If you use roku or Apple TV, you need this.
588641
I have this set up to control a roku, Apple TV, blue ray, and the tv and it works well. It has some cool features like a pass through that allows me to bring up tv menus regardless of which device (Tv, roku, or Apple TV) I'm controlling. It also has a macro function that allows you to set up a string of commands for a single button push.  I programmed the power button to take the Apple TV and roku to the home menu in addition to turning the tv on and off. This is useful to either wake the devices or to stop whatever they are streaming with a single button when you turn the tv on and off.
4680721
Works as advertised.  I found that it worked flawlessly with a wired Ethernet connection along with a wired Ethernet connection for the AppleTV.  Cut the cord and get one of these.  then get HULU plus and a an APPLETV and you are on your way to savings.  the equipment ran about 2 months of Cable charges for me.  then the monthly cost was cut to about 10% of that for cable.  This is my experience.
3727047
As a home and business custom audio visual integrator, we've installed more Apple TVs in our systems than any other AV product on the market. The best feature on the Apple TV is Airplay with Video. With airplay, you can wirelessly stream audio and video from anywhere on the WiFi network. It's so easy to use and allows anyone with an Apple device (iPad, iPhone, Macbook) to stream their content without having to download software, drivers or connect external dongles.

With an Apple TV connected to an AV receiver and/or a nice HDTV, the audio and video quality are top notch. The built in apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Vimeo and 1000s of internet radio stations provide great entertainment all in High Definition. However, if it's not on the Apple TV, then you can use Airplay to view and listen to whatever app from your iPhone etc.

From a business usage standpoint, the ability to wirelessly stream slideshow or video presentations to any attached video display makes the Apple TV an inexpensive digital signage solution. The possibilities are truly limitless.

PROS: Super easy to use and works seamlessly with other apple products. High quality audio and video experience. Airplay is awesome.

CONS: Occasional loss of network connection can confuse some users but simply powering off and then back on will fix it. Lack of RCA audio outputs can be limiting for people with older AV equipment.
846270
I'm so glad I purchased the Roku 2.  I even downloaded the app to my phone so I could use it instead of the remote.
Never knew there were so so so many channels (free and subscription).
Like that you can search by title and it will tell you where you can find that movie, tv show etc (ex. Hulu, Netflix, ....)

Con:
If you have "shows you watch" on Hulu and you're used to seeing "watch the latest episode", you won't see that using Hulu on Roku.

Device tends to overheat at times, but not really a big deal for now.
722704
Previously I was using a Nintendo Wii to watch Netflix programming. I bought the Roku 2 so I could more easily access Amazon & Hulu. Right now, I'm using Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and some of the free channels: Crackle, Fox News, and I've tried a couple of others. If you want Internet TV right now (September 2011) you basically have 2 options: Roku or Apple TV. I chose Roku because it seemed cheaper and seems to have more services that work with it. It's not perfect, but it works pretty darn good and is easy to use. I give it 5 stars since there is really nothing better on the market, in my opinion.
4073199
Expectations can be something good, but sometimes can be something bad.

I have an Apple TV, the lastest one, and got the roku 2 HD to bring all my streaming services to my tv. So the idea of being able to use my apple tv to watch/listen all my iCloud music, videos and photos and the other great content on the apple tv: sports, news, youtube, flickr, vemeo, radio etc. plus adding hulu + and Amazon prime video to my tv, with the other channels on the Roku for under a hundred bucks was a great idea.
so here is my experience:

THE GOOD:
*the roku gives you lots, and i mean lots of free content options: movies, tv shows, music, news, fitness. and more
*the design is small and comparable to the apple tv. the color of the set is black like the apple tv, so the two of them almost vanish from you eyes when you put them next, or behind your tv set. I actually like the design of the Roku better because of the little purple tag on the side of the box.
*the UI is easy enough, and navigating thru the content is easy.
*the roku 2 HD offers "HD"

THE BAD
*the quality of the image is bad. once you start watching something, most of the times is starts playing in standard (or substandard definition) and eventually progresses to 720. this happens a lot with Netflix, hulu + and crackle. note: on the apple tv, HD content from netflix and itunes looks and sound better, way better and faster.
*lag on the sound shows up every now and then. not in every stream, but still you can hear and see it.
*the freaking remote: that thing is awefully big and awkward. (but you can get and iOS remote for it for 0.99 cents).
*and finally, the fact the item is being sold as a standalone service, but when you plug it in, it says you have to go online on your computer to set up an account, why can't i set up my account on my tv?

MY CONCLUSION
to me, for the price this is a good buy... well, it offers lots of content and good UI.
My hope is that in the future the take more time trying to offer a better HD experience and a better remote.
3661529
If your a cord cutter and media junkie like myself, this thing is a great alternative to the Apple TV (or addition to your streaming device collection), but depending on what specific content you're looking for, it's not easy to say which device is better. What I can say is different about this device is it's selection and games and optional third-party apps, which is a great feature to customizing your media intake.
3679941
I use this with JRIVER on my PC and I can push any media onto any device with this. I have it on every TV now.
Its built in apps or strong but its the integration with the PC that won me. Plex with Roku isn't as good as this for me because this works great with DLNA. If you watch a lot of your movies from your libary then I would go with this. It also does youtube very well.
The you tube app can control everything for you.
3483606
Glad I got this to go with Roku Streaming Stick, I don't have to plug in an extra cord into the wall outlet.
3089684
I already owned a Roku 2 and Roku 3 and acquired a used TV for my bedroom so I ordered a Roku 4 because I'm such a big fan of the product line. When the Roku 4 arrived, however, I was not able to add any channels. I tried updating software, rebooting, resetting, but nothing helped. I thought I had purchased a lemon unit and emailed the problem to Roku support and started the procedure to replace the device. The next day Roku support told me the problems were on their end but by then I had already bought an Apple TV 4. The Roku problems were resolved and all my channels installed correctly. But I ended up liking the Apple TV enough to uses it on my primary TV. I also kept the Roku 4 to replace my Roku 3 because of some audio sync issues the 3 gives me.

