Manufacturer : Logitech, Inc
Model : 970-000001
ASIN : B0040QE98O
Price : 99.99$
Last Price : 99$(Discount 0.99009900990098%
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Product DescriptionLogitech 970-000001 Revue With Google TV comes with an intuitive keyboard controller and an easy-to-set-up companion box that is equipped with the latest audio, video, and Internet connectivity. Your TV can be the TV of the future, the Logitech 970-000001 Revue With Google TV has a wide variety of apps created just for you, including Netflix, NBA TV, Pandora, and more.
254 of 269 people found the following review helpful:
A bit overpriced, but a good product and major potential
This review is from: Logitech Revue Companion Box with Google TV and Keyboard Controller (Electronics)
While I think the price point should have been closer to $200, I am overall very satisfied with Google TV, using the Logitech Revue box and keyboard. I am an Android phone user as well and the OS used in Google TV is very similar. The set up was easy and intuitive. One note: You do need an HDTV, high-speed internet (wired or wireless), and a cable box with HDMI cable inputs to take full advantage of all Google TV has to offer. And while the box comes with 1 HDMI cable, you will need at least one more. I am not completely sold on using the keyboard to control the DVR, although it is possible. There is a free Harmony app for Android phones (iPhone coming soon, I believe) that is an added bonus.
I won't be getting rid of my laptop, but will be using it a whole lot less! If you use the internet for games, Facebook, searching, shopping, photos, videos, etc., then having quick access to that using the full Google Chrome browser while in your living room, is a no-brainer. I enjoy the integration of my DVR content with internet searching, if I search for "Desperate Housewives" it shows me not only my recordings on the DVR, upcoming shows in the guide, as well as related websites and other references. Neat. I like the Pandora application so I can listen to music through my stereo, surf the web, and watch the local news in picture-in-picture, all at once.
I look forward to having more application options (Google is aggressively pursuing developers to create apps for Google TV like they do for the Android Marketplace). I think a very basic app they should have included out of the box is Weather.com to quickly pull up the local forecast. When an app market is available and as other enhancements are added (updates over the internet), this will soon become the perfect product, until then, it's very fun and I'm glad to have it!
UPDATE: 8/1/11 - Glad to see the price drop to $99.99 (even though I paid 3x that much). This lower price point along with the upcoming update to the OS within a month or two, should make this a no-brainer. Check it out!
120 of 128 people found the following review helpful:
Works well and excedeed most of my expectations
This review is from: Logitech Revue Companion Box with Google TV and Keyboard Controller (Electronics)
Background: I have AT&T U-Verse 200, a Sharp 37" LCD tv, Bose Cinemate Series II speakers and I also have a DVD player and an iPod dock connected to my TV. I have always wanted something that enables real time content download from the internet on my TV but never expected Google TV to replace my standard cable connection. At most, I expected to stop paying the extra 10$ I shell out every month for HBO access. Setup: Bought the device from Best Buy and setup took about 20-25 minutes as the system had to download some updates from the internet. Overall the setup is dummy proof - the device automatically detected my wireless internet and took care of most things on its own except for periodic inputs on location, cable provider etc.I give it 5 stars for ease of use and setup
Initial impression: I have been using the device for 3 days now and am impressed enough. I am originally from India and have been able to watch Indian programming on my TV through YouTube. Additionally, my Netflix subscription allows me to watch streaming videos of high quality on my TV. Are there glitches and hiccups - yes! But nothing that you wouldnt find in a first generation product and nothing that wont be ironed out over time. When Android first came out people were complaining a lot now its overtaking IOS as the operating system of choice for phones - patience is key with new technology.
It took me a while to figure out some basics as the manual is pretty much oriented towards basic setup and configuration. For instance, I realized that the trackpad allows scrolling of windows if you use 2 fingers instead of 1. One big advantage is that the box connects to my AT&T set-top box as well as my TV and thus has helped eliminate both remote controls. I am guessing that if I have an A/V receiver I could also eliminate my DVD remote.
