Sony USB Wi-Fi Adapter vs. Roku Box/Google TV/etc The Roku Box and the Wi-Fi adapter are the same price. Is the Wi-Fi adapter going to give me to apps through Sony like a Vizio tv/google tv/roku box would? I find google tv to be overpriced and I really don't need a web browser on my tv screen, however, I would like to have netflix and other similar services at my finger tips. We plan on getting a Sony Bravia home theater system as well. Does anyone have any thoughts on one product over the other? The TV we just bought is a Sony Bravia KDL 32BX300. Thank you. Sony USB Wi-Fi Adapter vs. Roku Box/Google TV/etc The Roku Box and the Wi-Fi adapter are the same price. Is the Wi-Fi adapter going to give me to apps through Sony like a Vizio tv/google tv/roku... » Read More Sony USB Wi-Fi Adapter vs. Roku Box/Google TV/etc The Roku Box and the Wi-Fi adapter are the same price. Is the Wi-Fi adapter going to give me to apps through Sony like a Vizio tv/google tv/roku box would? I find google tv to be overpriced and I really don't need a web browser on my tv screen, however, I would like to have netflix and other similar services at my finger tips. We plan on getting a Sony Bravia home theater system as well. Does anyone have any thoughts on one product over the other? The TV we just bought is a Sony Bravia KDL 32BX300. Thank you. « Show Less
146307
The Sony BDP-S570 3D Blu-ray Disc Player has built in w-fi for $159-Great product!--But i see price went up since X-mas 2010----Roku box would be fine if you don't care about an included Blu-ray/ dvd player!
1466632
I think they are very similar but the Google TV comes with the Google Chrome app already loaded. Most people are very familiar with this web browser and it works on the TV just as it does on a computer. Also every GOOGLE TV that I have seen comes with a remote that has a full keyboard on it.
1322352
Dang! Yeah, that is unfortunate. A wireless connection would have been a good complement to my Roku Netflix player. I can only assume that Sony will look to add wireless capability into the next generation of BD players...
461040
I have no problems, I believe I was prompted to update once or tw i ce, no big deal. I paid 50 used about 2 years as go. My son has a Roku and loves it. I have a sony and a vizzio video streamer, a sony DVD player With wifi and a smart tv. I like them all, but sony's soft ware is easy to use.
1202863
Thanks for the reply. I received your answer after ordering the Roku unit from Amazon, so installed it anyway. Surprise, it works just fine!
1950226
I have a Sony Blu-Ray player and it has most of the same stuff as the Roku so I would just compare the line-up of both and decide which would do the job better for you. The Roku does not have Youtube, that is a deal breaker for a lot of people.
1126296
I am buy this for my mother cause she loves Netflix and our Xbox went out she has an older tv with the red white and yellow cable and isn't very good with this kind of stuff when I hook it up through the red white and yellow cable will it be easy to find netflix or will I have to install it and pay extra we have a subscription to netflix already but I was wondering if theres extra costs involved?
1357357
I believe there is a feature comparison on their website. Mainly G vs N networking and I think the USB port is just on the XR. If you missed the gold box deal for under a hundred for the XR, that's a shame-it was the same price as the next model down. This is the best tech investment I have made this year-super easy setup and great picture quality, flawless operation. Worth it just for the Netflix alone.
2078222
We have two Rokus, could that be Roki? Anyway, we have one at our mountain home and one at out city apartment, we switch them out on our total of 3 TV's, so the answer is, convince! You can move them all over and they work where ever you use them. If you don't want to move them and possibly put in a new wifi code get as many as you can afford, if you don't mind moving them about you could have one or two and be happy. I think Roku is great and have had my first one for over 2 years.
841131
The browser is one of the key differences. It's not great. I have both units. Roku in the master bedroom Boxee in the Living Room. Vudu is great & has 5.1 Stereo on Boxee & HD & HDX video. Hulu Plus (right now) is only on Roku (major (major) disappointment) Netflix is great on both services. Software interface is great on both (slightly better on Boxee). If Boxee ever get's their act together... it'll be worth the $$$. I like both. If VUDU & Browser are not very important... get Roku. (BTW: Boxee has a nice interface to your home computer network. You can watch videos, view photos etc. on your TV)
1246699
Actually, Consumers report said that getting a TV that links to Netflix is the most expensive option. Getting a Blue Ray or Roku are the cheapest options. I just noticed that Sony has a BD selling for $191, with good reviews and Netflix link. I'm not sure if I'm going the BD or Roku route. My Apple Laptop has great PQ from Netflix. May even stay with that. From Amazon:Sony BDP-N460 Blu-ray Disc Player (Black)
360804
Yes, the review that said otherwise was wrong. The Sony Bravia TV option is just an easier setup. Works just fine on our Sanyo, Insignia, etc.
