Brand Name | Roku |
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Item Weight | 5 ounces |
Product Dimensions | 3.5 x 3.5 x 1 inches |
Item model number | 4200R |
Batteries | 2 AA batteries required. (included) |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Color Name | Black |
Special Features | Amazing remote with headphone jack. |
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Roku 3 Streaming Media Player (2014 model)
Brand | Roku |
Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
Special Feature | Amazing remote with headphone jack. |
Supported Internet Services | Netflix, Pandora, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, YouTube |
Controller Type | android, ios |
Color | Black |
Item Weight | 0.31 Pounds |
Compatible Devices | Television, Tablet, Smartphone |
Video Output Resolution | 1920x1080 Pixels |
About this item
- Faster and more powerful With up to 1080p HD video and extended-range, dual band wireless performance for increased speed
- Amazing remote with headphone jack Use the included in ear headphones to crank up that late night flick while the kids (or parents) sleep All units manufactured after October 2014 include a remote control that features four quick access buttons providing one touch access to Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Rdio, and Hulu The particular unit you receive may or may not have these new quick access buttons
- One stop search Find your favorite movies and TV shows all from one place from top TV and Movie services like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video or Hulu Plus 2000plus channels and growing The best selection of streaming out there
- Free iOS and Android device app Use it like a remote Browse and add new channels Even stream your music and photos from your phone or tablet to your HDTV
- A Roku account is free However, payment information is required during setup to provide the convenience of making purchases from the Roku Channel Store on your TV You will only be charged if you choose to make a purchase
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PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Pre-owned Certified: Electronics products are inspected, cleaned and (if applicable) repaired to excellent functional standards. Buying Pre-owned extends a product's life, reducing e-waste and raw material extraction.
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Pre-owned Certified: Electronics products are inspected, cleaned and (if applicable) repaired to excellent functional standards. Buying Pre-owned extends a product's life, reducing e-waste and raw material extraction.
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Important information
Safety Information
This Certified Refurbished product is manufacturer refurbished, shows limited or no wear, and includes all original accessories plus a 90-day warranty from Roku. Faster and more powerful. With up to 1080p HD video* and extended-range, dual-band wireless performance for increased speed Amazing remote with headphone jack. Use the included in-ear headphones to crank up that late-night flick while the kids (or parents) sleep All units manufactured after October 2014 include a remote control that features four quick-access buttons providing one-touch access to Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Rdio, and Hulu. The particular Certified Refurbished unit you receive may or may not have these new quick-access buttons A Roku account is free. However, payment information is required during setup to provide the convenience of making purchases from the Roku Channel Store on your TV. You will only be charged if you choose to make a purchase.
Legal Disclaimer
No Returns, No Refunds, All sales final. Exchanges only if for some reason device is defective. Once returned to us we would then issue a new one.
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This Item Roku 3 Streaming Media Player (2014 model) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $46.99$46.99 | -21% $79.00$79.00 List: $99.99 | -22% $39.00$39.00 List: $49.99 | -25% $29.99$29.99 List: $39.99 | -33% $19.99$19.99 List: $29.99 | $59.00$59.00 |
Delivery | Get it Apr 2 - 5 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | — | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Stream quality | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.4 |
Voice Recognition | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 4.3 |
User interface | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.3 | — |
Picture quality | 4.8 | 4.5 | — | — | 4.5 | 4.4 |
Volume control | — | 4.0 | 4.5 | — | 3.9 | 4.6 |
Sold By | collegefund9 | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | MallStop |
memory capacity | — | 8 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | — |
connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | Wi Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB | Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | Wireless | Bluetooth, USB |
controller type | android, ios | Remote Control | Voice Control, Remote Control | Remote Control, App Control | Remote Control | Remote Control, Voice Control |
supported services | Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, YouTube, Hulu Plus, Pandora | Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Prime Video, Vudu | Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube | Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Prime Video, Vudu | Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Prime Video, Vudu | AirPlay, The Roku Channel, Netflix, Disney plus, Apple TV plus, ESPN, epix, Google Play, Spotify, abc, HBO, Pandora, Showtime |
video output resolution | 1920x1080 | — | — | 3840 x 2160 | 1920 x 1080 | — |
weight | 0.31 pounds | 5.9 ounces | 0.9 ounces | 1.6 ounces | 1.1 ounces | 7.9 ounces |
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Roku 3 Streaming Player
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Product information
Technical Details
Additional Information
ASIN | B00BGGDVOO |
---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #175,754 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #897 in Streaming Media Players |
Date First Available | March 5, 2013 |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product Description
Roku 3 Streaming Player 1080p HD plus enhanced remote with headphone jack
Faster and more powerful than ever. Enjoy 1,800+ channels of movies, TV shows, sports, and more. Plug headphones into the motion-control remote to play games or watch late-night flicks without disturbing the household. Fully loaded with one-stop search, 1080p, dual-band wireless, Ethernet, USB, plus a free Roku app. The Roku 3—the new streaming standard.
