当您的默认Android(Android) TV 已经可以完成这项工作时，就很难证明购买单独的流媒体棒是合理的。是否值得再选择Roku而不是Android TV？
当然，Roku并不是唯一的流媒体中心。您有一流的选择，例如Apple TV、Amazon Fire Stick(Apple TV, the Amazon Fire Stick)和Google 自己的 Chromecast(Google’s own Chromecast)。但由于Roku 是迄今为止最受欢迎的(Roku is by far the most popular of the bunch)，让我们看看它如何对抗Android TV——流媒体平台迅速吞噬了市场。
1：渠道支持
比较任何流媒体服务时首先要考虑的是频道可用性。当然，您可以通过一些工作来旁加载其他 Android 应用程序(sideload other Android apps)，但确保开箱即用的最大支持是个好主意。
这两个平台在这个指标上都表现良好。显然支持YouTube(YouTube)、Netflix 或 Amazon Prime Video(Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video)等常见的罪魁祸首，但Android TV 和Roku还集成了其他流行的流媒体应用程序，如Hulu、HBO Max、Disney+或Peacock TV。
当您超越基础知识时，差异就会逐渐显现。例如，Android TV 几乎可以运行(Android)Google Play 商店(Google Play Store)中提供的所有应用程序，包括游戏以及Sling和Pluto TV等直播电视应用程序。
Roku采用不同的方法，提供数百个免费频道，包括它自己的 The Roku Channel。他们都不是大牌(None of them are big names)，但有时数量——尤其是免费的——本身就是一种品质。
要点：两种流媒体服务都集成了所有流行的产品，因此您不会因为选择其中任何一种而感到困惑。如果您想不受限制地访问 Google Play 商店，请选择 Android TV ，否则(Google Play Store)，(Android) Roku会(Roku)为您带来更多实惠。
2：用户界面
下一个要考虑的重要因素是用户界面。而这正是Roku绝对擅长的领域。
简单是 UI 的关键，而Roku以其简约、整洁的界面将这一点铭记于心。虽然您当然无法避免无处不在的广告，但将它们降级到侧面板会有所帮助。
相比之下， Android(Android) TV 将广告横幅放在前面和中间，横跨整个屏幕的上半部分。这些图标更小并且也紧密地聚集在一起，形成了一个繁忙的电视界面。
话虽如此，Android TV 的 UI 并不是无法使用。如果您愿意，您甚至可以修改用户界面，使其更符合您的期望。
要点：Roku的用户界面比Android TV 更干净、更简单，图标更大，广告更小。不过，它不是那么可定制的，所以如果你想改变周围的事物
，你可能想坚持使用Android TV。(Android)
3：语音控制
在语音助手方面，Android TV 的Google Assistant的无缝集成是无与伦比的。它为您提供了 AI 语音助手的全部功能，这与(full range of features)Roku设备
提供的精简版不同。
如果你要做的只是用语音命令搜索你最喜欢的节目，那没什么大不了的——即使是 Roku 的本地语音助手也可以做到这一点。
但是，如果您有喜欢通过Google 智能助理(Google Assistant)订购的智能家居设备，那么选择Android TV 是不二之选。除非你有Alexa，在这种情况下，你的电视可能会变笨。
因为在智能设备之外，您并没有太多理由想要完全集成 Android TV 的Google Assistant。诚然，您可以询问天气情况，但到底为什么需要电视呢？
要点：Roku 的语音遥控器同时支持Alexa和Google Assistant——用于搜索标题等基本功能。如果您想使用更高级的语音命令，我们建议您使用Android TV 功能齐全的Google Assistant。
4：蓝牙连接
您会期望 2022 年的每个流媒体盒至少具有蓝牙连接。但是你不能那么依赖Roku。
公平地说，Roku流媒体棒的较新型号可以很好地与您的蓝牙(Bluetooth)扬声器配对。旧版本的设备有时缺少此基本连接选项。
相反，Roku提供了一款应用程序，可让您将手机的音频输出与流媒体棒配对，从而为您提供间接无线连接。一些Roku遥控器甚至配备 3.5 毫米耳机插孔，为您提供传统选择，以防您还没有扔掉旧耳机。
Android TV 在这方面要好得多，它提供全面的蓝牙(Bluetooth)连接。而且由于如今大多数流媒体设备（咳咳，Fire TV Stick，咳咳）也是基于Android TV 的，因此您不太可能在使用任何其他设备时遇到蓝牙(Bluetooth)问题。
要点：蓝牙(Bluetooth)对于任何新购买的设备都不是问题，但要小心旧的Roku电视棒，因为它们有时缺少这项基本功能。他们通过智能手机应用程序弥补了这一点，但 Android TV 的默认蓝牙(Bluetooth)支持更加轻松。
5：截屏
使用合适的应用程序，基本上可以将任何Android或 iOS 设备镜像到任何流媒体平台。但是内置的屏幕投射支持是另一回事，而且几乎从来没有普及过。
(Android)显然，Android TV 具有Chromecast，让您可以通过点击将Android手机的视频输出投射到电视上。如果您是该功能的粉丝，
这可以让您不必购买专用的Chromecast加密狗。(Chromecast)
(Roku)另一方面，Roku与Apple设备配合得更好。凭借其在较新型号上对 AirPlay 的原生支持(native support of AirPlay)，您可以立即从 iPhone 或Mac开始镜像。
从长远来看，这并不重要，因为无论如何你都可以通过下载必要的应用程序
将任何手机镜像到你的电视上。(you can mirror any phone to your TV)
要点：价格低廉的Roku在其最新型号上配备了AirPlay，使其成为不愿在Apple TV上挥霍的 iPhone 用户的不错选择。Android TV 同样非常适合Android用户，因为原生的Chromecast支持让屏幕镜像变得轻而易举。
6：杂项
这是所有不值得个别小节的小差异所在。这些因素都不会破坏交易，但如果您仍未决定，它们可能有助于缩小天平。
运输纠纷
Roku声称拥有 2000 多个频道，但在频道可用性方面实际上有点不稳定。它过去曾与YouTube(YouTube)等主要广播公司发生运输纠纷，并可能在未来几年
与Netflix发生口角。(Netflix)
Android TV 没有这样的问题，平台上的每个频道都在经过适当协商的合同下可用。选择范围可能较小，但包括您无论如何都可能观看的所有流媒体内容。
