Roku Streaming Stick (3500R) (2014 Model)

I have a Chromecast, which was a gift, and now I've purchased and received the streaming stick. I have an LG blu-ray player that also plays some of the same apps that the Roku does, and the Chromecast can 'cast. So, with that in mind, my review takes into account my usage of all three.The LG is a few years old by this point, and the three apps I tend to use on it are Hulu, Amazon, and Netflix. It's been my go-to for watching movies and series, but of course, the biggest problem was A: I had to turn it on, wait for everything to load (at least two menus worth before even loading an app), and then slowly work my way through said apps. Chromecast, on the other hand, was a bit of a slow load at the beginning, but for the apps it worked with, they loaded fairly fast.But the Roku is somewhere in-between. And that's not bad. There are other reviews that complain about how long it takes to load some things, but really, these are First World Problems in a nutshell: once everything gets going, there's no real loading problems unless your internet or router is having a fit. If your TV doesn't turn off the power to the dongle, or you plug directly into an outlet, the Roku doesn't take the time to load everytime you switch to it to watch something; if you do use the USB and it turns off, your loading time is perhaps 40 seconds at most, at least in my experience. So what? I'm in no rush. And again, if the loading time bugs you, you can plug it into the wall, and it won't turn off.Once the Roku is on, it's like a slimmer, faster version of my LG. I can use the remote or my phone to navigate; it's not like the Chromecast which requires you to be on the same wireless network to 'cast the app you want to play. If you didn't have a smartphone or a tablet, the Roku still works, whereas the Chromecast is basically useless. (Yes, you can pull out a computer, but since that's buggy and requires the Chrome browser as well, what's the point?) Some apps do load slowly, most notably Netflix, but again, I'm in no hurry to go anywhere, and I've been long used to a different player taking even longer to load. But again, once it's loaded, they're ready to go. Really, the only reason the Chromecast can load faster is that the dongle itself is basically just a mini-router; there's really nothing loaded on it before you send the signal from your phone/tablet/computer.Unlike the Chromecast and the LG, the Roku is also customizable: visually, and content-wise. Channels can be removed or added. The background can be changed. That's actually pretty nice, considering the Chromecast won't (yet) let you even change the start screen. And the apps that work with it, while growing, do not include everything the Roku can play (most obviously Amazon). Because the Roku has all three apps I was using on the LG, that makes it vastly more useful for me.And there's also the fact--however minor to some--that the Netflix and Hulu smartphone apps do not seem to work with the "play next episode automatically" feature when using the Chromecast, which is insanely annoying. When using my tablet, I was constantly needing to lean over and press play after every episode. Guess what? The Roku has no problem with that feature. That makes me extremely happy, even if Netflix insists on asking me every couple of episodes if I'm still watching.Overall, for an extra $15 over the Chromecast, the Roku is much more useful for me. Maybe I'll spend the extra $50 later on for a Roku 3 and the faster processor, but for right now, this is working brilliantly. It's plugged in right below a router, so my signal is excellent, even though I do prefer ethernet. Really, the only complaint I have is of my own make; I can't get 5.1 audio because I have no more ports open on my Pioneer receiver, and I have to plug it in to my TV straight.For me, this is definitely the better choice of streaming dongles.EDIT APRIL 9: So I've been using it pretty much daily since receiving it, and I have a few more things to add about my experience with the stick.First off, the remote does suck. I mean, it really, really does suck. Whoever designed it clearly has never seen another remote made in the last decade or so, because otherwise, they wouldn't have placed the OK button below the crossbar button. Nor would they have forgotten to include A STOP BUTTON. If you have the Roku plugged into the wall, using "pause" is the only way to basically stop whatever you're watching, or pressing the Home button to leave the app and go back to the main menu, before you turn off your TV. If the Roku is plugged into the USB port, the stick itself turns off, and this is not such a big deal, but otherwise, you're basically constantly pausing things and letting them sit for hours (days?) paused until you decide to watch again. That's a bit stupid considering.......this thing can get really warm. It does seem to cool off when you're not actively watching anything, even if it's eternally paused, but it's definitely a hot body. That worries me just a tad.Also, it sucks I can't replace the remote with my Harmony, but since that would require both IR and line of sight, the latter of which basically defeats the purpose of the dongle, I can see why it won't work. The phone app is a decent substitute (and the keyboard makes it vastly easier to sign in [except Hulu for some reason, it refused to recognize the keyboard] and to search, instead of tapping each letter one by one), but I still wish I could use my universal remote. The stock remote is basically nine buttons and four dedicated advertising slots, wasting what could have been actual useful space for MGo, Amazon, Netflix, and Blockbuster (seriously!?) logos. Programmable buttons would have been better. Supposedly the Roku 3's remote can be paired and used instead, but I haven't looked into it yet.Youtube's app has a nice feature where you can basically 'cast videos from your computer to watch, instead of having to use the app's search function. Once you link it up, you can just go to Youtube on your computer, and send the video to your TV to watch. Don't even need to keep the tab or window open on your computer once it starts playing, either. It also doesn't require a specific browser like the Chromecast does. I'm currently watching MSTK3's "Manos: The Hands of Fate" and considering the quality of Youtube in general, it actually looks and plays great.Really, the biggest problem I see with this stick is the remote. It definitely needs to go back to the drawing board. Otherwise, this is still (for me) the superior TV dongle, and is far more worth the money to me than the Chromecast would be.

