To add channels or apps to a streaming device, you typically need to access the app store or channel store on your device. This can usually be found in the settings menu or home screen of your streaming device. Once you are in the app store, you can search for the specific channel or app you want to add to your device. Simply click on the app or channel, then select the option to download or install it. Once the app or channel is downloaded, it will be added to your device and you can access it from the home screen or main menu. Some streaming devices may require you to create an account or sign in to add new channels or apps.
Best Streaming Devices in 2024
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Rating is 5 out of 5
Roku Ultra | The Ultimate Streaming Device 4K/HDR/Dolby Vision/Atmos, Rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro, Ethernet Port, Hands-Free Controls, Lost Remote Finder, Free & Live TV
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Super-fast startup: Stream your favorite channels like Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Video, and more in a snap
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Our best Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, seamless TV streaming in any room in the house with our best Wi-Fi and Ethernet
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Cinematic streaming: Stream in 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, plus Dolby Atmos sound
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Our best remote: Roku Voice Remote Pro is conveniently rechargeable with personal shortcut buttons
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Hands-free voice controls: Say “Hey Roku” to play entertainment, power up your TV, and find your lost remote
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Private listening: Use wired or wireless headphones to crank up the volume without disturbing a quiet house
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No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote
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Watch what you love: Stream a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV including 350+ free live TV channels
2
Rating is 4.9 out of 5
NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player; 4K HDR movies, live sports, Dolby Vision-Atmos, AI-enhanced upscaling, GeForce NOW cloud gaming, Google Assistant Built-In, Works with Alexa
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The Best of the Best. The world’s most powerful Android TV streaming media player upgraded to Android TV version 11. Enhance HD video in real-time to 4K for clearer, crisper visuals using next-generation AI upscaling. 2x USB 3.0 ports for storage expansion, USB cameras, keyboards, controllers, and more. Plex Media Server built-in, 3 GB RAM, and 16 GB storage.Connectivity Technology : Bluetooth 5.0
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Dolby Vision - Atmos. Bring your home theater to life with Dolby Vision HDR, and surround sound with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus—delivering ultra-vivid picture quality and immersive audio
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4K HDR Content. Get the most 4K content of any streaming media player. Watch Netflix, Amazon Video, Apple TV+, Disney+ and Google Play Movies & TV in crisp 4K HDR, and YouTube, Hulu, and more in 4K. Stream from your phone with built-in Chromecast 4K.
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GeForce NOW Cloud Gaming. GeForce NOW instantly transforms SHIELD TV into a powerful PC gaming rig. Play over 1000+ titles and nearly 100 of the biggest free to play games. The new GeForce NOW RTX 3080 membership unlocks GeForce RTX 3080 gaming servers in 4K HDR, the shortest wait times and longest session lengths, with RTX ON including ray tracing and DLSS graphics for supported games.
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Voice Control. The built-in Google Assistant is at your command. See photos, live camera feeds, weather, sports scores, and more on the big screen. Dim the lights and immerse yourself in your favorite show or music using only your voice. And control your SHIELD hands-free with Google Home or Alexa and Amazon Echo. Format/Container support: Xvid/ DivX/ASF/AVI/MKV/MOV/M2TS/MPEG-TS/MP4/WEB-M
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Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Amazon Fire TV Cube, Hands-free streaming device with Alexa, Wi-Fi 6E, 4K Ultra HD
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Our fastest-ever streaming media player - Brings lightning-fast app starts with an octa-core processor and is 2X as powerful as Fire TV Stick 4K Max.
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Hands-free Alexa with built-in mic and speakers - Control your compatible TV, soundbar, and receivers with your voice, even from across the room.
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Seamlessly navigate between your entertainment - Connect compatible devices and easily go from streaming to your cable box, game console, or webcam.
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Smoother streaming with the latest in wifi tech - The first-ever streaming media player that features Wi-Fi 6E support.
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Picture quality that puts on a show - Feel every scene with true-to-life, cinematic 4K and support for Dolby Vision, HDR, and Dolby Atmos audio.
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Endless entertainment - Stream more than 1.5 million movies and TV episodes. Watch favorites from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Peacock, and more, plus listen to millions of songs. Subscription fees may apply.
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Designed to protect your privacy - Built with privacy protections and controls, including an off button that electronically disconnects the microphones.
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Manage your smart home right on screen - Use Alexa to start video calls, check the weather, get a live view of your Ring cameras, and more.
