The Roku Thread
02-27-15, 10:02 AM
#551
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
02-27-15, 10:05 AM
#552
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Roku Thread
RARFlix is no longer being developed, the creator was hired by Plex to create the new version of Plex we're seeing now. I think he may have been a lead on the current form factor that I don't like, but they made it run silky smooth on the Roku 3 which is nice.
03-09-15, 10:11 PM
#553
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Roku Thread
03-10-15, 05:44 AM
#554
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Roku Thread
Just picked one up at Wal-Mart for $76.99.
They had it for $98.00 but they matched their online price for me.
I've been streaming Netflix, Amazon and VUDU with my Sony Blu Ray players since I dropped cable last August. Its been adequate....but the Roku is so much faster. Really like it so far.
Just have to figure out how to turn off closed captions...its off in the settings but a couple movies on VUDU still have the captions.
They had it for $98.00 but they matched their online price for me.
I've been streaming Netflix, Amazon and VUDU with my Sony Blu Ray players since I dropped cable last August. Its been adequate....but the Roku is so much faster. Really like it so far.
Just have to figure out how to turn off closed captions...its off in the settings but a couple movies on VUDU still have the captions.
03-12-15, 10:06 PM
#555
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Roku Thread
New Roku media streamers may be imminent
Now might be a bad time to buy a Roku, as signs of new hardware clear the FCC.
Former GigaOm writer Janko Roettgers first spotted the FCC filings, which hint at two new devices based on the $100 Roku 3. It sounds like they’ll be cheaper variants of Roku’s flagship set-top box.
Both filings indicate no major hardware changes compared to the Roku 3, though Roku may be removing the Ethernet jack from these models and relying solely on Wi-Fi. The overall design looks to be a rounded rectangle similar to Roku’s existing set-top boxes.
Roku currently sells three set-top boxes, though there’s not much reason to consider the cheaper models unless your TV doesn’t support HDMI and requires the Roku 1’s composite video output. Otherwise, you’re better off buying either the $50 Roku Streaming Stick or the $100 Roku 3, which adds Ethernet, USB, Micro SD, a faster processor, and a headphone jack on the remote control.
With that in mind, perhaps the new models represent some spring cleaning, as Roku eliminates redundant hardware with a more focused lineup. On the other hand, the FCC filings could be hinting at a more significant revamp, with new high-end hardware or an updated Streaming Stick. Roku is requesting a 90-day confidentiality period on things like external and internal photos, so we’ll find out what the company’s up to within a few months.
In the meantime, the company has slashed the price of the Roku 3 to $80.
http://www.techhive.com/article/2895...-imminent.html
Now might be a bad time to buy a Roku, as signs of new hardware clear the FCC.
Former GigaOm writer Janko Roettgers first spotted the FCC filings, which hint at two new devices based on the $100 Roku 3. It sounds like they’ll be cheaper variants of Roku’s flagship set-top box.
Both filings indicate no major hardware changes compared to the Roku 3, though Roku may be removing the Ethernet jack from these models and relying solely on Wi-Fi. The overall design looks to be a rounded rectangle similar to Roku’s existing set-top boxes.
Roku currently sells three set-top boxes, though there’s not much reason to consider the cheaper models unless your TV doesn’t support HDMI and requires the Roku 1’s composite video output. Otherwise, you’re better off buying either the $50 Roku Streaming Stick or the $100 Roku 3, which adds Ethernet, USB, Micro SD, a faster processor, and a headphone jack on the remote control.
With that in mind, perhaps the new models represent some spring cleaning, as Roku eliminates redundant hardware with a more focused lineup. On the other hand, the FCC filings could be hinting at a more significant revamp, with new high-end hardware or an updated Streaming Stick. Roku is requesting a 90-day confidentiality period on things like external and internal photos, so we’ll find out what the company’s up to within a few months.
In the meantime, the company has slashed the price of the Roku 3 to $80.
http://www.techhive.com/article/2895...-imminent.html
03-22-15, 08:41 PM
#556
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Re: The Roku Thread
If you like drive-in/exploitation fare, there's a channel I hadn't seen before called Acolyte Cinema. I watched "Horror Express" on it last night and the quality was very good. The channel has a limited selection, but it is completely free, with only a few ads playing before the start of the main feature.
