Roku HD Player
by Roku, Inc.
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Our Price: $69.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Home Theater See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Roku HD Player
Customer Review: Extremely pleased, though not at first...
Summary: 4 Stars
Week One: I purchased the Roku box for about $119 (incl. shipping) to go with my new Netflix account. Then, I found I had to have a router and 25-foot Cat5 Ethernet cable to go with it, since I did not have a "home network." To get the best reception, I went with the somewhat more expensive wired router for an additional cost (with 25-foot cable) of about $95.00 at Radio Shack, along with the warranty Radio Shack said I'd better get. OK. So I hooked it all up only to find a very disappointingly fuzzy picture on all the standard movies, though they were all getting 4-dot reception, although one that said "HD" after the 4 dots was really hi-def clear and beautiful.
I am viewing on a 52" Sony 1080p TV (XBR6), using a Monster 1000 HDMI cable, and have excellent computer speed. So, I called Netflix and went 'round and 'round with the representative, until we both found (with both of us viewing the Netflix website) that there are about 600 HD offerings for Instant Watch. It seemed that they, and only they, would show an excellent HD picture. And when your TV is retrieving one of these movies, it will show "HD" after the four dots. But apparently, all of the rest of the 12,000 Instant Watch items were going to be very fuzzy, not even up to the 480p I'm used to on my HDTV.
Now, I may be one of the fussier people, but, out of the 600 HD, how many would I want to watch anyway? I haven't tried any Amazon movies yet, but that will add to the cost.
Also, you can find the list of the 600 HD Instant Watch by going to Instant Watch and then to "genre," but if you are searching for a particular movie, you can only scroll through the entire list of 600 till you come to it. Typing it into the search box will just bring you to the movie out on the big general list, but though that list WILL say if it is available on Instant Watch, there is NO INDICATION of whether it is one of the 600 HD or not. I said "you really need to work on that." She said yes, she was sure they were working on that now. Uh huh.
End of week one: I finally woke up to making the picture adjustments my fantastic Sony TV allows, as Roku had been plugged into a new HDMI input that still was using the old factory settings. So, I copied the same pic adjustments I use for my HD Cable & Blu Ray inputs and was actually very surprised at the improvement for non-HD! It was now at least up to 480p that I have out on my regular HDTV viewing. Nice, standard DVD. Still deciding if there is enough fare I'd really enjoy, though.
There is also the fact that my laptop & modem must be up and running at least to the desktop page to download the movie as well as to watch it, each time. (Clumsy inconvenience and bigger electric bill.) If I turn my computer off once the movie is playing, as the Netflix rep. said I could do, it plays on for a few minutes then just stops and then "can't get a connection," making it necessary for my laptop & Cox modem to stay on the whole time. So don't believe it when they tell you your computer "doesn't have to be on" -- does anyone differ from this? Please tell me.
End of week two: I AM LOVING IT!! I didn't know I could find so many movies but they keep pushing so many more choices in your face every time you make a new selection. I now have about 180 movies & TV shows in my queue, as well as around 65 more in my Instant Watch queue. Try going to the classic TV shows. There seem to be thousands. There they are, from all decades of history. I could only have thought of one or two I have missed, but there were a whole lot more to find. I will now cancel my premium cable channels, which should pay for the monthly Netflix fee.
Would still like to know if anyone can use Instant Watch without their computer up and running to at least their desktop page. (????) Thanks.
Customer Review: Do you Roku?
Summary: 5 Stars
Buying the Roku has radically changed my movie watching habits for the better. I no longer have to suffer trips to the local videostore where I'm assaulted by teen clerks watching "Mean Girls" who have no idea whether they carry "Casablanca" and wonder if it stars that guy from "Twilight." I also no longer have to wait for the next DVD from Netflix to appear in my mailbox. Instead, one easy push of my Roku remote control and I'm instantly downloading a movie or television program from Netflix for viewing at my convenience. No late fees, no rush.
How does it work? The Roku allows you to watch on your television thousands of movies and programs available via Netflix Instant Watch or Amazon Downloads. If you have a Netflix subscription that allows you access to Instant Watch, then you can view any of these available titles with the Roku absolutely free. Amazon recently also partnered with Roku, and you can rent thousands of movies and programs for about the same price as a videostore rental. You can also purchase movies via Amazon Downloads, which will then be available to watch at any time (these cost a bit less than purchasing the dvd from Amazon). The instructions for setting up the Roku were very easy to follow. If you access the internet via wireless technology, then Roku can use that connection. It took me minutes to connect wirelessly. If you have a cable line for your internet access, then you need to have a cable near your Roku.
Once the Roku is connected, just add movies to your Instant Watch queue and then access your queue on your television. At this point, Netflix has thousands of movies available for Roku/Instant Watch. I have had no difficulty filling up my Instant Watch queue with hundreds of movies and programs that I want to see. Of course, newer titles usually aren't available right away for Instant Watch. On your television, you scroll through your queue and select a movie for viewing; Roku will take approximately 20 seconds to connect and begin your selection. You can pause and fast forward your movie while watching. If you stop watching a movie, then Roku remembers where you left off and you can resume at that point when you return.
