Roku Digital Video Player (Free shipping for limited time)

[Crow550]

3 boxes to choose: $80 Roku SD, $99 Roku HD & Roku XR $120 -- http://www.roku.com/roku-products

Channel store is out: http://www.roku.com/roku-channel-store

Tons more channels are coming before 2010.

Check forums.roku.com for the latest info.

Anyone can make private channels and host them on there site, if they don't want to go through the channel store approval process. Including porn! Which you can use a pin # to keep wee ones out.

Porn on the Roku: http://newteevee.com/2009/12/28/rokus-dont-ask-dont-tell-porn-policy/

On the EroticVision.TV (EVTV) there is a pretty funny video ad with the Roku. The ad contains boobies so NSFW. It's at the site, just add /devices/ in the url. Funny stuff.

What's your favorite channels?

 

[zoiks]

You have a link for the update?

 

[eplebnista]

Originally posted by: zoiks
You have a link for the update?

Link

 

[Crow550]

Star Trek Season 1 is in HD and looks niccccce.

Also The Thing in HD is pretty cool.

Remember this is 720p so comparing it to a Blu-Ray or anything in 1080i/p is unfair.

But again this is 720p and is some of the best streaming I've seen through broadband and uses up to 3.5mbps. So not bad at all.

Give your review on some HD titles if you have the Roku box and Netflix or an Xbox360 or any other device that supports Netflix streaming.

Expect more HD stuff in early 09 too.

Here's hoping Roku adds YouTube, Joost, Hulu and others as well. Heck some Internet Radio like AOL Radio and Shoutcast would be cool too.

We can tell Roku the features we want at: http://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?t=16753

Check the General Discussion too: http://forums.roku.com/viewforum.php?f=28

 

[thomsbrain]

When the hell will they bring it to PS3? Supporting Xbox with its obsolete HD-DVD player while not supporting the PS3 which plays the Blu-Ray discs Netflix wants people to rent seems completely bass-ackwards. You'd think they'd push people to the console that their members actually would want to own.

And why should I pay $100 for a Roku when my PS3 always has all the hardware I need to play Netflix movies, and merely lacks a simple software update? How fucking hard is it to code a quick little app to play the streams? I'm sure Sony would be happy to include it in the next system update, since it would help sell PS3s.

 

[Crow550]

Microsoft is behind the streaming technology. Plus Sony wants you to use there rental service. http://www.hackingnetflix.com/...12/netflix-on-the.html

However if you want Netflix on your PS3 and Wii check out PlayOn which is a third party solution: http://www.themediamall.com/playon

Oh and who is forcing you to buy the Roku box?

You do know that there are Blu-Ray players that support Netflix streaming and Tivo and some other devices too.

Here is a review on some: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122835447211578087.html

 

[Dirigible]

Awesome! I bought my Roku on a whim a while back and have used it more than expected. Sounds like it'll be even better.

 

[Crow550]

They have released another update for Beta testers to see if it fixes the old issue of audio popping in movies with people who use wi-fi.

So far no popping. Before it would sound like a vinyl record.

So look forward to another update soon.

Also allot more HD titles from Netflix in January!

And of course more channels coming in January, so the box will be expanded beyond Netflix!

Oh yeah!

Kinda repeating some things, but hey it's worth repeating!

 

[thedarkwolf]

Is there someway to tell what is available in HD? I'm just using my computer.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
When the hell will they bring it to PS3? Supporting Xbox with its obsolete HD-DVD player while not supporting the PS3 which plays the Blu-Ray discs Netflix wants people to rent seems completely bass-ackwards. You'd think they'd push people to the console that their members actually would want to own.

And why should I pay $100 for a Roku when my PS3 always has all the hardware I need to play Netflix movies, and merely lacks a simple software update? How fucking hard is it to code a quick little app to play the streams? I'm sure Sony would be happy to include it in the next system update, since it would help sell PS3s.

FYI, a large percentage of the people in this country do not yet feel the need to own a Blu-Ray player, and I think Netflix is content to continue renting those people higher profit DVDs.

Based on sales "the console that their members actually would want to own" is the Xbox 360; it's in more homes in the US than the PS3, which is good for Netflix. Considering that Microsoft made the Netflix player part of the paid Xbox Live Gold service (and considering Netflix's switch to Silverlight), it's a good bet that Microsoft is providing some financial incentive.

Netflix did a survey months ago where they asked their customers who owned Xbox 360s and PS3s if they would be interested in streaming Netflix to their console, so we know that:
1. Netflix was apparently considering the PS3
2. Netflix knows what percentage of each system's users would be interested in the service.