The Roku 4 is very much like a Roku 3. My TV is 1080p, so no comments on the video upgrade. The fan noise is negligible and I probably wouldn't even notice it if the issue wasn't raised in so many reviews. There's a settings option to turn off the fan if that's a problem for anyone. I haven't experienced any crashes, freezes, reboots, etc. It runs smooth and perfectly. I have the Roku 4 in my bedroom and an Apple TV 4 in my living room so much of my review is comparing those two.

The Apple TV 4 has features I wish the Roku 4 has. The biggest advantage of Apple TV 4 is that it can control volumes from its remote which means I can now get rid of my universal remote. The Apple TV 4 can also power my TV on and off which the Roku can't do. The Apple TV will also turn the TV after a period of inactivity. The Roku shortcomings means a universal remote is necessary, which negates the value of the Roku remote's voice control features. Another advantage to Apple TV is that it can connect to Bluetooth speakers, not so for the Roku. The Apple TVs touch pad, while generally nice, has one major flaw. If you accidentally touch the touch pad you are likely to scrub through whatever show you're watching.

In generally I'm happy with the Roku 4 but I wish its remote had the ability to control TV volume and power.
1654070
Love it, It makes the apple tv remote just about usable. With this, you can pick up the remote without it selecting something on the screen every time. Just buy it, Buy it now :-)
2765281
Works great with my Roku 3 and TCL TV (non-Roku). All Roku and TV functions work. The channel dot was missing so I just reprogrammed the CC key for it. I also reprogramed the Box-Power key to work for TV. You have to tell it to always use the TV's volume control, just like a cable remote. The larger Roku toggle keys take some getting used to but there is a nice recess on the back of the remote so you always hold it the same way (and never get it backwards). If you have a Roku 2 or 3, this is the one to get. It beats the two RCAs I tried. The only negative I see is the LEDs are too bright. And it might be good to put a bump (or dent) on the OK key so you can find it by feel. BTW, put the manual in a safe place because it doesn't seem to be available online. And your old TV remote too.

The negative reviews seem to be from people who expect an IR remote to work with an RF-only device or a Roku TV to have numeric input, which it doesn't.
1697847
I am proud to say I haven't paid for cable in years and, while sometimes I miss it, I don't miss the cost AT ALL. Couple this thing with an Apple TV, Roku, PS3, XBOX, smart TV or whatever and a couple subscriptions to Hulu, Netflix, etc. and you should have no trouble entertaining yourself in front of the TV for a lot less. Your wallet will thank you.
3898294
I love this!  Now I don't have to use an extension cord to power my Roku!
4958295
The Mac Mini complements my new HDTV by adding DVR and Internet video capabilities.  The Mini's HDMI connection and video capabilities support 1080 high definition, higher than Apple TV's 720.  The money that would otherwise have gone to never-ending cable fees went for a one-time purchase of the Mini and an&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Elgato-EyeTV-Hybrid-10021020/dp/B003UATR3I/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Elgato EyeTV Hybrid (10021020)</a>&nbsp;tuner.  Additional accessories included Apple's Magic Trackpad&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Apple-Magic-Trackpad/dp/B003XIJ3MW/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Apple Magic Trackpad</a>, Apple Remote&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Apple-Music-System-Remote-Control-for-iPhone-iPod-DVD-PlayerMusic-System/dp/B002TPFNXS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Apple Music System Remote Control for iPhone, iPod, DVD PlayerMusic System</a>, and HP Wireless Elite Keyboard&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/HP-Wireless-Elite-Keyboard/dp/B001IOHAVO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">HP Wireless Elite Keyboard</a>&nbsp;(for the numeric keypad and easy channel selection).

This combination allows me to record over-the-air digital broadcasts (my location receives 71 channels), record one program and watch another (using the TV's tuner), play DVD movies on the Mini, stream video from YouTube, Hulu, or any other Internet source (such as CBS or SyFy), in up to and including high definition.

Gotchas?  The HDMI connection disables the computer's volume control, so you need to switch to the television remote for that.  Also, you need a broadband connection with adequate bandwidth.  The Mini doesn't support Blu-ray, so you'll need a separate player for that.  And for 3-D -- this equipment doesn't address that.

The combination may not work for you, and there may be cheaper alternatives.  But so far it is doing what I wanted.  Television manufacturers, studios, and other media companies are all trying to grab a piece of the future of home entertainment, and I didn't want to buy into a single company's service or wanna-be standard that may go away tomorrow.  Using the Mini as the main component seemed to provide the most capability and flexibility at this time.  It works great.
3795927
Oh apple, you and you're proprietary connections. This allowed NetFlix to be viewed on a bigscreen when connected to a Mac via HDMI.
Works perfectly. Full 1080p picture.
2926111
This little guy is a simple bridge between your devices and the TV.

Play music, media files, and movies.

If you don't need the bells and whistles of the likes of a roku, this is a solid choice.

DISCLAIMER: A free product was provided in exchange for a fair and honest review.