更新
软件(Software)变化会随着时间的推移而增加，因此更频繁更新的平台将具有优势。这个平台就是Roku。
流媒体棒以其快速的创新步伐而闻名，每年推出两次重大更新，更频繁地推出更小的补丁。这种快速的时间表与 Android TV 不匹配，Android TV 的更新速度要慢得多。
HDMI
在Android(Android) TV 与Roku的争论中，一个普遍被忽视的因素是HDMI插槽。由于没有Android电视盒这样的东西，您不必占用电视的HDMI插槽即可在其上播放节目。
由于大多数电视有两个或更多HDMI插槽，这通常不会成为大问题。但是，如果您是一名游戏玩家，同时也插入了控制台，那么免费插槽可能会很方便。
尽管如果您是游戏玩家，使用Nvidia Shield TV 可能会比使用这些选项中的任何一个更好。
Android TV vs (Better)Roku：哪个(Which)更好？
Roku多年来一直在流媒体市场保持领先地位，它是将普通电视升级为智能电视(smart TV)的最便宜选择。但现在Android TV 默认具有所有相关功能，我们有了新的赢家。
需要明确的是，Roku绝不是一个糟糕的设备。凭借其精简的用户界面和数量惊人的流媒体频道，它是一个让您每天都能从中获得娱乐的绝佳平台。
但事实仍然是它没有提供足够重要的优势来保证从Android TV 切换。实际上，是Android TV 提供了独特的功能，例如完整的Google Assistant或访问Google Play Store。
所以是的，Android TV 比Roku好。
Android TV vs Roku: What’s Different and Which Is Better?
It is becoming harder to justify buying a separatе streaming stick when your default Andrоid TV already does the job. Is it even worth picking Roku over Android TV anymore?
Of course, Roku isn’t the only streaming media center out there. You have stellar options like the Apple TV, the Amazon Fire Stick, and Google’s own Chromecast. But since Roku is by far the most popular of the bunch, let’s see how it holds up against Android TV – the streaming platform quickly swallowing up the market.
1: Channel Support
The first thing to consider when comparing any streaming service is channel availability. Sure, you can sideload other Android apps with a little work, but it’s a good idea to ensure maximum support right out of the box.
And both platforms perform well on this metric. The usual culprits like YouTube, Netflix, or Amazon Prime Video are obviously supported, but both Android TV and Roku also integrate other popular streaming apps like Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, or Peacock TV.
The differences creep in when you go beyond the basics. Android TV, for example, can run almost every app available on the Google Play Store, including games as well as live TV apps like Sling and Pluto TV.
Roku takes a different approach, throwing in hundreds of free channels including its very own The Roku Channel. None of them are big names, but sometimes quantity – especially when free – is a quality of its own.
Takeaway: Both streaming services integrate all popular offerings, so you wouldn’t be left high and dry by picking any one of them. Go with Android TV if you would like unrestricted access to the Google Play Store, otherwise, Roku gives you more of a bang for your buck.
2: User Interface
The next big factor to consider is the UI. And that’s an area in which Roku definitely excels.
Simplicity is the key when it comes to UI, and Roku takes this to the heart with its minimalistic, uncluttered interface. While you certainly cannot escape the pervasive advertisements, relegating them to a side panel helps.
Android TV in contrast puts an ad banner front and center, spanning the entire top half of the screen. The icons are smaller and clustered tightly together as well, making for a busy TV interface.
