Grab a new Roku Streaming Stick+ for $39 today
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Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
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For Costco members, the Costco version of the 65" Sony up there (XBR65X90CH) is $1,169 right now through 9/20, and comes with a longer warranty.
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I'd love to see a version or section of Dealmaster that excludes Amazon deals. Icky evil companies are icky AND evil.
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Just came to comment here that the 15" Razer laptop with the RTX 2060 video card is a killer deal. Even in Canada, Amazon is selling it for $2000 - $300 less than Razer's discount, and $600 off the original MSRP.
User-replaceable RAM and SSD modules - you can't get this from anyone else. Also, with 144 Hz display.
<wish I held out for this deal>
User-replaceable RAM and SSD modules - you can't get this from anyone else. Also, with 144 Hz display.
<wish I held out for this deal>
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I was more of a fan of it before they started plastering obnoxious ads all over my home screen.Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
I mean, I still use it. It just feels like I'm paying twice to do so now.
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On the flip side, I'd like to see them include deals from Costco. They often have unbeatable deals. I just picked up a Nest Wifi pack with router and 3 points for $299.
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I was more of a fan of it before they started plastering obnoxious ads all over my home screen.Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
I mean, I still use it. It just feels like I'm paying twice to do so now.
Yeah, that's fair. Luckily, all I ever seem to get is ads for other Roku stuff, so it's neutral to maybe helpful someday
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Yes. You can't really compare it to the standard Echos (well unless you attach them to decent speakers)
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Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
However, no HBO Max ....
Yeah, I'm a Roku user as well
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I have thought about getting their Ecobee 3 pack which goes on sale tomorrow for $140. Apparently, it is an Ecobee 3 Lite but I am not sure of the difference. I am just looking for an inexpensive-ish thermostat I can control remotely if anyone has a different suggestion.
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Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
However, no HBO Max ....
Yeah, I'm a Roku user as well
4 ROKU systems and frankly never cared about the ADs. Very ignorable and they are just kinda self edited out of my view.
And HBO is owned by the OTHER evil empire. I've not noticed the lack.
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Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
However, no HBO Max ....
Yeah, I'm a Roku user as well
Yeah, I'm going to have to drop it when I drop cable since Roku doesn't have Sportsnet Now or TSN Direct.
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Amazon had the FireTV 4K stick for $25 off on August 30th at least. I picked one up specifically to use with my Tablo DVR across the internet from my summer place, because that is the ONE thing my otherwise beloved Rokus don't support. Can't get OTA TV there, so streaming from the Tablo 1600 miles away will be an ideal solution, and for $25 it was a no brainer.
Set it up tonight, in back-to-back comparisons with the Roku Ultra it's "fine". I don't like the interface as much as the Roku, but the picture quality is comparable and it's obviously a lot cheaper than an Ultra so kind of apples and oranges.
Set it up tonight, in back-to-back comparisons with the Roku Ultra it's "fine". I don't like the interface as much as the Roku, but the picture quality is comparable and it's obviously a lot cheaper than an Ultra so kind of apples and oranges.
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I think the Roku deal is good, but I've had nothing but problems with mine, which I believe is this same model.
It has constant given me HDCP errors which blank the screen and lockout all controls except the Home button. It does this on all HDMI ports on multiple TVs. Roku's non-support only suggests "changing the HDMI cable", which is impossible seeing as how it's literally plugged into the TV directly.
Then I DID wind up having to get an extension cable for it anyway (for free, luckily) because when plugged directly into the TV it overheats while viewing 4k content for more than a few minutes.
It also camps out and blasts a massive signal on my 5 GHz wifi channel, and if I change my router's channel the Roku will follow it immediately. Very annoying. If I sit too close to the TV while the Roku is on, my other 5 GHz-connected devices will experience connectivity issues. Unplug the Roku and the issues immediately disappear.
If that's not bad engineering, I don't know what is. However, nothing else is as easy or convenient as the Roku, so…
It has constant given me HDCP errors which blank the screen and lockout all controls except the Home button. It does this on all HDMI ports on multiple TVs. Roku's non-support only suggests "changing the HDMI cable", which is impossible seeing as how it's literally plugged into the TV directly.
Then I DID wind up having to get an extension cable for it anyway (for free, luckily) because when plugged directly into the TV it overheats while viewing 4k content for more than a few minutes.
It also camps out and blasts a massive signal on my 5 GHz wifi channel, and if I change my router's channel the Roku will follow it immediately. Very annoying. If I sit too close to the TV while the Roku is on, my other 5 GHz-connected devices will experience connectivity issues. Unplug the Roku and the issues immediately disappear.
If that's not bad engineering, I don't know what is. However, nothing else is as easy or convenient as the Roku, so…
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There's ads? I've honestly never seen an ad on my roku I've had it for 8 months now. I have something similar to a pi-hole setup which does some ad blocking but I've never noticed it working particularly well on any other devices I use, so I kind of figured it wasn't very effective. I guess it blocks Roku ads well enough!
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Interesting. Maybe it's time to pull the trigger on a pihole. I do have a few pies (pis?) lying around...
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I was more of a fan of it before they started plastering obnoxious ads all over my home screen.Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
I mean, I still use it. It just feels like I'm paying twice to do so now.
That and before they became a gatekeeper bully for streaming services:
https://variety.com/2020/streaming/feat ... tm_term=4C
Yeah, they're mostly doing it to giants who don't need our pity, but there's a reason smaller players like Quibi can't get on the platform. So tired of these monopolistic tendencies in the marketplace stifling everything.
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Our living room tv is an older smart tv and the ui and apps get slower after every update. This article is timely as I'm comparing my options for a streaming stick, and I look forward to seeing other Ars folks' thoughts on the topic.
