Jon Folkers (Silver Spring, MD United States)
This little player, about the size of a hockey puck, is exactly what I was looking for. It's cheap, easy, and fun. I got it to play Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Vimeo, and everything else it does is a pleasant add-on, especially motion-controlled Angry Birds. If you're in the market for a Roku 2, I think you might as well get this high-end model (there are stripped-down versions for less money) since it has a few more capabilities, including a game controller, an ethernet jack, and a USB port for playing external files. The software interface is not slick but everything fast and responsive.
UPDATE: I added a star because this unit has proven itself much more stable than it was at launch, due to frequent software updates. Also, the machine now has the HBO Go app, which allows you to stream from HBO on demand from a huge catalog of movies and TV shows.
How is the Roku 2 Streaming Online different from the Apple TV (which it resembles, and I also considered)? It's physically similar and has some overlapping features, but here are the main differences as I see them:
BOTH have Netflix Streaming and sports channels such as NBA and MLB (subscription required for this stuff). Both have wired and wireless network capabilities. Both are tiny, power-sipping, unobtrusive little devices that could probably be embedded in TV hardware.
AppleTV (not the Roku 2!) has tight iTunes integration, including iTunes movie rentals, streaming from a local PC/Mac with iTunes installed, and YouTube. AirPlay (stream to the box from your iOS device) is supported and works well and adds to the usability of this device if you have an iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch. At this time, you can only use the "apps" that are included with the box. The AppleTV remote is made of attractive aluminum but relies on line-of-sight infrared signals. AppleTV requires an HDTV to work and displays up to 720p resolutions.
Streaming Online Roku 2 (the product being reviewed! not AppleTV!) has a "channel" installer which you can easily manage via a web app on your computer. This system is a bit less polished, but a lot more open than the AppleTV system. Roku Channel choices include Amazon Prime videos, Amazon rentals, Vimeo, Hulu Plus, Pandora Radio, and bunch of streaming news and movie services. The Wii-like game remote comes with Angry Birds and more 2D casual games are promised. The game controller has built-in accelerometers and game-friendly buttons, and it works well for this game. This layout would be ideal for Super Nintendo style games, too. I like how it doesn't require an IR receiver like the Wii remote does. The tiny Roku 2 box has an IR receiver so you can use a universal remote with it, but the included remote uses RF signals and doesn't need line-of-sight to the box. Streaming Online Roku 2 XS can run on pretty much any TV (it includes composite cables) and can display up to 1080p resolutions.
As you can see, these two machines are similar, but not the same. I chose this machine because it worked with an old SDTV, could play Amazon Prime videos (lots of kids programming on there, thanks Amazon), and offers a nice, standalone alternative to the Apple ecosystem.
Why Didn't I Buy This Long Ago?
Pattie (Phoenix, AZ)
The Roku 2 XS is really a dynamite product! It gets Amazon Instant Video, NetFlix, Crackle, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Disney, Flixster, Roku Newscaster, Facebook, Adam Curry's Big App Show (for the smart phone bunch), Comedy Time, Fox News, and others. The only feature it doesn't have that I wish it did have is the ability to enter a URL so you can add other sites that aren't currently on the Roku menu. Roku is extremely simply to install; it takes about five minutes. I plugged my Roku box into an HDMI-to-composite converter box because I have an older 1080i Hitachi TV. Even using the converter box it only took about 10-15 minutes to install. There are no settings required; you just plug it in and the box does everything else that needs to happen all automatically. Pictures are clear, crisp, and automatically centered on your screen in full 1080 HD. This box is an excellent value, easy to install, and gives you an enormous selection of channels and movies. What could be better?
Excellent product, easy installation and use.
Catherine Cummings (Redding, CA)
This little device is wonderful and easy to install and use. You don't need any special skill, just follow easy instructions. I paired with a hdmi 3 to 1 auto switch for my directtv box and roku. Since the XS does not have an on/off swiitch, I added a remote control wall plug to be able to turn it off so the splitter will move back to Direct tv input. Great product. Very satisfied with entire transaction. As previous posted have noted it would be nice to have an hdmi cable included in the box but certainly not a deal breaker. Happily watching Hulu, crackle, hbo go, amazin prime videos. Thanks for a great product Roku.
Amazon Roku player
Harold W. Wheeler (OK)
Although I believe I could have bought a lesser model this one is super. I can watch movies, comercial free all day if I want. I am trying Amazon Prime and Netfix as my providers and both are exceptional. Amazon is less expensive and offers more options and perks with the service. Streamng Online Roku is clear and is working with my old Pre digital TV. I don't play games but have the option with the top model.