bjt302 wrote:The roku isn't a media server...meaning, it can't play content from your computer. WDTV can.

Apparently it can. Read this:

theant wrote:In an effort to answer a question I KNOW is going to be asked by someone...
The only difference between this player and the one from a few weeks ago is the USB port - and the claim of extended wireless coverage. I'll leave the wireless claims for others to debate, because as mentioned above, a wired connection will always give you better results.

Another answer is : Yes it can play local media either streamed from the local network (you have to get a channel added for this to work) or from the usb port (again you have to add a channel) - but the channels are not hard to find.

The ANT...

My Media - Your Music and Video on the Roku DVP

Also, the Roku website also lists this difference from the Roku HD model: "Capable of Playing 1080P HD Video
(via free upgrade later this year)"

mdnorman wrote:What is this thing and what does it do?

Wow - I just posted this:

What is the Roku streaming media player and how does it work?

The Roku player streams tons of movies, TV shows, live and on-demand sports, music and more right to your TV. It's a simple little box that uses your Internet connection to bring thousands of your favorite titles, teams, and tunes (even brand new releases) to you with no extra monthly bills, no PC, and no hassle. We even built in Wifi so you can connect your Roku to any TV anywhere in your house.

Bought one. We'll see how it works.

kjundvr wrote:That is so media! If I worked in Media, I'd totally buy that. Don't want my Credit to take the hit though. JBF!

I also enjoyed Gary Shteyngart's Super Sad True Love Story, but I would be surprised if many of the other Wootees got your reference. A friend of Lenny's....

the new apple tv is only 99 bucks and does the neftlix plus itunes and more, spend the extra 30 dollars for a new apple tv

So I noticed that the output on this is 720p... the 1080p playback notice won't upgrade that huh?

Can Roku play VoB files?

newtowoot wrote:how will this do with slower DSL at about 3Mbps?

Pretty well actually. It's what I have (avg. 2-2.5).

New Apple TV vs. Roku vs. Xbox 360 and Others

http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/new-apple-tv-vs-roku-vs-xbox-360-and-others/

What compatible Wi-Fi devices work with my Roku player?

Roku Digital Video Player Accessories

Roku Player Channel Store Updates

FauxReal wrote:So I noticed that the output on this is 720p... the 1080p playback notice won't upgrade that huh?

From the Roku website:

"Capable of Playing 1080P HD Video
(via free upgrade later this year)"

does it work with Slingbox??
there is plenty of other devices that do the Netflix thing.. (Tivo Wii Xbox a lot of blue ray players) so really not worth it, unless it would act like a slingcatcher that is now discontinued.

How can all you people use Netflix when they still use those GD pop-unders/ups! I need some support in my boycott of them. I am holding out for complete elimination of the pop-ups and a public apology. Join me!

was going to be in for one, but the site is ridiculously slow. This would be my first Woot buy - shouldn't the site be prepared for tons of traffic seeing as though its business model is great deals once a day?

EDIT: I'm SORRY Woot! It wasn't working with Firefox, so I kicked over to Safari and went off without a hitch.

I currently use my PS3 for NEtflix, but its a pain having to put the Netflix disk in. Maybe this will finally let me get rid of DirecTV (probably not, unless the NFL gets a Roku channel! ha!!)

Oh, and am I openly allowed to share coupon codes here or no?

Thanks!

I have an older computer (p4) that I use as a media player. The only real advantage that I see in this is the HD streaming. However my tv only has a VGA input and not DVI like my computer. So, does this thing have HDMI out? or is it just VGA. That would make a slight difference quality wise. Also with my current computer setup my audio is the standard TRS connector and not rca. My TV only has RCA in. so if it had RCA out that would be an advantage. Other than the possible slightly better video and sound quality I don't see any advantage to this. Can it stream from a NAS? Does it have a regular web browser?

theant wrote:Another resource for those that want to see what channels are available on the ROKU...

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

The ANT...

P.S. this is NOT the official ROKU supported list, but a list of some of the "private" or "beta" channels you can add to you box.

Thanks for posting that. I wasn't aware there was a private channel to play files from a usb drive on this model. There's a lengthy discussion about it on the Roku Forum.

mizzou0 wrote:Can Roku play VoB files?

