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5 Best Devices for Streaming Sports to your TV

Streaming devices

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If you’ve cut cable, you may have decided you want to replace it with streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, YipTV, HBO Go, Amazon Video, and more.  This is especially true if you are a major sports fan.  Local free TV often doesn’t carry all of the matches you want to see, so you’ll definitely need a streaming service or two.  Fortunately, many of these elegant streaming services do stream sports games along with many of the most recent TV episodes, classic TV, and movies.  But while signing up for a service gives you access to it on your computer, tablet, and smartphone, you probably want to watch your sports on your larger TVs.  That’s where you need one of these 5 streaming devices. Once you’ve hooked them up to your computer and connected them to the internet, you’ll be able to watch videos from all of your streaming services on your TV.

1) Roku 4.0

The Roku is on its fourth version now, and it keeps getting technologically better and better.  Designed specifically for the affluent class consumers, this newest version is a simple box that has its own power source.  Just plug it in, connect the HDMI cable to your computer, and you’re set.  It has over 2,500 different streaming channels you can watch through it.  Some of these channels are free , while other services such as Hulu require a premium subscription.  Another nice feature of the Roku 4 is that the remote actually has a headphone jack on it so you can listen to your shows and watch sports live without disturbing others.  The Roku 4 can also make use of an HDCP 2.2 cable to provide 4K quality video, so if you’re planning on getting  the luxurious 4K TV, it’s a great option.

Here are a few of the reasons why the Roku may be right for you:

a) Technologically updated features

b) Very easy to set up and use

c) Features services such as Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Sling TV, and more.

The Roku Streaming Stick is another option.  This small device is about the size of a flash drive and plugs directly into your TV’s HDMI port.  This means you don’t have any more cables cluttering up your entertainment center.  The remote is very similar to the one that comes with the Roku 3.  As far as content goes, the Roku stick has everything you’d find on a Roku 3 with enhanced features.

2) Apple TV

Admittedly, Apple TV is one of the finest luxury-segmented streaming devices out there. The uniqueness of this elegant device is ‘Apple Airplay’ and the app ‘iOS Remote’ which makes its interaction with the user unique. Apart from easily accessing any content previously purchased or rented through iTunes store to your TV, you can watch live streaming sports and your favorite shows by directly interconnecting your iPhone with an already installed streaming app such as YipTV.

Features which make Apple TV unique:

a) Sync your ipad, iphone, ipod touch etc easily.

b) Sharing personal photos and videos from iOS devices is easy with this device.

3) Amazon Fire TV

Considered as one of the premium streaming devices out there, Amazon Fire TV is more than just a media streaming product—it’s also something of a gaming console, although it’s not a PlayStation or an Xbox.  It’s mainly a media streaming product, which is why you’d probably want to buy it.  There’s not enough gaming capabilities here to justify buying it as a gaming device, but it’s great if you want to watch live TV online.

The Amazon Fire TV box connects to the TV via an HDMI cable, and it does have to be plugged in.  It can stream video at up to 4K quality, plus the remote control actually has a voice search option.  Just say the title of the show and it will search for it.  As far as gaming goes, you will want to buy the optional controller before you start playing.  Amazon Fire TV has more than 800 games available, and while they’re not too amazing, they do include popular titles like Terraria, Minecraft, and a game based on The Walking Dead.

Why buy Amazon Fire TV?

a) Being a premium product, the features and services provided by it is totally worth it.

b) You can stream Amazon Video, of course, plus many other services.

c) Gaming options make this more than just a media streaming service, which is a nice extra feature.

4) Playstation 4

Sony’s PlayStation 4 is primarily thought of as a gaming console, but like Amazon Fire TV, it can also double as a streaming service. Apart form being elegantly designed, it has a huge catalog of games, including many of the most recent releases.  In terms of processing, the PS4 is more powerful than the above three streaming devices.  It can stream media and music from your computer, plus it plays DVDs and Blu-rays.  While video games don’t yet include 4K resolution graphics, the PS4 is capable of showing elegant and new 4K resolution movies.

But what does it offer in terms of streaming?  Pretty much everything you’d find elsewhere.  YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, and much more are available.  Just go to the PlayStation store and download the free app for the service you want in order to add it to the system’s menu.

Benefits of the PlayStation 4:

a) Has a large library of games, including older PlayStation 3 games that can be downloaded via the PlayStation store.

b) Can play DVDs and Blu-rays and supports 4K resolution videos.

c) Not something you’d buy just for media streaming, but if you’re a gamer, it means you don’t have to buy anything else.

5) Xbox One

Similar to the PlayStation 4, Microsoft’s Xbox One is a gaming console that also includes streaming media.  You can play games, stream a lot of different services, and much more. One primary aspect to look out for is its revolutionary tech feature ‘Kinect’ which helps command your Xbox and TV with your voice and also make skype calls in HD.

Perks of the Xbox One:

a) Stream dozens of different services, including Netflix, Hulu, ESPN, YouTube, Amazon, and much more.

b) Play Xbox One games

c) Being decently expensive in comparison to average streaming devices, it totally justifies its cost by the features and configurations it provides and supports.

These above 5 streaming devices have captured our heart with their elegant looks and their first-of-the-kind features, thus making them the best technological inventions in recent times. So, start taking advantage of these devices to live stream your favorite sports and other favorite shows.

Elianna Hyde

I am Elianna Hyde, a freelance writer since 2009. I attended university of California and graduated with masters in mass communication. I love watching TV shows, movies or anything that leads to entertainment. I always suggest unique and well researched content. You can Also follow me on Twitter and Google+. ...(Read More)

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