- 1,800+ entertainment channels. Choose from the best selection and widest variety of streaming entertainment, including movies, TV shows, music, sports, news, fitness, cooking, and more.
- Lightning fast and powerful. Experience ultra-smooth performance with a 5x faster processor and extended-range wireless.
- Remote with headphone jack for private listening. Use the included headphones and crank up the volume to enjoy a late-night flick without disturbing the household.
- Motion control for games. Enjoy action-packed games with a motion-control remote. Get the fun started with Angry Birds Space, included free.
- One-stop search.* Find your favorite movies and shows in a flash from top channels like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, VUDU, and M-GO.
- Free iOS and Android™ app. Transform your mobile device into a Roku remote. Browse and add new channels. Even use your phone or tablet to send your music, photos and personal videos** to your HDTV.
- All the bells and whistles. 1080p*** HD support, Ethernet and USB ports, and a microSD slot.
- Movies and TV shows, front and center. Instantly access the hottest blockbusters and hit TV shows, powered by M-GO, right from the home screen -- no extra account setup required.
* One-stop search is for movies and TV shows and does not work with all channels. Premium subscriptions are required but are not included with purchase.
** Capability to share video available on iOS and select Android phones. See Roku.com for a list of devices that support this feature.
***Availability of 1080p HD video limited by channel provider and speed of broadband connection.
Get to the entertainment you want instantly
The Roku Channel Store has the largest selection of streaming channels available anywhere – with over 1,800 channels and more coming at a furious pace. Our on-screen interface lets you fly through screens, seamlessly search top channels and launch movies faster than ever before.
- Watch a new movie a day. Every day. For 82 years. Roku has over 200,000 movies and TV episodes at your fingertips from Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, HBO GO, M-GO, VUDU, Redbox Instant by Verizon and more
- With 49 news and weather channels from across the US and around the world, Roku is the best choice for news and weather channels. Top news sources include MSNBC, Fox News, Huffington Post, CNBC and WSJ
- Plus gets loads of other entertainment choices, including:
- Music from Spotify, Amazon Cloud Player, Pandora, MOG, Rdio, VEVO and TuneIn
- Live sports packages including NBA League Pass Broadband, NHL GameCenter LIVE, MLS LIVE, UFCTV, and MLB.TV Premium
- Family entertainment from PBS and Disney
- Photo and video sharing via Facebook, Flickr, and Picasa
Of course, there are also tons of channels featuring international and lifestyle programming, tech news, podcasts, cartoons, and… well, you get the idea.
Watch late-night flicks without disturbing the peace
When you need to keep the volume down but still get your TV fix, Roku 3 features an enhanced remote with built-in headphone jack. Just plug in the included in-ear headphones to enter your own private listening world. It's perfect for cranking up that late-night action movie without waking the spouse. Or kids. Or dog.
Gaming fun for the whole family
Need a break from the movies? With motion-sensing technology, the Roku 3 enhanced remote with game-ready buttons was designed for lightning-fast maneuvers and family-friendly fun. Hit games include Angry Birds Space, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Stay tuned – we're adding more games all the time.
Compare Roku models
Tiny stick. Big entertainment. Works with virtually any TV. Private listening headphone jack. Fully loaded and lightning fast. TV compatibility HDTVs only Virtually any TV Virtually any TV HDTVs only 1,800+ entertainment channels Built-in wireless Roku Search across multiple top channels Plays up to 1080p HD video Control with included remote or mobile devices via the Roku app Send videos, photos and music stored locally on your smartphone to your TV via the Roku app Dual-band wirelessChannel shortcut buttons to Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and more*** Remote with headphone jack for private listening
Cast to TV direct from the Netflix and YouTube apps
Motion control for games (Angry Birds Space included)
Lightning fast with 5x faster processor Ethernet, USB & microSD slot
* Roku 3 works with HDTVs with HDMI port. HDMI cable not included with Roku players.
