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[sangreal]

The main one is price and there is no remote. You just go into each app from your phone and cast it to the stick

They pretty much all work this way now, using the same interface as chromecast. You can even cast to an Xbox one

I would say that is a disadvantage anyway. I have a bunch of chromecasts sitting in a pile because I decided that the fire TV stick's remote is way more convenient. Also Netflix doesn't auto play the next episode of TV shows when you cast which is annoying

 

[TheAbsolution]

I would say that is a disadvantage anyway. I have a bunch of chromecasts sitting in a pile because I decided that the fire TV stick's remote is way more convenient. Also Netflix doesn't auto play the next episode of TV shows when you cast which is annoying

Uh. Yes it does. I use it all the time.

 

[titiklabingapat]

I have Apple TV, Roku stick, Roku 2 and Chromecast and I much prefer Chromecast. Roku 2 easy to use as well but when you have to type to search, then you will see the advantages of using your laptop/smartphone to cast instead. Plus it's cheap and you can play most local stuff in the Chrome browser and then casting that (except mkv files).

 

[The Llama]

Used roku, chromecast, and Apple TV. Think I like the apple TV the most, then the chromecast, then the roku.

 

[n0razi]

Firestick is the best
- KODI
- best hardware
- amazon integration

 

[wenis]

Chromcast coupled with PLEX is just simple and it works 100% of the time.

So that's what I use.

 

[DizzyCaffeine]

Firestick is the best
- KODI
- best hardware
- amazon integration

Is KODI better than Plex?

 

[dehydratedbabies]

I bought an Amazon Fire Stick but then I realized it sucks at Plex so I bought a Chromecast and now that's what I use. I'd prefer a dedicated remote vs using my iPhone but the Chromecast runs Plex really well so I'm happy.

 

[Krejlooc]

Is KODI better than Plex?

They do really different things, although you can use either like the other. Plex is all about streaming a large collection of videos spread out over your network to any device, while Kodi is more about playing files locally on your hardware.

I much prefer Kodi.

 

[Marty Chinn]

Is KODI better than Plex?

Yes. Plex was based off of Kodi and they don't charge you money.

They do really different things, although you can use either like the other. Plex is all about streaming a large collection of videos spread out over your network to any device, while Kodi is more about playing files locally on your hardware.

I much prefer Kodi.

Maybe I'm misinterpreting what you're saying, but Kodi isn't about playing files locally on your hardware. My whole house is networked and I have XBMC clients throughout it that all stream from a central server. The key difference is XBMC/Kodi is a client focused solution where as Plex is a server based solution.

 

[this_guy]

I have a Fire TV and use it every day.

 

[causan]

I bought an Amazon Fire Stick but then I realized it sucks at Plex so I bought a Chromecast and now that's what I use. I'd prefer a dedicated remote vs using my iPhone but the Chromecast runs Plex really well so I'm happy.

How does plex suck on the fire stick? I use it all the time with no issues?

 

[Krejlooc]

Yes. Plex was based off of Kodi and they don't charge you money.



Maybe I'm misinterpreting what you're saying, but Kodi isn't about playing files locally on your hardware. My whole house is networked and I have XBMC clients throughout it that all stream from a central server. The key difference is XBMC/Kodi is a client focused solution where as Plex is a server based solution.

This is exactly what I said. Kodi is local, Plex isn't. Every client runs their own version of Kodi, with their own database, while Plex uses a central server. I even began my post by saying you could use either like the other.

 

[Femmeworth]

Only one I've tried is the Roku Stick and I didn't have a good experience. The wifi is pretty poor.

 

[Marty Chinn]

This is exactly what I said. Kodi is local, Plex isn't. Every client runs their own version of Kodi, with their own database, while Plex uses a central server. I even began my post by saying you could use either like the other.

Well you said:

Plex is all about streaming a large collection of videos spread out over your network to any device

which XBMC is perfectly capable of doing. Also you every client doesn't need their own database. I use a centralized database stored on my server that each client refers to so they're all in sync. The only real key difference is where the focus is on.

 

[Krejlooc]

which XBMC is perfectly capable of doing.

...which I prefaced by saying XBMC can do the things Plex can do.

Also you every client doesn't need their own database. I use a centralized database stored on my server that each client refers to so they're all in sync.

yes, so do I. What we are doing is not what XBMC does out of the box, we are using XBMC beyond it's normal scope.

The only real key difference is where the focus is on.

Which is what I said.

 

[dehydratedbabies]

How does plex suck on the fire stick? I use it all the time with no issues?

I had constant stuttering problems despite the stick being directly next to my router. Tried a ton of different settings, couldn't resolve it.