Like other reviews have mentioned the apps are slim but I expect that to grow - again, patience people.
Cons - The price is a bit high compared to Apple TV and while I do not favor either Google or Apple over the other, more apps and content needs to be enabled to justify this price tag. $299 is a bit high to get a web browser on my TV.
BTW - this review is being typed using the Logitech Revue keyboard connected to my TV. I will be taking this device to India later this winter to see if the device works well over there and can enable broader content access for my family.
All in all, I recommend this product to those who are looking to enhance their TV viewing experience not replace their Cable or Satellite provider. The same can be said about Apple TV as well - the industry is still 3-4 years from being completely web oriented.
This review is from: Logitech Revue Companion Box with Google TV and Keyboard Controller (Electronics)
First, you should know that I'm a gadget/tech hound. I've had everything there is out there, from Amiga to Zenith. Remember the WebTV? I had one some 15 years ago. I bring that up because, frankly, I don't see much difference between that failed attempt at bringing the "web" (as it was called then) to TV and Google's latest try. Sure, the graphics are fancier and, yes, there will eventually be more you can do with Google TV, but for now, it's a disaster. I got the Revue on Friday and hooked it up. I'm running Verizon FiOS with their newest DVR (not nearly as good as my TivoHD, but not bad for a provider). Setup was fairly easy, although the machine froze while trying to update. Had to unplug and reboot. Fine. Set the screen size, signed in, and... well... I was frankly unimpressed. As others have mentioned, accessing Amazon on Demand is lame - you can't search through the app, it's painfully slow to respond, and the picture quality of the video is subpar. Same with Netflix. My RokuHD box is MUCH better at accessing both Netflix & Amazon. And it only cost $79.00. Pandora? Eh. I can get that through Roku, too. Revue didn't provide anything in terms of apps that I couldn't get much cheaper, with better picture and sound quality and a smoother, faster UI.
As for the integration with the internet, it's nice, but nothing revolutionary. So I can open a browser on my TV. So what. It's not worth the $300 sticker price just for that benefit. The device controls the TV and my AVR, and that's it, so don't go thinking it's going to take the place of your dedicated all-in-one remote. All that, AND folks are discovering serious frame rate and audio issues (you can follow the discussions on the Logitech site, [...]).
So, to sum things up:
Cons:
- expensive
- poor video quality with Amazon & Netflix
- poor UI in Amazon & Netflix
- can't access Hulu, NBC, CBS and other major content providers
- Flash loads very slowly and flash video stutters
- can't control more than the TV and AVR
- the whole product - and the Google TV platform - feel very beta
- no killer apps (yet)
Pros:
- Amazon's return policy
Frankly, I'm tired of being a beta-tester for the latest tech. I'll wait for v2 and rethink a purchase. I recommend you do the same.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Roku 2 XD Streaming Player 1080p
Manufacturer : Roku, Inc.
Model : 3050R
ASIN : B005CLPP8E
Price : 79.99$
Last Price : 72.99$(Discount 8.75109388673584%
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Product DescriptionWith over 100,000 movies and shows available from the biggest and best places, Roku instantly delivers that perfect title to match your mood. Start with the best Netflix experience out there, featuring up to 1080p HD video and support for English subtitles. Current TV shows? Try Hulu Plus. Hundreds of free movies from Crackle? Check. The latest Hollywood releases? Right there, on Amazon Instant Video. And the selection gets better every day.
Meet Roku the original, best-selling streaming player. With Roku, it's a snap to enjoy the best movies and TV shows, live sports, music, games and more all instantly on your TV, whenever you want it. Roku connects easily to your TV and wireless (Wi-Fi) network at home. Be up and streaming in minutes.
