The New Roku 3

[Face2Face]

http://www.roku.com/why-its-cool?gclid=CImUgJfB67UCFQ2nnQod1kkA5A

Anyone buying one?

 

[ImpulsE69]

I don't really see anything on the 3 that is any better than the 2XS, except now the 2XS will drop and I can grab another for the wife's hobby room tv.

 

[Face2Face]

I don't really see anything on the 3 that is any better than the 2XS, except now the 2XS will drop and I can grab another for the wife's hobby room tv.

Faster CPU and better remote are the only really big upgrades here. The Roku 2 XS is now discontinued and is being replaced by the Roku 3 for the same price. All Roku 2's will be getting the new interface upgrade in May.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I'm debating it, but I'm going to hold out a little longer and read some of the experiences Plex users have. I've only gotten my Roku 2s to work reliably with Plex by forcing transcoding, contrary to what the Plex devs say to do. I am not sure this will change with Roku 3, but I'm hoping it does.

 

[SAWYER]

Can Rokus run XBMC?

 

[ImpulsE69]

Faster CPU and better remote are the only really big upgrades here. The Roku 2 XS is now discontinued and is being replaced by the Roku 3 for the same price. All Roku 2's will be getting the new interface upgrade in May.

Not sure the remote is better except for the headphone thing. It already has motion control and bluetooth. Faster CPU might be nice, but not really necessary at this point since it's only going to affect the browsing of the gui.

I'm debating it, but I'm going to hold out a little longer and read some of the experiences Plex users have. I've only gotten my Roku 2s to work reliably with Plex by forcing transcoding, contrary to what the Plex devs say to do. I am not sure this will change with Roku 3, but I'm hoping it does.

Haven't had this issue at all, however it helps if they are already encoded to what a roku will accept w/o transcoding.

Can Rokus run XBMC?

No.

 

[Kaido]

Still no Youtube?

 

[Kaido]

http://www.roku.com/why-its-cool?gclid=CImUgJfB67UCFQ2nnQod1kkA5A

Anyone buying one? I may have to replace my Roku HD in my bedroom for this one for the Remote headphone ability alone. My wife gets annoyed when I watch TED Talks or TWIT when she is trying to sleep

This feature actually looks awesome for my elliptical machine...I've been putting off wireless headphones because they're so expensive for the good ones - the Roku 3 is cheaper than a new set :biggrin:

 

[SAWYER]

Well when something comes along that will run XBMC, do Airplay and something similar to Airplay for Android devices I will stick with my jailbroke APTV2

 

[ImpulsE69]

Still no Youtube?

Videobuzz plays youtube videos, and 1080P plays only 1080P youtube videos. So, while not natively supported, theres channels for it yes.

And it already does things like airplay with android devices...so...I haven't personally used an APTV2, but those I've talked to who use both say Roku beats it.

 

[SAWYER]

If it cant do XBMC then for me it cant beat it

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Haven't had this issue at all, however it helps if they are already encoded to what a roku will accept w/o transcoding.

Sorry, I wasn't very clear or specific. To be clear, the issue is with MKV files. The issue I've found is that when I encode them to MPG, they work without issue but the audio is strictly stereo in my home theater. If I use MKV with audio passthrough, the audio comes through as intended (5.1 with DTS, Dolby, etc). The problem is that Rokus crash when trying to play MKVs, so Plex is supposed to detect that and only transcode when necessary. However, I've found it doesn't work so I force transcoding. It works beautifully but I wish I didn't have to. Maybe I'm overlooking something.

 

[smitbret]

Sorry, I wasn't very clear or specific. To be clear, the issue is with MKV files. The issue I've found is that when I encode them to MPG, they work without issue but the audio is strictly stereo in my home theater. If I use MKV with audio passthrough, the audio comes through as intended (5.1 with DTS, Dolby, etc). The problem is that Rokus crash when trying to play MKVs, so Plex is supposed to detect that and only transcode when necessary. However, I've found it doesn't work so I force transcoding. It works beautifully but I wish I didn't have to. Maybe I'm overlooking something.

Yeah, the Rokus and ATV are still crap for local streaming. The boxes that are good at local streaming don't have the online capability of the Roku or ATV.

It's a never ending struggle. Can't wait for someone to eventually get them both right. I'll be on that waiting list.

 

[Face2Face]

Yeah, the Rokus and ATV are still crap for local streaming. The boxes that are good at local streaming don't have the online capability of the Roku or ATV.

It's a never ending struggle. Can't wait for someone to eventually get them both right. I'll be on that waiting list.

This is very true. Personally I am done with local streaming for now. I have too may devices that use Plex and some friends and family that pull content off of my server with MyPlex. However, it would be nice if I could put a movie or video file on a flash drive and pop it in and not worry about what file format it's in.

 

[Face2Face]

Videobuzz plays youtube videos, and 1080P plays only 1080P youtube videos. So, while not natively supported, theres channels for it yes.

And it already does things like airplay with android devices...so...I haven't personally used an APTV2, but those I've talked to who use both say Roku beats it.

I just installed VideoBuzz last night. Pretty sweet if you ask me. It's Youtube in sheep's clothing.

 

[Midwayman]

I really wish they'd support windows media extender, or at least play .WTV

 

[Eug]

The Plex requirement is a deal-killer for me.

 

[Face2Face]

The Plex requirement is a deal-killer for me.

Totally understandable. I just happen to have enough parts for a server build and electricity is cheap here. So I figured what the heck

 

[shortylickens]

Nope. My Roku 2 is MORE than good enough. The fact they are pushing me with 2 emails a day doesnt help their odds.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I agree, having to run Plex is probably a pain for some. Unfortunately, as stated, almost all media players have a shortcoming or 2. It really is baffling because anyone who actually uses them knows wtf is wanted, but every single one of them negates something. However having said that, Plex is great.

 

[purbeast0]

surprising how many of these media players do not support 3d content.

 

[sze5003]

Anyone know if Id discovery is on this thing ?

 

[KeithP]

Its needs a remote with a keyboard. Maybe something like Tivo's remote with the slide out KB.

-Keith

 

[Eug]

Totally understandable. I just happen to have enough parts for a server build and electricity is cheap here. So I figured what the heck

I have several computers in the house actually, but I just found it to be an extra layer of complexity and maintenance to have a computer-based server. I much prefer just using my NAS.

That said, I wish the thing were faster. My next one must have USB 3, and better transfer speeds. My current one gets around 20 MB/s or so max real world, even off its internal 7200 rpm 3.5" discs. Fine for video streaming but annoying for other usage.

 

[drebo]

I have an original Roku HD, and I will be getting the Roku 3 in a bit.

For local streaming, I use PlayOn and it works great. Yes, it's like $30/yr, but it's more than worth it. It streams Youtube and Hulu standard to the Roku via your PC.