You guys do know, that I just went to the manufact site, and they have it brand new for the same price as woot!

WT Flagnod

seriously?

tindios wrote:The $69.99 version is only the HD, not the HD-XR (which makes it wireless) The HD-XR is $99.99

http://www.roku.com/roku-products#2

All the boxes are wi-fi, the HD_XR has an extended range for the Mc Mansions and it many other features like usb for one.

Any of these boxes are a great deal, because ROKU is a great product offering a lot of free streaming channels even without netflix, which is great and you should get anyway.

BIGELLOW wrote:
Then I read online that the problem might only be the power supply. So, I bought a replacement cord online (about $10 shipped). It works!

So, be warned... it MAY simply stop working one day, but don't give up on it... it's a simple fix.

They've fixed this problem. The older boxes shipped with a 1.5 amp adapter. The new ones (including this one, as noted in the description) ship with a 2.5 amp adapter.

thegametech wrote:You guys do know, that I just went to the manufact site, and they have it brand new for the same price as woot!

WT Flagnod

seriously?

Roku site still has it for $99.99 (nothing to see here)

gunnyman wrote:It has an AC plug. Batteries?

Yeah, duh! I read batteries in the description -- that was for the remote. Alrighty then!

jpm100 wrote:Really interested in compatibility with Slingbox as well? Or is this hardwired for services like Netflix?

I'm putting a TV in a location without a coax and it would be really difficult to add new wiring to that location. I was considering a Slingbox or HDHomeRun to put the signal on the home network over the air or over the power lines.

But so far this means using a PC to playback the signal, which I have a quasi-media PC built up anyway. But replacing a PC with this would be a lot cleaner especially since the Media PC needs some work yet.

Does this do the same thing as the PS3 when it comes to streaming instantly? I tried it for the first time last night and I could only watch it in 480 throught the PS3..

has anyone tried to use a universal remote for this? or is it not possible with its buttons?

To clear up what folks have been saying about this box and the price. ROKU has a 60 dollar box. It's the BASIC one. This si their current Top of the line unit which they and amazon and every other online retailer sell NEW for $99. This is a refurb unit for $69. See it's easy.

themerchant wrote:has anyone tried to use a universal remote for this? or is it not possible with its buttons?

My harmony 880 has Roku support if that's what you're wondering.

kcmark wrote:5 reasons

1. Netflix does not allow HD streaming to PC's. If you want Netflix in HD, you have to go through a Netflix approved device other than a PC.

Then, for those that just want to watch Netflix (and the other content this provides access to) and don't care about the added benefits a PC provides, this has:

(2) faster start up than a PC,

(3) lower power consumption than a PC,

(4) (arguably) easier navigation from start to finish than a PC.

(5) better portability than a HTPC. It would be a PITA to move your HTPC to your bedroom or folk's house to watch a movie some night or weekend away - it's easy to take the Roku with you where ever you want to watch.

NetFlix streams HD to PC. Your monitor just isn't big enough to constitute a need for it.

balletbull wrote:I live in New York and the Tax is more than the shipping.

Use coupon code TAXSUCKS to get free shipping.

kelliedn wrote:I have both. Roku is better as it has search capailities and doesn't require a dongle for wireless connection

Thanks for the reply.

I have used 2 Samsung players to stream NetFlix, but both were connected via Cat 5. The first stop working when it reported an issue with the NetFlix key being hacked.

We also stream NetFlix wirelessly through our Wii which has the search capability, although the video quality is not as good.

Decided to buy one of these earlier after a bit of research around the web.

We shall see how well it works.

portnoyd wrote:Ah yes, the return of man hands. Scary. Nice deal though.

I think it's the closeup. When I checked the dimensions of the Roku (only 5" x 5"), I realized that it's only slight larger than my WD media player, which I can easily hold in one hand. These are actually petite hands.

