These are the Best Video Players Money Can Buy



These are the Best Video Players Money Can Buy

Cut the cord with these video players!


Best Video Player 2022
Pictured From Left to Right: Nvidia SHIELD, Roku Ultra, Apple TV 4K, Fire TV Streaming Stick 4K


A video player is a small box that attaches to your TV and your home Internet. It can then download and stream on-demand and live videos directly from the Internet and play them right on your TV.

Your Smart TV already has a video player built-in. Most Smart TVs come with a small number of apps like Netflix plus a few others that can play movies and shows. So you may not even need a stand-alone video player. But compared to stand-alone media players, Smart TVs typically have far fewer apps to choose from.


What's The Best Type of Video Player?


This depends mostly on what kind of streaming you plan on doing. If you plan on watching most of your content from only legal sources and you want a device that is very easy to use, then Roku is your best bet.

A close second is the new Apple TV 4K. While both Roku and Apple tightly control the content that can be added to their media streamer through their channel and app store, the Roku is now the most restricted media streamer you can buy. Apple TV on the other hand with a half dozen IPTV apps available in the Apple Store, and with a developer account you can add Kodi is now less restricted than Roku.

The Fire TV and Nvidia SHIELD are the least restricted. And the Nividia SHIELD is the least restricted of them all since it uses Android OS. The Fire TV will still let you sideload apps, but recently Amazon locked it down where you can't change the launcher on a Fire TV. More restrictions could be implemented by Amazon on the fire TV in the future. Especially if they think it would help them make even more money.

Because they are easy to upgrade, many experienced cord-cutters would still rather choose a stand-alone media streamer or streaming stick. If you hardly ever upgrade your hardware. An all-in-one Roku TV or Television with Android OS is also a great option.


Why A Video Player is Still a Better Choice than most Smart TVs


Any of the aforementioned media streamers offer a much better cord-cutting experience than most "Smart TVs." The Exception is a Roku or Smart TV that Uses Android or Google TV as its operating system. These are virtually identical to their stand-alone media players. They can use the same wide range of apps either installed from Google, Apple, or Roku Stores. Or on Android and Google TV also from 3rd party app stores or apks downloaded directly from the Internet.


Streaming Stick Vs Stand Alone Models


When choosing a media streamer, a choice needs to be made between a Streaming Stick or an external table top model.

Pros of Streaming Sticks
  1. Their Small footprint makes Streaming Sicks easier to hide behind the TV and also take along when traveling.
  2. Because they plug directly into an HDMI port, there is less clutter. And fewer dust-catching wires attached to your TV.
  3. Streaming Sticks cost less than their larger tabletop media streamer cousins.

Cons of Streaming Sticks
  1. Streaming Sticks come in a much smaller package. And this can make them a little more prone to overheating than larger media streamers.
  2. Since only Sticks typically come with a WiFi remote, Universal IR remotes won't work with them. Also, they can't use an Ethernet hard wire which is better than WiFi for Streaming.
  3. Since they are typically installed into an HDMI port, behind a TV. Weak WiFi signals can cause slower streaming and buffering problems compared to tabletop models which can be placed more out in the open.


When it comes to a Streaming Stick Media streamer, the two best choices are either the Amazon 4K Fire TV Stick or the Roku 4K Streaming Stick+, both are good choices for several reasons.

They are both fully 4K capable. And even if you don't yet own a 4K television, or don't plan on buying one any time soon. Both these models come highly recommended because they operate so much faster and smoother than the non-4 K Streaming Sticks.

Both these models can be found for $50 or less sometimes on eBay, and they offer a great media streaming experience with many popular streaming TV apps.

The main reason the Roku Ultra is better than a Roku Streaming Stick+ is that the Ultra offers an Ethernet port. An Ethernet wire from a Router that attaches directly to a media streamer offers enhanced streaming performance overall than WiFi. And it will stream with the least amount of buffering. The Roku Ultra also has an IR port that works with 3rd party universal remotes. Like the low-cost remote from Inteset which has backlit keys and also works with many other media streamers like the Nvidia SHIELD.

The Fire TV Cube also comes with an Ethernet port but it can't match the performance fo the new 4K Fire TV Stick.


