Do you Roku?

[Cockney Rebel]

OK, so Amazon have the Roku XDS on one of their Gold Box deals today.

Is this something we need? Does anyone here own one? Can we slice some $$$ off our cable bill in getting one?

[Kwyjibo]

That's a pretty good deal.  I will say though that it seems there are a lot of devices on the market now that will do similar things.  We bought my MIL a Sony BluRay player that does Netflix, Amazon VOD, Pandora and a bunch of other things for $128 at Sam's.  So for 50 extra bones you can have BluRay too, if you don't already. 

Before someone comes along and points out the glaring differences I will say that I haven't done any extensive side by side comparisons so it's possible the Roku box does some amazing thing that that I'm not taking into account.

[Butter]

We bought my parents one for Christmas.  It was a little sketchy to get set up via WiFi (for example it didn't like the security we placed on their wireless router, so their router is currently running with no password).

But it works like a champ so far.  It has some other content (like HuluPlus which requires an alternate subscription), but I would find it hard pressed to see how you could call it a replacement for cable unless you never watch any new shows.  It has a lot of back catalog TV stuff, but it is also missing a lot of content like newer HBO shows on demand and such.

[Kwyjibo]

It has a lot of back catalog TV stuff, but it is also missing a lot of content like newer HBO shows on demand and such.

Which you could wait six months for and get from Netflix.

HuluPlus is $7.99 a month and does have a lot of current shows on it, such as the Thursday night NBC lineup.

[Cockney Rebel]

We're not thinking of cutting off the cable just cutting it back to save some $$$ and then move some of those $$$ to Hulu/Netflix etc and watch whatever/whenever

Having researched the Roku a little closer I was a little disappointed to find it doesn't play avi's/divX, which is how I nab most of the UK TV shows I get. That's a minus.

All the input is marv though chaps, please do carry on.

[Kwyjibo]

Yeah, the Sony Blu Ray we got doesn't do that either.  I assume it's because anything in those file types is most likely pirated.  Not that I would know anything about that.

To extend the topic a little.  Does anybody use Amazon's Video on Demand service?  Looks to me that if you didn't subscribe to too many shows it could ultimately be cheaper than cable.  But if you do subscribe to several and throw in a Hulu Plus subscription and Netflix I could see how it could add up and not be worth it.

[rva]

It's a device that will be obsolete in a year, if it isn't obsolete already.  But then again, it's only $80 so if you get some good use out of it over the next year, it's no big deal.

[Juliana]

That was my fear as well RVA. 
My mom uses Netflix, and has been thinking about switching over to the online viewing only service since it's cheaper. 
They have a big fancy gigantic HD tv, but it doesn't have the internet access readily available.  My sisters and I have been debating either getting the afformentioned DVD player, a Wii, or a Roku. 

Currently leaning towards the Wii.  It's not that much more than the DVD player, and all the grandkids can play wii with their grandparents, so they'd all love that. 

I'm not convinced that the Blue Ray will be around forever, so I hate to start them down that path.

[Kwyjibo]

I'm not convinced that the Blue Ray will be around forever, so I hate to start them down that path.

A year ago I'd have agreed with you but now that there is so much content for Blu Ray you really can't deny that it's going to stick, at least until something better comes along.

The problem with the Wii is that it ONLY does Netflix, no Hulu, Amazon, Vudu (whatever that is), Pandora, Slacker etc etc.  If they'd come to agreements and put out apps for these other services that'd be great, but I've heard nothing of any plans to do that.  That said, I don't know that your folks need anything other than Netflix either.  Just carrying on the general discussion.

[Kwyjibo]

Another thing I thought of, the Wii is not HD so it's not going to make good use of a big ass HDTV.

[rva]

Yeah, it's really bogus how they have those stupid exclusivity agreements with hardware manufacturers.  I doubt they can do it for much longer, though.  I mean, a cheap, $100 used laptop with wifi will stream anything you want.  Just hook that up to your tv.

I think I'm just going to wait for something like the Logitech Revue (basically webtv 2.0) to fall to around $150 or so, which should happen in 3-6 months.

[Juliana]

yeah, i don't think my parents are trying to get rid of cable, so not having hulu isn't a big deal, unless their DVR forgets to tape something or whatever.  I don't see them using Slacker or Hulu either.

Couldn't a wii, technically anyway, since you can get online, do that stuff anyway, just through the websites?  We've talked about it, but never tested it on ours.

[Cockney Rebel]

Further research and your comments have successfully talked me out of forking out $80 for this unit. I did find a similarish Sony unit that will play divX off a USB stick - that would save the DVDs I burn now - but it was almost $130.

I think I'll continue to ponder our options until such time as a machine comes through that caters for all our needs. The Roku did have TuneIn radio as one of its channels - that appealed I have to say. I've already got that on my iPod Touch and its great for playing all the UK national and domestic radio stations live and without the need for iPlayer or similar.

As always the viewpoint from all angles here on rVille was most MOST useful. Thanks guys.

[Kwyjibo]

Couldn't a wii, technically anyway, since you can get online, do that stuff anyway, just through the websites?  We've talked about it, but never tested it on ours.

Nope, it doesn't support flash or activeX or any other such media playing web-type software.  I know I tried Hulu, it doesn't work, but it was moot, I knew it wouldn't.

[Doug]

Well, hopefully Net Neutrality passes or this whole topic might be moot.