When you get a 4K TV, you may want a 4K streamer, even though there's not a lot of 4K content available at such a high frame rate. As the leader of 4K streamers, Roku and Amazon both launched 4K media streamers last year, letting users watch higher-resolution video without having to rely on the often-clunky interface of a smart TV.
Unfortunately, we can't both after all. So which one will be the best 4K streamer for 4K TV? How can we choose the most suitable box for streaming 4K movies to 4K TV? It is sure that some differences will help make the buying decision a bit easier: different prices ($100 for the new Fire TV, $130 for the Roku 4), different shapes and sizes, varying levels of 4K app support. But the Roku 4 and second-gen Amazon Fire TV still have little in common, which can make us confused which one should choose. Read on for our guide to choosing the right 4K media streamer.
What’s the deal with 4K?
The new all-singing Roku 4 boasts 4K Ultra HD streaming, the same as the new Fire TV box, but it also supports frame rates of up to 60 frames per second (fps), double what Amazon's new streaming box can muster. While that's impressive, it's something of a moot point right now. While most 4K TV sets these days come with an HDMI 2.0 port (which supports 4K up to 60fps) there aren't any providers besides YouTube out there that are currently offering 4K content at such a high frame rate. Netflix and Amazon's own 4K content is currently delivered at 24fps, so there's not a massive advantage to plumping for the Roku 4, at least not from day one.
On the other hand, you'll find more to enjoy with the Roku 4. Right now, Amazon's Fire TV only supports 4K video from Netflix and Amazon, and the company isn't even allowing 4K playback in third-party apps. The way Fire TV handles 4K playback might be to blame. Instead of outputting in 2160p all the time, the Fire TV runs at 1080p, then switches to 2160p output when playback begins. The process feels a bit clumsy, and as AFTVNews speculates, Amazon may want to be careful about opening it up to any app.
Whatever the reason, the result is a much wider 4K app lineup with the Roku 4, which always outputs in 2160p (with an upscaled 1080p interface in apps and menus). In addition to Netflix and Amazon, users can buy or rent 4K videos from Vudu, M-Go, and UltraFlix. Plex can serve up 4K videos from a networked storage device, and YouTube's vast 4K video library is available for free. Smithsonian Earth offers subscription nature videos in 4K format, and you'll even get higher-resolution images in the photo apps Flickr and 500px.
You can see a side-by-side comparison of Roku 4 and Fire TV (2015) in spec, features and apps below:
Fire TV (2015) | Roku 4 | |
SPECS | ||
Performance1 | 8x | 3x |
CPU | Quad-core, 64-bit | Quad-core, 32-bit |
Memory | 2 GB | 1.5 GB |
User Storage2 | 8 GB | Not advertised |
Ethernet Performance3 | 1x | 1x |
Wi-Fi Performance3 | 3x (802.11ac) | 3x (802.11ac) |
HDMI | HDMI 1.4 | HDMI 2.0 |
MicroSD Card Slot |  | |
USB 3.0 Ports for expansion/accessories |  1 USB 2.0 | 1 USB 2.0 |
Game Controller (included) | | |
HDMI Cable (included) | | |
FEATURES | ||
Resolution | 4K 30 Ultra HD & 1080p | 4K 60 Ultra HD & 1080p |
Voice Search | | |
Voice Commands | | |
Cross-App Search | | |
Cast to your TV | | |
Mobile Compatibility | Android | Android & iOS |
Private Listening4 | | |
Console-Class Games5 | | |
Stream Games from PC | | |
Cloud Gaming | 720p | |
APPS | ||
Netflix | 4K Ultra HD & 1080p | 4K Ultra HD & 1080p |
YouTube | 4K 30 Ultra HD & 1080p | 4K 60 Ultra HD & 1080p |
Hulu Plus | | |
Sling TV | | |
Pandora | | |
HBO Go | | |
HBO Now | | |
Amazon Instant Video | | |
Google Play Movies | | |
Google Play Music | | |
Showtime | | |
VUDU | | |
PBS & PBS Kids | | |
Vevo | | |
MLB | | |
NBA | | |
Plex | | |
Kodi (XBMC) | | |
Twitch | | |
Which 4K Box You should Choose?
If you want higher resolution and frame rate, Roku 4 will give you more ways to enjoy them.On the other hand, The Fire TV (2015)doesn’t have as much 4K content—or as deep of an app catalog in general—but it’s a better box overall for people who plan to consume a lot of Amazon Prime video. And given that 4K is built into the $99 product, you can dabble in the higher-res format without having to spend even more on hardware (those 4K TVs aren't cheap).
Related Software Recommended to Help You Enjoy 4K on Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015)
Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate is an all-in-one media solution. It can convert your MKV, AVI, MP4, H.265, FLV,MOV, WMV, TS, VRO, M2TS, etc video, no matter downloaded from YouTube, Netflix, YIFY and other torrent sites, to Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015). It also can batch upscale SD/HD video to 4K video for Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015) playback.
Pavtube ChewTune can remove the DRM protection of iTunes M4V video then convert them to 4K video for Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015). If you have some 4K content in iTunes and want to stream the 4K content with Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015), this software can help you.
Money Saving Tips: There is a bundle software promotion to help you save money:
Video Converter Ultimate($65) + ChewTune($29) = Only $74.9, Save $19.1
Check More Guides on Roku 4 & Fire TV：
- How To Play 4K Video On Amazon Fire TV (2015) Via HDMI?
- How to Play MKV on Amazon Fire TV via Plex?
- How can I get DVD discs to my Roku box using Plex channel?
- Rip DVD to Netgear ReadyNAS for Viewing on Amazon Fire TV via Plex
- Transfer AVI Files to NAS for Watching via Amazon Fire TV 2
- Watch Blu-ray Movies on Amazon Fire TV/Fire TV 2 with Dobly 7.1 Surround Sound
- How to Stream Blu-ray/DVD Movies for Playing on Roku 4?
- The Best Way to Play MKV on Roku 4 with Subtitle
- Top MPG to Roku 4 Video Converter for Roku 4 Users
- Backup DVDs to Amazon Fire TV 2 from RN104 NAS
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