View Full Version : MLB.TV now available on the Roku player
Chris Blount
08-11-09, 10:44 AM
With Roku and MLB.TV Premium, you can now watch your favorite team no matter where you live. Catch live, out-of-market games on your TV screen with your MLB.TV Premium subscription and your Roku player and watch local market or other nationally televised games approximately 90 minutes after they end.
More here (http://www.roku.com/mlb-partner).
Great news...Thanks!
MLBEI is nice, but depending on PQ this is better especially from a cost perspective.
It's not clear to me from any of the articles that I've read whether or not games will be offered in HD (although the MLB page that the Roku page links to indicates HD quality games where available). I hope so. Irregardless, I think the wife and I will try this out for the rest of the season.
tonyd79
08-11-09, 01:06 PM
Hmm, a bit disappointing that it requires premium. I have the non-premium package so I can watch games on my iPhone. Anyway, I have EI so most of my needs are covered anyway. Would be nice if there were a free preview period, though to check out the quality.
It's not clear to me from any of the articles that I've read whether or not games will be offered in HD (although the MLB page that the Roku page links to indicates HD quality games where available). I hope so. Irregardless, I think the wife and I will try this out for the rest of the season.
Not only do I wonder about the HD but are all gmaes streamable only after the complete game is over?
BudShark
08-11-09, 02:23 PM
Not only do I wonder about the HD but are all gmaes streamable only after the complete game is over?
HD quality will be available.
Local blacked out and National games available 90 minutes after completion.
http://paidcontent.org/article/419-set-top-maker-roku-joins-mlb.tv-roster/
Not only do I wonder about the HD but are all gmaes streamable only after the complete game is over?
Games that are not blacked out locally and are not televised nationally will be carried live.
Games that are not blacked out locally and are not televised nationally will be carried live.
Kind of hard to see why as many people would keep MLB EI with this being so much cheaper.
Kind of hard to see why as many people would keep MLB EI with this being so much cheaper.
We have FiOS TV and, while they do carry MLB EI, they do not have as many games in HD as DirecTV. For that reason, and because of all the blackouts, we did not subscribe this year.
We do have a Roku player and it's a great little device; it does an amazing job of streaming HD content from Netflix and Amazon.com (I just started watching Harper's Island the other night - Netflix has the entire series available for streaming).
This is a great alternative to MLB EI for myself and my wife, who's an out of market Yankees fan.
I just signed up for $34.95 for the rest of the season and will give it a test drive this evening.
We have FiOS TV and, while they do carry MLB EI, they do not have as many games in HD as DirecTV. For that reason, and because of all the blackouts, we did not subscribe this year.
We do have a Roku player and it's a great little device; it does an amazing job of streaming HD content from Netflix and Amazon.com (I just started watching Harper's Island the other night - Netflix has the entire series available for streaming).
This is a great alternative to MLB EI for myself and my wife, who's an out of market Yankees fan.
I just signed up for $34.95 for the rest of the season and will give it a test drive this evening.
I guess it should really benifit E* fans who did not have the option for MLB EI this year.
I guess it should really benifit E* fans who did not have the option for MLB EI this year.
That's a really good point.
Chris Blount
08-11-09, 03:13 PM
I watched a HD movie on the Roku box the other night and I really wouldn't call it HD. It's just very good looking DVD. The best HD I have seen from any streaming box so far is from the AppleTV (which I guess really isn't streaming but I can still watch an HD movie in real time while it downloads).
The great thing about the Roku box is that its cheap and getting more and more versitile each time Roku adds a feature.
I watched a HD movie on the Roku box the other night and I really wouldn't call it HD. It's just very good looking DVD. The best HD I have seen from any streaming box so far is from the AppleTV (which I guess really isn't streaming but I can still watch an HD movie in real time while it downloads).
The great thing about the Roku box is that its cheap and getting more and more versitile each time Roku adds a feature.
I wouldn't confuse streaming HD from Netflix with Blu-ray quality, that's for sure (it's 720p after all). But to me it does look quite a bit better than an upconverted DVD. I find it to be very watchable. Heck, I even think that the streaming SD content is pretty darn good.
