The Roku Express is the entry-level streamer in Roku’s new line-up, delivering 1080p video and upscale from 720p. It outputs stereo, DTS surround, Dolby audio and Dolby Atmos sound over HDMI. ..
The Streaming Stick+ has a single-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, while the Dual Band 802.11ac is for streaming on 4K TVs. These differences are not really a problem if you’re looking to replace built-in smart TV services on a 4K TV, but they are a problem if you’re looking to stream something on an older HDTV or a fairly basic kitchen or bedroom set.
The Roku Express is a small, compact streaming stick that attaches with the included adhesive pad to your TV. It’s similar in form to the Roku Premiere, but it’s a bit chunkier and requires line of sight to the remote control.
Roku has a microUSB input that delivers power from your TV’s USB port, or from a power adapter if your TV doesn’t have one. It’s a bit odd that Roku doesn’t ship an adapter with the Express when it does for the more expensive Premier. Finally, finding a 4K TV without a USB port is a challenge, while many older HD and Full HD sets can’t.
The Samsung 4K TV is a great choice for anyone looking for high-quality video performance. It produces sharp pictures and vibrant colors, without any artefacts. 1080p Netflix on the Roku is virtually indistinguishable from 1080p Netflix on the TV’s built-in app. On a smaller 24-inch 1080p monitor, the video quality is hard to fault, and anything you might discover generally depends on the stream itself rather than the playback device.