With the simple remote, you choose what you want to watch, and it starts instantly. It's even more convenient than watching a DVD. No extra monthly bills. Simply access your existing subscriptions like Netflix. Enjoy tons of free movies, shows, and music. Or browse the latest blockbusters available on demand. Roku brings you endless entertainment choices, and we're adding more all the time. So you'll always find something new to watch, hear and enjoy.
Standard Roku infrared remote control compatible with various universal remotes Size 3.3 x 3.3 x 0.9 inches / Weight 3 ounces Each Roku 2 XD player comes with - IR remote; 2 x AAA batteries; A/V cable; A/C Power adapter; Getting Started guide; Roku USA 30-day money back guarantee; 90 day warranty FREE movie service from Crackle with hundreds of Hollywood movies on demand Works with virtually any TV
139 of 139 people found the following review helpful:
I love Roku, but.....
This review is from: Roku 2 XD Streaming Player 1080p (Electronics)
I love Roku and the whole Roku experience. It allowed me to "cut the cable" and save a good bit of money each month. It gives me plenty of programming, most of it free. It's also adding new channels all the time, about 360 or so at the moment. I current own the previous Roku XD 2050x and love it. It's not a perfect product, but it's a darn good one.
This review is on my current purchase, the Roku 2 XD. It's not a perfect product either and it's just been released. It's also not quite ready for prime-time, but almost...
There are some differences between the XD and the Roku 2 XD. Most are good, but I do have two gripes. The original XD had both a wired connection and wireless available. I use wireless, but wired can be handy. When I first received my original XD, it wouldn't properly connect with my router. So, I hooked it up with an ethernet cable, which allowed it to receive a quick update. This update fixed the problem and I haven't had any problems since. The wireless worked great.
Now, the new Roku 2 XD only has a wireless connection. If you want a Roku 2 with an available wired connection, then you have to spend 100.00 to go up to the XS. I think this was a bad move on Roku's part. I have no desire to play games on my Roku and I especially don't like "Angry Birds" which is the main selling point of the XS.
My other gripe is that the new Roku 2 XD no longer has the "rewind/replay" button. This neat little button will give you an instant replay of the past several seconds, allowing you to take a look at a movie scene you might have missed or a sports call you might want to replay.
The original Roku XD had this button, but the new Roku 2 XD doesn't have it. Again, if you want this button, then you have to move up to the higher priced XS. Again, another bad call on the part of Roku in my opinion.
As I mentioned previously, I think they might have rushed this product to market a bit too quickly. The main reason is that there are a few common channels (and popular private channels) that won't run on the new XD, while they run fine on the previous generation. Roku is working on the problem and releasing updates, but still, this shouldn't have happened on the scale that it did. For example, currently, Food Network Nighttime won't play at all and all of the NASA programming will actually crash the Roku and cause it to reboot. When the Roku 2 was first released the problems were worse, but the company has been working to correct it. However, with so many glitches at release, they really should have waited to refine the software before releasing it to the public.
Now, I'll move on to a quick list of Pros and Cons for the Roku 2 XD
Pros: 1. Overall faster performance especially in menus
2. Wireless range and signal seems better than the previous models
3. Better looking menus and color schemes
4. Smaller Roku footprint.
Cons: 1. No wired ethernet port on XD and HD, only on the XS
2. No rewind/recall button on remote of XD and HD, only on the XS
3. Seems to run a little warmer than previous models
4. Too much common content (and some private channels) won't work and can possibly crash/reboot the Roku
Overall, it seems as if it'll be a great product, like the previous models, once they work out the glitches.
I do wish they'd have kept the wired ethernet port on the XD at least, as well as the rewind/recall button.
If you have a previous generation Roku XD, stick with it for at least the next couple of months. Hopefully they'll have corrected the video/streaming problems that are plaguing it currently.
Also, if you need a wired ethernet connection, then either stick with or track down a previous generation XD. Otherwise, if you're willing to spend the extra money on the XS, then do it.
