Gadgetory

what's up fries five fans I'm Brian Tanya we have a battle for streaming media Fox supremacy it's a prize five punch-out between Apple TV and the Roku LT now we'll take each round score an average the mounts in the nearest tenth of a point the final prize fight score will be an average of all rounds in the same decimal system let's get this party started round one is designed the Roku LT and its new design takes cues from the Apple TV it's smaller in size and adds personality with purple but it's fabric tag still belongs on jeans more than it does on a set-top box Apple stays true to tradition and can even make a streaming box look good with its sexy minimalism it's about 25% larger than the Roku but you won't really notice either of these next year TV we're calling this round an even tie at four points apiece next round is interface and navigation the Roku LT has a simple interface that's very utilitarian with its single row navigation it won't wow you visually but it gets the job done and it's easy to customize by adding channels for your favorite content with a straightforward remote now the Apple TV interface is a clean and elegant experience that you expect animations are smooth and its interface really feels polished there's no real customization here but it's remote is easy to use as well the Apple TV gets a perfect 5 and the Roku LT gets a 4 chopped are averaging two rounds the Vague a leads by half a point round three is features with a media box you want options and the Roku LT strips down to the bare and I mean bare essentials it connects to any TV with HDMI for up to 720p output or there's a custom AV port for composite video there's 802 11 and Wi-Fi and doesn't undone a power cable now if you're looking for more you'll find it in its bigger brother the Roku 2 but not here the Apple TV also brings HDMI with 720p support and 802 11 and Wi-Fi but you'll also have options for optimal audio out and an Ethernet port but then you jump into the software where being part of the Apple ecosystem has its advantages airplay support allows you to play and display content directly from your iOS devices and even mirror your iPad to screen to the Apple TV if you pay $24.99 a year for the iTunes Match service you'll be able to access your entire music collection through the Apple TV and if you use the iCloud you'll also be able to view your photo stream plus Windows machines and Mac's can share their music collection through home sharing in iTunes the Apple TV is feature-packed if you live completely in the Apple ecosystem but it still brings a punch Apple takes this round with a perfect 5 and the Roku LT gets slugged with a 3 next round is content with media streaming boxes content is king now you have Netflix with both boxes but that's not enough to satisfy our hunger the Roku shines with over 100 channels of content like Amazon video on-demand Hulu Plus and HBO GO which cover your movies and TV shows then there's Pandora for music discovery and social services like Facebook and Flickr have apps there's on-demand sports for the NHL and NBA and specific content like our own CNET channel or stuff for the kiddies with the Disney Channel the Roku's media options are endless and customizable now beyond Netflix Apple's box has access to content from the iTunes store to purchase TV shows and movies but that's about it they've added support for on-demand sports including Major League Baseball but when you're talking Apple TV's additional online services like YouTube and Vimeo I can count them on my two feet the Roku punch is back with a perfect 5 and the Apple TV gets a 3 but after averaging 4 rounds Apple still holds it to lead by 3 tenths of a point the final round that decides it all is value the Roku LT makes a statement with the lowest-priced streaming box on the market that's all about value at $49.99 now that's a price that makes you go wow now the Apple TV has remained at its $99 price point but are you really getting 50 bucks more worth of value if you're a fruit lover it might make sense but it's pretty limited if you're not in the Apple ecosystem in the final round Roku throws another bow with the perfect five and Apple gets a three so let's average out all five rounds and in a battle where Apple was rolling the Roku LT surged back in the end taking this faceoff for point two to four and is your prize fight winner if you want a streaming box with the most content at the best price then the Roku LT is really the one for you I'm Brian Tong thanks for watching it we'll catch you guys next time for another prize fight you