Roku HD with DSL I am trying to decide if I should buy the Roku HD. I already changed to basic cable, as it was too expensive, and I switched to a Verizon DSL connection. FIOS is not offered here yet. I currently watch Netflix through my Wii, but the picture quality isn't great. If I buy this unit for 2 HD tv's and purchase HDMI cables, will the picture quality be better or is my internet to slow? I'm not having any problems with streaming through Wii, but I would like to get HULU PlUS if this unit will work. Thank you for any help you can offer. Roku HD with DSL I am trying to decide if I should buy the Roku HD. I already changed to basic cable, as it was too expensive, and I switched to a Verizon DSL connection. FIOS is not offered here... » Read More Roku HD with DSL I am trying to decide if I should buy the Roku HD. I already changed to basic cable, as it was too expensive, and I switched to a Verizon DSL connection. FIOS is not offered here yet. I currently watch Netflix through my Wii, but the picture quality isn't great. If I buy this unit for 2 HD tv's and purchase HDMI cables, will the picture quality be better or is my internet to slow? I'm not having any problems with streaming through Wii, but I would like to get HULU PlUS if this unit will work. Thank you for any help you can offer. « Show Less
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Go to speedtest Dot Net on the web and run a speed test. If over 1.5mbps then you are good to go Roku. 1.25mbps is sort of borderline. Anything lower down to about 0.6mbps will work but never in HD. They will work with the lower speeds but never upshift to HD.
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You might have a problem with setting up for some of the programs without FOI's. Some channels such as NatGeo and ESPN it will ask for a code. Through you phone onto their website and type in the code. You have to choose from a list of providers, and Verizon DSL is not listed. I'm experiencing this now after purchasing the Roku because FOI's is not available in my area.
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Hi Kavannah. I use mine with netflix, Amazon prime and anything else that comes along. The picture is great as is the sound. My pc runs on DSL, IE8, Win7 and I have had no problems except one. On Roku, you don't have an option to use .net, it needs to be a .com link when you go online or sometimes it doesn't work. I switched my account from myfairpoint.net to my gmail.com account and have no more problems. Hope this helps. JoAnn
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Linn, I currently have an XDS in use (The HD-XR is a "backup"). Essentially, as far as I know the HD-XR specs and "innards" are identical to the XDS (save the extra "real" component cable connections and bigger case; see Roku website for spec sheet page). Speaking of slow internet connections, you've got to have at least 2Mbps speed to get "two dots" viewable resolution (out of four dots; I have &gt;4Mbps to reach "four dots" max resolution consistently). So in a way, it does "buffer", with a "progress bar" on screen...on those unusually rare "slow days" on i.e. Netflix (I am basing it on the identical specs of XDS & XD-HR). James
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I returned my ROKU 2 and kept the older Roku HD. When I called tech support about use with PlayOn I was told there was a "firmware issue" with Roku 2.... If you pay for Netflix and Hulu Plus, I don't think you'll have a problem with either Roku original or Roku 2, but if you use Playon, the older one is better.
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I have used this product with verizon fios, and it will not work with a digital cable box. I was however able to get it to work with a standard SD box. The ones that give you no guide info etc. just Basic cable. This is also limited by the length of the Cat6 you are using. I was having issues with the signal until I took an additional 10 feet off of the cat 6 then it worked fine. The run was roughly 65 feet, from the splitter to the wall port. With cat 5 your going to less distance.Basically this product is one of those, just try it and hope it works out if all you have going to the location is cat 5 or 6. Otherwise figure out a way to get coax there. I have used this product with verizon fios, and it will not work with a digital cable box. I was however able to get it to work with a standard SD box. The ones that give you no guide info etc. just Basic cable. This is also limited by the length of the Cat6 you are using. I was having issues with the signal until I took an additional 10 feet off of the cat 6 then it worked fine. The run was roughly 65 feet, from the splitter to the wall port. With cat 5 your going to less distance.Basically this product is one of those, just try it and hope it works out if all you have going to... » Read More I have used this product with verizon fios, and it will not work with a digital cable box. I was however able to get it to work with a standard SD box. The ones that give you no guide info etc. just Basic cable. This is also limited by the length of the Cat6 you are using. I was having issues with the signal until I took an additional 10 feet off of the cat 6 then it worked fine. The run was roughly 65 feet, from the splitter to the wall port. With cat 5 your going to less distance.Basically this product is one of those, just try it and hope it works out if all you have going to the location is cat 5 or 6. Otherwise figure out a way to get coax there. « Show Less
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Read my Cutting the cable cord guide. I canceled cable over a year ago. It's not for everyone. Live sports nuts wouldn't be able to do it easily, but others should manage fine. Even most new TV shows are accessable the next day for purchase via Amazon's Video On Demand Service. I have 3 new shows I subscribe to via this service at $1.89 an episode. Still far cheaper than the $70 a month I was paying for cable. I could buy a New Roku every month for what cable was costing me. Now I can afford other things. I would suggest trying the Roku and seeing what all is available.
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You can use Apple TV, roku or any other TV watching modules. Just make sure you have internet and a wifi router. My Verizon fios router works for streaming but just make sure your router allows for proper bandwidth to allow the speed and size of wifi signals you need to support all of your devices.
