You have all these various versions of Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, Nvidia, Mi box, firestick, etc.
I was just wondering if theres a clear winner? I have a smart TV but I dont know if theres a quality of life that a Roku brings that I wouldnt have otherwise. I have an android and a ps4, and a very nice gaming computer. I dont know if this points me to chromecast or nvidia shield, or if Roku ultra is the best bang for the buck, or if Apple TV is worth every penny , etc.
Nvidia
Apple TV will not let you stream Blu-ray rips with audio passthrough.
That’s why I would never buy it. Nvidia Shield 2019 it is.
My two favorites right now are the ATV 4k and the Nvidia Shield. Full disclosure I use Harmony Elite remotes so never touch the OEM remotes.
If you are sporting a gaming PC, the Nvidia Shield and the Xiaomi Mi box have the steam link app. The Shield may have some special Nvidia streaming thing too, but they essentially bring your PC games to your TV. I am not familiar enough with the Apple TV to know if it can do the same. It works really well when you have all your gear wired, but games that are not time sensitive work pretty good even over solid wifi.
Streamling hardware? watch tv for free or wathc movies for free?
Mibox I think is pretty good
I like my mibox. Probably not the best overall but best value for money for sure
You can probably get acceptable results with any of them. They all have their pluses and minuses.
Best value streaming hardware would have to be either the Amazon 4k Fire Stick on sale at $25, normally $50, or the MiBoxS on sale at $30, normally $60. I use both, also have used an Amazon gen 2 Fire Stick, Fire TV 2, raspberry pi 1&2 using Kodi, and probably a couple others here and there.
Apple TV 4K for reliable, highest quality streaming, (use a 4K HDR TV for HDR YouTube)
Why ?
Firmware stability with features and Apps that actually work properly. The DV capable 2019 Shield is honestly using Beta Firmware that is no way stable:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndroidTV/comments/eh321w/dolby_vision_frame_drops_shield_tv_pro/
ATV 4K also is the only platform that gives you the highest quality 4K HDR DolbyVision quality video, Atmos Audio from iTunes and ATV+
Nvidia for sure