AfterDawn: News

Roku to directly compete with Google with new HDMI dongle at lower price

Roku has followed up their 2012 Streaming Stick with an updated model that will directly compete with Google's Chromecast HDMI dongle.

The original model sold for $99 but the second-generation model will sell for $49.99. The Chromecast sells for $35 with a limited lineup of applications that is rapidly expanding.



Unlike the Chromecast, the Streaming Stick must also be plugged into the TV's USB port for power aside from being placed in the HDMI port.

The updated Streaming Stick now supports 1080p and will come with an included remote familiar to Roku set-top owners. The remote has quick action buttons for Netflix, Amazon, and strangely, Blockbuster and M-Go.

Roku has a large lineup of channels, including all of the most popular streaming applications and almost 1,200 more. You can "cast" YouTube and Netflix, just like the Chromecast, and control the device from iOS and Android phones and tablets.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 6 Mar 2014 20:52

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• 9 comments

• biglo30

  I will definitely be getting one of these when it comes out. I bought a chromecast and to me its a worthless piece of crap. Only 4 apps are compatible with it or you can try Allcast which is still in beta so it doesn't work good. This comes with a remote with is great. Plus is has 1000's of channels and your can stream your stuff videos and stuff to it from your devices, something the chromecast doesnt do.
  

  
  

  7.3.2014 11:37 #1

• Virgil_B

  The only down side I see with the ROKU stick is that it can only connect wirelessly. The ROKU 2 sells for the same price ($49.00), comes with a remote and supports 1080P video. It also supports draft-N wireless or wired internet access which to me is a real plus because of all of the other devices sharing my wireless network (smart phones, tablets, e-book readers, etc). I have been very happy with my ROKU 3 and am considering buying a ROKU 2 for another television.

  7.3.2014 12:11 #2

• g_slide

  the only downside I see is that you have to plug it to your USB as well to give it power. I wish they would update their product like the Chromecast and not require using an additional power source.

  7.3.2014 13:28 #3

• Virgil_B

  Originally posted by g_slide: the only downside I see is that you have to plug it to your USB as well to give it power. I wish they would update their product like the Chromecast and not require using an additional power source. @g_slide I agree with you about the USB port on the TV set. Although, you could always plug it into a external power supply used to charge various devices (phones or tablets). WalMart sells them for a miniscule amount, but it still is a nuisance having another connection.

  7.3.2014 14:12 #4

• biglo30

  Originally posted by Virgil_B: Originally posted by g_slide: the only downside I see is that you have to plug it to your USB as well to give it power. I wish they would update their product like the Chromecast and not require using an additional power source. @g_slide I agree with you about the USB port on the TV set. Although, you could always plug it into a external power supply used to charge various devices (phones or tablets). WalMart sells them for a miniscule amount, but it still is a nuisance having another connection. Ummmmm you guys are both wrong the chromecast requires the same usb plug to power it. They just dont advertise it like it needs it.
  

  
  

  7.3.2014 14:16 #5

• Mr-Movies

  All Roku's are 1080p that is why I went with them as almost everyone else is 720p only and less channels. But I'll have to get the new generation sounds pretty sweet.....
  

  7.3.2014 18:54 #6

• sternrulez

  I wish I had known this was coming out before I bought my Roku 3 box. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Roku, but I could've saved like 50% on the purchase...

  9.3.2014 10:35 #7

• Sophocles

  Originally posted by sternrulez: I wish I had known this was coming out before I bought my Roku 3 box. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Roku, but I could've saved like 50% on the purchase... Wait long enough and you'll be patting yourself on the back for having made the best choice the first time. I've had my Roku 2 for some time now and I can't see how a Roku stick is a better choice.
  

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  Help with development of BD RB: Donations at: http://www.jdobbs.com/.

  9.3.2014 21:57 #8

• sternrulez

  Originally posted by Sophocles: Originally posted by sternrulez: I wish I had known this was coming out before I bought my Roku 3 box. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Roku, but I could've saved like 50% on the purchase... Wait long enough and you'll be patting yourself on the back for having made the best choice the first time. I've had my Roku 2 for some time now and I can't see how a Roku stick is a better choice. You seem to be quite correct on this. I based my comment on the assumption that the new stick is going to have the same specs as the 3, but after more research here (http://www.roku.com/products/compare) I've found that:
  
  1. The 3's processor is 5X faster than that of the stick.
  
  2. The motion control and headset jack on the remote are both missing (NOTE: I've found the motion control to be a bit wonky for Angry Birds Space, and I haven't used the functionality of the headset jack as of yet but apparently these are very important features to some users).
  
  3. The ethernet, USB, and Micro SD slot are all missing too. I've been far too busy with the various channels to hook up my external HD to it yet, but as with #2 I can see a great disadvantage here as well.
  
  My apologies for speaking first without doing the appropriate research...guess I was dazzled by the pricing...lol! :)

  10.3.2014 07:04 #9