New Roku HD-XR And Roku SD Player Unveiled

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Roku announced today for immediate availability two new Roku players. The new Roku SD and Roku HD-XR expand the product lineup to three models.
Now you can choose between three Roku players at price points ($79.99, $99.99, $129.99) on Amazon.com. All Roku players continue to deliver instant entertainment from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand and MLB.TV.

The new Roku HD-XR is the first Netflix-streaming device to embed next generation 802.11n dual-band wireless connectivity.
The Roku HD and HD-XR players feature High Definition streaming capability, connecting directly to any TV using HDMI or Component video (both products also include S-video or Composite video outputs as well). Read more

Posted on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:08:41 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Amazon Video On Demand now also on Roku Player

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Amazon's video streaming service Amazon Video On Demand is now also available on the neat little Roku Player, which initially only supported Netflix.
Amazon Video On Demand currently offers 40,000 movies and TV shows. Netflix offers over 12,000 movies. With the collection of both services you should have enough choice to never leave the couch again in your lifetime. Read more

Posted on Wed, 4 Mar 2009 14:00:00 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku Digital Video Player Gets HD Streaming from Netflix

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The Roku Netflix player has been around for a while now and was the first device to offer streaming of Netflix's online movie catalog direct to your TV. The player received all sorts of praise for its ease of use and performance.

One of the only caveats with the little player was the fact that it wasn't capable of streaming HD films from Netflix, something that competing products like the Apple TV could do. Roku announced today that it has added HD capability to the Roku Netflix player through the addition of advanced compression technology. Read more

Posted on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:39:35 CST | by Shane McGlaun

Roku Netflix Player Review

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The TechLounge published a review of the Roku Netflix Player.
Quote from the review: "It's clear that the shortcomings are all Netflix-based, the greatest of all being selection. They don't have a lot of recent content, and they have a lot of content rated three stars and worse. Often with TV shows, they will have some but not all episodes of a season. But they're adding things constantly, and generally expanding as fast as they can afford to. By the time I thought I'd watched everything I thought was worth my time, I checked again and found an equal quantity of media gems. (Like Jesus Christ: Vampire Hunter. Read more

Posted on Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Netflix Player from Roku is I4U Top 100 Holiday Gift Guide Tip #9

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The $99.99 Netflix Player connects to the internet and gives direct access to 12,000 movies on Netflix that you otherwise have to wait for until the mailman drops a DVD at your house.
You can hook up your TV via HDMI or RCA jacks, S-video and component video to the Roku Player.
The Netflix Player is a great gift for people who cannot plan ahead and forget to rent movies in time for them to arrive before the weekend. Until now they had to go to Blockbusters on Saturday to rent a movie. With the Netflix Player they can stay home where it is safe and cozy. Read more

Posted on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Netflix Player from Roku Uses Linux Tech

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Trolltech announced today that the new Netflix player from Roku utilizes its Qt for Embedded Linux. Qt for Embedded Linux was formerly known as Qtopia Core. The application is designed to allow manufacturers to build devices for one specific purpose.

"As we developed the Netflix Player by Roku we were keenly focused on creating the best possible user experience for Netflix's eight million-plus customers," said Tim Twerdahl, vice president of consumer products, Roku, Inc. "Qt provided us with the tools to implement our elegant and powerful user interface quickly, providing an important time-to-market advantage." Read more

Posted on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:44:53 CDT | by Shane McGlaun

Roku Netflix Player versus Apple TV

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AppleInsider compares the new Roku Netflix movie streaming device to the Apple TV.

Quote: "Like Apple TV, the partnership between Netflix and Roku has given way to a compact box for streaming select movies and TV programs directly to your television. The $100 box serves up unlimited content from Netflix's "Watch Instantly" section as part of the standard subscription price of its DVD by mail service. Read more

Posted on Mon, 2 Jun 2008 14:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku Netflix Player gets praised to the Skies

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Yesterday the Netflix Player by Roku was launched and positively reviewed by several sites. Somehow the hype of the little video streaming box now goes beyond positive reviews and reaches Apple hype levels.

