aftab7000 wrote: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 !

haven't used your SERENDIPIDY code yet huh..

till now

I have one of these in my living room attached to a 55 inch LCD and 7.1 surround. I bought mine for $99, and it was one of the best investments I have ever made. I also have one in my bedroom attached to a 42 inch LCD, same price.

There is a LOT of content and more is added almost every week. Not to mention the 3rd party channels created by other folks.

This is one Woot you shouldn't pass up!

Hope someone knows this because it will determine if I purchase one or not.

What video file formats does the roku hdxr support for the media center channel? And just how difficult is it to convert the files to that format if they arent already in it?

I want to buy a roku but if its going to be a hassle to stream movies and videos from my PC then its not worth any amount to me.

mjduryea wrote: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.

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.

Yes - see this forum

kpersing wrote:DOES THIS ROKU WORK IN EUROPE?

For all practical purposes the answer is no. Most of the channels are unable to stream outside the US because of licensing restrictions.

I've got two Roku boxes. I use them every day ... all day ... and I can clearly say, it is the best tech purchase I've made in the last few years. Netflix streaming is great. Pandora works great on these. And all the additional things you can add like TWIT, TED, and Revision3, make the Roku box essential. If you don't have one, and have never tried one, this is a really safe purchase and the kind of thing I'd certainly recommend to a friend.

dontcounttoday wrote:Hope someone knows this because it will determine if I purchase one or not.

What video file formats does the roku hdxr support for the media center channel? And just how difficult is it to convert the files to that format if they arent already in it?

I want to buy a roku but if its going to be a hassle to stream movies and videos from my PC then its not worth any amount to me.

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.

NightGhost wrote:Yes - see this forum

Thanks, but that's a bout running the Roku into the Slingbox to take the Roku on the road with you via the Slingbox capability. So the Roku feed is digitized (err... re-encoded) and broadcast over the network/internet with the Slingbox.

I want to go the other-way-round. I want the Slingbox feed on the network to go into the Roku and play on my TV.

Don't you guys sleep - or insomniac like me ?

stevechan wrote:It actually depends on your Netflix plan. On the $9/month plan, you are only supposed to be able to stream one movie at a time on a single device. On the more expensive plans, you can use more than one streaming device at a time.

Wrong. All plans are the same in regards to number of devices watching Netflix streams.
The difference is the number of DVD's you can check out at the same time.

This thing uses like almost no power at all. We're talking 7 Watts maximum while in use. Compared to using a PC or even most other media boxes which would use significantly more. It does not have a standby mode other than dropping back down to around 6 watts when not actively being used.

I supposedly would work fine on a 3MB connection or even less, but that of course would depend on if anything else is using the connection at the same time. Consistency is the key, too. It works with wifi, but a wired connection works best in my opinion. I still once in a while get rebuffering while on wifi but it never happens when I connect with a cable. I have 25MB cable internet.

It's unfortunate that Roku doesn't offer DD5.1 sound, but I have streamed a few Amazon purchases including Avatar in 1080p just to see how it looked and it was excellent. On par with Dish Network 1080p PPV, but I had to pay about the same so I'd probably stick with cable/dish PPV unless I had Amazon discounts/coupons.

FYI - there are ways to get into the setup of the box to do things like force certain bandwidth options to prevent it from auto-adjusting. I can't remember where I found it but it was handy a while back when the thing was dropping back on quality when it didn't need it.

Any problem with buffering with a device like thiS? I have a wireless DSL providing 600k.

jpm100 wrote:Thanks, but that's a bout running the Roku into the Slingbox to take the Roku on the road with you via the Slingbox capability. So the Roku feed is digitized (err... re-encoded) and broadcast over the network/internet with the Slingbox.

I want to go the other-way-round. I want the Slingbox feed on the network to go into the Roku and play on my TV.

Oh - I guess your post did imply that, but I just wasn't thinking along those lines. It is my understanding that Slingox streams to your own private channel (I have a HAVA Titianium HD which does that), so I don't know how the Roku would pick that up.

If anyone knows a way that I don't, please chime in.

It sounds as if you want a Wireless TV Transmitter (there are several models available).

kpk021 wrote:This thing uses like almost no power at all. We're talking 7 Watts maximum while in use. Compared to using a PC or even most other media boxes which would use significantly more. It does not have a standby mode other than dropping back down to around 6 watts when not actively being used.

I supposedly would work fine on a 3MB connection or even less, but that of course would depend on if anything else is using the connection at the same time. Consistency is the key, too. It works with wifi, but a wired connection works best in my opinion. I still once in a while get rebuffering while on wifi but it never happens when I connect with a cable. I have 25MB cable internet.

