me neither... :P I wonder if they meant to write linksys instead of logitech. But linksys isn't involved in any of that AFAIK, and logitech is involved with google tv.
"and it's in a completely different league from the Revue ($299), Boxee ($199) and Xbox ($199, $299). Those others offer keyboards and elegant UIs but not much additional streaming content over the Roku."
Sort of unfair to compare the Xbox this way. Maybe it doesn't provide much additional contet streaming, but it is a far more complete solution as it can play dvds and games (and if you add the PS3 in the equation, blu-ray), as well as run espn.
Of course, also worth note is that it's not fair to compare these media streamers with the Xbox. The Roku sucks down all of 6W under load and idles at 3W; an Xbox 360 (the latest generation) still idles at 70W! And if you've got an original Xbox 360 (and it never died from the RROD!), you'd be at twice that... about as much as a good old Pentium D system.
Before someone calls me a hater... I've got an Xbox and Live, and I'm pretty happy with it. However if I wasn't in to gaming, I'd definitely pick up a Roku.
Thank you for checking the power use and bringing that up. There are so many devices people have plugged into their TVs blowing large amounts of electricity 24/7, and it's nice to know that it really shouldn't work that way.
That is up for debate I suppose. The Xbox is similar in price to the Boxee box and Revue, but plays games and DVDs and functions as a media center extender as opposed to hosting less streaming content. Which then is more "complete" is defined by the user. But it is a streamign solution provided by microsoft, so i thought it fair to included it.
I'd really like to see a comparison of these media streamers vs some bluray players. I was planned to buy a Roku XD a couple of weeks ago, but since they weren't in stock yet, I figured another $100 for a networked bluray was worth a try.
I just got 2 bluray players with the specific goals of accessing Netflx AND my MP4 collection (either from my home server or USB hard drive). Neither Panasonic's nor Toshiba's units could do it and Sony's wireless was flaky and didn't like NTFS drives. I skipped Samsung since they didn't seem to offer anything that the other didn't. Only the LG BD570 did everything decently enough but I had to spend $40 extra for the wireless version because the BD550 wasn't DLNA capable.
I really wanted to put a dedicated laptop for all the net on the big TV, but $500+ (with wireless kb/mouse) was too expensive since the wife had to have Netflix on both TVs. Just under $400 for two LG player's isn't bad but I still wonder if they're better/worse than an XD or WD box.
In the situation you mentioned above, just lookng for Netflix and MP4 playback, you would probably be fine with two of the $100 Roku boxes. You would lose the blu-ray capability of the LG players, but if that isn't as important you could save yourself about half the cost.
Seems to me if you want something that can record PS3, you'd need a device with HDMI input. The only solutions I know of with HDMI recording capability are expensive to say the least. (Okay, so something with component input could work as well.) If you haven't looked into it, what about something like this (PC required, naturally):
Talk to the game makers about that one. PS3 has had the ability to upload Youtube videos for a couple years now in their SDK, and there have been a few games that have actually implemented it, but not many.
Is there any chance you could revisit this article with some direct comparison of Netflix (and others) streaming visual quality between the Roku devices, AppleTV, etc.?
Some of the stuff I have seen so far seems to indicate the AppleTV, while limited in features, has better video quality although the comparison didn't focus on Netflix streaming.
I know, in theory, they should be basically the same but we all know in actual practice that is not the case.
I was thinking about getting an AppleTV to stream my iTunes content and Netflix. However, if the visual quality is the same with the Roku, I think I would give up the iTunes streaming for Roku's greater flexibility.
Hi Keith, as I believe I said in the article, I didn't see any difference between the Roku, and W7 MC. You do have more control or color saturation etc in windows but otherwise Netflix looks amazing. I don't have an Apple TV or Revue on hand to look at, but I suppose I could look at my 360 as well. As far as Netflix image quality goes, i don't think you'll be disappointed.
Might as well ask here as it's hard to figure out from Roku's site (and I can't find a list of channels anyway)
Can a roku stream media from a uPnP source or other network device? I've got a NAS that's capable of doing NFS/SMB/uPnP that I'd really like to stream to the TV via something like a Roku box.
Was going to ask about DLNA support myself; assume answer is the same.
A bit puzzled about this, though... given the things these Media Streamers already do, being able to stream content off a local NAS (or home server in my case) seems like a no-brainer, both in terms of additional design and in terms of marketing.
Being a primarily streaming device, it does not have 2.5" HDD drive bay. The $100 version comes with a USB port, and that is the extent of conectivity for local playback. Even then, the supported formats will be limited.
Your not really going to be able to stream any local content, from your PC or otherwise, unless you really want to play around with the PlayON private channel. I haven't tried to get it working myself and it doesn't sound like an easy process.
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27 Comments
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SilthDraeth - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
I wasn't aware that Logitech specialized in routers and switches.taltamir - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
me neither... :PI wonder if they meant to write linksys instead of logitech. But linksys isn't involved in any of that AFAIK, and logitech is involved with google tv.
sviola - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
"and it's in a completely different league from the Revue ($299), Boxee ($199) and Xbox ($199, $299). Those others offer keyboards and elegant UIs but not much additional streaming content over the Roku."Sort of unfair to compare the Xbox this way. Maybe it doesn't provide much additional contet streaming, but it is a far more complete solution as it can play dvds and games (and if you add the PS3 in the equation, blu-ray), as well as run espn.
sviola - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
damn fast typing and no edit option....where contet is read, the correct is contentJarredWalton - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Of course, also worth note is that it's not fair to compare these media streamers with the Xbox. The Roku sucks down all of 6W under load and idles at 3W; an Xbox 360 (the latest generation) still idles at 70W! And if you've got an original Xbox 360 (and it never died from the RROD!), you'd be at twice that... about as much as a good old Pentium D system.http://www.anandtech.com/show/3774/welcome-to-valh...
