Netflix Streaming: A new Blu-rayPlayer or Roku - Blu-ray Forum

TroySJ · 08-26-2009, 12:57 AM

Hi,

I have a Sony BDP-S500 Blu-ray player which I bought at the end of year 2007. I have been thinking to add the functionality of netflix streaming to my home theatre and narrowed down my options to BD-P3600 or Roku

Offocurse Roku is a lot cheaper, but it only has one functionality. On the otherhand I am not sure if the Samsung BD-P3600 is a lot better than my Sony player. From the reviews, it seems that the new Samsung is a lot faster than my Sony which would be great to have.

Does it make sense to spend an extra 200$ to get the Samsung Blu-ray and retire my old Sony or the Sony is just fine and get a Roku for streaming?

Thanks

Troy

solarrdadd · 08-26-2009, 01:09 AM

when the xbox came out with netflix streaming, even though they had some movies in HD, what turned me off from it was all movies either SD or HD were in stereo even if they had the lossy DD or DTS in the 5.1 flavor on the physical disc they could only stream stereo. i don't know about the players you mentioned roku or the sammy but, do you know if either of them stream with DD or DTS core in 5.1 if the movie supports it or are they stereo like the xbox? mind you microsoft said in the future that they would be giving 5.1DD or DTS core but i don't know if that has happened for them yet.

TroySJ · 08-26-2009, 01:20 AM

Hi,

As far as I know, netflix only put stereo, it is device independent, that part xbox, Roku, or Sammy would be the same, I still want that functionality for my TV shows while I get Blu-rays over snailmail from netflix.

I still don't know if I should go with Roku for 120$ or Sammy for 300$ while I already have Sony BDP-S500 for blu-ray, The only reason for going with Sammy is to be convinced that it a lot better than my old BDP-S500

Please help

Troy

Quote:

Originally Posted by solarrdadd

when the xbox came out with netflix streaming, even though they had some movies in HD, what turned me off from it was all movies either SD or HD were in stereo even if they had the lossy DD or DTS in the 5.1 flavor on the physical disc they could only stream stereo. i don't know about the players you mentioned roku or the sammy but, do you know if either of them stream with DD or DTS core in 5.1 if the movie supports it or are they stereo like the xbox? mind you microsoft said in the future that they would be giving 5.1DD or DTS core but i don't know if that has happened for them yet.

rubystone356 · 08-26-2009, 03:16 AM

I never tried the sony bluray player. I did try the LG 370. I was not that impressed with it. I also tried the roku machine> i got better connection wireless with the roku then the LG player. roku can do amazon on demand and some of those movies have 5.1 soundtrack.. but not the netflix streaming.
I would recommend the roku machine.
Jacob

Tempest · 08-26-2009, 03:58 AM

If you have a computer, PS3 is also an option.. you can do netflix through the PC to the PS3 with PlayOn.

But for netflix you have to have a very very fast internet connection.. I have DSL but no way near fast enough to stream with.. And we are just talking about crappy SD 2 channel audio.. it comes out like crap with my connection.

TroySJ · 08-26-2009, 05:21 PM

Hi,

My internet connection is Yahoo DSL 6MBPS, I don't have a PS3, I had that as an option however it seems that Sony does not support netflix streaming there are some extra softwares to do so but as far as I know they are not reliable.

I have a computer but I don't like using it there, I would like to get a standalobe player.

Xbox is an option, I don't have an Xbox and I don't want to pay any monthly or yearly fee. I defenitely don't need the Gold membership of xbox.

So I don't know what do you think is the best choice for me,

Troy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tempest

If you have a computer, PS3 is also an option.. you can do netflix through the PC to the PS3 with PlayOn.

But for netflix you have to have a very very fast internet connection.. I have DSL but no way near fast enough to stream with.. And we are just talking about crappy SD 2 channel audio.. it comes out like crap with my connection.

lobo81865 · 08-26-2009, 05:56 PM

I have the Roku, and the Oppo BD83. Love them both.

