Well, they aren't available in mainland Europe from what I can tell (they are in the UK though). So I'm not really interested. :D Still looking forward to the review and the capabilities of the SoC. :)
My question is whether Netflix will stream 5.1 or 7.1 to any of these devices--actually, what's the cheapest device that will support 5.1 streaming? And does it matter what device you use as far as the video quality from Netflix?
As clarkn0va mentioned, they support Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 for titles that offer it. It also supports Netflix's Super HD, though the Super HD tag doesn't show on the info screen yet.
That is a deal breaker for me. I know about PLEX, but that requieres a computer powered on all the time. I just want simple direct streaming from my NAS to my screen. I guess ROKU is not for me.
Plex does have servers that will run on some NAS devices. Synology NAS's have them. Also there is a "pay" channel called RokxBox that can pull music, video, and pictures from any NAS with a web server. It has a 30 day free trial and costs a one time fee of $12.50 to use it beyond that.
Yes, but my NAS is a patriot one, without all those fancy Synology features. Nevertheless, that RokxBox channel certainly seems interesting. Thanks for your input!
But they only have ~25 channels or so. Roku comes with more TV than you could ever watch for FREE. Add a lifetime Playon lic (we got ours for $40) and anything your PC can play then streams to tv via playon channel on roku. https://www.playon.tv/ There is a TON of free TV on there. Almost all cable channels etc have content, like ABC, NBC, WB, CBS, PBS, History Channel, AE, etc..History channel has the first 5 seasons of Ice Road Truckers etc.. http://www.history.com/videos Just check out the amount of content on just that one channel. All the major networks have free episodes (usually every week). There aren't many shows on history channel that are not in full seasons (they don't show the current season, just older, but it adds every year). Pawn Stars and American Pickers & Top Gear are just about the only things that are not covered in full seasons but probably because those sell in volumes on amazon etc on discs. Top Shot (s1-s4) etc etc all on there. Tons of National Geographic & A&E and more.
If you're a pure streamer of your own collection WD is better. But if you like tons of TV, documentaries, military shows, cartoons (kids stuff), comedy channel and other stuff not on netflix, hulu, amazon etc then roku+playon is awesome. Not to mention the 600+ channels you can get just through roku itself (private channels - er, uh, not legal sometimes also...LOL). Add plex for streaming and most stuff is covered. Nothing extra may be needed to stream from your nas to WD but you GET nothing but that vs. the huge amount of stuff on roku. You can literally watch news in 1/2 dozen or more languages on roku. I don't need that, but I suppose if you're russian, german, spanish, israeli, arabic etc you may want some news in your language.
My only complaint, is my parents (nor I) can't watch training stuff from Lynda/Total training or anything in flash/mov. I'm hoping Roku3 adds those and I'll be totally satisfied. I don't have time to waste converting crap, and plex/vlc (and our bluray players) gets it to my tv anyway. I'd just like it to be easier and just play them from the get go on flash drives. Miracast and Youtube will also be big additions. Roku announce youtube is being added shortly as they're sealing the deal with Google now. But again I get youtube on bluray already, but I'd like to not have to switch back and forth.
Do any of the Western Digital boxes have dual-band wifi support built-in? That's pretty much required to stream local media from my server without skipping.
I have one of the first generation Rokus, and what it really needs is a remote with a small keyboard on it so you can type in a movie's name. Aside from the lack of an official youtube channel (I have the unofficial one...) that is my only gripe because the thing works great.
The smart phone app is a decent replacement and would be the direction Roku would send you, but I agree. I would like to see something like the Boxee or Tivo slider remotes for the Roku.
Worth mentioning that the current gen Roku boxes will be getting the new interface in April. No need to upgrade to the 3 if that's all you're interested in.
Because their "channels" are more like apps; many are free, but others cost money.
On a highlight, when I got one a few months ago I discovered you can set it up with a credit card, then immediately visit the Roku web site and delete it from your account.
If you want to set it up without a credit card at all, I've heard you can do so by calling their customer service.
It's probably overkill to have both, but it depends on what you're doing with your HTPC. If you're using e.g. XBMC as a media player, then integration of Netflix and other streaming services is awkward at best and requires a lot of set up. On the other hand if you already have a game console (PS3, Xbox360) they already have some of the best Netflix apps around, so the Roku is redundant.
Depends on your definition of HTPC -- for me it means the PC part is basically invisible in day to day usage, no way the wife would use it otherwise. So mine runs 7MC with MyMovies, regular Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime instant videos all nicely integrated, plus regular tv/dvr duties.
I only drag out the wireless keyboard/mouse every month or so maybe.
