I’m after a recommendation, for a device that I can just use (well, my parents) for streaming my Plex libraries.
After something which is nice and nippy, not laggy, and is easy to use. To be plugged into the TV via HDMI.
Looking at a budget of <£100.
Roku Ultra if you can get 'em.
New about $100
Refurbished are about $65 at Amazon - if you got Amazon.
The 4k one?
They’ve currently got a Roku, but it’s an earlier version, some years old. It’s laggy, and the connection feels flimsy.
Yea - they’ve probably got a Roku 3. I retired mine for that reason. It was time.
The Roku Ultra is a whole new door.
HEVC/MPEG-2 and all, but the super-duperest of audio makes it a solid choice around here.
The 4K FireStick is a fine unit - but the Plex app is so awful you’d get yourself right out of the will - and you don’t want that…lol
I love my Roku 3. NEVER had a problem with it. But for the $$$…might as well get the RokuUltra.
The one and only thing a HATE about the whole Roku thing is you have to have a credit card on file to create an account. Though…,this may be true for all streaming devices… Don’t know. Don’t have all of them.
Isn’t that why Pay Pal exists?
…only thing I ever used it for…lol
I suppose. I don’t have PayPal so I can’t understand how it helps.
Pay Pal is a ‘middle man’ service between your credit card and anyone on the other end of the internet.
They can stop payment and get your money back - for ANY reason. It’s like Batman swoops in from nowhere, snatches your money out of the fist of anyone who has it - cuts a nasty fart and swoops away silently…
They also pay a decent interest rate for any ‘cash’ you happen to have in your account. I’ve had 'em for years, have a few bucks in the account and get an interest statement every year… I’m making more money there than in my 401 whatever…lol
Ah… Yes… That’s why I don’t have Pay Pal. They wanted the same thing… A credit card and I wasn’t able to trick them by using one of those fly-by-night cc you can get at any convenience store.
Generally Pay Pal is for people that don’t trust internet transactions.
They are WELL established in that regard.
Paranoia is a mental condition best handled by a medical professional… and lots of drugs…lol
And lairs are best suited on the internet. aka… Pay Pal. lol.
I remember now. They said it was used to verify my address. My DL is used to verify that. Not a credit card. Heck… I have updated my address at my bank in YEARS. That was like 6 addresses ago.
Anyway, recommendations, anything other than Roku Ultra recommended?
What about Apple TV? Anybody has experience with it?
Do you not think that’s overkill, just for Plex? As they won’t be using it for anything else.
Yes. In that case it would be overkill and would not fit the budget
There are a bunch of crappy Mi boxes - android knock-offs. You don’t want those.
$200 Shield? no…
They’re already used to a Roku.
Get 'em a nicer one.
I have FireTV Stick
I have FireTV Box (deprecated)
The FireTV Cube doesn’t even have an Ethernet port. All it is - is a stick crammed into a box so it can hold a speaker you can talk to Alexa with and trust me, once you get that b*&^tch started you can’t get her to shut up.
I have the Plex Players
I have A Roku Ultra
You’ll have to pry that Ultra Remote from my cold, dead hands.
There’s the 4k Roku Stick - notorious for not working when it’s plugged into the back of a TV due to RF noise, much like any of the Fire Sticks or sticks in general, but I just got a Fire Stick and a 3’ HDMI extension cable so I could get my Fire Stick out into some clean air. It works great on WiFi. I have no experience with Roku Sticks for $50. I didn’t even consider them when an Ultra Refurb was $65.
It’s Slim Pickings in the trusted device department that won’t break the bank.
I just want to say something I have discovered about the Fire 4K stick. I use a 2 foot HDMI extension cable and mount the stick on a small shelf in front of my TV and using the 5ghz wireless band (I have a very good router) and, since moving things around like I said I have had zero problems with the stick.
I still prefer my Ultra but the stick is now very useable and there are a few things I use (Example: Channels DVR for their ability to record from TV anywhere [Hulu in my case] ) that are not available on Roku.
My 4K Fire stick is completely stable as I now have it set and all my apps, including Plex is quite useable.
One thing: I do not use any voice functions on either my Fire or my Roku or even my Shield so I do not know how they compare in that.
I like the Fire Stick for Fire Stuff.
This annoyance is unforgivable:
I start my favorite ‘I’m going to sleep’ show and then I go to sleep - as designed.
when I wake up the FireTV Plex app is locked up on that error screen REQUIRING ME TO ANSWER OK (neat trick when I’m asleep) to stop a stream that’s been paused too long - and with that error screen up - no screensaver, no sleep, no rest for the weary. Error Screen burning and burning and burning…
I use my Roku when I’m getting sleepy.
No such foolishness happens.
the episode ends, so does the stream, it’s not paused and the screensaver kicks in when it’s supposed to.
I have never seen that problem but I only use a Roku in my bedroom as nothing that is unique to the Fire is really what I want to watch when I am going to bed.
There’s a method in here somewhere…
When there is stormy weather afoot - like now with that boomer over the ridge somewhere - The FireTV has the best little radar app. At times like this I watch Plex stuff that suits the FireTV - like Family Guy Skip Intro fails miserably on in the Roku, or any other items where an OSD up in my face isn’t want I need - the FireTV is the weapon of choice.
Other times - or when nappage is imminent, The Roku is the weapon.
This proves without a doubt no ONE Plex Device is enough - you need at least TWO - and I’ve got PMP and Plex for Windows when it all goes South.
