Android TV 8/9 vs Roku 9.x

by Solar111

Has anyone done a systematic comparison between Android TV and Roku? At first I was kind of down on Android TV because it seemed like it wasn't getting enough attention from Google and third-party developers. But after seeing the screenshots in the RTINGS.com review of the Sony X950G , and reading about how the new Sonys are much snappier with a new MediaTek chip, I feel like maybe I was too quick to assume that Roku was better.

I didn't find a comparison thread in the forum, but maybe I didn't scroll down enough in the search results? What do you all think about Android TV compared to Roku? I'm especially interested in the comparison between the current versions of each OS. I think Roku's latest is 9.1 . I don't know if Android TV is up to 9 or 8.

Tpelle82

I picked up the Sony X950G for the same reasons as the OP was mentioning and yes it's buttery smooth. I have an older x850D model that is 3 years old at this point and is still getting Android updates which is surprising, lags a bit but it's still very usable. I've never really cared about the Roku TV gimmicks bit I will admit some of the channels can indeed be useful.

The new remote on x950g is amazing. I highly recommend the x950g and it's already seeing pretty good sales considering it just recently came out. I am positive the x950g with the new Android version is a great choice for any smart TV user!

DiDgr8

There is no "correspondence" between Roku and Android in terms of OS versions. Android TV is up to version 9 ("Pie", but not even the Shield has it yet). It has nothing to do with Roku's "version 9.x" OS though. Apples and Oranges.

In terms of software, the Roku is pretty "locked in", but the updates come in frequently and they have a large public beta program. The Android TVs are pretty "open". You can sideload whatever you want (as long as you're willing to take the consequences), but updates are kind of slow. Sony is just now updating to OS version 8 .

In terms of hardware, my three year old 700D has a MediaTek MT5890 and is just as good as the 2nd gen Ultra I've got. Better in fact, in some cases. The internal apps on the Sony don't have to negotiate HDMI cables and possible HDCP errors that the Roku has had a few of. Netflix and Amazon 4K w/HDR have never given me any trouble (which is more than I can say about my Rokus).

In terms of content, Roku wins (mostly). There are many more options on the Roku. It has everything the Android has and then some. I'm having an issue with Plex on my Roku that I can't figure out (minor) so I'm using the Sony instead, but other than that, it's all Roku for "niche" content.

just_ric

I have a Sony 800D (4K + HDR and TCL 400 series (4K but no HDR) and I have to say I prefer the TCL way more.

Recently, Google broke Chromecast support in ATV cause of a Google photos issue that happened and now the only redeeming aspect of the Sony doesn't work.

Also Sony (and nvedia) have a deal with Amazon to allow streaming for Prime Video. But the app sucks and is constantly dropping frames. Google and Amazon recently struck a deal so maybe, eventually the app will get better but as of right now, it's close to garbage.

As far as picture quality, Sony likes to go with a more realistic picture while TCL likes a more saturated picture. I like more saturated look now that I've tried it but that's subjective I guess.

Also as a note, my thoughts are regarding ATV running Nougat (7). Oreo (8) was just released to venders not that long ago but most venders haven't sent it to update their sets yet. This is pretty important cause while ATV runs good now, a lot of the sets you buy don't have great update support. Roku TVs (TCL in my case) are much better in this area so you may want to think about that also.

WeDriftEternal

Specs and all of this stuff is nonsense way to compare.

What do YOU want your device to do. Obviously there are some things that a Roku will do better (support for major apps, better 4K HDR support) compared to an Android TV (tweaks, special situation apps, live channels, but sometimes limited support and updates)

Roku is currently the dominant STB-system, with like 60%+ of the market, so most companies focus on that. Android TV is great, but its also got issues with support and is often used to its potential by power users, not casual ones

simiwood

I have both if I were only going to have one it would be roku there are a few things that android TV can do that roku can't but there are about a 1000 things that roku can do that android tv can't

PalebloodSky

I would take Shield TV (other than its garbage remote) over any other OS and box there is. It's awesome, supports every app, open for sideloading, very fast, gets great support from NVIDIA, etc. There is no correlation in version numbers between the major OSes either so what you're asking doesn't matter. Android TV 9.0 should hopefully be out this year, once 10.0 ships for phones probably =/

pawdog

I think Roku has cough up with Android TV in regards to what developers can do with it. You are seeing the more sophisticated versions of apps showing up on Roku whereas before Roku had a kind of Roku look and feel to everything. Now you get apps with equal capabilities between platforms and with Roku having the superior market share. Some developers are putting features on Roku first. Roku has never been better but it has played catch-up very well over the last 2 years.

shadywhere

I was a long-time Roku user, from the days of the Roku XD, then the Roku 2, Roku LE, and Roku 3 which was the last Roku I owned. I gave that away when I "upgraded" to Android TV.

My problem is that I do a lot of local playback and don't like to transcode. The Roku is really picky about specific video formats. VLC and MX Player are not.

Has that changed? The Roku has a great UI.