My Roku player reminds me of my iPhone; it was pretty great when I got it and it just keeps getting better and better over time.
Chris Blount
08-11-09, 03:37 PM
I wouldn't confuse streaming HD from Netflix with Blu-ray quality, that's for sure (it's 720p after all). But to me it does look quite a bit better than an upconverted DVD. I find it to be very watchable. Heck, I even think that the streaming SD content is pretty darn good.
You are correct. It does look pretty good but the larger the display, the more Netflix streaming shows its true colors.
Don't get me wrong. I like the Roku box but for those with large front projectors, using the Roku box is not the first choice when viewing HD movies.
You are correct. It does look pretty good but the larger the display, the more Netflix streaming shows its true colors.
Don't get me wrong. I like the Roku box but for those with large front projectors, using the Roku box is not the first choice when viewing HD movies.
I have a 55" plasma and I think that it looks pretty good.
Stewpidity
08-11-09, 07:28 PM
We have FiOS TV and, while they do carry MLB EI, they do not have as many games in HD as DirecTV. For that reason, and because of all the blackouts, we did not subscribe this year.
We do have a Roku player and it's a great little device; it does an amazing job of streaming HD content from Netflix and Amazon.com (I just started watching Harper's Island the other night - Netflix has the entire series available for streaming).
This is a great alternative to MLB EI for myself and my wife, who's an out of market Yankees fan.
I just signed up for $34.95 for the rest of the season and will give it a test drive this evening.
Please post how the MLB games looked...I am thinking about getting one of these, also what how is your Roku hooked up to the internet...
Thanks
This is a brilliant move by Roku and MLB. Now you don't even have to have cable or satellite to get MLB games on your TV.
This is a brilliant move by Roku and MLB. Now you don't even have to have cable or satellite to get MLB games on your TV.
Although true, the package lacks one very important aspect. Local games are not available. Here, the DBacks broadcast exclusively on FSN AZ. Cable or satellite is the only option for those games.
I have seen MLB add locals, but they asked San Diego and NY residents for an extra $50.00 and required them to watch using a cable provided internet. The price was a "half-season" special, so God only knows how much they'll charge for that. Also...I don't believe the local packages are available a-la carte. You have to be an MLB.TV sub also.
I watched a HD movie on the Roku box the other night and I really wouldn't call it HD. It's just very good looking DVD. The best HD I have seen from any streaming box so far is from the AppleTV (which I guess really isn't streaming but I can still watch an HD movie in real time while it downloads).
The great thing about the Roku box is that its cheap and getting more and more versitile each time Roku adds a feature.
From what I've read about the Roku, the PQ isn't even 720p. I'd have one if it did at least that. I just spent a couple hours last week reading the reviews about the Roku and I was disappointed. Might well buy a cheap Sammy BD player just to stream NetFlix. Not that much more expensive and it does everything. I've seen the Sammy 1500 for about $179. That little bit of money is worth it for better PQ. And I'm not a Sammy fan. I've got a great Sony BD player, but it doesn't stream NetFlix. Neither do the Pannys.
Rich
Garyunc
08-12-09, 08:29 AM
Please post how the MLB games looked...I am thinking about getting one of these, also what how is your Roku hooked up to the internet...
Thanks
I checked this out last night. The picture quality was 720P and looked pretty good to me. I am connected via wireless and there were few issues. Overall I was pleased. Also of note, it did not restrict my computer login so I was able to watch one game on my TV and another on my laptop at the same time.
Chris Blount
08-12-09, 09:03 AM
From what I've read about the Roku, the PQ isn't even 720p. I'd have one if it did at least that. I just spent a couple hours last week reading the reviews about the Roku and I was disappointed. Might well buy a cheap Sammy BD player just to stream NetFlix. Not that much more expensive and it does everything. I've seen the Sammy 1500 for about $179. That little bit of money is worth it for better PQ. And I'm not a Sammy fan. I've got a great Sony BD player, but it doesn't stream NetFlix. Neither do the Pannys.
RichI agree. It's worth it just to buy the Sammy and have both Blu-Ray and Netflix in one box. I have a real hard time when Netflix claims "HD" when they talk about the Roku. Sure, it looks pretty good but on a 106" screen, NO WAY!
