Roku Streaming Stick | Portable; Power-Packed Streaming Device with Voice Remote with Buttons for TV Power and Volume (2018)

I know it has been said that for the specific lot #, Netflix has not been working. I decided to just take a chance and still order and hope for the best. However, i did end up receiving the same exact lot # that everyone had been saying was having troubles. I was so disappointed and wanted to return the stick immediately but of course I didnt because i wanted to test it out. Set up was extremely easy and the remote works like a charm. I do like the voice search (WORKS GREAT, EVERYTIME for me) and there are literally so many FREE channels as well. Now to the functioning, I love that this remote comes with a HULU and NETFLIX button, as those are my two most watched PAID services along with Amazon Video/Prime and Youtube. I first checked out all of the apps and downloaded all the channels i wanted to at least start off with then it was time to test Netflix, i was dreading it so deeply. So i signed into my Netflix account and it connected well. I thought “hmmm, it’s probably going to let me sign in but im not going to be able to watch anything, great”BUT IM HERE TO SAY, I got my Roku stick on 05/10/18 and the NETFLIX app works PERFECTLY and so does everything else really. I was shocked but also pleased. I decided to use the stick and netflix and other apps for over a month so i could come back and give a detailed review. Im not certain though if the LOT has been fixed or if i just got lucky.... Overall i would recommend this stick 100 times over.I installed the roku stick into my VIZIO 32 in 720/p TV i bought almost 3 years ago. I originally, had a chromecast for about 2 years and LOVED it. But there were only certain channels and of course, chromecast didnt have apps and such. This roku stick is really like a extension to make your TV a complete smart tv. When using the ChromeCast and ROKU stick, my regular 720/p television is 1080p which is great. With the roku, i set it up to where everything i watch is now 1080p. I love this thing so much and i only paid $40 for it.I would say if you are considering getting a smart tv, maybe buy this first and test it out, you could save probably $200-400 dollars instead of buying a expensive smart tv. I connected it to my hdmi port, (my tv has 3 ) and then instead of plugging the other end into a wall socket, i just simply connected it via USB to my tv's port, (my tv only has one). I have no connection nor glitching issues, and i have used it everyday for over a month. THE ONLY grime i have with Roku, in general, is that I figured i would be unable to listen to Apple Music of course but i cant even use my Spotify account, (which i pay for) because the app is not available on Roku. I was quite disappointed because with my chromecast, i used it every single day. The only music app that roku has that is okay is Pandora, and of course, Pandora has to be paid for if you want to be able to skip songs and do other things. I was thinking of connecting my chromecast up and keeping both of them installed on my tv just so i would be able to use apps like Spotify and maybe another one but in order to do that, i would have to connect my chrome cast to another hdmi port but also plug the other end into a wall socket which i dont feel is necessary(My only USB TV port is now being used for the Roku connection)TRICK: If you download the Roku app on your current device or even an old smart phone you no longer use, you can listen to your tv with headphones that way. This is great for when perhaps someone is the room is sleeping or needs quiet or if you’re watching a loud movie or whatever! You can also use bluetooth heeadphones as well either with your tv(if Bluetooth compatible) or your phone. Its quite easy. I just plug in my headphones to my phone or connect my Bluetooth ones , go into the app, tap the headphones icon and thats it. I place the phone somewhere on the bed or even to charge and i continue to watch tv and use my regular remote. Oh yeah, the phone can be used as a remote in case you lose yours or leave it behind when traveling.JUNE 2020 UPDATE- 2 YEARS LATER AND I STILL ADORE THIS THING!!! Literally no issues. Because i have a terrible habit of falling asleep with my tv on every night for the last few years.... every now and then i will get the "your device is overheating" but thats literally because i sleep with my tv on and use it alllll day. Also about 2 months ago, i found out i am now able to use Spotify as a app with Roku now! Woohoo!!!! Everything has been updated and there are new available apps!

I recently replaced my Roku 2 XD in my bedroom as the hardware just could not keep pace with all the software updates. Sure, it still worked, but barely. In other words it was painful to continue to use. We don't subscribe to cable and instead use an OTA outdoor antenna along with streaming for our entertainment. The Roku has been a great platform for our streaming content.When I was looking to replace my second generation Roku I considered the new Roku Express. I decided to go to this stick instead for about 20 bucks more as it had a quad core processor, a better remote and worked on WIFI AC/5GHZ networks. In other words, it was more future proof.First, this thing is fast. I have two other Roku 3's and this stick is faster. The install was easy, but I wish you didn't have to enter all of your pass codes again. What a pain! It would be nice if Roku figured out how to synchronize all your passcodes from a single account.The stick plugs directly into your TV's HDMI port and gets its power from a standard 5V USB port. My older Plasma TV didn't have one so you simply plug in the power adapter, (which is included) into a wall socket and then plug the USB cable, (also included) into the micro USB port on the stick.Something I really like about this remote is it configures itself to adjust your TV's volume and turn the TV on and off. Very nice! It also has a voice search function. Roku also provides an App for either your Apple or Android smart phone to take over for remote activities. The remote that comes with the stick does not let you plug headphones into the remote like on the Roku 3 and other, newer models, but you can use your smartphone for this instead. BTW, the smartphone app works really well and can even let you display pictures from your phone directly on your TV. There are two interfaces to choose from. One works just like the Roku remote and the other lets you slide your finger across your smartphone screen for faster navigation.My TV is an older 480P model and I have no intentions of buying a 4K TV anytime soon. However, you can spend another 20 bucks to get the plus version of this stick which will stream 4K content if you have a newer TV.I did connect my stick to my WIFI 5GHZ AC network and it streams just fine with a strong signal from across the house. One other thing to mention is the Roku remote manages the Roku TV application via WIFI, so no need to point your remote directly at your TV. However, it uses infrared to control the volume and on/off of the TV.I'm really impressed with the functionality and speed of this stick and highly recommend it for the money.