That being said, it isn’t like Android TV’s UI is unusable. And if you are up for it, you can even modify the user interface and bring it more in line with your expectations.
Takeaway: Roku has a cleaner, simpler UI than Android TV, with larger icons and smaller advertisements. It isn’t that customizable, though, so you may want to stick with Android TV if you like to change things around.
3: Voice Control
When it comes to voice assistants, there is no beating the seamless integration of Android TV’s Google Assistant. It gives you the full range of features of the AI voice assistant, unlike the pared-down version offered by a Roku device.
That’s not a big deal if all you are going to do is search for your favorite shows with voice commands – even Roku’s native voice assistant can do that.
But if you have smart home devices you like ordering about with your Google Assistant, choosing an Android TV is a no-brainer. Unless you have an Alexa, in which case your TV can get by being dumb.
Because outside of smart devices, there isn’t really a host of reasons why you would want the full integration of Android TV’s Google Assistant. You can ask it about the weather, admittedly, but why on earth do you need your TV for that?
Takeaway: Roku’s voice remote supports both Alexa and Google Assistant – for basic stuff like searching for title. If you want to use fancier voice commands, we recommend going with Android TV’s full-fledged Google Assistant.
4: Bluetooth Connectivity
You would expect every streaming box in 2022 to at least have Bluetooth connectivity. But you cannot reliably count on Roku that much.
To be fair, newer models of the Roku streaming stick can pair with your Bluetooth speakers just fine. It is the older versions of the device that sometimes lack this basic connectivity option.
Instead, Roku offers an app that lets you pair your phone’s audio output to the streaming stick, giving you indirect wireless connectivity. Some Roku remotes even feature a 3.5mm headphone jack, giving you a legacy option in case you haven’t yet thrown away your old earphones.
Android TV is much better in this regard, providing Bluetooth connectivity across the board. And since most streaming devices these days (cough, Fire TV Stick, cough) are also based on Android TV, you are unlikely to run into Bluetooth issues with any other device.
Takeaway: Bluetooth isn’t an issue with any newly bought device, but be careful with older Roku TV sticks, as they sometimes lack this essential feature. They make up for it somewhat with a smartphone app, but Android TV’s default Bluetooth support is much more hassle-free.
5: Screencasting
With the right app, it is basically possible to mirror any Android or iOS device to any streaming platform. But built-in screen casting support is a different matter and is almost never universal.
Android TV, obviously enough, has Chromecast, allowing you to project your Android phone’s video output to the TV with a tap. This saves you from having to buy a dedicated Chromecast dongle if you are a fan of that feature.
Roku, on the other hand, plays nicer with Apple devices. With its native support of AirPlay on newer models, you can start mirroring from your iPhone or Mac in an instant.
Not that it matters much in the long run, as you can mirror any phone to your TV by downloading its requisite app anyway.
Takeaway: The inexpensive Roku features AirPlay on its latest models, making it a good choice for iPhone users not willing to splurge on an Apple TV. Android TV is likewise great for, well, Android users, as the native Chromecast support makes screen mirroring a cinch.
6: Miscellaneous
This is where all the little differences that do not merit individual subsections go in. None of these factors are going to be deal breakers, but they might help tip the scales if you are still undecided.
Carriage Disputes
Roku, for all its claims of 2000+ channels, is actually a bit shaky when it comes to channel availability. It has run into carriage disputes with major broadcasters like YouTube in the past and might be headed to a spat with Netflix in the coming years.
Android TV suffers from no such issues, with every channel available on the platform under a properly negotiated contract. The selection may be smaller, but includes all streaming content you are likely to watch anyway.
Updates
Software changes add up over time, so a platform that updates more frequently is going to have an edge. And that platform is Roku.
The streaming stick is known for its rapid pace of innovation, with major updates rolling out twice a year, and smaller patches even more frequently. This speedy schedule is not matched by Android TV, which updates at a much slower rate.
HDMI
A commonly overlooked factor in the Android TV vs Roku debate is the HDMI slot. As there is no such thing as an Android TV box, you don’t have to occupy an HDMI slot of your television to stream shows on it.
As most TVs have two or more HDMI slots, this usually doesn’t become a big issue. But if you are a gamer with a console plugged in as well, the free slot can be handy.
Although if you are a gamer, you would probably do better with Nvidia Shield TV than with either of these options.
Android TV vs Roku: Which is Better?
Roku has maintained a lead in the streaming market for years by being the cheapest option to upgrade a normal television into a smart TV. But now that Android TV comes with all the relevant features by default, we have a new winner.
To be clear, Roku is by no means a bad device. With its streamlined UI and an impressive number of streaming channels, it is a great platform to get your daily dose of entertainment from.
But the fact remains that it doesn’t offer an advantage significant enough to warrant switching from Android TV. Actually, it is Android TV that provides unique features like the complete Google Assistant or access to the Google Play Store.
So yes, Android TV is better than Roku.