Uniquely · 08-26-2009, 06:00 PM

At one time... and I don't know if this is still true or not.... Roku and the 360 were the only options for Netflix HD streaming. If the Roku also does Amazon on demand.... that would make it a really nice value.

dolphinc · 08-26-2009, 06:15 PM

I have 3 Roku's, a Samsung 3600 and a LG 300 which all do Netflix, I find myself using the Roku's most because of the Amazon streaming and the addition of 5.1. I know Netflix is upgrading their systems as well so I expect a software update soon which I hope will offer the 5.1 option as well. If I were you I would just get the Roku for $99 and keep your Sony.

brettallica · 08-26-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robinandtami

At one time... and I don't know if this is still true or not.... Roku and the 360 were the only options for Netflix HD streaming. If the Roku also does Amazon on demand.... that would make it a really nice value.

Well I think there are a few Blu-ray players out there that will do the Netflix HD streaming. It seems like with the OP's internet connection, HD streaming is feasible; it's just a matter of which player to purchase. As others have mentioned, if you don't have anything but super-fast internet, HD just won't work and you'll be sorely disappointed. I only have 1.5Mbps max downstream speed with my DSL because of where I live, and with that speed I get the standard-def feeds just fine via HTPC. Read: "fine." There are moments of brief cutouts or audio/video sync issues, but they are rare and brief (and could actually be related to my network, although I doubt it since my gear is legit).

I personally wouldn't add a Roku to my system, as its functionality is pretty limited, so if you're bent on getting another device in your home theater to perform the Netflix HD streaming, I would get something that will do more than only that. That is to say, you might be best off going with a new standalone BD player — such as the Samsung you mentioned — since it will play Blu-rays and the Netflix HD streaming. Some of the standalones can do Pandora, too, which is pretty sweet.

dolphinc · 08-26-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brettallica

Well I think there are a few Blu-ray players out there that will do the Netflix HD streaming. It seems like with the OP's internet connection, HD streaming is feasible; it's just a matter of which player to purchase. As others have mentioned, if you don't have anything but super-fast internet, HD just won't work and you'll be sorely disappointed. I only have 1.5Mbps max downstream speed with my DSL because of where I live, and with that speed I get the standard-def feeds just fine via HTPC. Read: "fine." There are moments of brief cutouts or audio/video sync issues, but they are rare and brief (and could actually be related to my network, although I doubt it since my gear is legit).

I personally wouldn't add a Roku to my system, as its functionality is pretty limited, so if you're bent on getting another device in your home theater to perform the Netflix HD streaming, I would get something that will do more than only that. That is to say, you might be best off going with a new standalone BD player — such as the Samsung you mentioned — since it will play Blu-rays and the Netflix HD streaming. Some of the standalones can do Pandora, too, which is pretty sweet.

That is what it is, it rates your Internet connection speed and if it is faster than 3megs that it will stream HD (If that program is available in HD) My Daughter love's Disney's Kim Possible which is in HD, I have played it in HD on my Samsung 3600, LG300 and Roku's. I also have a 15Meg connection so that helps.

I think any netflix device will stream HD as long as your internet connection can support it.

As for the Roku, that can flash it to accept multiple applications which means it has the capibility for growth in the future. They just added support for the Baseball channels, hopefully football will follow.

katala · 08-26-2009, 07:13 PM

I have a 50Megabits/s line. What I found was that HD, meaning 720, is certainly doable even when throttled down to 15Mbs, but when I tried dedicated experimental Silverlight and other sites with claimed 1080, the images didn't look like BD at all, more like 720, there would be times of jerkiness and blurring and the sound was just stereo.

The problem is often not the network from your end, but the source and backbone providing you with material. Even if you pay for the highest speed, you have no control over the congestion from your provider.

If we are to have reliable streaming to rival BD, its going to be more than just the end user speeds that are going to be upgraded, one needs to insure sustained speeds have to be maintained.