The NY Times calls the Netflix Player the First Shot of the Revolution. Quote: "The future of video is Internet streaming to the television. This is a bold statement, but I think the Netflix Player proves all the essential concepts. If a TV, with a handful of extra chips, can provide an experience as satisfying as the Netflix Player can, why do we need any other form of video distribution?" Read more

Posted on Wed, 21 May 2008 05:31:48 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Netflix Player by Roku Review

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The first Netflix movie streaming player is here and it comes from Roku. We reported that Netflix would also work with LG Electronics and other consumer electronics companies to bring out video streaming boxes.

I did not hear about Roku for a long time. Back in 2004 we reviewed their cool audio streaming device Soundbridge.
It looks like they are back big time with the very promissing Netflix Player. Read more

Posted on Mon, 19 May 2008 23:23:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku and Tatung Internet Radio MP3 Players with HDD Coming

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Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Tatung is partnering with Roku (maker of the SoundBridge) to develop and manufacture wireless Internet-radio MP3 players, which are equipped with hard-disk drives and are able to receive online radio and download paid music.
More details on Digitimes.

Read more

Posted on Tue, 31 May 2005 11:15:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku Soundbridge Customer Photo Gallery

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Roku has setup a gallery of user submitted photos showing their Soundbridge music streaming device.

One photo shows the Roku Soundbridge hacked to keep track of Air hockey standings - nice touch. I still like the looks of the Roku Soundbridge. I also reviewed the Roku SoundBridge M1000 a while back.

Read more

Posted on Thu, 5 May 2005 05:00:00 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

New Roku Soundbridge M500 Wireless Music Streamer

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eHomeUpgrade reports about a new low-cost Roku Labs Soundbridge model the M500.

Quote:
" Roku has just added the SoundBridge M500 to their popular network music player product line. The M500 measures 10-inches wide and 2.37-inches in diameter, uses a 2 line by 40 character TFT display (the other models use Vacuum Flouorescent Displays), and is capable of doing everything its big brothers can. However, what's interesting about this product launch is that the M500 will be sold exclusively at select Radio Shack stores nationwide (available online) for $199 until year end."
More details on eHomeUpgrade. We reviewed the Roku SoundBridge M1000 recently.

Read more

Posted on Thu, 9 Dec 2004 02:02:50 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku SoundBridge with Windows Media Connect Review

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I4U Lab Assistent posing with the SoundBridge.
Roku Labs sent us their SoundBridge M1000 with the new SoundBridge 2.0 software that supports now Microsoft's Windows Media Connect and Windows Media Player 10 for review.
The SoundBridge was already compatible with iTunes. It supports also Napster and other music services.

I had the SoundBridge M1000 running since a couple of weeks now. Read the full review on how the stylish tube performed. I only tested the Soundbridge with Windows Media Connect as there are older reviews out there that tested the wireless music streaming solution with iTunes.
Read our Roku SoundBridge Review.

Read more

Posted on Tue, 23 Nov 2004 10:18:39 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku SoundBridge supports Windows Media Connect

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Roku announces a free software update (2.0) for its wireless music streaming gadgets.

The Roku SoundBridge can now with the new software use Windows Media Connect (download at MS). The wireless network player also supports now Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10 and Windows Media Player 10. Roku SoundBridge complies with the new Microsoft PlaysForSure program, which means that SoundBridge is guaranteed to work seamlessly with all music services that use Windows Media DRM 10 (including Napster, Musicmatch, Walmart.com, and others).
More details on Roku Labs site.

The Roku SoundBridges come in two versions:
Roku SoundBridge M1000 is 10 inches wide x 2.37 inches in diameter and sells for $249.99 (available on Amazon.com) with Wi-Fi, and $199.99 without Wi-Fi. Roku SoundBridge M2000 is 17 inches wide x 2.75 inches in diameter and sells for $499.99.

