Roku HD-XR Player
I recently purchased the Roku HD XR Player so I could wirelessly stream movies from my Netflix account to my man-room TV.
There are an insane amount of commercials and advertisements on TV these days.
This combined with the crappy summer TV re-runs prompted me to try out the new Roku player.
View my pictures below.
-
The Roku HD XR Player allows you to wirelessly stream movies, TV shows, etc. using a wireless router and a Netflix account. This service is “on demand” which means that you can choose to watch any movie or TV show you want, at any time, with the click of a button.
You can also stream other types of programming from the Roku Channel Store.
I also bought the premium cables from the Roku shop.
Click here to buy from the Roku shop or you can purchase the Roku HD-XR Player from Amazon.com.
-
RECOMMENDED FOR THE ROKU HD-XR PLAYER:
FAST INTERNET CONNECTION AND FAST ROUTER This player works with routers using the Wireless N range. Why is this important? The Wireless N range allows for faster data transfer or faster movie streaming. I recently updated my router and purchased the Linksys E3000. You can read my review of the Linksys E3000 here. I highly recommend buying a new router if you are going to purchase this Roku player. A newer router, along with a fast Internet connection, should stream HD video very well.
HDTV The Roku HD-XR Player displays 720p HD video, so a newer HDTV
NETFLIX OR AMAZON If you want to access movies on demand, you will need a Netflix or Amazon Video on Demand account. I went with Netflix because I used them in the past to rent DVDs. The cost for the video on demand service is included with the $8.99/month Unlimited Plan.
-
SET UP AND INSTALL
In just a couple of days, I received the Roku HD-XR Player and premium cables in the mail.
Set up is very simple.
First, connect your player to your wireless router using your SSID and password. Once the Roku player connects it will download and update its software. After updating the software, you can connect the Roku player to your Netflix account. After connecting your Netflix account, you can browse movies, TV shows and other types of programming.
-
QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE
The HD video looks good on my HDTV. Yes, I wish it was 1080p, but overall, it’s pretty good. Most of the older movies look better in 720p because you don’t notice the imperfections.
Streaming starts within a couple of seconds of choosing to Play a selection.
It is also very easy to search and browse for something to watch. In my opinion, the Roku menu is much easier to use than the built in Netflix menu on the Samsung Blu-ray players.
If you pause or stop a video, the Roku player will remember where you left off. Fast forwarding, rewinding and pausing are also very easy.
The Roku remote is very, very simple. I LOVE this. Most remotes these days have too many buttons resulting from feature creep.
Overall, I am happy with the Roku HD XR player. Along with the $8.99/mth Netflix subscription, this player is very affordable and very easy to use.
Click here to buy from the Roku shop or you can purchase the Roku HD-XR Player from Amazon.com.
-
Update: 08/08/2010
It’s been a couple of months and I still love my Roku HD XR player. I watch more programs on the Roku / Netflix than I do on regular cable TV. I still find it very easy to use and have not had any major problems. Occasionally, there is a some trouble loading Netflix but I don’t think that is the Roku’s fault. I have also started to stream Flickr which is a great way to look at images. In a couple weeks I will try out streaming from Amazon.
If you are looking for a great way to stream movies, tv shows, etc., I still recommend the Roku HD XR Player.
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Click an image below to view a larger version of an image.
-
- Roku HD-XR Player
Nikon D90 Camera Kit
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
The only things I’d add to Treye’s detailed directions: If you’re using wireless and have a simultaneous dual-band router like the linksys3000, set up the roku on your 5GHz band. The less crowded 5GHz wireless band offers significantly improved performance over the more common 2.4GHz band, particularly if you have some heavy internet users in your household. My setup is a good 30ft and two walls away from my new linksys3000, and the 5GHz band reaches it effortlessly. Another thing to keep in mind is that roku recommends a minimum 2.0Mbs internet connection–not a problem for you cable modem types, but a stretch for many wireless ISPs. To be safe, better test your connection speed before purchasing the roku. Thanks again, Treye, for your great directions on both the linksys and roku!
You can stream wireless true 1080p from the site VuDu. It’s kind of expensive, $5.99 per movie (you can rent Blu-Ray from Redbox for 2 bucks a night), but it streams in 1080p. My problem is that I only have Roadrunner basic so the I can only count on a consistent download speed from the modem of around 10 mbps, and if network traffic is really heavy it can drop down to 7 or 8 Mbps. VuDu requires a minimum of 10 mbps to stream 1080p.
If the signal drops below 10 Mbps, then you get those annoying waits of several seconds while the buffer reloads every couple of minutes. If you have a faster Internet connection, then you should be good to go. Also my player is a little older and only uses wireless G technology.
I don’t watch enough movies to invest in the additional speed and a new player, but the E3000 did boost my speed so that watching in 720i is excellent now.
I was looking for information on how to connect my external hard drive to the network. I’ve used Linksys for years, and the routers are pretty intuitive. But I have media and a lot of photos on a couple of external drives and I never have connected them to the network. Didn’t see anything on the web site, so I’ll pop in the CD that came with the router and see if there are instructions there. It sounds like you just connect it to the router via the usb port.
What port do you use on the wireless router to connect the roku unit?
Hi Ralph, thanks for reading. I don’t use a port to connect my Roku box. It connects wirelessly to the router.
So no problems using the Roku and the E3000, I have my Roku on the porch waiting for me when I get home.
I haven’t had any problems yet with the Roku. I watch more programs on the Roku than I do on cable TV. Roku has added channels for Netflix, Amazon, Flickr, Vimeo and more. It’s great.
Treye;
I’m having a problem with my HD stream to my Roku.
A movie will start in HD but drops down to SD after a few minutes.
Centurylink is my internet provider and I am paying for up to 10 MBS. The modem is connected to a Belken Mimo G Plus router and my Roku is about 25′ away.
Will a new “N” router give me a better signal?
Yes, it sounds like there might be a speed issue somewhere. I have only streamed HD to my Roku using the N router described in my blog, so I am not sure if the G speed will work as well. My N router along with the extra download speed that I pay for from Time Warner cable seems to work well for HD streaming. Have you confirmed that you are getting the 10MBS download speed from Centurylink? If you have a wireless laptop, you can do this by going to Speakeasy.net
Hello, very interested in all the comments regarding the RoKu unit. I just set mine up here on 10mps centurylink dsl. I am using a d-link 825 router wirless to Roku some 35 feet away with not reception problems so far. I have subscribed to Netflix and some other offerings so far and like what I see. I do wonder if its possible to stream any other internet information through Roku or is it only their proprietary set up that can be used? if anyone knows of anything, it sure would be nice to know…
Thanks for any additional comments you’all may have…