anyone have roku 3?

[OBLAMA2009]

do you recommend it. can you get things like network tv, cnn and espn, and if you have to pay for them how much do they charge? you cant web surf of roku can you?

 

[sgrinavi]

I have a Roku 2 & 3 -

I mostly watch Amazon Prime on them, but there are many more to choose from

I liked the first one so much I bought a second, so, yeah I would recommend it.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

I have a Roku 2 & 3 -

I mostly watch Amazon Prime on them, but there are many more to choose from

I liked the first one so much I bought a second, so, yeah I would recommend it.

im looking at that link you posted. you can really get things like foxbusiness and cnn for free? are those channels literally live streamed versions of what you would get on, say cable, or are they just selected stories you can watch link on youtube?

 

[Red Storm]

Question on the Roku 3. Can you stream video from an Android phone to the Roku? I'm able to do this with the Apple TV and it's a very nice and convenient feature to have.

 

[zerogear]

Question on the Roku 3. Can you stream video from an Android phone to the Roku? I'm able to do this with the Apple TV and it's a very nice and convenient feature to have.

Not built in, but you can do it through this:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jigawattlabs.rokujuice&hl=en

 

[Ravynmagi]

I love my Roku 3. But I have two complaints with it.

First complain is no keyboard support at all. It even has a USB port, but you can't plug in a keyboard and no bluetooth keyboard support. It's pretty lame having to enter searches with the onscreen keyboard. One work around is the Roku app for Android/iOS, you can use that as a keyboard, but it's not as convenient or easy as a real keyboard would be. No idea why Roku left this out.

Another complaint is the wireless seems to be a bit flakey for some of us. When I come back to my Roku 3, it won't reconnect to wireless automatically. And there is no easy way to reconnect from the network menu, it prompts me to re-enter my network information, which is a PITA without a keyboard. But if I just unplug the Roku and plug it back in, it once again finds my wireless network. Which brings up another minor complaint, there is no reboot option in the Settings. So when the wireless flakes out, I have to get up and physically unplug it. I see from Roku's support forums there are a few of us with this issue and Roku hasn't given any solutions yet, maybe it's just faulty hardware and I should RMA it, not sure yet.

Other than lack of keyboard support and intermitten wireless problems, I really like the Roku 3 a lot and think it's a great value for $100. I use it a heck of a lot more than my Apple TV now. And the apps are MUCH easier to use on the Roku than the Apple TV (Apple TV apps are horribly designed POS).

 

[seepy83]

Not built in, but you can do it through this:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jigawattlabs.rokujuice&hl=en

Twonky Beam is another App that will stream android to Roku. Not sure how it compares to Roku Juice...this is the first I've heard of it.

 

[sgrinavi]

im looking at that link you posted. you can really get things like foxbusiness and cnn for free? are those channels literally live streamed versions of what you would get on, say cable, or are they just selected stories you can watch link on youtube?

I havn't watched any news stations on the Roku's so I couldn't say. I really just use it for the commercial free stuff.

 

[Ravynmagi]

im looking at that link you posted. you can really get things like foxbusiness and cnn for free? are those channels literally live streamed versions of what you would get on, say cable, or are they just selected stories you can watch link on youtube?

Most of the cable channels that have channel apps on Roku are really just advertisements. I can't remember what I saw specifically on CNN or Fox News, but I believe they just had a handful of short news videos. SyFy has a channel, it's just short advertisements for it's shows. These channels don't show any live content or any full episodes of anything, they are all just profoundly disappointing.

 

[Joe1986]

It's great for streaming Hulu Plus and Netflix, the news not so much, sometimes a company will have a live feed, the Huffington Post live streamed the election, most of the news is available as bits and pieces, they don't want to upset their cable carriers.

Depending on your phone, I'd suggest getting an MHL capable cradle/cable and use that feature on your Android phone instead of the Roku. Pair a BT keyboard/mouse to it.

I find the Roku's less stable than Apple TV, but have much more content. I use(d) both, just built a HTPC and use it instead now. I just started tinkering with an MHL cradle for my Note 2, it's an interesting alternative.

You can put together a cheap HTPC or re task an older PC/notebook and get much more free content than with Roku.

 

[RedRooster]

Nowhere TV was pretty decent when I had my Roku 2. It streamed some live feeds, don't ever remember trying CNN though.
The USTVNow app was my favorite for network TV.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

Why the hell did they leave out optical audio!? Stupid.

