Roku HD Streaming Player

by Roku

Product Features

• Start watching movies on your TV in seconds using your high-speed Internet connection
• Featuring the largest collection of instant streaming movies and TV shows, from Netflix, Amazon VOD, and more
• Built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) and wired Internet connectivity.
• Plays High Definition as well as DVD-quality video. Works with any TV.
• Sets up in 5 minutes. Simply connect to your TV and to your high-speed Internet service. Does not require PC for streaming.
• Built-in wireless (Wi-Fi) and wired Internet connectivity
• Plays High Definition as well as DVD-quality video

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Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Roku is a little box that allows you to instantly stream tons of entertainment on your TV. Watch over 100,000 movies and TV shows from Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus and more. Listen to music on Pandora, or listen to your own iTunes playlists. Watch major sports, news, or original Internet programming. It's all available whenever you want it.

Now smaller, more powerful, and more affordable, the all-new Roku HD delivers high-definition entertainment instantly to virtually any TV in your home over your wireless network. No wonder Roku is the best selling streaming player ever.

• It's really easy. Be up and running in 5 minutes. Roku works with any TV.
• No PC needed. Roku connects to your high-speed Internet connection wirelessly (or via Ethernet, if you insist).
• No extra monthly bills. Use your existing subscriptions (like Netflix or Hulu Plus), or enjoy free and on-demand content (like Pandora, Flickr, and Amazon VOD).
• It's always getting better. Roku is constantly expanding its library of streaming entertainment, so there will always be something new to watch.

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What can you do with Roku?

Roku simply brings the largest selection of streaming entertainment choices to your TV.

Over 100,000 movies and TV shows to watch instantly—from Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus and more.

Premium sports.The top leagues like Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League. The main events from UFC and more.

The best tunes. Personalized music from Pandora or MOG, your own iTunes playlists, or radio from around the world.

Plus, tons of other choices, from major network news and original programming to photo and video sharing. More are added every day, so your Roku will always have the most, and the best, in instant entertainment.

Netflix and Roku: the original instant movie partnership

Over 2 years after the launch of the first Roku Netflix player, Roku still delivers the best combination of streaming movie performance and price. With your Netflix membership, choose from over 20,000 movies and TV episodes to watch whenever you want — including thousands in HD. You can browse, search, and play from your couch, not from your PC. Plus, there are no extra monthly or yearly fees.

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How Roku works

Setting up Roku is as easy as 1-2-3

1. Plug it in. Roku is compatible with virtually any TV
2. Add it to your home network. Whether your home is wireless or wired, the helpful on-screen instructions make it a cinch.
3. Enjoy! Choose your entertainment, and control it with the handy remote. (Popcorn sold separately.)

Included with the Roku HD Streaming Player

• Remote control
• Two AAA batteries
• Audio/video outputs: HDMI, Composite A/V (red/white/yellow)
• Connectivity: Wireless (802.11 B/G), Ethernet
• Composite (red/white/yellow) A/V cable
• Power adapter
• Getting Started guide
• One year manufacturer warranty

What you need

To use Roku, you need a high-speed Internet connection with a speed of at least 1.2 Mbps (such as mid-level DSL). For HD video, we recommend 5 Mbps (if you're not sure what your speed is, go to www.speedtest.net and run the simple test). You may also need a wireless or wired router if you cannot connect Roku directly to your cable or DSL modem. Oh yeah, you also need a TV.

Choose Your Roku

	Roku HD	Roku XD	Roku XD|S
Works with virtually any TV (standard definition or HD)
Plays high-definition video (720p)
Built-in wireless (Wi-Fi), plus wired (Ethernet) connector
HDMI video output for HDTVs
Plays 1080p HD video
Enhanced remote with Instant Replay
Extended-range Wireless-N (b/g/n compatible)
Dual-band wireless technology--the latest standard
Component video and optical audio outputs
USB port for playing stored photos, music, and videos

Product Description

Roku is a little box that allows you to instantly stream tons of entertainment on your TV. Watch over 100,000 movies and TV shows from Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and more. Listen to music on Pandora, or listen to your own iTunes playlists. Even watch major sports, news, or original Internet programming. It's all available whenever you want it. Now smaller, more powerful, and more affordable, the all-new Roku HD delivers high-definition entertainment instantly to virtually any TV in your home over your wireless network. No wonder Roku is the best selling streaming player ever.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

119 of 123 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Setup a bit rocky, but here's some help. Once set up, works great. October 16, 2010

By Norm Birndorf

CHANGES SINCE INITIAL REVIEW;

1.The Roku has both composite and HDMI outputs; only composite cables are furnished. You'll have to buy an HDMI cable if you want to use the HDMI output. If you use the composite output, the image will be degraded vs HDMI. HDMI cables are much cheaper from amazon than a local store where they tend to be pricey.
2. You now must register the Roku at it's site before moving along to register the device with Netflix or other channels.
3. Before you can register, Roku also now also demands your credit card information in case you purchase other pay channels from them.

Comment: Those that have given bad reviews based on Roku's service support; well, they are right. The support is outsourced to Mumbai or somewhere in India, and support on warranty is just awful. Dealing with them may drive you nuts. There is no way of contacting Roku headquarters in the US to complain or get help. The phone number given on their website doesn't work. If you buy this device and it fails, you may possibly have to treat it as a throwaway. It pays to get it from Amazon or another supplier that has return privileges for at least a month in case it fails. As with most electronic devices, the majority of failures will happen within the first several days.

INITIAL REVIEW AS FOLLOWS;

OUT OF THE BOX;

Comes with the basic unit, Composite cables (pretty useless), power supply, remote, a very minimal setup guide, and batteries for the remote.

