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Roku LT is the best budget streaming-video box (pictures)

The Roku LT is the best budget streaming-media device, easily topping the $35 Chromecast.

Matthew Moskovciak
Covering home audio and video, Matthew Moskovciak helps CNET readers find the best sights and sounds for their home theaters. E-mail Matthew or follow him on Twitter @cnetmoskovciak.
Matthew Moskovciak
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1 of 7 Sarah Tew/CNET

Roku LT

Before Google's $35 Chromecast, the Roku LT was the original impossibly priced streamer that seemed too good to be true, offering up tons of streaming content in a tiny box for just $50.

The Roku LT hasn't changed much since its introduction in 2011 as Roku's online-only budget box. You get the full Roku experience, now up to 1,000 channels, including Netflix, Amazon Instant, HBO Go, Hulu Plus, Pandora, MLB.TV, Amazon Cloud Player, and Vudu. There's still no YouTube app, although there are some decent workarounds. The Roku LT's video output is limited to 720p, but only the pickiest viewers will notice much of a difference.

For more information, read CNET's full review of the Roku LT.

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Everything in the box

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Remote

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Front view

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HDMI and analog outputs

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Angled view

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Roku LT next to Chromecast

For more information, read CNET's full review of the Roku LT.

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