There was a time when dish antennas were considered the latest technology for broader television channels. However, with time, digital media players and consoles have taken over the old cable connections and dish technology. Fire TV, Chromecast, and Roku are three renowned media streamers for this purpose.
Key Takeaways
- Fire TV provides access to Amazon Prime Video, a voice-controlled remote, and integrates with Amazon Alexa.
- Chromecast supports casting content from smartphones, tablets, and computers but lacks a dedicated remote.
- Roku offers a neutral platform with many streaming apps and an intuitive user interface.
Fire TV vs Chromecast vs Roku
The Fire TV Stick is a media streaming device that has Apple TV but lacks Google Play services, and Alexa and isn’t as simple to use as Google Assistant. Chromecast has the best voice assistant but lacks Apple TV. And Roku has the best selection of services but no voice assistant.
Fire TV is Amazon’s streaming device. It is a digital media player with a console that is used to stream content from the internet and play it on connected high-definition televisions. It also has a remote and game controller to play games, watch local content, or use a mobile app from another device.
Chromecast is again a television streamer manufactured by Google that connects to the television’s HDMI port and adds smart functions to the TV. Google Chromecast is easy to figure out. Its setup and use are also very user-friendly.
Roku media player was manufactured by an American company Roku, Inc. Roku devices have given the concept of small set-top boxes for media consumption at a very low cost.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Fire TV | Chromecast | Roku |
| No. of models | Eight lineups | Single lineup | Five lineups |
| Price | $30-$180 | $30-$69 | $30-$180 |
| Streaming quality | HD, 4K, HDR, and Dolby vision | HD, 4K, and HDR | HD, 4K, HDR, and Dolby vision |
| Voice enabled remote | Yes with Alexa | No | Selected models like Alexa, Hey Google, and Siri |
| Connect to TV via | HDMI | HDMI | HDMI |
What is Fire TV?
Fire TV is a streamer manufactured by Amazon. It has two form factors, a set-top box and an HDMI plug-in with a stick. The set-top box is called a Fire TV cube. While the plugin sticks have four models, Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick 4K, and Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
All these models have their first, second, and third generations. The first generation Fire TV had a codename, ‘Bueller.’ Second generation Fire TV with codename ‘Sloane.’ While the third generation Fire TV was codenamed ‘Needle.’
The operating system of Fire TV ranges from Fire OS 5 to Fire OS 7, with Android versions 5.1, 7.1, and 9. The storage ranges from 8GB to 16GB in internal memory with NAND Flash. While the external memory is up to 128GB.
In the area of networking, it offers Ethernet, Bluetooth as well as Wi-Fi. The dimensions have a huge variety depending upon the generation and models of the Fire TV.
What is Chromecast?
Chromecast is also a streamer manufactured by Google. These devices are called dongles. Mobile apps and web apps can also control these devices with Google Cast support. Google Assistant can also be used to control the devices.
Chromecast also has first, second, and third generations, along with Chromecast Audio, Chromecast Ultra, and Chromecast with Google TV 4K and HD.
The connectivity of first, second, and third generation and Chromecast Ultra is the same, HDMI, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n @ 2.4 GHz, with an Ethernet power adapter.
While the connectivity of Chromecast Audio offers a combined 3.5 mm audio jack and mini TOSLINK socket, Wi-Fi and Ethernet are the same as the three generations.
The maximum weight calculated did not exceed 56.7 gm.
What is Roku?
Roku, Inc manufactures Roku digital media player and streamer. The first Roku model was manufactured with the collaboration of Netflix in the year 2008. Roku devices are famous for their low cost. Roku has ten generations of devices.
All the models of Roku support HDMI. The initial devices had 256 MB of memory, which later increased to 512 MB, 1.5 GB, and 2 GB.
The initial models had IR remote controls, which upgraded to IR plus Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Then came the voice search feature. Ended up on the latest voice, Headphone Jack, lost remote and rechargeable features.
Very few of the models support USB connectivity. The processors include PNX8935 400MHz, BCM2835 600MHz, BCM7281 600MHz, BCM11130 900MHz, STV7723A01, MStar 1.2 GHz, and ARM Cortex A53.
Roku was caught up in a few controversies as well. This included the non-certified channels and carriage disputes, which were later resolved.
Main Differences Between Fire TV and Chromecast and Roku
- Chromecast is easier on the wallet than Fire TV and Roku devices.
- Chromecast is easy to set up and user-friendly as compared to Fire TV and Roku.
- Roku has the largest generation of devices as compared to Fire TV and Chromecast.
- Fire TV and Roku have a higher streaming quality, along with Dolby Vision, while Chromecast does not have Dolby Vision.
- Fire TV leads in video and audio quality, while Roku and Chromecast come second.
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