The Roku Thread
 

This is an all-in-one thread for Roku-related stuff.

To start it off, here's info on the new Roku Search feature. I just tried it out and it works pretty well. I hate typing with the remote. But I can use the iPad app for that.

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Re: The Roku Thread
 

Here's another new feature. You can now browse/add channels from the Roku website.

http://www.roku.com/channels/#!browse/most-watched

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/221/roku.png

Re: The Roku Thread
 

It would be nice if they would have the feature to automatically go to the next episode with Netflix. Hell, I'd be happy if it would allow me to choose the next episode without having to back all the way out to the main menu.

I used to really dig the Roku, but it's been causing enough problems that I've been using my PS3 almost exclusively.

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I love my Roku. This new feature is definitely something I'm interesting in playing around with. I'll have to check my player later.

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I basically only use my Roku at this point. I actually find myself using the Android app freqeuntly to control it as well.

One thing in particular I like and wish they could implement more broadly is streaming from your phone via the app. I'd like to see an AirPlay-style streamer. I'm sure they're working on it.

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Well, you can stream photos and music. Hopefully they get video sorted out soon, then that would be something.

I played around with the search function a bit. Verdict: it's pretty damn awesome. Great UI, simple, precise.

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Plex via Roku is awesome. We ripped all my daughter's DVDs to a network HD and it's a huge time saver (and a really slick interface.)

I wish the Search feature could be extended to some other channels (EPIX, Popcornflix, even your local Plex storage.)

I do wonder if after the recent Vudu add if they've now pretty much exhausted the app/content space. Seems like everything that comes out now is either super-niche, religious, or the same old public domain content in a new package.

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Roku sent out an email hyping a Black Friday deal. They claim it's their "best deal of the year", and it'll have free shipping. It'll go live on Wednesday night. So if you're thinking about getting a Roku, it might be worth waiting for the sale.

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I was planning to buy 2 for family for Xmas gifts, so I'll be keeping an eye on that sale. I hope it beats BB's price of $59 for an XD.

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Same, but I still plan on hitting Best Buy for the $40 Harmony remote since the screen on my existing one just died out of warranty.

EDIT: May just go to Radio Shack for the $30 one instead.

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The Black Friday deal just went live. It's 25% Off with Free Shipping.

Roku HD - $44.99
Roku 2 XD - $59.99
Roku 2 XS - $74.99

http://www.facebook.com/roku/

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Save $20 on Select Roku Streaming Players and Get a $5 Amazon Instant Video Promotional Credit

For a limited time only, save $20 on select Roku streaming players and get a $5 Amazon Instant Video promotional credit with the Roku LT, Roku HD, Roku XD, and Roku XS. $20 savings valid until 11/26/2012 at 11:59 PM PST.

Roku HD - $39.99
Roku 2 XD - $59.99
Roku 2 XS - $79.99

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Of course Amazon would offer a little extra incentive after I already bought 2 XDs off Roku's site. Oh well, I don't mind supporting them directly.

On another note, I just discovered how awesome PLEX is.

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Have any of you tried hooking a hard drive up to a Roku 2 XS. I bought one for someone and I know they'll want to do this. Does it require a special type of hard drive, or will just about any drive work?

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Ordered the XS on Saturday! $79 seemed like a steal...

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Interesting.
What are the specs on the network HD are you are using?

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I've heard you need to use either a USB flash drive, or an external drive that uses an AC cord. I think the small portable drives don't get enough power through the USB connection.

I've tried a USB flash drive and the drive itself worked fine. I had more of a problem with the codec support on the Roku. It didn't like some of my files.

If you want to watch video files off a hard drive, your better option is using PLEX. It allows you to stream videos from your PC/Mac hard drives to the Roku through the home network. It's very easy to set-up and use. I posted some more info about it here:

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/streaming-t...ur-pc-mac.html

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Thanks, BigDave. That's a lot of help.

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ive used both plex and xbmc on my atv2, and definitely prefer xbmc
its not a deal breaker for me though
i actually share the files out on my computer with tversity, and then connect from my atv2 with xbmc
with a roku and plex, would i be able to easily connect back to my tversity share?

i havent put much time into looking at roku yet.. which model(s) would you recommend?

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I recommend the Roku 2XS which is the top of the line model. It's only $20 more than the other 1080p model.

2XS is the only one with an ethernet port, and I prefer a wired connection. It's also the only one with a USB port. But the USB's abilities are fairly limited, and I haven't used it. The other features (motion control, games, memory expansion) are worthless. For me, that ethernet port is worth $20.

Here's a comparison of the various Roku models:

http://www.roku.com/roku-products

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and they all do a relatively equal job of streaming content from a pc/mac? how is their format compatibity?

