If you are looking to shop for a new TV, you will find there is a relatively new contender out there vying for your money – the smart TV. What is a Smart TV, you should ask? Well, if you know what smartphones are, you already have a good idea of what a smart TV is and what it can do. Similar to a smartphone, Smart TVs are designed to be constantly connected to the Internet. In this article, we will be discussing what is the streaming media player and popular streaming media player choices.
Defining a Streaming Media Player
A streaming media player can transform your TV into a smart TV. It basically connects your television or home theater to the Internet and allows you to stream your favorite video and music from online services. They are typically very basic devices come with only a few connections, such as video (HDMI or composite), audio (RCA or digital), and Ethernet networking jacks. Above all, many streaming media players also feature built-in Wi-Fi for wireless network connections, and most include their own dedicated remote control.
Other key aspects that define what a streaming media player includes functions such as the ability to view photos or images stored on your local network, USB-based external drives, or flash memory cards. Many streaming players also let you play music stored on similar mediums.
Some streaming media players let you watch your favorite videos that you have downloaded to other computers on your home network, while others can only play video from supported services.
Apart from all that, these devices also commonly offer a variety of additional apps, such as YouTube and Twitter.
Some Popular Streaming Media Player Choices
Some of the most popular streaming media players are the Roku Player, Apple TV, Amazon TV Firestick, and Google Chromecast.
Read – Roku streaming device how to setup?
Using the Roku player, you can watch streaming TV shows and movies from the services including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, HBO Go, Vudu, and many more. It comes in multiple configurations, each sporting more advanced features and functionalities than the next, such as the ability to play video games and use additional services.
Apple’s streaming media player lets you play video from the iTunes store as well as services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus. Along with that, it can stream music and display photos stored on your networked computers. Apple TV uses a technology called AirPlay to let you stream video and audio content from your iPhone or iPad to your television. It is an especially attractive option for owners of additional Apple products.
Amazon Fire TV Stick enables any TV to stream content over WiFi such as Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, HBO Go, PlayStation Vue, and many others.
In Amazon Fire TV Stick, a dedicated remote control is included that works with buttons or voice commands and now, new versions also included Alexa Virtual Assistant along with updated hardware and 4K HD video.
Using Google Chromecast, you can stream videos you buy from the Google Play store and other top content providers, such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO GO & HBO NOW, ESPN, Disney, History, YouTube, NBA, and many more. You can play music from several popular services as well, including their own Google Music, Pandora, Spotify, and iHeart Radio. You can also cast your PC and Android Device Screens on your TV. Unlike other streaming devices, such as the Roku Streaming Stick, Amazon Fire Stick, or Apple TV, Chromecast doesn’t come with a remote or even an interface of its own.
Things You Need to Use a Streaming Media Player
In order to use most streaming media players, first of all, you need an HDTV. There are some players which support up to 1080p video but don’t require your TV to be capable of displaying that resolution. Secondly, you need a broadband internet connection and a home network that can be either wired or wireless. Once you are up and running, you will also need to subscribe to services like Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, and Netflix separately in order to use them.
At last but not the least, before you consider investing in a streaming media player, you should double-check to make sure any of your current entertainment devices such as your TV, Blu-ray player, or game console don’t already offer many of the same features that define what a streaming media player is all about.