The Roku is one of my favorite living room devices and it just got better. Now it’s $64.99 plus shipping and lets you watch Netflix, Amazon, and MLB content along with Facebook and Blip.tv videos. Good, good stuff.

Click through to figure out how to get the deal.

The Roku HD-XR Player retails for $129.99, but will be available for just $64.99 (plus FREE SHIPPING) on our Black Friday website when it opens on Friday morning. Details on how the offer will work are below:

1. Go to http://blackfriday.roku.com starting at 11:00AM Eastern Standard Time (8:00AM Pacific Standard Time) Friday morning.
2. Follow the instructions and enter the code “hdxrsteal” at checkout. The code can be applied to one Roku HD-XR Player.

The current channels will include: blip.tv, Facebook Photos, Flickr, FrameChannel, Mediafly, MobileTribe, Motionbox, Pandora, Revision3 and TWiT. More channels will be available here shortly.


The channels require you to authenticate with the service provider – you don’t enter any passwords on the Roku box, at least in most cases – and will eventually allow protected and pay-per-view access to channel providers. Roku spokesperson, Brian Jaquet, also mentioned at some providers could protect their content behind a hidden pay wall, like Netflix, and offer delightful content like distance learning and pornography. While both of those are self explanatory, it behooves us to note both modes of content are the interface between or among two or more individuals centered on a shared goal.

He said:

While the Roku Channel Store won’t distribute porn publicly, there are some hidden channel features whereby partners can make a channel available using a code. This could be used for things like distribution to vertical markets like education and training videos that can be pushed to private groups for viewing on the TV on demand instead of having to set up a satellite feed or send DVDs.

The upgrade will hit in the next two weeks and will work on all Roku boxes including the SD, HD, and HD-XR.

How does it work? I tried the Facebook was request a token from Facebook for login. You then typed the token into the Roku box and all of your photo albums appeared on the browser, available for playback in whatever resolution you uploaded.

Roku Creates Open Platform for Delivery of Content to the TV; Announces 10 New Content Channels

Blip.tv, Facebook Photos, Flickr, FrameChannel, Mediafly, MobileTribe, Motionbox, Pandora, Revision3 and TWiT all now available on the Roku player

Saratoga, Calif. – November 23, 2009 – Roku, Inc., maker of the popular and award-winning family of Roku players, announced today the Roku Channel Store and the addition of 10 new FREE channels for Roku customers to enjoy on their TVs. From internet audio to video podcasts; professional web content to photo sharing; personal video content to children’s entertainment, the Roku Channel Store provides an open platform for delivering quality content to the TV. The new channels now available for customers to add to their Roku experience via the Roku Channel Store include: blip.tv, Facebook Photos, Flickr, FrameChannel, Mediafly, MobileTribe, Motionbox, Pandora, Revision3 and TWiT. For a complete list of channels and specific channel descriptions and features, please go to www.roku.com/channelstore.

“Our customers now have more choice in content and even greater control over their Roku player experience with the introduction of the Roku Channel Store and our 10 new content partners,” said Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku, Inc. “The Roku Channel Store already includes a robust offering of content that will appeal to a wide variety of customer tastes, which in turn will open new customer acquisition avenues for Roku. Because we have created an open platform for development, customers can expect even more new content channels in the near future making the Roku player an even more valuable component of a customers’ home entertainment system.”

To access the Roku Channel Store and subsequently add or remove channels from the home screen, customers will need to create a Roku account. With a Roku account, customers now also have the ability to manage their channels and personalize their entertainment options in a way that has not been possible before. Roku customers can add as many channels as they want. Conversely they can also remove all channels that do not interest them, leaving only the channel or channels they access on a regular basis. And because it is a channel store, new channels will arrive all the time for customers to consider.

All Roku players, including the Roku SD, Roku HD and Roku HD-XR, are compatible with the Roku Channel Store. Our flagship content partners, Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) Video On Demand and MLB.TV, will continue to be available to existing customers regardless of whether or not they set up a Roku account. However, in order to browse the Roku Channel Store and add and remove channels from the Roku player, customers first must create a Roku account.

Pricing and availability
The Roku Channel Store will be delivered as an automatic and free upgrade to all existing Roku customers over the course of the next two weeks. New customers will automatically be upgraded when they first install their Roku player. To browse and use the Roku Channel Store, existing customers will be prompted to create a Roku account. Existing customers who do not want to wait for their Roku player to update automatically can manually update their Roku player immediately. Detailed instructions can be found in the Help section of Roku’s website under the Roku Channel Store tab at http://www.roku.com/support/faqs.

