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ROKU new and old users?

10K views 40 replies 21 participants last post by  Nick 
#1 ·
I just jumped on the Netflix wagon train, and now I'm seriously considering buying a roku device. Specifically, I'm looking at the XD|S model with optical audio output. Are there any new or experienced ROKU users out there who love it? hate it? wish it were better?
 
#2 ·
I own a Roku and overall for the cost I am very impressed. It's simple to operate and you can watch Netflix as you said. But you can also watch Al Jezera English, MLB (if you have the mlb online package), listen to Pandora radio, Hulu Plus, etc. It's pretty simple to set up and operate. I was quickly able to explain the operation to my family. I have used the ease of use with Netflifx much better than XBox.
 
#3 ·
I have the Roku HD, works well, easy to set up and use. To watch HD content, from Netflix, you need at least 5.0 high speed connection. I have noticed, in the past few weeks that the Netflix srvers can get busy and the PQ can drop from HD back to SD. Seems to only do it during peak hours. I have checked my line speed when this happens and my end has been good each time this drop off occurs.
 
#4 ·
We've had the original Roku (equivelant to the current Roku HD) for over two years. We love it. It's a great little device that delivers a LOT of bang for the buck.

Our favorite channels:

Netflix
MLB.tv
Crunchyroll (for Anime)
Flixter (for movie trailers)
TuneIn Radio
 
#5 ·
I have two XDS boxes and love them. Far better Netflix interface than our bluray player, hundreds of other channels, thousands of shows, Youtube in HD. Lots of deals on rentals from Amazon also. We have friends in Japan and have been able to watch live streams from NHK (English) since the earthquake. It is not a replacement for satellite or cable but a great addition.
 
#6 ·
I picked up an HD box about 3 months ago and love it. Like others have said, they are super easy to use. The only issue I had was a bad firmware Roku released in November (I think it was November). Basically, the thing rebooted at least once every time I tried to watch anything from NetFlix. Roku fixed the issue with a firmware update and I haven't had a reboot since then.
 
#9 ·
New Roku 2s kinda suck because they don't have as much connectivity as the old boxes. Sure, on the expensive ones you can play Angry Birds, but you can play that pretty much anywhere so who needs to spend $150 for it.

If you have spare HDMI ports, or you are gonna plug it into Component connections, then the new Roku2 cheap one is fine. If you need Composite or S-Video, try finding an old box, they still work fine :) My mother has been using the one I bought her for X-mas a few years ago on an almost daily basis.
 
#12 ·
spartanstew said:
I bought a Panny DMP-BDT110 instead.

Netflix, Pandora, Hulu, Amazon, Skype and is an excellent Blu Ray player (including 3D and 2D to 3D conversion, if you like). All for less than $100.
+1
And if you sell the included (via mail) Avatar 3D disc on Amazon for $100, the player is free! Mine sold on ebay a few months back within a couple of hours for $120.

It doesn't have as many streaming options as Roku, but has the major ones as spartanstew said. One minor correction though, the Panny has Vudu, not Hulu. They keep promising Hulu, but it hasn't happened yet.
 
#14 ·
davring said:
I have the Roku HD, works well, easy to set up and use. To watch HD content, from Netflix, you need at least 5.0 high speed connection. I have noticed, in the past few weeks that the Netflix srvers can get busy and the PQ can drop from HD back to SD. Seems to only do it during peak hours. I have checked my line speed when this happens and my end has been good each time this drop off occurs.
By "HD", do you mean the 720p content or did they finally get 1080p? Haven't used my last one in a while.

Rich
 
#15 ·
I had three Rokus, sold two of them as soon as I found out that the Samsung BD player, model 5500 upscales NetFlix content much better than any other device I've used. I've tried the Rokus, Apple TVs, Sony BD players, the Panny BD65 and the 110 and, while I have found a lot to dislike about the 5500s the PQ is simply better than any others I've tried. And in the end, isn't that what really counts?

