Best Streaming Device in 2024 | Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, or Fire TV?

[@barrydraper]

I have the ROKU Ultra 4K and have been extremely satisfied with it. No complaints.

[@unknown-jx5yt]

same

[@biollante879]

Sad not to see the ONN 4k Pro on here. It's basically the Google TV box at half the price. Had mine over 6 months and going strong.

[@MSDOGS1976]

You are correct. I bought one for my sluggish Sony x930e and it turned it into a new tv. Plus I enjoy the google interface and the remote controls everything. Super cheap too. As for as Apple TV is concerned I didn’t care for it and returned mine. I’m not anti Apple as I own an IPhone and a IPad. The no ad argument for the Apple TV is silly to me. When using my Onn device I pay no attention to the few ads there. All the apps are lined up in a row and that’s what I look at. You would think you have to flip through tons of ads to get to your apps the way Caleb and others describe it. You don’t.

[@mhoobag1]

Could it be because its only available in the US? All the other items are availible in the UK and Europe.

[@markh351]

@@mhoobag1 Yeah I have NEVER seen the Onn streamer here in Canada.

[@naes412]

Came here to comment this same thing. $50 for the Onn 4k Pro is a steal in comparison to pretty much any other device on this list.

[@user-hm4tt9hy5f]

Same. I've only used Roku devices over the years and switched to this one recently. I'm still getting used to the interface but overall I'm satisfied with it

[@JoshDocea]

I use both the NVIDIA shield and Apple TV 4K. The shield (as far as I’m aware) is the only streamer that supports audio pass through on plex which allows me to play lossless audio from files. Apple TV 4K is used for everything else

[@AkiraSieghart]

The DuneHD Homatics Box R 4K does the same thing, has newer hardware, and runs on a newer version of Android TV.

[@curtisbme]

Yeah, that is a big miss on his comments as it is a show stopper for anyone who wants uncompromised audio from things like their ripped discs via Plex.

[@Lachlan_McDougall]

Newest Amazon cube, newest Amazon 4K max, Google chromecast with Google tv all support true hd pass through

[@skaggz02]

@@Lachlan_McDougall my Roku Ultra plays Plex videos in Passthrough (Atmos)

[@Jakeisks]

@@Lachlan_McDougall yes, it's right there in the product specifications right there on the website...

[@Jweiss76]

I had the Amazon fire tv box and had a bunch of issues with it. I ended up going back to the Amazon fire stick Max and it works perfectly.

[@bastien-]

Fire TV has become untenable with the sheer amount of ads and low quality suggested content cluttering up literally the entire user interface. It's messy, clunky, slow, and buggy. I've been using a 4K Max for a while and the experience has gone down hill, so I'm switching to Apple TV. I'm tired of being inundated by advertising while also not having the performance to make it worth putting up with.

[@CaBdosdos]

I literally dumped the fire box after 6 years when my tv started blaring an ad when I'd turn it on everyday. Apple 4k TV has way better video and audio.

[@bastien-]

​@@CaBdosdos Yeah, it goes straight to a banner ad now as soon as you turn it on, that you have to navigate away from. Sometimes it's suggested content, sometimes it's a truck or a sandwich, every time it's annoying. Or worse, as in November, it's exactly the political content (read: literally any at all) I'm trying to escape from in the first place. Honestly, the amount of political nonsense covering the interface last month is one of the heaviest of the last straws.

[@myusrn]

There are videos on KZbin discussing how to turn all this stuff off.

[@Okiboy1426]

Yep I just made the switch to Apple TV 4K last week. Having Ethernet again has been great. The interface is cleaner. Performance and experience has been so much better the last couple of days. Feels like I’m fully enjoying my 4K TV again. Wish I’d done this years ago now.

[@Beskar181]

​@@myusrn yea but you can't uninstall bloat nor change the launcher at all

[@tdav225]

I agree, went to Apple TV 4K and not going back. At least for the main tv! It’s pretty expensive.

[@radientproductions9799]

Apple TV for main TV , Roku for all my other tv's

[@notmayo]

I have both the 2019 Nvidia shield pro and that same year’s Apple TV 4k. The shield has been too slow for the past two years now, and the Apple tv is still in perfect use. I bought the latest apple tv only because we added a new tv to the house so both apple tvs are daily drivers.

[@Billyctang]

@@notmayo I have both and agree, my ATV4K is my preferred streaming box too. But try resetting your Shield and installing Projectivy Launcher on it, it'll give the Shield a new lease of life and speed it up a fair bit.

[@Belbog1977]

My Apple TV 4K has constant issues with matching content and with playing many codecs from Plex and Emby. I finally gave up on it and went back to the Nvidia Shield. Everything now works as it should. Most consumers out there apparently don't care they have HDR shoved in their faces when it was not meant to be, but "HDR" screams sells units, necessary or not.

[@kryptonitecb]

@@Belbog1977 I've had multiple 4k apple tv boxes and never had any issues with any plex content. While the 2 Roku boxes I've tried are unable to stream Plex, local or remote, transcoded or original quality.

[@aldinenriquez5160]

Nvidia Shield TV🐐 My original 2015 Shield has still been receiving OS updates for over 8 years now. It can even side loads apps etc. How many of the other streaming devices on Digital Trend's list have that longevity support?

[@anneritchie8264]

My Nvidia shield has Chrome in it so that I can stream web videos that don't have an app. I love the shield!

[@greghull3189]

I’ve read on forums and product reviews that the Nvidia Shield is having issues streaming Hulu and AppleTV+ content.

