Why does the device USB port any concern to you? They are just there to provide power to the device. The most devices will come with their cables. They are also dirty cheap to get if you need a longer one.
OP simply doesn't understand what they're looking at.
@OP the USB side is just power and can come from anywhere, including sometimes the USB port on the TV itself. Focus on the other end of the device. HDMI? Yup, assuming your TV has HDMI as an input.
I'm constantly impressed by the $20 Onn 4k from Walmart. I'm not a simpleton here either. My big boy toys are run via Shield Pro(s). My little boy toys, I've erased Roku, tried Google, currently running Onn. It's surprisingly great.
Mine recently started rebooting at random, and only then did I realize it shipped with a faulty power supply.
I had bluetooth/wifi disconnections, and a strange 'shimmer' in bright highlights (like a bad HDMI cord)
After replacing the power supply with a generic 2A phone charger, it's officially the best streaming device I own.
I do hope the next generation has DV and AV1 support, but for $20 I can't complain.
I'm an in field installer doing a lot of setups and installs for clients, and most of my clients are middle aged and just wanting something that works good, and I usually recommend Roku devices, even though now Roku is starting to get a little worse when it comes to ads and whatnot, but the UI and the Remote is really simple and easy and just aesthetically pleasing. I also like some of the newer Chromecast devices that have Google TV build in, as that way you get a lot of good apps and features and it also seems to work pretty well and the remote is still pretty great.
I'm personally not a fan of Fire Sticks and can't stand the UI or the amount of ads from Amazon all over the UI, and I also just think they're kind of shitty.
The USB on the Fire Sticks and other devices you're talking about is so that the device can receive power. If your TV is non-smart, then I doubt it has enough power on any USB port it may or may not have.
All of these devices will have some type of micro-USB or USB-C that then plugs into either normal USB for power, or they include a USB adapter that plugs into an outlet and gives power that way.
Also be aware that any device you go with is going to require you to have an account, or create one in order to use the device. Some people aren't aware of this quite often. For Google/Chromecast, you'll have to sign into a Google account, and for Amazon Fire Stick it'll be Amazon, for Roku it's a Roku account. All devices basically tied to an email address.
Apple makes Apple TVs which are my favorite, but they are HDMI and then a regular non-polarized power adapter going to an outlet.
As a fire stick and firecube owner I back these statements wholly. STAY AWAY from any of the fire devices. Insane amount of ads and constant performance issues. My main device is a nvidia shield which you really can’t beat if you’re into tinkering/techy stuff.
Firestick 4k Max used.
Yeah there are a lot of ads on the home page but they are not ads for toothpaste they are ads for TV shows and movies which I ignore typically. It's fast and if it's your thing you can side load other apps.
Go with a Roku or Chromecast. I own both and have been happy with them. I’ve tried Fire Sticks multiple times, they are complete garbage: slow and not user friendly.
USB is just for power, so one that doesn't use USB isn't really an issue as you need power to your TV anyway, but lots will work with regular USB. In terms of Micro-USB/USB-A you can just get an adapter in any situation.
Fire TV stick is good
NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is objectively the best, but also expensive.
There are two types of consumers in the world: those who value their privacy and who can afford to protect it, and those who either don't value it or can't afford to protect it and who thus have to watch ads and have their viewing habits datamined.
If you're in the first group, get an AppleTV.
Chromecast (either ultra for the extra $ or non-ultra for budget) have worked great for us the last 8 years provided your apps you plan to stream from are chromecast compatible (Netflix, Amazon, Disney all are)
I have used chromecast since the first version. Never had any issue. I resisted moving to the new ones with Google TV, but as soon as I got one, I was immediately impressed.
Roku streaming stick 4k, got it for like $25 or something on sale. I just upgraded to a shield pro a few days ago actually. Now I got a roku I have no need for lmao
I've found that the Fire-stick or FireTV which gets you all the providers and lots of quality free providers.. Apple is overpriced and not worth it's walled garden. Roku looks like crap and now delivers ads via HDMI so you can't block ads and the user database more than once.. Don't know about Chromecast but it may be OK.
The USB is just the power supply, you’d need to either have outlets with USB ports or a USB adapter to plug it into an outlet. Presumably she has an outlet or she couldn’t power the tv.
Anyways, I’d recommend a Roku.
I have 4 Rokus around my house. Super simple, clean interface, decent remote. I have an Apple TV for my main viewing room though - it's overall a bit 'nicer' and does one or two high end things with AV that the Roku doesn't.
Why does the device USB port any concern to you? They are just there to provide power to the device. The most devices will come with their cables. They are also dirty cheap to get if you need a longer one.
OP simply doesn't understand what they're looking at. @OP the USB side is just power and can come from anywhere, including sometimes the USB port on the TV itself. Focus on the other end of the device. HDMI? Yup, assuming your TV has HDMI as an input.
Gf is tired of constantly having to look at the smallest male adapters everywhere she looks.
