Here is the most reliable media streamer for 2022
A media streamer is like any other appliance, when they work well they are a joy to use, but when they don't watch out
Lately, there has been a rash of issues with several popular media streamers. This left people scratching their heads and a more than disappointed. If you own one of these TV streamers, you can do one simple thing that may save you some grief.
Both Roku and Nvidia make very popular media streamers. But both companies have had their share of issues after rolling out updates on thier platform. The latest Android update on the Nvidia SHIELD broke some apps. And caused some users of their devices feeling quite annoyed.
It was bad enough when a prior update took a third of the screen for advertising movies and shows for channels the users never installed. But the recent Android 11 update broke several popular apps from working and caused users other headaches on their devices as well.
Roku owners have also been plagued by updates that went bad and broke some things, leaving owners frustrated and angry. But you have to give both Nvidia and Roku credit because at least they don't do what so many cheaply made imported media streamer manufactures do. They don't offer much support for software updates, once their media streamer leaves the factory. Opting to build new inclemently faster models, they would much rather sell you a slightly faster model with a more current operating system on board.
It's Not Uncommon for Software Updates to Fix some things and Break Others
Almost any electronic device may need software updates. Sometimes these updates introduce cool new features and other times they simply try to fix software bugs, or add new security features to keep your device safe from terrible actors.
In the corporate IT world, they apply updates rather cautiously. It's not uncommon to see large companies running operating systems on their computers that are one or two generations behind.
Many IT departments have adopted the attitude if it's not broken, don't update to try to fix what's working reliably. So they may wait until they absolutely have to because a prior version of an operating system is no longer supported.
Turn Off Auto Update to Save Yourself a Potential Headache
One of the best things you can do to prevent a software patch from breaking your favorite media streamer is to turn off Auto Update in settings. This is easy to do and can give you some time to check to see what other early update adopters are saying about it online. They will gladly share their frustration, anger and disappointment with anyone that will listen. When a media streamer software update goes bad.
If you want to turn off Auto Update, here's how to do it with all three most popular media streamers built by Roku, Nvidia, and Apple.
Apple makes it very easy to turn off Auto Updates on their Apple TV. Go to Settings > System > Update and there you can uncheck the Auto Update box.
On a Nvidia SHIELD, there is also a setting you can turn off. But you need to enable Developer Mode to do so. To turn on Developer, Mode go to Settings > About > Scroll down to Build Number and then Click on this multiple times until a message pops up and says Developer options have been unlocked. Now go bact to About > Developer Mode and turn Auto Updates off for good.
Another easier option is to disable Google Playstore in your App Settings. This will also not let your device receive any more updates. And it will also stop the adverts for channels you don't subscribe to on the SHIELD's Home Screen with a few extra steps you can read more about here.
With Roku it's difficult to do. There used to be a secret menu which is outlined in the video below. But that was several updates past and may no longer work. And there is a reason why you may not want to shut it off. Because each time you add a channel, to have it show up you need to update your Roku either manually, by going to Settings > System > Update.
But if you were to turn this off, you can longer add channels to your Roku. So this defeats the purpose. But Roku has been great about pushing new updates to fix things that break.
This Media Streamer Has Been The Least Buggy Software Updates
There is one media streamer company that has had a great reputation for providing high-quality updates that seem to work well each time. This is Apple with their Apple TV. They support their devices for many years, and also build them using high-quality components, so they also will last for many years. And Apple's latest update tvOS 15.3 works fine and installed without a hitch.
Before you go, be sure to try our FREE Web App that will let you stream many great channels on Roku, Nvidia SHIELD, and Apple TV.
