EmailBest Reviewed
Movie Downloads and Rentals
- Best online movie rentals Netflix *Est. $5
- Best set-top box for movie downloads Roku Digital Video Player *Est. $100
- Best quality video downloads Vudu *Est. $150
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Best set-top box for movie downloads
- Inexpensive
- Access to movies from Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand
- Easy to use
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Video quality sometimes suffers
- No way to store moves for offline viewing
- Audio is stereo only
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Average Customer Review
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Great Product; Lousy Content, November 18, 2009I love Gumsmoke; Netflix has Gunsmoke DVD's; it seems a natural for Roku but NO they do not have it.
Perfect Addition to the Video Set Up, November 17, 2009I bought my Roku player the day they announced it and I have loved it ever since. The addition Amazon Video on Demand was nice to because it allowed me to watch Eureka and Psych (we do not have cable so I… miss out on the good SyFy or USA shows). I am looking forward to the addition to the Channel Store and still hoping for Hulu. The High Definition streaming is nice but you must make sure you have a internet connection of 3.5 mps or faster. I have a 3.0 mps connection and it would stop to re-buffer every 10-15 minutes or so. It was annoying so I stick with the normal quality which is quite watchable and cheaper if buying a TV show. Highly recommended.
Live's up to Hype, November 17, 2009Excellent player for Netflix, November 15, 2009I purchased this produce from Amazon a month back. The product arrived in its original box. It was shipped from the Bay Area so I got it the very next day. The setup was pretty simple. I connected it to my… 720P HDTV. I had to manually set the resolution to 720P in the menu though. It connected to the wireless network over WPA Personal, downloaded an update and restarted. I had to set the wireless settings again. I think it erased the old settings when it updates the firmware. Anyway, once it was setup, it works amazingly well. The HD movies were in amazing clarity and without any hitches even over a wireless network connection. I have used the player over a month now and I'm completely satisfied with the product.
I just bought my second Roku!!!!, November 14, 2009I just purchased my second Roku in 2 months. I now have one in the living room and one in the bedroom. I hardly even watch DirectTv anymore. It is easy to setup and use. I love classic tv and movies so the… selection has been great. Before you buy, check out their watch instantly offerings to see if you would watch what they have available. Starz and Showtime have quite a bit of content on it as well. I have ordered Amazon titles and have had no problem. Also make sure you have the right amount of internet download speed to watch the movies. I believe the Roku requires at least 4 mps but don't quote me. I would give it 10 stars if I could. Well worth the price for hours of hassle free entertainment.
Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET has the most comprehensive, up-to-date report on the Roku Digital Video Player. The editors say that it is the least expensive and easiest way to add lots of on-demand video to any TV.
Review: Roku Digital Video Player Review, David Carnoy and John P. Falcone, March 3, 2009
While not as detailed as the report at CNET, this PC World review also does a nice job describing how the Roku Digital Video Player works with both Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand. The addition of Amazon Video on Demand is said to widen the appeal of the box, which is called easy to use and relatively inexpensive.
Review: Roku Digital Video Player, Melissa J. Perenson, March 2, 2009
This shootout looks at how different solutions -- including the Roku Digital Video Player, Xbox 360, TiVo digital video recorder and two different Blu-ray players -- fare at bringing Netflix HD streaming video to a living room TV. Other devices delivered slightly better HD picture quality, says Nilay Patel, but the Roku box is "hard to beat" in terms of value.
Review: Engadget's Netflix HD Streaming Shootout, Nilay Patel, Jan. 19, 2009
4. Popular ScienceDetails/Subscribe
In this three set-top box shootout, reviewer Sean Captain rates the Roku Digital Video Player alongside Apple TV and Vudu. He says he'd enjoy having any -- or all -- in his living room, but that the Roku player wins on the basis of value and convenience. The review was written before some important improvements to both Roku and Vudu were introduced, however.
Review: Battle of the Internet Video Boxes: Netflix vs. Apple TV vs. Vudu, Sean Captain, June 4, 2008
Though this review is a little dated, Tim Gideon does a great job evaluating the Roku Digital Video Player (called the Netflix Player by Roku at that time). Though he wishes more movies were available, he calls the Roku player affordable and easy to use.
Review: Netflix Player by Roku, Tim Gideon, May 20, 2008
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 from Amazon.com New: $199.99 In Stock.
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