See my other post...We have no cable TV connection (I haven't had one for near 3 years now). Just business unlimited cox. $99 a month and I can d/l at 3MB/s usually.
It's far more than a netflix/amazon box. My bluray already does those. It's the OTHER stuff we bought 3 rokus for :)
...the feature they think most people want. Games. They might be right, but I think Google would stand a better chance having a device like this based on an Android tailored for TV's than anything they've done with GoogleTV thus far.
I think people just want a cheap device that plays Netflix, hulu, youtube, and amazon. If it also has Angry Birds, that's fine, too.
My GF has the Roku 2 and it works fine as long it was hard wired. Wifi was iffy. I got the WD TV Play because it plays MKVs and other formats of hard drives on top of streaming and it has a YouTube app that works well. I'm finding the WD gives me a couldn't find wifi connection mid stream so I'm running 25ft of Cat5 off my router when the cable comes in. Overall I find them both slow, but the roku more refined. Hopefully with the updated SOC the UI feel will be quicker.
its a sin at this point for any streamer to not have full codec support for network streaming, I understand it has plex, but doesnt have supported formats
The Roku SUCKS compared to WDTV. The Roku can't play local movies files via DLNA.... it's totally worthless in my opinion. The WDTV plays anything you throw at it - any video file, period. Stay away from this product unless you have some really specific purpose that the WDTV can't do (can't think of anything).
Yeah I totally agree, just got a WDTV and I'm loving it. As you say, it integrates and streams really well from my PC, it plays nearly anything you throw at it, and just works. Awesome, awesome little box. Plus the fact it has optical out is a huge plus for me.
I even discovered by chance it'll stream music via bluetooth from my Galaxy S 3 the other day, lol. even though it says it's streaming from windows on the screen when this happens, so I'm not sure what exactly is going on. Anyways this gives an easy way to get music from my phone onto my 5.1 system. So it's just another cool perk of the WDTV I stumbled upon.
I had read some things on AVS forums though to the effect that it looks like in the future WD will be making future versions of the product more like the Roku box (eg, focused on streaming services like netflix), not less. Which obviously I dont approve of. If it's true, anyway.
I've got a WDTV Live and it most certainly doesn't play anything you throw at it. On the latest firmware the device locks up on about 5% of the content on my file server. The previous version works fine for those files, but just outright refuses to play certain other files which work just fine on the latest firmware. They stopped releasing firmware updates 3 months after I bought it, so I just gave up and it's sitting in a box somewhere.
I for one have an Xbox, Vizio Blu-Ray player, and my Dad's very slow Magnavox Blu-Ray player from Walmart (yeah I know quit laughing at me!) and yet I can stream YouTube app from the devices. Roku needs to get their heads out of their assets and get with the program... YouTube is a necessary app to catch up on news, info, latest videos, whatever you're into.... Is it such a crime for Roku to NOT have YouTube?? Forget about digital rights and give me a logical reasoning is all I'm asking??? One channel can make a difference between buying a product and not believe it or not!! If an app is important for a consumer you betcha that they should include instead of excluding it to get more sales!! (end of rant)
Why can't Roku get their act together and get an official YouTube channel? I mean it seems like EVERY other streaming device on the planet offers one. I find this odd and disconcerting. I have a Roku XD and like it but the missing YouTube channel is def a buzz kill. I figured Roku would have it by now. But I guess I was wrong.
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Death666Angel - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
Well, they aren't available in mainland Europe from what I can tell (they are in the UK though). So I'm not really interested. :D Still looking forward to the review and the capabilities of the SoC. :)Ken_C - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
My question is whether Netflix will stream 5.1 or 7.1 to any of these devices--actually, what's the cheapest device that will support 5.1 streaming? And does it matter what device you use as far as the video quality from Netflix?clarkn0va - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
I have a Roku 2 XD and Dolby Digital Plus is an option for most titles.DigitalFreak - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
As clarkn0va mentioned, they support Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 for titles that offer it. It also supports Netflix's Super HD, though the Super HD tag doesn't show on the info screen yet.apertotes - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
That is a deal breaker for me. I know about PLEX, but that requieres a computer powered on all the time. I just want simple direct streaming from my NAS to my screen. I guess ROKU is not for me.rgladiator - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
Plex does have servers that will run on some NAS devices. Synology NAS's have them. Also there is a "pay" channel called RokxBox that can pull music, video, and pictures from any NAS with a web server. It has a 30 day free trial and costs a one time fee of $12.50 to use it beyond that.apertotes - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
Yes, but my NAS is a patriot one, without all those fancy Synology features. Nevertheless, that RokxBox channel certainly seems interesting. Thanks for your input!MrX8503 - Friday, March 8, 2013 - link
I use WDTV Live to stream straight to my HDTV from my NAS. Nothing extra needed.TheJian - Friday, March 8, 2013 - link
But they only have ~25 channels or so. Roku comes with more TV than you could ever watch for FREE. Add a lifetime Playon lic (we got ours for $40) and anything your PC can play then streams to tv via playon channel on roku.https://www.playon.tv/
There is a TON of free TV on there. Almost all cable channels etc have content, like ABC, NBC, WB, CBS, PBS, History Channel, AE, etc..History channel has the first 5 seasons of Ice Road Truckers etc..
