Roku today announced five new streaming devices that are available for pre-order now, and will launch in stores around October 8. One of the notable unveilings surrounds the "Streaming Stick Plus," which allows viewers to stream 4K Ultra HD and HDR video content up to 60 frames per second for $69.99. This marks one of the cheapest entry points for a 4K streaming device on the market, and is over $100 cheaper than Apple's lowest-cost 4K box at $179.99.
The Streaming Stick Plus comes included with a remote control that supports voice control and TV power functionality, as well as a boost to wireless streaming performance thanks to an advanced wireless receiver built directly into the power cord. This helps the Streaming Stick Plus offer "up to four times the wireless range" of the Roku Streaming Stick from 2016. There's also a new version of the lower-cost Streaming Stick for HD streaming at $49.99.
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“Our new streaming player line up provides performance, price and features to meet our users needs so they can sit back, relax and enjoy their TV viewing experience even more,” said Chas Smith, general manager of Roku TVs and players. “Consumers will love our new sleek Roku Streaming Stick+ with an innovative advanced wireless receiver that gives up to four times the wireless range and a remote that controls TV volume and power. It makes 4K and HDR streaming simple.”
Other announcements included a second-generation "Roku Express" and "Roku Express Plus," which are five times more powerful than their predecessors. The Roku Express Plus is a Walmart exclusive, similar to the previous iteration of the device, and includes options to connect to classic TVs through composite A/V ports. Roku Express costs $29.99 and Roku Express Plus costs $39.99.
The top-of-the-line "Roku Ultra" device is getting updated as well, with improved wireless performance, HD, 4K, and HDR streaming up to 60 fps, a port for an ethernet cable, and a micro SD card slot. The Roku Ultra comes with the company's voice-enabled remote control, which includes a headphone jack for private listening similar to previous generations. Roku Ultra is priced at $99.99.
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Each new streaming device announced by Roku today can be pre-ordered now from Roku, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and a few other retailers, while in-store availability is said to be coming around October 8. Those who purchase a Roku device in October will receive a $10 Vudu credit so they can rent or purchase a film or TV show on the streaming service. This offer ends on October 31, but the company wasn't specific as to whether the deal will be available at all retailers.
Top Rated Comments
Apple still has the leg up thanks to Dolby Vision support.
grasping at straws ;)they have the advantage on performance.. let's just hope someone will use it or the price really can't be justified.
HDR10 is the most likely standard. It's everywhere and more highly adopted.
Yes, but more TV makers are putting support for Dolby Vision inside their TVs this year than last year (Sony, TCL, and Phillips joined LG and Vizio this year). Plus, it looks better than HDR10 (which already looked good), and there's the backing of the Dolby brand.Yes, but more TV makers are putting support for Dolby Vision inside their TVs this year than last year (Sony, TCL, and Phillips joined LG and Vizio this year). Plus, it looks better than HDR10 (which already looked good), and there's the backing of the Dolby brand.
I think the point is that HDR10 is already widely adopted and with $0 license fee to use on the hardware manufacturer end. Dolby should either do a price cut or drop the licensing fee to use their codec if they want it to succeed or it's going to go the way of Beta Max (the actual superior tape technology) during the VHS/Beta format war.Blu-ray was actually the superior tech during the HD-DVD/BD format war but it was mostly because Sony put a "free" BD player inside every PS3 back then.