[@Belbog1977]

I had to laugh when he said "it's five years old". This sort of mentality leads to e-waste and to unnecessary consumerist spending just to get "new" even though the new device may be more shoddily built, unnecessarily overpowered and lead to the old device becoming e-waste for no reason at all. Disappointed that Caleb would not come up with an actual reason based on facts other than "it is 5 years old" when he knows the kind of power and influence he wields.

[@curtisbme]

Yes, it has been but he is recommending for the future, not for someone who is able to buy something 8 years ago. The Shield is not the best recommendation at this point because it is so old and showing its age. If they release a new one, then you can use the past model's age as possible reason as to why you would buy the new one as it might be supported for just as long.

[@kennethd4958]

@@Belbog1977Because it’s just not smart to recommend tech that old when newer and equal/better devices are on the market. You run into the chance that support will end for older tech and newer apps won’t run properly. I doubt it was him being malicious… rather making sure his audience doesn’t get screwed over in the near future.

[@H2ydrogen]

I no longer need a tv, but sometimes check in just to hear what you have to say :)

[@wright96d]

Is there something wrong with the audio?

[@matttypes2695]

I'm not the biggest fan of the remote, (even the new one) but the Apple TV 4K is just stupid powerful. I don't think I've had any performance hiccups. I get it if you're not a fan of the OS, but the hardware is essentially futureproof. Edit: As mentioned in the video, I too hate the ads that come with other devices. I used to be a big Roku fan but why am I paying $100 for the Ultra to still get ads?

[@infooverflow-o]

It sounds like you’ve really nailed the strengths of the Apple TV 4K. While the remote can be a hit or miss for some, the hardware performance and smooth experience really do stand out. The lack of ads compared to other platforms, especially on higher-end devices like the Roku Ultra, is a major plus. It’s frustrating to pay a premium only to deal with ads-Apple’s approach feels more consumer-friendly in that sense. The OS preference is definitely subjective, but it’s hard to deny the raw power and longevity of the device. Great points!

[@toxicturkeyy]

​@@infooverflow-ochatgpt-ass response

[@gswhite]

The one point you missed IMO with this review is whilst the Nvidia Shield is indeed old, its the only streaming box that allows Passthrough Audio, which is important for people with soundbars and Amps, as you get pure Dolby Atmos/DTS and not Dolby MAT or PCM! That is why the NVidia Shield is still King.

[@allanalvarenga1500]

Firestick max can do this with the new Kodi build and it's cheaper, f aster. Only thing it can't do is DV profile 7 which is pretty damn good. Shield also has some codecs it can't fully pass through

[@1FastGXP]

​@@allanalvarenga1500sorry but you are just as confused about the NVIDIA Shield Pro specs as Digital Trends. The Shield Pro has an 8 Core CPU faster than the Fire Stick 4K Max 4 Core CPU. The Shield Pro has 3GB of 64bit LPDDR4 memory versus 2GB on Amazon's offering. The Shield Pro also has a 64bit o/s, and allows apps to be side-loaded. Amazon only has 32bit kernel support with a very restrictive app policy. Also, per Amazon their devices support Dolby ATMOS audio only, no DTS mention at all. Also, I own a Fire Stick 4K, the baby brother of the MAX, and it doesn't offer any audio pass-through at all. Not sure how you're getting that feature. You are right about one thing. There are certain codecs the Shield doesn't have support for i.e AV1 & vp9 profile 2, the later being the biggest let down. When you consider all the boxes it does check, it's easy to overlook not watching a few KZbin videos in HDR.

[@dwong98]

​​@@allanalvarenga1500people require the feature when using Plex

[@albelanger6126]

I had an Apple TV 4k & gave it away. The big problem is the remote. After 1 year of using it, I could not get use to the rewind & fast forward. I found very frustrating to find an exact spot like on a KZbin video. Switch to Roku stick & like it a lot more (the only downfall, it uses a lot of AAA batteries).

[@Embre_2]

Love the ATV4K. Just super snappy, quick, works with HDR and Atmos without issue, no ads, looks clean and expensive. Also the app integration is better than most other devices. There are certain things id like for it to add, like DTS:X which android has on Disney Plus. Yet Atmos works like a charm.

[@Yashasveedilliwar]

Is audio different in this video?

[@MKR3238]

Sounds worse / lower quality and at first i thought its slightly out of sync?

[@Yashasveedilliwar]

@@MKR3238 seems some kind of noise reduction tool is used and voice became artificial

[@tappertrainman]

I noticed this as well.

[@RockinDaBoombox]

I used a Roku for years and swore I’d never try anything else. Then I got an Apple TV 4K. I will never not have it. I love everything about it!

[@lavatr8322]

@@RockinDaBoombox so you're into Apple eco system

[@jaredj1911]

This is exactly my experience as well after switching to the Apple TV 4K last week. Everything is just so fast. It's amazing how the Roku now feels like 10-year-old technology.

[@deman19901]

@@jaredj1911 I own all streaming devices and TVOS is horrible. Unbearable at times. Almost as bad as ROKU

[@rockoutkids]

I have a shield pro. If you play remuxes via plex and want the best possible audio, it does that. Unsure if the competitors can do that still.

[@ShotgunSandwichENT]

My Apple TV and firecube both play remuxes (up to 80 gigs) just fine

[@pr0jectSkyneT]

​@ShotgunSandwichENT are those boxes able to do audio pass-through (ie. DTS-X, Dolby TrueHD Atmos) for receivers?

[@ChillzIlz]

@@pr0jectSkyneT nope. one of the biggest (only) drawback of the ATV. No true passthrough. Decodes it on the box before sending it to your receiver.

[@pr0jectSkyneT]

@@ChillzIlz yeah that's no bueno for me. Sticking to my Zidoo Z9X cuz I play a lot of 4k Blu-ray remux files from my TrueNAS server to my home theater setup.

