dbcooper wrote:Seek and ye shall find:

Official Roku Channels
Hidden Roku Channels

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

I've been using this Roku for over a year and have canceled my Direct TV as a result! I looked into the Roku 2 and there honestly weren't many differences (at least for a small-minded user like myself). I keep looking for a Woot channel but can't find it yet...

Caffeineismydrug wrote:Can I stream content from my home network?

From what I have read and looked at. No you can not. That is the deal breaker for me. I have an extensive home network but if I cannot access it this box is useless to me.

I just clicked the stupidly large button.

Looks like they have a ton of these things, or they aren't too popular or a combination of both.

I love my two Rokus so much that I'm thinking about getting another one of these for my not-yet-purchased television.

tokkio wrote:This streams 1080p not 720p. Wrong model you're comparing this to.

Actually it streams both. http://www.amazon.com/Roku-XD-1080p-Streaming-Player/dp/B00426C56U

chopsuey35 wrote:Wow.. this deal is pretty bad. You can buy the new Roku 2 XD for $59. This is just the first Roku XD.

Where?

I got one of these last woot-off. I got it more as something to hack and tear apart than to actually use, but I was really pleasantly surprised. I have a PopcornHour NMT that I swear by and has spoiled me for just about any other streamer around. But this little Roku beast really puts up a good fight. The thing that really surprised me was how stutter-proof it was over the built-in wireless.

I combined this with the Plex channel to get at my local server and content and it's saved me from buying another NMT. It doesn't have the same customization capabilities, but it's pretty damned good out-of-the-box. For $50, I may just pair a few up with some cheap PC monitors and create "media stations" for other rooms in the house.

seb1230 wrote:I've been using this Roku for over a year and have canceled my Direct TV as a result! I looked into the Roku 2 and there honestly weren't many differences (at least for a small-minded user like myself). I keep looking for a Woot channel but can't find it yet...

There *IS* a Woot channel!

Yup, has HDMI and RCA output to TV. Have one at home. Also, unless Roku has updated their software (which I have not seen), it does not support DLNA.

It would be great if more people bought these so we could move on to the next item.

Roku is used to allow you to watch online content (videos, tv shows, movies, etc.) on your television without having to hook up your computer to your TV! It's great for folks like me who don't have cable!

barsa wrote:I really don't understand what this is used for.

jboof314 wrote:It would be great if more people bought these so we could move on to the next item.

I'll jump on the grenade if you will! Let's do it.

crooner wrote:got one on Woot . It is a come-on Lotz of ads and come-ons for subscriptions. Picture quality sux!

You did something wrong.

Let us be thankful we have commerce. Buy more. Buy more now. Buy. And be happy.

barsa wrote:I really don't understand what this is used for.

Imagine that there is a new cable company in town who comes to your house via your internet connection. Imagine also that there are many channels (some great and some not so great - just like a regular cable company). Also imagine that you need a cable box to view this new cable company, but that you buy the box and don't rent it. The box will work in your home, or on the road (with a correct internet connection that the box works though).

If you have certain paid services, like Netflix, there is a channel where you add your Netflix account info and can watch streaming Netflix through this box and to your TV.

This unit also has RCA video and audio outputs, which means that you can direct the output of the box to a VCR also and record said programs too! I don't know of any recorders that use HDMI as an input.

I hope this explanation helps.

People, please be aware that you are limited to 30 channels at a time on the display of this box!!! Definitely a drawback if you already have the Roku XDS in your home....You would have to add this box under a different email account so you can not forever deleting channels....

cwarren1968 wrote:Not directly. You *can*, but you need to install Roku software on your server, and have the video formatted a certain way. I do have a bunch of movies archived on my network, but I use another media player upstairs for that, and I'm not going to reformat ALL my video to do that.

I picked up one of these a while back to (wirelessly) stream Netflix, etc, in the basement. This works fine for my intended usage.

THIS is the message I've been waiting for - in for 0, unfortunately. I was looking for something like Boxee but cheaper, but if I have to convert all my media it's not worth it to me. I think I'll go with a jailbroken Apple TV with XBMC installed.

BigRedDogATL wrote:You can order the new model Roku2 XD box for 20% off the regular $59 price, which makes it $47 and cheaper than this older model refurb.

Not really a good deal, but Woot will sell out of them anyway.

Who is selling the Roku XD for 20% off?

Seriously, woot killa!

mshultise wrote:...This unit also has RCA video and audio outputs, which means that you can direct the output of the box to a VCR also and record said programs too!

What is this 'VCR' device of which you speak?

I really don't understand what this is used for.

For me, the Roku is the best thing since sliced bread. I got my first Roku box 2 months ago (not this model but the latest version, Roku 2). I canceled my cable service about a week later.