Roku owners that are subscribed to MLB.TV’s premium package will have the ability to record games to watch them later, or watch them as they happen live. Roku has also provided an option to watch the previous weeks worth of games via their on-demand feature. This is just one more way that Roku is trying to take over the home entertainment set box market.

Roku plans on rolling this out with the next scheduled update, but you can force it to update earlier if you can’t wait to see that next Mariners game. Just go into settings, player info, and check for update. For more information just go to Roku’s website, and they’ll have all the information on how to sign up, or buy a Roku box if you don’t have one yet.

People do not want multiple devices hooked up to their TV. They don’t. What they really want is the functionality of all the devices without the physical boxes and it seems that Vudu understands this. The movie streaming company has teamed up with Entone to provide the IPTV company’s set-top boxes with the Vudu software. This is the first time that the service has been available without the actual Vudu box and it’s fantastic news.

Netflix made its way onto numerous devices last year and hopefully this announcement means 2009 will be Vudu’s year. Vudu’s interface is slick and users can select any movie without the assistance of a computer. It’s definitely a better overall experience than the Netflix streaming app. Most people, including myself, would love to have access to the Vudu library, but have avoided the service ’cause it will just add another box to the AV rack and remote to the coffee table. Give me Vudu – and Roku – on my TiVo and I’ll be a happy, happy man.

You can read a little more in this post but you get the gist.

Not too much else to say — I don’t have one, so I can’t test it out. Anybody care to let us know how it works? It should be live as of this posting.

Here’s the full press release, for the curious:

ROKU NOW OFFERS ACCESS TO AMAZON VIDEO ON DEMAND

Digital Video Player Instantly Connects Consumers To Over 40,000 New Titles

SARATOGA, CA, March 3, 2009 – Roku, Inc., maker of the popular Roku digital video player, today announced that customers can now watch movies and TV shows from Amazon Video On Demand. With Amazon Video On Demand, Roku customers can for the first time purchase or rent new release movies the same day they are released on DVD and watch commercial-free TV shows the day after they air– all from Amazon’s extensive selection of more than 40,000 movie and TV titles.

”We are excited to give our customers access to Amazon’s massive catalogue of top movies and TV shows – including many new releases”, said Anthony Wood, Roku CEO and Founder. “The launch of Amazon Video On Demand on Roku demonstrates our commitment to creating an open platform that instantly delivers the entertainment consumers want directly to their TVs.”

The compact Roku player connects directly to any TV and uses a broadband Internet connection to deliver DVD-quality video instantly. Roku customers can now choose from Amazon’s enormous selection without paying subscription fees, waiting for downloads, or running out to the video store.

“The $99 Roku player provides our customers with tremendous value and a compelling entertainment experience,” said Roy Price, director of Amazon Video On Demand. “Consumers are looking for inexpensive and hassle-free ways to watch their favorite movies and TV shows, and the Roku player meets that need head-on.”

How It Works:
- Connect the Roku player to your TV and your broadband Internet connection (Wi-Fi is built in for ease of set-up)
- Browse Amazon Video On Demand’s extensive selection right on your TV
- Rent or purchase and instantly watch any of more than 40,000 choices, including top new releases and the latest TV shows

Over the course of the next week, current Roku customers will receive a free and automatic software update giving them access to the Amazon Video on Demand service. All Roku player customers will continue to have access to Netflix Instant Watching with unlimited access to more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes for a low monthly fee.

The Roku digital video player is available for purchase exclusively at Roku.com and Amazon.com.

About Roku
Roku is a market leader in innovative applications for digital media. Through its work in both software and hardware, the company develops and sells consumer products and business solutions to bring rich media to the end user. Its products include: The Roku Digital Video Player and the SoundBridge Internet radio line. Roku is privately held and based in Saratoga, Calif. For more information on the company and its products, visit: http://www.roku.com.

Roku is adding Amazon VOD to its $99 media streaming device. Currently the service is only in beta but if all goes well, we should see the library within the 2.0 firmware update. (ETA unknown) There still isn’t any word if the update will bring Amazon VOD in high-def though. The higher quality service was hinted by TiVo a few months ago but it still hasn’t shown up on that platform yet. Will Roku beat TiVo to the punch with Amazon VOD HD? Maybe.