 

[zerogear]

Why the hell did they leave out optical audio!? Stupid.

Because HDMI transports audio?

 

[Joe1986]

You can look at the channels on their website: www.roku.com

I used mine for about a year prior to building an HTPC, I strongly recommend going with a PC based solution instead: http://www.newegg.com/Mini-Booksize-...ategory/ID-309

 

[ND40oz]

I have two Roku 3's and an ATV3, dumped the ATV for a Roku. Use it mainly for Plex, but also stream netflix and amazon prime with it. Did the whole HTPC thing for years, depends on what you want but for my needs it works well.

 

[HeXen]

Some TV's now have Netflix..etc built in. I tried to go the HTPC route but Netflix was kinda a pita as only WMC seems to provide proper support. everything else requires way too much setup and scripts..etc. As far as making a fully functional device that can be used with just a remote and gamepad for games. The mouse remotes suck.

It was far easier to just connect a PS3. Plug n play and I got Netflix and games.

You can look at the channels on their website: www.roku.com

I used mine for about a year prior to building an HTPC, I strongly recommend going with a PC based solution instead: http://www.newegg.com/Mini-Booksize-...ategory/ID-309

So how's the interface on that? I mean what does it use? WMC?
Ease and functionality of the interface is #1 imo. WMC is just ok but limited.

 

[zerogear]

I personally trashed my HTPC for BoxeeBox then dumped BoxeeBox when they stopped software support for Roku 3.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

Because HDMI transports audio?

This requires a HDMI switching amp though, assuming you're using an amp obviously.

 

[Joe1986]

Some TV's now have Netflix..etc built in. I tried to go the HTPC route but Netflix was kinda a pita as only WMC seems to provide proper support. everything else requires way too much setup and scripts..etc. As far as making a fully functional device that can be used with just a remote and gamepad for games. The mouse remotes suck.

It was far easier to just connect a PS3. Plug n play and I got Netflix and games.



So how's the interface on that? I mean what does it use? WMC?
Ease and functionality of the interface is #1 imo. WMC is just ok but limited.

I just use the browser, all the major content providers have free content on their website, and you can just go to Hulu (for free) Netflix, Amazon, Youtube, etc. WMC is ok, I have a networked tuner for recording OTA content and WMC is one of the simplest ways to use that content.

I find the Roku experience buggy & laggy, Apple TV is too limited in content. A PC based streaming solution is so much more versatile.

 

[bearxor]

I personally trashed my HTPC for BoxeeBox then dumped BoxeeBox when they stopped software support for Roku 3.

Followed a similar route. Trashed my HTPC with 4 ClearQAM and 1 CableCard tuner for DirecTV and BoxeeBox when it became clear that Microsoft has no intention of doing anything on the HYPC front. Since then, however, the CableCard market exploded when MS opened up to aftermarket tuners. If they released those USB DTV tuners, I'd go back.

Tried a Roku 3 to replace the BoxeeBox and walked away completely disappointed.

If you want to stream Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, then it's the best choice though.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

I am done with the frustrations of a Linux tuner-equipped HTPC so am looking at all the alternatives. Roku + Blu-ray player seems logical but I'd be missing YouTube and Google Music.

It seems a Windows PC is still the best choice. Unfortunately.

 

[Thegonagle]

I have the Roku 2 XS, Roku's previous top of the line.

It's nice for what it is, but it's mostly just a web streamer. The 2 XS doesn't have a web browser app. The 2 XS and the 3 feature a remote control that doubles as a game controller, but gaming is more of an afterthought. (My 2 XS came with Angry Birds, and I bought a Pac-Man rehash that's kind of fun for a few dollars. I don't play often.)

 

[HeXen]

I am done with the frustrations of a Linux tuner-equipped HTPC so am looking at all the alternatives. Roku + Blu-ray player seems logical but I'd be missing YouTube and Google Music.

It seems a Windows PC is still the best choice. Unfortunately.

Or used PS3. Dunno about Google music on PS3 though, never heard of it actually.

 

[cliftonite]

I have one setup for my mom for some Indian TV subscription. Pain free/hassle free and saving hundreds per year vs dish/directtv.

 

[Silenus]

This requires a HDMI switching amp though, assuming you're using an amp obviously.

Then if your not using an HDMI switching amp...you send HDMI to the TV, and use the optical (or other digital) OUTPUT of the TV go back to the amp. That was how it was done before HDMI switching amps were common.