All you realistically need is:

1. A TV with an HDMI port.
2. A fast(ish) WiFi connection.

There are plenty of free apps that can deliver you content, for instance you can watch YouTube via a web browser app. If you don't want to spend anything over the purchase price, then that would be the way to go.

However the usefulness of the device is boosted by the fact that you can use it to watch stuff like Netflix, Hulu, HBO, plenty of other streaming services if you have the accounts. If you are an Amazon Prime member ($120 a year) then you also get automatic access to Prime Videos, which has a pretty good selection generally.

So no, there's no gotchas as far as I can tell, but there are certainly ways to improve the device by spending money, via subscriptions. Oh, and also you can buy / rent movies and TV shows via the interface directly, which is a nice feature.

On Black Friday, Target will have the Roku Ultra on sale today for $49.99 (normally $89.00 through Amazon). The Roku streaming stick is $29.99 then as well (normally $39.99 from Amazon, which is the same as the Fire TV stick from Amazon). Of course with Black Friday coming up, you'll likely be able to get similar deals on the Amazon device on Black Friday. (I think I misread. Today's sale is only on select Black Friday items.)

https://www.target.com/c/target-black-fr...eviewthead

Worth pointing out that the stick versions of both Roku and Fire TV don't support local playback (i.e. playing videos off a USB or SD card). For that you'd need the Roku Ultra or the Fire TV Cube (which is $120).

These devices are mainly for streaming content though, so it really depends on what you want to use it for.

(November 1, 2018 at 3:34 pm)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote:

(November 1, 2018 at 3:33 pm)Jörmungandr Wrote: I've never tried Amazon's device, but I went with a Roku instead because they are more popular, comparable in price, and for the device I chose featured an ethernet port.

I guess I need a reliable site for side-by-side comparisons?

Have you tried http://www.tomshardware.com? They have, or have links too, a ton of electronics reviews and comparisons there.

(November 1, 2018 at 6:08 pm)The Gentleman Bastard Wrote:

(November 1, 2018 at 3:34 pm)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote: I guess I need a reliable site for side-by-side comparisons?

Have you tried http://www.tomshardware.com? They have, or have links too, a ton of electronics reviews and comparisons there.

I'll add that to the list of review sites. Thanks.

---

(November 1, 2018 at 5:51 pm)Tiberius Wrote: Worth pointing out that the stick versions of both Roku and Fire TV don't support local playback (i.e. playing videos off a USB or SD card). For that you'd need the Roku Ultra or the Fire TV Cube (which is $120).

These devices are mainly for streaming content though, so it really depends on what you want to use it for.

I don't use either for playbacks, I'm pretty much a blu-ray person.

The only " fire TV" I know was an experiment I performed with a 20 gauge shotgun and a flat screen CRT (old style tube).

A guy I knew claimed he had accidentally taken out a screen with a pellet gun.

I had the same TV, that had bad audio - so I put the TV up on the edge of the dumpster - and shot it from about 50 foot.

It blew the TV into the dumpster, and shredded the cabinet.


But - as I suspected - it did NOT break the glass. Those flat screen CRTs were tough, thick, hardened glass. They had to be to withstand the vacuum inside. 




The dude made up the story about the pellet gun. I' m betting he used a ball peen hammer and didnt want to admit to his old lady that he did it intentionally.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MX10-Android...:rk:3:pf:0

I recently got this. Plays everything from anywhere. Gotta love Kodi. (Jukebox front end for movies pictues and music)

What are you watching?

Oh you know, my tv is just on fire.

(November 2, 2018 at 5:28 am)Mr.Obvious Wrote: What are you watching?

Oh you know, my tv is just on fire.

There are days...

---

I keep reminding myself to not expect BETTER content, just to get it cheaper.

(November 1, 2018 at 3:10 pm)Gawdzilla Sama Wrote: Fire TV users, tell me about it, please.

I am no genus, but usually if I have a problem with my reception, I call my cable company, I don't use fire. That kind of shit can get you in some serious legal trouble.