Even for Netflix, most of their library is DVD quality which is fine at 3Mbs, but even that rarely is jerky and blurry, depending on your local network loads.

brettallica · 08-26-2009, 07:34 PM

It sounds like a Roku box isn't a bad idea, based on what dolphinc has said. It sounds like your internet connection can support HD, so that's cool.

I would have purchased a Roku already, but I have to pull my own card here: I am a little bitter over the way Netflix (and Apple/iTunes for that matter) makes you buy compatible devices in order to access their HD content. That's such a crock of (you-know-what). I pay for service just like anyone else; why can't I have the access to the HD content, too? (forget about how I don't have the high-speed connection right now and just listen to the argument at its roots)

I just hate how I have to add yet another device in my home theater to access all the stuff I want, when a computer should suffice.

But all ranting aside, Roku is a sweet little deal. There is also a lot of truth in what katala wrote; the servers feeding you this content must also be able to handle the requested bandwidth — i.e. it's not only on the client's side. Just more ripples to smooth out before everyone goes streaming. It's so far away from mainstream it's not even funny...but that's a whole 'nother topic for a whole 'nother thread.

FendersRule · 08-26-2009, 07:37 PM

I wonder if HD streams on the Xbox 360 have HD Audio, or atleast DD 5.1?

TroySJ · 08-26-2009, 08:57 PM

Thanks a lot,

Based on what I heard from you guys, it seems that Roku would be my choice, I cannot complain that much about the quality and speed as I cannot get a higher speed internet connection at my apartment and as I am already a netflix member which I get lots of BD everyweek and the streaming would come for free.

So by that, no one see a reason to change the Sony BDP-S500 to the Samsung 3600?

Uniquely · 08-26-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FendersRule

I wonder if HD streams on the Xbox 360 have HD Audio, or atleast DD 5.1?

No it's stereo, but it doesn't sound too bad matrixed out. No... it's not blu-ray quality picture or audio... but you really can't expect that from streaming yet. Right now it's just about the convenience of having new things easily available to watch between blu's arriving from Netflix.

johnarnold101 · 01-07-2010, 05:15 PM

Question. I "just" learned about Roku and with the HD model, wireless feature, HDMI, and it costing $99.99 with free shipping I am thinking about it instead of doing the new player route. With the unlimited Netflix, Amazon pay per view, mlb.com, mediafly, and Pandora I'm thinking about it. Any input from those who have it would be good. Thanks.

08-26-2009, 12:57 AM	#1
TroySJ New Member Member since:Aug 2009	Netflix Streaming: A new Blu-rayPlayer or Roku Hi, I have a Sony BDP-S500 Blu-ray player which I bought at the end of year 2007. I have been thinking to add the functionality of netflix streaming to my home theatre and narrowed down my options to BD-P3600 or Roku Offocurse Roku is a lot cheaper, but it only has one functionality. On the otherhand I am not sure if the Samsung BD-P3600 is a lot better than my Sony player. From the reviews, it seems that the new Samsung is a lot faster than my Sony which would be great to have. Does it make sense to spend an extra 200$ to get the Samsung Blu-ray and retire my old Sony or the Sony is just fine and get a Roku for streaming? Thanks Troy

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08-26-2009, 01:09 AM	#2
solarrdadd Blu-ray Prince Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jul 2008 Location:Virginia Home Theater Gallery:255 4K collection:209 Blu-ray collection:1344 DVD collection:4 Blu-ray reviews: 42 Trading Score:316	when the xbox came out with netflix streaming, even though they had some movies in HD, what turned me off from it was all movies either SD or HD were in stereo even if they had the lossy DD or DTS in the 5.1 flavor on the physical disc they could only stream stereo. i don't know about the players you mentioned roku or the sammy but, do you know if either of them stream with DD or DTS core in 5.1 if the movie supports it or are they stereo like the xbox? mind you microsoft said in the future that they would be giving 5.1DD or DTS core but i don't know if that has happened for them yet.

