What is a Streaming Media Player and What Does it Mean to Me?
Cable TV was once dominant and commonplace in the home before the Internet. Fast forward to today and now you can view videos, Network TV shows, movies all online whenever and wherever, without cable. Why keep your cable subscription? Companies like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, HBO Go and many others allow members access to stream television shows on any device with an Internet connection. For years, streaming media was only available just on your PC, tablet or smartphone. Now, streaming media players give you the ability to connect your smart television to the Internet so you can view your favorite shows, videos and media content on it.
Firstly, keep in mind that smart TVs offer built in streaming media but only offer a few streaming services, and the user interfaces are lousy. Moreover, streaming media players are a great alternative because they are affordable, user-friendly, and faster, and they offer more streaming services than many Smart TVs.
There are five major platforms that stand out: Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, and Apple TV. These major platforms have various streaming media players with excellent reviews on Amazon and CNET. Notably, these platforms offer user-friendly online content services and streaming media players with direct tech support. All the streaming media player options might get a bit overwhelming, so compare by cost, television resolution, gaming capabilities and online content services.
Most of these platforms offer streaming media players that have on-screen menus and separate remote controllers, so computer repair needs will not prevent you from binge watching your favorite shows. However, the Google Chromecast works through a smartphone, tablet or PC with a Google Chromecast app to stream content. Further, the Google Chromecast is the best value for phone-centric users at $35.00. Simply plug-in the Google Chromecast to your TV, connect to the Internet, and download the Google Chromecast app. The Google Chromecast offers access to all major streaming services and more. In addition, only the Google Chromecast platform allows users the ability to cast their web browsers via Google Chromecast app.
Do you want to spend less than $100.00? If so, the cheapest streaming media player is the Roku Express Full HD streaming media device. The Roku Express is just $29.99 and user-friendly. Simply plug-in the Roku Express streaming media player to your TV, connect to the Internet, set up a Roku account and you are ready to start streaming media, channels and other apps from the Roku Channel Store.
If you have an ultra high-definition (4K) display television, the following streaming media players can stream 4K and/or HDR content: Amazon Fire TV (only 4K), Roku Premiere, Google Chromecast Ultra, and Nvidia Shield TV. The Roku Premiere media streaming device offers the best value at $69.00.
If you’re a gamer, the best streaming media player is the Nvidia Shield TV (2017) with 16 GB of internal storage ($200.00) or the Pro Model with 500 GB of internal storage ($300.00). Both variants deliver the gaming experience through Android games from the Google Play store, NVidia’s GeForce Now service, and Game Stream. These are all bundled with a game controller and remote control. In addition, Nvidia Shield TV streaming media player can stream all major streaming channels in one place.
Finally, if you are an Apple user the best streaming media player is the Apple TV (4th generation) at $149.99. Apple TV supports Siri and gives you access to Apple’s movies, TV shows, and music content. In addition, Apple TV supports 16GB of internal storage, which is great for gaming.
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