nafhan - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Don't forget the Xbox Live requirement. A year of Xbox Live at full price costs almost as much as the bottom of the line Roku.nafhan - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Before someone calls me a hater... I've got an Xbox and Live, and I'm pretty happy with it. However if I wasn't in to gaming, I'd definitely pick up a Roku.Thermogenic - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
I bought a Roku XD for this very reason - just slightly more than an XBox Live account, and streams Netflix just as well.OneArmedScissorB - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Thank you for checking the power use and bringing that up. There are so many devices people have plugged into their TVs blowing large amounts of electricity 24/7, and it's nice to know that it really shouldn't work that way.ajlueke - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
That is up for debate I suppose. The Xbox is similar in price to the Boxee box and Revue, but plays games and DVDs and functions as a media center extender as opposed to hosting less streaming content. Which then is more "complete" is defined by the user. But it is a streamign solution provided by microsoft, so i thought it fair to included it.RamarC - Sunday, November 14, 2010 - link
I'd really like to see a comparison of these media streamers vs some bluray players. I was planned to buy a Roku XD a couple of weeks ago, but since they weren't in stock yet, I figured another $100 for a networked bluray was worth a try.I just got 2 bluray players with the specific goals of accessing Netflx AND my MP4 collection (either from my home server or USB hard drive). Neither Panasonic's nor Toshiba's units could do it and Sony's wireless was flaky and didn't like NTFS drives. I skipped Samsung since they didn't seem to offer anything that the other didn't. Only the LG BD570 did everything decently enough but I had to spend $40 extra for the wireless version because the BD550 wasn't DLNA capable.
I really wanted to put a dedicated laptop for all the net on the big TV, but $500+ (with wireless kb/mouse) was too expensive since the wife had to have Netflix on both TVs. Just under $400 for two LG player's isn't bad but I still wonder if they're better/worse than an XD or WD box.
ajlueke - Wednesday, November 17, 2010 - link
In the situation you mentioned above, just lookng for Netflix and MP4 playback, you would probably be fine with two of the $100 Roku boxes. You would lose the blu-ray capability of the LG players, but if that isn't as important you could save yourself about half the cost.Yeah - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Let me know when they create a box like this that I can record some clan matches with my ps3 and toss them up on Utube.Anthing else I try to use now is clunky and time consuming.
JarredWalton - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Seems to me if you want something that can record PS3, you'd need a device with HDMI input. The only solutions I know of with HDMI recording capability are expensive to say the least. (Okay, so something with component input could work as well.) If you haven't looked into it, what about something like this (PC required, naturally):http://www.provantage.com/avermedia-mtvhddvrr~7AVE...
cplusplus - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Talk to the game makers about that one. PS3 has had the ability to upload Youtube videos for a couple years now in their SDK, and there have been a few games that have actually implemented it, but not many.KeithP - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Is there any chance you could revisit this article with some direct comparison of Netflix (and others) streaming visual quality between the Roku devices, AppleTV, etc.?Some of the stuff I have seen so far seems to indicate the AppleTV, while limited in features, has better video quality although the comparison didn't focus on Netflix streaming.
I know, in theory, they should be basically the same but we all know in actual practice that is not the case.
I was thinking about getting an AppleTV to stream my iTunes content and Netflix. However, if the visual quality is the same with the Roku, I think I would give up the iTunes streaming for Roku's greater flexibility.
-KeithP
ajlueke - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Hi Keith, as I believe I said in the article, I didn't see any difference between the Roku, and W7 MC. You do have more control or color saturation etc in windows but otherwise Netflix looks amazing. I don't have an Apple TV or Revue on hand to look at, but I suppose I could look at my 360 as well. As far as Netflix image quality goes, i don't think you'll be disappointed.Twirrim - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Might as well ask here as it's hard to figure out from Roku's site (and I can't find a list of channels anyway)Can a roku stream media from a uPnP source or other network device? I've got a NAS that's capable of doing NFS/SMB/uPnP that I'd really like to stream to the TV via something like a Roku box.
Thermogenic - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
No, it can not. There is a channel that supports PlayOn, but I can't vouch for how well that works.EddyKilowatt - Monday, November 15, 2010 - link
Was going to ask about DLNA support myself; assume answer is the same.A bit puzzled about this, though... given the things these Media Streamers already do, being able to stream content off a local NAS (or home server in my case) seems like a no-brainer, both in terms of additional design and in terms of marketing.
buhusky - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Would be great if Roku supported ISOs. Got all my legally purchased DVDs ripped to my NAS in ISO format (kids + discs = ruination). Maybe next time?Rookie Monster - Friday, November 12, 2010 - link
Cheap box w/Linux install for streaming online content....XBMC installed for everything else. That way I have support for nearly every format.jo-82 - Monday, November 15, 2010 - link
is a 2,5" SATA HDD Bay.ajlueke - Monday, November 15, 2010 - link
Being a primarily streaming device, it does not have 2.5" HDD drive bay. The $100 version comes with a USB port, and that is the extent of conectivity for local playback. Even then, the supported formats will be limited.jimr1234567890 - Monday, November 15, 2010 - link
What about access to the Windows Media Center Content - setting recordings, play back, etc?ajlueke - Monday, November 15, 2010 - link
Your not really going to be able to stream any local content, from your PC or otherwise, unless you really want to play around with the PlayON private channel. I haven't tried to get it working myself and it doesn't sound like an easy process.Frixto - Sunday, March 13, 2011 - link
HelloIt seems that the Roku XDS would be perfect but there is very little mention to what file types it could play thru the USB port.
Also, I live outside the US, would it still be usable?
Thanks