We have soon Roku SoundBridge here for Review in our I4U Review Center.

Read more

Posted on Wed, 13 Oct 2004 01:58:56 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku HD1000 Digital Media Player Review

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DesignTechnica reviews the Roku HD1000 Digital Media Player - Buy it Now!

"The Roku HD1000 is a product for those that put pictures above audio and video. The HD1000 really shines when it comes to displaying pictures in high-definition resolutions, and still has the basic features most will want when playing back audio files. Those looking for a more advanced digital media receiver may want to stick with the Slim Devices products or even Roku’s SoundBridge product which both are audio-only devices. The Roku HD1000 looks at home in any audio rack and is sure to help you show off that new HDTV television and make it the center of your home theater.

From an all-around perspective, the Roku HD1000 still feels like it’s in a development stage. There are so many possibilities with the HD1000 and we hope that developers take advantage to the open-source operating system. We would like to see more advanced features and audio format compatibility in the future as well as support for Apple iTunes play lists. We are unsure as to what laws and guidelines Roku Labs needs to follow when it comes to playing video content, but we would like to see a stronger presence in this feature as well."
Read Full Review.

Read more

Posted on Wed, 2 Jun 2004 10:04:35 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku Soundbridge Network Music Player

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Roku introduced last year the Roku High Definition Digital Media Player. Now the are announcing slick looking Network Music Player - Roku M1000 and M2000.

The SoundBridge players stream your digital music library from your computer over your wired or wireless home network. It uses the open-source SlimServer software to strema the music. SoundBridge supports most major music formats, including MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, and Ogg Vorbis.
The Roku M2000 has a larger display and is 12 inch long and is priced at $499.99. The M1000 is smaller and measures 10 inch, but is only half as expensive with a price of $249.99. Both devices are currently up for pre-order.

The Roku Network Music Players look better than the Slim Devices SqueezeBox we reported last year about.

Read more

Posted on Tue, 24 Feb 2004 23:04:17 CST | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku HD1000 High-Definition Digital Media Player goes on Sale in October

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Visit I4U Gadget Gallery:
See this Gadget in BIG!

We reported about Roku the new company by the ReplayTV founders couple weeks ago. Amazon.com now lists the Roku HD1000 for pre-order. Shipping starts October 27th. Current price is $499.

The HD1000 can play slideshows, video or music files from its four built-in memory card slots, or play files streamed from a computer via an Ethernet network connection on HDTVs.

Features:

• High-definition media player supports 1080i, 720p, and 480p outputs for optimal viewing on high-definition and HD-ready TVs
• Designed for convenient living room slide shows and MP3/linear PCM music playback from your memory cards or personal computer
• Compatible with Roku Art Packs and LiveArt (not included) for high-definition wall art from still and motion images
• CompactFlash, SD, MMC, Memory Stick, and SmartMedia slots
• Can be networked with your PC through an Ethernet port or Wi-Fi

Posted on Thu, 16 Oct 2003 22:03:51 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr

Roku Media Player - The New Thing From the ReplayTV Founders

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Roku Labs is the new startup of the ReplayTV Founders.

The 20 people startup is developing the Roku HD1000 a digital media player for the living room.
The HD1000 can play slideshows, video or music files from its four built-in memory card slots, or play files streamed from a computer via an Ethernet network connection on HDTVs.
With a price tag of $499, Roku is targeting the high-end consumer, those already spending $3,000 or more on an HDTV set.
More in Yahoo News Story

More technical detail in Roku HD1000 Datasheet

You can pre-order the HD1000 on the Roku Labs Web Site.

The Roku HD1000 goes against other devices like Media Receivers and Media Center PCs that enable users to transmit digital media to their TVs.

Read more

Posted on Mon, 22 Sep 2003 20:41:28 CDT | by Luigi Lugmayr