http://www.history.com/videos
Just check out the amount of content on just that one channel.
All the major networks have free episodes (usually every week). There aren't many shows on history channel that are not in full seasons (they don't show the current season, just older, but it adds every year). Pawn Stars and American Pickers & Top Gear are just about the only things that are not covered in full seasons but probably because those sell in volumes on amazon etc on discs. Top Shot (s1-s4) etc etc all on there. Tons of National Geographic & A&E and more.
If you're a pure streamer of your own collection WD is better. But if you like tons of TV, documentaries, military shows, cartoons (kids stuff), comedy channel and other stuff not on netflix, hulu, amazon etc then roku+playon is awesome. Not to mention the 600+ channels you can get just through roku itself (private channels - er, uh, not legal sometimes also...LOL). Add plex for streaming and most stuff is covered. Nothing extra may be needed to stream from your nas to WD but you GET nothing but that vs. the huge amount of stuff on roku. You can literally watch news in 1/2 dozen or more languages on roku. I don't need that, but I suppose if you're russian, german, spanish, israeli, arabic etc you may want some news in your language.
My only complaint, is my parents (nor I) can't watch training stuff from Lynda/Total training or anything in flash/mov. I'm hoping Roku3 adds those and I'll be totally satisfied. I don't have time to waste converting crap, and plex/vlc (and our bluray players) gets it to my tv anyway. I'd just like it to be easier and just play them from the get go on flash drives. Miracast and Youtube will also be big additions. Roku announce youtube is being added shortly as they're sealing the deal with Google now. But again I get youtube on bluray already, but I'd like to not have to switch back and forth.
RaiderJ - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
Do any of the Western Digital boxes have dual-band wifi support built-in? That's pretty much required to stream local media from my server without skipping.MrX8503 - Friday, March 8, 2013 - link
I'm not sure about the dual band. I have WDTV live stream from my NAS over wifi and there isn't any skipping whatsoever.Demon-Xanth - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
I have one of the first generation Rokus, and what it really needs is a remote with a small keyboard on it so you can type in a movie's name. Aside from the lack of an official youtube channel (I have the unofficial one...) that is my only gripe because the thing works great.RxTom - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
The smart phone app is a decent replacement and would be the direction Roku would send you, but I agree. I would like to see something like the Boxee or Tivo slider remotes for the Roku.DigitalFreak - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
Worth mentioning that the current gen Roku boxes will be getting the new interface in April. No need to upgrade to the 3 if that's all you're interested in.yllanos - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
I'm interested in knowing if Roku 3 supports AFP protocol for local streaming.I'm currently using a jailbroken 2nd generation Apple TV and a Synology DS212j NAS to stream local content.
My connection done using AFP protocol on my NAS and it works OK, but I want to get one of this Roku boxes and sell my Apple TV.
Wolfpup - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
Why should this need your credit card number at all?cobalt42 - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
Because their "channels" are more like apps; many are free, but others cost money.On a highlight, when I got one a few months ago I discovered you can set it up with a credit card, then immediately visit the Roku web site and delete it from your account.
If you want to set it up without a credit card at all, I've heard you can do so by calling their customer service.
agent2099 - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
I don't understand the point of a devices like this. Do you still need a Roku if you have a dedicated HTPC?It seems like its a device that is a gateway to get netflix and amazon streaming content to your TV.
Is there anything else I'm missing. If you want to watch TV you still have subscribe to a cable or satellite service on top of this, right?
Metaluna - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
It's probably overkill to have both, but it depends on what you're doing with your HTPC. If you're using e.g. XBMC as a media player, then integration of Netflix and other streaming services is awkward at best and requires a lot of set up. On the other hand if you already have a game console (PS3, Xbox360) they already have some of the best Netflix apps around, so the Roku is redundant.MadMan007 - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
I understand the appeal of using XBMC interface as much as possible, but if you have a real HTPC you could just stream directly from Netflix.notposting - Friday, March 8, 2013 - link
Depends on your definition of HTPC -- for me it means the PC part is basically invisible in day to day usage, no way the wife would use it otherwise. So mine runs 7MC with MyMovies, regular Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime instant videos all nicely integrated, plus regular tv/dvr duties.I only drag out the wireless keyboard/mouse every month or so maybe.