[@BrianMoon-u9t]

Before I switched to Apple I was on my way to getting everything in the Amazon network because I had a tablet and fire TV. The ads really got under my skin though. I still think Amazon provides a great service but you can’t just intrude on where I lay my head and not expect resentment. I started with Apple TV and it was magical… I like uniformity and Apple’s commitment to privacy is unparalleled even when it comes to the exclusive nature of their business model so I started building around their ecosystem. I’m still a huge fan of Amazon’s app and content though. My one gripe is the pcvr limitations of Macs

[@eiksman]

The airpods max only have 40-60 ms delay towards the Appletv which makes it the main sellingpoint for me as movies etc are lipsync. All other Bluetooth headphones like the sony xm5 and sonos ace have around 180ms

[@lgoldman]

I’ve never understood the objections to those ad banners on the Roku home screen. They can be easily ignored and don’t interfere in the slightest with the ability to access and use the apps.

[@EdwardCheek]

I have the Fire TV cube which works great with my Fire TV Recast DVR, however, their software updates are buggy, now the Fire TV only controls the TV/receiver volume, mute occasionally

[@jschmidt96]

Not having any of the three ONN google devices is super strange.

[@cspenceranderson]

Yep it is.

[@supriyasou3722]

Probably didn’t get the $$ from them

[@markh351]

I've been using the 2022 Roku Ultra for almost two years now and am quite happy with it. Of course I like it for the ethernet port since my previous 1st generation Fire TV Stick 4K kept losing Wi-Fi reception, but the Roku Channel itself was a big selling point for me. At some point I would not mind trying out the Apple TV 4K.

[@Brian-xi3kz]

The roku channel app is available on fire tv also

[@markh351]

@Brian-xi3kz Thanks, I was wondering about that after hearing rumors about it coming to other platforms some time ago.

[@karlsenpal]

I have 3 Apple TVs in the house. And one Google Chromecast with Google TV in my travel bag. Couldn’t agreed more with you Caleb. Thanks for great content.

[@Tamaresque]

The prices for the Firestick were a shock. In Australia, from Amazon AU, I paid $75 for my Firestick. And, by the way, I get NO ads on Firestick, apart from Tubi and other channels like that.

[@andiyassiin2308]

So I got a new problem. I'm using the Samsung S95D and the Samsung Q800D Soundbar. The Soundbar uses the e-arc HDMI (HDMI 3). Now, where should I plug my Google TV Streamer? I tried other HDMI but the Google remote doesn't control the volume/Soundbar. If I use the TV remote it works, but if press the NETFLIX button it opened the Netflix from the Samsung TV, and I cannot use any feature of the Google remote. Much appreciated.

[@elucidator1277]

Shocked you did give an honorable mention to the ONN streamIng devices. Besides that, great list. Thanks Caleb.

[@jaxxboss1]

I'd guess that most Shield users know how to customize their gizmo, so there are no ads. Not to mention all the unmentionable other stuff. Wink wink

[@larshann3412]

I have the nvidia shield pro at home. And i actually think it sounds and looks better than what it looks from my lg os. Is the apple tv 4k even better in that regard? I mean in picture and sound departement?

[@PietroPizzi]

Strange to not include the obvious winner in nearly every way, Shield OC, just because it is older!? Which only means it was/is so good, that the competition can't keep up, even with 5 years extra dev time. AND that NVIDIA has to win an extra price for not producing new e-waste every year. And what has the age to do with picture/sound quality, features, aso...???

[@infooverflow-o]

The NVIDIA Shield TV is definitely a powerhouse, and you're right-its age doesn’t diminish its relevance, especially when it outpaces much newer competitors in key areas. Its ability to stay ahead in picture and sound quality, features, and overall performance is a testament to its forward-thinking design. Plus, the longevity it offers is a huge win, both for consumers and the environment. Not needing to upgrade every year is a big deal, and NVIDIA deserves credit for creating a device with such staying power. Age really doesn’t matter when the hardware and software are still miles ahead.

[@ChrisCiapala]

If Apple TV would have audio passthrough, DTS /X support and proper handling of Atmos (not via MAT) - it would be pretty close to an ideal device.

[@jeffwest4325]

I am hooked up via eARC and get Atmos, Dolby Digital, or stereo depending on source. Why do you think it is not “pass through “?

[@ChrisCiapala]

@@jeffwest4325 I'm talking about setup AppleTV -> AVR -> TV. Apple TV in this scenario will convert any incoming audio to 48k PCM, not pass-through it intact to the receiver. I would very much prefer to have audio extracted and sent to AVR without any processing. Also, AppleTV doesn't support DTS - any kind, or lossless Atmos (TrueHD) - or even high-res (above 48k) music, no matter the source.

[@ronhenson7167]

The title to this video is misleading. It is about sticks and boxes. The title should be Fire Sticks, Google Chromecast and the like. I wanted to see a comparison of "Apple TV, Google TV, Roku, or Fire TV." It is not about TVs but devices. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays everyone!

[@bbbt8090]

Roku Ultra all day! I have one to update my 2019 TV.

[@EmergeMusic]

I’ve had 3 Apple TV streaming devices. All of them had issues from shitty glitches, to dying remotes. I’ve since switched to Roku devices and have had a near flawless experience with zero issues! I can even replace my batteries. I love most apple products but the TV just sucks IMO.

[@edwardgreenjr167]

Shout-out to the Android longevity king the NVIDIA Shield. Thing had only a couple minor HW revisions, but the OG still kicks just about everything else on this video and at nearly 10 years old (2015). NOT 5. Meanwhile Roku releases devices with only a 10MB ethernet port in 2024, when the Shield had a 1GB port in 2015.