Drawbacks: Unless a movie/program is in a foreign language, you cannot access subtitles on Roku, even if the DVD version includes them. So the Roku would not be a good purchase for persons with hearing impairment or a strong preference for subtitles. I use the subtitle option often when watching movies, so I tend to avoid certain movies on Roku, including ones with characters with strong accents or older movies with scratchy sound. The picture quality on Roku is definitely less than what you would get with a DVD; however, I think it's comparable to what you get for a typical (non-HD) cable television channel.
The fast forward/rewind option is a bit clunky; the Roku flips through frozen images as it moves backwards or forwards. Unfortunately, the Roku needs to reconnect when you hit play, so it takes a bit of time to go backwards or forwards, and it's not as precise as a DVD player. Occasionally, I have run across a movie that skips or has sound synch problems; Netflix has a "report" option online. I recently reported sound problems for a movie and it was fixed within a few days; unfortunately, they do not respond back, so I simply had to try the movie again to see if it was fixed. Finally, none of the DVD extras are available currently via Roku.
Although there are some imperfect aspects to the Roku, I have been exceedingly pleased with my purchase and heartily recommend it. Along with my DVR player, it has completely changed the way I view movies and television programs.
Customer Review: ROKU best entertainment money spent. Pays for itself.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not a writer by any means, but wanted to weigh in.
This little contraption is the best entertainment money I have spent. I guess I was a bit of a late adopter, as all my friends have been using Netflix for a while. I like going to the movies, but it is so expensive I reserve that for only "must see on the big screen" flicks (like Star Trek). I also on occasional use Blockbuster.
I signed up last week for a trial run of Netflix and I was immediately hooked. My queue went from 0 to 60 before the end of the day. Since I have a laptop I did not enjoy watching movies from the instant queue, although I did watch Buena Vista Social Club on it the first day and it wasn't that bad.
Back to ROKU...I saw this advertised on the Netflix site. The price was so reasonable. It was a small investment and didn't require mailing in a video and waiting for the next. When I noticed that I could use it with a wireless router I said "done" and bought it. I was worried about the connection speed and picture quality, but so far it has been fantastic.
The technical part:
A word about the wireless setup. To use ROKU with your wireless router, you have to have the router network id (whatever name you gave your router) and the passphrase. If you did not setup your passphrase when you initially installed the router, then you will need to go back and do that. I have a Linksys wireless router. The admin IP address is http://192.168.1.1/ For yours look in your booklet. This brings up the setup screen for the admin. Click on the wireless tab. Find your wireless network name (SSID). Then click on wireless security. Initially I tried the WEP with a passphrase and key, but could not get that to work, so I selected WPA/WPA2 Personal from the Security Mode dropdown men. I enabled WPA personal. Selected TKIP from the drop down for Encryption Algorithms. Then I entered my own password for the Personal Key. I then saved the settings. These 2 things are what you will need ultimately to get the ROKU to log in to the wireless network and use your connection: The SSID (network name) and the passphrase or personal key. The passphrase has to be 8 characters. keep it simple (as in all lowercase or uppercase) with maybe a digit or 2, as you will use the remote to enter the info and will have to use a key to shift cases (like texting on a cell phone).
Hooking up the ROKU for HD TV's could not be any easier. If your have 2 HDMI inputs in the back of your TV (which I do) you are gold. Since this is what I have, then I will use that as a reference. If someone else has something else, then they can offer that. Plug in the ROKU. Hook the HDMI cable into the ROKU and then into the empty HDMI in the back of the TV. Turn on the TV, change the source on your TV from HDMI 1 to HDMI 2 and up comes the set up screen. Use the arrow keys and select button (on ROKU remote) to go through the on screen instructions. At some point (forgive me for not remembering the exact point in time) a message will come up that tells you to go to your computer and log into netflix (netflix.com/activation - if i remember correctly) and enter a code. Once that completes you are good to go.
This is so awesome. It not only works for Netflix instant movies but also for Amazon video on demand (.99). Why anyone in the world would anyone ever walk in a Blockbuster again is beyond me. Glad I finally checked out Netflix and tried this little (small footprint) box. Increases the value of my Netflix subscription exponentially.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this value-added Netflix / Amazon Video component.
Customer Review: Roku rocks. Does Netflix better than xbox 360 or ps3.
