![Replacement RC-EL1 / RC-EL2 Universal Streaming Player Remote Control for Roku Streaming Sticks, Players and TVs with Voice. RCEL1 / RCEL2 Remote Control with Voice and App Shortcut Keys. [RF]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61jmopQgDPL._AC_UF480,480_SR480,480_.jpg)
I am not sure what problems others are experiencing. This Roku2 is my third Roku. I have one of each of the last 3 generations.
Now I want to address complaints that it is difficult to set up: I have to wonder how it is not easy to set up? Plug it in, hook up to internet, and Netflix and Hulu both allow you to log in directly through the Roku 2. It is a bit of a pain to have to go to your computer and log in (hint: this is a dig at the Amazon channel) but not a large problem if you can read and use one of them there Internet machines to order a Roku - if not then you probably aren't using many of the channels to begin with and shouldn't worry buying one. If it is difficult to set up for these people are they the ones who use things like Best Buy's nerd patrol(or whatever its called) to hook their TV's and computers(AKA Internet machine) up for them? Oh theres two wires, which one goes where? - hint the shapes are different and they correspond to a shape on the box. No the HDMI does not plug into your wall. But I had to laugh at the delivery guy Amazon sent me to hook up my TV. He seemed rather surprised that I knew how to plug my TV in, and no I didn't let him in my house I did it myself. Are we that stupid in this country...really? (we elected George Bush twice so I guess that answers that question).
I tried every channel I use and only had issues with Google maps, and HGTV. But Google maps didn't work right on my other Roku's, and neither channel is a public channel. They are both private and not controlled by Roku. Come on TheEndless get HGTV working!
AMAZON, HULU, NETFLIX, CRACKLE - (the ones most people care about) all work and look great in 1080p. If you are one of the lucky ones to still have the youtube channel, that works great. 1080P showcase, break.com, Food Network, CNN, CNNI, AlJazeera all work great and look better than on the older boxes (still a little grainy and slower to respond to movement but that's okay its free). Angry birds is surprisingly easy to use. I hate the Wii because of the motion controller, Roku got that right and did it better than a Wii and all without a motion bar on top of my TV - which is good because I don't need another one of those. Good Job Roku! My three year old has no problem with it and she has issues with the Wii.
A complaint: No HDMI cable included. Really, you advertise 1080P and then give me a crappy SD cable. Poor Job Roku! Thats all right got one for $5 on Amazon.
I highly recommend this device assuming you like cheap TV, know how to read, and can figure out which cables go where based on the shape of their ends. Bear with me this one is difficult - Other skills required: ability to type on a keyboard, use the internet to go to a website and type in a code to activate the Roku and any other channels that may require it.
For the price its a good value. I guess it depends on what you want - for $99 you are not going to get a good computer to surf the web and the Roku doesn't do that at all. It is not built for that. Yes some of Roku's competitors are built for that, and sell for $99... but they are not that great. You are better hooking a computer up to your TV if you want to search the web from your couch. Roku is made for watching Television using video found on the Internet. That is its purpose and point. It now has the added capability of more advanced gaming (still casual) with the Roku 2. If it could surf the web it would do so poorly, but for a media streamer and now gaming device it does it well.
MY ORIGINAL REVIEW FOR THE ROKU ON THE OLDER MODELS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I own two Rokus. I bought the first, loved it, and bought another. We no longer have cable TV. We pay for 16 megs of Internet. more than enough, we streamed easily when we were using 8 megs. (although 10 megs is often recommended, but I think you could do it pretty well with half that).
I hear talk of the Logitech Revue; but see its 3 times the cost, reports of lag and freezing, and the same or similar content as the Roku. I you want to search the web through your TV perhaps the Revue might be more from you. I have a computer already for searching the Web and from the sounds of the Revue I can buy a netbook with greater functionality and a cord to hook it up into my TV for not that much more money. So if I were willing to spend that money, that is what I would do - but I don't want or need a computer hooked to my TV, I have already tried that and really it is just a waste of electricity and an extra hassle searching for video content when you can just click a channel on the Roku and go. So if you have to rely on searching the web for video content, you are working too hard and isn't television about taking a few moments to be lazy.
