Streaming TV and Movies with a Roku Media Player

When I first published this article in April 2011 there were three Roku models from which to choose. At this writing (December 2011) there are now four models and some of the features have changed. This week I helped someone determine which model would work best given their existing TV and internet equipment and I’ve updated this article as a result of this new experience.

In this article I am talking about my experience with a Roku media player
and cutting the cord as in the cable TV cord.

Are you sick of paying for cable stations that you don’t actually use?

Seriously. Unless you are an extreme couch potato who can possibly put 120 TV channels to good use…let alone 200?

Roku boasts over 350 programs and games available through various channels including 100′s of free movies.

Realistically there are only a few dozen channels in which any one person (family?) is truly interested. And I know people…well friends and family in my circle…are getting sick and tired of this cable TV con and the lack of true choice as in I want to choose my channels and I want to pay for only those channels!

Ultimately our personal choices can be boiled down to selected genres and a limited number of particular programs aligned with our specific interests. Maybe you want the AMC channel because they show Mad Men, Walking Dead and Breaking Bad. Or perhaps Showtime for The Tudors and Dexter. Or maybe you’re more interested in news, documentaries and cooking or extreme sports. And let’s not forget the kids!

Watch Dexter on Netflix.

What if I told you you could cancel your cable TV and still watch all your favorite programs? That might not be 100% true but I am willing to bet…today on the 30th December 2011…I’m willing to bet you can drop your cable or satellite TV service and be 95% satisfied with the alternatives.

Join the Cut-The-Cord Movement.
There’s Ample Choice!

The alternative to the cable rip-off is your internet connection and video-on-demand (VOD) services such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and a growing number of services that let you stream movies and TV programs using a media player. Yes! You can quit your cable TV, cut your costs by as much as 50% and more…depending on various factors…and enjoy most if not all of your favorite programs.

On a visit home in late 2010, I bought a Roku media player as a gift for an elderly member of my family precisely to try to cut down on the high cost of cable. She wanted to watch a limited number of channels.

Why Did I Choose the Roku Media Player?

After researching Internet TVs, various media players and conducting a little streaming test on a borrowed Wii, I decided to try the Roku media player.

First it had to work with Netflix because we are diehard Netflix fans…having used their DVD service for years now. But before making a choice I wanted to see how well Netflix streamed using a device besides the computer. So I tried it on a friend’s Wii. That convinced me that the streaming quality on the specialized Roku device could be even better. And I thought the Roku would be the easiest option for my elderly user.

It had to work with Netflix, be low cost, and simple to use.

The Roku media player is simple and serves the main purpose: streaming. And you can’t go past the low cost.

What Kind of TV Will Work with the Roku?

The next thing I wanted to know about the Roku is: Do you need to use an HD (high definition) TV?

And the answer is No! With any one of the Roku models you can use an old fashion standard definition TV.

You can see a video here of the news streaming on the very TV that we used. It is a nice big TV and it is only 5 or 6 years old. We did look at the option of an internet TV but the $899+ price tag compared to the $59.99 (plus $9.99 shipping) purchase of the Roku with a 30-day money back guarantee…well it didn’t make sense to someone who is perfectly happy with the existing TV. Not to mention the volume of negative comments made about internet TVs poor performance. This TV’s internet connection is terrible. That TV won’t work with Netflix.

There Are Now Four Roku Models: What’s the Difference?

When I first wrote this article there were only three models. Now you can select from these four options: Roku LT, Roku 2 HD, Roku 2 XD and Roku 2 XS. The Roku LT is the newest model and the other 3 models are revamped as designated by the number 2 in the model name. The difference between these four models is…of course…price and features.

All Four Models Include These Features

1. Will work with standard or high definition TV.
2. Plays high definition video (at least 720p).
3. Has a built-in wireless (Wi-Fi b/g/n) and an Ethernet (wired) connection.¹
4. Has HDMI video output for HDTVs.
5. Comes with a remote but features vary per model.
6. Includes infrared (IR) and is compatible with universal remotes.

So that’s where the similarities end.

The Roku 2 HD includes two more features that the Roku LT is missing and these are new features: an expandable memory slot (for storing games and channels) and Bluetooth. The Bluetooth is intended to be used with RF (radio frequency) remotes.

