My dad has a good HT set up, but it is difficult to to make changes in the set up due to the design. They want to get a Netflix streaming device. It will plug right into the tv for ease of use. I have a Chrome cast and love it, but without a remote, I know they won't use it. I am thinking fire stick or Roku stick, leaning toward Fire stick due to the Amazon integration. The remotes look similar. Anything I should know of before I make a recommendation to him?

I like the Roku (both the remote and the actual service) better than the Fire - I have both and my Fire is currently unplugged and not connected because I get everything I need on the Roku (including Amazon Prime). The Roku remote has nice big and raised buttons that your Dad will probably appreciate. The Fire's remote has a flat circle for navigation that your father may find confusing, depending on how "techy" he is.

My dad isn't a tech-noob, but the larger raised buttons seem like a better idea. Thanks for the help.

The Fire Stick is still a mess, imho, and can't recommend it. Flimsy wifi, wonky interface, buggy software.

That said, the Roku Stick has the best remote since it's more difficult to lose (it's larger) and it's a lot less buggy, though it's also pretty slow.

I bought my parents a refurbished Roku 3 (which supports Wifi Direct and IR remotes) and a Harmony 650 to control all of it (and their receiver). But that's the expensive way to do things.

Roku has the better remote, by far, but it's not good enough to warrant choosing Roku Stick over Fire Stick. The former is VERY sluggish, even more so than the reviews let on.

Keep in mind that the Fire Stick requires plugging into an AC outlet. Only the newest Roku Stick and Chromecast are USB powered.

If it's at all possible with the HT setup, I'd recommend the Roku 3 over the Roku Stick. The Roku 3 remote doesn't require line-of-sight, so you can put the box inside a cabinet. Or maybe hang it behind/below the TV using a mount.

http://www.amazon.com/TotalMount-ROK...dp/B00I8Y6V9E/
http://www.amazon.com/TotalMount-ROK...dp/B00LLUUZC6/

Maybe they should go with the Roku 3 or regular Fire rather than the sticks since it sounds like this will be a permanent setup?

He has power behind the mounted TV, so that is not an issue. It is more about not having to deal with recievers and universal remotes of the existing setup. I considered streaming boxes, but I think a stick one eliminates the visible box.

The current Rokus all use Wifi Direct with its native remote (they all also offer IR simultaneously, incase you want it), so even the full version is mountable behind a TV.

Just had to reiterate that the Fire TV Stick is garbage right now.

Just get him a Fire TV and duct tape it to the back of the tv. Its pretty small and light, like 2 CD cases stacked. The remote also has the voice search for amazon stuff