I looked up and researched other devices, most did not appear to offer what the Roku offers with its expanding line of apps and Private channels. Just look at the stars on Amazon if you don't want to take the time I put into research. I think all of them are lower rated then the Roku. You can watch youTube, CNN, HGTV, QVC, HSN, NETFLIX, Amazon VOD. I think there are close to 150 channel apps between private and Roku listed apps; each app has lots of different programs to watch so don't think there are only 150 channels. You can see them all at [...]. We have now canceled our cable TV and pay for Netflix. We tried Hulu Plus but would prefer regular Hulu so we are considering trying playon.tv using a private Roku App (code: MYPLAYON) with which we can watch Hulu through our Roku but would rather not have to have a computer running all the time to do so. So the biggest downfall, is brand new content (some of which if you are interested can be solved with Hulu plus but we really only liked one show out of their lineup).
Do you like sports? You can get several sports packages through the Roku now. I think they have Wrestling, Hockey, Baseball and a few others.
Want content from Europe or India? Roku has that too.
Want kid content? There are options with Crackle, Kidlet, and Netflix. My daughter loves Shera and Qbert from Crackle (which also has Voltron for you weird 80's cartoon fans), and Amazon VOD.
Want weather? There are at least 2 weather apps you can set to your zip code and get weather updates whenever you want (or zipcodes to other places).
Like News? So far that is pretty much limited to Private channels CNN and TV.COM with CBS news - but its there.
Like Movies? Netflix, some Youtube content, various indy films with other channel apps, Amazon VOD you can rent or buy content.
Like a variety of TV shows? Buy whole TV season if you want for $15 off of Amazon VOD and still spend less than cable while watching what you want when you want. Netflix has many shows available. I know of many shows I never watched over the last 10 years thanks to the time they were on, and my time doing other things that I was finally able to watch. There are even 80's shows on Crackle.
And most options (minus I think Hulu plus) are commercial free, and can be paused, rewound, Fast forwarded, stopped and replayed at any time.
This is not just a Netflix player anymore.
My advice, if you don't want the cable bill, can deal with change, and don't care about having the latest show as soon as it comes out on TV, get a Roku. To those who say, "but we don't watch much Television" I have to wonder why you still pay the $80 to a cable company when you could pay $8.00 to netflix - and your only initial cost would be the purchase of a Roku player. Add it up and in a few months the Roku can pay for itself. Soon you will be watching more TV. I watch a lot more TV now (which may be a bad thing but there is always something on that I want to watch - unlike with cable.
**UPDATE: AlJazeera Live Stream now available.
**UPDATE 2: BBC, RTNEWS, and Press TV live streams are available. The Hulu Plus lineup has expanded so we now use that, you can watch Tosh.0, the Daily show, and the Colbert Report now as well as much more content on it. Much of that is now on Hulu + the next day. So new content is not really much of a problem anymore. In addition www . livestation. com is adding a Roku Channel. This will substantially increase the live stream content available to Roku users. Games available are also growing in number on the Roku (don't expect hardcore PC games, they are the more casual variety and less graphic intensive). I should also add that apparently Playon support has ended. I never used or went to it, this is just what I am hearing on the Roku forums.
*** Another update - August 26th 2011. I love these things. Just bought number 3, the all new Roku 2Roku 2 XS Streaming Player 1080. Still a great deal and in 1080P. Amazon Instant Video for prime members is supported. Although I suggest Amazon should make navigation a little nicer if the want to compete with Netflix. No search function with the prime member instant videos but they do have Star Trek Deep Space Nine and I believe Netflix won't have that until October 2011.
I personally do not care for Glenn Beck or Fox news, but you can now watch a Glenn Beck channel and a Fox news Channel with live stream (exactly the same content on cable); in edition to CNN onDemand, CNN International and AlJazeera. I believe there is MSNBC onDemand content as well available with NowhereTV a private Channel.
Roku 2 also has quite a few casual games and appears to be growing. Get them for about 99 cents on average currently.
***On the downside the private YouTube Channel is now gone. But there are rumors that one is being developed by Google.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
***UPDATE 11/22/2011 - HGTV and Food Network private channels are down. No Youtube channel available for those who did not get it before those went down, but I believe 1080P showcase is still available and that is a youtube channel. You also have break.com which is youtube like. I still would recommend buying a Roku, but that does take away some good content. I currently have 3 Rokus and they work great. Some new channels have been added so I would recommend you check out the website. Private channels have been added including music video channels, like Kosher Television for your metal fans out there. CNET in the public domain is a good one as well. CNBC is a new public channel, HBO go for you non-cable cutters can now be watched on the Roku.
| Brand Name | Roku |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 0.3 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 3.3 x 3.3 x 0.9 inches |
| Item model number | 3100R |
| Batteries | 2 AAA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color Name | Black |