A few posts up from yours, I posted a link to a forum about playing your own media files with the Roku. It involves a workaround that's not for technophobes (you need to install a server and set up a channel - works with MAC btw).

I'm not sure what formats it can handle - there was a reference to avi and mpg. If a vob file won't play, try renaming it to mpg - that has worked for me in other circumstances.

buffaloed wrote:Thanks for posting that. I wasn't aware there was a private channel to play files from a usb drive on this model. There's a lengthy discussion about it on the Roku Forum.

Very cool. Note that "Currently, the channel will play mp3 audio, mp4 video, and jpg or png pictures."

NightGhost wrote:From the Roku website:

"Capable of Playing 1080P HD Video
(via free upgrade later this year)"

To clarify, I think the real question is will it OUTPUT that video in full 1080P, or does that just mean it will play 1080P-encoded files, downrezzed to 720P output?

In other words is the 720P output of this device a hardware limitation?

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.

Not True...
the newest version of Silverlight streams Netflix now in 720P and 1080i HD
straight to your computer !
look in the instant watch list in the drop down menu right under HD

and here is a little info most don't know yet..
Netflix has a new deal with EPIX for new streaming movies

here are a few links to check out !

http://instantwatcher.com/

http://www.epixhd.com/

http://www.hackingnetflix.com/2010/09/woot-has-refurbished-roku-hd-xr-player-for-6999.html

and as far as the 1080P discussion goes it would have to be from a computer or external hard drive
nobody streams 1080P content yet because there aren't any IP's providing the bandwith at this time
but all things change
give it a few years... lol

wanna see something really cool
Check this out...

http://www.gereports.com/ge-unveils-holographic-disc-breakthrough/

Carnivore wrote:To clarify, I think the real question is will it OUTPUT that video in full 1080P, or does that just mean it will play 1080P-encoded files, downrezzed to 720P output?

In other words is the 720P output of this device a hardware limitation?

Sorry - I misunderstood your original post.

According to productwiki, it "cannot output in full HD (1080p)."

recursional wrote:How can all you people use Netflix when they still use those GD pop-unders/ups! I need some support in my boycott of them. I am holding out for complete elimination of the pop-ups and a public apology. Join me!

I think more and more Netflix subscribers are viewing their queued/streaming content on or through devices other than desktop and laptop computers: Wiis, XBox360s, PS3s, Blu-ray players, newer TV's, DVRs, these Roku thingamajigs, etc.

Perhaps you see the pop-ups/unders when you are viewing content on your desktop or laptop. I have yet to see any while watching content on my Wii or Blu-ray player.

Now, when I'm using my phone (HTC Incredible) to arrange items in my Netflix queue, there's the occasional pop-up/under that either is trying to "assist" me with future selections or offer more information about what I have chosen... I can live with that, since I'm not in the process of viewing the movie or TV show.

So, I'd sign a petition to eliminate that, but otherwise, they have yet to show up on the devices I use to watch my streaming content on.

Signed up for Netflix and I'm in for one!

NightGhost wrote:Previous Woot for the Roku HD

That was a Roku HD, this is the HD-XR.

Roku HD Player
$59.99 + $5 Shipping
Condition: Refurbished

http://www.amazon.com/Roku-N1100-HD-Player/dp/B001PIBE8I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1284020449&sr=1-1

I just bought one of these... I debated on getting 2... but think I'll be waiting for the boxee box. CHECK IT OUT!

http://www.boxee.tv/box

cheroke55 wrote:

yes this will play 1080P content with the firmware upgrade that is to come out
this also has better wifi (faster)
and a USB port for connecting USB devices
Flash media and external hard drives and direct connection to a computer

EddieAngel333 wrote:yes this will play 1080P content with the firmware upgrade that is to come out
this also has better wifi (faster)
and a USB port for connecting USB devices
Flash media and external hard drives and direct connection to a computer

Thank you, I did a little reasearch and found out myself.

I was being lazy asking here

NightGhost wrote:Wow - I just posted this:

What is the Roku streaming media player and how does it work?

