MARCH 2020 T3 914K video streamers
hough most new
TVs have every
streaming service
imaginable built
in, we don’t all have new TVs.
Updates with new apps can be
hit and miss for existing TVs, so
a streaming box can be the bestway to upgrade which services
you beam to your home.
We know you’ll want to
watch in the best possible image
quality too, which is why we’ve
taken a look at great boxes with
4K and HDR support, so you’ll
get rich and detailed pictures.The Roku and Amazon sticks
plug straight into your HDMI
port (but need additional
power), while the Apple and
Nvidia boxes require HDMI
cables – the Nvidia doesn’t come
with one, mind. All are good,
but which is right for you?AMAZON FIRE STICK 4K
£49, amazon.co.ukNVIDIA SHIELD TV
£149, nvidia.co.ukThis is very similar to the Roku, but with more high-end HDR options:
you’ve got Dolby Vision and HDR10+ here, so provided you know
whether content supports these (the latter is thin on the ground
and not well-signposted), you can watch in the best quality. The app
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TV as a recent addition. The search function is geared towards
promoting Amazon content, rather than the more neutral search
of the Roku. And while it’s easy to use, there are a few other small
interface foibles that lead us to recommend the Roku more as the all-
rounder, but this is top value if you want high-end video support.
The show-piece here is an AI-powered upscaler, which converts
HD footage to sharp 4K incredibly well – if you have a mid-range or
lower TV, this high-end end processing could be a revelation, and can
make this worth the high price, since so much stuff is still in HD. And
there’s Dolby Vision and Atmos support. It also works with GeForce
Now, Nvidia’s cloud gaming system. But it’s all powered by Android
TV, which is solid for apps (though there’s no Apple TV) and has
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ZDQWLWVVSHFLĆFIHDWXUHVEXWXQQHFHVVDU\IRUPRVWSHRSOHHIGH-END VIDEO, LOW PRICE THE UPSCALING SUPERSTART