Try putting an old 4:3 TV program such as Cheers or the first seasons of L&O:SUV on any of the devices I've listed above and you'll see a washed out, fuzzy picture. On the Sammy 5500s, you see an upscaled picture (still 4:3) with vibrant colors. Puts out great upscaling when using standard DVDs too.

I'd never buy another Roku.

The 5500s cost $93 today on Amazon. Just give it a try, you can always return it.

Rich
 
#17 ·
rich584 said:
I had three Rokus, sold two of them as soon as I found out that the Samsung BD player, model 5500 upscales NetFlix content much better than any other device I've used. I've tried the Rokus, Apple TVs, Sony BD players, the Panny BD65 and the 110 and, while I have found a lot to dislike about the 5500s the PQ is simply better than any others I've tried. And in the end, isn't that what really counts?

Try putting an old 4:3 TV program such as Cheers or the first seasons of L&O:SUV on any of the devices I've listed above and you'll see a washed out, fuzzy picture. On the Sammy 5500s, you see an upscaled picture (still 4:3) with vibrant colors. Puts out great upscaling when using standard DVDs too.

I'd never buy another Roku.

The 5500s cost $93 today on Amazon. Just give it a try, you can always return it.

Rich
I want to try one just because you seem to hype it up so much. ;)
 
#20 ·
Hutchinshouse said:
Doesn't your Oppo BDP-93 support Netflix? I'd guess that would have the best Netflix A/V quality out of any player on the market.
Netflix isn't providing them the same stream as they do for other brands. Apparently, the PS3 has the best A/V for current Netflix streaming. This is the one "drawback" of the Oppo. It's not bad by any means, in fact, it's very good. Vudu is freaking beautiful on it. I used a free credit for Limitless and was amazed.
 
#21 ·
sigma1914 said:
I want to try one just because you seem to hype it up so much. ;)
I really don't like Sammy products, so you can be sure that I'm not making this up. There's still a lot to dislike about the 5500s. The remote is almost impossible to use by feel in a dark room, the counters on the front of the displays just stop sometimes. Don't know why, but it keeps happening. I can't get sound sometimes if I switch from playing a disc to NetFlix streaming content. Have to shut them down and start all over. Sounds like a piece of junk, doesn't it? But the PQ is well worth all those problems. Best I've ever had.

Rich
 
#22 ·
sigma1914 said:
Netflix isn't providing them the same stream as they do for other brands. Apparently, the PS3 has the best A/V for current Netflix streaming. This is the one "drawback" of the Oppo. It's not bad by any means, in fact, it's very good. Vudu is freaking beautiful on it. I used a free credit for Limitless and was amazed.
Wow, I din't know Netflix had multiple streams. The Netflix quality on my Apple TV2 is pretty darn good. To me it looked a tad better than my Roku HD. PS3 quality must be phenomenal. :new_Eyecr
 
#23 ·
davring said:
I have the Roku HD, works well, easy to set up and use. To watch HD content, from Netflix, you need at least 5.0 high speed connection. I have noticed, in the past few weeks that the Netflix srvers can get busy and the PQ can drop from HD back to SD. Seems to only do it during peak hours. I have checked my line speed when this happens and my end has been good each time this drop off occurs.
That is why I get DVDs in the Mail from Netflix so as to Not Be Compromised when it comes to Quality Audio & Video!!! :)

I have ROKU but never seem to have the time to use it or I don't even think about it but then again I have 13,000 Gigabytes of Storage Capacity on my 7 DVRs so that may explain it.
 
#26 ·
Hutchinshouse said:
Wow, I din't know Netflix had multiple streams. The Netflix quality on my Apple TV2 is pretty darn good. To me it looked a tad better than my Roku HD. PS3 quality must be phenomenal. :new_Eyecr
They are both 720p. Your OPPO should upscale that to 1080/60p. You should get a better PQ on the OPPO than you do on a Roku or Apple box. I do. By far.

Rich
 
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