TheJian - Saturday, March 9, 2013 - link
See my other post...We have no cable TV connection (I haven't had one for near 3 years now). Just business unlimited cox. $99 a month and I can d/l at 3MB/s usually.It's far more than a netflix/amazon box. My bluray already does those. It's the OTHER stuff we bought 3 rokus for :)
HisDivineOrder - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
...the feature they think most people want. Games. They might be right, but I think Google would stand a better chance having a device like this based on an Android tailored for TV's than anything they've done with GoogleTV thus far.I think people just want a cheap device that plays Netflix, hulu, youtube, and amazon. If it also has Angry Birds, that's fine, too.
rpmrush - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
My GF has the Roku 2 and it works fine as long it was hard wired. Wifi was iffy. I got the WD TV Play because it plays MKVs and other formats of hard drives on top of streaming and it has a YouTube app that works well. I'm finding the WD gives me a couldn't find wifi connection mid stream so I'm running 25ft of Cat5 off my router when the cable comes in. Overall I find them both slow, but the roku more refined. Hopefully with the updated SOC the UI feel will be quicker.edlee - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
its a sin at this point for any streamer to not have full codec support for network streaming, I understand it has plex, but doesnt have supported formatsp05esto - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
The Roku SUCKS compared to WDTV. The Roku can't play local movies files via DLNA.... it's totally worthless in my opinion. The WDTV plays anything you throw at it - any video file, period. Stay away from this product unless you have some really specific purpose that the WDTV can't do (can't think of anything).bill4 - Thursday, March 7, 2013 - link
Yeah I totally agree, just got a WDTV and I'm loving it. As you say, it integrates and streams really well from my PC, it plays nearly anything you throw at it, and just works. Awesome, awesome little box. Plus the fact it has optical out is a huge plus for me.I even discovered by chance it'll stream music via bluetooth from my Galaxy S 3 the other day, lol. even though it says it's streaming from windows on the screen when this happens, so I'm not sure what exactly is going on. Anyways this gives an easy way to get music from my phone onto my 5.1 system. So it's just another cool perk of the WDTV I stumbled upon.
I had read some things on AVS forums though to the effect that it looks like in the future WD will be making future versions of the product more like the Roku box (eg, focused on streaming services like netflix), not less. Which obviously I dont approve of. If it's true, anyway.
Gigaplex - Saturday, March 9, 2013 - link
I've got a WDTV Live and it most certainly doesn't play anything you throw at it. On the latest firmware the device locks up on about 5% of the content on my file server. The previous version works fine for those files, but just outright refuses to play certain other files which work just fine on the latest firmware. They stopped releasing firmware updates 3 months after I bought it, so I just gave up and it's sitting in a box somewhere.blueboy11 - Wednesday, March 6, 2013 - link
I for one have an Xbox, Vizio Blu-Ray player, and my Dad's very slow Magnavox Blu-Ray player from Walmart (yeah I know quit laughing at me!) and yet I can stream YouTube app from the devices. Roku needs to get their heads out of their assets and get with the program... YouTube is a necessary app to catch up on news, info, latest videos, whatever you're into.... Is it such a crime for Roku to NOT have YouTube?? Forget about digital rights and give me a logical reasoning is all I'm asking??? One channel can make a difference between buying a product and not believe it or not!! If an app is important for a consumer you betcha that they should include instead of excluding it to get more sales!! (end of rant)T2k - Thursday, March 7, 2013 - link
It would make it a perfect match for tuners like this: http://www.silicondust.com/company/news/db4williams - Friday, March 8, 2013 - link
Why can't Roku get their act together and get an official YouTube channel? I mean it seems like EVERY other streaming device on the planet offers one. I find this odd and disconcerting. I have a Roku XD and like it but the missing YouTube channel is def a buzz kill. I figured Roku would have it by now. But I guess I was wrong.vision33r - Friday, March 22, 2013 - link
If you don't know much about NAS and playing off network then go get Roku and buy the Plex app and have Roku stream content from your PC.If you have a NAS and want to play your content directly without a PC, then get the WDTV+ Live.
If you don't know anything and just want to stream netflix then get the Apple TV 3. Probably the fastest Netflix app on any media streaming device.
500MM - Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - link
Could you elaborate on the credit card requirement? That really turned me off the product which otherwise sounded very good.