[@Ryotsu2112]

The fact that it has held up doesn’t mean it’s better than a lot of the others presented here. It was great back in the day, but it’s showing its age.

[@Hellothere854434]

@@Ryotsu2112 Yep! The issue is that the premium price is still the same. If they had reduced it by half the price by now, I'd get it. However, for 99% of people it is a waste of money and there are equally as good (if not better) devices on the market.

[@1FastGXP]

​@@Ryotsu2112​showing it's age? The 8-Core CPU roasts every streamer reviewed, except the A15 in the Apple TV 4K, which it closely matches. GPU wise let's not even go there, it's still light years ahead of all of the other streamers. 64bit operating system, most reviewed are only 32bit. Gigabit ethernet, most of the ones reviewed have 100mbps ports. Let's see Hi-Res audio support up to 24/192, the top spot Apple TV 4K cannot even go above 48khz so no Hi-Res. Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby ATMOS, and DTS support including lossless codecs and bitstream pass-through. I don't think many of the streamers reviewed offer working audio pass-through. I know Apple TV 4K, Amazon devices, and Roku devices don't for sure. No other streamer comes close in audio support. USB 3.0 ports for expansion. Yeah it was way overbuilt, and the competition is still trying to play catchup.

[@meikgeik]

@@Ryotsu2112 The problem is, all of the other offerings are proprietary locked down garbage that is harvesting your data (Apple says they don't, but they are I used to work for them, and they 100% are). Every set top box or streaming stick I've owned or known about (Apple TV included) has become a paperweight within 4 years. The fact that Nvidia is not slowing down after 5 years shows that everyone else in the game is slowing their devices down over time to make people buy new ones. My 2 year old Roku Ultra now takes 3x longer to wake from sleep, and just navigating through apps feels sluggish. My 4 year old Roku 3 is so fucking slow, like 2-3 second delays between button presses doing anything. I have friends with Apple TV's doing the same things.

[@Jakeisks]

@@meikgeik I cannot imagine why an Apple user offers its opinion on anything technical... "all of the other offerings are proprietary locked down garbage" no. the fire TV stick runs third-party Android apps, it even runs stuff without being connected to their servers, like when limited to Wi-Fi

[@lovelyman28]

I love my Apple TV!!!

[@findingfern]

Wow Ive been a solid Roku fan. But I do have an iPhone and now that I am moving into my own place I’m really considering the Apple TV Thanks

[@kriswingert1662]

I have both the Apple tv 4k and an nVidia Shield Pro I bought last year. Both work very well, but the Shield is better in so many different ways as it is totally configurable vs the what you see is what you get with Apple devices and not locked down like them. Apple, like all their products, are aimed at people who just want point and click ( then get frustrated when it doesn't even do that ) devices. HDR10/10+, Dolby Vision and Atmos definatly benefit from the Shield hardware. The Apple tv picture is a little softer and Atmos is at the mercy of HDMI cec's tantrums if you dare to use a PID splitter to go to the tv for video and audio to the amp.

[@greghull3189]

@@kriswingert1662 I have two 2022 Apple TVs. I have a Samsung QLED TV as our main TV. The Apple TV does have trouble with HDR content. I’ve had to set the video format to 1080p SDR 60Hz in the Apple TV video settings. If I set it at 4K SDR 60Hz the picture is darker and the resolution isn’t very sharp. The 1080p setting looks pretty good but I’ve often thought about trying the Shield Pro to see if the AI upscaling is as good as advertised. I haven’t purchased the Shield Pro due to some reviews saying it’s not playing nice with Apple TV+ or Hulu. Do you stream Apple TV+ or Paramount+ and if you do, have you had any issues?

[@sreejp3322]

Hi Sir If you can suggest which is best to connect to AV receiver for a home theatre

[@Swecan76]

Shield is the only one that really allows you to turn of Dolby Vision to just use HDR10. Which is better on Sony TVs. I would personally want an Apple TV 4K. If it can easily turn off DV permanently. I am also kind of waiting to see if Apple will release a newer version soon. Maybe with enhanced AI upscaling or something.

[@kimmyshimmi6552]

You can turn Dolby Vision off on Apple TV.

[@csteppe04]

Thanks for sharing! I have an older chromecast like I think really old it's some gray. Do you know if any of the new ones offer more apps because I think I can only get like 5apps through the setup process?

[@Carittech]

I concur, the Apple TV 4K would be my only steaming box if it supported Atmos. When using Plex, I go to my Nvidia Shield. I’d and when this is fixed. Apple TV will be my only streaming box.

[@stevied2710]

I bought a Smart LG TV 15 years ago more. Before the Google TV where built in to them TV. Only problem was I couldn't use KZbin omy TV and I bought Google Chrome Cast. Why did I do this because LG stop supporting this service I'm my model and brand. This will happen to all smart TV even if you get updates, these services will stop after a while and you will not able to watch some or all of your smart streaming services.

[@EzequielGalli]

The FireTV 4K Max is not only for people heavily in the Amazon Alexa ecosystem Yes, the interface is not nice, but on sale, it's the cheaper certified device that supports lossless audio like DTS HD MA and Dolby TrueHD I had the Chromecast with Google TV and the FireTV is much snappier and less laggy (even with the Chromecast using Projectivity Launcher)

[@berkant_k]

IIRC the original version of the Nvidia Shield TV Streamer came out almost 10 years ago in 2015 and the main difference compared to the new one is mostly just the smaller version of the Tegra X1 that uses less power than the original one.

[@lafan023]

Does a streaming device provide better upscaling than a high-end TV apps? I have a Bravia 9 85", would I be better off with the built-in apps with Sony's upscaling?

[@randelldavis578]

Even with using a streaming device the TV would still upscale.

