Amazon Fire Stick Vs Roku Vs Apple Tv- How do they compare?
Streaming has been determined to be a better option than using satellite, but the advantage of using cable tv is that you get more channels at a cheaper price. Media streaming on the other hand tends to be more secure against piracy and offers improved sound and visual quality.
Amazon, Roku, and Apple Tv are age-old technological companies that have established themselves in the production of networking products and services. Each of these companies has put out a variety of media streaming devices and every new release seems to be improved thus offers better performance. We will, therefore, dig into some of these media streaming devices from the three technological giants to determine the one that is innovation-oriented and to help you choose the best.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Amazon Fire Stick, Roku and Apple TV
Model |
Amazon Fire Stick |
Roku |
Apple TV |
Processor |
1.7 GHz quad-core processor |
ARM Cortex A53 |
64 Bit Apple A8 processor |
Speeds |
5-10mbps for HD
3mbps for SD |
3.0 mbps for SD
9.0mbps for HD |
8Mbit/s for 1080 HD
6Mbit/s for 720p |
RAM |
1.5 GB |
512mb |
2GB |
Storage Capacity |
8 GB (4.5 for internal storage) |
Channel storage(256mb), Operational memory (512mb) |
32GB |
Ports |
HDMI output, micro USB for power |
Micro USB port |
|
Availability |
Amazon Firestick, Roku, and Apple TV- How do they compare?
Build and Design
If you are looking for aesthetics in a media streamer then our advice is to go with the Apple TV, yes, the latter is quite attractive and equally professional from the outlook; however, it is also quite bulky at least when compared to Roku and the Fire Stick. Apple TV comes in a sleek black box-like unit; the sides are shiny while the upper part is more like matte.
On one end (top) of the Apple TV, you have been provided with the necessary peripherals and you will also get a remote control with only 5 buttons at the top. The Roku media streamer can be easily mistaken for a flash drive, given its stick-like design, and has incorporated only two ports.
The Roku remote, however, has a busy interface that has incorporated the Google play red color, the Hulu mint, and the Netflix white. It is also quite compact and can, therefore, easily fit in at the back of your TV.
The Amazon fire stick is quite a decent unit you can tell just by looking at the remote, so if beauty is part of your media streamer package, then the Firestick will cut it. If you are looking for expandable options then the Fire TV should do it but not the stick; overall, therefore, the Apple TV comes out best thanks to the incorporation of a USB, an HDMI, and an Ethernet port, the latter enables seamless streaming.
Storage capacity
There is nothing as annoying like a pause when your favorite movie has just reached climax, and even worse is when it is caused by buffering. The above is brought about by using a media streamer that has a small storage capacity, the likes of Roku; if your streamer is lacking in storage then you will have to ensure that the redundant applications are done away with to free up space for the more relevant applications and channels.
In this case, therefore, Roku is the least performing unit with only 256mb storage, meaning that voice quality and video resolution might be compromised. The Amazon Fire Stick is not badly off at 8GB with up to 4.5 spared for internal storage, you can, therefore, expect some decent audio and visual output, but nothing beats Apple TV’s 32 GB.
Apple, as we are finding out aims to ensure that users are fully sufficed, so apart from incorporating the best apps and channels on the streamer, the unit is the better of the two because it provides crystal clear images and audio.
Processor
As regards the processing capacity of the streamers Roku has the lowest, but which offers peak performance at low power. Fire Sticks 1.7 quad-core processor is also considerably fast but the speeds cannot be compared to Apples 64 bit Apple A8 processor.
So, the big question is how fast is the Apple TV processor, well for starters it is way faster than what Roku and Firestick are offering, and the cherry on top is that you get up to 50 % more graphics performance, complete with more CPU at 25%; the unit has additionally been established to consume less power.
Amazon fires stick vs Roku vs Apple TV
Amazon Fire Stick
- Cinematic experience - Watch in vibrant 4K Ultra HD with support for Dolby Vision, HDR, and HDR10+.
- Home theater audio with Dolby Atmos - Feel scenes come to life with support for immersive Dolby Atmos...
So, while other streamers will wear out the remote buttons as you search for channels and applications, Amazon has simplified this process by enabling a hands-free interaction through Alexa. The unit offers almost a lifelike resolution complete with up to 500, 000 movies and TV episodes.
Pros
- Easy setup and use
- Integrates with smart home devices
- Users get an optional Amazon Ethernet adapter
Cons
- The fire stick is not compatible with Samsung 4K TV
Roku
- Roku Express : HD Streaming Player does not include composite cables
- There are no monthly rental fees for owning a Roku express : it’s so affordable, you can make every tv...
Roku is a functional unit with some of the streamers meant to benefit non-smart TV’s, well that is an interesting niche market bound to yield high returns. Before the introduction of the Roku Express turning your analog TV into a smart tv was a bleak dream, but now you have been granted access to over 450,000 movies and Tv episodes, with the option of choosing to either pay or engage the free channels.
Pros
- Has incorporated an intuitive interface
- Comes with an easy to use remote
- Users will get a free mobile app for ios and Android
Cons
- Does not come with composite cables
- The interface is quite slow
Apple Tv
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Apple Tv is also a hands-free unit but this time you will be using Siri instead of Alexa, and apart from its high processing capabilities and a large storage space, Apple Tv allows users to use the Airplay to view videos and photos from their iPhones or iPad. The unit also supports wireless casting and users get up to 200 free channels via the zattoo application.
Pros
- Enables users to control the TV with their phones
- Set up and use is easy
- Has incorporated lots of free channels
Cons
- Users are not able to access all the applications
- Remote not effective
Conclusion
Of the three units each of which has its good share of cons, Apple Tv’s and the Fire Sticks are tolerable; on the other hand, turning your analog set into a digital TV is no child’s play, so even though the Roku stick does have issues, its primary obligation should acquit it.
Final Verdict- so which is better? Amazon Fire Stick, Roku or Apple TV
From the processor and storage point of view, not to mention the overall performance in terms of picture and sound quality Apple TV takes the win when compared to both Amazon’s Fires stick and Roku.
FAQ’s
-
Can the Apple Tv be used on multiple TV’s?
All you need is an HDMI splitter with which you will use to send video signals from your Apple TV to the various HDTV’S, be informed however that you will have to watch the same content on all the TVs.
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Is it possible to hack the Roku Express
Roku express cannot be hacked therefore; your information is completely safe.