Roku, Now What?

[Todd MacDona]

Wife hinted that she wanted a roku. So I bought one for her. Does everything cost money with it?
We have an account with netflix, which we use with our wii. Will it let us watch 2 different movies, one on the wii the other on the roku? She doesn't want to pay any subscription fees, but I get the feeling if we try to use it we will have to subscribe or pay as you go.
Any info?

 

[sberger]

Do you have a streaming account with Netflix? If you have an account where you only can rent the physical media, then yeah, you'll need to change your plan. If you do much ordering from Amazon and you haven't already you might consider becoming a Prime Number. You get discounts on tons of stuff plus tons of streaming movies, tv shows are free. I really like my Roku.

 

[withmusic]

Wife hinted that she wanted a roku. So I bought one for her. Does everything cost money with it?
We have an account with netflix, which we use with our wii. Will it let us watch 2 different movies, one on the wii the other on the roku? She doesn't want to pay any subscription fees, but I get the feeling if we try to use it we will have to subscribe or pay as you go.
Any info?

Since you already have a Netflix account (I assume the streaming version) then your pretty much set. Yes, there are subscription channels or groups that run anywhere between $3 per year to "no way am I paying that amount" and everything in between.
However, there are tons of free channels and groups. With a Netflix streaming account at $8 per month and the free channels you now have more content than cable and satellite combined! That's just the start, there are also "private channels", many that cost nothing for even more content!
The only thing Roku does not do is live TV such as news and sports and so-called "reality shows", but if you are like me and don't give two s***s about those things than you have a ton of exploring to do. It will take you months just to go through the free channels.
I know this trivia because I too recently discovered Roku and did some reading about and talking with others who have it. I found it great for me, so I am planning on getting one in the next 3 weeks or so.
As for watching two different movies at the same time on different TV's, I think you could do that with one on the Wii and the other on the Roku, but I don't know exactly how Netflix works and you may not be able to do that from the same source. You probably could if you were streaming from two different sources. (Note: You need a true broadband connection with the Roku so you don't get buffering pauses and other anomalies. Unfortunately, DSL and the like won't cut it most cases unless your located next door to a repeating station, then you might be good to go. You really need cable Internet or better for ultimate performance).
Do a google search on Roku channels or more specifically "free roku channels".

 

[Todd MacDona]

Thanks guys, we do have a Netflix streaming account through the wii, and I will check into free roku. I looked them up and there was the cracked channel, and maybe one other which appeared to be free.:thmbsp:

 

[bryblob]

You should have no problem streaming simultaneously, we do it here with no problems usually and we have slow internet.

 

[withmusic]

Thanks guys, we do have a Netflix streaming account through the wii, and I will check into free roku. I looked them up and there was the cracked channel, and maybe one other which appeared to be free.:thmbsp:

It's called Crackle I believe. It's one of the better known ones. Like I suggested do a google search, there are many more free channels than just a couple. Between your Netflix and the free channels you'll be extremely busy.

 

[Bob_in_OKC]

I got a Roku as a gift and I'm in the same situation. Learning what's on it. I don't see much of interest other than Vevo. We do the physical disc plan with Netflix. I see they don't have YouTube, which the Netgear competitor does have. It also doesn't appear to have the free Hulu, just the paid monthly plan. Looks like its main function is paid plans and paid downloads.

 

[rebellovw]

Get an amazon prime account. I'm liking amazon better than Netflix though I still like Netflix.

 

[sxty8goats]

You can activate multiple devices on your Netflix. I think up to 5? Mine is active at home on my xBox, on my iPad, and my office computer and possible at my x-Girlfriends house where I also used to watch a movie or two. We have watched two different shows simultaneously from different towns. Netflix is pretty generous with their product. Hulu+ is also a great deal.

I've bought and installed a Roku at for a friend. It is a pretty slick little unit. There is a lot of free stuff available but she mostly uses it to watch Netflix and HBO GO. Both on her x-girlfriends accounts. She doesn't' have cable. If you don't watch sports and live near a city, an over the air antenna, Hulu+ + Netflix will trump cable for @ $17 not including the internet bill.

 

[withmusic]

I got a Roku as a gift and I'm in the same situation. Learning what's on it. I don't see much of interest other than Vevo. We do the physical disc plan with Netflix. I see they don't have YouTube, which the Netgear competitor does have. It also doesn't appear to have the free Hulu, just the paid monthly plan. Looks like its main function is paid plans and paid downloads.