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If you're a big sports watcher, you're going to have a bad time with the Roku, there just isn't much available unless you are a cable/satellite subscriber. The only thing you can do is get an HD antenna and watch sports on your local channels. If you don't care about that, then you should totally feel good about ditching cable. We did it, and if we want to watch a new show, we just buy it on Amazon, Vudu, Google, or you can pay for Hulu and get a lot of stuff. We cut the television bill in half (looking at the entire year) by going this route.
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Roku 3 have: higher price tag, faster processor speed, USB port, only hd (hdmi only), ethernet port, ... But the same content.Roku 2 works fine only WiFi, no USB, rca sd output, both have headphone Jack in the remote control, for wireless listening. This us a conflict solver at bedroom ;-)
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From what I saw on another page, from TP Link: Though the speed of the Ethernet port is limited to 100mbps, the data transmission and receiveing between the devices will be approximitaley 500mbps, given the integrity of the circuit. Someone else posted that essentially if you add more than 2 of these in your house, the combined bandwidth could be up to 500mb. In my case, I had a near-wifi dead zone (1 bar, Amazon prime wouldn't stream), and after adding this, and a wifi router I turned into an AP, I can now stream Amazon prime without any issues, via ethernet to my roku, and wifi on my other devices gets MUCH better signal. In short, if you only plan to get 2 of these, you shouldn't need the 500mb ones. If you plan to setup 3+ over your house, and you have a gigabit router already, then go that route. I got these b/c at the time, they were the same price as the 200mb ones. Good luck w/ your purchase!
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I just received the one I ordered and I had ordered it because you could also watch Netflix, etc., but I didn't notice that it wasn't a wi-fi like my Wii is. I have a wireless router for my Wii but its back in the room with my computer and the blu ray player is in the living room. I can't have a long cable laying all over to trip over. Ha. Unless I can get it to work with an ethernet adapter or something I will just use it as a player. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't notice you had to connect an ethernet cord. Not very convenient. Well I could buy an ethernet bridge for $99 but then I may as well have gotten the BD 390 with the wi-fi on it because its gonna cost about as much. I just received the one I ordered and I had ordered it because you could also watch Netflix, etc., but I didn't notice that it wasn't a wi-fi like my Wii is. I have a wireless router for my Wii but its back in the room with my computer and the blu ray player is in the living room. I can't have a long cable laying all over to trip over. Ha. Unless I can get it to work with an ethernet adapter or something I will just use it as a player. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't notice you had to connect an ethernet cord. Not very convenient. Well I could buy an ethernet bridge for $99 but then... » Read More I just received the one I ordered and I had ordered it because you could also watch Netflix, etc., but I didn't notice that it wasn't a wi-fi like my Wii is. I have a wireless router for my Wii but its back in the room with my computer and the blu ray player is in the living room. I can't have a long cable laying all over to trip over. Ha. Unless I can get it to work with an ethernet adapter or something I will just use it as a player. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't notice you had to connect an ethernet cord. Not very convenient. Well I could buy an ethernet bridge for $99 but then I may as well have gotten the BD 390 with the wi-fi on it because its gonna cost about as much. « Show Less
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@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
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Hi Sara. No, you will just connect the Roku to (1) your home internet via a wireless internet connection and (2) your tv. Everything the Roku supports such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc. streams thru the roku to the tv. Hope this helps.
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The Roku is so simple that it can't be much more "user friendly". We never have wireless connection problems and the router is on another floor of the home."You [seldom] get what you pay for" really.No offense intended, but we really like our Roku HD.Have fun.
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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)
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yeah, i got myself a $5 HDMI cable on amazon too, it works greatbut i will give you a short comparison between component and HDMIcomponent: transmits 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i signals (no 1080p), and videos only - no audio. and it does not support up-converted SD-DVD content, so SD-DVD can only be outputed as 480p maxHDMI: transmits both audio and video in 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 1080p/24. it supports up-converted SD-DVD video (and trust me it actually does look better). in all the above output format. so go for HDMI. it is also the future connection, in about a decade (very possibly a lot shorter) all connections will be in HDMI, or a more advanced connection. yeah, i got myself a $5 HDMI cable on amazon too, it works greatbut i will give you a short comparison between component and HDMIcomponent: transmits 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i signals (no 1080p), and videos only - no audio. and it does not support up-converted SD-DVD content, so SD-DVD can only be outputed as 480p maxHDMI: transmits both audio and video in 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 1080p/24. it supports up-converted SD-DVD video (and trust me it actually does look better). in all the above output format. so go for HDMI. it is also the... » Read More yeah, i got myself a $5 HDMI cable on amazon too, it works greatbut i will give you a short comparison between component and HDMIcomponent: transmits 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i signals (no 1080p), and videos only - no audio. and it does not support up-converted SD-DVD content, so SD-DVD can only be outputed as 480p maxHDMI: transmits both audio and video in 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 1080p/24. it supports up-converted SD-DVD video (and trust me it actually does look better). in all the above output format. so go for HDMI. it is also the future connection, in about a decade (very possibly a lot shorter) all connections will be in HDMI, or a more advanced connection. « Show Less
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The ROKU 2 HD comes with a composite (R,Y,W) cable... if you want to watch in HD you will need to purchase a separate HDMI cable. I wonder if there is a HDMI hub where multiple HDMI devices can be connected to one port on your TV.