Also, another shout-out for the Grindhouse Channel mentioned earlier in the thread.
That channel is a MESS -- with a lot of incorrectly tagged movies -- but it has some real hard-to-find gems.
Sometimes you lose: "Ginger" turned out to be a skinflick from the '80s with a completely different name and all of the sex cut-out!; sometimes you win: "The Dark" turned out to be a surprisingly watchable copy of the ultra-rare "The Mutilator".
Also, found "Mean Frank and Crazy Tony", an all but forgotten Lee Van Cleef spaghetti crime flick, under comedy! It was good to finally catch up with that flick, as I remember the terrifying radio ads, which played up a death by drill, from when I was a kid.
Also, another shout-out for the Grindhouse Channel mentioned earlier in the thread.
That channel is a MESS -- with a lot of incorrectly tagged movies -- but it has some real hard-to-find gems.
Sometimes you lose: "Ginger" turned out to be a skinflick from the '80s with a completely different name and all of the sex cut-out!; sometimes you win: "The Dark" turned out to be a surprisingly watchable copy of the ultra-rare "The Mutilator".
Also, found "Mean Frank and Crazy Tony", an all but forgotten Lee Van Cleef spaghetti crime flick, under comedy! It was good to finally catch up with that flick, as I remember the terrifying radio ads, which played up a death by drill, from when I was a kid.
03-31-15, 10:59 AM
#557
DVD Talk God
Re: The Roku Thread
so i had to upgrade my receiver since my old one crapped out. i've been running netflix/amazon prime through either xbox one/360 or my smart tv. all are a pita to get to and use. i want to simplify this for my wife/kids to use.
the remote on the roku 3 runs on IR, right? i want to use my URC universal remote so everything is controlled by that.
basically between roku 3 and fire tv. both seem completely adequate for what i need, but roku seems to be the way to go since they appear to have more apps. probably leaning that way, but would like to hear some opinions. thx.
the remote on the roku 3 runs on IR, right? i want to use my URC universal remote so everything is controlled by that.
basically between roku 3 and fire tv. both seem completely adequate for what i need, but roku seems to be the way to go since they appear to have more apps. probably leaning that way, but would like to hear some opinions. thx.
03-31-15, 11:16 AM
#558
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: The Roku Thread
Nope, the Roku remote is Bluetooth
03-31-15, 11:22 AM
#559
DVD Talk God
Re: The Roku Thread
It is? Crap. What about the streaming stick. Blue tooth too?
03-31-15, 11:25 AM
#560
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Roku Thread
I've got a lot of streaming devices, and the Roku 3 is my favorite by far.
Sling TV is offering 50% Off a Roku 3 when you subscribe for 3 months ($20/mo).
https://www.sling.com/devices/roku
03-31-15, 11:34 AM
#561
DVD Talk God
Re: The Roku Thread
Ok thx. I guess I get that and if doesn't work, I take it back.
03-31-15, 11:51 AM
#562
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Roku Thread
To be clearer, the Roku 3 remote uses WiFi Direct. The Roku 3 box can accept commands from both WiFi Direct and IR remotes.
My Harmony remote had a code to automatically program the Roku commands. So it was easy.
But if you're using a learning remote, you might have problems since the Roku 3 remote doesn't send out an IR signal.
You can buy a Roku IR remote for $10-$15 at Amazon. Or maybe you can borrow a remote from someone. All the older models use the IR remotes. And they all use the same command codes.
My Harmony remote had a code to automatically program the Roku commands. So it was easy.
But if you're using a learning remote, you might have problems since the Roku 3 remote doesn't send out an IR signal.
You can buy a Roku IR remote for $10-$15 at Amazon. Or maybe you can borrow a remote from someone. All the older models use the IR remotes. And they all use the same command codes.
03-31-15, 12:26 PM
#563
DVD Talk God
Re: The Roku Thread
Crap. I was going to use learning feature. Need to see if my URC40 has it built in.
03-31-15, 12:51 PM
#564
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Roku Thread
ie: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Roku-Rep...item3a90eae833
Last edited by RichC2; 03-31-15 at 12:57 PM.
