Roku - Internet TV made Simple, Easy, and Fun on the Cheap!

Let’s face it.  Watching TV has become more complicated over the past decade.  It doesn’t seem too long ago when there were only a few shows worth watching all of which were on the major 3 networks.  A TV wasn’t flat it was curved and worth fixing if it broke.  Today we have hundreds of channels and thousands of shows.  TV’s now have Internet capabilities and now 3D is the next ‘big thing’.  Many of us don’t watch TV in a linear fashion, we DVR and skip the commercials.  Life is good.  Most agree, watching TV is better than it used to be.

Enter Internet TV, yet another technology improvement you should consider.   I have already written about switching from DirecTV to Internet TV and testing some various hardware/software solutions to make it so.  The xbox360 and Google TV solutions have been reviewed.  In sum, both are good but unnecessarily complicated if one is only interested in doing the Internet TV basics.  The Roku box is simple to use, easy to connect, and makes Internet TV fun.  I found myself USING the Roku not fiddling with it like the Google TV or Xbox360.  After about 2 months’ worth of testing, I would like to share my findings with you:

Setup:

By far the easiest device I have ever hooked up to my home network.  Physically, plugging the connections into the back of the box and plugging it in was the most strenuous part.  If you can add a wireless printer or laptop up to the Internet, you shouldn’t have a problem.  The Roku found my wireless network, I entered the WAP key, it connected, updated, rebooted, and started up. 

Connections on the back give you the ability to hook up that old curvy CRT TV via composite and RCA jacks or your newest 55” LED TV with 3D capabilities.

Getting Started:

A TV, Roku box, and fast Internet connection are really the only minimum requirements.  However, I suggest a Netflix account and Hulu Plus especially if you plan to drop your subscription TV provider out of the mix.  Otherwise, it is like buying a car without A/C if that is even possible anymore.  Netflix and Hulu Plus are the main drivers of the usefulness of the Roku experience. 

Hulu Plus:

Most of us know about or already subscribe to Netflix.  In fact, in a recent catt.com poll 23% of you use Netflix today.  So what is Hulu Plus?  Like Netflix, Hulu Plus is a subscription based service for $7.99/mo.  Usage is unlimited but is geared towards TV shows not movies.   It gives you access to every episode of some of your favorite TV shows including the current and older seasons.  Here is a link to some of the content currently available: http://www.hulu.com/plus#content  

Other Content:

In addition to Netflix and Hulu Plus, Roku offers hundreds of free and paid subscription channels in which you can create your own program guide much like digital cable users can setup “favorite” channels within the menu.  For example, Amazon VOD, MLB.TV, Pandora, Blip.TV, Drive-in Classics, UFC, NASA, Radio Stations, News Casts, Sirius/XM, more.  http://www.roku.com/roku-channel-storeThere is literally over a 100,000 titles to choose from.

The Experience:

What is so neat about the Roku is the mix between the power of the content and simplicity of the use.  For example, there is no need to DVR anything with this box.  All content is on demand.  Having to store content on a physical hard disk is so 2005.  With a powerful Internet connection,  you access the video from the Internet cloud.  The faster the connection, the more seamless the experience.  Finally, an application that can really stress a powerful Internet connection.   Add another box in the house and you effectively double your need for speed.

The remote control is so easy to use.  It fits nicely in my hand and after using it a few days, I no longer have to look down to use it.  Solid ergonomics are built right into the hardware and software of this platform.  It is the ‘every man’s’ Internet TV box.

In Sum:

If you want simple, easy, and fun on the cheap you cannot go wrong with the little Roku.  It is a solid platform to get you started with Internet TV and starts at just $59.99 for the box.  The only down side is the media center capabilities.  If you wish to play your own music, videos, and pictures off the home network, this box isn’t for you.  Otherwise, it is perfect for the ‘newbie’ or ‘power user’ in the home.  Some of our more technical people here at RTC use and love the box.  So, just because it is simple doesn’t mean it is ‘Mickey Mouse’.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Coming soon is a review on the WD TV Live Plus and Apple TV.  Thanks for reading and stay tuned!