If you are in the process of purchasing a new television and considering getting a smart television with streaming apps already installed or just buying a Roku device, here are some tips to help you. The two sides also have their advantages and disadvantages in terms of the features offered, ease of use, privacy, and price. This guide is aimed at identifying these differences to enable you to make an informed decision in case you are in a dilemma on which is the best between the two.
Picture and Sound Quality
There is nothing much that separates the two in terms of picture and audio quality between using the smart built-in platform of the TV and having to connect to an external streaming platform like Roku. Existing smart TVs in the high-end market come with the same capabilities as streaming devices in terms of HD and 4K resolution. The speakers and the sound processing technologies in them are often similar as well.
That notwithstanding, the higher-end Roku gadgets are capable of supporting other picture formats such as Dolby Vision HDR for enhanced brightness and contrast as well as better colors. Thus, if picture quality is your top concern and you want to watch movies and shows with superb image quality, some of the smart TVs might be outperformed by an external Roku media player.
Content and App Selection
Another major strength for Roku is it has the largest streaming channel and apps available in the market. Roku has more than 10,000 streaming channels that can be accessed from the list and they range from the basic ones like Netflix and Hulu among others. His goal is to create a comprehensive list of what to view in one post.
However, in smart TV platforms, which are used for connecting streaming services, there are fewer channels in comparison with satellite ones, but all the most popular streaming services are represented there. The availability of apps, also, can significantly differ based on the smart TV OS you have; the Roku Channel Store usually has more apps than other less popular platforms.
Ease of Use
Finally, considering the user experience, Roku stands a step ahead of smart TVs. Roku devices give a convenient and practical home screen that is icon-based and easy to arrange. Many people praise this approach calling the platform sparse compared to smart TV interfaces provided by LG Samsung and Vizio which may look flashy but only cluttered.
There are some drawbacks where Smart TV systems can feel a lot more laggy than Roku’s super slick and snappy feel. As for entering text for login credentials, it is less cumbersome when entering on a Roku remote than using a smart TV remote.
Updates and future-proofing
One of the strengths of Roku is that firmware updates are released frequently to address issues, that might have been introduced with new devices, and bring in new features to make the interface feel new. Smart TVs do not have a software upgrade unlike mobile phones; you are confined to the software that came with the smart TV right out of the box until the set dies. One could argue that Roku streaming sticks effectively preclude the need to consider the future of the TV experience.
Privacy
Regarding privacy issues, Roku has not been very fortunate in the past in collecting data on ads. However, Roku devices observe much less private info than smart TVs. Smart TVs can learn about what people are watching or even recording by using the screen, browsing history, and conversations near the TV’s microphone. While Roku does collect data from its users, it is not as aggressive in the way it gathers data for advertising.
Kosten
Starting from $30 up to $100, Roku streaming devices are cheap and efficient devices to update with the latest streaming technology without having to change television sets. The best smart TVs are those that cost more than $500 to ensure that they perform well and come with all the latest features. However, the smart features can be rather obsolete in a few years, meaning the product may not be as functional for its target consumer. Roku can be effortlessly upgraded to newer processors and software anytime the company wants.
Thus, if you already have a satisfactory quality of an HDTV, adding it up with Roku is financially reasonable. Switching from a regular “dumb” television to a Roku television maintains entertainment relevance. First-time buyers in the market who are looking for their first HD or 4K TV might find inherent value in having a complete smart TV solution.
The Verdict
As such, Roku possesses better channel selection, convenience, update frequency, and price compared to other competitors. No, smart TVs offer everything you might need for streaming at your convenience already integrated into the television set. In conclusion, as usual, what is ‘better’ depends on personal preferences and your pocket! When it comes to most versatile performance with the freedom to watch most content with ease over the years Roku has a slight advantage. The latest high-end models are even better, but it has to be said that they outdo their predecessors regardless.
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