I've had the original Roku player from day one and it's been a fantastic addition to the living room. This XR seems like a no-brainer considering the upscale to HD...

I'm looking into the USB connection, but I thought I read in the forums for the USB channel that it only supports USB thumbdrives and not usb harddrives, let alone drives powered via the usb hub.

Also, I've not seen any reference by anyone here about the Seagate's FreeAgent Theater+... This is one looks promising.

Seagate just dropped the price to $99 on this as well and from what I found you don't have to buy a FreeAgent drive to have it to work - it will do NetFlix and connect to external systems.

So, yeah, ok. I'm still on the fence...

calculon68 wrote:Anyone not married to iTunes/iTMS.
Anyone who has an Amazon VOD library.
Anyone that wants the best device to view Netflix on the market.
Anyone that wants 1080p content.
Anyone that still uses Analog/Component TV sets.

When you compare Apple TV to the competition, it falls short in several areas. Even the HDNation guys were meh about the AppleTV...

Anyone in their right mind would choose Roku XR

so should i get this or get the new apple TV??????????????????

You guys out there who have experience with both the Roku and the WDTV. What are the positive and negatives of the WDTV. Since I have 2 Roku boxes I am very familiar with the Rokus. Thanks.

Parkerswann wrote:

How do you hook this stuff up and what do you need . Besides the fact I need to have a kid in order to figure this out RIGHT BRAINED HERE. Tell me what stuff I need to buy. I am an old couch pototo who likes music old shows, old movies, NATIONAL geo, Hist channels stuff HATE reality tv! Thanks for the helpful advice

calculon68 wrote:Anyone not married to iTunes/iTMS.
Anyone who has an Amazon VOD library.
Anyone that wants the best device to view Netflix on the market.
Anyone that wants 1080p content.
Anyone that still uses Analog/Component TV sets.

When you compare Apple TV to the competition, it falls short in several areas. Even the HDNation guys were meh about the AppleTV...

Anyone in their right mind would choose Roku XR

Thanks but help what about sling box? What is wii or wdo?

Want to know if I can connect to any website using this player -- I have a paid TV subscription to an India based channel via a website for which I am currently dedicating a computer (and then connect it to TV in turn). Can this player relieve the computer and let me watch the TV directly by logging on to this website?

I LOVE my Roku. I get WAY more content from NetFlix to my Roku than I do on DVD disk.

I have a secured wireless network here at the house, and the Roku connects to it effortlessly. It streams data at 4 dots quality (the max) over 90% of the time, and doesn't seem to case and lag to other wireless systems on my network.

Dadacheese wrote:Can this be unplugged somewhat often and retain settings?


-DadaCheese.

It saves your settings. It takes longer to load after being unplugged. There's enough time to make microwave popcorn while you're waiting.

Does it have any spanish channels or programming. If so what are they or show me where to look them up.

Thanks

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

I want to know that too!

pvram68 wrote:Want to know if I can connect to any website using this player -- I have a paid TV subscription to an India based channel via a website for which I am currently dedicating a computer (and then connect it to TV in turn). Can this player relieve the computer and let me watch the TV directly by logging on to this website?

Who do you have indian subscription with? I am looking to sign up.

Thanks

djrmsn wrote:I'm having no luck researching this myself - so here goes ... Would this work on 110/220v and stream PAL as well as NTSC?

The power converter 'brick' will only handle 110v. The Roku merely streams video from source, so the dvd (or VHS) player would be the unit that decodes the media from a PAL or NTSC source.

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

Don't know about the universal remote, but if you have an Android phone you can download and use "RoMote" from the Market - works great.

drunkenalien wrote:Does it have any spanish channels or programming. If so what are they or show me where to look them up.

Thanks

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

pvram68 wrote:Want to know if I can connect to any website using this player -- I have a paid TV subscription to an India based channel via a website for which I am currently dedicating a computer (and then connect it to TV in turn). Can this player relieve the computer and let me watch the TV directly by logging on to this website?

You can't connect to ANY website. It has to be supported by the player. If the channel you're talking about is ChannelLive.TV or YuppTV you'll be able to watch it directly with the player.
http://www.roku-channels.com/

npatel0317 wrote:Who do you have indian subscription with? I am looking to sign up.

Thanks

check out the Roku channel store (see http://www.roku.com/roku-channel-store#2) - they have a channel called "YuppTV" that streams content from India. Now if only they could stream some chicken tikka masala with some naan...

Can shows/movies be downloaded and saved to a USB drive to watch later?

