This is my review of using the Roku streaming stick as a replacement for cable/satellite TV and my comparison of using certain apps via the Roku vs. the same apps that are built into Samsung 2018-2019 TVs.
First, I would like to report that I have had no issues with my three Roku streaming sticks regarding these issues which I have seen reported in other reviews:
* they do NOT drop their WiFi connection.
* they do NOT overheat.
* they DO run Netflix with no problem.
* they do NOT continue to stream video after the TV is turned off and wastefully run up my data usage with Comcast.
* I have NOT had any problems with the Roku remote.
* Roku does not charge anything extra to activate a Roku device. Any reviews which report that are not true: the persons reporting that were scammed by a third-party.
I have been using my devices about 4 months as of this writing. I will update this review if I have any issues going forward.
I also do not recommend powering the Roku streaming stick from your TV's USB port. Doing so will require the Roku streaming stick to have to start from scratch (boot) each time you turn on your TV which takes exactly 32 seconds. My streaming sticks are just barely warm to the touch when the TV is turned off (it is also just warm, not hot, when being used). If powered by the little 5 volt power cube that comes with the Roku streaming stick, the streaming stick is always on and ready to go as soon as your TV is powered up.
In July 2019 I finally cut the "cord" and cancelled my Dish Network satellite service and now rely on various streaming services, namely Netflix, Amazon Prime (both of which I had before I cut the cord) and I replaced the Dish satellite TV service with YouTubeTV (which I also highly recommend for anyone who wants to watch the traditional cable/satellite channels, including local channels, without a cable/satellite subscription).
I was worried I would miss my Dish Network satellite service and the way the Dish DVR worked, as OTT (Over The Top) television like provided by Roku is definitely different than traditional cable or satellite service, but I actually like the YouTubeTV service and its cloud based DVR better. At first it was a little awkward to use, but within a short time I got used to it and now see it is much better than a traditional cable or satellite set top box. It is very easy and very fast to skip commercials in programs that have been saved to the YouTubeTV DVR service using the Roku streaming stick; truly it is more efficient than the skip feature on the Dish Hopper 3 DVR.
Previously I had a Dish DVR box and 4 Dish "Joey" boxes (one physically located at each of our 5 TVs). I purchased a Roku streaming stick for our 3 older TVs, (as well as purchasing 2 Roku streaming stick 4+ 4K sticks for our 2019 Samsung 4K TVs).
I have used these channels/apps on both the Roku streaming stick and the 2019 Samsungs, and there is no difference that I can see between the way they work on the Roku or the TVs. I do wish the Amazon Prime app used the fast forward/fast rewind methods used by Netfilix and YouTube and YouTubeTV, which give much better control of how far you rewind or forward. But the apps work identically on Roku and the 2019 Samsung's built in apps.
However, even if the apps work the same on the Samsung smart TVs and the Roku, the interface on the Roku is much better. Our viewing is as of now limited to the afore mentioned apps/channels, but the Roku has tons of other content as well as an agnostic search capability. I searched John Wick 3 and it came up with 7 ways to rent the movie from $3.99 to $5.99, sorted in oder by price. And if a movie you want is on Netflix or Amazon Prime, it puts that at the top of the list. Really easy to use. And Roku does not prefer one service over any other, nor does it try to sell you subscriptions.
To keep your interface clean and uncluttered you can easily delete any channels you do not use, and you can easily move the channels on the interface to be in whatever order you desire.
As far as the speed of the interface, I cannot see much difference between the Roku and the built in Samsung interface. Both are quick.
Setup is amazing! I don't know how the Roku does this, but it automatically configures the Roku remote control so that the remote can control the power and volume for the TV without having to enter any codes, or do anything except to go through the automated setup when first installing the Roku. I have one Roku on a 2006 era Fijutsu plasma TV, one on a 2013 Sharp and one on a 2014 Samsung smart TV (has older "smart" interface, yuck!) and had no configuration problems with any of these TVs. And if you move a Roku to another TV, it is a simple thing to go into settings and reconfigure the remote for the new TV.
For all 5 of my TVs, everything runs on WiFi, the TV's only wire connected to the TV is the power cord, and the power for the Roku streaming stick from the little cube shaped power unit.
Before, each Dish Network satellite box had to have a coaxial cable from the outdoor dish run to a splitter, and then from the splitter to each box. Now I can put a TV wherever I want without any wires except the power cord. I have had zero problems with WiFi signal strength at each TV, but I do have a good WiFi setup in my house.
BTW, my cost for switching from Dish to YouTubeTV went from about $125 a month to $55. (Basic Dish service + local channels package + news package + DVR + 4 extra receivers + tax/fees = $124.74 a month.)
And LAST, but very important, since every source to the TVs are "channels" running on the Roku, only one remote control device is needed to do everything. The Roku remote is uncluttered compared with a cable remote So no cable remote, no other remotes. I used to have a Harmony universal remote. It worked, but was very complicated, and my wife was always asking me for help using it. She now has no issues. (I know this sounds sexist, but it is true.)
Very pleased with our three Roku streaming sticks, as well as our two Roku streaming sticks + (4K).
| Brand Name | Roku |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 0.8 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 3.7 x 0.8 x 0.4 inches |
| Item model number | Roku Streaming Stick 3800R |
| Batteries | 2 AAA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color Name | black |
| Number of Component Outputs | hdmi |
| Special Features | Portable |
| Speaker Type | Single Speaker |
