roku streaming video

[DG9]

I just ordered a roku lt streaming video device to play with over the holidays ($49).  Anyone use roku or do any development for one, I may play around with it and try to set up a private channel for fun.

[Slinky]

I bought a Roku 2 XS. I've had it for about 3 weeks now. I needed it to have an Ethernet connection, as multiple people watch video streams in my house. I wired my new house for gigabit Ethernet, so it works well. The UI is a bit clunky, but the remote makes it easy. I really like that the remote is blue tooth, and not IR.

[DG9]

I got it, easy to set up, like it so far.  We're running it wireless (roku lt has no ethernet connection) on a std def tv and the picture is fine.  I signed up as a developer (free) and downloaded the sdk.  Just started playing with the examples included.  They are easy to install from the computer onto the roku device.  Setting up private channels seems pretty straight forward too.   Not sure if there is any market for a niche like this, but I wanted to play with setting up some custom stuff for our own use.  Roku uses BrightScript, a scripting language based on Basic and Roku Objects.   Just doing a little light geeking out for snicks and grins as time permits. 

[benali72]

Could I ask for some info on how roku works? Do you connect it to your TV, router, computer or what? Do you have to purchase a subscription of any kind? Thanks for the info!

[DG9]

See www.roku.com. 

router -> roku device (all are wireless some wired too) -> tv via composite video or hdmi cable

No device subscription (account with cc required though), free and paid services available.  Originally came out to stream NetFlix.

[The Gorn]

Roku allows you to watch and listen to on your TV the kinds of video and streaming media that you could before receive on your computer.

It's like a cable TV or satellite box whose signal source is the internet, not a cable to a cable company or a satellite dish.

You buy the content (shows) from Hulu, NetFlix or other streaming providers.

I've also asked for one (a Roku.)

We looked briefly at Blue Ray/streaming media combination devices and most of the ones that stores have seem to get really bad ratings (they lock up constantly, have different glitches, etc.)

[DG9]

This is my second linux appliance, the first was my ooma box for voip.  So far I like ooma and roku, these little dedicated linux boxes are pretty nifty.  It would be fun to put together something like this if I had a specific purpose in mind.  I may give it some thought...

[Richardk]

This is my second linux appliance, the first was my ooma box for voip.  So far I like ooma and roku, these little dedicated linux boxes are pretty nifty.  It would be fun to put together something like this if I had a specific purpose in mind.  I may give it some thought...

But you can't beat the price unless Roku has some severe limitations or missing features. As an appliance, it seems to be a bargain.

[DG9]

I was thinking of a unique purpose, just as the ooma device has a different purpose from the roku device.  I have always been intrigued by the idea of building a small linux box with dedicated functionality.   

You're right, you can't beat $49-99 for what they offer now IMO.  I want to try the Netflix free trial month and Hulu Plus too.  Looking to cut the cable (tv that is) with an antenna and this set up.

[DarkHumour]

I had one of the WD media boxes and it was great for usb attached media.  I also tried out the third party firmware and a usb2.0 ethernet adapter.  Not user friendly but it was able to stream media from shares on other sources. Mostly a 'proof of concept'.   Later WD came out with one that had ethernet (and now wireless?) included as well as streamable pay content.  I already picked up* a bluray BD590 that has a built in hard drive, ethernet, wireless, and streaming content capability from pay or local sources so I sold my media box for $50.  Right now they choke the bandwidth where I live so Netflix streaming probably adjusts to compensate.

(*This was from two years worth of 'points' on a bank account cashed in for Amazon gift cards). 

The picture quality is decent enough but probably could be less blocky if I had a higher speed.  I haven't suggested settings changes for the property manager to pass on to their outsourced wireless internet techs. (500K instead of 120k limit,  DHCP set to 72 hours instead of 12, etc.)  I need to do that if I am going to be at that joint another three months.  (Early estimate...)

DarkHumour

[DG9]

I'm starting to lose interest already, not enough recent material streaming on netflix or the free channels.   This is why I usually stay away from new toys, I get bored with them too fast.

[Walter Mitty]

I bought a Sony Blu-Ray about a year and a half ago.  We thought we wuold use it almost entirely for watching Discs.  As it turns out, we use it almost entirely with NetFlix and Youtube via the net. 

I  can't confirm the problems that reviewers have reported.  It seems to work just fine for me.  The big problem is that it makes more demands on my limited (DSL) bandwidth than I've ever made with my computers.  I may end up buying more bandwidth, although I've heard bad things about where Verizon is going with DSL. 

[TRexx]

I've heard bad things about where Verizon is going with DSL.

What have you heard? My mother has verizon DSL. It's been pretty stable, except when he local phone service goes out (which happens a lot)

[Walter Mitty]

I lot of what I've heard is that Verizon doesn't care about developing the DSL market.  Therefore, they treat their DSL customers like a "cash cow",  and they treat the people who opt for FIOS like customers they want.  Much of this griping has been in the forums run by Verizon where customers can support each other. I'm amazed at how vitriolic the customers  are.  I guess they expect the network to run 24x365. 


I'm not sure exactly when Verizon has or will make FIOS available in my neck of the woods.  I'm moderately happy with the techinician they sent to my house when my DSL failed.  He diagnosed the problem as due to a DSL router that had gone bad.  This was gear supplied by Verizon,  and I managed to get them to ship me a replacement  for an additional $2.00 a month.  By the end of 24 months, I've bought myself a router.  Oh, well. 

While the tech was here he upgraded my connection so that it ran at a nominal 3.5Mb, but it has gone back to about 1Mb, which is what I think I'm paying for.

 

[TRexx]

That's pretty much what I've heard. They are seriously pushing FIOS around here, but since I am in an area that was outside the old Bell universe, it's not available and probably never will be.  I get my DSL from my local telco which this week is called CenturyLink (before that it was Embarq, Sprint, United Telco and Hunterdon County Telephone)

My nephew worked for Verizon for exactly 1 day selling FIOS in a mall. 100% of the people who expressed interest lived in areas where it wasn't available. Makes it kind of hard to close a sale.