Quick Roku 3 review

[Kaido]

Roku 3:

http://www.amazon.com/Roku-3-Streami...dp/B00BGGDVOO/

Pros:
+ Headphone jack on remote control (makes any headphones wireless!)
+ Zippy GUI (and not craptastic either!)
+ Family-friendly to use
+ Plex runs great on it (local streaming)
+ Remote doesn't require aiming (can hide Roku box from kids!)
+ Zillions of good channels (Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Hulu+, Redbox, Vimeo)

Not bad:
+ Extremely tiny (and for some reason, I like the shape haha)
+ Motion control remote for Angry Birds
+ Very reasonably priced ($99 MSRP, $95 typically, $85 on sale)
+ IR receiver to integrate with universal remote control
+ Ethernet AND Wi-fi built-in
+ iPhone remote control with "Send to Roku" media pusher (music/photos/videos)

Cons:
- No Youtube channel
- Netflix not updating their app until 2014 (Profiles & Kid's Section)
- "OK" button on remote should be in the middle of the D-pad (it's below = ANNOYING)
- Wants a credit card when you sign up (I found a tiny skip button on the webpage)
- Included earbuds are worse than Apple's haha

I am always in search of the ultimate TV box. This is as close as I've come thus far. I did have a few older Roku boxes, but they were getting long in the tooth (i.e. not all channels were available). Previously I had the WDTV Live Streaming player. I wanted to upgrade because my player was freezing up more & more (not sure if it was due to firmware updates or just getting old & overheating) and because it didn't have all of the software players I wanted (ex. Amazon Streaming).

Before that I was big into HTPC's (Plex + emulators) & Tivo. I do miss emulators because I like low-key gaming, but I'll worry about that in a separate project (possibly a Raspberry Pi). I also dumped my Bluray player. Now I just rip movies into a folder to stream with Plex using MakeMKV. The wait time on a Bluray disc absolutely kills me, haha. One of the original reasons I got the Sony Bluray player I have is because it has Internet apps. It's a pretty lame experience compared to the Roku 3, which has a very fast GUI and is very easy to use.

So now I have a Roku 3 on my TV, in front of my elliptical machine, etc. I posted a separate thread about the Roku 3 as a great motivational tool for doing indoor cardio. Put simply, I am unmotivated to exercise and having a Roku box with infinite shows available dulls the pain, haha. Plus the wireless headphone jack is just so awesome - my elliptical machine is fairly quiet and the headphones make the noise silent, so I can exercise early in the morning without waking my family up.

I am peeved there is no native Youtube channel. Pretty much every other box I've ever owned has had Youtube, from the Sony Bluray player to the AppleTV. I have a toddler and Youtube is an easy source of entertainment, plus it's fun when people are over to watch silly videos on the bigscreen. I'm also peeved that Netflix updates every other set-top player on the planet except for the Roku. Not having profiles is REALLY annoying now that we've segregated our shows, especially since even my aging WDTV Live Streaming player received an update with them, and I'm pretty sure Roku outnumbers those things 10:1 at least. So no Youtube + old Netflix app = stinks.

However, Netflix is still usable via search, and I've read there are a couple backdoors to getting Youtube on, I just haven't bothered yet. Edit: ImpulsE69 directed me to the Youtube channel on Plex, which works great! So Roku > Plex > Youtube for navigation. Plus, Netflix will be updating the app in early 2014, apparently, and Roku is supposedly in talks to get a dedicated Youtube channel (I'd imagine it will involve running ads).

Again, I do miss emulators, but there are so many pros to this device that it is now the only thing connected to my living room TV, my basement projector, and my leftover PC monitor in front of my elliptical machine. It has REALLY simplified my entertainment life, especially since my family isn't asking me how to use it, why it's freezing up, why it doesn't have X or Y channel, etc. It was even worse with the HTPC - clicking the wrong button and going into Windows, crashes or other bugs, updates, remote & keyboard input, etc. Now it's all very simple & "just works". It's basically the iPhone or Android of set-top players - plug it in, add apps, use. Done. I like it :thumbsup:

 

[ImpulsE69]

:thumbsup:

It's probably not for everyone, but it is a damn good start.

You can get Yahoo through Plex though (it's an addon channel). It's not the "best" scenario, but it does work.

 

[Kaido]

:thumbsup:

It's probably not for everyone, but it is a damn good start.

You can get Yahoo through Plex though (it's an addon channel). It's not the "best" scenario, but it does work.