** Availability of 1080p HD video limited by channel provider and speed of broadband connection.
*** All units manufactured after October 2014 include a remote control that features four quick-access buttons providing one-touch access to Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Rdio, and Hulu.
It's ridiculously easy
From the simple remote to the intuitive interface, Roku 3 was designed to set up in a few quick-and-easy steps. All you need to get started is a high-speed Internet connection (and an HDTV, of course). The built-in wireless and guided setup mean you can be up and running in minutes. And we bet you don't even have to call your nerdy nephew for help.
Included with the Roku 3
- Enhanced remote* with headphone jack and motion control for games
- In-ear headphones
- Free Angry Birds Space game
- Two AA batteries
- Power adapter
- Get Started guide
- 90-day manufacturer warranty
*All units manufactured after October 2014 include a remote control that features four quick-access buttons providing one-touch access to Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Rdio, and Hulu.
What you need
- High-speed Internet (like DSL or cable)
- Wireless router
- HDMI cable (for high-definition video)
- Internet browser (for initial setup)
In general, the faster your Internet connection, the better the video quality. For the best viewing results, we recommend a minimum of 1.5 Mbps for standard definition and 3.0 Mbps for HD content. To test your network speed, visit either one of the following (free) websites: speakeasy.net/speedtest/ or www.speedtest.net. Please note that your Internet speed may vary throughout the day.
Product Description
Revel in our fastest, most powerful streaming player yet. Fully loaded, the Roku 3 packs tons of entertainment into one tiny box. Enjoy 1,800+ channels of movies, TV shows, games, music, sports, and more. Plug headphones into the remote to watch late-night flicks without disturbing the household. Or use motion-control to play games like Angry Birds Space. And with one-stop search, find that perfect movie or show in a flash. 1080p HD, dual-band wireless, Ethernet and USB ports, plus free iOS and Android Roku apps so you can enjoy even more great features. The Roku 3—the new streaming standard for your HDTV.
Roku 3 supports closed captioning on channels that support this feature, including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, VUDU and Hulu Plus. Video output: 1080p, 720p and 480p over HDMI. A USB port enables local media playback (supported formats include: MP4 (H.264) & MKV (H.264) video / AAC & MP3 audio / JPG & PNG image). Audio output: digital over HDMI (7.1/5.1 channel surround sound pass-through and stereo). 12V -- 1A power adapter.
Want to learn more about streaming media players?
Our Streaming Media Player storefront features educational articles, buying guides, comparison charts, and more. Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance, ease of use, speed and value of the tuner. For example, they mention it's effective, functional and flawless. Some appreciate the remote control, streaming, and channels. That said, opinions are mixed on quality.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the performance of the tuner. They say it is an effective product, functional, flawless, and capable. Customers also mention that the remote works great and the directional motion of the remote is great. Overall, customers find the product to be a wonderful little device that functions better than more expensive alternatives.
"...Netflix/Amazon Prime/Plex Media Server household, it is the best product in its class.. It has all the channels one would ever want and then some...." Read more
"...On the positive side, many of the channels are completely legit and worthwhile and I very much look forward to watching them...it just takes some..." Read more
"...Very modern-looking and functional...." Read more
"...The unit works well and the plastic would most likely never be an issue. My big complaint is the inability to turn the unit off. Read their support...." Read more
Customers find the tuner very simple to set up and operate. They say the interface is nice, but very simple. They also say the programming is perfect and user friendly. Customers say the device comes with everything they need to set it up, except an HDMI cable.
"...It is VERY smooth, very simplistic, and VERY easy to use. My wife can't stop raving how much easier it is to use the Roku 3...." Read more
"...So my first impressions are enthusiastically positive! Fast & intuitive user interface, intuitive & uncluttered remote, fast buffering, no stutters...." Read more
"...Just like most of the reviews state, the setup was ridiculously simple and quick...." Read more
"...The programming is perfect for me and my family. I'm currently flirting with getting a Hulu+ subscription as well, but I will wait and see...." Read more
Customers like the speed of the tuner. They mention that the interface is fast, has fast response times, and the improved CPU really helps response time. The apps work and load just as fast, and it runs smoothly. Customers also mention that it's quick to buffer and increase the video quality as the stream progresses.
