I went with Apple TV simply because of the obnoxious advertising buttons on the Roku 4 remote one of which is for a channel that is bankrupt and out of business (Rdio)
I have an older model Roku 3 (no logos on remote) and a Roku 4 (logos on remote). I swapped the remotes because I prefer having the remote with no logos on it in my living room where I see and use it every day, especially when I don't even use any of the 4 apps that the advertisement buttons correspond to. I'd gladly pay an extra $5 for a remote without advertising labels on it and I'd gladly pay an extra $10 for a remote with a "favorite" button that I could map to whatever app I wanted rather than being stuck with 4 apps that paid Roku to be on the remote.
You could potentially use a "smart remote" like a Logitech Harmony series to control your cable box (if you still use it), Roku, TV, BluRay player etc. They can be quite pricey, but do your research, as Amazon reviews show lots of complaints for certain models.
But yeah, the dedicated ad buttons on the remote turn me away from Roku devices in general. I'd mostly use it to stream/playback my own media.
Is anything going to come of the Microsoft PlayReady 3.0 certification so that Windows 10 PCs can stream 4K? I know Pascal has the hardware built in and AMD claims it can be compliant with a firmware update... It's aggravating to see no real attempts to bring 4K media to the PC.
They or terrified of unlocking 4K for PC due to "pirates" or They know their CDN's will be crushed and cant keep up with the bandwidth use that bringing it to PC will cause. (you know people who actually have 4K screens and use them at that resolution)
From insiders: Companies are terrified from pirating through Windows platforms. Hence, even when a native Win app exists, or through browser streaming, quality of stream is not the same as on TV app. TV apps receive highest attention to quality, then eventually Android based addons aka Roku, Amazon player, NVidia console etc.
HDCP only comes into effect when you're playing back HDCP protected content. For example, if your Blu-Ray player is playing back a HDCP protected movie, then both the player and the TV have to be HDCP compliant.
They should play SD and HD content just fine; the restriction will be on Ultra HD only. Likely the device won't even try to send UHD (4K) to a non-compliant TV.
The Monoprice Blackbird HDCP 2.2 to 1.4 converter *might* work to convert the copy protection to something your TV can handle so you can view UHD. It has worked for me on a few devices similar to the Rokus.
"The considerably more advanced Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra are based on more powerful SoCs with four CPU cores to enable 4Kp60 video decoding as well as additional functionality. "
If I had to guess, it's probably Amlogic S905. It's quite cheap and ticks all the marks.
Doesn't appear to support playback from a home NAS media library, eh? Can't quite understand how that functionality (which was beautifully implememented in the good ole WDTV) has been so neglected by new media players. Seems the SHIELD TV is my only way forward (after my poor little WDTV finally dies).
Same, not sure what they wont allow local network media playback and why no lan connection on all but the two most expensive devices, especially if you want higher end media playback would it not make more sense to be wired vs wireless where wireless could have issues
Right? My Popcorn Hour A110 could do 1080p through LAN from an SMB share back in 2008 or 2009. Now I am running a Plex server on my PC and Kodi on my Amazon Fire Stick to accomplish local playback without transcoding. Such a bear to get this working compared to what it used to be.
But Roku DOES support local network media playback... and has for a long time. There's built in Roku Media Player that plays from NAS, local computers, or any device that support DLNA. There's also a Plex App. I run a NAS in my home from my local home network.
Have a Roku in bedroom and living room. I can playback a video from my NAS in my living room, pause the video, go to my bedroom and resume from the same spot as I left it in my living room.... or vice versa.
Agreed. I built a dedicated HTPC for the living room that can handle anything I throw at it. I use Kodi as the interface and yes, I can playback files from my home server. It would be nice to have appliances that could do the same so I could get them for my other televisions. The progress is so slow.
Roku has always supported local LAN device playback. Where did you read it didn't? By default, there's a Roku Media Player that detects all devices on your local network with DLNA from computers to local NAS devices. Also, if you have a Synology NAS, it has an app specifically for that regarding the Video Station.... not to mention it has a PLEX app.
I wonder if the Ultra and Premier+ can host a Plex transcoding server like the Nvidia Shield.. That's a big deal for me, as it would negate the need for a low power nas, and a large USB external HDD is much cheaper than a HDD NAS unit.
Now, will the device be capable of outputting 24 FPS videos at 24Hz, or will it have an inescapable stuttery 3:2 pulldown? Very few streaming devices can actually play things at 24 Hz.
The HDMI 2.0 port should allow the thing to drive a non-4K display at native 120Hz, removing any need for pulldown; I hope they'll make use of that.
