It’s a plug-in device that makes your dumb tv smart. There are many devices competing in this market, Firestick, Chromecast, Apple TV , as well as generic set top boxes that run some form of Android OS. These generic boxes are often called Kodi boxes as the Kodi movie streaming software usually comes loaded. They typically plug in to your TV’s HDMI port, while at the same time connect to the internet through your home router (WiFi or wired) or possibly over a 4/3G cellular network such as a MiFi router or your phone as a hotspot.
I ran an Apple TV (set top box about the size of a deck of cards) with my dumb Samsung tv for years. It allowed me to stream movie rentals from Apple, as well as free content from apps like YouTube and also ran the Netflix app to which I was subscribed. I now have a Sony Bravia smart TV so I don’t use the Apple TV these days. The Sony is a true smart tv so it connects to the internet and it runs apps, like Netflix, Kodi, YouTube or whatever else I chose to load from the Google Play Store.
Whether you choose to go the fully fledged smart tv route or use an external device with your existing tv, it is important to consider the operating system (OS). The Android TV OS is king here IMO. This is a modified version of the Android OS and is more geared to operating from your couch i.e. the 10 foot GUI. The Android OS is a good second. Bottom line, there is a plethora of apps available on the Google Play Store. If you choose to download a streaming app that requires a subscription such as Netflix, that’s up to you. There are other streaming apps that do not require a subscription, Kodi, Terrarium etc. The legality of their useage is questionable but they are very popular.
Sharp, Philips and Sony TVs run Android TV. So does a Mi Box if you want to keep your existing TV. Samsung TVs run their own OS. It will give your options, Netflix etc. but cannot access the Play Store. The Firestick runs Amazon’s OS which again is not as good as Android but it might be all you need.
Anyone thinking of streaming in their MH should probably ask themselves a couple of basic questions.
Do you want to keep your existing TV and bring streaming services to it? If so, then some kind of an external device is needed and your tv ought to have a HDMI port. Otherwise buy a smart tv.
Which OS? Android TV, Android, Amazon, Apple, Samsung ?etc. Your smart phone OS might influence this decision.
Do you want subscriptions? Netflix, Amazon prime, Google Play, Hulu, Spotify, etc. etc.
How to access internet? 4G hotspot over on cellular data plan, free WiFi at campsite?