kamnet wrote:There is a PBS channel, but it isn't an official one, it is a private one set up by an individual developer. From what I can tell it simply pulls content from PBS' RSS feeds.

For most public TV content, you probably want to pony up the $8/mo for a Hulu+ subscription.

Thank you. The private PBS channel plus local over-the-air broadcasts should be enough, but I may decide to go for the Hulu+ anyway, just for Burn Notice and Covert Affairs. Oh, and Necessary Roughness when it comes off hiatus.

Lakerfan248 wrote:You mentioned your ROKU is connected via wifi, does it lag or pause when you start playing 1080p? or is it better to connect it directly to the router via CAT5. I mentioned this because I have a 5400rpm hardrive on pogoplug and it lags just playing an MP4 wirelessly on PC.

In theory it should not, your wifi connection is going to offer a faster stream than any 1080p content will demand. You will have less issues by connecting directly via Ethernet, since you won't have to deal with any wireless interference, objects etc. I can't comment on the experience personally since my N1001 only supports up to 720p output.

If you're watching 1080p content directly via a official Roku channel, then you should have no problems. If you're using one of the previously mentioned media sharing channels like Plex or NextPVR, then the application on your server will need to transcode the content first before streaming it, and there may be a delay, depending on how fast your PC is. From my experience with my Roku & Plex set-up, it takes 10-60 seconds to buffer, then after that plays flawlessly.

fxfuji wrote:Fair enough. Your scenarios are reasonable, though personally I'd prefer a WDTV or Patriot Box Ofice connected to the home network and playing media files stored on a NAS... instead of a PC streaming and/or transcoding the file for the Roku to play, the WDTV/PBO accesses the file from the NAS as if from an attached disk drive.

otoh, the Roku has more channels than even the latest WDTV, so it might be simpler to run everything thru the Roku (even if your PC has to run hoops in the background) rather than hooking up two different media boxes to each TV. Sigh. Can't I just have one box that does everything.... for $50?! lol

p.s. When you're ready to consider a dedicated PC for your TV, you might consider an Acer Revo or similar nettop PC. It's quite small and can be mounted on the back of your flat-panel TV, so it could take up even less space than the Roku. Used ones are available on eBay for under $200.

I waffled between WDTV and Roku, and in the end it was the content on the Roku that won out. For the content that I am downloading, Plex runs very quietly in the background on my PC (same one I'm using now), never bothers me, constantly scans for new updates, and uses very little resources. On a busy night in my house I'll have people watching content via Plex in the living room and on a laptop while I'm engineering live podcasts via Shoutcast, UStream.tv and Skype, no issues with the bandwidth or PC resources.

Lakerfan248 wrote:You mentioned your ROKU is connected via wifi, does it lag or pause when you start playing 1080p? or is it better to connect it directly to the router via CAT5. I mentioned this because I have a 5400rpm hardrive on pogoplug and it lags just playing an MP4 wirelessly on PC.

If you're using 802.11g, it's possible that you don't have enough bandwidth for 1080p. The dirty little secret about WiFi specs is that you don't really get the full 54 Mbps in most real-world cases. Physical obstructions and interference in the 2.4 GHz band could reduce your bandwidth. Some people have reported good results using 802.11n to stream 1080p, but if you can afford to install Ethernet in your house, go for it... but use Cat6 (or 5e) instead of Cat5.

That said, it's not clear whether your 1080p videos lagging when they start playing is due to the bandwidth of your connection. It's possible that it is (the buffer is being filled), but if your videos lag only when they start and then play perfectly w/o glitches afterward, I'd guess that the latency is due to something other than a bandwidth problem.

bryan1436 wrote:Do these work as media center extenders?

Not very well. If you're accustomed to using another device like a ps3 xbox or wii to play content from your local network or a usb hdd you will be disappointed with thd roku. Its not supported out of the box so you'll have to set it up yourself by installing a channel on your roku and running a server in a pc on your network. The rokus interface works great for streaming services but not so well for navigating file directories. I have been through the ps3 roku 2 and a wdtv live plus in the last monh and returned them all. I am still using my wii with wiimc

halukucar wrote:Get a nettop and plug it in to your TV via HDMI and you have everything. Play all your video, music and picture archive from NAS and all of the streaming content out there plus an excellent browser, e-mail and productivity tools just like a real PC when you need it.

I have mine plugged into my 47" TV at 1080P resolution.

