5OD, and PLEX & Youtube, you can use your Smartphone/Tablet as the remote, or send through some of the apps...


But...


There is also a remote control with this so you don't need to use a phone or tablet to control it.


Many more channels you can add may or may not be of interest.


I would probably choose the ROKU over the Chromecast having used them both.


I don't know how much it is in Costco, but the ROKU is £39 if you reserve & collect in Currys/PC World at the moment.

buglawton

The Roku also has a fair sprinkling of foreign language services if you are trying to practice French/German etc.

Using Youtube by 'projecting' it from your phone to the TV is also great fun.
I think the Roku 3 has the better HD resolution, 1080.

grumpycrab

MrsMoo01 wrote: »

That sounds a bit technical!... I thought they did the same job vis a vis catch up channels etc.

If you don't want technical the NowTV box does all catch-up and its a doddle to use. Was £10 at Christmas but now £20 from Argos or Currys (includes a free SkyTV or Sports or Film pass). (and you can add Plex but that may be a bit technical ;-)
PS. only 720 resolution if that bothers you.

googler

rockin_plumber wrote: »

Lets start with Chromecast, you need to have a tablet or smartphone to use this, and then you use this device to instruct the Chromecast what to do.

The only really useful apps I have found on here are, Youtube, BBC iPlayer and PLEX

Netflix. Once you install Netflix on your tablet or other device and pay their subscription.

NiftyDigits

I don't see any benefit of the Streaming Stick over the slightly cheaper Roku 1.

googler

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I don't see any benefit of the Streaming Stick over the slightly cheaper Roku 1.

The Chromecast has less clutter. Plugs straight into HDMI port and gets power from TV USB port. I see this as a benefit. You don't need a sight line to the Chromecast to control it.

The Roku needs a wall wart, by the look, so takes up another mains socket, and has HDMI/audio/video sockets, so there's all the cable clutter to go with them and the mains. It also adds another remote to the half dozen or so already in the lounge.

rockin_plumber

Another plus for the Chromecast is you can watch BT Sport on this but you can't on the Roku..... (Subscription Required)

Really it all depends what you want it for.

NiftyDigits

googler wrote: »

The Chromecast has less clutter. Plugs straight into HDMI port and gets power from TV USB port. I see this as a benefit. You don't need a sight line to the Chromecast to control it.

The Roku needs a wall wart, by the look, so takes up another mains socket, and has HDMI/audio/video sockets, so there's all the cable clutter to go with them and the mains. It also adds another remote to the half dozen or so already in the lounge.

You didn't read my post properly...or did not fully comprehend it.

Though you answered the question partially, even if by mistake.

Richard_T_

The only rokus that require line of sight is the roku1 and the roku lt and the now tv box.
Roku2, 3, and hdmi stick all use wifi remotes.
The roku 2 and 3 boxes also have a headphone socket on the remote so you can listen to the audio out privately.
The roku stick can also be powered by a tv's usb output, as well as the included wall plug.
There's also a remote control app to control the rokus via a mobile device.
The stick and roku 3 also support mobile phone/device screen miroring, simalar to casting the screen to a chromecast.