After decades of paying exorbitant monthly fees to my local entertainment provider (satellite or cable), I have finally "cut the cord" and miss very little as a result. My girls don't miss at all because virtually everything they desire to watch (or hear) can be accessed with a few key components for a one-time total cost equal to 1-2 months of cable service.Here's what I've done, noting there are countless ways (technologies) that can be combined to achieve the same or similar results. Final configuration will always come down to personal preference. Here is mine as it is for now, with the most important first:1) Flat Screen TV: but the best you can afford because it is the one item of them all you will be using the most. For our master bedroom set-up we have a Sony Bravia Sony KDL-40R450A ($499, but this will not be factored into the cost since it's assumed you already have a TV, if not this one represents great cost-quality value.)http://www.amazon.com/Sony-KDL-40R450A-40-Inch-1080p-Black/dp/B00AWKBZQQ/2) DVD Player w/ Internet: Sony BDP-BX110/S1100 Blu-ray Player - $77.00http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQ3EGPU/The extra-short response time, coupled with HD upscaling and Internet connection make this a wonderful choice for the price. The Internet connection gives you access to a large number of content providers found on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV. Those on a shoestring budget can get away with this single item if you are not too picky about missing the benefits provided by these other options.3) Roku 3500R Streaming Stick - $49http://www.amazon.com/Roku-3500R-Streaming-Stick-HDMI/dp/B00INNP5VU/As much as I adore my Amazon Fire TV, I'd be lying if I put it before Roku. The main reason is its vast channel offering. Period. Ultimately out of the thousands of channels offered on Roku, I have settled for only about 50, but they have added immensely to the pleasure I derive from the content accessible. I love that all of my Spotify Playlists are accessible and which I love getting lost in through the excellent speakers on the Sony as well as the TDK SoundCube, which is a non-essential add on that has taken the overall audio experience to a higher level. There are movie channels (both free and pay), but since I can pay only for the exact ones I wish to see, if they're not available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV or Netflix, there's no reason to pay for a monthly service. I have taken Qello up on their free offer as I love live concert movies. If it's actually worth the $5 per month, time will tell. There is no doubt that anyone serious about Cutting the Cord, would be well served by a Roku.4) HDTV Antenna: AmazonBasics Extreme Performance Ultra Thin Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna - $58http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DIFIP06/This ultra-thin antenna allows you to pick all of the free HDTV over-the-air channels broadcasting in your area. We have access to scores of channels, but when I whittled them down to the ones that we would actually want to see, we ended with about 15, including, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS and others. It really boils down to spending a few dollars to ensure HD reception of the major networks, which is a definite must-have and well worth the cost.5) Amazon Fire TV - $99http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-CL1130-Fire-TV/dp/B00CX5P8FC/A wonderful product. Amazing. However, ultimately it is a nice-to-have...a luxury. That said, I LOVE this product and am grateful that something inside me was compelled to get one. So what is it about Fire TV that moves me so much? There are only a few, but they are powerful persuaders:> Voice Search works PERFECTLY and allows you to say a word, name, genre, title, director. Anything. In return you easily find what you're looking for.> Amazon Instant Video and Netflix are delivered, accessed and resumed perfectly. The picture is immaculate. The quality, undeniable. It is just such a joy for these two reasons that unless you have used it, it's virtually impossible to convey the exquisite usability of Fire TV.The only downside at this point in time with respect to Amazon Fire TV is that it has few content providers on board as compared to Roku or even Apple TV, but this is changing as Amazon is in the process of adding content apps and seems committed to continue to do so into the future.6) Apple TV - $93http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MD199LL-A-TV/dp/B007I5JT4S/The only reason and yet the best reason we have an Apple TV is that we're an Apple family and it makes zero sense NOT to own an Apple TV. It's just the way it is if you are committed to Apple, as it also has a highly intuitive and polished user interface as well as a number of desirable content providers. Apple TV remains the easiest way to share and access your Apple content across the members of your family.7) Google Chromecast - $35http://www.amazon.com/Google-Chromecast-Streaming-Media-Player/dp/B00DR0PDNE/This HDMI stick simply and easily allows you to "cast" ANY and ALL internet content from any PC or Mac that is running the free Chrome browser onto any TV with a HDMI connection. Think about that for a moment. Anything you can access on the Web, you can view on your TV. YouTube viewing through the Chrome browser has been optimized for Chromecast and is a far, far better YouTube viewing experience than watching them any other way. All for $35. Talk about value!8) Rabbit TV - $8http://www.amazon.com/Telebrands-Rabbit-TV/dp/B00AWC51DW/One can only be disappointed by this small and powerful little USB stick if they have not properly managed their expectations. Coupled with Chromecast, Rabbit TV is in essence a meta-search filter to access thousands of Internet content providers, representing a gargantuan amount of audio and video at one's fingertips. When you put it in perspective, $10 to effectively and efficiently search for anything you can think of, is a major advantage. Despite being at the bottom of the list, Rabbit TV is a must-have by any measure!The final optional item that may be necessary in order to hook all of these HDMI cable into your TV is a Fosmon HD1831 3-Port HDMI Switch - $13http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GVOVK0/This allows one to expand a single HDMI port into three and it works perfectly.CONCLUSION:The bottom line is that for around $400, one can feel good about Cutting the Cord to your cable or satellite company. You get access to virtually any programming you wish to consume, albeit some you might have to pay for either through a service like Netflix, Amazon Prime or pay-per-view/rental. When one looks at the cost vs. cable fees it does not take long to realize that it makes a lot of sense to save the money and enjoy your shows and movies just as much for a tiny fraction of the cost.There are always disappointment when one finds a compromise and no doubt you will too, as I did with ESPN which one can't receive unless through cable or satellite, but in the end it is still a small price to pay as far as I'm concerned. One thing is for certain, it is possible to say goodbye to cable fees and not look back!