Can you reccomend a good nettop? Been Thinking about it but don't know where to start. It would be for a 42 inch tv connected via hdmi. Built in wireless opfional.

Do I really need to buy one here when I can go direct to Roku.com and get one for the same price and free shipping and no tax??
;^) Bob

I have the roku xd and just love it. My only complaint is the green screen I get when I switch hdmi channels on the tv. The fix is to unplug and plug back in the hdmi cable in back of the roku. I read somewhere that this problem was fixed on the roku 2.

jhuppertz
Not exactly correct. Fox channel is live during daytime. USTV is live. CNN is live during breaking news. NCAA BB tourney last march was live. Several special events were live.

All models of Roku get the latest firmware upgrades automatically. Older version generally has more output options/plugs. Newer versions have more internal memory, upgraded remote and if top of line games. 95% of channels work on all units. Special Black Friday pricing for 2 units through facebook page and low end Roku2 $49.95 free shipping on Roku Site. Roku site has chart comparing Version 2 models

My kids are yelling at me, so sorry if someone already posted this link...but here's the last woot Roku. http://www.woot.com/Forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=4567650
I bought two of those and ditched cable. Best choice I ever made. We stream netflix and so far have had enough to watch that we havent bothered with any other subscriptions. I ended up giving one of them to my dad and he uses it to stream WSJ and MSNBC and watch (gag) Fox News (its live from 9am-3pm).
Ditch cable TODAY wooters! Okay, well, maybe in a month when this actually arrives via smartpost.

jhuppertz wrote:Guys, BEFORE you buy, let me set some things straight (b/c the writeup for this box is misleading).

a) With this (or most any other streaming), you will NOT get any LIVE TV programming. All of this is canned-content (at best, from the day before).

b) You WILL need to pay for subscriptions to services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon streaming, HBO-to-Go, etc. They don't get their content for free, any more than the cable or satellite guys do. And gee, wasn't it Netflix that raised their prices 60% overnight just a couple of months ago???

c) You will NOT get live sports events with this - at least not the ones most want to watch. No NFL games live. No NBA, MLB, NCAA, NHL. Some games or leagues are available streaming for $$, but most are not. How do you think the teams that pay these players mega-millions get their money? Mostly from selling Television rights to their games, and they will not allow them to be streamed.

Playing the role of Party Pooper, jhuppertz

Did someone poo in your cheerios?

Now, what does this thing do and how does it work and does it only work wired?
I know netflix on the computer and I know that you can get it onto the tv with game consoles (don't have on though).

Had one and it worked fine for the few days I kept it.

Here's the problem for me and a few million others: No CLOSED CAPTIONING.

Not offered, not available from any of the streaming sites, including Netflix. I need it due to lousy hearing, and I'm hardly the only one.

So if you are buying this for yourself or someone who needs CC, it's useless.

Do Not Remove the little Blue Tags under penalty of law :-)

CowboyDann wrote:You do need to subscribe to the pay sites like netflix and amazon but they have plenty of free channels. They do provide plenty of free content. Some of my favorites are TEDTalks Crackle and the NASA/Space related programs.Here is a list of all channels available

That's great! Cheers Cowboy!

Does it work for youtube video streaming?

This could be an excellent gift for my father, if he wasn't technologically stunted.
It'd be like buying your uncle a dvd player and then trying to hook it up to his television that is 30 years old...

Does anyone here have AT&T DSL? I was wondering if you do much streaming if you go anywhere near the limit of 150 GB per month? Or if you don't have AT&T DSL or an ISP that doesn't have a limit on monthly usage? I pay just $19.99 a month for my internet, which I know I will have to upgrade to a faster speed, but if I drop my Dish Network I only save $45.00 a month. Decisions...decisions!

Was going to get my mom an AppleTV, but saw this instead. She'll use it almost exclusively for Netflix and the occasional Amazon movie. Perfect Christmas gift.

Do they still require you to enter a credit card # to activate? I haven't bought one because I heard they do that, don't know why. Does anyone know for sure?

How do I pepper spray any of you for the last one of this thing? It doesn't really count as shopping today unless mindless violence and gluttony happens.

Need to try this. Have been wanting to start a move away from cable, have been too lazy to build a media center pc and this seems like a logical first step. Already use the hell outta netflix, and wife has Amazon prime so she gets the movies... might as well drop $50 try this and see if we can live without the real time network crap (I can hopefully the kids and wife can too)... might check out the hulu plus too. Man I'd love to tell the cable company to shove it.