The Roku XD and XS Models Include These Features

1. Plays 720p and 1080p HD Video.
2. Has the expandable memory slot (new!)
3. Also has Bluetooth (new!)

Only the Roku XS Model Has The Following Features

1. The latest wireless standard | dual-band wireless technology.
2. Component video and optical audio outputs.
3. USB port for playing stored photos, music and video.
4. An ethernet port (which is for a wired network connection).
5. Enhanced remote with motion control for games.
6. A free full edition of the Angry Birds game.

So What Do All These Technical Specifications Mean?

Your Roku selection depends to some extent on your particular TV (or your plans for a future upgrade).

If you don’t have an HD TV with all the bells and whistle and you are not planning to acquire one in the near future then either the low-end Roku LT or the Roku 2 HD is probably good enough.

In our case, since we didn’t have an HD TV and the 74 year-old user of this device is not a techno-geek…she just wants to watch TV, movies, and the news…I decided the low end HD model was fine. (The LT model was not in the lineup at the time I purchased a Roku.)

Below is an explanation of all the features of all the available Roku models.

What does 720P or 1080P Mean?

These terms refer to the resolution of the television display. The higher the number the higher the resolution. In essence it affects the quality of the display.

The higher resolution that your TV will play the more detailed the picture will be. When it comes to watching HD TV it can make the difference between seeing the actor’s facial pores or not!

So if your TV can play 1080p then you might feel a little frustrated with the limited Roku LT or Roku 2 HD model. For a few extra dollars you can eat your 1080p cake with either the Roku 2 XD or XS.

What is Enhanced Remote with Instant Replay (and Game Control)?

Today there three different Roku remotes available.

The 12-button enhanced remote with instant replay was formerly boxed with the Roku XD/S (replaced by the Roku 2 XS model). But now this remote is an optional extra and it works with any one of the four Roku models.

By pressing the instant replay button on the enhanced remote the Roku will instantly replay 7 seconds. You can successively skip back to replay several 7-second splices of whatever program you are watching.

This instant replay feature is for those moments when you want to replay something that you just missed! It works quickly. You don’t have to fiddle with rewinding. Oops too far…fast forward…oh no…back again! Instant replay is just that: instant!

The Game Remote

When you purchase the Roku 2 XS model, the Game Remote is included. But you can order it as an optional extra accessory that works with the Roku 2 HD and XD models. And when you do order the game remote you can then download the Angry Birds game for free.

To recap: the Roku LT, Roku 2 HD and XD are supplied with a 9 button remote; no instant replay or game control. The XS model is supplied with the Game Control remote and it is an optional extra for the HD and XD models. The Enhanced Remote is also an optional extra that will work with all 4 Roku models.

What is Extended Range Wireless-N

First the basics: wireless means that you can connect any of the Roku models to your network…and ultimately to your internet connection…without a cable. To do this your router must also have a wireless feature.

Wireless-N is the Latest and the Greatest

Wireless-N refers to the latest wireless standard and ultimately the speed of data transmission (aka data rate). Wireless-N is much faster than the previous b, g and a standards. All four Roku models are compatible with b, g and n wireless standards.

Extended Range Wireless is also a feature of the wireless-n standard and refers to the distance or range that a wireless device will cover. To put it another way two wireless devices can be farther apart from each other than when less capable (perhaps older) wireless devices are used.

But Will It Work with Your Router?

It is important to note that all previous models of the Roku had both a wireless and an ethernet network connection. But today, only the XS model has both. The other three models provide only a wireless connection.
If you are thinking about getting a Roku check your modem/router. Many routers supplied by internet service providers are not wireless capable and have only one ethernet port. This means you may have to upgrade your modem/router in order to work with a Roku.

The Roku has been tested with a long list of wireless routers and even if your router isn’t on the list it’s a good chance that it will work as long as it uses the 802.11b or 802.11g standard.

When it says (b/g/n compatible) it means that the souped up wireless radio in a ROKU is backwards compatible with routers that use one of these other standards.

In other words, if you want to get the benefit of all of the Wireless-N features (speed, distance and optional frequencies) your router needs to be of the same ilk.

 

What is Dual-Band Wireless Technology?

A wireless device uses electromagnetic radiation to transmit data…just like a radio. Dual-band means that the device will operate on two different frequencies. When it comes to wireless networking the wireless standard (802.11a, b, g or n) determines which frequency a device will use. The choices are 2.4Ghz and 5.0 Ghz. The Roku XS lets you choose between the two frequencies. This dual-band feature is not found in the other three Roku models.

