Streaming device recommendations

[snorbs]

I currently use a fire stick for UK apps but my device is a few years old and I was thinking of upgrading my device.

The choices appear to be new fire 4k stick, fire TV cube, new google TV streamer or apple TV.
Would welcome views and opinions as to which way to go.

Equally would be interested to hear from anyone using Sky stream with the streaming puck.

[El Cid]

The problem with old FireTV sticks is that they are pretty slow to load anything, so it's probably a good idea to upgrade. I would go for the top-of-the-range 4K Max. Wait until Black Friday at the end of the month, and Amazon will be slashing the price.

My preferred streaming device is the Apple TV, and it is generally agreed that it is the best streamer. It's expensive but worth it. I only use my Firestick if I am having problems with a particular channel—usually the BBC. The Apple TV is very fast and has a much better interface than the Firestick, which is always pushing Prime TV.

The Sky Stream cannot be used in Spain, or not unless you pay a company to set it up, which is very expensive.

Sid

[snorbs]

Thanks Sid, the Apple tv option could be a good way to go.
I assume its fairly straightforward to change country from Spain to UK for apps / tv channels?

[El Cid]

It’s easy to install. You will need a SmartDNS or VPN. I now use both. I use Surfshark VPN. It’s cheap if you buy a 2 year subscription. There is an app on the ATV so it’s very easy to use. You will need an Apple account but you don’t have to have any other Apple products. If you have an iPhone it means you can use the TV for FaceTime.

Sid

[markwilding]

I don't know anyone who has a SKY puck but I assume it works because I get regular emails from a company who supply sky stuff for use abroad. The Benefits are that there is a lot of 4K content but SKY is pricey. Football for example, cost over 60 pounds if you want both BT and Sky.

i am a big fan of the firestick because of its flexibilty and cost. As Sid says, wait for the regular reductions and the most powerful model often costs around 50 euros. The later models have wifi 6 and used with the latest router helps to reduce buffering. I have all sorts of ways to access premium content and without going into detail, some content buffers using my Mesh set up but there is none using the router supplied by my ISP. I'm sure it isn't as good as the Apple but what I like is, due its low coat, upgrades won't break the bank. Personally, I upgrade every time they bring out a new model.

Having said that, I took one over to my mother in laws's so I can watch the footie and F1 on Sunday afternoons and i don't get too many problems on what I think is HD version from a few years ago. F1 and PL can be viewed on the DAZN app and costs me 12.99 per month, although I get that price because I pretend I am going to cancel and they offer me that price to keep me as a customer. One other benefit that might be useful is the EPG for ITV and Ch4 which allows direct access to live TV.

So now you have two recommendations, Apple TV and the the firstick 4K max, Tell us what you decide and how you get on with your choice,

[Wicksey]

Following recommendations from here I bought the top of the range Firestick a couple of years ago (I think it was half price in a sale as well). Still going OK but I have also upgraded the TV this year for a bigger better one, so if the Firestick plays up I go onto the TV's streaming apps. If I buy anything again it will be a new Firestick as it does everything I want.

[snorbs]

It’s easy to install. You will need a SmartDNS or VPN. I now use both. I use Surfshark VPN. It’s cheap if you buy a 2 year subscription. There is an app on the ATV so it’s very easy to use. You will need an Apple account but you don’t have to have any other Apple products. If you have an iPhone it means you can use the TV for FaceTime.

Sid

Hi Sid, if I understand correctly the apple box has a playing next / planner type function.
Does this mean I can add things to watch from BBC Iplayer, ITVx and they all apear in the same place in the "playing next" app?
If yes this appeals to me a lot as I always used the sky planner in the past and found this a good way to have what you wanted to see in one place.

[El Cid]

I'm not aware of that feature, but I haven't really looked for it. If you select the AppleTV app, it does show programs from the other main streaming apps which can be useful. You can add individual items from these apps to your wish list so you can find them quickly, but I haven't seen a way of putting them into an "Up Next" option.

Sid

[markwilding]

This function is available on the Firestick but only for ITV and C4. The channel 5 programmes used to be included but it has disappeared. The newer remotes have direct access to the now and next EPG. T

here are other free APPs, for example, Pluto TV which also have one. There are quite a lot of these apps with free TV. The Iplayer has one but very badly designed. It is a pity they havent put the channels together with a link on the home page

Freely TV is the one with it all but for the moment, only selected Smart TVs have it. It would be interesting to know if anyone has given it a go here in spain but I suppose nobody wants to risk it without knowing. if there were a streaming box like the Sky puck, that would be very interesting for us in Spain.

There is an browser version which works for me with my Smart DNS.
https://www.freely.co.uk/tv-guide?userNid=64865

[costakid]

Think half the bars in resorts south of the airport are using the illegal firesticks for sport. Loads do not have the pint pot or B in the corner so must be illegal. £100 a year to watch every channel and fill your bar with paying customers must be too tempting to resist for small bars. Obviously not policed very well otherwise they wouldn’t get away with it.

[Pamela1]

We don't have internet or a firestick at our house in Spain.If we lived there it would def be on the shopping list especialy during the winter months....Hubby watches Spanish tv now and again at night, but even if he could watch his fav team at the house he would always go out to the local bar..For him it's a night out, enjoying good company, the atmosphere and of course a couple of drinks with the tapas.Only drawback is i have to go too in order to drive him back, good job i like football.

[fincalospinos]

I have an older Firestick and are thinking of upgrading to the new 4K. Is there some way of copying the downloaded apps to the new stick, or does it all have to be set up again.

[markwilding]

If you use the same log in details, the new Firestick remebers the old firestick settings. You will need to download the apps but they will be accessable in your app section. Next week should be a good week to buy it. I would suggest buying the 4K MAX due to the incresed storage,

[snorbs]

I got the apple tv box for christmas, as Sid says the interface is really good - much tidier and easier to navigate compared to firestick and the speed of the device generally so far seems very fast also.