Ah that's right, thanks. I added the Youtube channel via the Plex Server webpage on the computer and then used it on the Roku. It actually works GREAT! Does not feel hacky at all - standard input screen & the 1080p video I tested looked awesome :thumbsup:

 

[HydroSqueegee]

i love my Rokus + Plex setup! So easy. so perfect.

 

[notposting]

Add Aereo for $8/month (first month free) and you now have local broadcast channels (including HD) available, including DVR capabilities.

I still need to set up Plex so I can stream our DVD (probably around 600 movies/series by this point) collection to our Roku 2XS (got it for $50 refurbed from Newegg).

Crackle is good also -- Sony's film collection and free.

 

[Kaido]

Add Aereo for $8/month (first month free) and you now have local broadcast channels (including HD) available, including DVR capabilities.

I still need to set up Plex so I can stream our DVD (probably around 600 movies/series by this point) collection to our Roku 2XS (got it for $50 refurbed from Newegg).

Crackle is good also -- Sony's film collection and free.

Oh nice, I haven't messed with Crackle, that's good to know! Aereo isn't available in my area; I wonder if it'd be available over VPN?

https://www.aereo.com

Edit: Found a Reddit thread on that very subject:

http://www.reddit.com/r/cordcutters/comments/1ejg1z/possible_to_trick_aereo_about_where_you_are/

 

[Kaido]

Good news, Netflix read my blog post and decided to push out an update:

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/13/netflix-new-TV-experience/

Now that's what I call service :awe:

 

[whoiswes]

I switched from WDTV to a Roku (and promptly bought another) and have many of the same sentiments - Plex is awesome, interface is fluid and responsive, etc.

My ONLY complaint is there is no separate audio out. Many TV's don't properly do HDMI audio passthrough, so if you have an older receiver with no HDMI in/out, you're stuck with 2 channel audio and/or skipping if you have a low power server like I do.

I know there are workarounds but that's about the only thing that the WDTV did better.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

Good news, Netflix read my blog post and decided to push out an update:

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/13/netflix-new-TV-experience/

Now that's what I call service :awe:

still looks the same on the Roku. Its been getting a workout this week with my son being home sick all 5 days so far.

 

[Kaido]

still looks the same on the Roku. Its been getting a workout this week with my son being home sick all 5 days so far.

Mine hasn't updated either

 

[HydroSqueegee]

Mine hasn't updated either

i think its just for TVs with the netflix app currently.

 

[Kaido]

i think its just for TVs with the netflix app currently.

Nah, title says for Roku too:

Netflix updates Xbox 360, PS3, Roku and Smart TV apps with unified interface

Just a waiting game, I guess! Kids section + Profiles will be great tho!

Edit: Found a thing that said it would be globally available within 2 weeks on the Roku 3.

 

[Kaido]

Mine updated! This plus ImpulsE69's recommendation to use Youtube via Plex has addressed all of my major complaints! I'm used to the remote now - I still prefer the OK button being in the middle of the D-pad, but the remote is so simple it's pretty easy to remember.

Hoping these go on sale on BF so I can snag a couple more!

 

[HydroSqueegee]

http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/17/roku-3-youtube/?ncid=rss_truncated

Did somebody say youtube????

 

[Number1]

http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/17/roku-3-youtube/?ncid=rss_truncated

Did somebody say youtube????

WOuld this work on the roku 1? I am thinking of picking one up soon.

 

[ImpulsE69]

Not yet.. Only Roku 3 right now, and honestly you don't want a Roku 1, get a 3. They are like $70 or less on sale right now. Or even a refurb for cheaper. It is SOOOO much better than a 1.

 

[Number1]

Not yet.. Only Roku 3 right now, and honestly you don't want a Roku 1, get a 3. They are like $70 or less on sale right now. Or even a refurb for cheaper. It is SOOOO much better than a 1.

Got you, thanks for the advise.

 

[Number1]

Not yet.. Only Roku 3 right now, and honestly you don't want a Roku 1, get a 3. They are like $70 or less on sale right now. Or even a refurb for cheaper. It is SOOOO much better than a 1.

I actually picked up a Roku 1 before reading this post and you are absolutely right. I was majorly disappointed, the remote did not work half the time and it was slow.

I returned it and picked up a Roku3. Wow, what a difference, way faster and the wifi remote just works no mater where you are in the room. You tube channel is available. Much much better.