Watch new release movies the same day that they are released on DVD. Hit titles such as “The Dark Knight,” “Hancock,” “Pineapple Express”, “Tropic Thunder” and hundreds more that are not currently available on the Roku Player.

Roku adds a convenient way for customers to enjoy movies and TV shows from Amazon Video On Demand; Amazon Video On Demand connects to PC, MAC, Sony Bravia Internet Video Link, TiVo, Roku and more to come soon

SEATTLE—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 5, 2009—Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced that it will offer customers the ability to instantly purchase, rent and watch digital movies and TV episodes from its popular video service, Amazon Video On Demand, via the Roku Digital Video Player. Beginning in early 2009, the Roku Player, which currently supports only the Netflix service, will offer access to Amazon Video On Demand’s more than 40,000 commercial-free movies and television shows enabling Roku customers for the first time to watch new release movies titles instantly.

With an easy-to-use interface that customers can enjoy from their couch, Amazon Video On Demand and the Roku Player will enable customers to:

∑ Access and add to their virtual library of purchases via Amazon Video On Demand’s Your Video Library, and re-watch them anytime on the Roku Player or online with a PC, MAC or other compatible device.
∑ Watch new release movies the same day that they are released on DVD. Hit titles such as “The Dark Knight,” “Hancock,” “Pineapple Express”, “Tropic Thunder” and hundreds more that are not currently available on the Roku Player.
∑ Enjoy instant playback, no downloading, no waiting and no subscription fee.
∑ Browse Amazon.com’s huge selection of over 40,000 movies and TV shows for rent or purchase.
∑ Enjoy Amazon Video On Demand’s high-quality video through its use of the advanced h.264 codec and an automatic bandwidth detection feature that seamlessly plays back the best quality file at either 300, 600, 900 or 1200 kbps.
∑ Easily setup their Roku Player using its built-in Wi-Fi connection and begin watching videos within minutes.
∑ Connect their Roku Player to any television set using HDMI, Component Video, Composite Video, S-Video, Stereo Audio or Optical Audio connections.

“With the subscription-free $99 Roku Player that connects to any TV, customers can now choose and watch their favorite new-release movie instantly, and access all of their titles from their video library,” said Roy Price, director Amazon Video On Demand. “Amazon Video On Demand’s large selection makes the Roku Player the perfect choice for hassle-free On Demand movie and TV entertainment.”

“We are excited to add Amazon’s massive catalog to our player – including new releases and top movie and TV titles,” said Anthony Wood, Roku CEO and founder. “This makes the Roku Player the ideal choice for watching Internet content directly on TV.”

CrunchBase Information

Netflix

Roku

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]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/01/05/roku-netflix-box-to-stream-amazon-content/feed/ 41 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/12/22/latest-roku-netflix-player-firmware-enables-hd-streaming/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/12/22/latest-roku-netflix-player-firmware-enables-hd-streaming/#comments Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:40:21 +0000 Matt Burns http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=60768 Since the Roku Netflix player was the first streaming Netflix device, it's only fitting that it gains the latest goodie of HD streaming. The little box definitely has the horsepower to push the HD content, so all that was missing was the software to enable it. That, my friends, should automatically hit the devices over the next few weeks.]]>

Since the Roku Netflix player was the first streaming Netflix device, it’s only fitting that it gains the latest goodie of HD streaming. The little box definitely has the horsepower to push the HD content, so all that was missing was the software to enable it. That, my friends, should automatically hit the devices over the next few weeks.

It seems the updates are going to roll out and self-install on the devices. This updates is, of course, free and will probably cause more than a few owners to dig their Roku box out of the random gadget box after being discarded cause the non-HD titles look like poo on a HDTV. Anyone have the update yet? Does it work well?

 

Press Release: Roku Digital Video Player Now Streaming HD Content From Netflix

 

SARATOGA, Calif. –(Business Wire)– Dec 22, 2008 Roku Inc., a leading innovator in digital media technology and maker of the popular Netflix Player by Roku, today announced it has released support for streaming high definition (HD) content. Through the use of advanced compression technology, Roku can deliver instant streaming of HD content over average consumer broadband connections – bringing HD to the mass market at an affordable price of just $99.

“Netflix is a pioneer in streaming HD content over the Internet and the results are impressive,” said Anthony Wood, founder & CEO of Roku. “Adding hundreds of HD titles to their catalog of more than 12,000 streaming titles provides tremendous value to Roku owners.”

