Our quick, easy guide to buying a streaming device
They can open your TV to hundreds of channels
LOS ANGELES – The holidays are a great time to spend hours bingeing on shows and enjoying Internet entertainment.
With so many options for your shopping dollar, we’ve taken a full look at the various product choices.
If you don’t have a smart TV with streaming channels already built in or aren’t planning to buy one, the best alternative is a streaming player. These start at around $ 30, are super easy to install and open your TV up to hundreds of on- demand channels.
More expensive models offer better remotes, the ability to stream in higher- definition 4K and DolbyVision and have connections via ethernet to a stronger Internet signal than Wi- Fi, which could be helpful with higher- resolution movies.
Choices
There are five models from Roku, the oldest and most popular streaming device, plus two from Amazon, three from Apple and two from Google. Video game fans also can access streaming media via the Xbox and PlayStation game consoles.
Why streaming?
If you’re new to online entertainment, know that an entire world of programming is ready for you.
Subscription services such as
Netflix ( starts at $ 7.99monthly,) Hulu ( starts at $ 7.99 monthly) and Amazon Prime ($ 99 yearly, with expedited shipping and online entertainment) offer movies, TV shows and original shows such as Stranger Things, Orange Is the NewBlack, The
Handmaid’s Tale and Red Oaks. Beyond dedicated services, streaming players also offer cable TV channels such as CNN, FX and Comedy Central with on- demand viewing.
But to watch, you first need to prove that you’re a cable subscriber by “authenticating” with your cable account password.
Many so- called “cord cutters,” have ditched cable and switched to streaming players to save big bucks off their average $ 100 monthly cable bill. According to market research firm Leichtman Research Group, some 400,000 people disconnected fromcable in the third quarter of 2017 ( compared with 250,000 in the yearago quarter), while some 535,000 added limited streaming options from Sling, DirectTV and YouTube.
( These services offer a way to see the cable channels along with movie services, without having to authenticate.)
Our picks Best entry- level streaming player:
Roku Express. No frills, all the channels and $ 30. If 4K isn’t a concern, you can’t go wrong with this option.
Lowest- priced streaming device for watching 4K:
Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast Ultra are discounted to $ 55 for the holidays.
Most channels available:
Any Roku device. Amazon FireTV is missing YouTube, and Google Chromecast lacks Amazon Prime Video. Roku says it has 100- plus channels ( most of which you’ve probably never heard of past a handful) to Apple’s 60. ( Amazon refers to “tens of thousands” of channels, apps and Alexa skills.)
Best setup:
Amazon FireTV. When we ordered it on Prime, Amazon had our sign- in info already, and it arrived set up, without having to log in.
Best choice if you live in anApple world:
Apple TV is an expensive choice, starting at $ 149, but if you take a lot of photos and videos on your iPhone, subscribe to Apple Music and podcasts and rent movies from iTunes, they’re all here, in one place.
Our pick for overall choice:
Roku Express if you don’t care about 4K programming, the Streaming Stick + ($ 69.99) if you do ( 4K, more channels, great remote, has Netflix, Amazon and YouTube.)
If you need ethernet, the Roku Ultra, $ 89.