So which one of those Roku things do I want?

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So which one of those Roku things do I want?

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Carmen
Mayor of Snark Slope
Joined: Jun '06
Posts: 3,254

I guess technically what I want is a "streaming video player." I need to kick this cable habit and switch to netflix. The question is this:
Which streaming player-thingie is the best value? I don't need to be doing anything fun or exciting- play streaming movies, thats about it. I know the roku starts at around $60, but would it be just as good to get a used xbox or something of the sort? I have no interest in gaming (I dont think) but if the xbox (or similar) is easier to operate and/or has other benefits, i would invest in that instead.
You can do this with an xbox, no? Or just a Wii?
This is how little I know about this.

I do already have a (shitty) dvd player. Again, if something like an xbox or something would play dvds better (like playing burned dvds, for example) that would be an additional selling point. I have no emotional attachment to my $19.99 generic-brand dvd player.

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# Posted 2 yrs ago
Carmen
Mayor of Snark Slope
Joined: Jun '06
Posts: 3,254

Oo I see now that one of those Rokus has a USB port. That is something I like for all of my illegal movies. Just to add an additional element for you folks.

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# Posted 2 yrs ago
Boygabriel
M Train Devotee, G Train Appreciator
Joined: Nov '05
Posts: 4,431

So all you really want is netflix streaming plus your dvds?

Hmm.

One bonus of PS3/xbox is that they are blu ray players too

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# Posted 2 yrs ago
Old Time Brooklyn
God of Rock
Joined: Jan '08
Posts: 711

Get the best Roku/HD. It's something that's just going to get better and better.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
OpossumQueen
rocking it
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 2,533

We have a Roku box and I've had no trouble with it in the maybe 2 years we've had it. In another room we stream through our apple tv. The main difference for me is a small. I watch a lot of tv series on it and after one episode ends, the Roku automatically offers the next episode as an option whereas the apple tv just stays on that episode and you have to navigate to the next.

We've had it hooked up via wires and wireless and both have worked fine.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Boygabriel
M Train Devotee, G Train Appreciator
Joined: Nov '05
Posts: 4,431

I'm a moderate techie and a mac fan and I still haven't quite figured out what benefits Apple TV offers

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# Posted 2 yrs ago
OpossumQueen
rocking it
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 2,533

Haha...I feel somewhat similarly about the apple tv, but my bf really wanted it. Other than netflix movies, pretty much all I use it to do is stream music from the computer to the good speakers. For that, it's awesome.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
bkhoosierfan
getting it
Joined: Dec '07
Posts: 118

Your best bet is to not waste your money on any of these just yet. It is much like the early days of Blu Ray/HD-DVD.
I would hold off for about 2 years and come back because you may end up having to buy an entirely new device (takeover of company etc)
In the mean time if you happen to have a laptop with an HDMI connection you can try XMBC or Boxee (both free open source downloads). For Boxee you can even use your Iphone as a remote as long as the laptop and the Iphone are connected over the same wifi network.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
booklaw
admin
Joined: Nov '07
Posts: 2,415

I just got Apple TV, and have used it to stream Netflix movies, to access YouTube videos, and to project my photos from my iPad to the big-screen tv (where they look awesome!).

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Matrick
getting it
Joined: Nov '06
Posts: 50

I use my XBox 360 for streaming Netflix and I love it. Between that and my digital antenna I haven't missed cable at all in the last year and a half.

However, an XBox cannot play Blue Ray discs, only PS3's have that capability. Also, be aware that you'll have to purchase an XBox Gold Membership to be able to stream Netflix, which has an annual fee of $45 to $60 depending on where you purchase it ($60 directly from Microsoft or $45 by a card through Amazon).

# Posted 2 yrs ago
OpossumQueen
rocking it
Joined: Aug '07
Posts: 2,533

Do you already have a dvd player? If so, just get a roku. For less than the cost of one month of cable you can get a roku, which is small, easy to use and not used (and possibly abused like a used game console). For a few bucks more, you can get one with more features.

Booklaw, we also enjoy looking at our photos on the tv. We actually set it up to do slideshows of them while we listen to music.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
WhyFi
I'm Urban - recognize!
Joined: Jul '05
Posts: 5,268

Is your computer not close enough to the TV or lacking in 2D graphic horsepower?

...not that there's anything wrong with that.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
MattHurst
getting it
Joined: Nov '09
Posts: 67

As you can see, there are a ton of good options, although you may find it hard to replace cable with Netflix alone. At least not all of your shows are going to be available online, at elast without paying (I'm not going to discuss piracy as a valid option).

For me at least, I use my Wii to stream netflix, and my laptop (with a Boxee install) to stream the rest from the net (Hulu especially). As far as hardware goes, i'd consider Boxee to playback your other "dowloaded media", since it has the most playback formats...

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# Posted 2 yrs ago
anthonycm
Dolemite's Inspiration
Joined: Apr '08
Posts: 398

I've been cable free for a year now, and I don't miss it at all (NOTE: I also don't watch sports, so that helps).

Whatever player you get you should make sure it also has Hulu capabilities.

I had an Apple TV (the original model), but if I was buying today I'd probably go with the Roku. It seems to have more flexibility than the current ATV.

Right now I have both a PS3 and a Mac Mini hooked up to my television, but both of those things sound like a bit of overkill if all you're doing is looking for Netflix accessibility.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Carmen
Mayor of Snark Slope
Joined: Jun '06
Posts: 3,254

I do have a computer which I can and do currently hook up to the TV, however its a pain in the ass when I want to use the computer AND watch something (most evenings I come home at around 10, switch on the cable and catch up on the internets. If i had no cable, I would have to use the computer to switch on the "white noise" which is not ideal.)
I'm not super attached to any specific shows, I mostly just use the TV to sort of add background noise for the increasingly few hours that I'm home. I think the Roku might be my best bet.

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# Posted 2 yrs ago
bohuma
above average
Joined: Aug '08
Posts: 466

We have a Samsung wireless BluRay player model BD-C6500 that connects wirelessly to the internet via our home wireless network. With it we access Netflix, Blockbuster, Vudu movies, Facebook, Youtube (sanitized version) and Pandora radio. It is fantastic.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Old Time Brooklyn
God of Rock
Joined: Jan '08
Posts: 711

Roku also has private channels that you can access and is constantly being developed privately. You can do Pandora, MLB, Funny or Die, porn, etc.

# Posted 2 yrs ago