Roku 2 xs 59.99+3.86 after coupon

Quote from Bdubslawman : Tiger direct had it for $49 AR about a month ago. It lasted a day or part of before they raised the price to $59AR. Unless of course the $19-$30 Chinese Ebay deals actually pan out. Or I hope they add a $10 MIR to this TD deal before too long.

yes, it was 1SAD for $49.99 + $5 shipping but TD's one was $49.99 with $10 rebate

Yupptv is no longer supported for Roku ..!!!

This thing is garbage compared to my 2 year old WDTV, I was hoping I get something better, but its WAY worse and GEARED towards making money for ROKU not giving you service, I just got it from BB using the $50 off and its going back before the 30 days.

Pros:

• Has a Cute Remote
• Does Netflix

Cons:

• As soon as you turn it on it requires you to give them a credit card. No it WONT work without giving them a credit card (even iTunes works without a CC now)
• Doesnt read files off your shared network folders or NAS (no basic Samba that WDTV does with ease, even Android has some Samba support with File Explorer app).
• Does not have DLNA support
• Lots of "free channels" that show GARBAGE 99c store type of movies in SD quality, very unwatchable.
• Tricks you by showing you Angry Bird as an app. Has no other games in the so called CHANNEL store.
• When you plug in a USB disk it does not show up on your network (it does with WDTV so you can copy files to it without disconnecting the USB and plugging it back to your PC)

Quote from Vinny2006 : I read that about Plex. I am not sure if I want to turn my PC into a Plex media server. I have a NAS with some movies on it and can watch them from my DLNA blu ray players. I just want to be able to do the same with this without having to do anything else like turning my PC into a Plex server. May look at the WD stuff instead.

This thing EXACTLY doesnt do that. I was tricked into thinking it has WIFI so at least can read from shared folders on my NAS (forget DLNA and PLEX, I dont want to have a PC running 24/7, simple Samba works with/without a PC on a simple standard NAS).

I was disgusted by the fact that I had to go to their website and give my credit card before I could even turn this thing on. Darn, netflix even gives you a month free and has TONS of content compared to this thing.

At ROKU they threw together a bunch of crappy channels (590 of them) mixed with a couple of good stuff (Netflix, Angry Birds, Pandora) and called it a day hoping people get dragged into the good stuff and pay them to use the garbage other channels.

Very pissed at using my $50 Mastercard coupon on this POS.

Quote from pmuser : They can always share your netflix account

Only 2 devices.

This is good for mounting behind a wall mounted tv as it is small and has built in wireless. I use it basically for Netflix for the kids. I have never been able to get it to play MKVs from a hard drive plugged into the USB even though everyone swears it will. The WD Live in my basement plays way more files (including MKVs), but the user interface on the Roku is better. I've heard PLEX works great for MKVs, but I installed that on the computer and could not figure out how to play them via the Roku (my own ignorance).

For $8 a month I'll never share my Netflix password again as it can only be used by two devices at the same time. When kids watching a movie and grandpa watching something 2,000 miles away, We could not use it upstairs. I reset the password and told grandpa to get his own subscription.

I wouldn't call it garbage. It serves a purpose for the people who don't already have a media streamer or another device that supports Netflix. I like the small footprint and use an IR blaster to control it with my Logitech RF remote. I use it as a secondary Netflix streamer in another room that is not our primary media room. That said, I wouldn't use it as my only streamer.

As for supporting streaming from your NAS, Plex is pretty much your best choice. You can run the Plex Media Server using downloadable packages on Synology, ReadyNAS, ASUSTOR, unRAID, and QNAP. I have a PC that is on 24/7 so I run Plex from there.