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To stream from a PC/Mac, you have to use a 3rd party app like Plex. I think there are a couple others that are compatible with Roku, but Plex is the most popular. It's similar to how AppleTV works with iTunes.

http://www.plexapp.com/

Plex works on all the Roku models. I don't think there's any quality difference. But I don't use it much. You might be able to get better info on Plex's Roku forum:

http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/...aming-players/

I use a Boxee for local streaming. It does that stuff better than any other box.

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BigDave, can you stream from websites using Plex?

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I think you can do some stuff like that using Plex Channels. You have to use a plug-in for each website. You can find more info here:

http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/...plex-channels/

I don't use that stuff, because the quality almost always sucks. Usually these website streams are low quality and you get buffering problems.

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That's what I figured. Still disappointing to hear. Thanks.

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you're not giving me a warm and fuzzy that plex functions near as well as xbmc on atv2
i have xbmc on my atv2 with a handful of plug ins and cant say i have ever had an issue with quality on any of them

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I don't use Plex much, so my experience with it is fairly limited and I can't really comment on the quality. I've got no problems with Plex. But I've got a Boxee which I'm perfectly happy with. It handles everything I've thrown at it and keeps my entire library organized. I love the Boxee. So I don't feel the need to switch to Plex.

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well, i would consider a boxee.. but sounds like boxee is in the process of destroying their device and market with their new strategy

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Most websites that have video you would want to stream through Plex probably already have a Roku app. To stream web video to the roku through Plex, the video has to be picked up by your plex server and then redirected to your Roku. If there is a Roku channel/app for the same content, it would pick up the content directly from the web thus cutting out the middleman (plex) and usually giving a better quality.

I have an ATV2 with xbmc on it but rarely use it since Boxee Box handles the local file much better. With the ATV2 xbmc i would get buffering or files that wouldnt work on it but the same files would be fine on the Boxee Box.

I believe xbmc would run a lot better on a dedicated linux machine but then it wouldnt have Netflix or sites that use newer versions of Flash for streaming. I'm hoping one of these Android boxes comes out with a strong version of XBMC as well as apps for netflix, hulu, mlb, and stuff like that.

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the ouya is on my must buy and play with list, as soon as it comes out.

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I've had a XS for about 3 weeks and am really getting into it. One complaint I have is that I can program the remote into my universal remote because it is RF instead of IR. Looks like I'll have to pick up an older remote (non-gaming) so I can get back to one controller.

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I've got the Logitech Harmony 650, and it works with the Roku 2XS.

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I just got a Roku LT and hooked up Plex on my HTPC that I ripped all my media to (480 Movies, 78 TV Series). Since I already had set up my media using My Movies to stream to my laptop, downloading and installing the Plex server was a snap. It did take a while (8 or so hours) to read al the info but works like a charm. I love being able to watch all my media on my tv without having to hook up my laptop or turning on the Projector. For those who want to know, my movies/tv shows are a mix of Blu Ray, HD-DVD and DVD rips all converted to MKV, some as 1080p and others as 720 or standard def, but all keeping the high quality audio. I have a regular ATT home network and have had no issues streaming any of the content. May splurge and get an HD Roku but for now the LT works great. Love the different apps as well, Netflix, Crackle, Vudu and I am able to stream my podcasts as well with Revision3, Twit and Ted Talks. I may never get cable again. :) My LT also works with my Harmony 650.

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Anyone else having problems with the Roku today? Netflix, Rdio and Amazon are all down right now for me.

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I was just coming here to ask that myself. However, while all my other channels are just fine, every time I access Netflix I get a "Connection problem" message. I also have a channel/app that is attached to my Netflix Account and it now tells me I'm not a registered user and it gives me a code; I successfully used the code to re-attach my account but when I use it , it tells me once again that I'm not a registered user.

At least its just not me.

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Roku posted something on facebook a little while ago about a Netflix outage. They are working on it.

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Apparently, it's a problem with Amazon Web Services.

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/374/roku2.png

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2973/roku3.png

Netflix Crippled On Christmas Eve By AWS Outages

Amazon AWS Takes Down Netflix On Christmas Eve

Re: The Roku Thread
 

Do you guys recommend any particular private channels?

I really enjoy the UCTV, TEDtalks, FreeSpeechTV, Democracy Now, Smithsonian, and LookingGlass, so anything along those lines would be preferred, but I'm open to pretty much anything. I was hoping for a Current TV channel, but apparently that does not exist right now.

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You'll probably like NowhereTV. It's got Current TV. He's got some other good channels like Archive.org, Ustream and Roku Newscaster. And if you're looking for adult stuff, click on the little fire clipart at the bottom of the page.

http://www.thenowhereman.com/roku/

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Also recently found out there's a Something Weird private channel. I guess you have to sign-up for a membership ($4.99/month).

http://somethingweird.digidev.tv/

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