Quote:
Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan
That implies that the additional processing power can made a difference. Looking at the Roku 3 and AppleTV neither of those suffer from the lower hardware specs. In other words, they could quadruple the hardware performance and it wouldn't change the playback performance/quality. In the future with 4K video? Sure. But with today's streaming source files, no benefits under most use cases.
|
This is correct. Roku has been streaming HD for years -- on devices which are 1/5 the speed of the Roku 3 which is 1/3 the speed of the Fire TV. Pundits have cheered the speed with which Roku 3 users were able to scroll the menus. While the FTV has a more demanding user interface, the faster processor will matter most in other applications -- games, email clients, facebook, and office suites. All of these make more sense when you can pair keyboards and game controllers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan
I almost never buy hardware for the future capabilities. First, because there's no guarantee that those future capabilities will ever be realized. Though that's not a real issue with Amazon, they'll produce it. But second, because there's a premium to pay for the technology today.
I buy what works now (which is generally cheaper) and THEN when the higher end hardware can be used to it's capabilities, I'll buy the hardware (which will be cheaper than it is today).
|
I tend to do this as well, but this device is $99 -- the same price as the current ATV and a buck less than the current Roku. You're not paying a premium for a faster cpu, optical out, more memory, voice search, and surround sound.
Have you seen the teardown? There is a LOT of heat sink in the case. That's part of the reason for the 1 yr warranty (vs 90 days for the Roku).