Roku 3 vs Nexus Player vs Amazon Fire

[deadken]

I've recently separated and moved. I've never watched much TV, but I'm hoping to be able to watch a few shows / movies on occasion without the constant cost of paying for Internet and 'cable' TV. I already have a Chromecast (an older revision) and it doesn't have that great of reception even with the 4" extension cable (I'm still using some neighbors unsecured wireless network at the moment).

I've borrowed a Roku stick from my local library (1 week at a time) and it seems to work a bit better. It still buffers and has connection issues, but they seem to be fewer and further between.

So, I'm thinking that I should just buy a 'box' instead of a 'stick'. I understand that the 'set top boxes' have better antennas, processors, and more memory when compared to their 'stick' versions. I recently bought a Nexus 5X and got a $50 Google play store credit which I was hoping to use towards a new Nexus Player. But, I've learned that it can only be used on software, music, or movies. It can't be used on hardware. So, now I wanted to ask what other people think of the STB devices offered from Google, Roku, and Amazon?

A few questions:
1) Will all of these be able to connect via Wi-Fi and hardwired network?
2) Any preference to those who have used all of them over the User Interface of each?
3) Any reason to consider going even further for something like a Nvidia Shield over one of these (any reasons OTHER than the ability to play better games)
4) Any new devices on the horizon? I figure that the latest releases should happen just before the holidays.

Thanks for any suggestions and / or helpful comments you can give.

 

[webdave]

FYI

You can get 50% off a Roku 3 or Nexus Player if you sign up for 3 months of SlingTV ($60.00). So you end up paying around $10 for three months of Sling.

https://www.sling.com/devices/roku
https://www.sling.com/devices/nexus

I've used the Nexus and Roku 2, stick, and 3. The Roku 3 has been my favorite. It is very fast compared to the stick and seems to support everything I need (Netflix, Hulu, Google Play, Plex, etc..)

 

[webdave]

And here is a SlingTV offer that they don't list on the main site. A $50 coupon for any streaming device at BestBuy

https://www.sling.com/?cvosrc=BestBuy.99999&affiliate=BestBuy.99999&acampID=0&ref=8575135&loc=0

 

[zerogear]

Yep, I bought a Nexus Player for free @ Best Buy.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I have a Roku 3, Fire TV, Fire Stick, Chromecast (old and new) and Apple TV 3. So far haven't tried the Nexus Player.

Of all the devices, the Roku 3 is my favorite. The UI is easy and quick. It has all the major apps I use, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, and HBO Go. And it just works great.

The Fire TV is pretty nice. One major issue though is, for me at least, the Netflix app kinda sucks. It buffers a lot on the Fire TV, while Amazon's own videos play back just fine. The UI is overdone and too complex and slow. Launching apps is kind of a pain in the butt. But it's actually a pretty cool Android gaming console, I can connect my Xbox controller and play games quite well on it.

 

[Artdeco]

I'll cast another vote for a Roku 3, IMHO, the best streamer on the market, I'd go used on eBay/Amazon or a refurb. There's a Roku 4, but unless you kave a 4K TV, stick with a Roku 3.

Roku has a nice app on iOS and Android, so you can use your phone as a remote.

Sorry about the life drama

 

[Red Storm]

I would go with the new and improved Chromecast. I actually like that any of our devices acts as the remote. This way I can control everything without even being near the TV/projector (I can have the desired video ready to go before I even sit down to watch). Every app I need and use is covered, and for those that aren't there's always tab casting with Chrome. The reception has been improved a great deal on the newly released version too.

 

[obidamnkenobi]

I'll cast another vote for a Roku 3, IMHO, the best streamer on the market, I'd go used on eBay/Amazon or a refurb. There's a Roku 4, but unless you kave a 4K TV, stick with a Roku 3.

Roku has a nice app on iOS and Android, so you can use your phone as a remote.

Sorry about the life drama

Anyone know if the roku 3 is any slower in the UI than the 4? The roku 4 is getting slaughtered in amazon reviews for being really hot and having a loud fan. Sounds pretty bad. Our media center has doors (because kid) so from what I read a roku 4 would overheat and lag horribly if put there.