[@seifbuys]

hey black mamba! I just discovered recently that especially on Netflix and prime video, us Sony Bravia users are much better off using the TVs built in google TV OS. 1) It allows the netflix and prime video 'calibrated' modes to work (make sure you turn it on in settings) and 2) the sound you get to your home theatre system for 5.1' content (aka most content which is not dolby atmos) is soooo much better as my Sonos plays it in 'Dolby Digital Plus 5.1' vs the 'multichannel pcm 5.1' which is played when streaming through my apple TV 4K. My Tv is the Sony A95L and I discovered this all last week. Crazy how reviewers don't mention it!

[@lafan023]

@@seifbuys Yes, I like the calibrated modes for most Netflix and Prime content. I was predominantly wondering on upscaling for live sports. Sometimes the internal apps are better and sometimes the Apple TV 4K. I have an NVidia shield tv pro on another tv and was debating trying that too.

[@seifbuys]

@@lafan023 ahh I see, ya not sure about that.. I just watch UFC and looks great whether using TV apps or apple tv 4k.. can't say i've noticed a difference to date myself

[@MARTY-p8q]

THANK YOU!

[@michaelmcchesney6645]

I keep 2 streaming devices connected to each of my TVs (living room & bedroom). First, I have the Roku Ultra. I've never tried the Apple TV box, but I have a Samsung phone. The ads on Roku don't bother me. The ads aren't intrusive; they are silent and occasionally useful. The other streaming device I use is a PC. I have kept a PC connected to my TV since before TVs were smart. It is, in my opinion, by far the best way to watch KZbin. Instead of watching on my phone, I watched this video on my 82" TV and I am typing this comment with a wireless keyboard while sitting on my couch. I put a mouse pad on a clipboard to create a convenient and mobile surface to use my mouse. The other great thing about a connected PC is that it works with every streaming service. However, I prefer the Roku interface and remote for watching most services. So, I use both a Roku and a PC. PCs are more expensive than streaming boxes, but a PC can be something other than high-powered to be useful for streaming. An old laptop or desktop should work perfectly well.

[@frommatorav1]

I have a Firestick 4k Max and a PC connected to my TV in the living room. I like having an overpowered PC connected to it. It never hurts to be super responsive and snappy in my opinion. Using a wireless keyboard and mouse, I can use it for regular computer things, play games or play media. It's mainly used for media, though. The other reason I like using it is it works better with my bluetooth headphones. I can use it with the Firestick but they sound a little better with the PC and have much further range. I can go in the furthest spot in my house from the PC and the audio doesn't drop out and the wifi 6 has issues reaching that same area.

[@philmiller514]

I have also used a HTPC that runs via HDMI to my main TV in the family room for many years, besides having Roku and Google devices as well on all my TV's. I use a cheap mini USB keyboard, for watching content from a browser, Kodi, PLEX or a Music app, since the Roku and Google remotes won't work with the HTPC in the other room.

[@mikeymacaque]

I love Apple TV but I really wish Apple would revamp the remote and their on-screen keyboard. Yes, I know I can use my phone instead but ✨the fact that Apple TV pushes this feature so much✨shows how much of a pain it is to use.

[@joelh.6450]

Which one is best for international travel and international app compatibility?

[@jorgem50]

I just purchased an Apple tv after years of using a firestick and then an ONN walmart streaming device (actually pretty good for the price). I must say that Apple TV is the best IMO.

[@lavatr8322]

So is this better or Smart TV with built in Google TV or Firetv better?

[@supriyasou3722]

Any day, an external streaming device is better. Easy upgrades. Better software support.

[@lavatr8322]

@supriyasou3722 So I should just buy smart TV but with no Google TV and all

[@supriyasou3722]

@@lavatr8322 Unfortunately, you don't get many non-smart TVs these days. So, just get any TV and plug in one of these sticks to the HDMI port on the TV.

[@aaronchan_thereal]

I have both the Nvidia Shield TV Pro and the Apple TV 4K and i can't bring myself to use the Apple TV over the Shield TV as Apple TV doesn't support upscaling - Anything that's not 4K or 4K HDR/DV looks worse on the Apple TV. Till date Apple TV does not support Truehd (dolby atmos lossless) as well as any DTS audio formats. Even if you were to use infuse pro it only supports Dolby Digital Plus (which is a lossy and not lossless format) and DTS gets resampled into PCM which is a stereo and not object-based surround capable format. imo I cannot consider Apple TV 4k as better (or even comparable) to the Shield TV Pro from a feature stand point. Which is why, after all this time, I only have the Shield TV Pro connected to my TV and the Apple TV is just sitting there as a home hub device. I would play down the argument that these are just enthusiast niche features, reason being that if the TVs, soundbars and AV receivers are supporting these formats why should the streaming device be the bottleneck here for providing the best of the best audio formats/features to the consumers. Apple really need to start supporting audio passthrough.

[@1FastGXP]

💯 agree.. Your comment aligns so well with a lot of what I said. See my lengthy comment. 😂 The Shield & it's users should not have been spoken of in such a negative, toss away manner.

[@aaronchan_thereal]

@@1FastGXP Everybody can have a preference of interface/ecosystem etc... but no way can you say ATV4K is the best (bcos it's just not) and not even given the Shield a proper mention when it's the only regular consumer grade streamer around that supports true to source audio formats.

[@deman19901]

@@aaronchan_thereal TVOS sucks. Too much clicks and searching to find something to watch. Zero live tv in the interface.

[@JMSynthetics]

I used Roku Ultras for years but more recently swapped over to Apple TV boxes, I feel the apps are updated more often, offers better picture, and I started to find some apps that were not available on the Roku. I considered the Shield Pro but it also had limited support for some apps. I also prefer a device that has a wired ethernet port vs one that is wifi only. Call me old school.