"...It's quick to buffer and quicker to increase the video quality as the stream progresses. I have absolutely no complaints...." Read more
"...So my first impressions are enthusiastically positive! Fast & intuitive user interface, intuitive & uncluttered remote, fast buffering, no stutters...." Read more
"...the Roku Remote app onto your smartphone, which allows faster typing for searches and log-ins...." Read more
"Super simple to set up, this thing is super fast and very easy to use...." Read more
Customers like the value of the product. They mention that the pay channels are not very expensive, the free offerings are extensive, and the device is a good buy. They also say that the wi-fi it sports is blazing fast and that it saves them a ton of time.
"...and Hulu Plus, but find that the Roku 3 is so much faster, it's well worth the money and lack of frustration...." Read more
"...c. Netflix streaming works well, doesn't have commercials and is affordable, but doesn't include all of the movie library they have available on..." Read more
"...At $100, it's a steal, and the wi-fi it sports is blazing fast. I've had no hiccups or stuttering or freezing/loading issues with it...." Read more
"...The device is inexpensive yet extremely well refined and polished in a way very few other products in this market have achieved...." Read more
Customers like the remote control of the TV. They say it's handy, has a headphone jack, and is fantastic. Some mention that the app allows them to use their phone as a remote. They also like that the remote has lanyard attachments.
"...Fast & intuitive user interface, intuitive & uncluttered remote, fast buffering, no stutters...." Read more
"...The remote is a completely no-nonsense tool to navigate through not only the main menu but through any of the channels that you decide to add to..." Read more
"...That kickass router helped too I'm sure.The little remote is handy, but you may want to look into a universal remote that will manage..." Read more
"...the faster processor, and the wireless private listening mode...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the streaming capabilities of the product. They mention that the quality of the video stream has been very good, and the sound is excellent. The streaming content is consistently superior, and it brings video streaming to the 21st century. The playback is far superior to the home theater PC that they had been using. Netflix streaming works well, and this is a great media player that streams all kinds of media.
"...No more complaints from my wife!!STREAMING QUALITY:I currently subscribe to cable, Netflix, and Amazon Prime...." Read more
"...(including YouTube) to our HDTV, much faster loading and nearly flawless streaming, a good Vimeo app, and faster/slicker access to Amazon Prime..." Read more
"...other than that, it's been smooth sailing and countless hours of high quality streaming...." Read more
"...(win8, wireless), and 2 iphones (wireless) can all stream different content without difficulty. Yeah. I tried...." Read more
Customers like the channels on the tuner. They say it offers many more channels of content, a vast array of paid channels, and free channels. They mention that they can do a search of all channels for a show or movie to find out if they have it free. They also mention that there's a way to subscribe to custom channels so they show up on their Roku. Customers also say that there are channels for browsing their cloud media content and that some of the free channels are worthwhile.
"...Server household, it is the best product in its class.. It has all the channels one would ever want and then some...." Read more
"...On the positive side, many of the channels are completely legit and worthwhile and I very much look forward to watching them...it just takes some..." Read more
"...There is also a vast array of paid channels you could opt for based on your tastes and budget...." Read more
"...There are channels for browsing your cloud media content as well. If you have photo albums on Picasa, Flickr, Dropbox, Shutterfly, etc.,..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the product. Some mention that it's a high-quality, high-value device that provides high-definition content. However, others say that it doesn't have the best shows, is not exactly a substitute for cable TV, and the unit and remote feel cheap.
"...It correctly showed my Vimeo watchlist, and correctly showed which episodes of Amazon Prime TV shows we'd already watched. Sweet...." Read more
"...There is also the option of downloading the Roku Remote app onto your smartphone, which allows faster typing for searches and log-ins...." Read more
"...Why? My guess is the inside is as cheap as the outside. None of my Apple TV's emit this noise. Maybe the metal case and quality internal components...." Read more
"...The stream quality and ease of use are great. It has not crashed on me once...." Read more
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Back in February 2013, I ended up buying the WD TV Live Media Player Wi-fi 1080p because I felt at that time, it was the best streaming device at the time. I've had experiences with Roku since they first came out in 2008, I was impressed with it but my problem with the Roku is the lack of DLNA support. DLNA normally isn't a big factor for most people but my Samsung TV utilizes it and that's how I got into the whole DLNA scenario in the first place. My computer acts as my DLNA server with the Samsung Allshare software and since that's the only way I can stream media to my Samsung TV upstairs. But I had no possible way to stream to my TV downstairs. For years I waited for a device that supported DLNA but with each new release of the Roku, I found that none of them had DLNA support out of the box until the WD TV Live Media Player came out.
