Worth updating Roku 2 XS vs Roku XDS? Is there any reason to upgrade to this Roku 2?
198447
Yes. The Bluetooth remote is much faster and does not require line of sight. I think the picture is higher quality because of the much improved and more modern processor. You may want to try one in the location it is used the most. Some people have complained about the wireless. I use the ethernet connection and that works well.
2201404
I would only use this if your Roku has a limited connection (low signal). Now if you're wanting to hard wire (directly connect); then yes, it would show an improvement. My suggestion would be if you have 3 or more base already on your Roku device (decent signal), this product won't make a tremendous upgrade for you. If you have bad signal to your roku, then yes, it will make a difference.
2252863
I'm actually returning the 2 and buying the 1 again. The 2 does not support PlayOn and they blocked several private channel, legal, that allow you to watch live TV or CBS. I had some unexpected reboots while watching Hulu, never had that issue with original Roku
1681257
I chose to take the cheapest one and use the RCA cables. I have a 42 inch plasma tv, and with the exception of a few really old black and white movies, everything I've watched so far is as good a picture as I could want or need. I don't see how HD would be that much better, and I think it also depends on what kind of WIFI you have. My internet is through DSL. At any rate, I have the the $40 Roku, and have never loved any gadget as much as I do this one.
236066
I have both a Roku HD and an Apple TV (on different sets). At the moment, I like both pretty much equally, but for different reasons. The biggest differences: Roku has more "channels" (content sources) than the Apple, and some pretty dedicated people both within and outside the company for developing more. Apple TV has the ability to stream content from iTunes on my computer, and audio from my iPod touch. The big question right now is whether or not Apple will develop more channels and/or allow 3rd parties develop their own. If they do both -- and it's likely they will-- I think the Apple has a lot more potential than the Roku because of the excellent hardware inside the box. The ATV has an A4 processor like an iPad/iPhone/iPod touch and 8gb of storage... I'm sure there's some amazing things that can be done with that. If development is opened to third parties, there's going to be a flood of apps. As much as I root for small companies against the giants, Apple is... well, Apple. I'm pretty certain it's the last company in the world Roku would choose to compete against. 720p vs. 1080p? I'll say this straight out: no one is ever going to come to your house for movie night and say, "I'm sorry, but your 720p picture is just unwatchable. I have to leave." It's one of the least interesting numbers when it comes to picture quality.
83870
When I last checked it was incompatible but don't let that deter you. I added a Roku 2 XS for the much better menuing it offers than using the built in Internet browser and a far smoother streaming experience. With broadband >3Mbs the Hi Def images I see on this set are much better than I have seen on many theater screens. It really has changed how I see films.
410289
I've heard this models great with HD. But I'm not planning on updating the box or getting a newer generation gaming system quite yet.I currently have no TV. My goal is to find the most cost efficient TV I'll be happy with for years. In other words, one that handles SD well for now, but handles HD good enough that when I switch to it I won't feel like I should buy a newer model.
1034897
There are no further firmware updates for this model. I ran into a similar problem, although my unit wouldn't load a Blu-Ray at all, much less play it. After much frustration looking for a non-existent solution, I got a nice Panasonic Blu-Ray player - that does Internet TV *much* better, I might add - and now can enjoy my Blu-Rays while still using the rest of the Samsung unit's "home theatre" functions, which pretty much boil down to the sound system at this point. The short answer is yes, it's crap.
841131
The browser is one of the key differences. It's not great. I have both units. Roku in the master bedroom Boxee in the Living Room. Vudu is great & has 5.1 Stereo on Boxee & HD & HDX video. Hulu Plus (right now) is only on Roku (major (major) disappointment) Netflix is great on both services. Software interface is great on both (slightly better on Boxee). If Boxee ever get's their act together... it'll be worth the $$$. I like both. If VUDU & Browser are not very important... get Roku. (BTW: Boxee has a nice interface to your home computer network. You can watch videos, view photos etc. on your TV)
63899
Thank you for your help. I think I will skip over the XS and try a more current model. My classes do not start till January so I do have time to do more research on the newer models. Looking over the specs I really like the 50D model, but it's out of my price range. Maybe I will get lucky and a refurbished one will show up in my price range. If no,t I might go for the T1 or T2.Thank you again for your help.
2124842
I totally agree about reverting back to the previous stable version. At this point, it would be in Panasonic's best interest to keep us happy and revert back to V1.27 immediately!. I spoke with a rep today. Because the Panasonic BD players are designed to not allow downgrade to a previous (lower numbered) version of the firmware, I suggested their engineering department consider renaming the stable V1.27 to V1.44 and put it on their servers NOW. This would enable our Netflix-crippled machines to revert back to the previous version until they can fully test their new firmware.
1347810
The Roku 3 gives you the most flexibility but it may have features you don't need. It's best to go on the Roku site and look at the features each offers and see what you're going to use. I have both the Roku 3 and Apple TV. I personally like the features of Apple better although the channel choices are fewer, but I mainly wanted it for Netflix so that doesn't bother me. I find most of the choices for additional channels on Roku not to be of my liking anyway. Many of them are very niche oriented, such things as outdoor cooking, religion, etc. Many of the "free" movie channels play old "B" movies and it seems as if there are few changes in what is offered. Other movie channels require additional subscription fees or in some cases you can watch the movie "free" if you put up with a few commercial interruptions. But, again I find the choices limited and not really of interest to me. You may be different and enjoy the offerings.
500450
Hopefully someone from Western Digital sees this question and other comments like it. It they would integrate a browser and additional Apps like Amazon, Vevo, FSTV, etc, (come on WD - this is a great product - take on Roku directly!), this thing will sell like crazy. They have really improved it and it is almost there. Raise the price a few dollars if that's what it takes - and pack this baby with streaming apps! Someone in product development needs to understand how close they are to a serious Roku killer. . .not to say that Roku isn't a good product too.
532054
I am not an expert, but according to the roku charts - the roku 3 can only be used with HD tvs and the roku 2 can be used with any tvs.
1784265
I am able to stream two 720 60fps 5000 kbps at the same time to two Roku 3's via direct-play. I have converted my videos to direct play on the Roku's and thus I am not using the transcoder function on the Synology. I agree with the other poster, the cpu is not powerful enough to handle on the fly transcoding. It is better to format your videos so they do not require on the fly transcoding.
532053
Roku 3 have: higher price tag, faster processor speed, USB port, only hd (hdmi only), ethernet port, ... But the same content.Roku 2 works fine only WiFi, no USB, rca sd output, both have headphone Jack in the remote control, for wireless listening. This us a conflict solver at bedroom ;-)
1713955
1. It should - it works fine with AppleTV 3, so I don't see why it wouldn't for a Roku 2XD 2. It comes with stereo 1/8" (3.5mm) to dual RCA female adapter. You would need an RCA to RCA cable to connect to a typical home stereo.