Quote from Brooklynite : This thing is garbage compared to my 2 year old WDTV, I was hoping I get something better, but its WAY worse and GEARED towards making money for ROKU not giving you service, I just got it from BB using the $50 off and its going back before the 30 days. Pros: Has a Cute Remote Does Netflix Cons: As soon as you turn it on it requires you to give them a credit card. No it WONT work without giving them a credit card (even iTunes works without a CC now) Doesnt read files off your shared network folders or NAS (no basic Samba that WDTV does with ease, even Android has some Samba support with File Explorer app). Does not have DLNA support Lots of "free channels" that show GARBAGE 99c store type of movies in SD quality, very unwatchable. Tricks you by showing you Angry Bird as an app. Has no other games in the so called CHANNEL store. When you plug in a USB disk it does not show up on your network (it does with WDTV so you can copy files to it without disconnecting the USB and plugging it back to your PC)

I couldn't disagree more. I had a WDTV live plus for 3 weeks before I couldn't stand the slow buggy apps and HDMI handshake issues. Switched to a Roku and haven't looked back.

The "cute" remote is bluetooth which is quite convenient and far better than the WDTV equivalent. You also forgot to mention it has far more channels with free content than WDTV does and HBO Go. The integrated search all feature is pretty unique as well.

Different strokes...

what's the difference btw 3100R and 3100B?

Quote from nemmy : yes, it was 1SAD for $49.99 + $5 shipping but TD's one was $49.99 with $10 rebate

I bought one from 1SaleADay a few weeks ago when it was on sale. Well, it PSOD'd right out of the box and wouldn't play a single video. Fortunately, it has a refurb warranty. So, after an hour on chat w/ Roku support, they agree to send me a new one. So, now I just have to send this one back, and wait another 3 weeks for another one...which may very well be a junk refurb w/ the same issues...I guess only time will tell. Read 1SaleADay's fine print...they take no returns...

Econo (4-9 days, residential only) -- Estimated Delivery Tue, Feb 05, 2013 [$4.16]

Quote from mrjlturner : I bought one from 1SaleADay a few weeks ago when it was on sale. Well, it PSOD'd right out of the box and wouldn't play a single video. Fortunately, it has a refurb warranty. So, after an hour on chat w/ Roku support, they agree to send me a new one. So, now I just have to send this one back, and wait another 3 weeks for another one...which may very well be a junk refurb w/ the same issues...I guess only time will tell. Read 1SaleADay's fine print...they take no returns...

Fortunately refurb warranty on Rokus equals that of new unit (3mo?). WTH is PSOD?! Did you mean you only get a purple or green screen and nothing else pops within 2 minutes? If you were doing HDMI, maybe the TV is really old and does not support HDCP, can you try different kind of connection. Btw, i think Roku HQ ships everything priority mail (or better).

You do not have to supply a credit card number. All you had to do was a quick google. You can call Roku and activate it over the phone without A CREDIT CARD. I have three of them and two old and one Roku 2 XS. I've never used a credit card.

Quote from Brooklynite : This thing is garbage compared to my 2 year old WDTV, I was hoping I get something better, but its WAY worse and GEARED towards making money for ROKU not giving you service, I just got it from BB using the $50 off and its going back before the 30 days. Pros: Has a Cute Remote Does Netflix Cons: As soon as you turn it on it requires you to give them a credit card. No it WONT work without giving them a credit card (even iTunes works without a CC now) Doesnt read files off your shared network folders or NAS (no basic Samba that WDTV does with ease, even Android has some Samba support with File Explorer app). Does not have DLNA support Lots of "free channels" that show GARBAGE 99c store type of movies in SD quality, very unwatchable. Tricks you by showing you Angry Bird as an app. Has no other games in the so called CHANNEL store. When you plug in a USB disk it does not show up on your network (it does with WDTV so you can copy files to it without disconnecting the USB and plugging it back to your PC)

Quote from Brooklynite : This thing EXACTLY doesnt do that. I was tricked into thinking it has WIFI so at least can read from shared folders on my NAS (forget DLNA and PLEX, I dont want to have a PC running 24/7, simple Samba works with/without a PC on a simple standard NAS). I was disgusted by the fact that I had to go to their website and give my credit card before I could even turn this thing on. Darn, netflix even gives you a month free and has TONS of content compared to this thing. At ROKU they threw together a bunch of crappy channels (590 of them) mixed with a couple of good stuff (Netflix, Angry Birds, Pandora) and called it a day hoping people get dragged into the good stuff and pay them to use the garbage other channels. Very pissed at using my $50 Mastercard coupon on this POS.