Summary: 5 Stars
I'd like to start by saying that this is probably the best $100 I've ever spent. Here's why:
POSITIVE:
wireless: I am using it upstairs via wireless with my D-link 625 router. Even though I have the 'G' model, it constantly gets good HD quality which is more than I can say for the two namebrand 'G' adapters I've tried with an old desktop or my brand new laptop with wireless N in the same room (not junk either). I will watch 2 hours of HD programming (multiple shows) and it sometimes will stop to buffer once during that time. Netflix looks better on my 32" junk 720p TV with roku through wireless as it does on my nice 42" 1080p TV with xbox 360 through wired connection. I know that smaller screen = less noticeable flaws and that netflix only does 720p anyway; my point is that the wireless is that good. At least for me. No sudden changes in quality that I often get through xbox (again which is wired across room from router and modem). (I also have 16Mb internet and have no problems with xbox connection)
interface: I love the interface. It's simple, fast, and functional. I've tried media center to play through on a pc up there. I have had wireless issues as mentioned above and it's very glitchy. Plus, things can be really hard to read on a small TV from across the room. The Roku player solves that problem. You turn it on, there it is, and you pick what you want to watch. Very easy to set up and navigate. Also, everytime I finish an episode or stop one (from a season) on my xbox or a pc, it never remembers which one that I'm on when I hit play again for that season. It will always be a couple of episodes behind. Man, that is annoying! With the Roku, it somehow remembers every single time and starts me right where I left off. I work with computers all day at work. I don't want to mess with one when I'm about to go to sleep, and this is just the solution for that. Although, I don't want to shell out another $100 so I'm stuck with xbox for netflix in living room. I never use my ps3 for it because it's interface is slower and I have to put in the disc (dumb).
audio/video: The picture quality of netflix isn't bluray quality. The quality of picture is really going to depend on connection for the most part. But, I'm pretty sure that it looks better on Roku than it does on consoles. I will need to test that to confirm. I also feel that audio is better on roku than the two pc's I've tried through wireless. That is probably connection related.
other: it's small. I also have a WD HD player (another great item) and the Roku is a bit bigger. The remote is awesome. Very solid. A total of 9 buttons. The remote also doesn't require you to point it right at the player which is also good.
NEGATIVE: it's pricey. It's worth the money but I feel it should cost less since it only works with pay services. It's always on (like WD TV) and always feels pretty warm to the touch. Sometimes I just unplug it. Even if it fries, it's worth it to me to use for a year. The interface could add the ability to browse things other than what's in my queue (like xbox).
SUMMARY: sick of messing with the bedroom pc? don't want to chance it with 'iffy' bluray player with netflix? or have to buy a wireless adapter for something that may/may not work? Roku is for you then. I haven't tried the Amazon VOD as of yet. I personally think netflix is great. It costs 20% of monthly cost of basic cable and I am not watching commercials for over 25% of the time.
Customer Review: ROKU HD PLAYER
Summary: 5 Stars
I dropped cable when I discovered that Netflix not only had tons of movies available, but also my beloved series from the premium channels. I could wait for the dvds in the mail, or watch the streaming versions on my computer. I did miss plopping down on the sofa and watching on the bigger screen (tv) . . . until I found out about this Roku player.
All the reviews were right on. I have an HDTV w/a wireless internet network, not an older tv with a digital converter, and not a wired network, so I can't speak to the latter set ups, but the Roku works SEAMLESSLY with my HDTV and wireless network.
Set up was a breeze:I knew to have my wireless intenet network's WEP key (passcode)available ahead of time, so as not to waste time looking for it, and it took less than 5 minutes from opening the box to watching shows. Simply follow on-screen prompts; there is very little for you to do, most is automatic, a no-brainer for even the most non-techie folks. Kudos to Roku. I did buy an inexpensive hdmii cable from Amazon (AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters)but other cables are inlcuded, so an additional purcase is NOT necessary. The Roku receiver itself is small, about hand-size. There is a power supply to plug in, about 1"x3", so have an outlet available for that.
To use the Roku (or "You Rock!" as I nicknamed it, lol), all I do is choose on my tv remote Hdmii#2 for my particular input, and the Roku screen appears on the tv screen. Use the included little Roku remote control (which is very simple, easy to use, well-designed, ergonomic - kudos again to Roku)to choose the Netflix channel, or one of the other channels available. There are MANY channels available,including movie channels, music, sports, photo accounts like Flickr/Photobucket,Facebook, etc. Many free, some free with subscription, some need paid subscription (this info given as you browse thru the channel selection). For Netflix account subscribers, your Instant Queue items are displayed for you to choose, pop-up descriptions available, etc., or you can browse/search for any title. Easy-peasy. Ditto for Amazon-on-Demand. The remote allows you to pause, fast-forward,or reverse, although those processes are a bit slow (but worth the ability to do so). If on "pause" too long, a screensaver comes on, but touch the Select button twice to resume. If you are watching a series, it "remembers" what episode you are on, and where you stopped mid-episode if you had to turn it off then! You can choose to watch another episode. These latter features may be Netflix-enabled rather than Roku-enabled, but they work so seamlessly together I can't tell, and don't really care <grin>.
For a one-month's-worth-of-cable investment, I get Better for one-tenth of the cost monthly. For my local channels, I got a ten-dollar RCA indoor antenna (ANT111)Basic Indoor Antenna that gives me local HD channels, as clear as satellite did! Just plugged that into the HDTV (it does not plug into an outlet - yay),scanned for channels (used the tv remote's menu), then was watching them using my tv remote two minutes later. Which antenna works for you depends on your particular environment, so I stared with the lowest priced one (that had enough good reviews) to try, since I could return what didn't work.
Switching between TV input (local ch) and HDMII (Roku ch), I'm all set, and saved myself a beaucoup d'moola in the process.