There is a service you can get to do YouTube on the Roku. I think it's called PlayOn or something to that effect. I think it's around $30 to $40 per year. Yeah, I'm not sure it is worth doing something like that just for YouTube. No device that I know if does Free HULU outside of a PC. There are the official free channels, yes, but there are also the "private channels" which over half are free. So you can check them out as well. They offer some different content than the official free channels. (Kind of like finding someone who has similar tastes). Check out the Netflix streaming plan. Like I keep suggesting, do a google on free channels for Roku and read up.
I was considering getting a Roku and....well, got surprised with one yesterday, so here I go.

 

[Todd MacDona]

My wife can't decide. Ours still sits in its box.

 

[Robinhawaii]

My wife can't decide. Ours still sits in its box.

I bought a TOTL Roku ($99) and Appletv ($99) on the same day. To try both out. While Roku had, physically more choices, I found them to be the the same collection of royalty free movies and shows, that quite frankly, even for free, very few of them are worth viewing. I also found the Roku had to buffer more than (2X) the Appletv (0). Also every year, Apple does the free month of concerts, you can watch live, then for a month+ after, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes_Festival) and finally if you own another Apple device, there is AirPlay, you can view the iPad on the TV. Also it will work with computers on your network to play your music/video library on your TV.

The build quality of the Apple is better, more hefty, while the Roku get's pulled off the shelf just by the wieght of the cable. Apple has digital out toslink and a solid aluminum remote (or link a WIFI Apple keyboard).

After three days, I returned the Roku, kept the Appletv.

Take care,

Rob

 

[Mr. Lin]

Our Roku/Netflix setup only allows two devices to stream from the Netflix account at one time, and if two already are, the third person is blocked if they try to watch something. This is a bit of an issue as it's for the whole household. I believe you can upgrade your Netflix account to allow more than two simultaneous streams at a time, but I don't own the account and the person that does, is stubborn.

Roku is great though. For us it's really highlighted what a ripoff Dish is.

 

[withmusic]

I bought a TOTL Roku ($99) and Appletv ($99) on the same day. To try both out. While Roku had, physically more choices, I found them to be the the same collection of royalty free movies and shows, that quite frankly, even for free, very few of them are worth viewing. I also found the Roku had to buffer more than (2X) the Appletv (0). Also every year, Apple does the free month of concerts, you can watch live, then for a month+ after, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes_Festival) and finally if you own another Apple device, there is AirPlay, you can view the iPad on the TV. Also it will work with computers on your network to play your music/video library on your TV.

The build quality of the Apple is better, more hefty, while the Roku get's pulled off the shelf just by the wieght of the cable. Apple has digital out toslink and a solid aluminum remote (or link a WIFI Apple keyboard).

After three days, I returned the Roku, kept the Appletv.

Take care,

Rob

Yeah, that's all well and good if one has an Apple computer and other Apple devices and loves iTunes. However, if one does not have these things and can't stand the lackluster quality of iTunes than AppleTV won't do much. Not that AppleTV is bad or anything, it certainly is not, but it's also not as universally able to be used as something like a Roku.
Also, just curious, in your study, did you account for a subscription such as Netflix or HULU or Amazon and Private Channels for Roku?
I'm asking because I got gifted the TOTL Roku for the holiday.
Also, I don't watch sports or news or reality TV and such. I'm more into classic TV series, documentaries, How It's Made (and other shows not on anymore), Moder Marvels, etc. I also have a cable internat connection, so it's likely I won't suffer too much from the buffering. (I expect a little all the same though). I'd also rather have 300 channels of old shows than 300 channels of the kardashians and the news media.

 

[Robinhawaii]

Yeah, that's all well and good if one has an Apple computer and other Apple devices and loves iTunes. However, if one does not have these things and can't stand the lackluster quality of iTunes than AppleTV won't do much. Not that AppleTV is bad or anything, it certainly is not, but it's also not as universally able to be used as something like a Roku.
Also, just curious, in your study, did you account for a subscription such as Netflix or HULU or Amazon and Private Channels for Roku?
I'm asking because I got gifted the TOTL Roku for the holiday.
Also, I don't watch sports or news or reality TV and such. I'm more into classic TV series, documentaries, How It's Made (and other shows not on anymore), Moder Marvels, etc. I also have a cable internat connection, so it's likely I won't suffer too much from the buffering. (I expect a little all the same though). I'd also rather have 300 channels of old shows than 300 channels of the kardashians and the news media.