In for one. I was hemming and hawing all day at work over the lesser Roku they offered last month and when I finally decided to buy it, they were sold out. I guess I'll be signing up with Netflix again. Maybe I'll see what free content is available first.

soooo....I need wifi in my home to be able to use this?

Cancelled my AppleTV order to pick this up! Woot!

beware wrote:Does this stream x264 either from usb or across network?

PReed4962 wrote:Does anyone know if this will play DVD structure? (via Video_TS folder, for example)

Thanks!

NightGhost wrote:Here's how someone got an h.264 stream to work: forum

He used ffserver, and can stream all sorts of formats. Not also "This approach is open source, relatively simple, and will allow you to encode broadbast HDTV, satallite fed HDTV, or output from a DVD player, or Fixed Camera."

Also, apparently this channel is constantly being improved.

kcmark wrote:5 reasons

1. Netflix does not allow HD streaming to PC's. If you want Netflix in HD, you have to go through a Netflix approved device other than a PC.

Then, for those that just want to watch Netflix (and the other content this provides access to) and don't care about the added benefits a PC provides, this has:

(2) faster start up than a PC,

(3) lower power consumption than a PC,

(4) (arguably) easier navigation from start to finish than a PC.

(5) better portability than a HTPC. It would be a PITA to move your HTPC to your bedroom or folk's house to watch a movie some night or weekend away - it's easy to take the Roku with you where ever you want to watch.

All very good reasons. I just go with a PS3 and XBOX 360 since I'm a heavy gamer.

Quick question - does anyone know if this will this allow me to stream media wirelessly from a NAS device on my home network? Will it recognize the drive an play media? It doesn't explicitly say it in the description.

nesiebug wrote:soooo....I need wifi in my home to be able to use this?

Yes, unless you want to run an ethernet cable to the Roku.

kenbuzz wrote:I wonder if there's a way to get this to operate remotely via my Slingbox? I know I can watch Netflix from my hotel room on my PC, but it would be nice to be able to control the Roku to watch other Roku channels. Also, since the Slingbox is networked inside our home and is used to pipe video to the exercize room while my wife or I are on the treadmill, it would be nice to use that there as well.

My Slingbox's IR blaster cable has two "fingers"... I can likely move one to the Roku, but would need a control code of some sort to use the Slingbox to control it. Any ideas?

Read this forum.

wizeguy wrote:On my Nas (within my entertainment center) I have my itunes library, photo library and video recorded off of my Cannon and Panasonic cameras. I'd love to find a device that I can connect up to my tv and stereo and have access to that without streaming through a computer. I was hoping my xbox 360 was that device but its really slow.

Does the Roku fit the bill or is there something better? I just want to see my pictures and hear my music. It shouldn't be this tough.

Umm that would be a product introduced on September 1 by the name of "Apple TV." It costs $25 more ($99) but in addition to doing all that the roku box does, it also lets you stream video from your computer AND listen to your itunes AND watch youtube videos on your TV.

This $75 "Does cool stuff" box is very cool (I have had a roku for a year and it's been great) - but in light of the recent introduction from Apple, a $99 "does all that plus several more important things" box seems like a much better deal.

Question: Who in their right mind would buy this box now? Only people who don't have the extra $25? Or am I missing something here?

imanone wrote:Do you need one of these for each tv in your home if you want to cancel cable?

Pretty much yes. It does have both component and HDMI outputs, so I suppose you could run wires all the way to a second TV. I'm not sure they would work simultaneously, though.

Can I watch streaming video say on ESPN3?

bshomb wrote:Cancelled my AppleTV order to pick this up! Woot!

did the very same thing LOL!

questlady wrote:I do know that my 4 year old helps himself to it. he does not need my help, he even helps Grandma figure it out when she comes over!

From what I've read, a lot of 4-year-olds could operate this. However, setting up the channel that streams from your PC and/or USB takes some savvy.

Can this be unplugged somewhat often and retain settings?

