Is Roku worth it?

[Clark Kent]

Look into the Plex app if you want to maximize a ROKU device. There are also a lot of interesting private channels that stream all manner of content.

[arcadeforest]

Just bought one today - so far I like it, we are ditching Directv next month when our contract is up and going to bluray's, streaming (on the Roku as well as through my media center pc) and over the air signals. Looking forward to saving $100+ a month.

Back to the Roku I've used it / watched something with Netflix, Amazon and Crackle today. Decent looking - equals other streaming devices I've used. Will pick up two more for the kids bedrooms.

[arcadeforest]

Update, I've had my Roku box in the bedroom for two weeks now and must admit I really like this thing. While I have streaming capabilities through my bluray player and home media pc I like it on this device much more. Between Netflix, Crackle, Amazon Prime, Hulu, PBS and a few other channels I'm really not seeing the need for Directv anymore. My only concern is sports, specifically college football in the fall - I'll cross that bridge at that time and will enjoy saving $100 plus a month until then.

[dougalast]

Glad you're enjoying it. It's the single most used piece of equipment I own.
I hardly ever use cable anymore, if it wasn't for the wife I'd probably drop it.

[arcadeforest]

Originally Posted by dougalast

Glad you're enjoying it. It's the single most used piece of equipment I own.
I hardly ever use cable anymore, if it wasn't for the wife I'd probably drop it.

Even prior to getting the Roku box my Directv watching was declining. Outside of sports I'm either watching a bluray or a film / tv series on Netflix. Combine this now with Amazon Prime (which I recently got) and a few other channels on the Roku I'm set. The wife wants to get rid of the Directv and our 2-year agreement ends this month so . . . Need to buy a Roku for the living room and I will be set (plus get an antenna for locals - for some college football in the fall). Still concenred about all the games on ESPN but if I'm saving $100 plus a month I'll figure something out.

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by arcadeforest

My only concern is sports, specifically college football in the fall

If your TV has a built in ATSC tuner you can connect an external antenna to get free OTA local HD channels. (no ESPN though)

EDIT: noticed you mentioned the OTA already, sorry.

[kong73]

I was just about to start a Thread asking if apple TV is worth it. I have two PS3 with the apps i like(Amazon) already and i prefer hard copies of movies i like. So, would this be worth it to me. I like the price and yes i have and iphone and ipad mini.

[ColinD]

With the advent of iTunes Digital Copies in HD, AppleTV has never been better.

[Britnasty]

I love my ROKU. I watch it more than I watch my cable especially with Hulu being on it, add in VUDU and being able to watch my UV HD copies, I don't need cable anymore haha

[IndyMLVC]

Originally Posted by ColinD

With the advent of iTunes Digital Copies in HD, AppleTV has never been better.

Don't you care about high-quality 1080p?

[bsweetness]

Originally Posted by kong73

I was just about to start a Thread asking if apple TV is worth it. I have two PS3 with the apps i like(Amazon) already and i prefer hard copies of movies i like. So, would this be worth it to me. I like the price and yes i have and iphone and ipad mini.

In my opinion, at this point Apple TV is really only worth it if you're heavily invested in the Apple/iTunes ecosystem. If you have a lot of iTunes purchases and digital copies, it might be worthwhile. It can do some cool things via Air Play when connected iOS devices. But like with everything they do, Apple keeps things locked down in a way that favors iTunes and their own offerings.

If you're not heavily invested in Apple's ecosystem, Roku has many, many more entertainment options. Apple wants you to buy and stream primarily through iTunes, so they're very selective about what they currently allow on Apple TV (there's no Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, or HBO Go for instance). Roku has pretty much everything that's available for a streaming device.

So, if you want to access your iTunes purchases and use Air Play a lot, an Apple TV is the way to go. But you'll be missing out an awful lot of content. If overall content and access to different options is more important, go with a Roku.

Personally, since my PS3 has the main streaming services I use - Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, CinemaNow, and Hulu - I haven't felt the need to get either. I think Air Play with my iPad would be fun, but it the novelty of it would probably wear off pretty quickly. If I were going to buy one of the two, I'd definitely go with Roku since it has many more options, and since Apple TV won't let me access many of my services (such as Amazon and UV digital copies through Vudu or CinemaNow). I'm not heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem (I avoid purchasing on iTunes because I want content I can use on all of my devices), so it makes the choice even easier.

[Josh]

I will probably be picking up the $50 unit (XS?) for Amazon access. Since they starting streaming for Prime members, I've used the PS3 app a lot more than I expected (going so far as to cancel my Blockbuster subscription and started renting off of Amazon). The wife had asked about getting Amazon on some of the other TVs, and Roku seems to be the best solution out there.

My only hesitation is that a new Roku is supposed be coming out soon, though no one knows what that will be. Its been 2 years since the last refresh so I'm going to try and hold off.