Basically it streams online services to your TV without the need for a computer. (for example Netflix, Amazon and Hulu Plus) There are also hundreds of other "channels" that you can subscribe to (some free, some pay) for additional content. However, I spend the majority of my time using either netflix or amazon.

There is no monthly fee, you just buy the little box and attach it to your TV. (The Roku 2 is only about 3 inches by 3 inches). You will need to have Wifi (though the XS model has an ethernet port where you plug directly in)

It changes the way you watch TV. For me, there is a much better quality and volume content available to me now compared to when I relied on cable. Between the main services that I mentioned, you have most current TV shows available to you along with past seasons. And with all of the movie "channels" available, you would really have to work hard to run out of things to watch.

Now, I also have a new LG TV that has some of these services built right in, in much the same way. However, I find the interface on the Roku box a bit easier to use, so I stick with that instead of using the TV services.


The Roku is not for someone whose main TV watching includes the evening news and live morning shows. (though it does have quite a lot of pre-recorded news features from all of the major networks and many websites) It is, however, for nearly everyone else.

i've got a roku and love it. we use it all the time. we use ours with Netflix and Hulu+. Ours is an HD model with wireless, but we have it hooked up to the router directly. Works dreat - great picture, very fast. highly recommended.

the only thing i don't like is that you can't get every title on netflix streaming (some you have to get actual DVDs). This isn't roku's fault though ...

Be warned:

In order to use this you have to give a credit card to Roku. They will hold it on their site, even if you intend to buy nothing from them, even if you already pay for Netflix or July.

seb1230 wrote:I've been using this Roku for over a year and have canceled my Direct TV as a result! I looked into the Roku 2 and there honestly weren't many differences (at least for a small-minded user like myself). I keep looking for a Woot channel but can't find it yet...

if i recall woot channel is a screen saver :o)
i use to have it but found it useless for me.

Tufflaw wrote:THIS is the message I've been waiting for - in for 0, unfortunately. I was looking for something like Boxee but cheaper, but if I have to convert all my media it's not worth it to me. I think I'll go with a jailbroken Apple TV with XBMC installed.

Maybe MythTV is a good fit for you.

How do you get HGTV free -- You are correct the only thing I miss is HGTV and TLC when I went to basic basic cable

Caffeineismydrug wrote:Can I stream content from my home network?

Yes you can, using Roksbox (roksbox.com)

The video format is finicky as I haven't nailed down exactly what it wants. With a little research you can learn to create your own thumbnails and menus.

pmwoot1 wrote:Be warned:

In order to use this you have to give a credit card to Roku. They will hold it on their site, even if you intend to buy nothing from them, even if you already pay for Netflix or July.

i do not have any credit cards on file.
All i did is register
then ignored that.
things may have changed a bit but contact them and they should be able to assist

redfox1160 wrote:Can this connect to a standard definition TV with RCA cables, or is it HDMI only?

Yes, All Roku can do composite (red/white/yellow inputs) video/audio. I have this exact model hooked up that way to an old projection tv that refuses to die.

mrosem14 wrote:Could you hook this up to a PC so you could use regular/free Hulu?

Nope.

Since Amazon Has Woot now, seems like there really isn't a Woot-Off like the old days.

I have one hooked up in the bedroom. Awesome way to watch Hulu+, Netflix, or Amazon On Demand without hooking up a laptop. Also the interface is really slick, even on a smaller TV.

If you have a Smart TV you don't need this I would assume.

Pearljr wrote:How do you get HGTV free -- You are correct the only thing I miss is HGTV and TLC when I went to basic basic cable

HGTV is a private channel. You can get it at thsi developers link.
http://roku.permanence.com/

Love my Roku box! Works with really old TVs. It streams Netflix - which is the only TV I have now. I don't have XBox or a Wii or anything, so I needed it for Netflix. It also plays Pandora radio free WITH NO COMMERCIALS. It streams other stuff too, but those are pretty much the only ones I use. However, I'm pretty sure the Roku site is offering it for the same price - check if you're not 100% decided right now. Also, EXTREMELY easy to install - it walks you through the whole process step by step. Just plug it in and the instructions begin. Worth every penny.

You can order the new model Roku2 XD box for 20% off the regular $59 price, which makes it $47 and cheaper than this older model refurb.

Where can I get this?

Pearljr wrote:How do you get HGTV free -- You are correct the only thing I miss is HGTV and TLC when I went to basic basic cable

I added the HGVT channel, only t ofind that it is not working (removed by content providers request).

redfox1160 wrote:Can this connect to a standard definition TV with RCA cables, or is it HDMI only?

Yes. That's what the red/white/yellow connectors on the back are for.