The Xbox as an Alternative to the Fire TV / Apple TV / Roku for Streaming TV?

Hi all, I’m not sure why my toshiba tv (google os) got better image quality for Netflix compared to my xbox series s.. Anybody know why? Thx

Got the xbox x to see if it could replace my roku ultra. It cannot because it lacks a lot of apps. If they would allow android apps it might. The Jellyfin app on xbox is pitiful. No adult swim app. I will not use a web page to watch anything because you have to use a mouse.

Any updates?

I think it's a great option.

How does geforce now boosteroid run on it? In terms of cloud gaming = game streaming

I use my Xbox Series X to watch the streaming services that my LG TV doesn't have.

Hi great at content and info...quick question does the series x support VRR and ALLM or not? 🤔

Does the Xbox consume more power than other streaming devices?? In terms of electricity bill saving.

The only thing Xbox is missing are the Asian media centers like Viki/Kocowa. If it had that, I would get rid of my Apple TV

Hey Lon! Awesome video and much appreciated. Quick question - my TV was rated as being capable of judder free at 24p by Rtings - does this mean the frame rate match wouldn’t be as necessary for me?

I love how everyone still can't name these Xbox models correctly. Such a naming scheme mess.

Sony and Nintendo work so hard to not do any of this.

Dont know how relevent game streaming is on a xbox, seeming that it is a games console and can play games locally at a higher quality.

I’ve noticed you only tested the xBox-s, not the X-series. Perhaps there’s a difference considering the X-series is more powerful.

A lot of ppl are concerned with power consumption. If you’re interested in one of these, get it for gaming first. The media streaming is just an added bonus. The price drop on these has been extended until the 24th. I know subscriptions add up, but I’d recommend at least trying Game Pass. They have a perks section, which is like a combination of Chromebook Perks and Prime Gaming. They have in-game loot and media service deals. For example, currently, they have deals for Apple TV and Calm.

How did you get HD Homerun? I did not see it in the store. How can I download it? Thanks! 👍🏼

To get auto 24hz switching.. turn on hdmi-hec mode on the Xbox.. under tv & av power options.. plus you will need a hdmi 2.1 cable.. it ships with a 2.0

Isn't it inefficient in terms of power use to use a console as a streaming device, compared to say the built in functions of the TV itself or a streaming box?

I mean, yeah. Xbox is kind of comparable to a smart TV in my opinion, especially with voice commands.

I use consoles for my streaming. Have a series s in bedroom and series x in living room. I'm sure they consume alot of power but I just like how smooth and fast everything is. I don't like how slow my smart tvs are. I also had a firestick and that got slow after awhile. Series s for the price is just a excellent multimedia platform. I'm sure there is better options but works good for me.

Fully agree with all your testing. However, it will use twice to four times the power of a streaming stick.

So not very green is it

If you set the output to 4K@120, does it still lock to 60 fps and do 3:2 pulldown on 24 fps sources, or does it use 5:5 ?

Be careful with your electricity bill with using gaming machine just to watch movie

man the Dolby atmos not free you have 7 days as trial before pay

For those in countries trying to save money on energy bills a console is not the way to go.

I don’t mean to be rude, but the fact that people are just now realizing that a gaming console can be used for television is quite telling. The audience for this console has clearly shifted. It’s a shame that this gaming console has been relegated to this use case. My friends that never adopted PlayStation or PC decided that gaming was dead. I’m just glad that this gaming console has found a home. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤘🏼

If im not mistaken. 60hz setting doesnt mean it is going to change the framerate of the content being displayed. So there is no need for 30hz setting for watching cinematic frame rates.

I already use my Xbox One S for streaming and playing blu ray and 4k blu rays. Excellent performance.

It's definitely better than a Fire TV for Netflix right now, HDR content glitches out after a few seconds since they updated the software recently.

I have a Series X, really hoping Microsoft fixes some of the issues with improper playback settings.