That was then... and then my friend told me about Plex Media Server and how he uses it in his household with the WD TV Live, Roku 2 XS, and Roku 3. He basically was doing the same thing I was doing (streaming his files to his various TVs within his house). When I asked him his opinions (and told him I thought the WD TV Live was better), he shook his head and said the Roku is better... especially since he was using PLex Media Server (which I wasn't at the time... remember I was using the Samsung Allshare). He showed me his set up and told me to dump the Allshare and give the Plex Media Server a try. I did and found that my Samsung TV was compatible with it and the WD TV Live was also compatible (but a little clunkier). When it came time to allow me to stream a device to my other TV, I finally pulled the trigger... After 5 years later after 2008, I finally decided to stop my boycott of the Roku and give it a shot. I bought the Roku 3. The rest is history...
There are 3 reasons why I love the Roku vs the WD TV Live...
PLEX CHANNEL:
Roku 3 has an official (free) Plex channel. This channel works seamlessly with the Plex Media Server and all I can say is wow. It's graphical and it's easy to use. Unlike the WD TV Live, it's not complicated!
GUI:
The graphical user interface for the Roku 3 is simple, yet FLUID. I don't know if this is a result of the Roku 3's faster processor (BCM11130 Merlyn) vs the other Roku's BCM2835 processor, but according to the spec sheet, the Roku 3 is 5 TIMES faster than the the ones that utilize the BCM2835 procesor. I've yet to see any slowdowns, hitches, or hiccups while using the Roku 3. It is VERY smooth, very simplistic, and VERY easy to use. My wife can't stop raving how much easier it is to use the Roku 3.
HEADPHONE JACK:
Probably the best side-feature of the Roku. I watch TV late sometimes and my wife falls asleep earlier than I do. I can't tell you how many times my wife has asked me to turn down the volume on the TV while we were in bed. With the Roku 3, the headphone jack in the remote allows you to use headphones while using the Roku. No more complaints from my wife!!
STREAMING QUALITY:
I currently subscribe to cable, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. Streaming both Netflix and Amazon Prime is as good as it gets. It's quick to buffer and quicker to increase the video quality as the stream progresses. I have absolutely no complaints.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Roku 3 pretty much has everything you would want/need in a streaming media player. Given my situation of my Netflix/Amazon Prime/Plex Media Server household, it is the best product in its class.. It has all the channels one would ever want and then some. The only thing it is missing is Youtube, but that's not a dealbreaker for me and I hardly use Youtube anyway outside of my computer and cell phone. Highly pleased.
Signed... a New Roku Convert.
Took exactly 20 minutes to set up, including the following steps:
-- unboxing
-- plug in AC adapter (wall wart, takes two or more spots on a power strip)
-- hook up to our HDTV with hdmi cable (cable is not included)
-- configure wi-fi (you'll need your wi-fi password) and wait briefly for it to self-test local network and internet connectivity
-- wait couple minutes for firmware update to download
-- follow onscreen instructions for device setup via ROKU website using code given on TV screen in big letters
-- go online to create a ROKU account, which *requires* full name, address, phone #, credit card #, and CV code from back of cc
-- creating an optional purchase PIN (which insures you or someone else won't accidentally incur charges to your credit card)
-- Voila! Ready to watch content! Entire setup was straightforward, easy.
To access specific channels such as Vimeo, Plex, Amazon etc you have to go online and punch in a five or six character code to initiate access to your accounts...takes about 2 minutes per account. It correctly showed my Vimeo watchlist, and correctly showed which episodes of Amazon Prime TV shows we'd already watched. Sweet. Initial buffering of TV shows was MUCH faster than using our Vizio's built-in "internet TV" Amazon app. It also correctly showed (with illustrated icons that look like a DVD cover) all the TV series we've been watching over the past several months, so I didn't have to re-look them up via search. Sweet again!
Speaking of search: When comparing reviews of media streaming boxes, I was concerned that the ROKU remote didn't have a qwerty keyboard like some others do...but in reality it only takes two to four characters to bring up the desired show in the search list that pops up, so I can now see why a qwerty keyboard isn't needed, and in fact would just make the remote clunkier.