4
Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Roku Ultra LT 4K/HDR/HD Streaming Player with Enhanced Voice Remote, Ethernet, MicroSD with Premium 6FT 4K Ready HDMI Cable, Black
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Power, picture, performance: Roku Ultra LT has a quad-core processor and is great for smooth wired and wireless streaming. It's perfect for heavy streaming in HD, 4K, and HDR and delivers the kind of powerful performance you want on your home's main TV
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Smooth streaming: Get a connection that stands up to whatever you want to stream with dual-band wireless or use the Ethernet port for wired streaming
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Brilliant picture quality: Experience your favorite TV in stunning detail and clarity; whether you are streaming in HD, 4K, or HDR, you will get stunning picture quality that is optimized for your TV with sharp resolution and vivid color
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No more juggling remotes: Power up and adjust the volume on most televisions, control your player, and enjoy private listening with the enhanced voice remote and included headphones; use your voice to search across channels, turn captions on, and more in a touch
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Lots of extras: Roku Ultra LT is packed with features you will love, including microSD for extra channel storage; use the included headphones to pump up the volume on your shows without disturbing the house. Bundle Includes Premium 4K HDR 6FT HDMI Cable.
5
Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Tablo 4th Gen 2-Tuner Over-The-Air (OTA) DVR - Watch, Pause & Record Live TV, News, Sports & Movies Throughout Your Home Over Wi-Fi - Pairs w/Any TV Antenna - 50+ Hrs Recording - No Subscriptions
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WATCH, PAUSE, RECORD, & REPLAY LIVE TV: Enjoy live TV from major networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC(2), as well as a curated selection of free live streaming TV (FAST) channels
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WHOLE-HOME ACCESS: 1 DVR pairs with any TV antenna to let you watch TV on multiple compatible devices at once, including smartphones, tablets, as well as smart TVs & streaming players from Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast w/ Google TV(1)
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NO SUBSCRIPTIONS OR HIDDEN FEES: Pay once for the Tablo device and watch and record your favorite live, local TV shows, along with free streaming TV channels without contracts or ongoing fees(4)
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RECORD MULTIPLE SHOWS: 2 tuners within this device allow you to record one live TV channel while watching another for viewing flexibility
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WATCH, PAUSE, RECORD LIVE TV: Watch, pause, and record live TV, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as a curated selection of free live streaming TV (FAST) channels
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RECORD 50+ HOURS: Never miss a moment with 128GB of onboard recording storage; add up to 8TB of external USB storage(3) to record even more
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GET MORE TV CHANNELS: Access more than 60 additional free streaming channels you can’t get with your TV antenna alone, enhancing your endless free-TV experience(4)
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TIME-SHIFT VIEWING: Start watching in-progress recordings—perfect for catching the action from the beginning or skipping to the good parts
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EASY SETUP: Connect the Tablo DVR to ANY TV antenna; connect it to your home network via Wi-Fi or using the included Ethernet cable; download the Tablo app on your smartphone or tablet and follow the setup instructions(4)
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WI-FI CONNECTIVITY: The only OTA DVRs with Wi-Fi, Tablo devices let you position your TV antenna wherever it can get the best signal reception, then wirelessly streams live and recorded free TV content throughout your home to compatible devices.
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Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Roku Express 4K with Voice Remote Pro - Roku Streaming Device 4K/HDR, Rechargeable Roku Remote, Hands-Free Controls, Lost Remote Finder, Free & Live TV - Amazon Exclusive
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Brilliant 4K picture quality: Stream in 4K HDR with sharp resolution and vivid color optimized for your TV
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Seamless wireless streaming: Enjoy a seamless streaming experience with fast Wi-Fi performance
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The ultimate Roku remote: Roku Voice Remote Pro is conveniently rechargeable and includes TV controls and personal shortcut buttons
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Hands-free voice controls: Say “Hey Roku” to play entertainment, control your streaming, power up your TV, and even find your lost remote
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Headphone Mode: Plug headphones into your remote to crank up the volume without disturbing a quiet house
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Find your lost remote: Say “Hey Roku, where’s my remote?” and your Roku remote will play a sound
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No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote
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Upgrade to Roku streaming: All your favorite channels are front and center, plus your device is always improving with automatic updates
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Simple setup: It’s easy to get started with everything you need included in the box—just plug it in and connect to the internet
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Watch what you love: Stream a massive selection of free, live, and premium TV including Prime Video, plus free live TV channels and local news on The Roku Channel.