55 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
No 5GHz Wireless Support on any Roku2 Device
This review is from: Roku 2 XD Streaming Player 1080p (Electronics)
Please be advised none of the new Roku2 devices support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless. Although the original Roku devices support 2.4GHz AND 5GHz to provide the option to use 5GHz to help alleviate 2.4GHz interference with other wireless devices in the house, none of the Roku2 boxes provide this option. If you already know you might have 2.4GHz wireless interference issues, you might want to look for any remaining first-generation Roku devices out there instead of this one. Just sayin'. 39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
Absolutely LOVE it!
This review is from: Roku 2 XD Streaming Player 1080p (Electronics)
We recently bought a Roku XD box (right before Roku 2 came out) and we absolutely love it. Hundreds of free channels from all over the world. Buy Roku once, and -- as long as you have a TV (even an old one, like ours) and an Internet connection -- you have free television shows and movies... lots of them. See, absolutely anyone can create a channel for Roku and -- as long as they have hosting to meet bandwidth demands -- they can place the channel on Roku, free. (Assuming it meets Roku's quality standards, of course.)
As a result, there are all kinds of great niche channels created by enthusiasts for things like surfing, rock climbing, old-time drive-in movies, etc.
Lately, we've seen a lot of Christian programming added, which makes Roku attractive for many people who want more faith-friendly programs. Menorah TV is also on Roku. And, BYU-TV just added their channel, which means we can see "Dogs with Jobs" every evening... among other cool shows, like genealogy shows, history programs, and sports.
More recreational and fitness programming is arriving, and there are so many (mostly English) channels from Asian countries, they have their own category among the hundreds of Roku channels.
I love watching France24 news and other international news shows, live (and in English). My weather channel is now Roku's feed from Weather Underground... so it's for my exact town instead of the nearest city, complete with fresh-every-five-minutes satellite and radar images.
Though it's only part of what we watch, we have Netflix on our Roku programming. It costs the same as Netflix does on your computer (if you already have Netflix service, you don't pay anything extra), and you can also add things like Hulu Plus and Amazon's streaming programming.
But, except for Netflix, everything else we watch is free. That means, after buying the Roku box (less than a month's cable TV bill), we pay nothing extra for our TV service. It's saving us over $100/month in cable TV bills, with far better programming and crisper images. Most channels have little or no commercial interruptions, too. Almost all of them are on-demand, as well.
We can also access things like Picasa, Pandora, and Facebook via Roku. Lots of options!
The only negative to this -- and we hope this is short-term -- is that there's no closed captioning. (However, the hundreds of anime features on Crackle have subtitles... and that programming is free.) I'm pretty sure the channels and Roku are working on this.
All in all, I have no idea how cable TV will compete with things like Roku. Between the price (free) and the range of great programs we can watch, we will never go back to cable TV.
Roku + an Internet connection + a TV (even an old one) = free TV!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Medialink - Wireless N Router - 802.11n - 150 Mbps - 2.4 Ghz - NEW Design w/ Internal Antenna
Manufacturer : Medialink Products, LLC.
Model :
ASIN : B0044YU60M
Price : 79.99$
Last Price : 47.99$(Discount 40.0050006250781%
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Product DescriptionMedialink - Wireless N Broadband Router - 150 Mbps - 2.4 Ghz - 802.11n
This router is the perfect solution for adding a wireless network to your home or business. It fully complies with wireless standards and is guaranteed to work with any manufacturer's 2.4Ghz wireless adapter and most manufacturers' DSL/Cable modem. (May not be compatible with some Satellite modems including HughesNet)
Specifications
- Wireless Data Transfer Rate: 150 Mbps
- Supports 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n Adapters Operating on 2.4Ghz Wavelength
- Includes 4 Port Ethernet Switch, Wireless Access Point, and Firewall
- Wired Data Transfer Rate: 10/100 Mbps (Ethernet 10 Base-T)
- Routing and Firewall Protocol: DHCP
- Antenna: (1) Internal
Security
Medialink Wireless Routers support the most current Security Protocols and Encryption Types to allow you to easily keep out unwanted intruders to your wireless network. The following Security features are supported:
- WPS (WiFi Protected Setup)
- WPA and WPA2 Security Protocol
- WEP, TKIP, and AES - 64 and 128 Bit Encryption
Microsoft WHQL Certified
Medialink Wireless Routers are certified by Microsoft to be compatible with the following Operating Systems: Windows 2000, XP (32 and 64 Bit), Vista (32 and 64 Bit), 7 (32 and 64 Bit).