If the 4 is hot and loud, and the 3 still has a usable UI I might just go for the 3. Almost half the price too.
edit; and I have no use for 4k.

 

[zerogear]

Anyone know if the roku 3 is any slower in the UI than the 4? The roku 4 is getting slaughtered in amazon reviews for being really hot and having a loud fan. Sounds pretty bad. Our media center has doors (because kid) so from what I read a roku 4 would overheat and lag horribly if put there.

If the 4 is hot and loud, and the 3 still has a usable UI I might just go for the 3. Almost half the price too.

3 is nice and responsive, haven't had any slow downs, I'm not sure about the 4, but you shouldn't have any issues streaming on 3.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I also have zero issues with Roku 3's performance. It's a simple UI that flows smoothly. Apps and videos load quick. Also there is no fan in the Roku 3, it's completely quiet.

 

[obidamnkenobi]

I also have zero issues with Roku 3's performance. It's a simple UI that flows smoothly. Apps and videos load quick. Also there is no fan in the Roku 3, it's completely quiet.

Great! The roku 3 seems like the way to go. I'll keep my eye out for a black friday deal.

The 4 it sound like they put in an overpowered processor and a tiny fan, just so it can play 4K which has no content, almost nobody has the TV to view, and you have to sit 3 ft from your TV to tell the difference. Such a waste.

 

[SAWYER]

Fire TV plus TVMC/Kodi etc is the best, stream any movie or show you want

 

[Dulanic]

Anyone know if the roku 3 is any slower in the UI than the 4? The roku 4 is getting slaughtered in amazon reviews for being really hot and having a loud fan. Sounds pretty bad. Our media center has doors (because kid) so from what I read a roku 4 would overheat and lag horribly if put there.

If the 4 is hot and loud, and the 3 still has a usable UI I might just go for the 3. Almost half the price too.
edit; and I have no use for 4k.

I'm curious why that is. I picked up the 4 as my first roku and I never hear it and it's it on top of my stand.

 

[deadken]

Thank you guys for all of the suggestions and those links make it very worth while to try sling for 3 months.

 

[chadashcroft22]

I would go with the new roku myself. The nexus player has the worse app selection I have ever seen for any device in my life. It is complete garbage if you don't use it for casting or kodi.

 

[Ichinisan]

I used the Amazon Fire TV Stick a little bit. I really don't like the user interface.

 

[npaladin-2000]

Ok, I've used all of these. Of these, I'd narrow your choices to the following:

NVIDIA SHIELD - Expensive, but impressive 4K support, and impressive game support, with decent streaming support. Playing Android games on the big screen is definitely fun, depending on the game.

Roku 3 - THe best streaming video support on the planet, but the "gaming" support is a joke, don't believe it.

If you want gaming support, get the SHIELD, otherwise stick with the Roku 3. Either one supports hardwire Ethernet, which you want for streaming. Both support UV (VUDU or CinemaNOW), and both support Google Play Movies. I'd never touch a FireTV (not when Roku also supports Amazon Video), and AppleTVs are only really for iTunes users.

Chromecast is a nice cheap alternative but you're controlling everything with your phone or tablet, that's not an ideal situation for a living room TV that's shared with the family when the phone isn't, you know?

 

[jhansman]

I have two Roku 3s and no regrets (not a gamer; if I was, I'd get an Xbox). I'd get another in a heartbeat. It's excellent support for Plex is reason enough, but I use other channels as well.

 

[hans007]

i'd recomment the roku too , original 3.. 4200r. new 2 4210r which is basically the same. 4230r has "gaming remote" which is useless and the voice search. all have the same cpu and are basically the same

also supports miracast.

i work at a streaming company and we have every roku and both chromecasts and nexus player. the roku is just a better experience. also google will randomly release firmewares that break apps on chromecast (they broke ours last update... drm broken ).

roku never does that, they actually reliably support their product, while google seems to have put all the C level engineers they employ on the nexus player / chromecast teams