Best Media Streamers


Fire TV Cube Vs Roku Ultra Best Mid-Range Streamer


The next step up the media streamer ladder is both the Fire TV Cube and Roku Ultra media streamers. Between these two models, we are leaning more towards the Roku Ultra for several reasons.
  • If you plan on subscribing to one or more streaming TV channels or apps. Roku has a better search function that will direct you to those channels you may already pay for. Or to other channels that offer the same content for free. The Fire TV Cube favors its Prime Video Service more. And it typically sends you to Prime Video when the same show may be available elsewhere for free.
  • Where Roku has pretty much any other media streamer beat is it's super easy to use. Someone once said in the TV Streamers Club "That Roku media streamers are for Grandparents." This is actually a compliment because the software is so intuitive, simple to use, and navigate anyone from 2 to 90 can quickly learn how to use it.
  • There is a huge list of channels available on Roku. You can find some of the more popular Roku channels on this list. Amazon's Fire TV Cube also has many popular channels. Although some channels can be side-loaded they contain content that is not always legal. In this regard, Roku does a better job of being a good corporate citizen. And they have done a much better job of stamping out piracy on their platform than Amazon has with their media streamers.
  • Hardware-wise, both the Fire TV Cube and Roku Ultra are very similar. They both work fine with some of the biggest popular streaming channels in the industry. Amazon's stand-alone Fire TV Cube does not offer the same level of performance and faster hardware as their newer 4K Fire TV Stick does which currently is Amazon's fastest model.
  • Adult Channels. When it comes to adult channels Roku rules. They offer some really great X-Rated TV channels which can be cast or mirrored on your big screen TV with Roku. Or viewed on Fire TV and Android with a Web browser.



Roku Best Media Streamer Overall


For many cord-cutters, Roku is a great choice over a Fire TV. The easy-to-use Roku software is second to none. And they simply work really well. A Fire TV also has its place. And if you love the Android operating system, the new 4K Fire TV Stick would be a better choice over the Fire TV Cube. But if you can afford to spend more, step up the highly recommended Nvidia SHIELD. And it will blow the Fire TV Cube or any other 4K Streaming Stick away in performance. Not only is it a performance monster, but it also looks very futuristic.





Higher End Media Streamers Apple TV 4K Vs Nvidia SHIELD


While there are plenty of other cheaper Android TV boxes out there, except for the Mi Box, Fire TV, and Nvidia SHIELD. These cheaper clones don't have the Android TV OS which makes it easy to use from the couch using only a remote control. Other Android media streamers use the Android Phone OS which is much more clunky without a touch screen. And this requires either using a keyboard/touch pad or a mouse than just a remote control.

Cheaper Android boxes rarely get new Android OS updates the way the Nvidia SHIELD has. This means either living with outdated Android software or buying a new box every 6 months.


Nvidia SHIELD Vs Apple TV


We really enjoy using an Nvidia SHIELD, a lot more so than any Android box we've tried. And even though it was released several years ago, Nvidia has done an outstanding job of keeping SHIELD up to date with numerous software updates.

Performance-wise, the Nvidia SHIELD blows away pretty much every other video player with the new Apple TV 4K being the only exception. The SHIELD was over-designed by Nvidia when they first released it, and it still remains the performance champ to this day.

Visit Team Android Page - A Fantastic Resource for Android Users

Choosing between a SHIELD or New Apple TV 4K may come down to which operating system you like better. Android TV or Apple TV OS. It may be a tough decision because both these media streamers will set you back $150-$200 dollars.

Fire TV and Android Streamers Can Use a Browser


For this reason alone, many cord-cutters will avoid Roku and Apple TV and choose an Android-based media streamer. A Web browser lets you watch content directly from 200+ online streaming sites like these without needing to add apps or channels. This is also nice if you enjoy watching adult streaming sites on your big screen TV.


Android Has a Longer Learning Curve


Compared to Apple TV and Roku, Android OS will take more time to learn. It's more powerful and is the only media streamer that also includes a Web Browser. It's almost like learning another computer operating system and can perform more functions than just a media streamer. Apple TV also has some quirky gestures that will need to be learned.

The Apple TV OS is very simple to use, although not as easy as Roku. The SHIELD like the Fire TV takes a bit of a learning curve but is also a very open system. And any Android app can be sideloaded. Although apps that are not Android TV OS ready, can be more difficult to launch and they require special software. The Apple TV while not as open does offer several good IPTV apps which can be installed directly from the Apple store.

When you're ready to step up to a higher level of media streaming performance, either one of these streamers will not disappoint.


2019 Nvidia SHIELD Pro 2021 Apple TV 4K


In conclusion, you simply won't go wrong with any media streamer listed here. And no matter which one you start off with, they all offer plenty of options for watching some great Free TV shows and movies without cable. If you're a new cord cutter, at some point you'll most likely want to expand your options. It's not all that uncommon for cord-cutters to switch between several media streamers and end up owning several in short order.

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