This week on TechHive: All about the new Roku Streaming Stick

Head to TechHive this week for my review of the new Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick+. These are both excellent streaming devices, with zippy performance, built-in TV volume and power controls, support for the latest wireless standards, and the same old straightforward interface for streaming apps. Although Roku is still behind its competitors in voice controls, and its software could use some fresh ideas, the new Sticks are going to be the best streaming devices for most people. The basic Stick costs $50, while the Stick+ adds 4K HDR support for $70.

In addition to the new reviews, I also wrote a column on why you should probably avoid any deals on older Roku players. Particularly with the Streaming Stick and Stick+, the remote’s new TV volume and power controls are a vast improvement to the streaming experience, well-worth paying a little more money.

Weekly Rewind

Channels DVR review: Do you already own an Apple TV and either a desktop computer or NAS box? If so, Channels DVR is a compelling option for recording over-the-air channels. It works with SiiliconDust’s HDHomeRun networked tuners, and unlike other solutions such as Plex and Emby, it has a killer ad-skipping feature that can bypass commercial breaks with a double-click on the Apple TV remote.

The software is a work in progress, however, with no easy way to manage scheduling conflicts and limited ways to browse for new shows. At $8 per month, it’s also pricier than other broadcast DVR plans–and that’s before you factor in the cost of all the requisite hardware.

Controller-free Shield TV: Over the last 10 months, the Nvidia Shield TV has quietly become the best streaming box money can buy. Aside from just being a super-speedy 4K HDR streamer, it has built-in Chromecast support, hosts a slew of over-the-air DVR solutions such as Plex and Tablo Engine, and now has powerful voice search with the recent addition of Google Assistant.

To compete with the Apple TV 4K, Nvidia now sells a $180 model that doesn’t include a game controller. Non-gamers should still consider the $200 controller version, since it allows for hands-free Google Assistant voice controls. (Just say, “OK Google.”) But the new version’s price parity with Apple is a nice reminder that Nvidia’s box has more value.

More Catch-Up

Verizon won’t attempt a streaming bundle until at least next spring.
This Sunday, you can try Sling TV for free without a credit card.
Comcast pressures smaller cable providers to carry its pricey sports channels in their cheaper bundles, in a move that will almost surely backfire..

Save More Money

If weak Wi-Fi is giving you buffering problems, you might want to consider a mesh router system such as Eero. Instead of just a single access point, these system blanket a home in Wi-Fi coverage through interconnected router pods, which don’t require the complex setup or multiple logins of traditional wireless extenders.

These systems are pricey, but right now Amazon has the popular Eero system on sale for $255 with two pods (which should be fine for normal-sized homes) and $300 for three pods (for larger homes). That’s down from $300 and $400, respectively.

Thanks for reading!

That’s one streaming device review down, many more to go. My review of the Roku Ultra is in the can and should go live on TechHive next week. I’m also working on reviews of the Roku Express, the new 4K HDR Amazon Fire TV, HDHomeRun Quatro with DVR service, and some other stuff I’m not allowed to talk about yet.

As always, you can contribute to this newsletter through my Patreon page (for recurring payments) and my Ko-Fi page (for one-time payments), and help inspire future story ideas by sending in your feedback. Just reply to this email or find me on Twitter.

Until next week,
Jared