Netflix, Inc. is the first content provider to deliver HD content to the Roku player. Additional providers of HD content are expected in the first quarter of 2009. The new software will be automatically delivered to all Roku players free-of-charge over the course of the next few weeks.

“No other HD device delivers as diverse a catalog of HD entertainment along with flexible HDTV connections and incomparable price-value as Roku,” says Richard Doherty, Research Director for The Envisioneering Group. “More and more HD video programming is instantly available, making Roku even more valuable over time than many expensive PVRs and leased services.”

ABOUT ROKU

Roku is a market leader in innovative applications for digital media. Through its work in both software and hardware, the company develops and sells consumer products and business solutions to bring rich media to the end user. Its products include: The Netflix Player by Roku, and the BrightSign digital signage controllers. Roku is privately held and based in Saratoga, Calif. For more information on the company and its products, visit: http://www.roku.com.

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/12/22/latest-roku-netflix-player-firmware-enables-hd-streaming/feed/ 4 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/11/03/roku-neflix-box-getting-hd-streaming-by-end-of-08/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/11/03/roku-neflix-box-getting-hd-streaming-by-end-of-08/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:41:42 +0000 Matt Burns http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=51697

Now that a Samsung Blu-ray player, Xbox 360, and TiVo can stream Netflix, the original device by Roku is trying to make people remember that it’s still around by stating that it will be able to stream HD content by this year’s end. Some have questioned the $99 hardware’s ability to stream Netflix content but according to the companies VP of Consumer Products, it will be “delivering Netlfix in HD by the end of the year.” Plus, the UI will be upgraded as well to better work with the extra resolution. If Roku can indeed stream quality HD content and developers pick-up on the now-open system, Roku might gain some household penetration.

[Rokulabs via Hacking Netflix]

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/11/03/roku-neflix-box-getting-hd-streaming-by-end-of-08/feed/ 1 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/10/01/netflix-to-stream-movies-from-starz/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/10/01/netflix-to-stream-movies-from-starz/#comments Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:44:51 +0000 John Biggs http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=45668

In an interesting move by Netflix and Starz, about 2,500 featured movies and concerts are now available for instant streaming over the Internet and using the Roku Netflix box. Because Starz offers first run “premium” content, this move expands the overall streaming offerings from Netflix considerably.

My only complaint about Netflix streaming has thus far been movie selection – man cannot live on National Lampoon’s European Vacation alone, no matter how many times Rusty gets some – and this assuages that grief by adding first-run movies to the mix. The unlimited subscription with access to streaming content is $8.99 a month and the on-line library is up to 15,000 titles now, considerably more than when we tested the service a few months ago.

Streaming, as we all know, is the way things are headed. I spoke to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings last we and we discussed the shrinking of the optical market – it will be a niche for folks who still like the media in 5-10 years – while streaming is the obvious second model for Netflix distribution. He was also pleased at the obvious cost savings over snailmail and partnerships like these only make the Netflix subscription model more compelling.

NETFLIX AND STARZ ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCE
AGREEMENT TO MAKE MOVIES FROM STARZ PLAY
AVAILABLE FOR INSTANT STREAMING AT NETFLIX

Starz Play, Included in All Unlimited Netflix Subscriptions,
Makes Approximately 2,500 Movies, TV Shows and Concerts
Available to be Watched Instantly by Netflix Members

LOS GATOS, Calif. and ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct. 1, 2008 – Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX), the world’s largest online movie rental service, and Starz Entertainment, LLC, a premium movie service provider operating in the U.S., today announced an agreement to make movies from Starz, through its “Starz Play” broadband subscription movie service, available to be streamed instantly at Netflix. Access to the Starz Play service at Netflix will be included with Netflix members’ current monthly subscription fee.

The deal adds significantly to a growing library of over 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes that can be watched instantly at Netflix. Netflix members who have unlimited subscription plans, which start at only $8.99 a month, will have full and unlimited access to approximately 2,500 additional movies and other choices from Starz Play as part of their current monthly subscription. That includes the opportunity to enjoy a live feed of the Starz TV network on their PCs and does not impact the number of DVDs members receive as part of their monthly plans.

The first of the Starz titles – approximately 1,000 – are available now at the Netflix Web site, where they are presented in a distinct area accessible by clicking on the “Watch Instantly” tab on the Netflix member home page. More titles will be added in the coming weeks.

