WHICH streaming device to replace Roku?

We stream Youtube TV and Netflix. At LEAST 90% of the time it's programs from the Library that we've recorded - network shows, sports events and such. Occasionally we’ll get Prime or Disney and try it. Plain, ordinary TVs playing through plain, ordinary speakers. Not 4K, just ordinary TVs.

We’re currently using Roku Express remotes for the service and having problems with YTTV not resuming playback after skipping and sometimes at startup. It was fine for at least 2 years, but for the last 5 – 6 months we’ve been having this problem. Since the overwhelming majority of what we watch is from the Library, this is really aggravating!

Youtube has, so far, been worthless at getting it fixed. I've asked in a couple forums and the ONLY response I've gotten is "there are known problems with YTTV that show up with Roku". So, at some point, I’m absolutely positive YTTV is going to point the finger at the Roku and wash their hands. SO, I’d like to find an alternative and give that a try.

We primarily care about YTTV and Netflix, and less about other common services. I figured the Google Chromecast might be the best option. Or an Amazon Fire. I don’t particularly care as long as whatever it is works at least as well as the Roku, WITHOUT and infuriating problem we’re currently having. Which means the REMOTE is going to be the critical part.
There are only a couple things I care about in addition to a Play button:

• Power – Turn the TV on and off.
• Volume up and down and mute.
• 30-second skip forward and back – this is used constantly.

I don’t much care about having a bunch of direct buttons for different services (I presume they'll all show up in the service menu like they do on the Roku?). I’d prefer not to talk to the remote – I’ve found buttons faster and more idiot-proof.

I THINK I found a reference elsewhere that the Chromecast does NOT have any way to skip commercials so I’m having trouble being SURE whichever I get will have a remote that does those half dozen, simple things.  Amazon Fire Stick?  Something else?

Recommendations?

Hi, Welcome to BC.

You need to determine your own specs in the alternatives. That is not up to us to do or read/search for or anything else that involves your per-requisites  :

https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/best-streaming-device/

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-media-streaming-devices

Edited by Pkshadow, 07 June 2022 - 07:02 PM.

So, if you’re not here to help people with questions, what purpose do you serve?  Other than to complain that someone new came in and had the temerity to ask something they HAVEN’T been able to find after several hours of research? 

My HOPE was that some knowledgeable member had USED the Chromecast and/or Amazon Fire Stick and could definitively state yes or no to the question:  DOES the Chromecast have the ability to skip commercials on recorded shows in Youtube TV?  Same question for the Amazon Fire Stick. 

Having read both articles to which you pointed, as well as reviews of both devices THEY pointed to, I’m unable to find a clear, or even opaque, statement in EITHER that answers my question.

Thanks for the useful and informative reply.  It tells me everything I need to know about this forum.  I’ll ask elsewhere and hope to find someone not quite so bumptious.

Edited by greg18, 12 June 2022 - 01:31 PM.

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So, if you’re not here to help people with questions, what purpose do you serve?  Other than to complain that someone new came in and had the temerity to ask something they HAVEN’T been able to find after several hours of research? 

 

My HOPE was that some knowledgeable member had USED the Chromecast and/or Amazon Fire Stick and could definitively state yes or no to the question:  DOES the Chromecast have the ability to skip commercials on recorded shows in Youtube TV?  Same question for the Amazon Fire Stick. 

 

Having read both articles to which you pointed, as well as reviews of both devices THEY pointed to, I’m unable to find a clear, or even opaque, statement in EITHER that answers my question.

 

Thanks for the useful and informative reply.  It tells me everything I need to know about this forum.  I’ll ask elsewhere and hope to find someone not quite so bumptious.

 

You are free to speak.  No one is obligated to listen.  The converse is also true.

I would point out that YTTV is its own service, and they are not obligated to engage in any cross-platform support if they don't wish to.  Personally I just use the regular YouTube service on Roku and it works fine.

There are also mobile apps that can control Roku devices through wifi ; both the Roku app and a few others (I use RoMote).

I also wonder if getting a full Roku Stick or other device rather than Express would solve the issue, however your inferences about YT passing the support buck are probably well-founded.

I also wonder if the best investment is in a Smart TV that was engineered with issues like this in mind.

The people on this forum are here voluntarily.  Many are professionals in their fields; however, they are not paid customer support.  If you don't respect their input, you forfeit all credibility in your complaining.

Godspeed.