Also supports Mac OS X and Linux.
Additional Features
- EZ Connect Setup Wizard Makes Configuring Your Router Simple
- Wall Mountable To Save Desk Space
Customer Service
Medialink Products are backed by superior customer support. If you need assistance you can call us Tuesday through Saturday 9am to 6pm Eastern or email us after hours and someone will respond within the next business day.
419 of 426 people found the following review helpful:
Quite surprised with this one!
This review is from: Medialink - Wireless N Router - 802.11n - 150 Mbps - 2.4 Ghz - NEW Design w/ Internal Antenna (Electronics)
Well, now having the need for a wireless N network I did a bit of research into which router I should buy. After reading so many positive reviews, I kept teetering on whether or not I should try this one out... especially since I hadn't heard of the company and the price point was so low. Eventually I figured "what could it hurt" and ordered it. I immediately got an email from the company thanking me for the order which included the support information if needed. That was a nice touch. The bottom line is that I'm VERY glad I ordered this. Set up was a breeze if you follow the very simple instructions to the letter. I was up and running in minutes.
My other concern was how well it would sing with my Cisco Wireless N Bridge(The Cisco-Linksys WET610N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gaming and Video Adapter)in my living room which is notoriously finicky with non-Cisco product integration. I'm very pleased to report that it immediately started communicating once set up, and has been rock solid for 3 days streaming Hi Def 720p and 1080p video. The signal strength is fantastic and has out performed other routers I have owned in the past. Time will tell how it holds up over the long run. I will update this post if anything goes awry.
Finally as icing on the cake, the router just looks cool. Thats always a happy bonus!
The only negative I could find is that the tech support line isn't 24 hours. Seeing as how I didn't need it, I suppose that really isn't a negative in the truest sense.
I'm a heavy Amazon user who doesn't even write reviews yet felt compelled to for this gem. A Great product, at a great price, and easy set up. Who could ask for more?
*** EDIT 06/14/11 Wow, there are a ton of comments on my review and I thought it would be a good idea to chime in again. Here we are about 8 months after my purchase and the router is still going strong. I have noticed that there was some signal degradation about 3 months in, but I changed the broadcast channel and it cleared up. Whether that was a fix or coincidence I don't know. As far as I can remember it only dropped once and I had to reset it. Not sure what people are expecting, but I thought (and still think) I got fantastic bang for the buck. And to answer some of the people implying I somehow work for the company that makes or markets it: I absolutely do not! I just was pleasantly surprised and wanted to share.
This review is from: Medialink - Wireless N Router - 802.11n - 150 Mbps - 2.4 Ghz - NEW Design w/ Internal Antenna (Electronics)
I have to admit I was nervous about buying something that doesn't have a huge name behind it. I've dealt with plenty of routers in my time and some of them are so confusing to configure, and caused so many headaches. When I opened the box I was greeted by a small, light-weight, sleek looking box...I have to say that I was really excited about the internal antenna, those old parallel antenna were the worst thing to look at. Being the typical computer guy I am I didn't really read through the directions, I just grabbed it and plugged it in. I reset the modem, then reset the router (by power cycling, not the reset button on the back) and.......it worked. I logged into the web interface and set up the Wifi security, grabbed my laptop to connect to it and.....it worked. The wireless N is a thing of beauty for someone that has been stuck with G for so long, it's fast and has great coverage, I was able to get a stronger signal outside than before.
