Roku Digital Video Player

April 2009. The Roku Digital Video Player earns kudos as a simple yet elegant way to view streaming video on any TV. Originally introduced as a Netflix-only box for viewing that service's 12,000-title library, recent upgrades have added access to Amazon Video on Demand's massive 40,000-title library and Netflix's higher-quality streaming HD content. Picture quality is not perfect, but more than good enough for spur-of-the moment viewing. Ease of use and reliable, secure Wi-Fi connectivity are other pluses. You can also use a growing number of home-entertainment devices -- including TiVo digital video recorders, the Microsoft Xbox 360 videogame console and some LG and Samsung Blu-ray players -- to stream Netflix content to your TV. Televisions with the necessary hardware are also beginning to appear. Because of usability issues, the 2Wire MediaPoint player (*est. $100) for Blockbuster Online's OnDemand service has not fared nearly as well in reviews. Additionally, videos from Blockbuster Online must be rented individually (*est. $4), though no membership is required and 25 free rentals come with the player.

We found lots of reviews for the Roku Digital Video Player, though some were written before recent upgrades that added Amazon Video on Demand and Netflix streaming HD video to this set-top box. CNET has the best coverage, and includes detailed discussion of how the box works with both Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand. PC World also has up-to-date information on the player. EngadgetHD.com includes the Roku set-top box in a shootout of different ways to bring Netflix streaming HD to a living room TV. Popular Science compares the Roku Digital Video Player with competing video download/set-top box products. PCMag's coverage is a little older, but very comprehensive.