External box recommendation for hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+?

[LucasM]

I just recently signed up for hulu.  While my TV has links for both Netflix and Prime, it doesn't have an icon/link to hulu.  But my Sony Blu-ray player already did, so I wasn't put out too much.  However, after maybe two weeks of service, the Sony player has a notice by the hulu icon that says basically, 'service will be discontinued on Aug [something]'.  So I'll no longer be able to access it as I have been.

I don't really want to purchase a freestanding box for these, but I don't see how to get the service otherwise (have no computer/TV connections, nor are they possibly at present [ancient/weak laptop, near extinction]).

What would people recommend?  Should I do without hulu for a couple months between the August Sony Blu-ray player cut-off until Disney+ is up and running (since obviously they would not have pre-existing icons/links in any currently-available streaming boxes), or would the box's normal updates add such a thing later?  (And how would one know that?)

Thanks!

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Hulu is going to update their app in August, and don't want to build apps for disc players anymore so that's why they are going away from most players.

For your TV, if it wasn't preinstalled you may simply have to download the app and install it.

I've got a Roku Stick on my TV in the kitchen, an old Roku 3 on my TV in the living room, and on my home theater setup a Roku Ultra and a FireTV.

Best box to get if you want access to the highest number of services would be a Roku.  Amazon FireTV would be next because they don't do YouTube TV, but I think they are working on adding that.  The FireTV box also requires an optional external adapter if you want to use it over Ethernet instead of wifi.  But with Roku only the high end box has an Ethernet port so it's kind of a wash there.

What version of the Roku to get depends on if you want 4K (and if you want to do wired vs. cabled), if you only use the box for Hulu then it doesn't matter since they don't do 4K, but if you end up liking the interface on the Roku better than the TV you might end up wanting to use it for Netflix and Prime 4K stuff.

The FireTV has the best interface for Amazon Prime.  What version of that to get depends on if you want the voice search option.

After using the Roku or FireTV it may be hard to go back to using the apps on the TV or player, even on my new expensive TV the apps seem sluggish compared to the dedicated boxes.

[LucasM]

Thanks, MartyS.  It is nice to know the why for the hulu service elimination.

I'd been thinking Roku was the likely direction to go (possibly because that may be the only streaming box I'd ever heard of until you mentioned FireTV ).  I just looked on Amazon to try to compare some of the ones you mentioned.  I thought they were pricier.  Possibly they were more when I first looked at them, or else in my memory I conflated the Roku with the box I looked at to stream data from a computer to the TV (which were about $150 when I looked at them).  Or it may just have been that, prior to my eliminating cable and wanting more program inputs in my system, and with the only two ones I was using then (Netflix and Prime) being on the TV, there was no reason to get a dedicated box so at that point they were ALL too pricey since at that point they were redundant.

From what you describe on the speed difference, I suspect with the sluggishness of the TV's streaming interface (and its increasingly erratic behaior), but especially the glacier-like and needlessly data-hidden hulu interface on the Sony Blu-ray player, I will likely very quickly shift to using just the Roku for all streaming once I get one.

I don't have 4K (I have a 65" 3D plasma), so that makes it less of an issue which to get.  I don't have to worry about upgrading to 4K for far enough into the future where a new streaming box might be in order when it might happen anyway.  I would prefer a box wired from box to TV to a fully wireless box, so that may make the choice easier.


A bit frustrated, because - other than the presence of a premium cable and the 4K - I can't see a difference between the "Roku Express" and the "Roku Premiere"  Although it seems that those two differences may be enough to warrant the $10 price difference (particularly for those with 4K sets).


Since you have multiple different versions of the Roku, which do you find you prefer most?  Or are they functionally interchangeable (i.e. if the software/interface is pretty much identical across them all)?  I don't want to spend more than $50, so it seems there are at least 4-5 models to choose from.

The "Roku Express" seems OK, but with no experience whatever with these, and no brain capacity to read (comprehend, remember and compare) official reviews and tech site fora online, I don't fully trust myself with the selection.  So I really appreciate your input if you think there might be something it is lacking that I am not yet aware of.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

According to the Roku website the only difference I see other than 4K is that they list the Premiere as being compatible with more wifi security protocols.

Those both come with the basic remote, so no voice searching.

All Roku devices have the same interface, they update the old devices along with the new ones so they all look the same.

And to be clear: they all use HDMI cables between the box and the TV (or for the stick devices they plug directly into the HDMI port), the wireless is only for the internet connection, if you want a wired internet connection you have to get the top of the line Roku Ultra or a FireTV plus an adapter, all the other devices are wifi only.

[LucasM]

Thanks again, MartyS!  I felt much more comfortable ordering something new that I'll have to learn how to use, knowing that someone I know has used and is happy with one.  [I'm still in bad shape: Mon the 17th was the 20th anniversary of the third/worst head injury (nearly 1/3 of my life recovering to even get to this condition), and I have had a (for me) severe anniversary reaction making it difficult to do much of anything that requires thinking].

Amazon says my Roku Express is supposed to be here tomorrow. 

[Variety of Cells]

I enjoy my Roku. It has worked well for me for a long time, through a umber of models. The only negative is that the amazon prime interface blows. But that's not really Roku's Fault. I think you made a good choice.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

The only negative is that the amazon prime interface blows.