1922596
@givnastyI have 3 rokus and have no issues ...Sure some roku users have issues just like any other tech gadget. Before you go thinking Apple TV is somehow free of headaches and snafus , goto http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1397 or http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=197 where u will find literally thousands of issues including "flaky wifi" and unhappy users...Roku has much more content plus amazon vod and it takes all of 5 -10 min to setup.......Roku rocks! CNET : Roku wins editors choice http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20024488-1.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;1n @givnastyI have 3 rokus and have no issues ...Sure some roku users have issues just like any other tech gadget. Before you go thinking Apple TV is somehow free of headaches and snafus , goto http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1397 or http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=197 where u will find literally thousands of issues including "flaky wifi" and unhappy users...Roku has much more content plus amazon vod and it takes all of 5 -10 min to setup.......Roku rocks! CNET : Roku wins editors choice... » Read More @givnastyI have 3 rokus and have no issues ...Sure some roku users have issues just like any other tech gadget. Before you go thinking Apple TV is somehow free of headaches and snafus , goto http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1397 or http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=197 where u will find literally thousands of issues including "flaky wifi" and unhappy users...Roku has much more content plus amazon vod and it takes all of 5 -10 min to setup.......Roku rocks! CNET : Roku wins editors choice http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20024488-1.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;1n « Show Less
1597288
Honestly, the Netgear doesn't have a whole lot of apps to choose from, but they are part of the purchase price (except for pay services like HuluPlus and Netflix). We also have a Roku and they add new apps all the time--many are free but some are for pay services. I wouldn't purchase the Netgear again for this reason.
1890730
I just bought this TV, too, but don't have it yet. Do you mean does it come with Internet apps or something? It doesn't. You can hook up a PC display to it, per the specs. You need an external device to connect to the Internet. In regard to watching Netflix on the TV, have you considered getting Roku? It's a very small device you use for streaming on your TV instead of (or also in conjunction with) using your PC. I love it and have the XD which will be used with this Panasonic when it comes. I also just ordered Roku 2 XS (on sale on Amazon) which will be used on the Sony I'm currently using the XD on when that comes. They have a Roku LT, which is cheaper than these two and is $50-$60. There are also channels for all Rokus, though the better ones (like Netflix) charge a fee. Still, cheaper than cable/satellite and you don't have to have your PC on to watch them on TV. You can check them out either on Amazon or Roku.com. Easy to set up and to use, too. BTW, since you already have streaming Netflix to your PC, there would be no additional charge using Netflix with Roku and watching on your TV. You would just need to activate the Roku device through Netflix. Hope this helps you enjoy Netflix on your TV. :)
430736
Interesting comments. If the wiki article is right, TCL isn't such a "no name" brand after all - I live in the midwest and I have heard of RCA. They were a lot bigger in the days when tube tv's were really big, they sorta got quiet in the LCD/plasma revolution. But anyway, if TCL == RCA, I might end up choosing this TV. Target & BB have a Samsung this size on Black Fri for 328$, and it looks like Toshibas and Samsungs this size in general are the deal at 320ish this year - an extra fifty bucks off for the TCL is almost enough for a bluray player to go with it on Black Fri (yep, really). =) Interesting comments. If the wiki article is right, TCL isn't such a "no name" brand after all - I live in the midwest and I have heard of RCA. They were a lot bigger in the days when tube tv's were really big, they sorta got quiet in the LCD/plasma revolution. But anyway, if TCL == RCA, I might end up choosing this TV. Target & BB have a Samsung this size on Black Fri for 328$, and it looks like Toshibas and Samsungs this size in general are the deal at 320ish this year - an extra fifty bucks off for the TCL is almost enough for a bluray player to go with it on Black Fri (yep,... » Read More Interesting comments. If the wiki article is right, TCL isn't such a "no name" brand after all - I live in the midwest and I have heard of RCA. They were a lot bigger in the days when tube tv's were really big, they sorta got quiet in the LCD/plasma revolution. But anyway, if TCL == RCA, I might end up choosing this TV. Target & BB have a Samsung this size on Black Fri for 328$, and it looks like Toshibas and Samsungs this size in general are the deal at 320ish this year - an extra fifty bucks off for the TCL is almost enough for a bluray player to go with it on Black Fri (yep, really). =) « Show Less
953939
I have found lower quality resolution with Netflix streaming wirelessly than I get with Amazon using the same speed and config. I have a BluRay player attached that has wireless that I plan to try to see if it is better but I don't think it is the connection since I can stream HD from Amazon and get a totally crisp picture. I have a 10mb connection.UPDATE:As mentioned above I did try streaming Netflix through my Sony BluRay to see if the connection was better. It may have been very marginally better, but did not solve the recurring pixelation problem. In my case at 10mb it may be partially a speed problem. I plan to upgrade to 60 or 90 in the next few weeks and will post another update after that as well. I have found lower quality resolution with Netflix streaming wirelessly than I get with Amazon using the same speed and config. I have a BluRay player attached that has wireless that I plan to try to see if it is better but I don't think it is the connection since I can stream HD from Amazon and get a totally crisp picture. I have a 10mb connection.UPDATE:As mentioned above I did try streaming Netflix through my Sony BluRay to see if the connection was better. It may have been very marginally better, but did not solve the recurring pixelation problem. In my case at 10mb it may... » Read More I have found lower quality resolution with Netflix streaming wirelessly than I get with Amazon using the same speed and config. I have a BluRay player attached that has wireless that I plan to try to see if it is better but I don't think it is the connection since I can stream HD from Amazon and get a totally crisp picture. I have a 10mb connection.UPDATE:As mentioned above I did try streaming Netflix through my Sony BluRay to see if the connection was better. It may have been very marginally better, but did not solve the recurring pixelation problem. In my case at 10mb it may be partially a speed problem. I plan to upgrade to 60 or 90 in the next few weeks and will post another update after that as well. « Show Less