Hulu Plus and Netflix were both used, so It doesn't really enter the discussion, since both players are equal on that front--except the buffering issue. And the Appletv is universally usable by anyone, with or without other Apple products in the home. Oh, I forgot to mention the commercials. Roku boxes generate their own commercials, which get annoying because they are not triggered by the program breaks, so they can happen right in the middle of important dialog.

Like I said, I purchased both and returned the one that to me, was not the best value and had less features, and a lower build quality. Your interpretation or view may be different, so be it.

Have a good one,

Rob

 

[withmusic]

Hulu Plus and Netflix were both used, so It doesn't really enter the discussion, since both players are equal on that front--except the buffering issue. And the Appletv is universally usable by anyone, with or without other Apple products in the home. Oh, I forgot to mention the commercials. Roku boxes generate their own commercials, which get annoying because they are not triggered by the program breaks, so they can happen right in the middle of important dialog.

Like I said, I purchased both and returned the one that to me, was not the best value and had less features, and a lower build quality. Your interpretation or view may be different, so be it.

Have a good one,

Rob

Roku generates it's own commercials?!! What?!!! If that is really the case I'll just continue to go without anything. There are things that AppleTV lacks that I find useful to have. The whole reason I wanted the Roku was to avoid as many commercials as possible and get programs I like that are not available or too expensive on DVD.

 

[rebellovw]

Roku generates it's own commercials?!! What?!!! If that is really the case I'll just continue to go without anything. There are things that AppleTV lacks that I find useful to have. The whole reason I wanted the Roku was to avoid as many commercials as possible and get programs I like that are not available or too expensive on DVD.

I use Roku for Netflix and Amazon Prime - no commercials what soever - I usually get commercials with free offerings - which is what I would expect. With paid services commercials are minimal - even Hulu plus if I recall has a few commercials - but only like 30 seconds worth - no bid deal.

 

[Robinhawaii]

Roku generates it's own commercials?!! What?!!! If that is really the case I'll just continue to go without anything. There are things that AppleTV lacks that I find useful to have. The whole reason I wanted the Roku was to avoid as many commercials as possible and get programs I like that are not available or too expensive on DVD.

From Roku Support:

"Are there commercials on the Roku player?

Roku Support
posted this on Apr 04 12:20
A limited number of Roku channels are ad-supported, either with in-stream video ads or banner ads within the channel. Netflix and Amazon Instant Video do not have commercials."

 

[withmusic]

From Roku Support:

"Are there commercials on the Roku player?

Roku Support
posted this on Apr 04 12:20
A limited number of Roku channels are ad-supported, either with in-stream video ads or banner ads within the channel. Netflix and Amazon Instant Video do not have commercials."

Well, now that makes more sense. I can see and tolerate the free channels being ad supported in that way, otherwise they would not exist. I'm not sure if the private channels are the same way or ad-free, but no biggie. I used to watch Free Hulu and there were commercials, but not bad. Maybe a max of three 30 second spots in a whole show. To me, that's a far cry better than normal TV any day.
The whole thing about the ads cutting off dialog and such just doesn't sound kosher to me. If it were true, tons of people would have not gotten one for the holidays and many more would have tossed their units out by now. Roku is selling like crazy because people are sick of commercials and sick of cable and satellite.

 

[Robinhawaii]

Well, now that makes more sense. I can see and tolerate the free channels being ad supported in that way, otherwise they would not exist. I'm not sure if the private channels are the same way or ad-free, but no biggie. I used to watch Free Hulu and there were commercials, but not bad. Maybe a max of three 30 second spots in a whole show. To me, that's a far cry better than normal TV any day.
The whole thing about the ads cutting off dialog and such just doesn't sound kosher to me. If it were true, tons of people would have not gotten one for the holidays and many more would have tossed their units out by now. Roku is selling like crazy because people are sick of commercials and sick of cable and satellite.

All these happy owners: http://www.holisticmonkey.com/Blog.action?blogId=2

"Well stated. This channel is absolutely crummy. Not only are the commercials way too frequent, too loud, and repetitive, but they appear to be "inserted" into whatever you are watching by way of a time schedule, instead of by some sort of cue. So literally right in the middle of a sentence, the commercial will interrupt whatever is going on in the movie. When the movie resumes 1 minute later, you have lost all of the continuity.

It's hard to imagine "free" being a rip off, but in this case, I think it's an understatement. In fact, I wouldn't watch this channel if I was being paid to."

Obviously it isn't just me. But whatever. I'm not here to argue with people. I presented my view, if it is "everything" you wanted, great, enjoy. However if you would use both, like I did, please feel free to post your opinion.