I signed up for Plex (plexapp.com) which allows you to sling videos from the web to a viewing list on the ROKU. It worked with YouTube, and even on some other off the beaten path sites as well. You find content via the internet, then tell Plex (via bookmarklet) to save it to a watchlist to view whenever you want on the ROKU. It took about 2 to 5 seconds per selection to save to the queue. I can see how this will open up virtually unlimited new possibilities for non-traditional content to watch. No more watching crap during the summer programming doldrums because we're down to the dregs on TiVo. (We don't have cable, but do have TiVo for over-the-air recording of digital network content.)
Love the instant replay button (similar to TiVo's), which rewinds 7 seconds per click. Great for deciphering mumbly dialog. It also has an option for closed captioning (which is not necessarily available on all shows, but a nice option). Haven't yet tried the earbuds that plug into the remote for private screening, but they did ship with it in the box, and were one of the features that nudged me toward choosing the ROKU over other boxes.
The description says the ROKU 3 is capable of 1080p but ours was factory set at 720p. I discovered this by chance while exploring "settings" and manually changed it to 1080p. Our Vizio 58" HDTV has a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio with 2560 x 1080p resolution; the ROKU performed flawlessly while streaming 21:9 content from Vimeo at full cinematic resolution (although I'm not sure I could tell the difference between 720p vs 1080p just by casual viewing...will have to look for a resolution test online somewhere?).
There's a long list of free channels from a wide range of genres, several of which I added to our channel lineup. I removed Netflix and others that we don't have subscriptions to (can add back anytime). We already have Amazon Prime, so now with all the new free channels I can't imagine needing any more content since we only watch TV 1-1/2 to 2 hours per day.
So my first impressions are enthusiastically positive! Fast & intuitive user interface, intuitive & uncluttered remote, fast buffering, no stutters. Light years better functionality/performance compared to using the apps that came with our "internet TV"! Already seems money well spent. Would definitely recommend!
DAY 3 UPDATE: Some channels/apps don't "predict" what you're trying to type in the search box...so the lack of a qwerty keyboard was bugging me more (Vimeo for example). So I downloaded a free Roku app for my iPod, which turns it into a Roku remote with full qwerty keyboard. One glitch: the delete/backspace function does NOT work from the iPod, so if I hit a wrong letter I have to grab the Roku remote to backspace.
Many of the "channels" are simply advertising, or come-ons, or bait & switches. Many of the fitness channels say "free" but after they get you to go to their website you learn that "free" only applies to the first week, or month, after which you must pay for a subscription. Some channels have only two or three podcast-like selections. Some channels are self serving, such as a book publisher whose channel consists of book reviews. Some channels have commercials, such as a 50-minute indie movie I scoped out which started with a 30 second ad; fast forward was disabled during the commercial of course, all I could do was mute my sound system and wait. But it said that was the only ad that would play, so I guess I could live with that. There was a paid "ad free" option for 99 cents...but by the time you messed around with paying, the ad would be over anyway. But it's hasta la vista to Crackle -- reMOVE channel -- because they INTERRUPT content with ads! TiVo and Amazon Prime have me spoiled I guess...haven't had to watch commercials for years.
After an hour or more of sifting through all the available channels, I was left feeling mildly annoyed by the typical non-transparency of come-ons, where they give you the impression it's free until the last possible minute, which wastes my time! I think Roku should require channels to be more forthcoming about fees in the initial description. Some channels do so, but not all.
I finally made it all the way through the 700+ "channels," of which I chose 40 to put in "My Channels."
On the positive side, many of the channels are completely legit and worthwhile and I very much look forward to watching them...it just takes some wading through &%$# to get to them.
Still a very solid 5 stars IMHO!
DAY 4 UPDATE: Well, sorry to say, but the bloom is definitely off the rose as far as the hundreds of "free" channels go. In fact, I'd give the overall channel selection zero stars. Lots of flash, little substance. Upon closer examination, I axed several more channels from "My Channels" today...I'm down to only a couple dozen left, of which only a handful are golden.
I'm still at 5 stars overall for the Roku 3 due to it's speed and intuitive user interface for streaming...plus the instant replay button, the Plex app queueing web videos (including YouTube) to our HDTV, much faster loading and nearly flawless streaming, a good Vimeo app, and faster/slicker access to Amazon Prime content.
SIX WEEK UPDATE: Even the PBS channel interrupts programs with un-skippable commercials! (Yes I realize there has to be revenue from *somewhere.*) Still lovin' the Roku 3 overall though, use it every evening. Have had to unplug base unit a couple of times to get it "unstuck," so be sure to mount it in a reasonably accessible location. TiVo is nipping at Roku's heels by partnering with more web-based content providers (especially for video podcasts), but Roku still beats TiVo for Amazon viewing because so far only paid Amazon content can be downloaded to TiVo, not free Prime content. Used and appreciated Roku 3's headphone-jack-in-the-remote feature during a recent infestation of visitors into our home.