Could you be more subjective about a product than this. It reminds me of an Intel vs AMD or AMD vs NVidia debate.

1ST, don't you have a rebate card lying around that has a valid expiration date on it? Plug that one in. When I signed up up Sony Blu-Ray Players or my Samsung HTIB/Blu-Ray players they all wanted a CC, and like Roku they had no problem accepting a rebate card that have all expired now to set things up. I've never PAID a cent to Roku for a channel, nor Samsung or Sony for that matter. Sure they could have set it up differently but a SD'er learns the tricks to get around obsticles. Or you could make a 1x use credit card to sign up (like Discover Card).

2nd I could just as easily write the inverse of your article talking about WD enormous channel limitations and lacking in so many categories. WD put it's main focus more on streaming content you already have on your system. ROKU put it's main focus on offering Channels (for example the reason I bought my first Roku (a generation 1 XD - from Radio Shack for $$0~ was for HBO Go & Epix). Those are HUGE for me and many others but WD?? lacks them. The reason I'm looking for a ROKU 2 XD or XS is that I'm having trouble making out the words of some things on Netflix & the new models offer CC's. They also offer VUDU. And while I would never pay $5 for a movie rental our family collectively got a ton of UltraViolet Blu-rays during the $4-$7 Blk Friday blu-ray sales that you can stream through a couple of services one being VUDU. That's not on my current ROKU unfortunately as it's a 2010 model. Additionally Amazon & Hulu Plus (Bing free months)... the list of supported streaming content site grows all the time so as I see it (FOR ME & OTHERS LIKE ME - HUGE ADVANTAGE ROKU!!) Soon their will be Showtime & Cinemax Go apps they're in various stages of trials on PCs for various Cable companies but that's how HBO Go started & now it's widely available. Not sure whether the new models support the full Flixster - mine just has the old version with previews (but it's another Ultra Violet supported streaming my "cloud movies") but I don't see any of that on WD. So for me I found a WD + player @ Sears on clearance for $49.99 (many on SDs got it for $24.99 but I didn't want to risk waiting for it to drop even if it's the older Brad firmware-able one) so I used $15 in SYWRewards & walked out the store with it for $36ish. That I'm going to use mainly as a remote Netflix & a light streamer (because again no HBOGO, No Epix...).

So if I were a dicc, I might say you didn't do your research as to what ROKU 2 XS can do better or has available to it that a WD doesn't and vise versa what a WD player can do that a ROKU 2 can't before you bought it; that's on you, bc it's all on google 100x over.
But you are crazy if you return that ROKU... You would easily be able to sell it for $25 profit on C.L. if you gave the receipt. Depending on how much BB charges for it's Bow tie 3,4,or 5 year warranty on that it might be a nice way to seal the deal telling the person you'll go with them to BB to add that service & print a gift receipt.

Quote from k-y : I wouldn't call it garbage. It serves a purpose for the people who don't already have a media streamer or another device that supports Netflix. I like the small footprint and use an IR blaster to control it with my Logitech RF remote. I use it as a secondary Netflix streamer in another room that is not our primary media room. That said, I wouldn't use it as my only streamer. As for supporting streaming from your NAS, Plex is pretty much your best choice. You can run the Plex Media Server using downloadable packages on Synology, ReadyNAS, ASUSTOR, unRAID, and QNAP. I have a PC that is on 24/7 so I run Plex from there.

I wouldn't even use the term garbage about either the WD Players or the ROKU players unless there was some hardware fault etc. They simply serve two different types of consumers, with a bit of crossover in the middle. The thing about the ROKU is though, you can ADD a Plex server in and get the streaming abilities for your personal content and it works very well. There is NO hack for the WD Players that will give you the stack of premium (free) streaming channels/services that the WD can't or won't get.