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Roku Streaming Stick helps you streamline (pictures)

The Roku Streaming Stick offers convenience and a full apps suite, but you will have to be sure your TV is MHL-compatible.

Ty Pendlebury
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
Ty Pendlebury
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1 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Overview

The Roku Streaming Stick is an oddity among Roku's range because if you're buying it separately, it's because you own one specific TV: the Insignia E480 television. While some other TVs do have the necessary MHL port, the Insignia TV is the only device that supports the Roku Streaming Stick that doesn't already come with one. As a result, the Roku Streaming Stick is currently a very niche device; get one of the other Roku devices instead.

While we hear there are more MHL TVs coming at CES, it's likely that these TVs will already include a smart TV suite. Even if you still want to get a Roku to maximize your streaming options for compatibility's sake you're safer with a Roku HD.

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Roku Stick and Gaming Remote

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Roku Gaming Remote

The remote is wireless and doesn't need line of sight.
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MHL port

If you're buying this, make sure your TV has an MHL port, which adds power and control capabilities to the standard HDMI.
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Roku Ready

A "Roku Ready" TV adds control using your standard remote.
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Menu

The main screen is simple to navigate.
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Channel Store

The Store is quite confusing, and there isn't a search function.
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Adding channels

If you find the channel you're looking for, it's a simple matter to then add it to your lineup.

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