[@kennethd4958]

I use my 4K Firestick with the Ethernet adapter cable and it works great. Was thinking about getting an Amazon Cube but with the Ethernet cable giving me direct wired connection there really is no need.. at least not at the moment.

[@IIISHARKIIICRU]

What’s the best upscale device? Thx

[@matthewgandy9774]

Me personally a ROKU devices are nice .but they don't fit my need for streaming because you can't sideload apps .from other places besides ROKU streaming store. Firesticks are good ive used Firesticks since 2018 .but with Amazon always putting out updates that i personally don't like .ive moved on to the Walmart onn 4k streaming device first i had the 20 dollar version, and when walmart came out with the Onn 4k pro streaming box i brought a couple. And never looked back. For my streaming needs the Walmart onn 4k pro streaming box is my favorite streaming device.

[@OnePotMeals]

I’m surprised there was no discussion about video and audio quality

[@1FastGXP]

Why would there? If there were the 2019 NVIDIA Shield Pro would take top spot for these key reasons: #1- it can handle most audio codecs, more than any other streamer reviewed. From Dolby ATMOS to DTS-X including TrueHD & HD Master Audio lossless technology. #2- It handles Hi-Res audio with bit-match playback. Great for matching the frequency & bitrate of the source material for the truest to the source representation. #3- It has a seamless bitstream pass-through option, with the simple click of a button. Hear your music, movies, TV shows, and whatever media you choose the way the artist intended. Audio track data is sent unaltered, straight to your playback device. The less cooks in the kitchen, the better the meal. 😁 #4- now for video handling. HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision support. 4K playback at 60 FPS (VP9, H265, H264) 4K capture at 30 FPS (H264, H265) Supports: MPEG-2/MPEG-4/Xvid/DivX/WMV9/ASF/AVI/MKV/MOV/M2TS/MPEG-TS/H.263/H.264/H.265/VC-1/VP8/VP9 #5- AI upscaling of non-4K content for all your streaming apps. AI Upscaling can be adjusted for high, medium, or low detail enhancement. In a nutshell this adjusts the confidence level of the neural network for detail prediction in the upscaled video.

[@batsteve1942]

I know this video is specific to streaming devices, but how do games consoles compare? Curious to see how using these apps on a PS5 would would hold up against these, and against using the TVs own inbuilt apps (Google TV on a Bravia in my case).

[@seifbuys]

Hey Steve, I just discovered recently that especially on Netflix and prime video, us Sony Bravia users are much better off using the TVs built in google TV OS. 1) It allows the netflix and prime video 'calibrated' modes to work (make sure you turn it on in settings) and 2) the sound you get to your home theatre system for 5.1' content (aka most content which is not dolby atmos) is soooo much better as my Sonos plays it in 'Dolby Digital Plus 5.1' vs the 'multichannel pcm 5.1' which is played when streaming through my apple TV 4K. My Tv is the Sony A95L and I discovered this all last week. Crazy how reviewers don't mention it!

[@batsteve1942]

@ thanks for the detailed comment, very helpful! I have noticed Netflix telling me about its calibrated mode after a recent update, but weirdly my TV doesn’t actually having that as an option in my settings 🤷‍♂️ I do prefer the accessibility of using the built in apps as well, so I’m glad they’re better than having to buy another bit of hardware.

[@Tripokaridos22]

Any of them support 21:9 Ultrawide ?

[@davidgolden7524]

Do any of these upscale sports programming on KZbin TV to 4k?

[@everettedl]

I hadn't considered the ads that come with the chromecast with google TV. It's not terrible, but I usually know what I want to watch, and the streaming service I use already curates content for me. I don't like sorting through curated content to get to my curated content.

[@jeffwest4325]

Putting the ‘Continue Watching’ at the top of the AppleTv interface makes it absolutely the most usable device IMO.

[@JamesSmith-sw3nk]

I use a cheap laptop and I hide it behind the large screen tv. I use a wireless keyboard & mouse. You can do a lot more, it's easier to use a VPN,etc. I can control privacy more on a browser tab than an app on a device.

[@siamhie]

I guess I'm a Roku fan boy. Started with the Roku XD in 2013 then upgraded to the Roku 3, then Roku 4 and since 2016 the Roku Ultra.

[@elnorro]

For me Nvidia Shield TV is the best. I can play Dolby True HD movies from my Plex server which Apple TV cannot do.

[@Alexb_1775]

Any word on when the new Apple will come out?

[@elleryfg7853]

If Google TV is your favorite streaming platform, why do you use Apple TV more? They are in different ecosystems which from my point of view makes them incompatible with the opposite. Meaning if you are in a platform you should buy a device from another platform because it would be incompatible with all you services. Is there a way around this that I'm not aware of?

[@vei234]

Sony A95K has Google TV is an Apple TV still better to use with it?

[@user-hm4tt9hy5f]

I bought the Roku Express earlier this year as the apps on my blu-ray player had become outdated. I've had Roku and other Roku players in the past. Love the interface and adding apps is easy but lately I've had issues with my Roku Express. I recently bought the Onn 4K Pro since it was 39 (I got it for 34) and while I'm not the biggest fan of the interface, it is a great player and while I'm still getting used to it, I think it actually has more stuff than the Roku.

[@steveyountz9184]

Can you explain Tablo, and how it differs from Roku?😮

[@devonmccarroll6509]

Tablo is for recording over-the-air content for people who use an antenna. Roku is a streaming device that you can load apps onto, like KZbin TV, Netflix, etc.

[@steveyountz9184]

@@devonmccarroll6509 Thank you. I have used Roku for years but recently heard the two mentioned together. I only have OTA (over the air) tv and would love to have a way to record shows. Thanks again.......😎

[@robertcrystals]

So no overview of the Apple TV? Great job.