WIRELES SETUP:

Wired ethernet is also an option.
1. There is some plastic film to peel off. Plug the unit in and connect your HDMI cable, composite cabling (or component cables-older Roku's) to your TV or HD AMP. Turn your TV and amp on and set the correct inputs. The unit will display the first screen on TV and immediately ask what kind of connection you would like. I used wireless, which I suspect will be most popular.

2. Wireless networks in range with SSID broadcast on will be displayed. Choose your network and click Ok. The next screen has alphanumeric input to supply your network password if your router is set to WEP or WPA protection. If you have MAC filtering on, turn off your MAC filter or add the MAC device ID to your router. The ROKU's MAC is displayed if you seek help from a help menu button on the password screen.

3. If the following sounds a bit complicated, it's not really. The setup proceedure will lead you through it well. The unit will connect and do a rather lengthy download of a "software" update. If this is successful, the home screen will be displayed with options of what service you want to link to the ROKU. If any step fails, back to the first setup screen. Thankfully it remembers your net password. You will also have to choose a display size configuration and resolution. The unit will then display a code to link to the ROKU site. You can ignore it or link to the ROKU site and choose your service from there. I picked 1080P HD, and chose Netflix directly from the ROKU menu. Be careful here! If your TV can't display HD, the screen will scramble requiring a hard Roku reset and start from scratch. (button on the bottom of the unit). This might damage the Roku, so choose the right TV resolution. A new Netflix specific code will be displayed. Then I went to my computer to pull up the Netflix site, migrate to streaming access, pick the ROKU out of a menu of devices (it's "other") and input the Netflix code.

4. Thats it! The ROKU will now be ready and will display a nice Netflix menu to choose what you want to stream and play. The Computer menu is a bit easier to browse when choosing a DVD or show to watch than the ROKU screen, but the latter is perfectly serviceable, especially if you know what you want to watch.

Some caveats/suggestions/musings. When I started the setup routine, the device kept rebooting and loosing network connectivity. It was position. It is VERY sensitive to it's placement. Don't put it in between a large amp and a DVD player, or in a deep cabinet, say. Have it positioned out in the open. If you don't have a gigabit 802.11 "n" router, get one. There's lots of info downloading and streaming to this device through your router. Some reviews have criticized the ROKU's remote. I found it worked just fine. If you are wedded to the idea of streaming media, this device is great at present. But, there is an increasing selection of Blu- Ray DVD players with this capability already built in. They are much more expensive at this time, but prices will come down. If you are almost ready to upgrade to a Blu-Ray player, maybe good to wait a bit and pick one when prices fall in the near future.

AFTER SETUP;

Great. video quality and sound are terrific at 720p. 1080p and surround sound to probably come from Netflix next year, I hear. Wasn't disappointed at all. Terrific buy.

128 of 133 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible Customer Service! January 8, 2011

By Cynthia

I purchased a Roku HD Player from Amazon.com on June 3, 2010. After five months of use, the unit began malfunctioning. It would not stream movies. I contacted Roku's technical support people. They walked me through several tests (both of the unit and my wireless router), and they decided that the unit was defective. I shipped the unit via UPS per Roku's return protocol on December 23, 2010. It was insured for $100. Roku claimed it did not receive the unit. I provided them with a copy of the Proof of Delivery slip that I obtained from UPS. I have contacted Roku's support center more than three times about this issue, and I still have not received a replacement unit.
I began to do some research on Roku, and I discovered that many other customers have had the exact same problem. They tell the customer that the defective unit was not received. When proof of delivery is provided, they refuse to give a firm date as to when the replacement unit will be sent out. Roku also makes the customer pay the shipping costs to return the defective unit.
If Amazon.com provides a buyer protection plan, I suggest you purchase it because you WILL have problems obtaining a replacement directly from Roku. My unit is still under warranty, and Roku has not fulfilled its obligation as stated under its warranty agreement.

248 of 272 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Worst Customer Service EVER October 15, 2010

By JB

I bought this Roku player and it completely died 35 days after I received it. It's easier to pass a kidney stone than deal with Roku's outsourced customer service. If you can get past spelling your name 10 times, you're told that you have to send the box back before they will send you a replacement...BUT..when they send you the RMA email (with the number you have to put on the box), they tell you they are first sending the replacement along with a pre-paid label to then send the broken box back. You wait three days for FedEX to deliver the replacement and when it doesn't come you call for a tracking number. After repeating your name another 10 times and the RMA number about 5 times,(seriously lots of folks in India speak perfect English but not the ones hired by Roku) you're put on hold for 10 minutes only to be told that you're supposed to send the box first before the replacement is sent. But of course, you wouldn't want to do that because the RMA email says they are sending the replacement first. If you had sent the broken player back first, they will no doubt tell you that you must have already received the replacement BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEIR STUPID RMA EMAIL SAYS.
Fortunately for me, Amazon's stellar customer service came through and agreed to let me return the device.
When the thing works, it's pretty cool but if it breaks - good luck. I'm going to look for an alternative - I don't trust a company who's product fails in 30 days and doesn't provide the decent customer service necessary to rectify a pretty simple problem. LET THE BUYER BEWARE.

UPDATE - 5 days after I started dealing with Roku support and they sent me the erroneous RMA, I got an email from their Indian support center telling me that they would not accept the email receipt from Amazon that I forwarded to them as proof of purchase. They need it faxed. Only the fools running Roku support would know the difference between email and fax. They just went from the Worst Customer Service Ever to the VERY WORST Customer Service Ever.