Streaming sticks and boxes: this is how your old television learns to stream

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If the television program does not offer anything suitable, many viewers switch to media libraries and streaming services.

There is an almost infinite variety of content at the touch of a button.

The easiest way to do this is to use an internet-enabled television, a smart TV.

But what if the machine at home cannot do that?

It doesn't have to be discarded for a long time.

“The easiest way to retrofit is via streaming sticks or streaming boxes that are connected to the HDMI input of the television and then connect to the Internet via WLAN,” says Christoph de Leuw from the specialist magazine “Computer Bild”.

Appropriate apps from streaming portals or media libraries could then be installed on the streaming device, in many cases the most popular ones such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or YouTube are already preinstalled.

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A prerequisite is a sufficiently good internet connection.

“The Internet connection should offer a bandwidth of at least 50 Mbit / s, because smooth 4K streaming requires around 25 Mbit / s continuously”, says Wolfgang Pauler from “Chip”.

Since streaming sticks are usually connected via WLAN, which means that bandwidth is quickly lost by other users, network access should not be calculated too tightly.

More expensive streaming sticks offer better performance

But there are also models that can be connected to the router using a network cable, whatever the more stable network connection.

But even with a LAN connection, the available data rate can quickly turn out to be lower if it is a cable connection - i.e. a shared medium - in which the bandwidth is divided among several users.

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The costs for such a retrofit solution are manageable.

Entry-level streaming sticks are available from Amazon, Google or Xiaomi from around 30 euros.

If you invest more, you will notice this primarily in the operation or the image quality.

“More expensive models offer better performance, operation is smoother, there are, for example, less waiting times when changing menus, and games run at a higher frame rate.

Many now also offer 4K resolution and extended format support such as HDR, Dolby Vision for video or Dolby Atmos for sound, ”says Pauler.

Bringing TVs online via notebook or tablet

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Basically, you can also connect the television to the network using a notebook or tablet.

However, de Leuw believes that this is much less convenient: "The advantage of the sticks is that they are usually controlled via an extra remote control - sometimes even with voice control."

With a laptop, on the other hand, the television is used more as a screen extension, the control runs via the computer.

It is not uncommon for the laptop's screen settings to be changed.

Another option is a Blu-ray player with a WiFi or network connection.

"Especially if you have a large collection of DVDs and Blu-rays, you have both worlds in one device and can both stream and watch physically available films," says Herbert Bisges from the specialist portal HIFI.de.

If the Google Cast symbol appears in an app, content can be sent directly to the television if it or a connected device supports Cast

Source: dpa-tmn

With prices starting at around 100 euros, the players are also significantly cheaper than a new smart TV.

With a Blu-ray recorder you can also record TV programs in original quality up to 4K quality.

Even the latest game consoles are now fully functional and, as entertainment centers, offer both playing games and films as well as internet access.

“You can kill two birds with one stone: gaming and streaming without the need for a new television,” says Bisges.

Some satellite receivers and, of course, IP TV receivers also offer Internet access.

What can the old television do?

However, if you value good image quality, you should check what the existing television can do before buying a retrofit solution.

"If the television only manages full HD, it makes little sense to invest more money in a 4K stick," says Pauler.

When choosing between player, box and stick, you should also consider how the smart solution should be used.

"Sticks have the great advantage that you can take them with you anywhere, for example on vacation."

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When it comes to the choice of apps, the offers don't take up much.

Retrofitting apps is usually also possible without any problems.

“With Fire TV sticks and other devices with Fire OS this works via an app store provided by Amazon, with the new Chromecast and Android TVs this is the Google Play store for Android TV.

In both cases, the apps from the media libraries and the major streaming providers are available, ”says de Leuw.

With a remote control, of course: an Apple TV 4K box

Source: dpa-tmn

Bisges believes that anyone who already uses an iPhone and uses an iPad has advantages with Apple TV.

“The devices work well together, which means that, for example, content from an iPad can then be played very easily on the big screen via AirPlay.” In addition to Apple's own moving image offerings, the user can also use streaming apps from third-party providers such as Netflix and Amazon Prime or use Sky.

In terms of price, however, the Apple TV Box is well above the sticks at around 150 euros.

Some retrofit solutions also offer the option of connecting other devices to the network in addition to the television.

At Amazon, for example, assistants can also be integrated on the Fire TV, and the Apple TV Box can also be used as a smart home center.

"Large streaming boxes like the Nvidia Shield also function as a multimedia center for the networked home," says Bisges.