...live in a small apartment, wife and I have TV/DVD player on a cart that we wheel to various rooms to watch DVDs. Naturally the cart is unplugged each time we do this. Heck; we have to unplug and move the cart just to open the door to the closet. SO; will it retain any/all settings (wifi info, etc.) if/as we continue this behavior? Anyone who has one willing to test for us by unplugging for 10 minutes and plug back in? Thanks Woot Folks!

FYI - bought one already regardless, but would love to know in advance.

-DadaCheese.

bop13 wrote:Thats what my question is.If you can get netflix on your computer,blu-ray player,or even your wii why do you need this thing?

1) convenience

2) You can hook this up to a TV that currently has no streaming device

3) It does more than Netflix.

And I bet I've missed some things.

kcmark wrote:1. Netflix does not allow HD streaming to PC's. If you want Netflix in HD, you have to go through a Netflix approved device other than a PC.

Um, I don't know where you got this, but it's not true. I just watched "The Skeleton Key" in HD via Netflix on a PC last night.
The movie - not so great. The HD - fantastic.

caffeine_dude wrote:Will this work with TVersity? Do I even want to use TVersity? Will the included software stream content from my PC? How well does it rewind?

AFAIK, it won't work with TVersity. However, there are posts in this thread that describe the use of a similarly functioning server.

I don't know specifically about rewind with the server, but new features are being added all the time.

Hey Guys - the WDTV Live HD Media Player is over on eBay for $37.99 free shipping (factory refurb). This model streams local media as well as internet media.

dulala wrote:Is this the one that does or does NOT work with TiVO??

I'm not sure I understand the question. What is it you are trying to do?

This does something different than your Tivo, which works fine without the Roku.

Are you looking to stream TIVO output over the web?

scooterMX wrote:Hey Guys - the WDTV Live HD Media Player is over on eBay for $37.99 free shipping (factory refurb). This model streams local media as well as internet media.

It's a great player (I have one), but it's a different animal than the ROKU. Note also that it's not the WD HD TV Live Plus, which is the model you need for Netfilx.

mgupta81 wrote:Quick question - does anyone know if this will this allow me to stream media wirelessly from a NAS device on my home network? Will it recognize the drive an play media? It doesn't explicitly say it in the description.

Not unless you install additional server on desktop.
So if you want to watch stuff from your NAS (or don't want to recode your media into MPEG4 from whatever format it's in) don't buy it yet

venzam wrote:can i stream my movies from my PC or mac to this bad boy?

There are several posts in this thread about how to stream local content, and yes, it works with a PC or a Mac.

sakanuki wrote:I bought one of these directly from Roku last month and this is definitely a buy. I read on one site that this speedy Roku player will only show it's stuff if you have an "N" router. Without it, this blogger said it's no faster than the standard Roku. So I bought an N router and, to be honest, I don't know that I saw a difference. Anybody with more technical savvy know anything about this?

I have both the HD and the XR units and both work great with the G router. Roku tells me that the HD is good to 30 feet and the XR is good to 90 feet with the G router and that has been my expereience. I tried the HD model at 50 feet and it did not pick up the signal so I guess Roku is right. My XR unit is at 65 feet and up one level in my house.

thegametech wrote:You guys do know, that I just went to the manufact site, and they have it brand new for the same price as woot!

WT Flagnod

seriously?

Wow - these posts are like a computer virus.

No - the model without USB (Roku HD, not XR) is the same price.

Could have used the XR model a couple weeks ago, not cool Woot ... not cool

so...right now i have to convert my videos downloaded from the net and burn them to dvd's to watch on my TV...when I get this item, can i just transfer the video files to my 16GB USB Drive and plug the drive right into the ROKU to watch them on the TV?

scooterMX wrote:Hey Guys - the WDTV Live HD Media Player is over on eBay for $37.99 free shipping (factory refurb). This model streams local media as well as internet media.

I saw that as well. A much better deal than the Roku player. Just plug in a HDD and your set with 1080p