[@TheBlooRayChannel]

Switched to Apple TV from the Nvidia Shield because we wanted to use the audio share dual Bluetooth headset function to watch tv at night when the kids are asleep. I was suffering. The Apple TV 2 years later still flies and does everything. Supports and forces all refresh rates. No judder or stutter. This is the best

[@rafas6168]

What you think about Chromecast ultra?

[@infooverflow-o]

The Chromecast Ultra is a solid choice for streaming, especially if you value simplicity and are already using Google services. It supports 4K streaming with HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which delivers excellent video quality. The device is compact and easy to set up, and casting content from your phone, tablet, or computer is seamless. It integrates well with Google Assistant and smart home devices, making it a great fit for those in the Google ecosystem. However, it lacks a dedicated remote and a full on-screen interface, which means you rely on a separate device for control. While it performs well, the Ultra is starting to feel a bit dated, especially compared to newer options like the Chromecast with Google TV, which adds a remote and a more comprehensive interface. If you’re looking for something straightforward and focused on casting, the Chromecast Ultra is a good option, but there are more versatile devices available now.

[@joshuaglasser4021]

Hey thanks for the video. As a quick question: I currently have a Sony A95L but have been thinking about buying an Apple TV 4K. I have heard conflicting things saying that the Apple TV would enhance the image processing for 4k streaming but am bot sure if there is a difference that you have noticed? I mostly want it because I’ve noticed the streaming quality on Max is not great on the A95L. Thanks in advance!

[@thebrownguy79]

Apple TV 4K with Ethernet is what I have. Using my iPhone as an alternative remote is too awesome.

[@jeffwest4325]

Can you please do a review of streaming services/apps, especially for quality (least amount of compression, treatment of older content, etc).

[@84latinray]

I have the the Amazon fire stick max Roku stick, and apple tv 4k .... roku stick and apple tv 4k to me they are both smoother than the Amazon 4k max

[@tdelro966]

Caleb talks about taking these around for traveling, ONLY Roku is capable of connecting to Hotel Wifi where you’re required to log into a portal. Otherwise We have roku TVs with appleTV2 boxes attached. Love both depending upon what we’re watching (hate the appletv remote and siri is seriously getting worse).

[@JenniferLJonesTerrell]

Hey, I’m having a hard time with my screen stick. I have a SANYOT and I can’t get the remote control pair to the TV so I can put it on the Internet. Can you help me? I don’t have a remote control to the TV.

[@infooverflow-o]

It sounds like a tricky situation, but there are a few things you can try. If your streaming stick has a companion app (like the Roku or Fire TV app), you can download that on your smartphone and use it as a remote to set up the device and connect it to the internet. Another option is to use the buttons on your SANYOT TV, if it has them, to navigate the inputs and make sure the streaming stick is selected. If neither of those work, you might want to consider getting a universal remote that can control both your TV and the streaming stick. Let me know if any of these help!

[@12rmoreau]

In Canada Roku doesn't offer Sportsnet which covers all BluJays baseball and most of the NHL hockey

[@lowridinpacker]

You missed the best one. ROKU Streambar! Replaces the crappy sound on most TVs and Lowers sound on commercials. My wife would never let me leave Roku just because of the remotes!

[@HellStorm666NL]

If you have a good sound system (Denon 8500HA in 7.4.1) and a LG OLED TV, I reckon that having the best video and sound quality is the most important. What box or stick do you recommend then? I now have the Chromecast with GoogleTV

[@1FastGXP]

I have a Denon AVR-S960H 5.1 system with an SVS SB16-Ultra subwoofer, and an LG 65" E6P 3D OLED 4K TV. The 2019 NVIDIA Shield Pro works perfectly with it from the AI upscaling of non-4k content to the playback of DTS-HD Master audio files. With the simple toggle of a switch the Shield will send untouched bitstream pass-through audio right to your Denon for decoding. 👍 Less chefs in the kitchen, the better tasting the food. 😊 Listening to Dolby ATMOS music through the Tidal app right now, fed to my Denon via the Shield, and it sounds spectacular! 👌

[@wayned1807]

We purchased a Sony X95K last year and love it, however it came with the Google TV installed that was causing the TV to freeze two or three times a day that required a restart. How do I know it was caused by the Google? By a process of elimination. After trying almost everything from freeing memory by using a thumb drive and moving apps, to getting faster internet, to spending hours on internet forums looking for answers. We finally purchased the new Roku 4K Ultra and the problem went away.

[@infooverflow-o]

It sounds like you went through a frustrating experience, but it's great that you were able to pinpoint the issue and resolve it with the Roku 4K Ultra. The fact that the freezing stopped after switching to Roku strongly suggests that the Google TV interface or software on the Sony X95K was the culprit. Sometimes, built-in smart TV platforms can suffer from bloat, insufficient resources, or compatibility issues that cause instability, even on high-end TVs like the X95K. By offloading the smart TV functionality to the Roku 4K Ultra, you not only solved the freezing issue but also likely gained a smoother, more responsive streaming experience with Roku’s straightforward and reliable platform. It's a reminder that even the best TVs can sometimes benefit from pairing with a dedicated external streaming device. Sounds like you’ve now got the perfect setup to enjoy your Sony X95K without the headaches!

[@wayned1807]

You are right about a smoother and more responsive viewing experience. It was our first new tv in 13 years, our first 4K, and our first large screen, so we were very disappointed until we tried the Roku as a last resort. No problems for two months since.

