Roku 3 $82 @Amazon

[minirex]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BGGDVOO

Never edit a mod edit especially one where you are reinserting referral links.

This is your one warning


esquared
Anandtech Forum Director

 

[Childs]

dammit...bought 2 of these 2 weeks ago @$95.

 

[Staples]

FYI, it is $85 at Costco this month.
Also, I just bought one and returned it because if you are a Comcast HBO subscriber and would like to use HBO Go on these things, Comcast doesn't support it but they do all other big cable networks.

 

[Craig234]

How much is this worth an upgrade over the Roku 2 XL or whatever the good one was?

 

[Kaido]

How much is this worth an upgrade over the Roku 2 XL or whatever the good one was?

1. RF remote (not IR, so no line of sight)
2. Wireless headphone jack on remote (keep noise down)
3. HDTV only (no AV plugs for old TV's)
4. Can play all the modern channels (my old Roku can't handle Vudu)

 

[mshan]

If I also want the composite out, how does Roku 2 XS hold up? (I own a Roku 3 already for baseline comparison purposes)

(and is it buggy and unstable like some of Amazon customer reviews I've scanned through seem to indicate?)

 

[ImpulsE69]

How much is this worth an upgrade over the Roku 2 XL or whatever the good one was?

I also find it to be hands down better over the 2XS which was the old high end model. It is faster/more responsive and doesn't need a hard reboot nearly as often.

 

[jhansman]

2. Wireless headphone jack on remote (keep noise down)

This and the fact that it can connect to a 5Ghz band make it the best of the Roku devices. Love mine.

 

[Craig234]

Ah, so once again, I bought the top one earlier, haven't got around to installing it, and am ready to buy its replacement. Except the sale is over.

 

[mikeford]

Ah, so once again, I bought the top one earlier, haven't got around to installing it, and am ready to buy its replacement. Except the sale is over.

The secret to procrastination is to now wait until the next sale.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Love my xd I got last month. Best thing I've purchased this year.

 

[GusSmed]

It's also worth noting that it has an Ethernet jack, and I don't see one on the earlier models. My router is at my home theater, since that's where the cable comes out of the wall and hence that's where the cable modem is. There are a lot of good reasons to go wired if it's all convenient.

I've got an AppleTV, which has been enough for my streaming needs, otherwise I'd be interested.

 

[MontyAC]

Good price for the Roku 3.

 

[RossMAN]

FYI, it is $85 at Costco this month.
Also, I just bought one and returned it because if you are a Comcast HBO subscriber and would like to use HBO Go on these things, Comcast doesn't support it but they do all other big cable networks.

Thank you! I have been patiently waiting for this to go on sale at CostCo.

Back on topic, for those without access to a CostCo this is hard to beat.

 

[ImpulsE69]

If you watch Amazon you can get it for this price regularly. I bought it for $86 shipped off Amazon the week it was released.

 

[Doomer]

I ordered one of these and sent it back. My TV is a projector so no separate audio out of any kinda is a deal breaker for me. I could have bought an add on splitter but that would have added about 50 bucks to the cost. I decided I can live with it.

What I really want is a streamer that streams local media only. I have no need for Internet streaming.

Also, the Roku 3 requires that you give them your CC info before they will activate the device. That sucks.

 

[Kaido]

I ordered one of these and sent it back. My TV is a projector so no separate audio out of any kinda is a deal breaker for me. I could have bought an add on splitter but that would have added about 50 bucks to the cost. I decided I can live with it.

What I really want is a streamer that streams local media only. I have no need for Internet streaming.

Also, the Roku 3 requires that you give them your CC info before they will activate the device. That sucks.

Just get something like a WDTV then - it has separate optical output:

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

 

[Cardio]

Just get something like a WDTV then - it has separate optical output:

http://www.wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

If you call Roku they will activate without a credit card. I think the latest firmware update also allows this.

 

[Staples]

If you call Roku they will activate without a credit card. I think the latest firmware update also allows this.

I had one about two weeks ago and couldn't get around the cc requirement (didn't call them though). I thought it was a bad policy to require a cc. Surprised it hasn't gotten more complaints for that.

 

[notposting]

Nice deal, though dead. Wife works at Costco, I should have her check on it there.

I literally just bought the 2XS last week though (refurb at Newegg for $50). Pretty nice little box so far.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I had one about two weeks ago and couldn't get around the cc requirement (didn't call them though). I thought it was a bad policy to require a cc. Surprised it hasn't gotten more complaints for that.

I was annoyed at this, but I will say the one I have on file is expired ;p I've never used any of the paid streaming, just local and the free stuff.

 

[Childs]

What I really want is a streamer that streams local media only. I have no need for Internet streaming.

Also, the Roku 3 requires that you give them your CC info before they will activate the device. That sucks.

I think it can do local streaming via Plex and some other channels. There is also a USB video player, but its very restrictive.

I had one about two weeks ago and couldn't get around the cc requirement (didn't call them though). I thought it was a bad policy to require a cc. Surprised it hasn't gotten more complaints for that.

Yeah, the first time I got one I was ready to return it because of the CC issue. I remember complaining about it here in a Roku thread, and a surprising amount of people actually defend that kind of policy. I guess people are willing to give their CC info to anyone who asks.

 

[xBiffx]

Plex is the must have for Roku. I use it all the time for local media streaming.

PlayOn works too but I prefer Plex.

 

[Kaido]

I had one about two weeks ago and couldn't get around the cc requirement (didn't call them though). I thought it was a bad policy to require a cc. Surprised it hasn't gotten more complaints for that.

I agree. I've never bought anything from the Roku store. My Netflix subscription is through Netflix. Very weird that they have a CC requirement...

 

[Kaido]

Plex is the must have for Roku. I use it all the time for local media streaming.

PlayOn works too but I prefer Plex.

Yeah. Plex + Netflix + Vudu is a pretty good combo - stream your own movies, stream from a movie library, or rent a movie. Plus there's Redbox Instant now, as well as Amazon Prime streaming, all with a simple remote control. Easy peasy!