Garyunc
08-12-09, 09:46 AM
Well now the Roku has one upped the Sammy BD player with mlb.tv. Let me know when the sammy has added mlb.tv :)
I agree. It's worth it just to buy the Sammy and have both Blu-Ray and Netflix in one box. I have a real hard time when Netflix claims "HD" when they talk about the Roku. Sure, it looks pretty good but on a 106" screen, NO WAY!
All I really care about is PQ, which you know you'll get with any BD player. I would happily buy the Roku, in fact, that's why I spent so much time reading the very disappointing reviews of the Roku. Seems as if that's taking a step backwards.
But, to give the Roku folks credit, it wasn't that long ago that I did some research on the Roku and found out it only output stereo and not even 5.1 DTS. Now, on their website, they state that 5.1 DTS is being streamed. If they can get the PQ up and keep the price down, I'll probably buy one.
Rich
sigma1914
08-12-09, 10:33 AM
So has anyone compared Roku vs a BluRay player for PQ on streaming Netflix HD content?
Well now the Roku has one upped the Sammy BD player with mlb.tv. Let me know when the sammy has added mlb.tv :)
The mlb.tv holds no interest to me. I watch the Yankees, every inning of every game. If I were to bet on games, then I could see it, but baseball is too unpredictable to bet on.
I've got more than a half dozen major and minor league stadiums within reach of my home and have no interest in them. I don't even watch the playoffs or the World Series if the Yankees are not in them.
Don't get the idea that I don't like baseball in all it's forms. I played for a long time and have been a Yankees fan since I was nine. I've tried to live my life as if it were a baseball game and have been quite successful with that philosophy. I've been a coach, a manager and an umpire. And, most importantly, a Yankees fan. That's why I got D* service in the first place.
Notice the avatar?
Rich
jeffshoaf
08-12-09, 11:36 AM
From what I've read about the Roku, the PQ isn't even 720p. I'd have one if it did at least that. I just spent a couple hours last week reading the reviews about the Roku and I was disappointed. Might well buy a cheap Sammy BD player just to stream NetFlix. Not that much more expensive and it does everything. I've seen the Sammy 1500 for about $179. That little bit of money is worth it for better PQ. And I'm not a Sammy fan. I've got a great Sony BD player, but it doesn't stream NetFlix. Neither do the Pannys.
Rich
You need to check the date on any Roku reviews you read - 720P is a relatively recent addition and Dolby Digital 5.1 was just added yesterday via a software update. I don't think there's any streaming Netflix content with DD5.1 as of yet.
Also, if Netflix is only providing 720P streams, the Sammy BD player will only provide better PQ is it has good upscaler.
I agree. It's worth it just to buy the Sammy and have both Blu-Ray and Netflix in one box. I have a real hard time when Netflix claims "HD" when they talk about the Roku. Sure, it looks pretty good but on a 106" screen, NO WAY!
720p is HD, although many people don't consider it "true HD" - which typically refers to 1080p.
From what I've read about the Roku, the PQ isn't even 720p. I'd have one if it did at least that. I just spent a couple hours last week reading the reviews about the Roku and I was disappointed. Might well buy a cheap Sammy BD player just to stream NetFlix. Not that much more expensive and it does everything. I've seen the Sammy 1500 for about $179. That little bit of money is worth it for better PQ. And I'm not a Sammy fan. I've got a great Sony BD player, but it doesn't stream NetFlix. Neither do the Pannys.
Rich
The PQ of the Roku is 720p. In fact, the Roku was the first device to offer Netflix streaming video in 720p.
A Blu-rau player will not give you better PQ when streaming Netflix content, it is the same stream at the same resolution.
Chris Blount
08-12-09, 12:36 PM
720p is HD, although many people don't consider it "true HD" - which typically refers to 1080p.Which is the reason why they can claim HD. The problem with the Netflix HD stream is the compression level. That's where it really falls short.
You need to check the date on any Roku reviews you read - 720P is a relatively recent addition and Dolby Digital 5.1 was just added yesterday via a software update. I don't think there's any streaming Netflix content with DD5.1 as of yet.