With gamepass Xbox was already a streaming Box

It's always been that way since Xbox one days.

you can use your old xbox360 with netflix, and this is all you need.

Wish Microsoft would release a matte black 1TB Xbox Series S, don't like white devices in a entertainment center full of black devices.

In my case VUDU it's a nightmare. Makes my tv and devices to freeze. Specially my new 4k tv

The problem is the casting ability is lacking. You can do Miracast but that's it unless you count the unofficial AirPlay app. Sometimes I want to just put something up from my phone and Miracast isn't adequate since it usually mirrors the content of your screen rather than optimize video for the screen it's on. It's a good alternative if you are using it to game, but otherwise dedicated streaming devices still have an edge on convenience.

Life hack login from you laptop and plug your laptop into the hdmi port in the tv 📺!!!!

I've played numerous content not switching it to 24hz and it doesn't make any difference whatsoever. Everything looks the same so I think trying to switch it to 24p doesn't do anything.

If you own a UHD Samsung TV (2018 or newer) the integration between it and an Xbox is pretty intuitive. Both devices detect each others settings and can even control the other device to cut down on manual picture mode adjustments and extra button presses. Also, owning an Xbox One S, X or Xbox Series X provides support for disc media from CD up to 4k Blu-ray playback (unfortunately the Series S does not have a disc drive, but may provide an update for the use an external one in the future like Sony is planning with its next PS5 model) on top of being able to use tons of major streaming apps. It also supports media playback from a usb source (and being able to play thousands of video games) making it far superior to a standalone streaming device.

Once you specify picture settings for each type of mode (SDR gaming, HDR gaming, SDR and HDR media playback at 24p to 120p) the integration automatically detects and switches to the appropriate setting.

Though Xbox integrates with other tv brands as well, Samsung TVs seem to take advantage of extra features.

The 24fps issue need not be a problem if you upgrade from a 60 Hz display to a 120 Hz panel, as 24 divides evenly into 120 (5:1 ratio). Just make sure you set the resolution to 1440p or lower. Or if you have an HDMI 2.1 display, use 4K with an appropriate (ultra high speed) HDMI cable. That gives you the best of every world (up to 120 fps content, 24 fps content without pulldown, and/or 4K).

The Series X comes with an ultra high speed HDMI cable, but with the Series S you’ll have to acquire one separately. But both systems are capable of driving a 4k@120 display. Useful when switching back and forth from a 120 fps game to a 4k@24 film, for example.

Now I understand why everything I watch in the living room looks like crap in 4k so thanks for that. Hmm how to get 24p 🤔

Wait. You said Apple TV doesn’t do Atmos

Lol if you’re buying an Xbox series S for that apps your wasting your money if you have a modern TV you can just stream things like Netflix to it. (Sorry but this is no plus for the S it doesn’t even have a Blue Ray Drive to watch physical movies, you can get a Blu-ray player that can do all this for half the price)

I just recently got the Series S. It kind of looks like a block of tofu on my TV stand. Aside from that, video game consoles have come a long way. I never envisioned being able to watch TV on one.

200$ streaming box? Thats more costly than even apple isnt it

I've been using an Xbox to stream since the Xbox 360 started with Netflix in 2008. Xboxes have been all in one for a long, long time.

60Hz not 60p

You are the best! Awesome video!! Keep them coming!

I often see the Panasonic UB-9000 listed as the best 4k disc player available these days. How does the Xbox stack up as a 4k/bluray disc player?? ~Frank

Ok I've been thinking how it's redundant having Xboxes and shields on the same TVs. But that shield remote is excellent. Been searching for a rf remote like shield or if I can pair shield remote with Xbox but doesn't seem possible. The mini 8bit looks good but infrared not preferred. The PlayStation has a nice media remote for a few years now and it's Bluetooth.

Any info on a rf remote or shield hack. Xbox could fix this immediately with remote support for that.