 

[Marty Chinn]

...which I prefaced by saying XBMC can do the things Plex can do.



yes, so do I. What we are doing is not what XBMC does out of the box, we are using XBMC beyond it's normal scope.

I disagree with what you claim is "normal scope". The only key difference between the two is who does the processing. I hate the concept of video being processed and sent instead of being played natively which is why I don't like using Plex. That and because they charge money for it while being based off XBMC. I think the only other difference is XBMC is far more customizable. But the only real key difference is client side or server side. Claiming anything else is making the difference cloudy and inaccurate.

Which is what I said.

You said it in a weird and confusing way. You make it sound like with Plex files are streamed on the network where as Kodi stores and plays them locally.

 

[ThatStupidLion]

roku - got it for my parents. they love it

 

[Krejlooc]

I know you said you can use either application like the other, but I really need to point out that you can do the things in XBMC that you can do in plex.

And while you said that XBMC is more about this while plex is more about that, I feel the main difference is their areas of focus.

oh ok good points dude, well argued.

 

[VGChampion]

Not a stick but the Nvidia Shield TV for me and it's absolutely amazing. I hooked up two 5TB drives and have a lot of my ripped (uncompressed because I'm lazy) Blu-rays on them and they play flawlessly. No stutter whatsoever. Have Kodi and Plex on it as well as some games and no issues.

 

[Somnid]

Some people have issues with Fire Stick and wifi, it's a YMMV product but my parent's works fine and they love it. Though if you were looking at one Amazon is probably going to refresh their device line this month and that's definitely on tap. There's also Apple TV too though that sounds like it's going to cost considerably more than these and debatably work any better. Overall not a great time to buy, wait a month.

 

[DarkFlow]

I have a Chromecast, Roku 3, and a FireTV stick. The Roku gets the most use since it has everything, followed by the Chromecast in the bedroom since it's easy to cast things to it. The FireTV stick is pure trash and gets almost zero use.

 

[AlexMogil]

I have 2 Rokus, a Fire TV, and a HTPC.

Plex is my media server as I like to stream my stuff both at home, work, and on my phone.

I dislike the Fire TV so I took it to work. I used to have an Apple TV but I disliked its limitations. I really didn't like the Chromecast. I also have a Microsoft streaming stick but mostly for presentations.

 

[Marty Chinn]

oh ok good points dude, well argued.

I can't help it you clouded up your point by saying things of what it is when it's not true. I'll state again, you made it sound like Plex was for streaming while XBMC was for playing locally stored files. Plus saying stuff like every client runs their own database when that's just one method of running it is also making the picture cloudy since you're saying stuff that is an option and not a limitation. You stated all these details that were not relevant to pointing out how they differ.

 

[SpookyFries]

I have a Smart TV, Roku, and Chromecast. Going to buy a second Chromecast this week. Its just nice to press the button in the app and have it sent to the TV. The Roku and Smart TV interfaces are slow and clunky AF. I also hate having to log into my account on every single device using a shitty unresponsive on screen keyboard.

Chromecast all the way!

 

[Krejlooc]

Sorry I misunderstood you

No problem, glad it's all cleared up

 

[Marty Chinn]

No problem, glad it's all cleared up

Nice, rather than admit you can't write in a clear understandable manner, you'd rather put words in my mouth to save face. Mature way to handle it.

 

[Nabs]

I can't stream my blu ray movies to my Fire TV. They are uncompressed MKV files. They can only be streamed when I set the plea download speed cap at 20mbps which results in a lower picture quality. The fire TV is hooked up through a wired connection as well. All this and my TV with its native Plex app has absolutely no issue streaming these files.

You really need to get on this Kodi train. It'll take a tiny bit to set up and configure the way you like it, but it's so worth it. Be sure to check out Eminence and Arctic:Zephyr skins.

 

[Salsa]

I use an hdmi cable from my computer to my tv

then just use Unified Remote on Android to control my computer (media remote, just mouse input, etc)

 

[jfoul]

Most of them are good choices. If you plan on using a streaming device for travel, don't buy a Chromecast. It has issues with hotel networks because of client/AP isolation.

 

[Krejlooc]

I use an hdmi cable from my computer to my tv

then just use Unified Remote on Android to control my computer (media remote, just mouse input, etc)

I use one of these remotes:

the middle button on the remote lets you use it like a wiimote to control the mouse on your PC, and you can use event ghost to map all the other buttons on the remote to any keyboard or macro you want.

What sets this apart from other remotes is that it's also a universal remote, so I can program it to control my TV and my stereo as well as my PC all at the same time.