The Roku player streams tons of movies, TV shows, live and on-demand sports, music and more right to your TV. It's a simple little box that uses your Internet connection to bring thousands of your favorite titles, teams, and tunes (even brand new releases) to you with no extra monthly bills, no PC, and no hassle. We even built in Wifi so you can connect your Roku to any TV anywhere in your house.

You say with built in WiFi I can connect the Roku to any TV anywhere in my house.

All my TVs are HDTvs and I my kids hook up their laptops to their TVs to watch Netflix. Does the Roku send a 720p signal that my TVs would pick up or must I have a Roku box per TV?

cheroke55 wrote:Thank you, I did a little reasearch and found out myself.

I was being lazy asking here

any time !

if you want to spend the money this is the ULTIMATE player out right now

it just came out ! look for deals...

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/home_entertainment/hd-media-player/

glaicius wrote:You say with built in WiFi I can connect the Roku to any TV anywhere in my house.

All my TVs are HDTvs and I my kids hook up their laptops to their TVs to watch Netflix. Does the Roku send a 720p signal that my TVs would pick up or must I have a Roku box per TV?

the box is hard wired to your TV

but can connect to your high speed wifi router
you must have an approved router
or can be hard wired to your router
you can find all this out with previous posts or go to the Roku web site

EddieAngel333 wrote:any time !

if you want to spend the money this is the ULTIMATE player out right now

it just came out ! look for deals...

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/products/home_entertainment/hd-media-player/

Very cool, and only 99.99 new. Looks like a better gadget IMO

But I have a Sony TV that plays widgets like Netflix, Youtube, Google videos..
I just bought it to replace the Toshiba TV that Squaretrade paid me $1000, the price I paid 3 years ago, because the tube got burn in and it was cheaper to pay it off, than replace the screen

Thank you Squaretrade, you fixed or paid off 3 computers, a 24" monitor and a 42" TV

i love roku its very exciting always adding new channels, many people have dumped their cable for roku/netflix. by the on the roku netflix stream alot better has a great wireless internet, we got 3 boxes in our house we love it. and now netflix entered a deal with expixhd so we get all their movies, and we get all of the encore movies, and most of the starz movies, and you can even watch the actual starz channel online via the netflix website. they got movies and tv show for anybody no matter what type you are you will find something up your alley. but you can also use for roku for other things they got different channels and most of em are free like for example, they moonlight movies,drive in classics, its a pay channel but you can watch those same movies at sunimi for free. you can also listen to all of your tunes you hAVE scattered around the house through mp3 tunes.i dont use it personally but my daughter does, but i do use the pandora on there it is great alot better then the internet version.recently they added kidlet has sonic on there for the kiddies, they also added vimeo, they have private channels you can add.weve had our roku box since they first came out,it was alot cheaper than cable a needed a cheaper route at the time and $8 a month for netflix was definitely it kids didnt even miss cable. they love their roku

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 ROKU WORK IN EUROPE?

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

sure is, check out
http://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?p=165851&sid=d2a11d6e7eabfe05e5d52268d29caaaf

I like the Roku well enough; my biggest disappointment is with Netflix audio. Even though Roku is capable of digital surround sound, Netflix movies are not streamed with digital 5.1 surround sound, only stereo.
In many instances, I would rather watch certain movies on DVD only to get the better audio.

kpersing wrote:DOES THIS ROKU WORK IN EUROPE?

NO

it sometimes vacations there though.. LOL

ok here it is...

do you mean with a Netflix account ?
you have to have a Netflix account !
and right now I don't think you can get Netflix over there

now if you had an American account and change the electrical feed for the DC pack
I assume you could in theory access your account over the web depending on which country you're in and it's restrictions
in theory it could work
but with all the copy rite laws
it aint gona happen

Perfect timing - was contemplating to get the roku HD from amazon, now for the same price getting the XR + free shipping. Will be happy to play my netflix movies on my samsung TV that I got from amazon - it, i.e. the TV plays most media through the USB port.

Thanks Wootazon !

In for 2!

newtowoot wrote:how will this do with slower DSL at about 3Mbps?

I had DSL @ 1.5mbs and it was a lil slow.
I moved up to 3.0mbs and netflix is smooth on my PS3, so i can assume it should be the same on the Roku.