Every stick version of a streaming device I've had has struggled even with very good internet connection. Sticks are the cheaper, less powerful version of the full streaming devices, so they're going to struggle sooner than the full versions just by nature of less RAM.
Roku Firestick or Chromecast
- Thread starter Cyfan1965
- Start date
The new Chromecasts (4K and HD versions) with Google TV & remote are fantastic. Plenty of power, solid interface, smooth streaming, etc. I've streamed everything for about 10 years now across many devices (mainly Apple & Amazon) and it's by far my favorite device thus far. Works great and Google assistant via the remote is fantastic.
I've had a few Roku and both of them crapped out after about 2 years of use. Switched both my TVs to Chromecast and the interface is quite a bit better. A couple times watching the Thursday night NFL games this season on Prime it's buffered pretty significantly, but last night was fine.
Overall the feedback "don't get the cheapest one" is very accurate.
Overall the feedback "don't get the cheapest one" is very accurate.
That's just not true. In Roku's current lineup, the RAM ranges from 512 MB to 2 GB, based on model. The Express and Express+ models have 512 MB, so as apps require more RAM in the future, they will struggle earlier than models with 2 GB.
We are literally telling you we are seeing and have zero issues with live tv but you’re telling us we are wrong?
I'm saying that the weaker processors WILL start to struggle before stronger processors. I don't see how this is a controversial statement. 2 GB of RAM will perform better down the road than 512 MB of RAM.
I freaking hate Smart TV's. I wish a guy could just buy a high quality display panel. I don't need (and most others don't) any TV tuner, speakers, or other crap built in. Hell, just 1 HDMI port is all is needed nowadays. Whether you're running an AVR or just a streaming device. OK, maybe a few of those could be justified.
I still have a 10 year old Sammy LED that works fine, but the smarts are junk by now. So I buy a ~$50 Roku to replace the extra $400 I had to pay at the time for the "Smart" TV.
Its kinda like those stupid companies that combine Modem/Router/Wife AP into one appliance. So that way if one part fails, you have to replace the whole thing. Maybe somebody will make a Fridge/Micro/Oven combo unit. So when my Micro fails, I have to buy all three again.
From a performance standpoint, the most important aspect of a streaming device is the processor. RAM isn't really critical since you're only using one streaming app at a time. RAM is most important when you're multitasking which people aren't doing on a streaming device. The latest Roku sticks and boxes all use the same processor. Paying more money for the box to get an additional 1Gb of RAM isn't necessary, IMHO.
Its unlikely you actually paid $400 extra for the smart functions even back then. Its more likely you got a much better panel than you would have with the $400 cheaper TV. The smart functions basically come for free.
There's also often a menu within the settings to disable the smart functions.
You're right; I conflated the two in a couple of my posts. As I understand it, both play a role in the ability of a device to handle each type of stream. I've had issues in the past with sticks/the cheap version of devices, so I prefer to utilize the more powerful boxes to avoid potentially replacing them frequently. I'm sure they work fine for some people; I just don't trust them anymore.
Our argument strayed quite a bit from where it started, and is stupid to begin with. Each has its place, and people prefer what they prefer. I apologize for getting so contentious. I'm tired AF (neither 1 or 3 y.o. are sleeping for ****), so I'll just leave it there.
Like seemingly everything now, the real money is in the user data. The television is capturing everything you do and selling it. That's one of the reasons why TVs have decreased in cost so much in relation to size and technology. They want them in our homes, so they can gather more data. I went so far as turning off the wifi on mine and blocking the IPs on my router, because the damn things phone home even when you aren't using the smart apps. Hate them with a passion.
Maybe 400 was strong. But the point is I paid extra for hardware I had no intention of ever using.
The thing is, i doubt you really did.
The processing power that powers that also powers other things in the tv. The software is probably free.
The appliance companies are basically doing that with their special finishes on appliances. Get this trendy slate gray finish. Then 4 years down the road when your dishwasher goes out and the color fad has gone away, you need to replace them all if you want them to match.