Maybe it's a difference in demographics, maybe Netflix offered Sony the same deal as Microsoft and Sony declined to pay up. Maybe it's just because of market share.

To answer your question though (when Netflix is coming to the PS3), the answer is never. Microsoft got an exclusive deal.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
When the hell will they bring it to PS3? Supporting Xbox with its obsolete HD-DVD player while not supporting the PS3 which plays the Blu-Ray discs Netflix wants people to rent seems completely bass-ackwards. You'd think they'd push people to the console that their members actually would want to own.

And why should I pay $100 for a Roku when my PS3 always has all the hardware I need to play Netflix movies, and merely lacks a simple software update? How fucking hard is it to code a quick little app to play the streams? I'm sure Sony would be happy to include it in the next system update, since it would help sell PS3s.

FYI, a large percentage of the people in this country do not yet feel the need to own a Blu-Ray player, and I think Netflix is content to continue renting those people higher profit DVDs.

Based on sales "the console that their members actually would want to own" is the Xbox 360; it's in more homes in the US than the PS3, which is good for Netflix. Considering that Microsoft made the Netflix player part of the paid Xbox Live Gold service (and considering Netflix's switch to Silverlight), it's a good bet that Microsoft is providing some financial incentive.

Netflix did a survey months ago where they asked their customers who owned Xbox 360s and PS3s if they would be interested in streaming Netflix to their console, so we know that:
1. Netflix was apparently considering the PS3
2. Netflix knows what percentage of each system's users would be interested in the service.

Maybe it's a difference in demographics, maybe Netflix offered Sony the same deal as Microsoft and Sony declined to pay up. Maybe it's just because of market share.

To answer your question though (when Netflix is coming to the PS3), the answer is never. Microsoft got an exclusive deal.

I think one of the head kahuna's at Microsoft sits on the board of directors for Netflix too.

So there's a bit of a relationship there in that regard.

 

[mugs]

If they add uPnP support, I'll buy 3.

 

[tw1164]

I've been using netflix on my Tivo, for the last few weeks. It's a great addition. The interface feels slow and clunky, so I hope that gets refined. The only other complaint is that the menus are all in SD. My kids steam 80 episodes of Pocoyo everyday.

 

[tw1164]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
When the hell will they bring it to PS3? Supporting Xbox with its obsolete HD-DVD player while not supporting the PS3 which plays the Blu-Ray discs Netflix wants people to rent seems completely bass-ackwards. You'd think they'd push people to the console that their members actually would want to own.

And why should I pay $100 for a Roku when my PS3 always has all the hardware I need to play Netflix movies, and merely lacks a simple software update? How fucking hard is it to code a quick little app to play the streams? I'm sure Sony would be happy to include it in the next system update, since it would help sell PS3s.

FYI, a large percentage of the people in this country do not yet feel the need to own a Blu-Ray player, and I think Netflix is content to continue renting those people higher profit DVDs.

Based on sales "the console that their members actually would want to own" is the Xbox 360; it's in more homes in the US than the PS3, which is good for Netflix. Considering that Microsoft made the Netflix player part of the paid Xbox Live Gold service (and considering Netflix's switch to Silverlight), it's a good bet that Microsoft is providing some financial incentive.

Netflix did a survey months ago where they asked their customers who owned Xbox 360s and PS3s if they would be interested in streaming Netflix to their console, so we know that:
1. Netflix was apparently considering the PS3
2. Netflix knows what percentage of each system's users would be interested in the service.

Maybe it's a difference in demographics, maybe Netflix offered Sony the same deal as Microsoft and Sony declined to pay up. Maybe it's just because of market share.

To answer your question though (when Netflix is coming to the PS3), the answer is never. Microsoft got an exclusive deal.

I think one of the head kahuna's at Microsoft sits on the board of directors for Netflix too.

So there's a bit of a relationship there in that regard.

Reed Hastings (Netflix CEO) is on the MS Board of Directors.

 

[zoiks]

My Roku still doesn't show the update yet.

 

[Crow550]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Is there someway to tell what is available in HD? I'm just using my computer.

On the Netflix site in the Watch Instantly section is should be under Genres, between Gay & Lesbian and Horror.


However I don't think pc users have gotten HD. I think they choose to roll it out for the Xbox360 first then the Blu-Ray players and Tivo and such and finally the Roku box.

So pcs should be getting it soon.

 

[Crow550]

Originally posted by: zoiks
My Roku still doesn't show the update yet.