It's unfortunate that Roku doesn't offer DD5.1 sound, but I have streamed a few Amazon purchases including Avatar in 1080p just to see how it looked and it was excellent. On par with Dish Network 1080p PPV, but I had to pay about the same so I'd probably stick with cable/dish PPV unless I had Amazon discounts/coupons.

FYI - there are ways to get into the setup of the box to do things like force certain bandwidth options to prevent it from auto-adjusting. I can't remember where I found it but it was handy a while back when the thing was dropping back on quality when it didn't need it.

It's also amazing how small this thing is. Somehow it looks larger than 5" x 5" in the Woot photo - I could easily hold this in one hand.

RoseG wrote:Any problem with buffering with a device like this?

I'm not sure what you're asking, but certainly loads of people have reported that playback is smooth with this device. Stuttering/lag generally has occurred because of the user's internet connection - not the Roku itself.

Hope that helps.

Got one. It's great! I cancelled most of my premium channels on cable and just use this.

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

How about $69.99 new on Roku.com!!

codefish wrote:Will this connect to adhoc WiFi networks?

The only internet connection in my home is the WiFi router app on my Windows Mobile phone, which creates an adhoc network. I need to be sure this will connect.

Yep, but you'll have to redo the Roku network setup every time the network name changes.

This deal is mentioned on Engadget

How does this compare with the new Apple TV? Both do Netflix. Will the Apple TV obsolete this?

lady hands sold seperately i'm assuming?

Does this stream x264 either from usb or across network?

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!!

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

i would like to order one, unfortunately you don't ship to the Netherlands. when you do send an email. ok?

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

I have the roku hd and it does fine with 3 mps dsl . Mine is wireless via apple extreme express and I've never had a downlooad/streaming problem.

Gary

brendan948725 wrote:Is this different than just plugging your computer into your TV and streaming video?

It's astonishingly easy to set up and use. I stream HD daily via wifi, and it works flawlessly. My husband and I agree this has made netflix our go-to entertainment choice in our house.

This is my definition of quality equipment: It does exactly what it says it does without any drama.

Here's a review over at youtube:
Roku HD-XR Player Review

Glorph wrote:

Yep, but you'll have to redo the Roku network setup every time the network name changes.

And I'd worry about your data limits...

RoseG wrote:Any problem with buffering with a device like thiS? I have a wireless DSL providing 600k.

Not in my house. I've been using this box via a wifi connection on DSL. And in my house we run 3 computers and 3 iPhones along with this box on the same network. Every once in a while (once a week, maybe) I get a buffering message for a minute. And never more than once in an evening. But really, it happens so seldom I don't consider it an issue.

Woot: You jerks. I bought one two weeks ago for about the same price that did not have the USB port. Sometimes I just hate you!

Do the hands come with it?

jidery wrote:I have to say, very good media player, at a very nice price! Having used this, it is much better than the new Apple TV!

Ques? Does this Roku do anything my PS3 or Wii cant do ? I stream Netflix on both consoles & the iphone.

JonPowell wrote:Anyone know the size of downloading an average show or movie and if it will FAP those on a limited 250 MB per daily limit download (Hugesnet)?

Hughesnet (or any other satellite ISP) is pretty much for light surfing and email. Unless you spend a fortune. If you can get cell phone reception (even just outside your home) look into an aircard from your cellphone provider. With that and a mobile 3g router (check out evdoinfo or the evdoforums for info) you can do pretty much anything, depending on your plan. It's the setup I use to run a PS3 (online gaming), a Wii, and 5 computers. It will stream video and if you're in the full 3g area it'll stream HD but no one can do anything else at the same time on the network.

Wonders how the refurbs compare to new.

I've got the HD version (not XR). The video quality over wi-fi is amazing. It's not choppy at all. I've only used it for Netflix & Amazon video on demand.

I have a Samsung Blu-ray player in the living room that streams from Netflix too. The Roku responds faster and is better at FF/rewind. The difference isn't great enough that I'd buy another Roku for that TV, though.

The Roku box is very small. The remote is small but sturdy. It's not lighted, but there are just a few buttons and they're placed well. So, it's easy to use the Roku remote by touch in the dark.

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

No, they all have wireless. This one just has the "N" version and a USB port.

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

Question:

I have a SiliconDust HD Homerun tuner.

Will I in any way be able to interface this box with the HomeRun to allow streaming of RECORDED digital tv channels over to the flat panel?

(My flatpanel is NOT net ready, has no ports or connectivity that will currently allow me to stream from the Homerun to it)

I have Clear 4G WiMax, would this work with that?

Netflix told me that by the e.o. 2010, all instant movies will have subtitle options if they are available on the DVD.