I bought my mother an i3 tower from a computer store for 160. We just wish its design didn't err on the side of lightness.My parents are 54 (mom) and 67 (dad) but they both have smart phones nowadays and are used to them enough. Not only is it just as good at streaming 4K HDR content speedily, but its remote is better than ever. Roku Express 4K Plus review: Bottom lineĪs a successor to the Roku Premium, the Roku Express 4K Plus is a step in the right direction. Also of note: Roku Live Channel customization is still rolling out, and should be available by May 13. Roku is allowing app developers to let channels resume how they prefer, going straight back to the channel, or opening the app faster than before. Of note is that not all apps use Instant Resume the same way. Roku OS 10 has delivered a new feature dubbed Instant Resume, where you would start a show right where you left off when re-opening the app. Our Tivo Stream 4K review explained how poor its search abilities are, and gave me little reason to add one to my menagerie of streaming devices. The Chromecast with Google TV only showed me a list of results (that wasn't interactive at all), and the Fire TV included much more recent results, such as 2019's The Poison Ride and 2012's Savages (and put them up front). The Netflix and Hulu apps loaded practically instantly, with content such as I Care A Lot, Shadow and Bone and Netflix opening in mere moments. Roku Express 4K Plus review: PerformanceĪs a long-time Roku Ultra owner, I'm pretty impressed how the much cheaper Roku Express 4K Plus is still pretty speedy. Similarly, the thumping soundtrack and bright neon lights of John Wick still impressed on the Roku Express 4K Plus. As I streamed Parasite in 4K off the Apple TV app, I was still amazed by the color reproduction of the nighttime scenes in the streets of Seoul and how great the well-monied Park family's home looks. These A/V standards, available on the slightly more expensive Chromecast with Google TV and Fire TV Stick 4K, are the kind of thing you might not look for when looking for the most affordable 4K device.Īdmittedly, you might be plenty happy without either standard. The biggest shortcoming of the Roku Express 4K Plus is the lack of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Audio. Details came in crisp from their elaborate outfits, with distinct feathers in headdresses and the textures of ruffled fabrics. Dialing up an episode of Netflix's Glow (RIP), I noted the dark shadows of the Las Vegas scenery, bright pinks and golds. The Roku Express 4K Plus is great for cheap, speedy ultra high-def HDR video. Roku Express 4K Plus review: Audio and video The Chromecast with Google TV offers all of these buttons, while the Tivo Stream 4K and Fire TV Stick require using the remote to reset the device. You've got HDMI for connections, microUSB for power from an included adapter and a small reset button. Much like its competitors, the Express 4K Plus' ports situation a very short story. Then again, if you've got such a custom setup, I imagine you may already own HDMI cables of sufficient length. My wall-mounted TV's HDMI ports are too far away, for example. A little under two feet in length, the cable is only long enough to connect to the HDMI port on my TV that itself is seated on a surface. You may also find the included HDMI cable to be insufficient in length. We also prefer the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which has that same design. Roku includes an adhesive strip so you can attach it to a surface, The Chromecast with Google TV, Fire TV Stick 4K and Tivo Stream 4K are all easier-to-use dongles that just handle behind your TV. Typically, lightweight tech is a good thing, but it's so lightweight that it may take a little fiddling with the HDMI cable (which can lift the light shell with its tension) to get it to sit right. The sole problem with the Roku Express 4K Plus' design is that it's too light. Its got a matte black design, shiny Roku logo, and glossy front, with a purple LED indicator for power. It's a curved rectangular device, designed to sit flat on next to your TV or in your entertainment console. The Roku Express 4K Plus is simple, yet still kind of awkward. The Apple TV 4K (2021), which costs much more than these options, also supports Dolby Vision and Atmos. All of those devices support Dolby Vision and Atmos Audio, and the Express 4K Plus does not. There's also the TiVo Stream 4K, which started at $50 and has seemingly been marked down to $40, permanently, at Amazon. The two major 4K streaming devices of note - the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Chromecast with Google TV - are both at $50. Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi, Ethernet via microUSBĮcosystem compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2
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