It’s an important feature of the best TVs on the market. When done right, HDR boosts a TV’s brightness, contrast, and color, making the pictures on the screen look more like real life. The newest 4K models in our streaming media device ratings support high dynamic range (HDR) technology. Prices for the 12 models below range from about $35 to $200, and they fluctuate throughout the year, so it pays to look for deals. In general, streaming devices are either set-top models or small stick-style players that plug directly into an HDMI slot on the TV. You need to decide on a platform as well as a specific model. The 4K streaming media device market is dominated by just a few software platforms: Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Roku. And if your smart TV is a few years old, you might find that the apps for streaming services you use are outdated or missing altogether. These add-on devices might outperform your smart TV’s built-in system, or they might offer features or services you can’t get from that TV. In my own home, four of our five smart TVs are connected to either an Amazon Fire TV, an Apple TV, or a Roku streaming player.

In addition, plenty of us who have smart TVs decide to add a streaming device. However, that still leaves a lot of people who need a streaming device to access online streaming services, from Amazon Prime to YouTube TV. In larger screen sizes, it’s getting harder to find a set that isn’t a smart TV model. homes with internet access now own a smart TV, according to research firm Parks Associates.

Take a look around your house-if any rooms have a relatively new TV, there’s a good chance it’s a smart TV, with the ability to stream TV shows and movies.

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