BenH98 wrote:Can it stream files from a cpu or an external hard drive?? If yes - what type of files does it support?

The Roku XD will play mp4 files, you can use this channel and plug in an external HD.

http://roksbox.com/home/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=55

Just wondering if NightGhost either has the day off (and might be a tad bored), or gets a cut from Roku every time one sells? Quite on top of things!

Parkerswann wrote:How do you hook this stuff up and what do you need . Besides the fact I need to have a kid in order to figure this out RIGHT BRAINED HERE. Tell me what stuff I need to buy. I am an old couch pototo who likes music old shows, old movies, NATIONAL geo, Hist channels stuff HATE reality tv! Thanks for the helpful advice

The first thing I would tell you to do would be to go to the Roku web site and watch the video. Then I would check my router to see if you have a B,G,or N I would recommend at least a G router. This will be somewhere on the router. Then you have to make the decision of whether you are going hard wired or wireless. If you are going hard wired you will need an ethernet cable to go from the router to the Roku. The next decision will be based on your TV set. If you have an HDMI port. That is best and you will need to buy an HDMI cable and you can buy them dirt cheap on Amazon. If you do not have an HDMI port on your TV set then you can use the old Red,white, and yellow connectors and you will have to buy a cable for that connection. Then plug in the Roku and follow the instructions on the screen.

mark1161 wrote:[quote postid="4131046" user="llamabox"]$99.99 New on [url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/

How about $69.99 new on Roku.com!!

Roku has 3 models from 49.99 to 99.99

http://shop.roku.com/Roku-Digital-Video-Player-Options-W5.aspx

dlevasseur wrote:I found the link over at slickdeals, it is not the "live" version just the WDTV HD.

I looked at the channel list. Wasn't impressed. I have a massive collection on my home server that I would rather have access to.

If it's channels you want, you definitely want the Roku and not the WD. Hope you got one before they sold out.

mcgill wrote:You guys out there who have experience with both the Roku and the WDTV. What are the positive and negatives of the WDTV. Since I have 2 Roku boxes I am very familiar with the Rokus. Thanks.

I have the WDTV Live, but not the Roku. However, I've read a lot of stuff on the Roku, and the simple answer is that Roku excels at streaming channels, while the WD excels at playing local content.

F0rSaken wrote:Just wondering if NightGhost either has the day off (and might be a tad bored), or gets a cut from Roku every time one sells? Quite on top of things!

I am multitasking.

oh goodie! we get to stare at another "Sold out!" image. Nothing drives shoppers away quicker than to keep seeing the equivalent of "Sorry we're closed!" sign on every visit.

Please post another item for sale when the previous item sells out in 10 minutes.

turbobuick86 wrote:oh goodie! we get to stare at another "Sold out!" image. Nothing drives shoppers away quicker than to keep seeing the equivalent of "Sorry we're closed!" sign on every visit.

Please post another item for sale when the previous item sells out in 10 minutes.

How about 13 hours?

You might want to check out Woot during a Woot-Off, when they do just that. Ordinarily, it's one deal a day, so check it out early!

You can also check out the other Woot sites, such as sellout.woot.

I have a Roku HD fed through FiOS in the garage and it's great!

In the house I run netflix etc through xbox360 which I think handles streaming the best. Of course you have to pay that extra $50 (gonna be $60) per year for xbox live.

Yeah I see it's sold out, still have a question for the next time it's available

I've been trying to figure out if I should go with the Roku or Boxee as a cable replacement. The benefits to Boxee seem to be the easier ability to get media from my hard drive, plus the media can be any format, not the limited formats available on the Roku. Also Boxee has Hulu which is necessary if this is to replace cable. Boxee box is going to be $200 though. Any thoughts on comparing these two?

Should have bought one before, but am glad I wooted today with USB feature...
I have struggled with 2 BluRay/streamers now... while my kid sister has had a Roku box for 18 months working flawlessly....Shhh! I can't let her know she was right all along....

Surprise surprise...
the USB port is inactive...
I just spoke to a Roku tech support to find out when the firmware upgrade will be available and all I got was in the {{{{{{FUTURE}}}}}}
ya know I got that same answer from Magic Jack about when phone number porting will be available (it's posted on their site sometime this year)that was 20 months ago.. still no number porting !
so that makes this version of the Roku player exactly the same as the HD model
So promises of future access abilities are just that
Just Promises

hey look at it this way..
whatever problems they are having with at least 6000 units (and count on it there are a lot more than 6000)
hopefuly was fixed on this one !

