After I Buy Roku 3 Streaming Player
MY EXPERIENCE
For anyone new to the Roku world, I would recommend the Roku 3 over any other previous models mainly on it being so much faster to operate. If 'cost' is an issue and 720p only is not a bother then the LT should be a great pick for half the price.
True for all Roku models: there's an enormous amount of channels to choose from, including most popular ones. And if there's something that you can't find in the official store you can always check the private channel listings (I included the URL of my favorite site) which is where I found things such as streaming CNN, CNN International and BBC World.
The streaming is exceptionally smooth. Quite impressive considering that I set this Roku on the second floor, some 60-70 ft. and two floors away from our Wi-Fi router located in the basement.
This model especially, due to the more powerful processor is easy to operate through Roku's very basic remote control.
Roku 3 and all Rokus are stable. I didn't have the Roku 3 for too long (will update) but my experience with a Roku LT was that it almost never crashes and I only had to manually reconnect to my Wi-Fi router once over a 6-months period.
The 'universal search' feature is quite amazing. You simply type in the name of a movie or show even an actor and you will see all you options on all channels and you will know in advance whether it's going to be free or exactly how much it was going to cost. On the Roku 3 all information appears almost instantly.
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THE FAQ
I will try to keep this section as objective (factual) as possible.
Q: Why would I want a Roku?
A: Roku has, by far, the largest number of 'channels' vs. any other competing product. If you like exploring content beyond the popular services (Netflix, Amazon, etc.) you should consider a Roku?
Q: Why would I want a Roku 3?
A: When compared to previous models, this one has a much faster processor, 5 times faster. The faster processor allows you to quickly navigate the new and much improved user interface but if 'speed' is not an issue, the new interface will appear on the older models by April, 2013. This model also adds a 'private listening' capability through a provided pair of headphones that plug directly into the remote control. In addition it supports Dual-band wireless for faster streaming when connected to a router that supports the feature and has a USB port.
Q: When I shouldn't pick a Roku 3 over other Roku models?
A: Roku 3 does not support 'standard' (non HD) TVs but earlier models do. You should select a 'lesser' model such as the Roku LT when price is the issue and/or your HD TV is limited to 720p and 'speed' is not an issue.
Q: What can I play through the USB port?
A: Video: MP4 (H.264), MKV (H.264); Audio: AAC, MP3; Image: JPG, PNG.
Q: Is the Roku 3 expandable?
A: Yes. There a MicroSD slot for additional game and channel storage memory.
Q: Can I use a Roku 3 with any TV lacking an HDMI port?
A: No.
Q: What are the best screen resolution and audio supported by Roku 3?
A: 1080p, 7.1/5.1 surround sound.
Q: Is the Roku 3 energy efficient?
A: According to Roku, typical power consumption is 3.5W when streaming HD video.
Q: How do I connect a Roku 3 to the Internet?
A: You can do it wither via Wi-Fi or through the wired Ethernet port. Technically speaking: 802.11 dual-band (a/b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA, and WPA2 support (wireless) and 10/100 Base-T Ethernet for the wired connection.
Q: What is not included but I must have to make my Roku 3 work besides a TV and an Internet router?
A: An HDMI cable.
Q: Can I control the Roku 3 with a universal remote?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I need line of site to control the Roku 3?
A: No if you use Roku's own remote, yes if you use a universal remote control.
Q: Can I play games on the Roku 3?
A: Yes, it comes with Angry Birds Space preloaded and you may add more games from the store.
Q: Are the Roku channels free?
A: Many of them are but Roku also streams 'premium' channels for which you will require a separate subscription.
Q: What are private channels.
A: These are channels that, for whatever reason, are not listed by the channel store. You can easily make them 'appear' on your TV by picking them from one of the sites that lists such channels. See the first comment to this review for the URL of one such site.
Q: How much it costs to use a Roku?
A: Once purchased, it could cost you nothing. Or you may subscribe to one or more premium services.
Q: Can I search for a specific movie or show across all of Roku's channel?
A: Yes, you can. Even better, Roku will not only tell you which channel carries it but you will know in advance if it will cost you and how much it will cost to view or 'rent' it. You can also search for other related information such as movies featuring one specific actor.
Q: Can I watch YouTube on the Roku?
A: Roku does not offer native Youtube support currently but there may be (or not) roundabout ways to stream it - see comments to this and other reviews, search online.
Q: Can I get live news channels on the Roku?
A: Yes. The private channels site will allow you to add channels such as CNN, CNN International and BBC World, among others.
Q: Are non-video streams supported?
A: Yes, radio stations and music streaming channels such as Pandora are supported.
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NOTE:
My initial rating was 4 stars due to the lack of YouTube. After a few days with Roku 3 I upgraded it to a 5-star. I still wish Roku supported YouTube natively but the lack of it is mitigated by the major improvements this new Roku has over its predecessors. Amazon's reviewing guideline suggests that 5 stars means "I love it" and I absolutely do love Roku 3. Indeed, I can easily switch to my PS3 or Blu-ray player if I wanted to watch YouTube but there's no other device with such a great selection of channels and the better, faster user interface alone is worth one extra star.
via amazonzebra copy http://amzn.to/12mbD6k
