Roku + Netflix = worth it?

[jingramm]

Interested in getting Netflix. I see that the Roku player costs 59.99 + tax + shipping.
Netflix is 7.99/month. Is that all I need and is it worth the buy?

 

[Cuda1447]

You don't have a PS3 or 360?

 

[jingramm]

No

 

[Lithium381]

I never saw movies growing up, so there is A LOT of stuff on there for me, so i enjoy it.... quality is decent. ROKU has free "channels" too

 

[Skillet49]

I probably watch more Netflix than I do TV. But personally, I would recommend getting a Blueray Player that can play Netflix that way you get more than just a box that plays Netflix. It'll be more expensive, but worth it IMO.

 

[Cheesetogo]

IIRC, the base Roku doesn't do HD -- you have to step up to the next model.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

I got a Roku for my mom to use and recommended them to many other people who do not own consoles. or HTPCs. Also with the xbox 360 you need the gold membership for netflix which costs extra. (not sure if this is still true, I just know it was true initially)

They are great little boxes and they do HD. The base model, the Roku 2 HD does up to 720p. The next level up will do 1080p. The top line model adds an ethernet port and usb port for flash drives. I highly recommend them and the interface is parent/girlfriend friendly.

 

[bfdd]

buy an Xbox 360 or used ps3

 

[Thermalzeal]

I had a friend who just canceled all of his cable TV and went for Hulu + Netflix on the roku. Initially he had bought the Logitech Revue (GoogleTV) but didnt like the way it functioned. He bought the Roku XS (highest version) for 99$ and I really liked the way it worked. It's definitely worth it to get the highest version, and I believe it comes with Angry birds for free as well.

 

[ShawnD1]

You don't have a PS3 or 360?

I mostly got a PS3 to act as a media server. Then I found out the PS3 is a big pile of shit when it comes to being a media server. It can't see half my folders, it doesn't support half the video formats, and it seems to drop the wireless a lot. Pretty good game system though.

Right now I have a computer hooked to a TV for netflix. Works good, no dropped wireless, and the support it just better.

 

[zinfamous]

I mostly got a PS3 to act as a media server. Then I found out the PS3 is a big pile of shit when it comes to being a media server. It can't see half my folders, it doesn't support half the video formats, and it seems to drop the wireless a lot. Pretty good game system though.

Right now I have a computer hooked to a TV for netflix. Works good, no dropped wireless, and the support it just better.

I think it's your machine or your router. I've been doing Netflix through my PS3, wireless, with not too many problems for 3? years now. the only times it poops out for me is when Netflix is pooping out everywhere.

 

[foghorn67]

The Nintendo Wii supports Netflix as well. Not a true HD output IIRC.

My parents got a Apple TV, that's another option.

 

[Squisher]

There are plenty of blu-ray players that do wireless netflix too.

I use a PS3 down in the mancave and can say the netflix interface sucks.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I mostly got a PS3 to act as a media server. Then I found out the PS3 is a big pile of shit when it comes to being a media server. It can't see half my folders, it doesn't support half the video formats, and it seems to drop the wireless a lot. Pretty good game system though.

Right now I have a computer hooked to a TV for netflix. Works good, no dropped wireless, and the support it just better.

http://ps3mediaserver.blogspot.com/
That fixes the video format issues. Wireless can be solved by not using it .

 

[bfdd]

http://ps3mediaserver.blogspot.com/
That fixes the video format issues. Wireless can be solved by not using it .

I <3 ps3 media server

 

[sourceninja]

I have a roku box and a mac mini running plex. It's all I can every want with netflix, hulu, and the plex player for roku.

 

[Tsaico]

I have a ROku with netflix and Hulu plus, and I dropped cable entirely. It has a UFC channel for my streaming of the fights live, same cost though. Then add amazon for any other on demand viewing, and the only thing I miss is my local news. Now I am stuck with national broadcasts, and have to go old school newspaper for my local stuff. The main thing I like about the roku is how quick it is vs the Wii, my BR player, or the PS3. This is in turning it on, starting to play, and moving between menus.

Other than that, I don't miss it at all. It did annoy me about netflix starting to charge for their streaming now though, but I hope it will allow them to afford more new releases than just the ones Starz can get. (which is about 10 percent, if that of recent movies)

 

[Capt Caveman]

You can find a 3D BluRay Player nowadays with Netflix, Hulu+, Pandora, etc and Wifi built-in(if needed) for under $150.

 

[flvinny521]

I am still seriously considering the high end Roku, but I think the Boxee is winning the battle at this point.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The base does 720p and I have one for my bedroom TV. (which only does 720p native to begin with) It works pretty well. The only annoyance is the lack of a keyboard for typing in names.

 

[slayer202]

You should consider google tv

 

[LookBehindYou]

Yeah, I'm sure the Roku is great, haven't heard many negatives about it. But I'd get something that is going to offer you more, perhaps a blu ray player with wifi, or an apple tv, or a game system.

Unless I'm off base here, i dont think the roku is going to offer you a whole lot besides netflix hulu and amazon.

 

[ShawnD1]

http://ps3mediaserver.blogspot.com/
That fixes the video format issues. Wireless can be solved by not using it .

I tried using TVersity for my media server, but that's just as broken as windows media center. It will show my file directories, but it says the directories are empty. wtf??
Wireless is not optional. I do not have access to a wired connection.

Is there any way to change the video quality on the PS3? On PC, netflix has 3 quality settings to pick from. On the PS3, I don't see any video quality options.

 

[slayer202]

Netflix has quality settings that you can change on the PC. Not the settings I assume you are talking about, but options under account settings that you can change

 

[DaveSimmons]

Roku is supposed to be pretty good for Netflix and Hulu Plus. I'd buy one if I didn't already have a PS3.

PS3 with Netflix does HD + 5.1 audio for some titles. It also supports Hulu+, VUDU and PSN for videos. Unlike the 360 you don't need to pay $40/year for Live Gold to watch Netflix. All work well for me over wireless.