The second best thing about it is how easy it is to set up. If your holiday bounty included a brand-new Roku device, here's how get it up and running—and add some essential channels right off the bat.

What's the Difference Between the Roku Box and the Streaming Stick?

In terms of streaming functionality, they're more or less identical. Still, there are a few differences between the full-on Roku box and the HDMI stick. In this explainer, I'll concentrate on the latest streamers: the $90 Roku 3 box and the $50 Roku HDMI Streaming Stick.

The cheaper stick has one advantage, and it's right there in its name: It has a built-in HDMI connector. The Roku 3 (and all other Roku boxes) don't come with HDMI cables, so you'll need to buy or supply your own.