- 600+ channels with movies, TV shows, music, sports & more
- High-definition streaming up to 720p HD
- Works with virtually any TV
- Free app for iOS and Android
- Built-in wireless (Wi-Fi b/g/n)
Before I begin, though, a word of warning: no, you will not get HuluPlus or Netflix free just because you paid for the Roku box. I seriously doubt anyone thought this was the case, but just in case I'm wrong you still have to pay for those subscriptions if you want to use those channels. Also, you still have to have a cable subscription that includes HBO to access HBO Go and just because your cable or satellite provider allows you to watch the HBO Go app on your mobile device doesn't mean they'll allow you to access HBO Go on the Roku. Through DirectTV, I can watch HBO Go on my aforementioned mobile devices, but (as of this writing) I can't watch HBO Go on the Roku. I maintain this is more the fault of HBO than Roku or the providers (this fact apparently holds true on the Apple TV as well), but regardless this is something you need to remember if HBO Go is a make-or-break factor in whether to buy one of these devices.
Setup is easy. You plug in an HDMI cable (or a component cable, if you have a non-HDMI TV; another advantage all the Rokus have over the Apple TV), plug in the power supply, and you begin setup. All you have to do is create an account on Roku.com and enter your credit card info (don't worry, you're not going to have to buy most of the channels or shows, you just have to have your info stored in case you buy one of the paid channels or you download something off of Amazon OnDemand. I personally didn't find it a big deal, but I can understand why people would be annoyed by this). Once you're done with the initial setup (which takes about 10 minutes, give or take), the box will automatically download several channels for you: Amazon OnDemand, Crackle, Netflix, HuluPlus, and Pandora. Also, on the Roku HD remote in contrast to the LT there are three shortcut buttons for Netflix, Crackle, and Pandora, which is very nice to have.
Content: you go into the Channel Store (on the home screen) and from there download any channel you want that's available. There are dozens upon dozens of channels, ranging from popular ones to obscure. You can get sports, tech, news, obviously movies and TV, and many more channels. Plus, Roku is good about updating new channels on a regular basis (although right now most of the added channels are religious stations). Unfortunately, the Roku HD doesn't have a simple search function, so you're going to have to scroll through these channels manually. Right now, while the number of channels is comparatively small, it's more of an annoyance than a real problem, but as more channels get added in the future, Roku's going to have to add a search function if they want to keep people buying. Once again, remember that some channels do require a monthly subscription or require you to pay to download the channel, so look before you leap. However, the variety is excellent; there's going to be something for everyone. Plus, unlike with cable, if you don't like a channel, you can delete it (although for monthly paid services remember to call them and tell them to cancel your subscription).
Quality of picture: as mentioned everywhere, the maximum picture the Roku HD will broadcast in is 720P/1080i. In other words, it's HD, but not full HD. Right now, while virtually all TV shows are still broadcast in 720P, that's not a big deal even on larger TVs and if you have a TV under 42 inches you're probably not going to notice a great difference in picture quality between 720P and 1080P anyway, but for recent Amazon OnDemand movies or with a larger TV (i.e. 50 inches) you might want to shell out for the Roku 2 XS (which is around $100) to take full advantage of your TV's picture quality. However, I have to say the picture quality on the box is excellent. I have a PS3 with Hulu Plus as well, and honestly the picture on the Roku HD is much better: much crisper, slightly less "digital-looking", and just plain better (for the record, I have a 32" LED from LG).
Internet: because the Roku HD is single-bandwith, and because you just plain need a lot of proverbial horsepower to get the most out of streaming digital video, you're going to need a fairly fast internet connection. I would argue that if you're download speed is 1.5 MBPS, for instance, you're going to have a hard time watching stuff on the Roku HD. I have 30 MBPS, so for me streaming is easy EXCEPT when I want to get on my computer. Then audio problems sometimes arise. It's more pronounced on some channels than others; Netflix never has a problem, but Hulu can become unwatchable at times because the sound quality deteriorates so badly. This is apparently a problem on most Roku devices, so be forewarned. Honestly, it doesn't happen that often, and as of late when it does happen, it's usually only for a few seconds while the video buffers, and then it's fine, so don't worry this isn't a deal-breaker.
Other observations/complaints: not every channel you could want is on here. YouTube, Vudu, and Twitter are just some of the channels found on other devices that are not present (as of this review) on any of the Roku boxes. In terms of Facebook, Roku has a channel for your Facebook picture/movie uploads, but it's literally only that; there's no full Facebook integration. A much ballyhooed channel is Plex. Plex allows you to stream movies, videos, and photos off your computer onto your TV. For example, I use iTunes for my music, and what Plex lets me do is stream the music off of iTunes onto my TV. The biggest problem with Plex is you have to have your computer up and running the Plex app in order to do all this. Kind of annoying.
So how much do you save? My mom got one of these as well and dumped DirectTV, for which she was paying around $80/month. After factoring in the monthly cost of a Netflix and Hulu subscription (she hasn't downloaded anything off of Amazon, and she doesn't have any of the other subscription channels), she's saving about $60/month. That's a great deal of money. More importantly, she says she's watching her TV more now than she was with satellite. Roku's not perfect and certainly not being able to watch live TV (for most things) has its disadvantages but if you need a cheap way to reduce your cable bill while still enjoying your favorite shows, the Roku HD is the best value around.