I read that on their website last week, about the 5.1, I mean.
Also, if Netflix is only providing 720P streams, the Sammy BD player will only provide better PQ is it has good upscaler.
I don't have a problem with 720p. My Panny plasmas show a great 720p. I'd be satisfied with that, but I think I'd rather stream with a BD player. I just saw an LG BD player for $202 in the NYC Daily News. Just the thought of buying another Sammy gives me the willies. :lol:
Rich
Please post how the MLB games looked...I am thinking about getting one of these, also what how is your Roku hooked up to the internet...
Thanks
I wasn't able to get the update last night, but I installed it this morning and checked out a couple of archived games. All three that I checked out were streaming in 720p.
The stream takes about as long to load as a Netflix HD stream (about 14 seconds on my setup) so I assume that the bit stream is about the same.
Because live baseball game action doesn't lend itself well to digital compression, the PQ does not hold up as well as with Netflix HD movies. But it is still quite good and watchable. The HD games on DirecTV would look better I'm sure but they would also cost more. Since we have FiOS as our primary TV provider, we would receive most of the MLB EI games in inferior SD feeds, so the Roku is a really good option for us.
Currently the Roku does not offer the ability to jump to specific innings in the archived games, you just have to fast forward through them. MLB.TV is marked as "Beta" in the interface though so maybe they'll add this feature later.
As to my connection, I have FiOS with 20/10. For me, the Roku will stream HD content with a wired or wireless connection, though the wired connection is a little faster (14 versus 18 seconds to start the stream).
I'm not sure what the minimum connection speed is for receiving HD streams via the Roku. I seem to remember reading somewhere that it was 5mbps, but I'm really not sure. You could always contact Roku (http://www.roku.com/support/contact) though.
As an out of market Yankees fan, my wife is going to absolutely love being able to watch her team on the Roku.
The mlb.tv holds no interest to me. I watch the Yankees, every inning of every game. If I were to bet on games, then I could see it, but baseball is too unpredictable to bet on.
I've got more than a half dozen major and minor league stadiums within reach of my home and have no interest in them. I don't even watch the playoffs or the World Series if the Yankees are not in them.
Don't get the idea that I don't like baseball in all it's forms. I played for a long time and have been a Yankees fan since I was nine. I've tried to live my life as if it were a baseball game and have been quite successful with that philosophy. I've been a coach, a manager and an umpire. And, most importantly, a Yankees fan. That's why I got D* service in the first place.
Notice the avatar?
RichLOL yeah bus just think of the success you could of had if you had been a Red Sox fan this whole time?:D
Garyunc
08-12-09, 02:34 PM
All I really care about is PQ, which you know you'll get with any BD player. I would happily buy the Roku, in fact, that's why I spent so much time reading the very disappointing reviews of the Roku. Seems as if that's taking a step backwards.
But, to give the Roku folks credit, it wasn't that long ago that I did some research on the Roku and found out it only output stereo and not even 5.1 DTS. Now, on their website, they state that 5.1 DTS is being streamed. If they can get the PQ up and keep the price down, I'll probably buy one.
Rich
I agree on the PQ. One more point in Roku's favor is that it is small enough that you can also travel with it. If you carry a small router and a laptop you can hook it up to a hotel tv and watch on the road.
The DD does work i found it by accident.I was checking my audio settings and found a new setting for 5.1 surround.I didn't find any content on Netflix that worked but when i went to Amazon and played the free first two of Grand Tereno The DD light came on, sounded pretty good.
I agree on the PQ. One more point in Roku's favor is that it is small enough that you can also travel with it. If you carry a small router and a laptop you can hook it up to a hotel tv and watch on the road.
What do you need the laptop for? We have traveled with the Roku, it will connect in to many hotel wireless services and TVs. No router or laptop required.
LOL yeah bus just think of the success you could of had if you had been a Red Sox fan this whole time?:D
I've been a Yankees fan for longer than most of you have been alive. Think of the successful seasons I've seen that have led to World Series titles. Or just World Series appearances. The last few years have just been a glitch. :lol:
Rich
I agree on the PQ. One more point in Roku's favor is that it is small enough that you can also travel with it. If you carry a small router and a laptop you can hook it up to a hotel tv and watch on the road.
