25 replies to this topic

[Jeph430]

I don't watch too much TV, so I don't feel the need to pay for cable. I get the local channels via antenna and my DTV box, but I've been losing them lately due to what I assume is a decrease in their signal strength. Someone told me I should pick up a Roku box. Anyone use this, and what do you think? It doesn't seem that I would be able to get local channels on it, but at least it would give me something to watch when I want to.

[Matty Moo]

We have two of them. They're tits and well worth the money, even though I don't watch TV myself. We have Netflix and Amazon Prime, so the kids never run out of shit to watch.

I think they're on Woot today for $49.

[gilber33]

Wait, just watched the video on their website on what it is, but do you pay for a service from them? It looks like the only things you can stream from them are services that you have to subscribe to. Is it essentially an HTPC?

[bdimag]

i don't know what it is, but i just signed up for a chance to win one on my other favorite site

[Matty Moo]

I don't know what exactly is free on it as I never use the thing. My kids only mess with amazon and netflix, which of course I pay for.

[aldebaran]

Same here, don't have a cable tv subscription and survive on Netflix and streaming videos. I pay for higher bandwidth and so try to piggyback as much as I can on my cable broadband.

The Roku box was a strong contender when I was in the market, but AppleTV won by virtue of its tight integration with my itunes library for music and video streaming; Airplay capability with all my iOS devices. Everything else is similar as far as accessing streaming content online.

Key Roku services not on Apple TV:

Amazon, Hulu Plus, Crackle, MLS MatchDay Live, UFC, Al Jazeera English, FoxNews.com, Pandora, Rdio, Tune In Radio, Shoutcast, MOG, Break.com, Blip.tv, MediaFly, Facebook photos, Angry Birds, and dozens of others.

Key Apple TV services not on Roku:

iTunes, AirPlay, YouTube, Mobile Me (photos).

This review, written in August 2011 sums it up. Services may have changed since then because the firmware constantly gets updated.

Cnet review.

Decide what services you want and then pick the right Roku box. They are not all the same.

[gilber33]

So it's basically a home theater PC. Connects to the internet so you can stream music/video from other providers.

[aldebaran]

Yessirreee.

[Fudge_Brownie]

Just be aware, these don't let you violate copyright. In other words, they don't let you get content for free that isn't otherwise free.

They negotiate with the big ologoplistic players to figure out who is allowed to provide what content. So, in some rare cases, you might be able to watch Southpark's free collection on their own website, but not watch it on your media device because they aren't allowed to re-display it. So Alvin nailed it, you need to figure out what is important to you and start comparing.

The big draws with these type of devices seem to be NetFlix and Hulu capabilities. Otherwise, they also hook in to things like Facebook, or feeds that are available at different websites currently, but instead, you browse it through an "app" on the device. Some devices allow you to mount network shares and browse those, so if maybe you had your own personal collection of music, movies, and photos on a computer, or usb-based drive, you can easily view all of those.

[optimus prime]

Get an xbox 360 or ps3 they both do netflix and hulu as well as other services and play games

[Fudge_Brownie]

Get an xbox 360 or ps3 they both do netflix and hulu as well as other services and play games

Did you look at pictures of a Roku? Much smaller, and no controller, comes with a small remote instead. Also, much cheaper. Also has other features beyond netflix/hulu. Those are just two really popular ones.

I can see your suggestion being a valid option, but I'd think its only useful if you have one, score one for cheap, or you're already in the market for a gaming console.

[optimus prime]

I have a roku 2 xs the top model and honestly i prefer the smooth clean polished interface on my 360 with the media remote or with just the normal game controller.

[ErikS]

I saw the title and thought this was some kind of kick you in the nuts game.

[Fudge_Brownie]

Based on your comment, do you mean the prefer the 360 aesthetics, or that the Roku feels "beta" or buggy?

[aldebaran]

I saw the title and thought this was some kind of kick you in the nuts game.

lol. Japanese sounding games are seldom this violent.

[optimus prime]

Based on your comment, do you mean the prefer the 360 aesthetics, or that the Roku feels "beta" or buggy?

Well it does freeze about once a week and the UI feels sort of lacking if your coming from using a 360 or ps3. I feel like i should mention that espn and the ufc channels are not available on ruko as far as i know but are on 360.

[831t5r]

Or how about just connecting your pc to your tv. I had my comp rebuilt and have it connected to my 42 inch tv with wireless mouse and keypad. Never use it tho but can watch anything

[gilber33]

Or how about just connecting your pc to your tv. I had my comp rebuilt and have it connected to my 42 inch tv with wireless mouse and keypad. Never use it tho but can watch anything

That's what I have. I have a PS3 also, but have a computer tower hooked up to the TV. Watch any/everything on it, plus just browse the internet if I want.

[Burn-E]

Did you look at pictures of a Roku? Much smaller, and no controller, comes with a small remote instead. Also, much cheaper. Also has other features beyond netflix/hulu. Those are just two really popular ones.

I can see your suggestion being a valid option, but I'd think its only useful if you have one, score one for cheap, or you're already in the market for a gaming console.

Actually, this is exactly what Roku is competing against. Recent numbers demonstrate that Roku is WAY behind the xBox in usage as a video player.



Guess where Roku falls?

http://allthingsd.co...yer-in-the-u-s/

http://bits.blogs.ny...sbits&seid=auto

[cheapwagon]

Not to be a fanboy but the Apple content is better priced and better HD options from what I have seen. I use the netflix, vudu, and sometimes Youtube on my Bluray.