Comparison of Wireless Standards and Frequencies

What is the Advantage of Dual-Band Wireless?

Many other home devices (garage doors, remote control toys, cordless phones) operate on the 2.4Ghz band and can interfere with your wireless network.

Sometimes you can get around this problem by choosing different channels for your network and by strategically positioning the various pieces of wireless equipment but if you have a dual-band option, you can simply choose a different frequency altogether to avoid clashing.

But remember! To take advantage of the wireless-n and dual-band features your router must also be capable of the features.

A Wireless Recap

All four Roku models use the latest wireless-n standard but only the XS provides the choice between using the 2.4Ghz or the 5.0Ghz band. All four models should work with any 802.11b, 11g or 11n router.²

What is Optical Audio

Optical Audio is basically a very high quality of sound…digital sound. One of the highest. You can get 5.1 surround sound through an HDMI cable but if you are a sound freak (and if your TV supports it) you’ll want to go for the optical audio feature in the high end Roku XS model and you will need to order the special cable pack separately.

What is Composite and Component Video?

Back to basics again. If you have a standard TV, you’ll use the component video cable (also known as an RCA cable) with the yellow, red and white connectors. This is the same kind of cable that is used to connect a DVD player to a TV.

If you have an HD TV, you can use the HDMI connector (see image).

But if you have the top top top of the line HD TV then you’ll probably want the top of the line Roku which provides a composite video cable with green, blue and red connectors. This gets you the highest quality video signal. Check the specs on your TV.

Play Your Own Videos from a USB Drive.
Which Formats Will the Roku Play?

In addition to streaming you can play your own library of video, music and photos by plugging an external USB drive into the Roku XS model. But there is a limit to the amount of power that the drive can draw from the Roku. You can safely use a USB flash (thumb) drive or a drive that has its own power source.

The formats the Roku XD|S will play from a USB drive include:

• Video: MKV, MP4, MOV, WMV/ASF
• Music: AAC, MP3
• Photos: JPG, PNG

If your objective is to compile and selectively play media on a whim from a large library of videos, music and photos you may want to consider another solution such as the Seagate Free Agent Theater+ or a Western Digital media player. In addition to streaming, these players are capable of home networking and will play a much larger selection of media formats.

What About the Internet Connection?
How Big a Pipe Do You Need?

The third most important question I had about the Roku was about the internet connection. I wanted to know what sort of bandwidth was required to get good performance. I did not want any streaming hiccups.

I am not saying the Roku staff weren’t friendly or helpful but they could be more efficient if they had more hands-on experience with the product.

To get an answer to this question I contacted Roku online to chat it over. As with many technology companies today the service staff are young and inexperienced. You have to know how to communicate because they don’t. You will get a correct answer only if you know the subject matter well enough to tease out every last detail by asking lots of questions in different ways.

So back to the original question: how much internet bandwidth is enough to get satisfactory performance out of the Roku? The answer: 2MB (two megabits) at least and I quote: “…you should be fine.”

Since we have a 7MB service to play with I assumed we would not be disappointed. For the most part this is true. You can’t tell that we’re streaming. But there is an occasional blip that I discuss later in this post.

The ordering process was quick and easy and the Roku arrived 2 days after ordering.

Connecting the Roku to the TV

Go back
The Roku HD was extremely easy to setup and to use. We used the RCA cable to connect the Roku to a standard definition TV.

You can use the RCA cable with an HD TV but what a waste! You really need an HDMI or composite cable to get the best result from an HD TV.

The Roku doesn’t come with an HDMI cable. You can buy an HDMI cable at a variety of places but if you order it from the Roku Store you’ll pay a third ($9.99) of the normal retail price ($29.99) and they say their cable is an exceptional quality.

 

Connect the Roku to the Router

I opted for hard wiring the Roku to the router using the ethernet cable instead of using a wireless connection. I wanted to minimise the risk of wireless interference and prevent interruptions to the streaming.

But to use the wireless connection, you have to turn the Roku on and configure the wireless connection just as you would when connecting a computer to a wireless connection.

Use the remote to select your connection from the available wireless connections displayed. If your connection requires a passcode, you will use the remote to navigate around an onscreen keyboard.

