This streaming stick actually worked with hotel Wi-Fi

(Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

My dedication to a quality streaming feel might take gone too far when I brought a package of streaming sticks to a nuptials. No, these weren't gifts for the bride and groom, but rather an opportunity to test a long-continuing concern: what streaming devices really work well on mediocre hotel Wi-Fi?

I'd heard from my friend and tech podcaster, Christina Warren, that Fire Idiot box was a reliable option at hotels, just never felt the demand to test information technology. That was, until a contempo stay in Las Vegas reminded me how behind the times hotel TVs are.

Hotel TVs may give y'all some of the channels you want, but if y'all're in the incorrect time zone, you may observe yourself stuck with channels that are hours backside. And you certainly don't get any apps, as I haven't heard of any hotel that is including one of the best streaming devices. Oh, and as yous probably know, hotel PPV systems gouge guests of annihilation bought on need, same equally the Thou&Ms in the mini bar.

So, I packed three of our favorites: the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, the Chromecast with Google Television and the Fire Tv set Stick 4K Max. At least one, I idea, had to work. It turned out just one did. Of grade, I should country that I was only able to test these at one hotel, so your mileage may vary.

Every hotel's terrible Wi-Fi is mind-numbing in its own mode. I only promise you walk away from this column with ii realizations: the horridness of hotel TVs and what tin can be done to make your stay a bit better.

Chromecast with Google Television in a hotel

I'll get the last-place contestant out of the mode early. I had hopes for the Chromecast with Google TV because, well, Google does the internet well. Google also has Nest products. It knows Wi-Fi, right? Well, not this Wi-Fi. Run across for yourself:

Attempts at streaming on a Chromecast with Google TV in a hotel room — (Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

Afterward I selected the hotel Wi-Fi from the listing of network options, I got that "connecting" screen. It actually never went away and I somewhen gave up. It'southward a shame, all things considered.

The Chromecast with Google TV is like shooting fish in a barrel to pack, since it folds and wraps upward nicely, and its remote is on the smaller side (not that any of the others are as well big).

With Google TV out of the way, just two remained.

Amazon Burn Tv set Max in a hotel

My expectations were loftier, based on the recommendations from Christina, near Fire Television set working with hotel Wi-Fi. Supposedly, its ability to open web browser would be the key differentiator, equally hotels frequently brand you log in with your name and room number.

Things started off well, as the Burn TV Stick Max got me to this screen where I selected the basic, gratis net. I had no intention of paying daily for overinflated Wi-Fi tiers. And I assume, unless you're on important business of a live-streamer, that yous have no intention either.

Attempts at streaming on a Fire TV Stick in a hotel room — (Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

Simply then, afterward I plugged in my personal details I got this next image, which I idea was a pocket-sized error. Some glitch I could brute-force my way through by repeating the steps plenty.

But later multiple tries, each time hitting the same annoying screen, I grew worried. This experiment, which shouldn't have been that hard, was turning into one giant fail.

Roku Streaming Stick 4K in a hotel

And here I found a long, winding road to a win, 1 that started in failure.

Signing into the hotel Wi-Fi on the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, information technology gave me a "Network connection assist" window, alerting me that information technology needed "assistance in connecting" the Roku to the network. And "I am at a hotel or college dorm" was an option. I was, just as Thom Yorke sang, "optimistic."

Attempts at streaming on a Roku in a hotel room — (Epitome credit: Henry T. Casey)

But then I got the post-obit screen, which I approximate I couldn't act on fast plenty. This screen, which instructs you to basically connect your phone to the hotel or dorm internet, and then connect that phone to a mini wireless network that the Roku's created.

It sounded both convoluted nevertheless probable to work. Well, not if I moved too slowly for the screen to get away.

Attempts at streaming in a hotel room — (Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

I approximate I was spending too much time trying to photo the screen for this article and not enough time acting on the instructions. Or I striking the wrong push. But I couldn't get the steps to work.

Trying to get that screen to re-announced was a fruitless try, and 1 that had me frustrated. At that point, I only started trying the Fire Idiot box stick and Chromecast with Google Tv set, over and over again.

But, then, I unplugged the Roku Streaming Stick 4K'south power adapter, and plugged it back in. And since I had my telephone ready to follow the orders, I pushed through the steps and voila!

Connecting to Sling TV in a hotel room — (Image credit: Henry T. Casey)

I was able to open up upward Sling, and burn a few hours watching a bear witness in my DVR, the docuseries Dark Side of the Band. This whole try would have been a chip more than worthwhile had I been in that location for more than ane night, but the results and success was its own reward.

Readers, next time you're going away, brand certain to pack a streaming stick. Equally I said above, your results may vary, but know that you lot may have a shot at connecting to those terrible hotel Wi-Fi networks. And in Roku'due south instance, the visitor has adult some handy tricks to make any hotel stay feel like a night at domicile.

a hotel, roku, Fire TV and Chromecast remote in a row — (Prototype credit: Henry T. Casey)

Henry is a senior editor at Tom'southward Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple tree, reviewing devices and services for the by six-plus years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's too covered the wild globe of professional person wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/features/this-streaming-stick-actually-worked-with-hotel-wi-fi

Posted by: millermandist37.blogspot.com

This streaming stick actually worked with hotel Wi-Fi