Roku Netflix Viewer--Who Has? Who Likes?

[pmottaz]

I've been curious about this thing for a while, but I'd love to hear about it from anyone who actually has it--or has played with it at all.

My main questions:

1) How's the picture quality? I don't have HDTV, so I'm not looking to pee myself every time out, but I'd prefer better than VHS.

2) How good does your internet connection have to be? I have DSL. Do you reeally need cable to stream well? I can watch Hulu, but it's sometimes a little herky. How pissed off am I gonna be with the herky?

That is all.

[isoS]

This product piqued my interest as well when it was announced, but then I learned that TiVo HD would be getting the same functionality, so I said eff it. I think there's an LG Blu-Ray player that has Netflix streaming built in as well. I could see TV manufacturers adding it as well. And the XBox already does it. So I guess my pt. is it seems like a waste of money to get a box that only does that.

[Darryl]

Also... Netflix instant viewing is coming to the Xbox 360, if that makes a difference.

I don't have a Roku player, but I was looking into it because instant viewing was not supported for the Mac. Once there was Mac support, I ditched the idea, since I can watch on my computer, or output the computer signal to the TV.

I can only assume that the Roku player's picture quality is about the same as streaming on the computer. I can't imagine a $100 device does anything magical to the quality. So, I would suggest that you first watch some movies on your computer. That will give you an idea of quality, streaming speed with your connection, etc.

If you already have Netflix, streaming is included in all the but the lowest-end plan, so there's nothing to lose. If your computer specs are too low for streaming, maybe you can borrow a friend's laptop to try it out before spending for the Roku.

I've enjoyed instant viewing, because it's convenient, but there are several things I have watched that I will end up watching the DVD because I want to see it in better quality. On the computer, it's better quality than YouTube, but no where near a DVD.

[dan telfer]

Well, as isoS already stated, it's already out for X-Box.

The X-Box streaming is my first experience with the streaming aspect of Netflix. I've had Netflix for years, but my home computer is a Mac so it hasn't been compatible. I guess it will be Mac compatible soon... or maybe it is already... but as has kinda been discussed in the Games thread, the selection is so bad I don't really care. Only about 10% of Netflix's library is available for streaming, mostly old films and Doctor Who. It's great if you already have Netflix and a way to watch it, but I wouldn't sign up just for the streaming stuff. You get very limited options on what you can watch.

[Bucky_Sinister]

Can't stream on my Mac. Also, I like watching movies on the TV rather than in my lil office space. So, it works out well for me.

Quality is fine, depending on your connection, and what kind of TV you have. I'm watching on a regular non flat screen TV, it looks as good as broadcast TV to me, on the two-out-of-four stars connection I usually get.

If you do have a nice TV setup, I'd say go ahead and get the Blue Ray player that does it. The Xbox thing, I believe requires a membership to a monthly service from XBox as well, but I'm not certain about that.

It plugs in easily, sets up immediately, and is really hassle free. It plugs in through the red/yellow/white inputs. If you have something better, it has the ports for those too, but doesn't come with those cables.

Have you looked at what is available movie wise? Make sure it's to your taste. if you like old movies and indie films, it's fantastic.

[JPSpaulding]

Netflix on Mac works now but I'm not a huge Dr. Who fan so whateva

[dan telfer]

Yeah, the X-Box thing requires you have a Gold Live account, which can cost as little as like $4 a month. If you have an X-Box you'll probably want that anyway so you can play multiplayer online games. Again, great if you already have X-Box, a Gold Live account, and a Netflix account. But I wouldn't sign up for Netflix just for the streaming stuff, X-Box, Roku, or otherwise. Even if you like old films and indie films (I do!) there just isn't enough and you'll still want a significant amount of movies to come in the mail.

[isoS]

PS: the Mac streaming solution is for Intel Macs only, so older Macs are SOL.

[RegularKarate]

I own the Roku box and keep up with the technology and the movies.

I'm kind of obsessed, actually.

I had a smaller standard Def T.V. when I first bought the box and it was almost DVD quality then, but now I have an HD set so the lower quality is a lot more noticable (especially if you're not getting the full "four dots").

The X-box 360 has a very small handfull of titles in HD now, but Roku has promised that before the end of the year (which is very soon in case you don't have a calendar or understand where months are) it will be streaming in HD with lower bandwidth requirements than X-box and also add some non-Netflix surprises (a lot of people are hoping for Hulu streaming... it's the hot rumor).

Yes, the selection is small, but it's been growing VERY quickly. They recently made a deal with Starz which brought on a bunch of movies. I have an RSS feed that tells me every time they add a new title.

One of my favorite things is that they have older shows like Family Ties, A-Team, and Night Rider that I wouldn't want to waste a whole disc on just so I can get a 25 minute 80s fix.

oh, and I'm streaming the Mac beta too and to whoever suggested the Roku wasn't better than it looks on your computer, I have to say you've very wrong, it's about twice as good on the television.