I would like some recommendations for one of these streaming devices, please. Anyone have any experience with these?

If you have idevices already, get an Apple TV. I own one. (Air play alone is worth it)

If you don't, the Roku would be fine as well.

I wouldn't recommend the amazon product.

We've had a Roku for years and love it.

I have a Roku and Fire. Both work well but Roku has a much simpler interface. Amazon's is a bit indirect.

Consumer Reports says:

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Roku 3, $100The Roku 3 is our top all-around player, with a clean, easy-to-use interface, fast operation, and the most content of any tested player, including Amazon Instant/Prime, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, Netflix, YouTube, and Vudu. It has dual-band Wi-Fi for more reliable wireless connections, a wired Ethernet jack, and using a Roku app on a phone or tablet you can cast content directly from Netflix and YouTube to your TV. And its motion-sensing remote control has a headphone jack that lets you to listen privately even when others are in the same room.
But if you should also consider the other Roku models if you'd like to spend less, or blazing speed and a motion remote don't matter. The Roku 2 ($70) gets you a lot of what the Roku 3 offers, including dual-band Wi-Fi and a remote with a headphone jack, though not the motion-sensing remote, faster processor, Ethernet jack, or casting capability. The Roku 1 ($40) costs even less, but you lose the headphone jack and dual-band Wi-Fi. Also, the remote connects via IR rather than Wi-Fi Direct. The Roku Streaming Stick is the company's answer to Chromecast, as it's a small, flash-drive-shaped player that slips into a TV's HDMI input; power comes from a TV's USB ports or from a wall outlet. It's not as fast as the Roku 3, but like that model, it can cast Netflix, YouTube, and personal media from a smart phone or tablet to your TV.

Amazon Fire TV, $100One of streaming media's newest contenders, Amazon Fire TV brings super-fast operation and voice control to the party. It's also the first media player capable of being a credible game platform, though you'll want to spring for the optional ($40) game controller, and game support so far has been light. Not surprising, the box is optimized for Amazon's Instant and Prime video services, which are prominently displayed in the interface. Voice search is a nice feature but when tested with the paid streaming services it only worked with Amazon and Hulu Plus, not Neflix. Concerned parents may like FreeTime, a password-protected kids' area that lets parents block inappropriate content or set viewing time limitations.
Apple TV, $100A must-have for Apple-centric users who have a lot of content stored in iTunes, a Mac computer, or on Apple's iCloud. Not surprisingly, Apple TV has the company's usual super-friendly interface, and it seamlessly integrates with iTunes TV show, movie and music libraries, as well as Apple's iCloud storage service. Using AirPlay, it can stream content from an iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch to a TV, and it supports AirPlay mirroring, which displays whatever's on your iOS device's screen on the TV. Its biggest drawback is lack of content compared to Rokuit's still missing Amazon and Vudu.

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Chromecast should be in the discussion.

I have a chromecast and like it for the price. However, the internet connection us not as strong as I would want. It really only works flawlessly with the tv close to
My router

I have all 3 and use them all. An accurate recommendation depends on what services you'd primarily use and if you'll want to play games at all.

No games. Just want to stream video play from sites such as netflix, HBO Go, amazon, etc.

I have a Macbook Pro and iPhone so I am somewhat partial to apple products.

I have Apple TV and Fire... between the two i have access to everything

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No games. Just want to stream video play from sites such as netflix, HBO Go, amazon, etc.

I have a Macbook Pro and iPhone so I am somewhat partial to apple products.

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The Apple TV is the least used device in my house. It is nice to have for Airplay, but I'd rather not have to use Airplay if I have a choice. Navigation and performance are just smoother on other devices. If Apple ever gets serious about the Apple TV then it'll probably be worth more consideration.

If you primarily watch Amazon Prime Instant Video, then the Fire TV isn't a bad choice. It does not have HBO GO, but Amazon carries HBO content greater than 3 years old now, so there's that. It does work fine with Netflix.

The Roku 3 has a nice, simple interface, and supports HBO GO, Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and much more. It's probably the most complete package. My 5 year-old uses the Roku 3 in her playroom without difficulty.

I wouldn't buy an Apple TV right now, simply because it's the "oldest" device on the list.

Amazon, Roku, and just about everybody else have updated their devices one or more times since the last time Apple dropped the Apple TV.

I think we're due though. I'm looking forward to the next generation Apple TV whenever it finally comes around.

My new Samsung 43 inch plasma has no smartness. I'm looking at the newest Roku HDMI version stick for $50.