7
Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 release) | With bigger vibrant sound, helpful routines and Alexa | Charcoal
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OUR BEST SOUNDING ECHO DOT YET – Enjoy an improved audio experience compared to any previous Echo Dot with Alexa for clearer vocals, deeper bass and vibrant sound in any room.
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YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC AND CONTENT – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
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ALEXA IS HAPPY TO HELP – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
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KEEP YOUR HOME COMFORTABLE – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
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DESIGNED TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY – Amazon is not in the business of selling your personal information to others. Built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a mic off button.
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DO MORE WITH DEVICE PAIRING – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, create a home theatre system with Fire TV, or extend wifi coverage with a compatible eero network so you can say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering.
How to add channels to a Roku streaming device?
To add channels to your Roku streaming device, follow these steps:
- Turn on your Roku device and go to the home screen.
- Scroll up or down and select "Streaming Channels" from the menu on the left side of the screen.
- Choose "Search Channels" or "Search" to search for specific channels by name.
- Use the on-screen keyboard to type in the name of the channel you want to add.
- Select the channel from the search results and then select "Add Channel" to install it on your Roku device.
- If it is a paid channel, you will need to log in with your account information to complete the installation.
- Once the channel is added, you can find it on your home screen under "My Channels" or "Channels."
You can also add channels to your Roku device using the Roku mobile app. Simply open the app, go to the Channels tab, and search or browse for channels to add to your device.
How to add international channels to a streaming device for multicultural content?
- Check the streaming device compatibility: Make sure that your streaming device supports international channels and has the capability to stream content from different countries.
- Find international channel options: Research and find out which streaming services offer international channels with multicultural content. Some popular options include Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
- Sign up for the streaming service: Create an account with the streaming service of your choice and subscribe to the package that includes international channels.
- Download the app: Download the app for the streaming service on your streaming device. Most streaming services have apps available for popular devices such as Roku, Apple TV, Firestick, and Chromecast.
- Log in and start watching: Log in to your streaming service account on your device and start exploring the international channels available. You can browse through different genres and languages to find content that interests you.
- Explore additional options: Some streaming devices may have options to directly add international channels or apps from different countries. Check the settings or app store on your device to see if there are any additional options for accessing multicultural content.
- Enjoy multicultural content: Start enjoying a variety of international channels and multicultural content on your streaming device. Expand your viewing options by exploring different cultures, languages, and genres from around the world.
How to add streaming services to a streaming media player?
To add streaming services to a streaming media player, follow these steps:
- Connect your streaming media player to your TV and ensure it is connected to the internet.
- Access the app store on your streaming media player. This could be called something like "App Store," "Channel Store," or "Streaming Channels."
- Search for the streaming service you want to add. Some popular streaming services include Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and more.
- Select the streaming service from the search results and click on the "Download" or "Add" button to install the app on your streaming media player.
- Once the app is downloaded and installed, open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to log in or create an account for the streaming service.
- You can now start streaming content from the newly added streaming service on your streaming media player.
Repeat these steps for each streaming service you want to add to your streaming media player. Enjoy your favorite movies, TV shows, and more on the big screen!
What is the easiest way to add apps to a smart TV?
The easiest way to add apps to a smart TV is through the built-in app store on the TV itself. Most smart TVs come with pre-installed app stores such as Samsung Smart Hub, LG Content Store, or Android TV's Google Play Store.
To add apps to your smart TV, follow these steps:
- Press the home button on your remote control to access the app store.
- Navigate to the app store and search for the app you want to install.
- Click on the app and select "Install" or "Download" to add it to your TV's home screen.
- Once the app is installed, you can open and use it directly on your smart TV.
Alternatively, you can also use a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet to remotely install apps on your smart TV. Many smart TVs have companion apps that allow you to browse and install apps from your mobile device onto your TV. Just search for the app you want on your mobile device and select "Install on TV" to add it to your smart TV.
What is the procedure for adding channels to a Samsung Smart TV?
To add channels to a Samsung Smart TV, you can follow these steps:
- Turn on the TV and press the "Menu" button on the remote control.
- Navigate to the "Channels" or "Channel List" option in the menu.
- Select the "Add Channels" or "Auto Program" option.
- The TV will then scan for available channels in your area.
- Once the scan is complete, you will be able to see a list of available channels.
- Select the channels you want to add and press the "OK" or "Add" button on the remote control.
- The selected channels will be added to your channel list.
- You can now access these channels by using the channel up/down buttons on your remote control.
If you have a subscription to a streaming service, you can also download the app for that service from the Samsung App store and log in to access the content.