NOVEMBER 2013 UPDATE: Just bought a SECOND Roku 3, rationalizing that having Roku in exercise room will pacify me into riding elliptical trainer longer and more often ;-) Location for second Roku is farther from router, and at first it was buffering 30 seconds to give me 10 seconds of video...unwatchable. So I tried Roku's online LiveChat support, and was pleasantly surprised that they were able to solve the problem! The key seemed to be updating the software, which can be done from a "secret screen" accessed like this:
<Using the Roku remote, press the HOME button 5 times, FORWARD button 3 times then REVERSE button 2 times.>
Choose the Update option. I didn't have to reload channels or anything, it just gave me snappier performance, and sped things up enough that even my farthest away Roku works great now (opposite end of house from router, about 60 feet).
LiveChat worked very well -- gave me time in between messages to go fiddle and test without pressure of someone waiting on a phone line. They said phone support is free for 90 days from purchase, LiveChat is free forever...another positive about Roku. I'm impressed!
Took exactly 20 minutes to set up, including the following steps:
-- unboxing
-- plug in AC adapter (wall wart, takes two or more spots on a power strip)
-- hook up to our HDTV with hdmi cable (cable is not included)
-- configure wi-fi (you'll need your wi-fi password) and wait briefly for it to self-test local network and internet connectivity
-- wait couple minutes for firmware update to download
-- follow onscreen instructions for device setup via ROKU website using code given on TV screen in big letters
-- go online to create a ROKU account, which *requires* full name, address, phone #, credit card #, and CV code from back of cc
-- creating an optional purchase PIN (which insures you or someone else won't accidentally incur charges to your credit card)
-- Voila! Ready to watch content! Entire setup was straightforward, easy.
To access specific channels such as Vimeo, Plex, Amazon etc you have to go online and punch in a five or six character code to initiate access to your accounts...takes about 2 minutes per account. It correctly showed my Vimeo watchlist, and correctly showed which episodes of Amazon Prime TV shows we'd already watched. Sweet. Initial buffering of TV shows was MUCH faster than using our Vizio's built-in "internet TV" Amazon app. It also correctly showed (with illustrated icons that look like a DVD cover) all the TV series we've been watching over the past several months, so I didn't have to re-look them up via search. Sweet again!
Speaking of search: When comparing reviews of media streaming boxes, I was concerned that the ROKU remote didn't have a qwerty keyboard like some others do...but in reality it only takes two to four characters to bring up the desired show in the search list that pops up, so I can now see why a qwerty keyboard isn't needed, and in fact would just make the remote clunkier.
I signed up for Plex (plexapp.com) which allows you to sling videos from the web to a viewing list on the ROKU. It worked with YouTube, and even on some other off the beaten path sites as well. You find content via the internet, then tell Plex (via bookmarklet) to save it to a watchlist to view whenever you want on the ROKU. It took about 2 to 5 seconds per selection to save to the queue. I can see how this will open up virtually unlimited new possibilities for non-traditional content to watch. No more watching crap during the summer programming doldrums because we're down to the dregs on TiVo. (We don't have cable, but do have TiVo for over-the-air recording of digital network content.)
Love the instant replay button (similar to TiVo's), which rewinds 7 seconds per click. Great for deciphering mumbly dialog. It also has an option for closed captioning (which is not necessarily available on all shows, but a nice option). Haven't yet tried the earbuds that plug into the remote for private screening, but they did ship with it in the box, and were one of the features that nudged me toward choosing the ROKU over other boxes.
The description says the ROKU 3 is capable of 1080p but ours was factory set at 720p. I discovered this by chance while exploring "settings" and manually changed it to 1080p. Our Vizio 58" HDTV has a cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio with 2560 x 1080p resolution; the ROKU performed flawlessly while streaming 21:9 content from Vimeo at full cinematic resolution (although I'm not sure I could tell the difference between 720p vs 1080p just by casual viewing...will have to look for a resolution test online somewhere?).
There's a long list of free channels from a wide range of genres, several of which I added to our channel lineup. I removed Netflix and others that we don't have subscriptions to (can add back anytime). We already have Amazon Prime, so now with all the new free channels I can't imagine needing any more content since we only watch TV 1-1/2 to 2 hours per day.
