I have used Rokus for a while. I have a stick, and a TV that came with it installed.
Pros: It’s cheap, and it works. Their interface isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough. It’s supposed to serve ads, but thanks to my pihole it’s just a blank rectangle taking up part of the screen. The app is serviceable. My wife and I can simultaneously stream the audio to our phones, and both listen with headphones, which means we can enjoy a movie even when the kids are asleep.
When I chose the platform originally, the other options were Google, Amazon, and Apple, and at the time they were still fighting over licensing each app and proprietary software. I also had a KODI HTPC at the time, and it’s still running 15 years later as a Plex media server. The Roku had a faster response time and easier navigation. Roku has a Plex app so I can still stream all the movies I have.
Cons: The stick is showing its age, and the new terms of service are just scary enough to put me on notice that I might need a new streaming device
If they ever show an advertisement or a commercial before or over top of something I’m watching, that will be the day I switch. Today, I would probably go with an nvidia shield, or maybe even a game console since they all run streaming apps now. But any system has the potential for enshittification.
I have used Rokus for a while. I have a stick, and a TV that came with it installed.
Pros: It’s cheap, and it works. Their interface isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough. It’s supposed to serve ads, but thanks to my pihole it’s just a blank rectangle taking up part of the screen. The app is serviceable. My wife and I can simultaneously stream the audio to our phones, and both listen with headphones, which means we can enjoy a movie even when the kids are asleep.
When I chose the platform originally, the other options were Google, Amazon, and Apple, and at the time they were still fighting over licensing each app and proprietary software. I also had a KODI HTPC at the time, and it’s still running 15 years later as a Plex media server. The Roku had a faster response time and easier navigation. Roku has a Plex app so I can still stream all the movies I have.
Cons: The stick is showing its age, and the new terms of service are just scary enough to put me on notice that I might need a new streaming device
If they ever show an advertisement or a commercial before or over top of something I’m watching, that will be the day I switch. Today, I would probably go with an nvidia shield, or maybe even a game console since they all run streaming apps now. But any system has the potential for enshittification.