Digital Media Streamers - An enhanced experience.

There are many media streamers available in the market to make online contents available on the TV. At one time a remote was the only device which was a convenience wireless tool which could be operated from the ease distance and changes could be made on a TV without having to move from the coziness of a couch. Then the cable brought with it a variety of channels and the remote also upgraded to sink with both the TV and the cable channels available.

However, now with the increase of so many different online streaming available like Netflix, Hulu, Facebook, twitter, amazon video on demand etc… it is very confusing to manage so many different sources of entertainment. Moreover, for a technically challenged person as me it is a dilemma to find a one point device that can easily connect everything from my computer and make it available on my TV, also give me all other options available online and sink it directly to my TV. I am sure many of you face the same quandary.

Then is when my research started on the latest available streaming devices. To my surprise I bumped into not one, but many such devices in the market that could help me with what I was looking for. This increased my confusion further. But, in the end I did make a selection and also got upgraded from a totally digital non-savvy to a digital savvy person. I take the pleasure sharing my learning.

Of all the available devices I found Roku, Western Digital TV Live and Apple TV the most promising. The pros and cons that make them stand out from the rest are as follows.

Apple TV

Apple TV is the best if one has a lot of iTunes formatted stuff on the computer and have already invested in other Apple hardware’s. Also it gives a new level of experience to non- Apple users as well once the streaming-video box is jailbroken (another term I came across during my research, used for unlocking or breaking the codes protecting the device).

However, the shortcomings are that even when Apple has a huge ecosystem across iPad and iPhones that they can tie into their Apple TV that is not sufficient. The content available on the device is limited. Apple TV doesn’t support Hulu Plus, MLB, NHL, Amazon Video On Demand and other content supported by some of their competitors.

However, Apple has the best interface and its Airplay allows wireless streaming from computer to TV. It does not have a USB, therefore the source devices like the computer; ipad etc. have to be connected to the same home network. 

Roku

Roku has the ability to stream hundreds of audio and video channels (including Netflix, Amazon, Vudu and Hulu Plus…more than 600 channels to choose from.  Moreover, it is ultra-affordable internet media box ranging from $49 to $100.

Roku has the best lineup of content available today and is typically the first box on the market to get new content choices, like Hulu Plus and continues to bring out upgraded versions of their players, with more functionality, at a lower price. Unlike Apple it has a USB outlet which can support contents playback from other devices. .

Roku’s support for content played back locally via USB is not as robust as the WD TV Live Plus or more expensive devices on the market which are trying to act as a local network storage device. Roku does not currently allow to stream content from the computer to the TV the way Apple does with Airplay and that’s the disadvantage. That said, Roku always keeps upgrading, and they will soon improve on the local playback experience from both USB devices and the PC.

Western Digital WD TV Live Plus

The WD TV Live offers a great combination of must have streaming devices and excellent USB and network file support, making it one of the best devices of its kind. It is great if one has a lot of local digital media in various formats as it plays almost any format. It allows connecting hard disk via USB and can play from NAS drives as well as window shares.

The disadvantages are that though it can stream locally from a PC, it is only Windows 7 compatible. It’s interface is not that great, and there is not much innovation and upgrades.

Thus after loads of research, I sure got a bit technical savvy and figured out that each of the above equipment have some benefit, depending what one is looking for. If one has invested in many other Apple devices, Apple TV is the best, with awesome interface and great experience, the image that Apple never fails to maintain. Moreover, if one can jailbreak the device (which is pretty easy now) nothing can beat Apple TV.

Western Digital is best if one has a lot of different files in different formats. It can be one step to play it on the TV. Roku is great when it comes to being cost effective, and also if one is interested in having hundreds of channels and almost a replacement for cable.

Navneeta Khemka