Small Netflix device help

[wclem]

I need to get a Netflix device for a small TV that my wife is using. Best case scenario is that it would be USB, cheap and very straight forward. Something that will be hassle free as possible. If it handled Prime that would be a plus.

She does not want a Wii or PS3 or something similar in her workshop. She wants something that will take little or no room. Also, not looking to buy a new smart TV. I have an older Phillips LCD with one USB port.

I never had an interest or have ever tried the different devices that are available. I was hoping you guys would have some hands on input or good advice for me. Any help would be great!

[SpaceBooger]

If it has an HDMI and you have amazon prime the fire stick is a no brainer.
Other wise a Roku, sick or regular, will be great.

If you don't have HDMI on her TV, the ROKU 1 has the regular RCA Composite output too. This is what I use on my old CRT and it works great.

[Fragems]

I've always had spare consoles around so I've never needed anything like that. However my brother has a roku setup at his apartment and it works great and takes up little to no room.

[wclem]

If it has an HDMI and you have amazon prime the fire stick is a no brainer.
Other wise a Roku, sick or regular, will be great.

If you don't have HDMI on her TV, the ROKU 1 has the regular RCA Composite output too. This is what I use on my old CRT and it works great.

Are there benefits to buying newer-older versions of these, maybe newer models have functions locked out that may be useful to her? It does have HDMI, I mainly bought it because it was used (cheap) and had S-video. Was gonna use it for retro gaming until I found my CRT.

Off-topic, had to pass up a Zenith HDTV wide screen CRT tonight. Had no way to get it home. 20 dollars at the Goodwill. This thing was huge andf had hook ups for about 20 different systems LOL. I never saw so many inputs on one TV in my life. It had to be at least 40 inches maybe more. My heart is still breaking.

[KalessinDB]

Chromecast is also an excellent device, and at $35 a steal. You have to have another device (laptop, tablet, smartphone) to drive it, but who doesn't have something lying around these days?

[SpaceBooger]

Are there benefits to buying newer-older versions of these, maybe newer models have functions locked out that may be useful to her? It does have HDMI, I mainly bought it because it was used (cheap) and had S-video. Was gonna use it for retro gaming until I found my CRT.

Off-topic, had to pass up a Zenith HDTV wide screen CRT tonight. Had no way to get it home. 20 dollars at the Goodwill. This thing was huge andf had hook ups for about 20 different systems LOL. I never saw so many inputs on one TV in my life. It had to be at least 40 inches maybe more. My heart is still breaking.

The main difference between the is processing power. I know the ROKU 3 has voice control and can play motion style games.

I use the ROKU 1 on my old non HD TV for Nexflix and to stream stuff off my PC using PLEX and it's fine.

On my main HDTV, I use my Fire TV stick. I love that device and would get another one if I had another HDTV.

[marurun]

Roku Stick is also pretty awesome. Keep in mind that Roku supports the largest number of various video and music services. No other device has the same variety. And the Roku 1 is the ONLY one I've seen recently that will connect to a non-HDMI device. Since you have HDMI, consider the Roku Stick. Is great.

[Michi]

My parents have both a Roku Streaming Stick and an Amazon Fire stick. Both of them carry the Prime channel, so you really can't go wrong with either one if Prime is a must.

Keep in mind though, that even though both are Sticks that plug into an HDMI port, they also require being plugged into an included power adapter in order to operate. They're still going to take up less space compared to the 'boxes,' but I just thought I'd throw that out there since it's really not something people think about.

[wclem]

My parents have both a Roku Streaming Stick and an Amazon Fire stick. Both of them carry the Prime channel, so you really can't go wrong with either one if Prime is a must.

Keep in mind though, that even though both are Sticks that plug into an HDMI port, they also require being plugged into an included power adapter in order to operate. They're still going to take up less space compared to the 'boxes,' but I just thought I'd throw that out there since it's really not something people think about.

Actually forgot about needing power.

Thanks for all the input guys. I know I could have read around the internet but trust what is said here way more than random websites.

[wclem]

Went for the Roku 3, really like the idea of headphone jack on remote. She loves using headphones so that is a big plus.

It also seemed like it had more channels available and gave you more freedoms.

So, anyone out there know of any free, must have channels for her? I have Netflix and Prime, so it would have to be something that had stuff that was not available on those.