Pretty sure Amazon purposely makes the Roku and TV apps badly so people get a FireTV.  It is the only reason I have both a Roku and FireTV on my home theater setup.  Before Amazon started selling the FireTV the app was just like all other Roku apps, the kicker is that on the FireTV the controls are the same as the old app on the Roku and just like all other apps on just about all devices, pretty big tip off that they purposely made the Roku app just different enough to annoy people into getting a FireTV.

[LucasM]

With the Prime, thankfully, if the Roku interface bites too bad, I can just use to the TV's Prime access to use it.  Though, from what MartyS wrote, it is possible that the interface on the TV might be the same less optimal one that is on the Roku.  But there's VERY little on Prime that I have ever wanted to watch, so it likely would not be a huge annoyance, regardless.

Just thought: it would probably help me to prepare a sheet with my Netflix, hulu, and Prime sign-ins on it to have convenient when the Roku arrives.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Just thought: it would probably help me to prepare a sheet with my Netflix, hulu, and Prime sign-ins on it to have convenient when the Roku arrives.

Yes, you'll need them on hand when you log into each app for the first time, well, for some apps they do the thing where they put a code up on screen and you enter that code on the website, can't remember if any of those 3 do that.

You'll also need to create an account on the Roku website to manage your apps.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

But there's VERY little on Prime that I have ever wanted to watch

I've been finding more lately, I liked Good Omens, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is really fantastic, and they have a few 80s and 90s sitcoms that the other services don't.  I also get season passes for shows on Amazon so what little current TV I do watch ends up being on the Amazon app, and I use Amazon for movie rentals and some purchases, I've got 3 walls covered with discs and have to cut down buying more, so for stuff I think I might watch a couple of times I'll buy streaming instead of renting.

[LucasM]

But there's VERY little on Prime that I have ever wanted to watch

I've been finding more lately, I liked Good Omens, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is really fantastic, and they have a few 80s and 90s sitcoms that the other services don't.  I also get season passes for shows on Amazon so what little current TV I do watch ends up being on the Amazon app, and I use Amazon for movie rentals and some purchases, I've got 3 walls covered with discs and have to cut down buying more, so for stuff I think I might watch a couple of times I'll buy streaming instead of renting.

Yeah, I really liked Good Omens, and previously had watched the 'lost episodes' of Carol Burnett there.  But since I haven't gotten along with sitcoms since... whenever Home Improvement was on (a show I tried watching again and could no longer tolerate), I almost never even try a new sitcom anymore.  Partly because when I have tried one I've ended up more agitated than amused by them, and that happens with virtually every one I try.  And most older live action sitcoms I didn't care for when they first aired, the notable exception that still holds up being the original '60s Dick VanDyke Show.

Amazon sent a message today that 'something happened' and the Roku won't be here until maybe tomorrow or Friday.  So won't be setting it up today after all.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Yeah, I really liked Good Omens, and previously had watched the 'lost episodes' of Carol Burnett there.  But since I haven't gotten along with sitcoms since... whenever Home Improvement was on (a show I tried watching again and could no longer tolerate), I almost never even try a new sitcom anymore.  Partly because when I have tried one I've ended up more agitated than amused by them, and that happens with virtually every one I try.  And most older live action sitcoms I didn't care for when they first aired, the notable exception that still holds up being the original '60s Dick VanDyke Show.

The only new comedy shows I've liked are both Mike Schur shows: Parks and Rec, and The Good Place.  Not sure you could call either of those sitcoms.  Trying to think of the last sitcoms I liked, has to be back at least 15 years.

I've also been trying to rewatch Home Improvement on Hulu, not finding it as funny as I remember when it aired...  The standout episodes are still funny (the one where Jill's car gets crushed by the beam comes to mind) but overall just meh.

For older (70s) sitcoms the ones I still think hold up are:
MASH
The Mary Tyler Moore show
Taxi
WKRP
The Bob Newhart Show

A lot of the others from the 70s I've tried to rewatch don't hold up, too much "70s" in them.


I see that message from Amazon often, the package shows up in Philly but doesn't go out for delivery, so they punt and give it 2 days, it normally shows up the next day.  Always happens when it's being delivered by Amazon, they are getting better at delivering stuff themselves but are not quite at the level of UPS or FedEx.  Now that they are shifting to their drivers being private contractors I wonder if things will get better or worse...

[LucasM]

Roku arrived today.  Just set it up.  Looks good so far.  The hulu interface in it is MUCH better than the one in the Sony B-r player.  Have not yet checked out Prime's interface, or Netflix's to see how they compare to the TV's interfaces for those programs.

There's seriously no way to turn the power off to it?  I mean, it is likely just a trickle, but if I'm not using it for a day or two (watching Blu-rays or DVDs), the only way to de-power it entirely is to unplug it?

[MartyS (Gromit)]

It goes into very low power mode when not in use, just enough power to listen for a signal from the remote.

All these devices are like that, since the only controls available are through the remote they have to always be powered up just enough to be on the look out for a signal to do something.

You could put it on a power strip, but my rule of thumb on these things is that if I can cup the device in both hands after it has been in standby overnight and not feel any heat at all it's really not worth it.

The Roku stick I have in the kitchen is powered by the USB port on the TV, so when the TV turns off so does the stick.  Downside is the Roku has to boot up every time I turn on the TV so it's about 30 seconds waiting for it.

[Variety of Cells]

The Hulu interface isn't terrible. But if you want to watch an episode of a show that is not the most recent one, it takes another 6 button presses to get there, which is annoying.