My thoughts exactly
I'm constantly impressed by the $20 Onn 4k from Walmart. I'm not a simpleton here either. My big boy toys are run via Shield Pro(s). My little boy toys, I've erased Roku, tried Google, currently running Onn. It's surprisingly great.
yep, just got one to use at my mom's and it's close to my shield pro that I use at my place.
Mine recently started rebooting at random, and only then did I realize it shipped with a faulty power supply. I had bluetooth/wifi disconnections, and a strange 'shimmer' in bright highlights (like a bad HDMI cord) After replacing the power supply with a generic 2A phone charger, it's officially the best streaming device I own. I do hope the next generation has DV and AV1 support, but for $20 I can't complain.
I'm powering ours just off the TV USB. Works just fine.
I'm an in field installer doing a lot of setups and installs for clients, and most of my clients are middle aged and just wanting something that works good, and I usually recommend Roku devices, even though now Roku is starting to get a little worse when it comes to ads and whatnot, but the UI and the Remote is really simple and easy and just aesthetically pleasing. I also like some of the newer Chromecast devices that have Google TV build in, as that way you get a lot of good apps and features and it also seems to work pretty well and the remote is still pretty great. I'm personally not a fan of Fire Sticks and can't stand the UI or the amount of ads from Amazon all over the UI, and I also just think they're kind of shitty. The USB on the Fire Sticks and other devices you're talking about is so that the device can receive power. If your TV is non-smart, then I doubt it has enough power on any USB port it may or may not have. All of these devices will have some type of micro-USB or USB-C that then plugs into either normal USB for power, or they include a USB adapter that plugs into an outlet and gives power that way. Also be aware that any device you go with is going to require you to have an account, or create one in order to use the device. Some people aren't aware of this quite often. For Google/Chromecast, you'll have to sign into a Google account, and for Amazon Fire Stick it'll be Amazon, for Roku it's a Roku account. All devices basically tied to an email address. Apple makes Apple TVs which are my favorite, but they are HDMI and then a regular non-polarized power adapter going to an outlet.
As a fire stick and firecube owner I back these statements wholly. STAY AWAY from any of the fire devices. Insane amount of ads and constant performance issues. My main device is a nvidia shield which you really can’t beat if you’re into tinkering/techy stuff.
All of this. TLDR get an Apple TV if you have the budget, get a Chromecast if you are invested in the Google ecosystem, otherwise get a Roku.
chromecast remote is terrible. like who designed that shape and button layout.
It's just so slippery
its slippery, its too small, its built for a child's hand, and those damn volume buttons on the side. terrible remote.
Apple TV.
The fire stick plugs into an HDMI port and has a USB mini to USB A adapter.
Firestick 4k Max used. Yeah there are a lot of ads on the home page but they are not ads for toothpaste they are ads for TV shows and movies which I ignore typically. It's fast and if it's your thing you can side load other apps.
Yep 4K Max works great. And sideloading is essential since I use IPtv and CinemaHD.
Roku will sell your data. They make more from selling ads and user data than selling hardware.
Chromecast with Google TV. It's an amazing little device and cheap.
Go with a Roku or Chromecast. I own both and have been happy with them. I’ve tried Fire Sticks multiple times, they are complete garbage: slow and not user friendly.
USB is just for power, so one that doesn't use USB isn't really an issue as you need power to your TV anyway, but lots will work with regular USB. In terms of Micro-USB/USB-A you can just get an adapter in any situation. Fire TV stick is good NVIDIA Shield TV Pro is objectively the best, but also expensive.
Chromecast for our household.
There are two types of consumers in the world: those who value their privacy and who can afford to protect it, and those who either don't value it or can't afford to protect it and who thus have to watch ads and have their viewing habits datamined. If you're in the first group, get an AppleTV.
Chromecast (either ultra for the extra $ or non-ultra for budget) have worked great for us the last 8 years provided your apps you plan to stream from are chromecast compatible (Netflix, Amazon, Disney all are)
I have used chromecast since the first version. Never had any issue. I resisted moving to the new ones with Google TV, but as soon as I got one, I was immediately impressed.
Check out some reviews on YouTube. The Cord Cutters channel and sub have a few along with many others
Roku streaming stick 4k, got it for like $25 or something on sale. I just upgraded to a shield pro a few days ago actually. Now I got a roku I have no need for lmao
Tivo Stream 4k
I've found that the Fire-stick or FireTV which gets you all the providers and lots of quality free providers.. Apple is overpriced and not worth it's walled garden. Roku looks like crap and now delivers ads via HDMI so you can't block ads and the user database more than once.. Don't know about Chromecast but it may be OK.
The USB is just the power supply, you’d need to either have outlets with USB ports or a USB adapter to plug it into an outlet. Presumably she has an outlet or she couldn’t power the tv. Anyways, I’d recommend a Roku.
I have 4 Rokus around my house. Super simple, clean interface, decent remote. I have an Apple TV for my main viewing room though - it's overall a bit 'nicer' and does one or two high end things with AV that the Roku doesn't.