Media steaming device round-up

WHAT’S THE BEST STREAMING BOX FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT NEEDS?

LET’S FACE IT: there’s never anything good on TV. At least, not when you’re sitting down in front of it. This is where streaming media boxes can upgrade your home entertainment experience considerably. If you’re yet to experience the wonders of being able to access Netflix, Stan or catchup TV directly from your TV, then you really aren’t living.

Or maybe you are, and we’re the ones who should be embarrassed about getting so excited about this stuff.

In any case, media boxes are a cheap and easy way to enhance your existing TV, making the wealth of video content on the internet accessible through a remote control. Granted, you could also get that content onto your TV by plugging your laptop in, but the beauty of a media box is that it optimises the interface for your TV (try navigating a standard webpage with a remote control!), and also adds extra features like the ability to search for content across multiple platforms. Depending on the box, you may also be able to buy and rent movies and TV shows, and install additional apps like Facebook, alternative video platforms like Twitch and Red Bull TV, and games.

Choosing the right box for your needs will typically come down to the content platforms you use the most. If Netflix or Stan is your preferred service, then you’re spoilt for choice, as all of the boxes on test support these platforms natively. Amazon Prime Video isn’t as well supported, and Foxtel Now has even less support. But you don’t actually have to pay for a subscription service if you don’t want to. The catchup TV services offered by the major networks enable you to stream almost all of the free-to-air programming over the internet at your own convenience, and there’s an embarrassment of riches available that more than justifies the cost of the media box alone.