They are rolling it out slowly based on order of Serial #s of the boxes.

However if you want it now, why the heck not? Then you have to run the update 3 times and you should get the update. So goto settings and player info then check for update and it will say no update found, then do it again and it will say no update found again and do it a third time and the update should download, if you don't want to wait.

http://forums.roku.com/viewtop...postorder=asc&start=60


Enjoy! And happy holidays

 

[Crow550]

Originally posted by: mugs
If they add uPnP support, I'll buy 3.

Hey sign up at the Roku forums and request it in there feature suggestions thread: http://forums.roku.com/viewtop...ostorder=asc&start=195


The more people who request the same features, over and over again. The better chance they will add it.

 

[Crow550]

Originally posted by: tw1164
I've been using netflix on my Tivo, for the last few weeks. It's a great addition. The interface feels slow and clunky, so I hope that gets refined. The only other complaint is that the menus are all in SD. My kids steam 80 episodes of Pocoyo everyday.

Yes the Netflix site needs better organizion and the Roku box also needs this feature, same with the 360 and it sounds like same with the Tivo. Maybe if we bug Netflix enough. It gets annoying scrolling left and right through 180+ titles. They could make it allot easier as I said here: http://forums.roku.com/viewtop...ostorder=asc&start=195 (In the middle of the page)

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: Crow550

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Is there someway to tell what is available in HD? I'm just using my computer.

On the Netflix site in the Watch Instantly section is should be under Genres, between Gay & Lesbian and Horror.


However I don't think pc users have gotten HD. I think they choose to roll it out for the Xbox360 first then the Blu-Ray players and Tivo and such and finally the Roku box.

So pcs should be getting it soon.

Yeah I just read that it doesn't work for the PC yet so meh. I've looked and the HD genre doesn't even show up on my computer. Maybe you have to have an xbox or roku setup with them first?

 

[Crow550]

Nah, just wait and Netflix will get it rolled out on the PC and Mac too.

 

[Crow550]

Want Hulu on the Roku box?

Request it here: http://www.hulu.com/discussions/8

& here: http://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?t=16753&start=210

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
When the hell will they bring it to PS3? Supporting Xbox with its obsolete HD-DVD player while not supporting the PS3 which plays the Blu-Ray discs Netflix wants people to rent seems completely bass-ackwards. You'd think they'd push people to the console that their members actually would want to own.

And why should I pay $100 for a Roku when my PS3 always has all the hardware I need to play Netflix movies, and merely lacks a simple software update? How fucking hard is it to code a quick little app to play the streams? I'm sure Sony would be happy to include it in the next system update, since it would help sell PS3s.

Talk to Sony. They don't want Netflix on the PS3 for whatever reason (competition with Blu-Ray and their PSN Video service?). link

The most recent Xbox 360 update (review here) added Netflix streaming support. Any word on possible Netflix integration on the PS3? Is Sony talking to Netflix?

We've concentrated most of our efforts on our download service, both rentals and downloads of movies and TV shows. Our efforts will continue to be there, because our customers want to own the content....I was in a focus group in New York recently, and the topic of Netflix came up with a group of Xbox 360 owners. [Most of] those people weren't aware of the Netflix agreement. Those that knew wanted to know the difference between Netflix streaming on the PC versus the Xbox 360. They discovered that it's obviously the same, and those people wanted to know what the "specialness" of that would be. The moderator mentioned that you could watch [the Netflix streams] in your living room. But many of the participants said, "but I could watch that on my laptop, too."

[In regards to the Netflix streaming on NXE,] there are certainly some positives for the Xbox 360. But there's also some confusion. It goes further into the argument of "owning the content" [versus renting or accessing it].

Netflix stated long ago that they want to bring Netflix streaming to as many devices as possible, including the PS3.

 

[Crow550]

What Netflix Instant HD titles have you been checking out?

Also what features do you want from Netflix and the Roku box?

Think the site could use an over haul update? With better social features with your Netflix friends and better movie finding and organizing and multiple views for finding flicks in your queue as well as better profile features like to be able to delete extra profiles as well as have other profiles find and add Instant movies, so they don't have to log into your account to add Instant movies and so when they add a movie to there Dvd / Blu-Ray queue they can be notified if it's available to watch Instant thus saving the Dvd / Blu-Ray queue for other titles. Also better ways to be notified of expiring Instant titles.

What streaming services do you want on the box to break you away from the pc and to the living room, that is if your pc is not connected in the living room.

 

[olds]

If Roku did Hulu, I'd be in for 3.