03-31-15, 01:10 PM
#565
DVD Talk God
Re: The Roku Thread
well, i forgot i had a harmony 650 in a closet. i may try to load the codes on there, then learn them to my urc40.
03-31-15, 01:14 PM
#566
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Roku Thread
That would work too, the 650 has them available via the app.
03-31-15, 02:57 PM
#567
DVD Talk God
Re: The Roku Thread
worked well going to the 650 then learning to the urc40. of course it's much slower than the regular remote that comes with it. but it will make it infinitely easier for my wife/kids to use it to get to netflix/youtube/etc.
03-31-15, 09:56 PM
#569
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Roku Thread
Even though I have the Roku commands on my Harmony, I still use the Roku 3 remote. The Harmony works fine and has all the buttons mapped. But the Roku remote is just so fast and responsive.
04-01-15, 05:13 PM
#570
DVD Talk God
Re: The Roku Thread
yeah, their wifi direct remote is so much better than IR. but for ease of use for kids/wife, a universal remote will be used by them. it is sluggish and not great, but works.
04-05-15, 08:13 AM
#572
Moderator
Thread Starter
Re: The Roku Thread
Hands On Roku Voice Search
The 2015 Roku 3 ships with a new “Enhanced Remote” that includes a new magnifying glass button and microphone to power voice search, à la Amazon Fire TV and even Comcast Xfinity. When the magnifier is pressed, the lower third of the Roku screen indicates the remote is listening for movie, TV show, actor, or director – tying into Roku’s top-notch universal search across disparate video content providers.
In very brief testing, the voice recognition has been accurate – moreso than my Fire TV even. But this may depend on your personal enunciation and search patterns. Speaking of search, the results leave a little to be desired as new release movies featured in Roku Feed are not currently indexed. I’d think these two new services should work together… and perhaps it’s just a matter of time. Regardless, this is a nice-to-have that surely beats “typing” via a virtual keyboard or even iPhone app. And we expect it’ll be a requisite feature given Siri’s presumed inclusion via an Apple TV update. Related, we can imagine Roku making voice search available to more models and customers via update to their iPhone and Android remote control apps. Until then, expect to see this remote also sold as an optional accessory for the 2015 Roku 2 and 2013/2014 Roku 3 models.
FULL ARTICLE - http://zatznotfunny.com/2015-04/hand...-voice-search/
The 2015 Roku 3 ships with a new “Enhanced Remote” that includes a new magnifying glass button and microphone to power voice search, à la Amazon Fire TV and even Comcast Xfinity. When the magnifier is pressed, the lower third of the Roku screen indicates the remote is listening for movie, TV show, actor, or director – tying into Roku’s top-notch universal search across disparate video content providers.
In very brief testing, the voice recognition has been accurate – moreso than my Fire TV even. But this may depend on your personal enunciation and search patterns. Speaking of search, the results leave a little to be desired as new release movies featured in Roku Feed are not currently indexed. I’d think these two new services should work together… and perhaps it’s just a matter of time. Regardless, this is a nice-to-have that surely beats “typing” via a virtual keyboard or even iPhone app. And we expect it’ll be a requisite feature given Siri’s presumed inclusion via an Apple TV update. Related, we can imagine Roku making voice search available to more models and customers via update to their iPhone and Android remote control apps. Until then, expect to see this remote also sold as an optional accessory for the 2015 Roku 2 and 2013/2014 Roku 3 models.
FULL ARTICLE - http://zatznotfunny.com/2015-04/hand...-voice-search/
04-05-15, 10:07 AM
#573
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Roku Thread
I just want a new iteration, I know they're holding off until the new Apple TV is announced but c'mon.
04-05-15, 05:47 PM
#574
DVD Talk God
Re: The Roku Thread
so, i watched the yahoo screen app for community. is it coming from the yahoo side that it is only mono sound? holy crap, sounds atrocious. on the xbox 360 it comes out in all digital.
04-05-15, 08:59 PM
#575
DVD Talk Hero
Re: The Roku Thread
You have your Roku 3 set to surround right? Mine didn't sound bad but it wasn't a particularly aggressive mix now that I think about it.