The web interface is very nicely laid out and there are a ton of features
Pros:
Quick setup
very nice looking
lights are not too bright, even though there are a lot of them
internal antenna
affordable
Cons:
no Gig ports
included cat5 cable could be a little longer.
things to note:
I didn't use the included setup disc
I have cable internet and use an older Linksys cable modem.
104 of 110 people found the following review helpful:
Seconds for setup, milliseconds for downloads
This review is from: Medialink - Wireless N Router - 802.11n - 150 Mbps - 2.4 Ghz - NEW Design w/ Internal Antenna (Electronics)
I was a little hesitant to order this router since there was no other review, but the price was lower than other wireless G routers, so I thought I would give this N router a try. So far, I am glad I did. I am writing this review from my laptop using the wireless connection right now. PROS:
-Price (paid $[...] on 10/2/2010)
-Easy setup. The wired connection was instant, all I had to do was plug the cables. The wireless connection was also a breeze and took two minutes with the included CD wizard.
-Speed! My local network connection is 100Mbps, so I selected this router which is slightly faster (150Mbps wireless / 100Mbps wired) in order to avoid bottlenecks. I am getting download speeds ~0.9 MBytes / second wired and ~ 1.1MBbytes / second wireless with this router, i.e. as fast as I was getting when plugged directly to the network.
-Streams movies without problems.
CONS:
No problems so far. If you like solving problems you may be disappointed.
I have had this router for less than a day, which is not long enough to know if it is stable, but so far so good. I have not tried VOIP yet, but I will update if any problems arise.
UPDATE: VOIP works without problems too. I have had the router for 5 days and still no problems. It performs so well, I have almost forgotten it is there.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player
Manufacturer : Roku, Inc.
Model : 3100R
ASIN : B005CLPP84
Price : 99.99$
Last Price : 93.99$(Discount 6.000600060006%
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Product DescriptionWith over 100,000 movies and shows available from the biggest and best places, Roku instantly delivers that perfect title to match your mood. Start with the best Netflix experience out there, featuring up to 1080p HD video and support for English subtitles. Current TV shows? Try Hulu Plus. Hundreds of free movies from Crackle? Check. The latest Hollywood releases? Right there, on Amazon Instant Video. And the selection gets better every day.
Meet Roku the original, best-selling streaming player. With Roku, it's a snap to enjoy the best movies and TV shows, live sports, music, games and more all instantly on your TV, whenever you want it. Roku connects easily to your TV and wireless (Wi-Fi) network at home. Be up and streaming in minutes. Rokun XS expands this further by adding games into its capability.
With the simple remote, you choose what you want to watch, and it starts instantly. It's even more convenient than watching a DVD. No extra monthly bills. Simply access your existing subscriptions like Netflix. Enjoy tons of free movies, shows, and music. Or browse the latest blockbusters available on demand. Roku brings you endless entertainment choices, and we're adding more all the time. So you'll always find something new to watch, hear and enjoy.
Standard Roku infrared remote control compatible with various universal remotes Size 3.3 x 3.3 x 0.9 inches / Weight 3 ounces Each Roku 2 XD player comes with - IR remote; 2 x AAA batteries; A/V cable; A/C Power adapter; Getting Started guide; Roku USA 30-day money back guarantee; 90 day warranty FREE movie service from Crackle with hundreds of Hollywood movies on demand Works with virtually any TV Enhanced remote with motion control for games FREE full edition of Angry Birds game Ethernet port for wired Internet connection USB port for music, videos & photos
218 of 228 people found the following review helpful:
Smart little puck, as good as (but different from) Apple TV
This review is from: Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player (Electronics)
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. I've docked one star from my review because my unit has crashed/rebooted a few times, possibly as a result of the Facebook photo screensaver I've installed on it. I hope this issue will be fixed with a software update. Waiting for the machine to restart takes a few minutes. Also, there are a few features I'd like to see (mostly things the Apple TV can do, see below), but for what this thing is, it does its job quite well.