We have and love our Roku 3. Our AppleTV hasn't been hooked up since we got it. And we're a heavy Apple family (2 iphones, 2 macbook pros, iPad & iMac). There just aren't that many times I need to send something over Airplay, honestly.

Roku 3 has a native app for PLEX and, when we switched, I don't believe Apple had an Amazon Prime app, which the Roku does.

I LOVE my chromecast. I have no problems with it.

The best thing about Chrome cast is being able to cast from your laptop/computer. Places like CBS are deliberately paring down their involvement in things like Hulu etc. but you can still watch their shows through their website.

I have a roku and I will buy another at some point.

Roku is hands down the best. Chromecast is also great if you're trying to save a little money.

We have 4 Roku3's and love them.

Roku is the best right now.... Tried chromecast but didnt last more than 4 or 5 months. Just got tired of not having any kind of a UI on the screen to control media.

Will be very interested to see how android tv turns out. It looks like it has a much nicer interface and if somebody can create a roku like device (and price it similarly) that could be my go to device going forward.

Roku1s are on sale at newegg today and tomorrow for $30

Roku 1 on NewEgg

I have the Roku 3. my ONLY complaint is that it does not have a dedicated Slingplayer app. You have to open the slingplayer all on your phone and then send it to the Roku. Very Chromecast-ish.

Other than that the Roku rocks. Primary use is for Netflix and Watch ESPN. The roku remote with headset is pretty legit too if you want to listen to the show without disturbing others around you.

+1 for Roku3. I was skeptical of really needing it at first as I have 2 Chromecasts, but the experience, etc is so much better. Also, it is faster to use & start watching than Chromecast. I primarily use it for HBOGo, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. Have used the Plex app some, but my video library is small. I almost got the Fire Tv, but no HBO Go was a killer for me. As others have said, I would avoid the Apple Tv now as it's due for a refresh.

You won't be disappointed with Roku3.

I was given an AppleTV and streaming from my iPhone to the TV worked great, but I also want to stream from my non-Apple laptop and could only figure out how to do so using a clunky app called airparrot which makes the TV mirror the laptop screen. It's predictably l****.

My understanding is that the roku doesn't work for casting from iPhone or computer, and that to enjoy the full benefits I need to have subscriptions to Netflix, hbogo, etc.

So, if I primarily want to use my media streamer to stream home movies from iphone or non-Apple laptop, is chromecast my default choice? Does chromecast work w youtube as well?

I understand the chromecast doesn't have its own remote or menu, but that I would need to download a chromecast app for my phone or laptop to use as a remote, is that true?

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If you have idevices already, get an Apple TV. I own one. (Air play alone is worth it)

If you don't, the Roku would be fine as well.

I wouldn't recommend the amazon product.

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Ditto. We have an apple TV box and love it. I definitely would stay away from Amazon. Their video service is horrible. We have prime and that's good, but it stops there. I have access to all of their videos and Netflix or Hulu is much more.

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The best thing about Chrome cast is being able to cast from your laptop/computer. Places like CBS are deliberately paring down their involvement in things like Hulu etc. but you can still watch their shows through their website.

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The problem that I have with chrome cast is why do I want to broadcast from my computer, phone, of tablet? I'm not an apple fan, i own an Android, but apple TV pretty much has every sort of media available and I don't have to "cast" from my phone or tablet. Why I would want to broadcast through a tablet or phone besides directly from a device attached to my TV is beyond me.

I use Chromecast on my living room tv and my bedroom TV. Much cheaper than buying a 2 more Rokus and even the kids can work it for the living room using the iPad. Also, vastly superior to using the TV apps.

DTP, if you're mainly watching stuff off of your media server, why not use Plex?

I see you're on Apple TV, I think there are a couple of workarounds depending on which version of the OS you're running. Mine is jail broken, so Plex works fine, but I think there are other options for non jail broken units.

Which of these can play files off a nas like my boxee? I don't have plex and don't was to build another system to run it.

I just replaced my broken Apple TV with the Amazon Fire TV. I like Apple products but the Apple TV is long overdue for an upgrade. Most of the other options are much better for he same price. The Fire TV has voice search (even supports 3rd party apps), a Bluetooth remote, and is blazing fast. I'm impressed with it. Obviously if you're tied to the Apple ecosystem, you'll lose some of the seemless integration but for me that wasn't a deal breaker.

Google just started taking preorders for their new Nexus player.