 

[Miletius]

I use a Chromecast. I bought one for my parents -- they need a device that streams directly from the computer because they use a proxy to watch Hulu and Netflix. I liked the plug and play aspect of it enough that I bought one for myself sometime a few months later.

 

[Veritigo_X]

USB slot lets you do things like connect actual remotes to the thing, or use harddrives, or, the biggie, you can connect an ethernet cable to run it to your router to get much better bitrate.

The guy is misinformed, however - chromecast does have a USB port, you just need to use an OTG cable on it.

They actually released an ethernet adapter for the chromecast. It's attached to a power brick though.

https://store.google.com/product/_ethernet_adapter_for_chromecast

 

[DrForester]

Chromecast question.

One thing I love about my PS3 is the media server that lets you play stuff right from your PC. Can you do this with Chromecast? Is it as versatile as the Java PS3 Media Server?

I would like to not to it on the PS3, as the PS3 fan kicks on sometimes, and it's kind of loud. I can do it with my iPad, and then through Apple TV, but not directly through apple TV from my PC.

 

[Krejlooc]

Chromecast question.

One thing I love about my PS3 is the media server that lets you play stuff right from your PC. Can you do this with Chromecast? Is it as versatile as the Java PS3 Media Server?

I would like to not to it on the PS3, as the PS3 fan kicks on sometimes, and it's kind of loud. I can do it with my iPad, and then through Apple TV, but not directly through apple TV from my PC.

Yes, you can use Plex to do this.

 

[Stuggernaut]

Roku + Plex Server + PlayOn (Another server with addons) = Everything I need.

It just works and requires nothing on my end.

Although the most recent UI update to Plex is not my favorite.

 

[jwk94]

Chromecast and plex. Can play anything I throw at it without me needing anything other than my phone.

 

[Haint]

Chromecast and Fire Stick both kinda suck IMO. There are too many holes in apps that don't support Chromecast and apps that aren't on Amazon's store (or don't support the TV interface).

 

[Darkangel]

Can Chromecast work without a phone? Does it actually do the video processing itself, or is it basically just a wireless HDMI receiver for your phone?

 

[Krejlooc]

Can Chromecast work without a phone? Does it actually do the video processing itself, or is it basically just a wireless HDMI receiver for your phone?

You can cast from a chrome webbrowser on a PC or mac, in which case it basically sends a video stream to your chromecast that it decodes. In that instance, your PC is doing the video processing, and the chromecast is merely decoding the video stream being sent by the chrome browser.

 

[maliedoo]

Samsung blu-ray player with apps (netflix, hulu, amazon) in the living room.
Chromecast in the bedroom.
Media Browser with NAS.

 

[Fatal Futanari]

I never did figure out the kodi app stuff. Is there a good site(s) that got the apps?

 

[Van Owen]

I have a Fire TV but just picked up the new Roku 2 since it was starting to annoy me.

I'll hook it back up once the Fire OS is out but aside from Kodi there's pretty much zero reason to get a Fire TV product over a Roku right now (or at least there won't be once Roku has HBO Now).

I don't know if it's because it's based on android or what, but there's still too much jank in Fire TV products, and getting hit with an android phone screen on a major app is a total turnoff. I'm pretty sure Amazon has zero QA for what they publish on the app store as well so it's filled with junk.

 

[Schlep]

Roku 3 in the living room, Sharp Roku TV in the bedroom, and a Roku Stick at the gf's/when I travel.

 

[Owari]

If you own iOS devices or OS X there is no other option: you have to buy an Apple TV

 

[xenist]

All the middle of the road AppleTV/Roku/etc stuff don't make much sense to me. Either go cheap and use Chromecast or go all the way and set up an HTPC.

 

[Timedog]

Chromecast, and it's not that great. It's decent if you're only Youtube or chromecast supported stuff, but streaming your desktop so that you can watch ANY video pretty much doesn't work. Whatever algorithms they're using to accomplish this task are hot garbage.

 

[Van Owen]

All the middle of the road AppleTV/Roku/etc stuff don't make much sense to me. Either go cheap and use Chromecast or go all the way and set up an HTPC.

I think most people would rather spend $20 more for a device with a remote than hundreds on a HTPC that you'll need a web browser for to access a lot of content.

 

[Nabs]

All the middle of the road AppleTV/Roku/etc stuff don't make much sense to me. Either go cheap and use Chromecast or go all the way and set up an HTPC.

An HTPC would be overkill for my needs, and a Chromecast doesn't do enough for me. A cheap Android box that can run Kodi/Netflix/Plex/HBONow is where it's at.