No 5.1 surround on NFL game on Paramount+

I have never had a Roku "break." Ever.
The first one had a bad power supply...to me that's breaking..others would overheat after a software upgrade..still others would freeze up after a software upgrade...one just stopped being supported...firetv still gets upgrades..runs like a champ...
 
Its an original firetv..roku is old..they always break..starting with the first model
Add another post to the 12 pages of Juan complaining about the Roku.

I have never had one break yet, get old…duh.

Same for the ipad, how many are still using the first one released?

How about a PC, first Roku was released in 2008, how many are using Computers that old?
 
The first one had a bad power supply...to me that's breaking..others would overheat after a software upgrade..still others would freeze up after a software upgrade...one just stopped being supported...firetv still gets upgrades..runs like a champ...
A Fire TV runs slowly when it overheats or has a low storage space, outdated software, a large build-up of cache files, hardware issues, or too many apps running in the background. Besides, a slow or unstable network issue also causes the Fire TV to run slowly.

 
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What is the lifespan of a Roku?


Average Lifespan

Roku devices generally have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. That doesn't mean your Roku will suddenly stop working after a certain time, but you might start noticing some issues as it gets older. Roku TV: Lasts up to 5-7 years. Roku Stick: Averages between 3-5 years.Oct 16, 2024
 
A Fire TV runs slowly when it overheats or has a low storage space, outdated software, a large build-up of cache files, hardware issues, or too many apps running in the background

This is why I no longer use Firesticks. The fact that they're built on Android makes them even worse IMO. Slow, clunky, poor app design. To each their own, but I just find Roku and their OS to be beautifully organized, functional, almost flawless.
 
What is the lifespan of a Roku?


Average Lifespan

Roku devices generally have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. That doesn't mean your Roku will suddenly stop working after a certain time, but you might start noticing some issues as it gets older. Roku TV: Lasts up to 5-7 years. Roku Stick: Averages between 3-5 years.Oct 16, 2024
My Roku Ultra will be 8 years old next month…
 
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The big advantage of fire tv is that it can run a VPN

Thank you, I did not know this. Just picked up the 4K model for $21.99, more for experimentation with my VPN than anything.


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I ain't trolling or trying to be a butthole. I have both Roku and Fire TV. Actually I have a Fire Pendant also.
The pendant is a few years old and seemed balky. I grabbed a Fire TV Cube a few years ago that also at times seemed balky. And then had an offer to upgrade to the 2024 model. Holy Mackerel! Like day and night. And it has an HDMI input. Haven't tried that out just yet. Yeah. My Roku sits ready to use.
I always hated the fact that you can only sideload one app on it. And no Kodi.

My girly friend in Florida's Roku TV went more South than her and borked. I talked her into an Android smart TV. Got her setup with the Roku app. She loves it, man. Plus you're not locked into the whole Roku world. Or Apple world for that fact.
Let's talk E2 satellite receivers for a sec. Yeah, there is an app to stream your receiver to a Fire device. Balky. I guess if you want to pay it might be better. But I like free.
In Kodi, the PVR plugin is fast and very very nice. After it launches. 4:2:2 video is crisp (can't get that on your sat box) and audio is very very nice. The codecs are there. My HT loves it! Man. A particular channel on 127W changed audio formats. Video and no audio on my TV. Switched and checked all sorts of setting in the receiver and TV.
Over HDMI. No sound. Not a peep. A52 is the codec. But a different flavor. Fire up Kodi on the Cube. Bliss!!

Not trying to steer you one way or another. But I could change your mind. If you just saw my Cube and used if for a few minutes. You'd switch. If only as a second streamer. Who knows? Maybe even Paramount+ would sing on it.
heh....wanna share codes? kidding.
 
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Got the 4K Firestick today. What a sh!tty UI. Slow, buggy, just as I expected. Some of the apps look archaic compared to their Roku counterparts. However, I can use my Surfshark VPN with it, so I suppose I'll keep it as a supplement to my Roku.
 
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Got the 4K Firestick today. What a sh!tty UI. Slow, buggy, just as I expected. Some of the apps look archaic compared to their Roku counterparts. However, I can use my Surfshark VPN with it, so I suppose I'll keep it as a supplement to my Roku.
Did you get the regular 4k Firestick, OR the 4k MAX? I have the Max, (first model) and it works perfectly.
 
Yeah, the 4k MAX is quite a bit better, though a little more pricey at $32.99 on sale right now. If it's not too late, you might want to consider sending that one back, and tell them you "meant to order the 4k MAX instead".

I have both, and the 4k MAX definitely is better. The MAX one is on my living ROKU tv, and the regular 4k one is on my basement ROKU tv set.

It doesn't hurt to have several types of streamer devices...
 
The <expletive deleted> (or in the 2020's catch phrase, "redacted") description of the el'cheapo instant gratification "gotta have it", krako-car-stereo-from kmart Firestick is just what I thought of the fire tv pendant.
I'm sure there are some screamin' Android streamers out there with great specs and Google TV.
And you cannot deny the Nvidia shield is a great streaming box. $$. Just like the newest Cube I have here.
To slap Kodi on an Apple streamer you had to jailbreak it. Kodi on Roku? Fuhgeddaboutit.
My opinion and mine alone. Those guys just want you with a tether to your wallet. I hear all sorts of <redacted> <redacted again> about "but ohhh, security...they're secure". Locks are for honest people. Right?!
Anyhow. I dropped the bucks on the first Cube based solely on reviews. Not the greatest experience. But it was pretty nice. I expected something that really screamed as far as performance. Had it for a couple of years.
Amazon harped on me about the 2024 Cube. Side-by-side reviews of them and the fact I could get a whopping eight-bucks trade in on the one I had said take a chance. Really. Impressive. And it takes a lot to do that. Imma' geek.

Oh. Also wondering about y'all that slap VPN clients on your streamers, etc. Do ya' think that's where some of your resources are getting eaten up? I don't know. Homey puts his wireguard on his router. Just that I need to bookmark some of my websites like Yahoo with the .en appendage. Lest I get a page full of borken-der-schporken voor bakenschpielermeer <redacted yet again dot-en>.....haha!
Still. If you love your Roku. Cool with me. If you love Apple anything. We ain't having a few beers together. Unless you're buying. Just don't blat on about how great they are. Or, to the train station you go.
 
If you love Apple anything. We ain't having a few beers together.
I don't love technology, but you aren't going to find many (any?) streaming devices that will outperform an AppleTV 4K. If you have an emotional connection with technology, you might want to reevaluate some things. If you have a philosophical objection to Apple products, then I respect your opinion, but it isn't like Amazon, Roku, and Google are 100% wholesome companies interested, only interested in benefiting humanity. I prefer to just find the right tool for the job. I've used FireTV, Roku, AppleTV, and Shield streaming devices over the years. All have plusses and minuses. I really liked running a custom launcher on the Shield. Unfortunately, there were downsides to this.

So, I had a shootout in my house with all 4 major options, and the AppleTV won out for ease of use and reliability. The biggest downside was not getting audio formats to output natively, but in side-by-side comparisons to other devices, it was really hard to tell the difference. As for Kodi, I just switched to Jellyfin and use the Infuse app. Works great. If I was on my own, I'd have stuck with the Shield, but I'd only have to support myself in that instance.
 
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Traditional Providers Losses, 3rd Quarter 2024 Edition