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Do I Need A Smart TV


Do I need a Smart TV to be able to stream? 

That is a question we get asked almost daily here at One Source and we are here to tell you that you DO NOT need a Smart TV to be able to stream.  Smart TVs are a nice way to get into streaming as they usually come with some pre-installed apps like Netflix and Hulu.  Some Smart TVs are not as user friendly and may not have the ability to add different streaming options.  So, for those who don’t have a Smart TV or even those that do and want a device dedicated to streaming here are some of our favorite devices that will make your dumb tv a Smart TV and turn your Smart TV into Albert Einstein.


Best Budget Streamer | Roku Premiere Plus | Price $49.99   

Pros    The Premiere Plus delivers 4K and HDR video in a small package for an affordable price. It    Video quality, quick response time in menus, voice capability, and the remote can control your TV volume and power
is user friendly, has more 4K HDR apps, and a better search option than others.

Cons    No support for 5GHz Wi-Fi, the voice capabilities are not quite as good as the Amazon Fire Stick 4K at the same price point.

Conclusion     For $50 you’ll have a hard time finding a better device that offers as many features plus delivers 4K HDR streaming. 


Best Voice Controls | Amazon Fire Stick 4K | Price $49.99      
     

Pros     Amazon Fire Stick 4K comes with best-in-class Voice features and you can use your existing Echo or Dot products to control it with Alexa.  Good selection of apps, with quick menus and good video quality. The remote controls volume and power on your TV and soundbars.

Cons   Pushes Amazon content too aggressively. No Google Play apps or ethernet adapter for hardwiring your device if needed, is not included.

Conclusion     Great for Alexa fans and those of you who have 4K TVs and want Dolby Vision.  Promotes their own content on the home page too much for us to like more than the Roku at the same price point.


Best for Apple Fans | Apple TV | Price $179

Pros    Apple TV 4K has some of the best streaming video available. Offers 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision to compatible TVs. Has a very good remote and Siri voice controls.  Very premium feel.

Cons   Expensive! Won’t stream YouTube in 4K or HDR. Devices from Roku and Amazon offer a lot of the same features and video quality for a lesser price.

Conclusion     Although it is the most expensive, if you are an iOS user it is one of the best streamers on the market today.    


One Source’s Best Overall Device | Roku Streaming Stick Plus | Price $59.99  

Pro      The Roku Streaming Stick Plus comes with Roku’s easy to use interface. It offers more apps and a better search than others.  The remote allows you to control the power and the volume of your TV.  It has lightning fast menus and good quality video.

Cons   The voice search isn’t as good as some of the other streamers and there is no ethernet port for hardwiring your device if you have issues with WIFI.

Conclusion     The Roku Streaming Stick Plus delivers 4K and HDR video in a compact package for an affordable price.  With its super simple and easy to use interface, more apps than its competitors, and more features that you will actually use makes the Roku Streaming Stick Plus our favorite device in early 2019.


As always feel free to call us with any questions @778-8611 or follow us on Facebook @One Source as we post daily streaming news.

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