Roku vs Apple TV? Roku vs Apple TV?
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.
1855002
I know this might be repeating, but you don't need the Roku with a TiVo. TiVo trumps Roku if you're looking for a DVR replacement plus Netflix. I love, love, love TiVo and have had TiVos since they came out. It's an entirely different and much better experience than you would get from a cable company DVR.
1922596
@givnastyI have 3 rokus and have no issues ...Sure some roku users have issues just like any other tech gadget. Before you go thinking Apple TV is somehow free of headaches and snafus , goto http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1397 or http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=197 where u will find literally thousands of issues including "flaky wifi" and unhappy users...Roku has much more content plus amazon vod and it takes all of 5 -10 min to setup.......Roku rocks! CNET : Roku wins editors choice http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20024488-1.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;1n @givnastyI have 3 rokus and have no issues ...Sure some roku users have issues just like any other tech gadget. Before you go thinking Apple TV is somehow free of headaches and snafus , goto http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1397 or http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=197 where u will find literally thousands of issues including "flaky wifi" and unhappy users...Roku has much more content plus amazon vod and it takes all of 5 -10 min to setup.......Roku rocks! CNET : Roku wins editors choice... » Read More @givnastyI have 3 rokus and have no issues ...Sure some roku users have issues just like any other tech gadget. Before you go thinking Apple TV is somehow free of headaches and snafus , goto http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1397 or http://discussions.apple.com/category.jspa?categoryID=197 where u will find literally thousands of issues including "flaky wifi" and unhappy users...Roku has much more content plus amazon vod and it takes all of 5 -10 min to setup.......Roku rocks! CNET : Roku wins editors choice http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20024488-1.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;1n « Show Less
1820199
Yes it will. You need to download a software called Plex, it is available for both MAC and Windows. http://plexapp.com/. Once this is installed you can activate the PLEX channel on your Roku box. This will give access to all your iTunes video and audio.
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 ;-)
914229
Depends on your distance from your Apple router and Roku box. I have found that a distance of more than 30 ft gives lower quality experience with Roku. This is due to Roku having small size and small wi-fi antenna or lower quality wi-fi chip. The fix is to use a Cisco-Linksys WET610N Dual-Band Wireless-N Gaming and Video Adapter to use the ethernet port of roku device instead of its internal wi-fi. If you are not comfortable with bridge, then go with powerline kit like this one Linksys Powerline AV Wireless Network Extender (PLWK400)
914227
I am not using Apple. I have cable internet from Time Warner with a wireless router. My Roku is hooked to that. I have the router in the basement and the Roku is hooked upstairs . I am streaming it on a non- HDTV. It is crystal clear with beautiful sound. I could not ask for better picture quality.
511617
InstaTv Pro is your solution, http://instatv-app.com/ I use one of them, and sometimes on HD channels it can be a little flakey at times, but it works for the IPAD. Still trying to get it to work on Roku. No idea on appletv.
1950226
I have a Sony Blu-Ray player and it has most of the same stuff as the Roku so I would just compare the line-up of both and decide which would do the job better for you. The Roku does not have Youtube, that is a deal breaker for a lot of people.
419426
We use a Roku HD with an older TV which has composite inputs (red, white, yellow) and it works great. Part of the Roku setup will ask you questions that address this and other things. It was a snap to set up. With Roku you will not need a computer except to register the Roku. You can manage your Netflix queue on your Mac if you want. You can also use the Roku on your TV.I think you'll like it.
1125060
Netflix works fine on my TV, but the "app" is not very elegant. I found it clunky and hard to navigate. I still use my Roku box to stream Netflix, as the Netflix app for Roku is far better than the Netflix app for Vizio/V.I.A.
1285053
I can't find any evidence of an Apple HDTV release. Do you have a link?I imagine an Apple HDTV will be significantly more expensive.
856029
I have the UN46D6000 (the next smaller tv in this family) and there's no amazon video app. After a while, I found the whole 'smart tv' part of these TV too slow and unstable as well, so I ended up buying a Roku (http://www.roku.com/) and haven't looked back (though I use the youtube app on the TV itself sometimes, since the Roku still doesn't have Youtube). If you're an apple fan, you might want to check out the Apple TV.
1922592
We have 2 roku xd players and have yet to have a issue with them wireless or video playback, between Netflix and hulu plus we pay 14.99 a month mix that with all the free channels we get more then cable tv offers and including quality 1080p at a fraction of the cost for apple tv or monthly payment extortion rates to cable tv We are happy with it
1834038
No question, the Roku is much better. My review of the Duet: http://piaw.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-squeezebox-duet.html My review of the Soundbridge: http://piaw.blogspot.com/2009/09/review-roku-soundbridge.html
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.
343395
If there's an option to AirPlay AppleTV, then it's Apple's best kept secret. To the best of my knowledge . . .Apple TV RECEIVES content but does not transmit it. But like it's already been said, there would be a lag between what you saw on your TV and what you heard on the SoundLink.