Apple TV vs. Roku?

[ponyo]

My sister got the Roku finally. I added a few channels and it was pretty nice. I prefer the Apple TV though. I just wish there were more things to do with it.

Have you added Navi-X and IceFilms plugins for XBMC? :sneaky:

 

[Skyye]

Looks like I am a little late to the conversation, I would like to weigh in a little though. Personally I own the Atv2, and while I love it, I do wish I could do more with it. One thing worth noting, like a previous person said, the remote is horrible! I like to use my ipod touch for control, and it works just fine. I did have it hacked at one time, but not anymore. Come to think of it, I don't even know what version of the software is on it. I have heard a lot of good things about the Rouku, and if I needed another such device, I would probably go with it just to try something new.

 

[AnMig]

I hope someone here can help me out or this ROKU box is going back.

I guess did not do much research on the ROKU and assumed that streaming a networked folder where I have most of my movies would be easy.

It was to my horror that this box was not made for this, its mostly to stream internet content. I kind of assumed that a streaming media device would do this natively. I got excited with all the extra channels people where talking about in this forum.

I have googled and realized that this is not a simple task and that it will not read certain files (MKV). Of course a lot of the material I came up is old.

I bought the ROKU XDS, has streaming from a networked folder been fixed?

Does anyone here know of a simple (free) solution to add a networked folder as a channel.

Might get the WD Live if I cant get simple playback from a networked folder to work.

Thanks, again it is my fault for not researching, I assumed this was a basic feature.

Peace

 

[postaled]

Why not just use a media server that can transcode the video files that are not supported?(mkv)

Or will a Roku not recognize a media server?

 

[AnMig]

Why not just use a media server that can transcode the video files that are not supported?(mkv)

Or will a Roku not recognize a media server?

nope, I have PS3 media server running and not even seen by the ROKU

There are a few possible solutions such as Chaneru, ROKSU, Ganebri

One of them you need to install there own media server. I have not had any luck accessing my local shared folder yet. I dont think there is a simple solution.

Will try again tonight and call it quits. Might just return this and get the WD TV LIVE.

Anyone want to trade APPLE TV with XBMC with this new ROKU XDS. Spent up until 2am wacthing "The Last dragon" on ROKU that movie was so funny and campy.

Any one else have easy solution to accessing local network folder?

 

[sciwizam]

AnMig, this might be of use to you. Plex Media Server for Roku.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/plex-media-server-launches-client-for-roku/

http://elan.plexapp.com/2011/05/03/plex-on-the-roku/

 

[amdhunter]

I hope someone here can help me out or this ROKU box is going back.

I guess did not do much research on the ROKU and assumed that streaming a networked folder where I have most of my movies would be easy.

It was to my horror that this box was not made for this, its mostly to stream internet content. I kind of assumed that a streaming media device would do this natively. I got excited with all the extra channels people where talking about in this forum.

I have googled and realized that this is not a simple task and that it will not read certain files (MKV). Of course a lot of the material I came up is old.

I bought the ROKU XDS, has streaming from a networked folder been fixed?

Does anyone here know of a simple (free) solution to add a networked folder as a channel.

Might get the WD Live if I cant get simple playback from a networked folder to work.

Thanks, again it is my fault for not researching, I assumed this was a basic feature.

Peace

WD Live is having a ton of trouble with newer MKV files. I have a non-networked WDTV and it can't play most of the newer (compressed header?) MKV files. After some Googling, the problem seems to occur across all the WD devices (and others manufacturers.) My ATV w/XBMC plays those movies perfectly.

 

[amdhunter]

Have you added Navi-X and IceFilms plugins for XBMC? :sneaky:

Nah, all I do is stream media from my HTPC. I'll look into those though.

 

[AnMig]

AnMig, this might be of use to you. Plex Media Server for Roku.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/03/plex-media-server-launches-client-for-roku/

http://elan.plexapp.com/2011/05/03/plex-on-the-roku/

thanks for the response installed the plex media server but apparently roku cant find media server in windows. Its a bug they are working on.

see this link for the discussion.

http://forums.plexapp.com/index.php/topic/26318-unable-to-find-any-plex-media-servers/


Did not know WD TV live had issues with latest MKV's I thought that was one of the selling points "compatibilty with different file formats.

I have a Fusion HD that I use for our main living room and that thing reads anything under the sun.

I was tempted to do the apple tv XBMC since it will most be used on a Samsung 50 inch plasma 720p.

Not a big deal amazon has easy returns anyway.

Anyone want to straight trade apple tv with XBMC with this ROKU XDS?

 

[ponyo]

Nah, all I do is stream media from my HTPC. I'll look into those though.

You're missing out big time. Those two plugins will turn your Apple TV from great to totally awesome. You're only using like 50% of its potential right now without it. Who needs local content...

 

[sourceninja]

Plex on Roku is awesome, I'm so glad to hear that. I'll be picking one of those up for sure.