My cable carrier (Cablevision) has a deal that allows you to watch streaming video of games as they are played on the Yes Network on a laptop. I don't travel much and on vacations Yankees games are all I care about. 19.95 a month (ideal for a two week vacation) or 49.99 for the whole season. Very convenient and all I have to do to qualify for it is have one of the three bundled packages and I have a Cablevision modem, which qualifies.
Sure beats hanging out over a balcony trying to pick up the game on a radio. :lol:
Rich
I've been a Yankees fan for longer than most of you have been alive. Think of the successful seasons I've seen that have led to World Series titles. Or just World Series appearances. The last few years have just been a glitch. :lol:
Rich
I enjoy the Red Sox vs Yankees wars. You guys may have won the last few but we still have the series lead for the season. With any luck we will meet up in the post season.
Costco just mailed us a coupon book that contains a coupon for $30 off that Sammy BD player. Today I received a check from my credit card company for a credit of just over $50. I think I'll be buying that Sammy next Monday. Just to stream NetFlix.
Rich
I enjoy the Red Sox vs Yankees wars. You guys may have won the last few but we still have the series lead for the season. With any luck we will meet up in the post season.
So that chair with the Colts logo on it is just a beard, huh? :lol:
Rich
So that chair with the Colts logo on it is just a beard, huh? :lol:
RichNFL is more exciting to me. I dont watch a whole lot of regular season but I do watch the post season if Boston is in it.
Costco just mailed us a coupon book that contains a coupon for $30 off that Sammy BD player. Today I received a check from my credit card company for a credit of just over $50. I think I'll be buying that Sammy next Monday. Just to stream NetFlix.
Rich
That's cool Rich. Just don't expect the Netflix streams to be 1080p or 7.1 digital audio just because you're streaming them through a Blu-ray player though.
NFL is more exciting to me. I dont watch a whole lot of regular season but I do watch the post season if Boston is in it.
I can understand you getting that mlb thing, considering where you are and the team you root for. But I've never quite understood where people got the time to watch so many baseball games. If it was someone betting on games, I could kinda understand it, but there are so many teams and so many variables in baseball that a person would have to devote his life to watching games just to be able to win enough to live on.
The football package I understand. I think that football is the one sport that really utilizes TV well and you can learn a lot by watching relatively few games.
It would be interesting to see a breakdown of the numbers of each package sold in total. Just a WAG, but I'd pick the football package to have more subscribers.
Anyway, it'd be a whole lot cheaper to subscribe to whatever package you need to get the Yes Network and start rooting for the Yankees. Or can't you get that where you are? Thought it was nationwide.
Shame you have to buy a huge number of team's games just to get the team you want to watch.
Rich
I can understand you getting that mlb thing, considering where you are and the team you root for. But I've never quite understood where people got the time to watch so many baseball games. If it was someone betting on games, I could kinda understand it, but there are so many teams and so many variables in baseball that a person would have to devote his life to watching games just to be able to win enough to live on.
The football package I understand. I think that football is the one sport that really utilizes TV well and you can learn a lot by watching relatively few games.
It would be interesting to see a breakdown of the numbers of each package sold in total. Just a WAG, but I'd pick the football package to have more subscribers.
Anyway, it'd be a whole lot cheaper to subscribe to whatever package you need to get the Yes Network and start rooting for the Yankees. Or can't you get that where you are? Thought it was nationwide.
Shame you have to buy a huge number of team's games just to get the team you want to watch.
Rich
I think that MLB EI is definitely a package for folks who are fans of out of market teams. For instance, my wife is a big time Yankees fan and we live in Seattle. No, it's not like we watch any of the other teams.
As far as YES is concerned, we have it with FiOS but they do not show the Yankees games nationally. Instead, they show other programming during the games. Hopefully this will change in the future.
I agree with you about NFL ST though. While I'm an out of market Steelers fan, I will occassionally watch other key games - although I usually watch the Red Zone Channel when the Steelers aren't playing.
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