08-26-2009, 03:16 AM	#4
rubystone356 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Home Theater Gallery:1 4K collection:98 Blu-ray collection:1243 DVD collection:284 Digital collection:690 iTunes collection:19	I never tried the sony bluray player. I did try the LG 370. I was not that impressed with it. I also tried the roku machine> i got better connection wireless with the roku then the LG player. roku can do amazon on demand and some of those movies have 5.1 soundtrack.. but not the netflix streaming. I would recommend the roku machine. Jacob

08-26-2009, 03:58 AM	#5
Tempest Senior Member Member since:Apr 2008 Blu-ray collection:223 Blu-ray reviews:7	If you have a computer, PS3 is also an option.. you can do netflix through the PC to the PS3 with PlayOn. But for netflix you have to have a very very fast internet connection.. I have DSL but no way near fast enough to stream with.. And we are just talking about crappy SD 2 channel audio.. it comes out like crap with my connection.

08-26-2009, 05:56 PM	#7
lobo81865 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Aug 2008 Home Theater Gallery:1 4K collection:562 Blu-ray collection:3659 DVD collection:3327 MA collection:1323 Digital collection:3018 iTunes collection:1551 Prime collection:950 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:102	I have the Roku, and the Oppo BD83. Love them both.

08-26-2009, 06:00 PM	#8
Uniquely Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Mobile, AL Home Theater Gallery:14 Blu-ray collection:171	At one time... and I don't know if this is still true or not.... Roku and the 360 were the only options for Netflix HD streaming. If the Roku also does Amazon on demand.... that would make it a really nice value.

08-26-2009, 06:15 PM	#9
dolphinc Power Member Member since:May 2009 Location:Florida	I have 3 Roku's, a Samsung 3600 and a LG 300 which all do Netflix, I find myself using the Roku's most because of the Amazon streaming and the addition of 5.1. I know Netflix is upgrading their systems as well so I expect a software update soon which I hope will offer the 5.1 option as well. If I were you I would just get the Roku for $99 and keep your Sony.

08-26-2009, 07:34 PM	#13
brettallica Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Santa Cruz, California Home Theater Gallery:51 Blu-ray collection:79 Trading Score:6	It sounds like a Roku box isn't a bad idea, based on what dolphinc has said. It sounds like your internet connection can support HD, so that's cool. I would have purchased a Roku already, but I have to pull my own card here: I am a little bitter over the way Netflix (and Apple/iTunes for that matter) makes you buy compatible devices in order to access their HD content. That's such a crock of (you-know-what). I pay for service just like anyone else; why can't I have the access to the HD content, too? (forget about how I don't have the high-speed connection right now and just listen to the argument at its roots) I just hate how I have to add yet another device in my home theater to access all the stuff I want, when a computer should suffice. But all ranting aside, Roku is a sweet little deal. There is also a lot of truth in what katala wrote; the servers feeding you this content must also be able to handle the requested bandwidth — i.e. it's not only on the client's side. Just more ripples to smooth out before everyone goes streaming. It's so far away from mainstream it's not even funny...but that's a whole 'nother topic for a whole 'nother thread.

08-26-2009, 07:37 PM	#14
FendersRule Special Member Member since:Oct 2008 Location:ID Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:81 Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:15	I wonder if HD streams on the Xbox 360 have HD Audio, or atleast DD 5.1?

08-26-2009, 08:57 PM	#15
TroySJ New Member Member since:Aug 2009	Thanks a lot, Based on what I heard from you guys, it seems that Roku would be my choice, I cannot complain that much about the quality and speed as I cannot get a higher speed internet connection at my apartment and as I am already a netflix member which I get lots of BD everyweek and the streaming would come for free. So by that, no one see a reason to change the Sony BDP-S500 to the Samsung 3600?

01-07-2010, 05:15 PM	#17
johnarnold101 Senior Member Member since:May 2008 Location:Boise, ID Home Theater Gallery:2 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:13	Question. I "just" learned about Roku and with the HD model, wireless feature, HDMI, and it costing $99.99 with free shipping I am thinking about it instead of doing the new player route. With the unlimited Netflix, Amazon pay per view, mlb.com, mediafly, and Pandora I'm thinking about it. Any input from those who have it would be good. Thanks.

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