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How To Buy The Perfect Gear (Part 8) - Media streamers buying guide

12/11/2012 9:22:15 AM

The Big Picture

Today’s connected TVs aren't limited to the programming that cable, satellite, or over the air broadcasters deliver. With a set hooked up to a broadband home network, you can access all sorts of movies, TV shows, music, and other content from other devices on the local network, or paid and free Internet services such as YouTube and Netflix. But if your set lacks a network connection or doesn’t support your preferred content sources, consider purchasing a media streamer.

Media streamers let you watch content from local network sources and/or the Internet on a TV. A streamer connects to your network to obtain content, reformats it as needed, and then sends it to your TV over a standard issue cable. For most digital TVs, that means using an HDMI cable, but most streamers also support at least one type of analog connection, either component or composite.

Media streamers let you watch content from local network sources and/or the Internet on a TV

Media streamers usually cost between $80 and $200, depending on their features. Most come with a small remote control, an AC adapter, and perhaps a composite video cable. Pricier units add more-sophisticated controls for example, the Boxee Box remote flips over to reveal a QWERTY keyboard, useful if you want to use the Boxee’s built-in browser to surf the Web on your flat-screen TV.

A good media streamer can be invaluable for people looking to drop cable or satellite TV without giving up favorite programs. You might still pay for content (through a subscription service such as Netflix, or by buying or renting shows), but you probably won't pay as much.

Before you shop, make sure that your broadband is good enough for problem-free streaming. Amazon, for example, recommends broadband speeds of 3.5 mbps for streaming HD content.

Also consider beefing up your home network. Although many media streamers do support Wi-Fi, a wireless connection isn't ideal for streaming media.

Before evaluating media streamers, figure out which content sources and services matter to you, and whether you expect to be downloading content or simply streaming it in real time.

Stream vs. download: Amazon Prime Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and YouTube are services that stream content on demand over the Internet; the first three charge for their content, but offer a good selection of commercial movies and TV shows; YouTube is free, with shorter video clips. Joined with decent broadband and a good home network, streaming services offer instant gratification.

Amazon's regular Instant Video, iTunes, and Vudu are services that download movies and TV shows, usually to a DVR or a streamer/DVR with built-in storage. Downloading eliminates quality issues that can arise with streaming. Also, you can watch a download repeatedly.

You do have to wait, depending on the size of the download and the network's speed, for a download to complete, partially or totally (depending on the service) before you can start watching it. Storage space is another potential issue.

Western Digital’s Live Hub

Western Digital’s Live Hub supports DLNA-compliant devices.

Streamers associated with content: Some media streamers work primarily with specific content sources: For example, if you’re heavily invested in iTunes music and videos, look closely at Apple TV, since it's the easiest and best way to slap iTunes content stored on a Mac, PC, or iPad onto a living room screen. Similarly, Google's Nexus Q (its launch was postponed after poor prelaunch reviews) will do the same for Google Play content.

Typically, though, streamers from companies that sell you content don’t allow access to much other Web-based content. Apple TV, for one, supports Flickr (for photo sharing), Hulu Plus, Netflix, Vimeo, YouTube, and video feeds from the Watt Street Journal and some major-league sports. But Apple TV doesn’t support dozens of video sites and sen/ices, such as Amazon Prime video.

Streamers from vendors that don't also sell content usually support more services. Roku media streamers support 250-plus paid and free sites and services.

Streamers for local content: Most Roku streamers don't support playback of downloaded content. And though the top of the line Roku 2 XS has a USB port for playing back DRM-free media stored on a USB drive or stick, most models won't support media on your network.

On some devices, you can stream content over your local network as well as from the Internet. A number of streamers, including Western Digital's WDTV Live Hub, support DLNA compliant PCs and network storage devices [DLNA is short for Digital Living Network Alliance). All Windows 7 PCs are DLNA-compliant.

When streaming local content, however, you need to pay attention to the particular media formats that the streamer supports.

Another caveat in connection with DLNA-compliant media streamers: Some such devices tout support for major Internet streaming services but actually rely on DLNA support to relay these services from Play-On software that is running on a Mac or PC.

Also, Play-On licenses are subscription-based; that is, you must pay on a monthly or annual basis. And you must have the computer with Play-On installed on it up and running on your network for access.

The Specs Explained

HD support: If you have a 1080p HDTV, try to find a streamer with 1080p output. All current Roku boxes, for example, support 720p HDTV, but only the two high-end models support 1080p.

Wi-Fi or wired: We strongly prefer a streamer that provides a wired connection to a home network. However, some cheaper streamers support only Wi-Fi.

If you must depend on Wi-Fi, make sure that it's 802.11n Wi-Fi, and try to upgrade your network to dual-band 802.11n (by using a router that supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz operations) and find a streamer with 5GHz support. Most 802.11n networks use the 2.4GHz band; but when that band is crowded, streaming media does not do well on 2.4GHz, because interference can cause media streams to stutter or shut down completely. The 5GHz band is far less crowded and can support more streams.

USB ports and built-in storage: To play local media without having to run it through a network, find a streamer that has USB ports and/or its own hard drive. That way, you can load content onto a USB stick or drive, or transfer it over your network to the streamer's hard drive so that no streaming is required during playback. The WDTV Live Hub is an example of a streamer with both USB ports and a built-in hard drive. As with content on a DLNA server, make sure your streamer supports the format of the content.

Roku’s 2 XS has a USB port for playing back DRM-free media.

Roku’s 2 XS has a USB port for playing back DRM-free media.

Buying Tips

Check for existing support: To avoid duplicating service, find out what, if any, streaming media support you already have in other components of your home entertainment center. Even if your TV set has no network access, many current Blu-ray players and DVRs for example, TiVo’s Premiere models come with built-in support for streaming media services such as Amazon, Blockbuster, Hulu Plus, Netflix, and YouTube.

Understand the costs: Be aware of the charges and the licensing limitations associated with commercial services. Netflix and similar services aren’t free.

Count the streams you need: Commercial services generally limit the number of simultaneous streams available per account. Amazon Prime, for example, supports only two, so if three people in your household try to stream different movies or TV shows at the same time, somebody will be disappointed.

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