While media streaming devices are extremely handy and used by millions across the country, there are a few points you need to keep in mind before purchasing one. If it is just a couple of channels you are looking for then any device will do or you can just use your TV, gaming console, or Blu-ray player. This way there is no need to add an extra gadget, which will lead to additional costs.

However, streaming content is a much more convenient way to watch TV, especially with the time constraints of modern schedules. If you are looking for a device with the most streaming options, then the Roku media streaming device might be what you need. If you are looking for 4K content, then the Roku4 while being expensive, will give you a wide selection of channels. If you are on a strict budget you can go for Google Chromecast which is a very economical media streaming device and is almost like a smartphone in terms of usage. If you want iTunes or Apple Music then Apple TV is best:

1. Connection
There are many things you need to know before buying a media streaming device besides knowing whether it connects to HBO or Netflix. If you have upgraded your entertainment system in the last few years then you already have a device that can be used for media streaming.

2. Streaming online
You will find every smart TV or Blu-ray player to be wifi enabled which can stream online services like Hulu, Netflix or others. If you have a Wii U, Xbox One or Playstation™ 4, or variants from the previous generation, all these can be used for basic streaming.

3. Dedicated streaming
If you are looking for a completely dedicated media streaming device you have a huge choice. Each of these devices has multiple standard and special features that you need to go through carefully before making your choice. A few of the standard features found in media streaming devices are given below:

• Set-top box: This is a small, squarish device that turns the source signal into content in a form that can be seen on the television. A few media streaming devices are stick-shaped and can be plugged into the TV’s HDMI port.
• 1080p resolution: All streaming devices need to support 1080p-quality videos at the minimum, and ideally should be able to support 4K content.

4. Special features
Aside from this, there are some media streaming devices that offer special features like the ones given below:

• They offer a voice search feature which is due to the built-in microphone located in the remote. This feature can be found in Roku’s devices, Apple TV, Android TV, and Fire TV.
• They also offer advanced content search. Most devices allow you to search for content on various services in one place. Roku is the best in terms of search capabilities while Chromecast is not too far behind.
• Many media streaming devices offer gaming services. They may not be as good as gaming consoles, but neither are they the worst option. For example, Nvidia offers Nvidia cloud gaming service, Apple TV offers iOS games, Android TV and Fire TV offer Android games.
• The content can be streamed from the computer, tablet, or smartphone to your television with Google Chromecast and Apple TV.
• There are some media devices that can connect to Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, and other online video services.