-Here at CNET, the friendly Roku boxes are our most often recommended streaming devices.
I'm Ty Pendlebury, and this is the review of the company's latest product, the Roku streaming stick.
While it shows us a functionality and features of the Roku 2 XS, this is a much more niche product.
Why?
It's the connection time.
This stick uses the mobile high-definition link or MHL, which is backwards compatible with HDMI.
It was invented the smartphones, but allows the Roku to integrate with the TV without needing separate power or a remote.
However, at present, there are only a handful of displays that use the MHL, though more up promised to see this 2013, but there are even less than a Roku ready.
In fact, there's only 2, the 3M Streaming Projector and the Insignia E480 television.
The Roku streaming does come with the same game remote as the 2XS, and this allows you to use it on any MHL TV.
It doesn't need Roku compatibility.
It places one of the easiest to use of any streaming device, though picking new services from the Roku store can be a little overwhelming.
Picture quality depends on the service and your network, though it should be fairly indistinguishable from other streaming devices.
The problem is that image or connector.
Until more than 1 Roku ready TV comes on to the market it's not really worth buying the streaming stick as a stand alone.
I do argue to get the Roku 2XS instead.
This has been Ty Pendlebury for cnet.com.