I made that observation as more of a question rather than a statement, so it is good to know it supports local media playback in some manner (thanks for all the replies!). For myself, however, I prefer not to be forced to use DLNA or a third-party tool like Plex just to play a file. Right now on my WDTV, I simply browse to my SMB share and hit 'play' on a file and it plays. I'm a simple fellow so I suppose I am just missing the benefits of the newer more complicated process for doing that (DLNA, Plex, etc.).
Those processes were all aimed at making things easier, specially for people who could never keep a few directories organized (let alone deal with shares etc)... Whether they've succeeded or not is another story. I think the non techy that wanted easy just turned to streaming, which is what this kinda mass market product reflects.
To be fair though, Plex is very picky about directory structure, and directory and file names especially. I agree that just browsing a share and playing the file is easiest.
fully agree. Also still have a wdtv and just play stuff via shared folders. Much easier. DLNA stuff mostly is a mess and hard to find anything. It also relies on metadata which IMHO is for the average user much harder to manage than just organizing by folders. I also hate music players on phones using metdata tags for organizing stuff. WTF. Just show my folders...
We’ve updated our terms. By continuing to use the site and/or by logging into your account, you agree to the Site’s updated Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
34 Comments
Back to Article
svan1971 - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
I went with Apple TV simply because of the obnoxious advertising buttons on the Roku 4 remote one of which is for a channel that is bankrupt and out of business (Rdio)JeffFlanagan - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
That's a really weird reason, that tells us a lot more about you than it does about Roku.WithoutWeakness - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
I have an older model Roku 3 (no logos on remote) and a Roku 4 (logos on remote). I swapped the remotes because I prefer having the remote with no logos on it in my living room where I see and use it every day, especially when I don't even use any of the 4 apps that the advertisement buttons correspond to. I'd gladly pay an extra $5 for a remote without advertising labels on it and I'd gladly pay an extra $10 for a remote with a "favorite" button that I could map to whatever app I wanted rather than being stuck with 4 apps that paid Roku to be on the remote.JoeyJoJo123 - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
You could potentially use a "smart remote" like a Logitech Harmony series to control your cable box (if you still use it), Roku, TV, BluRay player etc. They can be quite pricey, but do your research, as Amazon reviews show lots of complaints for certain models.But yeah, the dedicated ad buttons on the remote turn me away from Roku devices in general. I'd mostly use it to stream/playback my own media.
nathanddrews - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
Is anything going to come of the Microsoft PlayReady 3.0 certification so that Windows 10 PCs can stream 4K? I know Pascal has the hardware built in and AMD claims it can be compliant with a firmware update... It's aggravating to see no real attempts to bring 4K media to the PC.Gunbuster - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
They or terrified of unlocking 4K for PC due to "pirates" or They know their CDN's will be crushed and cant keep up with the bandwidth use that bringing it to PC will cause. (you know people who actually have 4K screens and use them at that resolution)Ananke - Thursday, October 6, 2016 - link
From insiders: Companies are terrified from pirating through Windows platforms. Hence, even when a native Win app exists, or through browser streaming, quality of stream is not the same as on TV app. TV apps receive highest attention to quality, then eventually Android based addons aka Roku, Amazon player, NVidia console etc.Solidstate89 - Sunday, October 2, 2016 - link
I'm pretty sure Netflix is working on its app to support 4K.Gunbuster - Monday, October 3, 2016 - link
And at this rate they will bring it in a solid two years after having 4K on their smart TV and streaming box apps...Gunbuster - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
Just to confirm thanks to HDCP these wont work with any first or second gen 4K TV's?JoeyJoJo123 - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
HDCP only comes into effect when you're playing back HDCP protected content. For example, if your Blu-Ray player is playing back a HDCP protected movie, then both the player and the TV have to be HDCP compliant.doubledeej - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
They should play SD and HD content just fine; the restriction will be on Ultra HD only. Likely the device won't even try to send UHD (4K) to a non-compliant TV.The Monoprice Blackbird HDCP 2.2 to 1.4 converter *might* work to convert the copy protection to something your TV can handle so you can view UHD. It has worked for me on a few devices similar to the Rokus.
