Festive streamers caught in Vulture's claws: Gadget-ogle for audiophiles, video geeks

It's NOT just about the gadget... Old TVs, power ports and more

The FireTV, like other streamers, can be controlled via apps as well as the remote

Those aren't the only factors, though. That HDMI connection is the only way you're getting anything out a streaming stick, so if it's a really old TV, you may be better off choosing, for example, one of the Roku models that also offers a composite video output. In a similar vein, the Amazon FireTV box has an SPDIF, which could be handy if you have an older AV system.

You may also need to think about power. The sticks can't draw power through an HDMI port. Instead, you'll find a USB power adaptor in the box, and you'll have to find a way to route the cables from that to the back of the TV. If you're lucky, you may have a fairly recent TV that includes a powered USB port, usually intended for a hard disk to record on.

The net connection is something to watch out for with a stick as well. Both Roku and Amazon offer dual-band wireless, and Amazon chucks in MIMO too. Chromecast looks a bit old-fashioned by comparison – and that may be an issue in very built-up areas. Or perhaps with a built-in TV where the stick may be sandwiched between the TV and a metal mounting frame.

Amazon's FireTV is the latest streaming kit to land in the UK

The approach of the Chromecast differs too, of course, as it has no real UI of its own, and relies on you casting from an app. The Amazon and Roku can be controlled that way, or with a remote, though you will have to pay extra with Amazon's stick to get one.

How much of an issue that will be is personal. While I don't much care for Roku's remote, it's fine for browsing through the Netflix series I've been watching, for instance. When it comes to searching for new material, using the on-screen keyboard is a nightmare. Meanwhile, using Fire TV's voice control is great.

Oh what a tangled web

Ultimately, it's probably in the way that they're controlled that these modern streamers have come on most from that old Soundbridge and Roku. Notwithstanding the remotes on Roku and Amazon, many of these devices are at their best when you can use your tablet or phone to control them. "Casting" your screen from one device to another gives the best of both worlds – a rich interface, with much easier searching via a touchscreen keyboard, and the big screen experience for watching.

However, in my experience, this is also where things can become tricky. For example, Chromecast can play back your Netflix content via a tablet controller, but getting surround via the gadget seems to be a bit hit and miss, especially when compared to doing so via the Roku.

And not all devices are created equal. Testing the EE TV, it was exciting to see it pop up in the list of available devices from the YouTube app on Android. Could I cast anything else, to make up for the lack of available content on the box? Sadly not. It pops up for YouTube because the box advertises that it can handle YouTube via its built in app.

Similarly, while just about everything is available for playing YouTube, with the exception of Amazon's Fire, when you venture into other areas, figuring out what can be played or controlled is far from obvious. Roku's streaming stick and Amazon's Fire, for example can be controlled via the Netflix app on my tablet. But my older 2XS can't be, as it doesn't run the latest version of Netflix. I can, however, cast Netflix from the tablet to the Chromecast - which is also the only way I can play Blinkbox content on the TV at all.

In fact, despite it's far superior specs, the Blinkbox app is marked on the Play Store as incompatible with my new Moto X, so I have to use my increasingly creaky Nexus 7 to control films. If that dies - and Lollipop may well push it into an early grave - my Blinkbox films will be accessible only on the laptop, unless I buy a new tablet.

Non-stop music has moved on a fair bit since the days of the auto-changer

So what's in the box, Santa?

So, if you're toying with treating yourself to a streamer this Christmas, what the hell should you get? I'd love to say there's a simple answer. But it's not entirely straightforward.

Right now, your choice may be partly governed by whether you want specific services – say Blinkbox, or Amazon Prime – and to a degree by the other devices you have available. You might find lots of things you want to watch on Blinkbox, for instance, but even if you have a Chromecast, it's no good if the app's not compatible with your phone. And Amazon's Fire is a cute little box, but if you habitually spend drunken evenings with YouTube, it's not the one for you.

In short, if you're planning on buying a streamer this Christmas, proceed with caution. ®