Buy Roku HD Streaming Player Now
Was looking for a wireless streaming player for my Netflix and Amazon Instant Video accounts. This is for the bedroom on my 37" 720p LCD, so I didn't need to spend the extra $$ on the Roku 1080p capable players. In reality, you aren't likely going to get true 1080p video from these streaming players anyway. At any rate, this Roku HD player seemed to fill my need and it definitely does. Easy to link to your existing streaming accounts and Crackle is a free channel with movies and TV episodes, although you do have commercials. Doesn't come with a HDMI cable, but I had a spare on hand.One note on the remote pictured, it's not the one included. The remote that came with this player has the added, dedicated buttons for Netflix, Pandora and Crackle. Other than those additions it's the same as what is pictured. Highly recommended for those who just want a streaming player for under $60, since this is all it does.
Read Best Reviews of Roku HD Streaming Player Here
VIDEO:The Roku HD is a great little wireless-only player. Despite its name, the Roku HD does not support HD video at 1080p. It supports 720p.
The Roku HD is the replacement for the Roku LT per Roku. Currently the Roku website as of this writing is listing both the Roku LT and the Roku HD, with both feature sets being identical. The Roku LT is sold out on Roku's website. Update July 11 2012: It is currently in stock again on Roku's website as of this writing.
It supports 802.11n WiFi (b/g/n compatible). It has the following video outputs, identical to the Roku LT: 480i over composite video, 480p over HDMI, and 720p over HDMI. Like the Roku LT, it will do the following video modes: 720p HD, 16:9 anamorphic, and 4:3 standard. It will not do 1080p.
--An HDMI cable is not included, but the composite video cable is.
NO GAME MODE:
The Roku HD is not capable of playing Angry Birds, Pac Man, or similar games. The Roku HD does not include bluetooth capability, which is necessary to play these games. The Roku players that are able to play Angry Birds/Pac Man as of this writing are Roku 2 XD and Roku 2 XS and the previous, older Roku 2 HD. Thus this Roku does not include the Roku Game Remote. Current price for that remote is around $35. The Roku 2 XS (model subject to change via Roku's website) comes with the Game Remote as of this writing, or you can purchase it in a package with a Micro SD card or separately.
REMOTE:
I love the Roku HD's simple remote -it is the one with the Netflix, Pandora and Crackle buttons, although it cannot go frame-by-frame in slow motion like a DVR remote. It is still a great design. It is the same remote that I got with my Roku LT and the one supplied with the Roku 2 XD. Subtitles are available for Netflix on the Roku HD, if subtitles are available for that movie/show.
STREAMING:
Streaming is very fast with the wireless HD model.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
* Standard Roku infrared remote control
* 2 x AAA batteries
* A/V cable (mini-jack to left/right/composite video RCA)
* A/C Power adapter
* Getting Started guide
* 30-day money back guarantee
* 90-day hardware warranty
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
* HDMI cable -if you choose to hook up your TV with HDMI to view in 720p instead of the included A/V cable
* Wireless router (N router is best since this Roku is N compatible)
* High speed internet connection -Roku recommends a 1.5 Mbps download speed for standard definition; live events like baseball need 3 Mbps; and just FYI, the Roku-recommended 5 Mbps HD download speed doesn't apply to the Roku HD, according to a conversation I had with a Roku representative since the Roku HD player doesn't do 1080p.
* Access to the internet to configure your Roku (to link the Roku player to your Roku account)
WHO SHOULD GET IT:
* If you have never had a Roku player before, this is a great one to start with.
* If you have the Roku LT and like it, this one is for you. It is identical except in color.
* If you have other Roku players and want to expand around the house, this is a good one. Inexpensive, yet has a good feature set.
* If you have an area in your house where you could use a wireless Roku, and you don't need to pay extra for ethernet, this is a great choice.
* If you do not want to play games on a Roku, this would be a good option.
SET-UP:
Set-up is simple and quick, although channel addition can be slightly clunky, in that the order you add the channels is the order in which they will display. As far as Roku content, Hulu Plus is offered, but Hulu is not. However, it is great for access to Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, and there are several great free movie channels to choose from like Crackle, although I would like to see more free movie channels. Content is always expanding on the Roku.
PHONE SUPPORT:
Roku phone support only covers 90 days per their warranty. After 90 days you have email or chat support only. Tech support has been cheerful and pleasant but spotty. They do not always provide the correct solution to the problem.
If you want additional phone support, you can get Roku Care Per-Incident or an Extended Warranty which provides as of this writing an additional two years of phone support.
CONCLUSION:
The Roku HD is a great value in the Roku line and I highly recommend it, as long as you don't want to play games.
Another great value, with an identical feature set if you are able to find it at a good price, is the Roku LT Streaming Player. Roku was selling them on their website at a cheaper price point but they sold out.
~~
>> "I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather. Not screaming like the passengers in his cab."
0 comments:
Post a Comment