ToTTenTranz - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
"The considerably more advanced Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra are based on more powerful SoCs with four CPU cores to enable 4Kp60 video decoding as well as additional functionality. "If I had to guess, it's probably Amlogic S905. It's quite cheap and ticks all the marks.
jsntech - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
Doesn't appear to support playback from a home NAS media library, eh? Can't quite understand how that functionality (which was beautifully implememented in the good ole WDTV) has been so neglected by new media players. Seems the SHIELD TV is my only way forward (after my poor little WDTV finally dies).Dahak - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
Same, not sure what they wont allow local network media playbackand why no lan connection on all but the two most expensive devices, especially if you want higher end media playback would it not make more sense to be wired vs wireless where wireless could have issues
Demi9OD - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
Right? My Popcorn Hour A110 could do 1080p through LAN from an SMB share back in 2008 or 2009. Now I am running a Plex server on my PC and Kodi on my Amazon Fire Stick to accomplish local playback without transcoding. Such a bear to get this working compared to what it used to be.jaystone - Saturday, October 1, 2016 - link
But Roku DOES support local network media playback... and has for a long time. There's built in Roku Media Player that plays from NAS, local computers, or any device that support DLNA. There's also a Plex App. I run a NAS in my home from my local home network.Have a Roku in bedroom and living room. I can playback a video from my NAS in my living room, pause the video, go to my bedroom and resume from the same spot as I left it in my living room.... or vice versa.
LordConrad - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
I use the "Roku Media Player" channel to play back movies from my NAS. Plex also offers a channel that allows local playing of content.bigboxes - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
Agreed. I built a dedicated HTPC for the living room that can handle anything I throw at it. I use Kodi as the interface and yes, I can playback files from my home server. It would be nice to have appliances that could do the same so I could get them for my other televisions. The progress is so slow.jaystone - Saturday, October 1, 2016 - link
Roku has always supported local LAN device playback. Where did you read it didn't? By default, there's a Roku Media Player that detects all devices on your local network with DLNA from computers to local NAS devices. Also, if you have a Synology NAS, it has an app specifically for that regarding the Video Station.... not to mention it has a PLEX app.Meteor2 - Sunday, October 2, 2016 - link
Chromecast+Plex (mine runs on an always-on i3 laptop with an external HDD). There's a good chance a 4K Chromecast will be launched on Tuesday.Chromecasts are so convenient; you just use your phone or tablet as the remote control.
Morawka - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
I wonder if the Ultra and Premier+ can host a Plex transcoding server like the Nvidia Shield.. That's a big deal for me, as it would negate the need for a low power nas, and a large USB external HDD is much cheaper than a HDD NAS unit.jtd871 - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
Disappointed to see no support for .WMA audio listed.21stHermit - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
Express shows a IR remote, are you sure? Most HDMI ports are in back and won't see an IR remote and need RF remotes.DanaGoyette - Friday, September 30, 2016 - link
Now, will the device be capable of outputting 24 FPS videos at 24Hz, or will it have an inescapable stuttery 3:2 pulldown? Very few streaming devices can actually play things at 24 Hz.The HDMI 2.0 port should allow the thing to drive a non-4K display at native 120Hz, removing any need for pulldown; I hope they'll make use of that.
tamalero - Saturday, October 1, 2016 - link
Dammit. I just had bought a Roku 1 2710 model a week ago!:/
Morawka - Saturday, October 1, 2016 - link
return it asap, you got 14 to 30 days in most retailers and online shopsjsntech - Saturday, October 1, 2016 - link
I made that observation as more of a question rather than a statement, so it is good to know it supports local media playback in some manner (thanks for all the replies!). For myself, however, I prefer not to be forced to use DLNA or a third-party tool like Plex just to play a file. Right now on my WDTV, I simply browse to my SMB share and hit 'play' on a file and it plays. I'm a simple fellow so I suppose I am just missing the benefits of the newer more complicated process for doing that (DLNA, Plex, etc.).Impulses - Saturday, October 1, 2016 - link
Those processes were all aimed at making things easier, specially for people who could never keep a few directories organized (let alone deal with shares etc)... Whether they've succeeded or not is another story. I think the non techy that wanted easy just turned to streaming, which is what this kinda mass market product reflects.Meteor2 - Sunday, October 2, 2016 - link
To be fair though, Plex is very picky about directory structure, and directory and file names especially. I agree that just browsing a share and playing the file is easiest.beginner99 - Sunday, October 2, 2016 - link
fully agree. Also still have a wdtv and just play stuff via shared folders. Much easier. DLNA stuff mostly is a mess and hard to find anything. It also relies on metadata which IMHO is for the average user much harder to manage than just organizing by folders.I also hate music players on phones using metdata tags for organizing stuff. WTF. Just show my folders...
bigboxes - Sunday, October 2, 2016 - link
You are reading my mind. :)ruthan - Saturday, October 1, 2016 - link
100 Mbit ethernet, awful.Meteor2 - Sunday, October 2, 2016 - link
Lol, what are you planning on streaming?