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I like Roku, and what I'm about to say is Google's fault and not Roku's, but I can't imagine describing the Roku YouTube experience as "without distractions" when compared to using a computer. On the computer, I can use my living room wireless keyboard/trackpad to search for and select videos, and ad blocking keeps them from being rudely and incessantly interrupted. On Roku, you have to navigate the horrible onscreen "keyboard" and search results with the remote D-pad and suffer through an endless barrage of advertising.Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
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I'm gonna keep it real with you, my new "1 post" friend...there are few companies I care less about than NBCUniversal, WarnerMedia, or f--king Quibi. Disney, Alphabet, Facebook, maybe Comcast? To borrow someone's turn of phrase, "Actually, it's like if the bottom of the barrel had it's own barrel, with another bottom altogether, that then dripped on an ocean of diseased rats which then leapt into a rank sewer." When you're down there, being "slightly less awful than Alphabet, maybe" isn't a badge of honor.I was more of a fan of it before they started plastering obnoxious ads all over my home screen.Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
I mean, I still use it. It just feels like I'm paying twice to do so now.
That and before they became a gatekeeper bully for streaming services:
https://variety.com/2020/streaming/feat ... tm_term=4C
Yeah, they're mostly doing it to giants who don't need our pity, but there's a reason smaller players like Quibi can't get on the platform. So tired of these monopolistic tendencies in the marketplace stifling everything.
In fairness, Quibi doesn't necessarily belong in that august company, but, like...f--k 'em anyway? We already have platforms for short-form entertainment. I get that they don't want to give money to Alphabet/YouTube, but that's their problem, not mine. There's zero reason for me to pay them a subscription fee when I can fill the same ten or fifteen minutes for free by watching one of the many things I already care about.
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I like Roku, and what I'm about to say is Google's fault and not Roku's, but I can't imagine describing the Roku YouTube experience as "without distractions" when compared to using a computer. On the computer, I can use my living room wireless keyboard/trackpad to search for and select videos, and ad blocking keeps them from being rudely and incessantly interrupted. On Roku, you have to navigate the horrible onscreen "keyboard" and search results with the remote D-pad and suffer through an endless barrage of advertising.Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
That's fair. My YouTube experience is mostly "load up my Watch Later playlist and let it rip", and I get some ads but honestly not many.
The distractions I meant were mostly "If the computer's off I can't check what's new on Ars even though I checked twenty minutes ago"
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And no one is stopping from passing his opinion either? He’s not the first or last to criticise Ars for doing this and I personally agree with him
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That's fair, too. My SO is a mute button ninja, the instant the show goes to commercial the sound is off. I, on the other hand, am constantly like..."Why don't we just...turn on the computer and not have to deal with any ads in the first place?" She prefers the app, even though, IMO, the computer is the demonstratively better experience in every way.I like Roku, and what I'm about to say is Google's fault and not Roku's, but I can't imagine describing the Roku YouTube experience as "without distractions" when compared to using a computer. On the computer, I can use my living room wireless keyboard/trackpad to search for and select videos, and ad blocking keeps them from being rudely and incessantly interrupted. On Roku, you have to navigate the horrible onscreen "keyboard" and search results with the remote D-pad and suffer through an endless barrage of advertising.Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
That's fair. My YouTube experience is mostly "load up my Watch Later playlist and let it rip", and I get some ads but honestly not many.
The distractions I meant were mostly "If the computer's off I can't check what's new on Ars even though I checked twenty minutes ago"
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And I can pass my opinion on his opinion and oh no I've gone cross-eyed
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I like Roku, and what I'm about to say is Google's fault and not Roku's, but I can't imagine describing the Roku YouTube experience as "without distractions" when compared to using a computer. On the computer, I can use my living room wireless keyboard/trackpad to search for and select videos, and ad blocking keeps them from being rudely and incessantly interrupted. On Roku, you have to navigate the horrible onscreen "keyboard" and search results with the remote D-pad and suffer through an endless barrage of advertising.Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
Have you tried the Roku app on a smartphone? It's still not as great as a real keyboard but it does have a keyboard feature. It makes inputting e-mail/password login info easier, as well as searches.
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I'm gonna keep it real with you, my new "1 post" friend...there are few companies I care less about than NBCUniversal, WarnerMedia, or f--king Quibi. Disney, Alphabet, Facebook, maybe Comcast? To borrow someone's turn of phrase, "Actually, it's like if the bottom of the barrel had it's own barrel, with another bottom altogether, that then dripped on an ocean of diseased rats which then leapt into a rank sewer." When you're down there, being "slightly less awful than Alphabet, maybe" isn't a badge of honor.I was more of a fan of it before they started plastering obnoxious ads all over my home screen.Big fan of the Roku Streaming Stick+ here.
Worth the cost just to be able to shut down my computer (which is connected to my TV) and watch YouTube videos without distractions
I mean, I still use it. It just feels like I'm paying twice to do so now.
That and before they became a gatekeeper bully for streaming services:
https://variety.com/2020/streaming/feat ... tm_term=4C
Yeah, they're mostly doing it to giants who don't need our pity, but there's a reason smaller players like Quibi can't get on the platform. So tired of these monopolistic tendencies in the marketplace stifling everything.
In fairness, Quibi doesn't necessarily belong in that august company, but, like...f--k 'em anyway? We already have platforms for short-form entertainment. I get that they don't want to give money to Alphabet/YouTube, but that's their problem, not mine. There's zero reason for me to pay them a subscription fee when I can fill the same ten or fifteen minutes for free by watching one of the many things I already care about.
That's a lot of words to say "I don't care." At that point, why comment at all? I guess that's how you get 4000+ posts.
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