It does a sterling job when attached to a mini-projector, has less delay when switching a stream to an HD bit-rate, and there’s less lag when navigating the interface or starting up an app.For the company which makes the devices, see Roku, Inc. Though I don’t have a Dolby Atmos kit to test with, the Roku sounded great through a beefy soundbar and – again – not significantly different to the output from the TV’s built-in apps.įinally, the Roku Express feels noticeably nippier than the last-gen Roku stick we tested. On a smaller 24in, 1080p monitor the video quality is hard to fault, and anything you might spot generally comes down to the stream itself rather than the playback device. Comparing 1080p Netflix on the Roku to 1080p Netflix on the TV’s built-in app, there’s virtually no difference. Watching on a Samsung 4K TV (with the TV upscaling), it delivered sharp image quality, vibrant colours and minimal artefacting. I should point out, however, that the screensavers don’t always work and, bizarrely, some contain suggestive imagery that’s not really appropriate for younger viewers.Īs for performance, it’s as good as you’re going to get from an HD system. Roku’s software has grown more customisable recently, with background themes and screensavers that you can install to keep your idle screen busy. Roku even throws in apps for streaming local media from your network – handy if you have a NAS running a Plex or Twonky server. Plus, you still get all the major UK catch-up TV services, YouTube and an impressive selection of weird and wonderful extras, ranging from anime specialists like CrunchyRoll to art cinema purveyors Mubi. For the record, this is roughly the only thing I really don’t like about the Roku Express.īest NAS drive 2023: The best NAS appliances for homes and businesses This isn’t a huge drawback, given that it’s so small, but if you choose to stick it on your TV then you can’t move it to another, and if you don’t it tends to get twisted by the cables. Unlike the streaming sticks, it also needs line of sight to the remote control so it has to be placed out front. The device itself is a curved module that sits near or on your TV and is attached via the supplied adhesive pad. Though compact, it’s a tad clunkier than previous Roku streaming stick devices. In most respects, the Roku Express is identical to the Roku Premiere, shipping with the same remote control and physical form factor. Roku Express review: Design, setup and app The other option is the basic Google Chromecast (£30), but not everyone likes relying on a phone or tablet as a remote control. The latter is cheaper and comes with a month or more of Now TV services, depending on the bundle, but has even more limitations when it comes to streaming sources. The former gives you more features, including an Alexa voice remote, but can’t match Roku’s comprehensive app line-up. That puts it in contention with other HD streamers, including the Amazon Fire TV Stick (£40) and the Now TV Smart Stick (£15 to £20). The Roku Express has an RRP of £30 but at the time of writing it costs £25, and has anecdotally dropped down to as little as £18 in sales. £26.45 Buy now Roku Express review: Price and competition And, as with the more expensive Roku devices, you can download Roku’s app for easier text input, voice control and wireless listening over headphones. The main advantage of taking the Roku route is that you get a full line-up of apps, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Now TV, Amazon Prime Video, All 4, ITV Hub, YouTube and Google Play Movies & TV, not to mention a wide range of additional channels available on subscription or for free. These differences are deal-breakers if you’re looking to replace built-in smart TV services on a 4K TV, but not really an issue if you want something to stream to an older HD TV or a fairly basic kitchen or bedroom set. The Premier outputs to a 4K resolution with HDR10 support, but both it and the Express dish out 1080p video and upscale from 720p, while delivering stereo, DTS surround, Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos sound over HDMI.īoth also have the same 802.11n single-band Wi-Fi, where the Streaming Stick+ has dual-band 802.11ac. The Roku Express is the entry-level streamer in Roku’s new line-up, sitting below the Premiere and the older Streaming Stick+. Roku Express review: What you need to know If you want to convert an old HD TV into a smart TV this is the cheapest way to do it, and crucially, it might just be the best way to do it too. The 4K Roku Premiere now undercuts the competition, and its HD sibling, the Roku Express, is cheaper still. Among the first pioneers of affordable plug-in TV streamers, it’s recently had its thunder stolen by cheaper alternatives, including Amazon’s Fire TV line and Sky’s Now TV Smart Sticks – themselves rebranded Roku-made devices.
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