How is the Roku 2 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.
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. Roku 2 XS can run on pretty much any TV (it includes component 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.
409 of 434 people found the following review helpful:
Great device, user experience could be better
This review is from: Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player (Electronics)
I've been using Roku 2 XS for a few days now and I must say I like the device, but there are quite a few hiccups. So first the good stuff. * The Box is tiny and the setup is a breeze. I was up and streaming in under 5 mins.
* Netflix, Huluplus, Amazon and Pandora worked fine
* Streaming in 1080p worked fine without buffering (I use Xfinity) and the quality is superb
* The Ethernet option (available only in XS) is very helpful and the Quality of streaming is far better than wireless
and the not so good stuff:
* The Box does not have adequate memory and needs an external micro-SD card for more capacity
* The device re-booted a few times for me when switching between channels. I was initially very upset with this as the reboot process takes about 3-4 mins. I called support and they asked me to uninstall Angry Birds as it takes up huge amount of space. Did that and then on no re-boots. This sucks as Roku 2 advertises Angry Birds big time and the remote is designed for that, but the device is not capable without additional memory
* It is non-sense that I buy the high end XS version for Ethernet and HD support and I still have to buy HDMI cable and Ethernet cable separately!
* I mainly bought Roku for streaming International Channels and to my horror I found that most of the channels do not work in Roku 2!! Apparently Roku 2's video format is different to that of Roku 1. Roku support says that the Channel provider needs to fix it and the Channel provider's support say that Roku needs to fix it!!! So why advertise them and make me sign up for them then??
* Finally, many channels have sub-channels within them. Switching from One channel is only possible through menus and there are no short-cuts. It takes up to 5 to 6 button press to switch Channels and it obviously sucks.
Verdict:
If Roku is serious of competing with Apple TV and Content is the differentiator, then Roku needs to pay more attention to the content and ensure it works and make the user experience better.
This review is from: Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player (Electronics)
With an upgraded processor and design, it carries most of the same features as the original player in a smaller size; the main changes is the Wii like remote and Angry Birds being included along with a small selection of games that you can purchase from their games store. My main peeve is the same as the first player; the device never powers off. This messes with my auto switcher and I have to unplug the Roku when I'm not using it and want to watch something else or play games. Roku's whole goal with this is so that the unit will always be able to receive updates. Even with them saying that it consumes little power while idle, I would rather have the option to power off. I know I could get a better switching system that would correct this, but I don't feel like spending the money on that part of the system at this time.
I've heard several complaints of no Optical connections, which depending on your setup can be a big hindrance, for me this isn't a big issue as I don't use optical. All else fails, you can always get a HDMI to Optical converter box. This may be a big reason that a lot of customers stay with the original Roku or go for another system all together.
The Roku 2 no longer supports dual band Wireless N, it only works in the 2.4 Ghz range.
The XS model is the only one that comes with an Ethernet port, so if you have poor or no wireless you'll need to get this version to be able to connect. For the extra $30 dollars this player costs you, it includes the spiffy remote, Free Game, Ethernet port and USB option. So if you have any hesitation, opt for the XS.
They've moved the USB connection to the side of the device, but you'll have to wait till September for the full USB functional to be released in a new firmware update. Until then you'll have limited compatibility and functionality.
They've opted for a Micro SD card to increase device memory when you need more space for games or more channels. I know it's smaller in size, but I would have liked to see a Standard SD card slot so I don't have to buy special memory for this specific device. Just personal preference and doesn't hinder the usability.
I wouldn't be surprised if in the future their next system was an all out gaming console. With the new focus on games, it just opens up the possibility.
Overall, I'm a casual TV watcher, I might watch an hour a day or less and it fits my needs. if you don't care about the games and a little bit of added performance your original Roku will work just fine for you. Otherwise, if you care about size, new technology, and the option for basic games. It's worth the upgrade.
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