[@jameslee2215]

I agree with you 100 %. I like the Apple 4 K Streaming box the best. I didn’t like the price but love it. Love the what to watch list. The Google Chromecast second. I have a KG 4 K 55” TV and the interface is the worst. I didn’t like the interface. Also love all your reviews. I use a Sonos Ray sound bar and sub Mini on one TV and the Sonos Beam and sub Mini on the other TV. I only buy them when they are on sale. Can you do a video when products are on sale? That would be fantastic! Thanks! Happy Holidays and be safe.

[@Pallidus_Rider]

I would have added the Tablo device, as it adds in OTA (over the air) recording.

[@woofinu]

Does picture and streaming quality vary between those devices (assuming we match non-4K or 4K)?

[@bastien-]

I've heard that Apple TV apps sometimes stream at higher bitrates than other devices, but I've had a hard time finding definitive confirmation of this (it doesn't help search results when Apple TV is the name of the box AND their streaming service 😅 )

[@woofinu]

@@bastien- I think Digital Trends said that 1-2 years ago in their comparison of streaming devices, but they don't say that this time. I wonder if anything changed. I don't think AppleTV degraded, but maybe other devices caught up.

[@philmiller514]

I have an older Roku in my bedroom. It is not a stick. LT maybe? Has anyone else noticed the remote batteries go dead quickly on it? I don't use it that much but seems like I'm having to replace the batteries much more often than on my Google TV stick which sees a lot of use in the family room.

[@yonkocommander5531]

Caleb your voice sounds very different than usual, new microphone?

[@Skualo-77]

Nvidia Shield TV Pro 🛡 best ai-upscaler for a plasma with isp trotring 👌

[@pr0jectSkyneT]

Do these boxes support Audio pass-through (ie. DTS-X, Dolby TrueHD Atmos) for receivers?

[@1FastGXP]

The NVIDIA Shield does & bit-match audio playback. 👍

[@pr0jectSkyneT]

@1FastGXP ok but none of the rest do, right? I watch a lot of Blu-ray remux files on my NAS on my hometheater. I use a Zidoo Z9X because i need audio pass-through.

[@1FastGXP]

@@pr0jectSkyneT from experience the Amazon Fire Stick 4K does not. From research the Apple TV 4K & Roku products do not support proper bitstream pass-through either. I'm not sure about the Google products. I do know the Shield is one of the only streamers to support both bitstream pass-through and every codec from ATMOS to DTS-X including lossless audio. 👌

[@pr0jectSkyneT]

@@1FastGXP thanks. That was my suspicion.

[@bonzodog6872]

The Chromecast dongle is neat, discreet,easy to use, portable and fits easily in a pocket when travelling.the streamer they have replaced it with is the opposite.

[@tomastaz]

Enjoying the Google TV Streamer

[@D3ZG1978]

ATV is my main box!

[@Millisach1]

Best movie settings for apple 4k tv?

[@techinrl9869]

If you have an iPhone, you can calibrate your Apple TV. In the settings app, you can go to Video and Audio, Color Balance. It’ll prompt your iPhone, though I’ve found the prompting to be a bit finicky. You have your iPhone’s front camera facing the TV and it’ll calibrate your Apple TV for you.

[@BreakTime10101]

Caleb, I really enjoy your content, but can you please stop with the background music? It’s annoying and distracting. Thanks. And I agree with you about the Apple TV 4K.

[@dgraff05]

What about the tivo stream??

[@cnweke42]

How is the upscaling on the Apple TV 4K?

[@1FastGXP]

From what I've heard that's one area the Apple TV 4K handles fairly well. Their image quality is always very good from what I've ascertained. One caveat is no control or fine tuning of the scaling like the 2019 Shield Pro offers. More importantly audio support, lack of good pass-through, and limited audio capabilities are the bigger issues Apple TV 4K faces.

[@cnweke42]

@@1FastGXP thank you. I really appreciate this.

[@jangarcia1338]

Does it have upscaling? I ask because it is the point where everyone says the shield beats it.

[@1FastGXP]

@@jangarcia1338 they all upscale. They have to on 4K devices, or else you would have postage stamp sized video. You can't control the upscaling on the Apple TV 4K, and it is not trained on an AI nueral network like on the newest Shield Pro.

[@davidorourke9920]

Is there any way to force HiSense QD6 to boot with a HDMI port instead of FireTV?

[@ColJonSquall1]

check the Panasonic Z95A OLED review from a couple days ago, compare the Fire TV OS settings that Caleb features for booting to the last input used, instead of Home screen. See if your Hisense has the same. Its in the first 5 minutes of the video, where he covers Fire TV OS.

[@davidorourke9920]

@@ColJonSquall1 Thanks for taking the time. That did the trick!

[@SpidermanandJeny]

Here's my question, is there any reason to get the Apple device and its expense if don't have other ecosystem devices and don't enough a ton about ads? Sure, ads arent great, but i have ads built into my Vizio and I barley ever notice or see them. You could easily convince me don't have them. Is there another non ecosystem reason to get it?

[@infooverflow-o]

If you’re not tied to the Apple ecosystem and ads don’t bother you much, the Apple TV might feel less essential. That said, it does have a few standout features. Its performance is top-notch, with smooth navigation and fast app loading that’s hard to beat. The picture and sound quality are excellent, with support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, making it a great fit for high-end home theater setups. The interface is completely ad-free, which you might appreciate more over time compared to the built-in ads on other devices. It also has a wide range of apps, and while it’s more expensive, the device is built to last several years without needing an upgrade. If those factors matter to you, it could be worth considering. If not, a more budget-friendly option might suit you better.

[@SpidermanandJeny]

@infooverflow-o so it sounds like a not terribly used one would be ideal. Take a bit of the price off and get the same performance for more than a few years.

[@fozziebear7139]

I've had Roku sticks for years now. Love them.