Starz Play, Starz’ collection of programming content for online distribution, features a wide variety of first-run hit movies, independent films and well-known movie classics, in addition to extreme sports, concerts, anime, Westerns and more. “Spider-ManTM 3,” “Ratatouille,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” “Superbad,” “No Country for Old Men” and “Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert” highlight the movie offerings now available to be watched instantly. Starz Play also features new original content from Starz, including episodes of the upcoming dramatic series “Crash,” from the producers of the Academy Award®-winning Best Picture “Crash,” which remains the most-rented DVD in the history of Netflix.

Beginning today, Netflix and Starz Play will offer a sneak preview of the first full episode of “Crash” in advance of the Starz primetime premiere on October 17 at 10 p.m. Eastern/Pacific. “Crash” will remain a staple in the Starz Play programming mix and new episodes will debut day-and-date with new episode premieres.

“The coupling of Starz Play with our growing library of streaming content is an important step forward for both companies and for consumer choice,” said Ted Sarandos, chief content officer for Netflix. “Our deal reflects the creative ways we are working with content partners to expand the profile and the number of choices our subscribers can watch instantly over the Internet, in addition to the 100,000 titles we offer on DVD through the mail.”

Netflix also said that as part of the deal it will offer a Starz Play-only subscription for $7.99 a month.

Starz Entertainment’s president and chief operating officer, Bill Myers, noted that this agreement marks a significant step forward in Starz’ efforts to provide consumers with choice and convenience so that they can watch Starz programming wherever and whenever they want. “Netflix has grown to be an innovative leader in the home video space and we are delighted to offer their customers our unique and robust collection of movies on a subscription basis. This agreement is a strong vehicle to promote the Starz brand and showcase Starz’ leadership position in the premium movie category.”

About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. (Nadsaq: NFLX) is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than eight million subscribers. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and PCs, all in unlimited amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from over 100 U.S. shipping points. More than 95 percent of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix is also partnering with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members’ TVs from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.

About Starz Entertainment

Starz Entertainment, LLC, is a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz® and Encore® brands with approximately 17 million and 31.3 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Encore HD, Starz On Demand, Encore On Demand, MoviePlex On Demand, Starz HD On Demand, Encore HD On Demand, MoviePlex HD On Demand, and Starz Play. Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, and is attributed to Liberty Entertainment Group (NASDAQ: LMDIA), a tracking stock group of Liberty Media Corporation. 

CrunchBase Information

Netflix

Information provided by CrunchBase

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/10/01/netflix-to-stream-movies-from-starz/feed/ 21 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/25/roku-opening-its-netflix-player-to-developers/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/25/roku-opening-its-netflix-player-to-developers/#comments Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:35:52 +0000 Matt Burns http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=44461

The Roku Netflix Player is an amazing little set-top box that streams Netflix movies, but Roku is hoping for so much more. The company has gone on record, stating that its going to open the platform for other content providers within the coming months. Does this mean we will finally see a quality Hulu or YouTube living room solution? I sure hope so, because with the Roku Netflix box $99 MSRP and if developers get behind it, we might see some killer applications with a low admission cost.

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/25/roku-opening-its-netflix-player-to-developers/feed/ 1 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/08/bandwidth-caps-dont-concern-some-video-providers/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/08/bandwidth-caps-dont-concern-some-video-providers/#comments Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:37:04 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/08/bandwidth-caps-dont-concern-some-video-providers/

So Comcast is implementing a 250GB monthly bandwidth cap starting next month. While some consumers are up in arms about the true meaning of “unlimited” internet access, others have focused on how these caps will affect the innovation of web-based services, particularly video streaming and downloading.

Roku, maker of the Netflix-streaming box (reviewed here), isn’t too concerned, according to NewTeeVee. Tim Twerdhal, VP of consumer products, says:

“It really doesn’t give me a lot of concern. It’s unfortunate that the limitless possibilities are being capped by an ISP, but it has no direct business impact on us.”

Roku’s users aren’t coming close to using 250GB of bandwidth per month and Twerdhal points out that video compression technology is constantly improving — shrinking file sizes, while maintaining visual quality. The thing about Roku, however, is that, although the box is HD-ready, the streaming Netflix movies are only in standard definition at the moment. So bandwidth isn’t as much of an issue right now.