Once a connection with the internet is complete the Roku will first do a software update.

 

Then the Roku will reboot!

 

 

Next the Roku will prompt you to select a time zone and then to link your Roku to your Roku account.

Now you are ready to start streaming programs, the news and movies.

For $8.99 a month you can stream an unlimited volume of movies and TV programs from Netflix.

If you have a Netflix account you go through another linking process. Select Netflix from the Roku setup options to get a unique code. Then log into your Netflix account and look for Watching instantly on your TV or Computer under Your Account. Choose Activate a Netflix Ready Device and enter the code that appearaed on your Roku. Same process will apply to a Hulu account.

My User is Not Entirely Happy with the Roku Experience

One advertising company ran an experiment with 5 families and they say cutting the cord is too difficult for the average³ family to grasp.

And I have to admit…in the early months…the one member of my family using the Roku was not entirely happy with the setup. It isn’t that she doesn’t have plenty of options to watch or that she can’t get her favorite TV shows. She can. But she found it rather challenging to add movies to her Netflix instant queue or navigate around Hulu in search of her favorite TV programs.

Maybe it is an age thing. My user is 74 years old. And while she has successfully used a computer and the internet and skype and email and other technological devices for the last 6 or 7 years…she’s no luddite…she would really rather go back to cable TV.

Or maybe Roku could improve upon their design. Certainly I found it tedious using the Roku remote to navigate around Netflix and Hulu. But there is an easy way around the problem which I describe later in this article.

And You Can’t Get Breaking News with a Roku

The other problem is that getting breaking news on the Roku was seemingly not possible. This wouldn’t be a problem if my user could get free-to-air news channels. But the introduction of digital TV broke free-to-air in that part of northern Arizona where she lives. The digital signal does not reach her small town because it is surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides and there are no digital towers! The only way that we can get live news channels is with a cable service.⁴

If this one problem were fixed it would make all the difference to her Roku streaming experience!

You can get some news on the Roku (CBS and CNN) but it is a day or two late. And yes…she can watch the news on the internet on her computer but it’s just not an elegant solution. She has to sit at her desk when she’d really rather kick back on the sofa and channel surf the news.

There is an Easy Way to Select Programs to Watch through the Roku

When it comes to selecting programs to watch whether using Netflix or Hulu, the best and easiest solution is to use the online queue facility. You login to your Netflix or Hulu account, search for the programs or movies you want to watch and add them to your queue.

Adding Videos To Your Netflix Instant Queue

On Netflix it is called Your Instant Queue.

You can add as many movies and TV programs (episodes or whole seasons) to your Instant Queue and you can also sequence the list. Then boot up your TV and the Roku, go to the Netflix channel and select queue. Now you can see and play the items in your queue. You can easily scroll through the list to make a selection. This is much easier than fumbling with the remote to navigate the menu.

 

Adding or Subscribing to Programs in Hulu Plus

In a Hulu Plus account there are two ways to add programs in your queue. As you search and browse you simply click the little plus sign that appears next to each video whether it’s a clip, movie or TV episode.




Or you can subscribe to a program and each time a new episode is published to Hulu it will automatically appear in your queue.

Occasionally the Play is Interrupted

Occasionally the internet connection will cut out completely and interrupt the Roku play but most times recovery is very easy. The Roku is smart about interruptions prompting with a simple click-to-continue where upon the Roku will pickup where a movie or TV episode left off. It rarely happens that you have to restart completely and fast forward to where the interruption occurred.

Is It A Perfect Cord Cutting Experience?

Okay, the Cord Cutting experience is not perfect. As one commentator at Crunch Gears aid it can’t duplicate channel surfing. But I love the way the Roku works. It exceeded my expectations.

I think it is very easy for the average person to set up. It is great value for money and an excellent escape from the “tyranny of the cable mafia”.⁵

The choice of viewing is wide and varied, not limited to just Netflix and Hulu. Amazon has a movies-on-demand channel at Roku and there are dozens of other channels from documentaries to history to classic movies to sports to news to university lectures to cartoons, games, music and many international choices. Subscriptions range from completely free to $1.99 a month to $3.00 per year.

And here’s the thing: with the Roku…or any other media player…you can sit down and watch what you want to watch when you want to watch it. You don’t have to worry about time slots or remember to record something.

Happy Streaming!

Tagged as: hulu, netflix, roku