Roku Streaming Stick (HDMI Version) Review

Roku’s new Streaming Stick (HDMI Version) has made the “smart” features of new TVs and Blu-ray players largely irrelevant.  It’s a small, simple add-on that plugs into any available HDMI port, providing access to services from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, YouTube, Plex, Pandora, and over 1000 other “channels”.  It even comes with a physical remote, all for under $50.

Roku Streaming Stick (HDMI Version) Video Review

It’s easy to confuse the HDMI version Roku Streaming stick with the previous, not to mention the still available “Roku Ready” streaming stick.  The 40% more expensive “Roku Ready” stick was only compatible with devices that had a less-common MHL compatible HDMI port, making it a non-starter for most current equipment.  The new stick works with any HDMI port.

The Roku Streaming Stick includes an RF remote, a 5 foot Micro 5-pin USB power cable, and AC Adapter.  The stick itself measures only 3.1 x 1.1 x .5 inches, including the HDMI connector, and sports only a series of small air vents, a reset button that can easily be triggered with a bare finger (no ball-point pen needed), and a power port.  The need to supply separate power to the tiny stick may seem cumbersome, but most folks will be able to power the Roku using a USB service or media port on their TV or receiver instead of running a cable to the wall outlet.  The standard USB connector makes it easy to purchase a shorter cable for a couple bucks from a shop like Monoprice to keep your cabling clean and hidden behind your other equipment.

Meet the Roku Streaming Stick, HDMI Version.

Anyone who’s seen my reviews before knows that I’m a stickler for good remotes, and the included Roku remote is light-years ahead of most small remotes I’ve seen as of late.  First off, it isn’t too small, with a thickness that allows for an ergonomic finger groove and the use of common AA batteries.  It features only 16 buttons with an intuitive layout that allows for “no look” operation, and it’s a Radio Frequency remote, which means you don’t have to aim it at your device.  The range was great, and I had no trouble controlling the Roku through multiple walls at 20’ away.

While not perfect, the Roku Streaming Stick's remote is one of the best compact models we've seen.

On the downside, while the grey buttons have a nice, rubbery, matte feel to them, the most commonly used direction and selection buttons in Roku Purple are slick, hard plastic that feels unpleasant and makes button presses a little wonky.  I’d like to see the rubbery material used for all the buttons.  Additionally, the 4 shortcut buttons can’t be reassigned, and are only useful if you need the advertised services.  I know that featuring Blockbuster’s service helps drive the cost of the device down through partnership agreements, but this historically reviled brand won’t be getting any of my presses.  I also miss the ability to plug headphones into the remote for private listening a la the Roku 2 and 3 remotes, but now I’m just getting greedy considering the price tag.  Over all, the remote gets a solid B+.

Setup is very straight forward.  Simply plug the streaming stick into an available HDMI port, connect power, and the unit turns on.  There is no power button.  The Roku Streaming Stick uses only 2 watts at idle according to my meter, so it’s designed to just be left plugged in, running and ready, at a cost of less than 1 penny per day, according to my electric rates.  After a brief splash screen, the Roku started a step by step on-screen guide for logging into my wireless network, downloading the latest updates, and linking to my Roku account.  Some of this required having a web browser handy, so I just used my Nexus tablet from the comfort of my couch.  The only downside I found is that the default setup options left the resolution at 720p and audio at 2-channel.  I had to manually change these settings to 1080p and 5.1 surround in the menu.  As all HDTVs can properly process a 1080p, 5.1 signal, I was surprised to find that these were not the default settings to ensure the best picture and sound.

The Roku's video and audio options default to 720p and stereo respectively; be sure to change these to 1080p and surround for the best picture and sound.

Diving into the operation of the device, Roku’s service options are unrivaled.  The addition of a YouTube channel means that Roku has pretty much every service available outside of Apple’s walled garden.  The channels, as Roku calls them, can be easily added from a web browser or the device itself.  An Android and iOS app is available to cover basic remote functions, and make search and other text entry a bit speedier via touch screen than when using the onscreen keyboard.  Other apps, like Plex, Roku, and YouTube, can “cast” to the Roku, triggering media to be played back on your big screen from your phone or tablet.  If you’d like to learn more about setting up Plex with the Roku, please see our tutorial video on the subject.

Another big highpoint of the Roku software is the search feature.  By entering in a title or name, Roku searches multiple services to show you all your viewing options.  Entering in the name of comedic god, Harold Ramis, brings up a list of his many great movies.  Further, selecting a title like Ghostbusters shows me multiple viewing options across many services, including prices.  This saves you from having to load and check multiple services to find the movie you want to watch.

The search feature of the Roku allows you to search by movie title as well as actors.

The streaming sticks performance was on par with other entry level Roku devices, which is to say, a bit sluggish in use compared to a tablet or HTPC.  Channels take a bit of time to start up, even with my 30 megabit internet.  Netflix, for example, showed the splash screen for a full 30 seconds before I was able to select content, which doesn’t sound like much, but feels like forever.  Yes, when the video loads, it looks and sounds greats, just be prepared to fire up the Roku before you get your popcorn, not after.  The sub-$100 Roku 3, with its faster processor, would be a better choice for the impatient.

Summary

For me, the Roku streaming stick is a no-brainer for anyone looking to step up to a more expensive TV model for the “smart” features.  The $50 streaming stick is typically much less than the cost of bumping up a TV model, and can be used on multiple TVs.  The Roku and its apps are regularly updated for stability and new features, something that tends to happen rarely with TVs and Blu-ray players.  And, the streaming stick makes the perfect travel companion for frequent hotel guests.  With flat-screen TVs becoming more prevalent in hotels, you can now easily access your own media through Plex, or use streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.

Over all, for anyone who’s been following streaming media players for a while, it’s tough not to be impressed with what the Roku Streaming Stick delivers for under $50.  You can now add access to just about every streaming service on any system with an HDMI port, and take it with you to a friend’s house for movie night, or to a hotel room when traveling.  If you don’t mind something a little more intrusive, I’d probably still recommend upgrading to the donut sized Roku 3 for the faster interface and private listening option, but for those who like their equipment inexpensive and out of sight, there isn’t much more you can ask for.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.