That’s for Comcast’s cap, though. As far as bandwidth caps go, Comcast’s is (and I hate to say this) almost generous. Time Warner is toying with a 40GB cap and the thought of using a wireless data card for anything serious is a no-go thanks to an industry-wide 5GB cap. I’d also expect that DSL and satellite internet providers are seriously looking into capping monthly bandwidth if they haven’t already.

Your thoughts? Would monthly data caps on your internet usage dissuade you from using certain streaming video services? How low would the cap have to get before you cut back on big downloads and video streaming?

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/09/08/bandwidth-caps-dont-concern-some-video-providers/feed/ 3 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/11/roku-netflix-player-software-goes-open-source/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/11/roku-netflix-player-software-goes-open-source/#comments Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0000 Doug Aamoth http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/11/roku-netflix-player-software-goes-open-source/ Oh hey there, this should be interesting. Remember the Roku Netflix set-top box that came out a little while ago? Well Roku has just released the code under the GPL, which got the MythTV community buzzing about getting its popular open source media center software onto the Roku box.

If you think about it, the $99 box would be a nice little option for running MythTV, as there’s HDMI output, Wi-Fi, and it can decode MPEG2/4, DivX, and H.264 videos. It’d be sort of like a much less expensive, open source Apple TV – similar to the Hauppauge MediaMVP box, except with some high definition goodness.

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/07/11/roku-netflix-player-software-goes-open-source/feed/ 2 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/20/netflix-player-by-roku-review/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/20/netflix-player-by-roku-review/#comments Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:57 +0000 John Biggs http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=26572

What can’t Netflix do? First, they destroyed weekend trips to Blockbuster with their ubiquitous red envelopes and now they promise to destroy the postal service by totally cutting out the middle man.

The Netflix Player by Roku is the first in what portends to be a long line of devices designed to download and stream movies from Netflix. While in its current incarnation the device is fairly limited, I can firmly recommend it with the expectation that the movie selection will improve.

How does it work? You buy the box for $99 and connect it to your TV via HDMI, composite, or component. You connect the stereo outs to your receiver or run out digital optical.

You must have a Netflix account to make it work, but then you simply connect the box to the Internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, send a request to Netflix, and then type in a code in your Netflix account. The box is paired and you’re ready to add digital movies to the box.

The box itself holds “chapter images” and about four minutes of buffered video — that’s it. When you start playing, it buffers for about a minute and, depending on your connection speed, picks a resolution to display. On most videos the resolution was sufficiently high that it bordered on DVD quality. There was almost no visible pixellation even on our 46-inch rear projection TV.

Approximate image quality

When you add movies in Netflix — you can only add movies that you can play using Netflix streaming — the movies appear immediately on the box. You use a small remote to pick movies and control playback. You cannot search for or add movies directly on the box itself, unfortunately. The movies have to be added in your online Netflix account first.

As you can see, the movies are mostly oldies but goodies. There were very few first-run titles in the mix but there were older seasons of some popular television shows like Weeds and The Office. Right now there are about 10,000 titles in the mix, enough to keep most die-hard movie fans occupied. The only problem is that some of the movies I really wanted to watch from Netflix — which are already available on DVD — weren’t available for streaming. This is not Netflix’s fault, obviously, but if you’re a first-run movie fan I’d stay away from the box until you’re sure the service is for you. At $99, the box isn’t prohibitively expensive and the technology may end up in televisions soon so questions about an external box might be moot.

This is one of the most elegant and surprisingly usable dedicated devices I’ve seen in a long time. Unlike, say, the Kindle, everything here is almost perfect. As the literal incarnation of a web service, the Netflix Player by Roku is a true gem.

Video and Audio Connections

· HDMI

· Component Video

· S-Video

· Composite Video

· Digital Optical Audio

· Analog Stereo Audio

Network Connections

· Wired Ethernet

· Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g)

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/20/netflix-player-by-roku-review/feed/ 57 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/20/netflix-player-by-roku-screenshot-walk-through/ http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/20/netflix-player-by-roku-screenshot-walk-through/#comments Tue, 20 May 2008 04:00:15 +0000 John Biggs http://www.crunchgear.com/?p=26054

Here are some actual screenshots of the Netflix Player by Roku. As you see, the set-up is quite simple and icon oriented and the whole box is elegant and suffers no extraneous eye-candy.

]]> http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/20/netflix-player-by-roku-screenshot-walk-through/feed/ 1