OK- after reading all the posts here- going to hulu and roku's channel sites I still have a (probably very dumb) question. The only channels I currently watch are the Discovery channels, ID, etc. and FX. It looks to me like I will lose these channels if I get this- or am I wrong?

bmundt303 wrote:With this Roku XD, Is there a way that I could stream from my computer an external hard drive downloaded content?

What about a black friday woot-off??

Yes, that is do-able with a custom channel:
http://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?t=25955

Roku has also been discussing DNLA for quite some time, but I haven't seen anything yet suggesting its supported.

I already have subscriptions to netflix streaming, hulu plus, hbo go, etc...

Will I be able to use this out of the box without any additional fees or is their a "roku tax"?

TheStapler wrote:This could be an excellent gift for my father, if he wasn't technologically stunted.
It'd be like buying your uncle a dvd player and then trying to hook it up to his television that is 30 years old...

I haven't been able to get my wife to use almost any technology I setup (media server, etc), yet she has no problem with our Roku player.

It has a VERY simple interface with a very simple remote to control it. The combined effect is that if someone can operate a normal TV, they can operate a Roku box.

I bought it just because i had a credit at BestBuy and I love it... I can't comment on other people saying theirs have frozen or locked up on occasion. Mine never has but I apparently have a new version. Mine is the XD but it is black and purple. In either case, definitely worth it.

Yea it all transfers over... when you setup your roku it asks about accounts you already have and you just add them to your roku account... it walks you through the process.

straydog1980 wrote:I already have subscriptions to netflix streaming, hulu plus, hbo go, etc...

Will I be able to use this out of the box without any additional fees or is their a "roku tax"?

corderbo wrote:Do I really need to buy one here when I can go direct to Roku.com and get one for the same price and free shipping and no tax??
;^) Bob

HD is $59 at Roku's website. Not to mention that Roku is selling the Roku 2.

I don't know what a Roku 2 can do that a Roku can't (I have the Roku XD), but I can tell you my Roku has an ethernet port, and it looks like you have to get an "advanced" Roku 2 for that.

also, why would I want an expandable SD slot anyway? The ROKU 2 is on their website for only $25 more (considering free shipping) and has expandable SD. What do I need memory for with this thing if it's a streaming device?

In for one. Gearing up to pull the plug on cable tv. Need to upgrade the antennae to HD and I'm all set. We've been watching Netflix on the Wii, this should be a welcome change to that set up. Not to mention a slight power savings. Thanks, Woot!

I have a first gen Roku player and love it, but it has its quirks. This is the 2nd gen, right? Wondering if someone can answer a question about it for me.

With the first gen Roku, if I add too many channels, the box goes absolutely haywire and will display some and not others in a sort of random fashion. Apparently, this is based on its limited memory, and there's no real error checking to see if it's run out of memory, it just spits up a warning that says, "You have too many channels" and then allows it anyway, but works bizarrely (I've even had it remove the 'channel store' channel).

Does anyone know if they've fixed that behaviour, or if they've added channel memory in these (or even the Roku 2s), or in ANY way made the adding/removing of channels more rational so that you understand the limitations before they cause problems?

Do your homework first, it is not all free
Problems with some "channels"
I have been working on my new Roku 2 XS for days trying to get it working better.

I bought a new one about a year ago for $100 from SouthAmericanRiver.com. I'd much rather get the new Roku 2 XD for $30 more. The original Roku does not support subtitles on Netflix. The Roku 2 does. With two young kids who wake up if you talk louder than a whisper, the only way I can watch TV at night is by muting it. Without subtitles I might as well not watch any TV at all.

Is this a Roku 1 or Roku 2?

oh well, in for 1. at the very least it will give us hulu plus, netflix and amazon vod in the bedroom. the ability to squaretrade it pushed me over the edge. love them!

So it does stream Hulu Plus, but what about Hulu? Youtube? Other free services?

aaronshall wrote:Instant Replay Remote for $1.99
Roku

$1.99 plus $4.99 shipping

Isn't there an app for that?

According to the Roku website, a new box has only a 90 day warranty. I bought the Roku 2 several months ago and I love it, I'll put it in my basement and get this one so that I can have 1080p on my big tv. Pulled the plug on cable and don't miss it.