Those of you that missed out on this deal you can count on it that there will be more coming !
Roku only deals with Amazon.com
and ohhh yeah they own Woot now... LOL
there will be a lot more coming...

so buy the new HD model for the same price
and hope you don't have to RMA it...

because you never know when Roku will keep it's promise

NOW THIS IS A QUALITY POST !

oh yeah one more thing..
if I bought this unit I would get the extended warrant from Roku for $20 bucks
it extends the life of the unit for 2 years
and if they won't cover "refurbs"
get the SquareTrade coverage !
this unit only comes with a 90 day coverage..

EddieAngel333 wrote:Surprise surprise...
the USB port is inactive...
I just spoke to a Roku tech support to find out when the firmware upgrade will be available and all I got was in the {{{{{{FUTURE}}}}}}
ya know I got that same answer from Magic Jack about when phone number porting will be available (it's posted on their site sometime this year)that was 20 months ago.. still no number porting !
so that makes this version of the Roku player exactly the same as the HD model
So promises of future access abilities are just that
Just Promises

hey look at it this way..
whatever problems they are having with at least 6000 units (and count on it there are a lot more than 6000)
hopefuly was fixed on this one !

Those of you that missed out on this deal you can count on it that there will be more coming !
Roku only deals with Amazon.com
and ohhh yeah they own Woot now... LOL
there will be a lot more coming...

so buy the new HD model for the same price
and hope you don't have to RMA it...

because you never know when Roku will keep it's promise

NOW THIS IS A QUALITY POST !

Roku forums: USB Media Browser

"Several people have confirmed that it works on their setups, but no guarantees."

NightGhost wrote:Roku forums: USB Media Browser

"Several people have confirmed that it works on their setups, but no guarantees."

I'm just relaying what the Tech advisor from Roku said to me when I asked about it

now Hacking the devise is quite another thing ! LOL

and did they mention if it was done over WIFI
or directly through the USB port ?

LOL did you read all the problems they have hacking the USB port ?
none of it is supported by Roku !

I sat on my hands last time a Roku was available and by the time I decided to go for it, it was too late.

I didn't make that mistake this time.

Yay!

venzam wrote:can you stream movies from your pc or mac with this?

"Hooking it up is dirt-simple. Plug in the power, plug in the HDMI, and set your television or AV receiver to use that input. There's no on/off button; either it's always on or it detects when it's being used as an input and turns on."

So you do not have to hardwire it to the internet? I.e. could I use my Clear WiMax to access this box?

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

Well, if you have a current cable co-ax connection now to your TV, add on a modem with a "T" connection and now you have a wired ethernet connection for the Roku. Yes?

regarding the universal remote question... I use this with an older Logitech Harmony remote and works great.

Jurmandesign wrote:"Hooking it up is dirt-simple. Plug in the power, plug in the HDMI, and set your television or AV receiver to use that input. There's no on/off button; either it's always on or it detects when it's being used as an input and turns on."

So you do not have to hardwire it to the internet? I.e. could I use my Clear WiMax to access this box?

you need to hard wire your clear modem to an aproved wifi router
this Roku box is wifi ready you would just have to link it to your wireless router

EddieAngel333 wrote:I'm just relaying what the Tech advisor from Roku said to me when I asked about it

now Hacking the devise is quite another thing ! LOL

and did they mention if it was done over WIFI
or directly through the USB port ?

Either one - several earlier posts deal with this.

NightGhost wrote:Either one - several earlier posts deal with this.

LOL did you read all the problems they have hacking the USB port ?
none of it is supported by Roku !

go and actually read that forum
and more than just the cover page !

and that is only working with Mpeg4's

what about these formats ?
MKV; AVI; DivX®; DivX HD+; RMVB Real Media; WMV9; VC-1; MPEG-1; MPEG-2 (VOB/ISO); (Xvid); Xvid HD; MOV; AVC HD; H.264; M2TS; TS/TP/M2T

Jurmandesign wrote:"Hooking it up is dirt-simple. Plug in the power, plug in the HDMI, and set your television or AV receiver to use that input. There's no on/off button; either it's always on or it detects when it's being used as an input and turns on."

So you do not have to hardwire it to the internet? I.e. could I use my Clear WiMax to access this box?

Top paragraph - yes, it's dirt simple to use the Web channels. Setting up the media channel for PC streaming and playing USB isn't as simple.

Bottom paragraph - The Roku website says "You can connect your Roku player to your broadband Internet connection either wired or wirelessly. Roku recommends using a wired or wireless home router to share your Internet connection within your home network." Wireless yes, but they say to use a router.