No smart TV, no problem: Streaming sticks can bridge the tech and accessibility gap

Streaming devices have bridged the technology and accessibility gap making it easy to take, well your viewing experience anywhere you go including on holiday.

With the plethora of movies, series and sport on the TV these day, it’s difficult to leave it all behind.

While many say they will relax during the hard-earned breaks, we know that it is hardly the case as many delve in shopping or catching up on last night final footie score, or perhaps savouring that last few laps of a Formula one race.  

But what if the hotel or lodge you are staying at has no streaming services? Well you can get a streaming device that will allow you to cast straight to the TV set in the room.

Portability

Streaming sticks are incredibly portable. They can fit into a pocket or purse so that you can take them to a friend’s house or on holiday. They are also far more affordable than smart TVs, which means you can replace them without breaking the bank if something goes wrong.

Certain models offer specialised streaming services not available on smart TVs, so you can get precisely what you want without having to subscribe to any service like Showmax which has partnered with KwaZulu-Natal-based company QVWi.

The Leap TV S2 streaming stick by QVWi has built-in Google Chromecast technology that transforms almost any TV into a smart TV capable of running the latest app technology.

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How to use it

Simply plug the device into the TV’s HDMI port and start streaming shows to the TV.

So why do you need this? Well with the TV technology moving rapidly, a streaming stick removes the expense, waste and inconvenience of upgrading older model TVs to support the latest streaming technology.

Downside

However, there is a downside if you are stuck on picture quality.

The visual performance that streaming sticks provide depends on your TV, so the content only looks as good as your TV allows. Even with a 4K streaming device, you won’t get superior image quality unless you have a 4K TV.

Streaming sticks generally start from R999 for a Media Box Neo or Xiaomi TV box and R1500 for an Amazon Fire Stick. The new QVWi device retails for R999 from 1 August.

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