So my first impressions are enthusiastically positive! Fast & intuitive user interface, intuitive & uncluttered remote, fast buffering, no stutters. Light years better functionality/performance compared to using the apps that came with our "internet TV"! Already seems money well spent. Would definitely recommend!
DAY 3 UPDATE: Some channels/apps don't "predict" what you're trying to type in the search box...so the lack of a qwerty keyboard was bugging me more (Vimeo for example). So I downloaded a free Roku app for my iPod, which turns it into a Roku remote with full qwerty keyboard. One glitch: the delete/backspace function does NOT work from the iPod, so if I hit a wrong letter I have to grab the Roku remote to backspace.
Many of the "channels" are simply advertising, or come-ons, or bait & switches. Many of the fitness channels say "free" but after they get you to go to their website you learn that "free" only applies to the first week, or month, after which you must pay for a subscription. Some channels have only two or three podcast-like selections. Some channels are self serving, such as a book publisher whose channel consists of book reviews. Some channels have commercials, such as a 50-minute indie movie I scoped out which started with a 30 second ad; fast forward was disabled during the commercial of course, all I could do was mute my sound system and wait. But it said that was the only ad that would play, so I guess I could live with that. There was a paid "ad free" option for 99 cents...but by the time you messed around with paying, the ad would be over anyway. But it's hasta la vista to Crackle -- reMOVE channel -- because they INTERRUPT content with ads! TiVo and Amazon Prime have me spoiled I guess...haven't had to watch commercials for years.
After an hour or more of sifting through all the available channels, I was left feeling mildly annoyed by the typical non-transparency of come-ons, where they give you the impression it's free until the last possible minute, which wastes my time! I think Roku should require channels to be more forthcoming about fees in the initial description. Some channels do so, but not all.
I finally made it all the way through the 700+ "channels," of which I chose 40 to put in "My Channels."
On the positive side, many of the channels are completely legit and worthwhile and I very much look forward to watching them...it just takes some wading through &%$# to get to them.
Still a very solid 5 stars IMHO!
DAY 4 UPDATE: Well, sorry to say, but the bloom is definitely off the rose as far as the hundreds of "free" channels go. In fact, I'd give the overall channel selection zero stars. Lots of flash, little substance. Upon closer examination, I axed several more channels from "My Channels" today...I'm down to only a couple dozen left, of which only a handful are golden.
I'm still at 5 stars overall for the Roku 3 due to it's speed and intuitive user interface for streaming...plus the instant replay button, the Plex app queueing web videos (including YouTube) to our HDTV, much faster loading and nearly flawless streaming, a good Vimeo app, and faster/slicker access to Amazon Prime content.
SIX WEEK UPDATE: Even the PBS channel interrupts programs with un-skippable commercials! (Yes I realize there has to be revenue from *somewhere.*) Still lovin' the Roku 3 overall though, use it every evening. Have had to unplug base unit a couple of times to get it "unstuck," so be sure to mount it in a reasonably accessible location. TiVo is nipping at Roku's heels by partnering with more web-based content providers (especially for video podcasts), but Roku still beats TiVo for Amazon viewing because so far only paid Amazon content can be downloaded to TiVo, not free Prime content. Used and appreciated Roku 3's headphone-jack-in-the-remote feature during a recent infestation of visitors into our home.
NOVEMBER 2013 UPDATE: Just bought a SECOND Roku 3, rationalizing that having Roku in exercise room will pacify me into riding elliptical trainer longer and more often ;-) Location for second Roku is farther from router, and at first it was buffering 30 seconds to give me 10 seconds of video...unwatchable. So I tried Roku's online LiveChat support, and was pleasantly surprised that they were able to solve the problem! The key seemed to be updating the software, which can be done from a "secret screen" accessed like this:
<Using the Roku remote, press the HOME button 5 times, FORWARD button 3 times then REVERSE button 2 times.>
Choose the Update option. I didn't have to reload channels or anything, it just gave me snappier performance, and sped things up enough that even my farthest away Roku works great now (opposite end of house from router, about 60 feet).
LiveChat worked very well -- gave me time in between messages to go fiddle and test without pressure of someone waiting on a phone line. They said phone support is free for 90 days from purchase, LiveChat is free forever...another positive about Roku. I'm impressed!
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Tons of apps and channels - much better than Apple TV!