apple tv or Roku?

[bpagnucco]

what is better to buy an apple tv or a roku? or is the anything else this is better similar? what should i look for?

[Swndlr]

N-E-T-F-L-I-X

[Interfectorem]

I don't know which one of those two are better, but I can recommend something that is similar. Chromecast. It's not the best, but it's $35 USD and it works great for basic media consumption.

[TheKDub]

Neither.

 

If you must get one of them, go with the Roku. (Don't support the company that takes already clearly existing ideas, throws a new name on them then says they innovated.)

[1823alex]

Haven't tried an Apple TV, but I've got a Roku 2 which works pretty well, but sometimes locks up with Netflix and the netflix selection screen becomes much smaller than the TV's 1920x1080 native resolution, I don't own an Apple TV, so I can't say if it is better but I've heard you can flash custom OS' onto them.

[Fgtfv567]

*cough*Chromecast*cough*it's cheaper*cough*

[RevoltTrain]

Chromecast. Nuff said.

[Shalashaska]

By far the Apple TV is superior, the Netflix app is custom and the UI is butter smooth like iOS.

 

I have owned both devices, the Roku has a bad flaw, it can only output full range RGB signal, 0-255 which is fine for monitors, but a lot of HDTVs only accept limited range 16-235 RGB and the Roku image will appear too dark with crushed blacks.

 

Roku have failed to fix this issue with all 3 iterations of the Roku player, there are long threads about it on their forums and they issue no response.

 

The Apple TV supports RGB Limited, Full and also yCbCr signal, couple that with a better interface and apps and you have a winner despite Roku's expanded channel library.

[biggiebigs123]

roku all the way!!!   

[1823alex]

-snip-

I thought there was something off about my Roku 2... Damn it, Chromecast is really good though, and if you see it for $30 that's the cheapest sale you'll probably see unless maybe on black friday or holiday season.

[OriginalPromise]

Get a Smart TV/Fire TV.

SAMSUNG SMART TVs FTW!

[thekeemo]

Chromecast>Roku>potato>apple tv

[bob345]

roku

[Decon]

Chromecast 

[Shalashaska]

I thought there was something off about my Roku 2... Damn it, Chromecast is really good though, and if you see it for $30 that's the cheapest sale you'll probably see unless maybe on black friday or holiday season.

 

I would have bought a Chromecast, but no 5ghz wifi support...

 

Next iteration.

[Uber Hamburgler]

If you don't have a Mac, don't even consider an Apple TV, even if you do, Roku is probably still better.  In my experience, Roku has much better app support than Chromecast for stuff like Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, Vudu, Rdio, Spotify, Pandora, MLB Network, NFL Network, etc.  However Chromecast's ability to stream anything from a Chrome browser and the fact that it is only $35 is compelling; on the other hand, you can do the same with a Miracast dongle, but that would mean no streaming without a laptop or tablet connected to it.  My preferred setup would be a Roku and a Miracast dongle, but $35 is a big selling point.

 

Roku + Miracast dongle > Roku = Chromecast > Miracast dongle > Apple TV > really long HDMI cable.

[ChrisxIxCross]

what is better to buy an apple tv or a roku? or is the anything else this is better similar? what should i look for?

Neither both suck, I'm currently using the Amazon Fire TV which you can put ANY android app you want on it with the sideload developer feature and it works with any wireless logitech mouse/kb. 

[Jetster]

HTPC with XBMC> Chromecast> Roku> Apple TV

[shadowblitz3]

Chromecast for sure

[Axel Sypkens Smit]

media pc! 

[Guest]

Apple TV all the way.

 

Much better / smoother UI experience (to be expected from Apple), regular software updates with new channels, and it has access to iTunes, so you can rent pretty much any movie/TV show/album ever.

 

All plaforms have Netflix/Hulu/YT of course, but Apple TV has specific channels like ABC, Showtime, History, A&E and so on that can be seen as well. Also, it support AirPlay from any Apple device as well.

[Guest]

Neither.

 

If you must get one of them, go with the Roku. (Don't support the company that takes already clearly existing ideas, throws a new name on them then says they innovated.)

Third time I've used this, but if you were in a band, it would be called the;

 

Sweeping Generalizations!

[Wardojack]

what is better to buy an apple tv or a roku? or is the anything else this is better similar? what should i look for?

Not used a Roku, have used the Now TV which is basically a stripped down Roku, it all depends on whether you have solely Apple devices... if so then get an Apple TV, if not then I would also suggest the Chromecast or Now TV, although the Now TV is pretty limited. I'll be getting a Chromecast at some point, hopefully soon!

[MarkTurner]

Apple TV is far more closed than a Roku, but if you are already tied in to Apple's eco-system, go with the Apple TV.

[BenR31415]

chromecast is awesome i have one it is insane (blah de blah de blah)

if you don't want a chromecast the amazon fire stick thingy whatchemacallit looks good