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Official Roku HD/XD/XDS Owners Thread - Page 5

post #121 of 638
11/13/10 at 8:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suntan View Post

Anyone having complaints about the remote control, is it a remote problem or a receiver problem?

IE, when a person learns in the controls to a proper universal remote, is it still finicky, or does the problem go away?

-Suntan

I pretty sure the receiver eye on the box itself is the problem. I too noticed the issue where the Roku remote had to be pointed directly at the box to work. I now have the Roku in it's permanent position behind a curtain with a IR repeater attached directly to the front of the Roku box and I don't have to have the remote pointed directly at my IR repeater receiver. That's not to say a universal remote might not have a stronger signal or broader dispersal to mitigate some of the problem.

-Stephen
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post #122 of 638
11/13/10 at 8:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by totalkonfuzion View Post

I couldn't find a thread about the original Roku boxes so I'll just post a quick question here. I'm on my 2nd roku XR that has stopped connecting to the network (both wired and wireless). This is the 2nd box that will hang at "connecting to local network" and not go anywhere from there. I'm sending this one back as well under warranty and hopefully will get one that will work for another 3 months. When the roku works it works well but it seems to die every 3-6 months with moderate usage. Seriously, this is going to be my 3rd box..we'll see how long this one lasts.

Anyone else have issues with their XR? I've read up on a few issues on the official Roku support forums so it seems like others have had this issue as well.

I'm also thinking of purchasing a new Roku for my in-laws but am weary at this point. Meh..it's only $60 now which is half of what I paid for my XR so I'll probably go for it anyway.

I had this issue when I was doing the initial setup for my Roku. I just had to restart my router and then it worked fine. I've noticed I have to restart my Belkin router every week or two to keep things working right on the network. I don't if this will help your situation or not, but it sounds similar to issues I've had on my network.

-Stephen
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post #123 of 638
11/13/10 at 10:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by StephenF View Post

I found a little more info that *might* explain my problem. I read elsewhere on AVS that you can't input HDCP encoded HDMI and output component video. That is exactly what I'm trying to do. I say "might" because I'm still curious about BB's test rig and why it didn't work.

I don't have a long enough HDMI cable to try Roku > HDMI > Processor > HDMI > Projector to know for sure if this solves the problem. I need to find someone with a small HDMI TV I can borrow...

-Stephen

[update: I just tested Roku > HDMI > Processor > Composite > Projector and that didn't work. I don't know whether it should or not, but I only read about it not working on component video so I thought I'd give it a shot.]

I was having reset issues on my roku box which is currently connected via a HDMI/DVI connector. I switch the box to another set which has HDMI, and the box resets far less. It does still reset from time to time, but not every time I am going to use the box. I am going to give it one more night, and if it's fine tonight I am going to order a component cable which should eliminate the problems on my older tv, provided that it is in fact the way I connecting the box.


I found this cable and will probably order this:

http://shop.goaiptek.com/shop/articl...0-ZCB-HDV-V%26
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post #124 of 638
11/16/10 at 12:30pm
Does anyone know the chipset used in the Roku XDS? I've scoured this thread and also looked on other web sites (i.e. iboum) but have not been able to find a definitive answer. More to the point I'm interested if the Roku has the horses to eventually be able to play formats other than mp4 via the usb port. I'm pretty content with everything else the Roku does but am considering jumping to something a little more balanced between streaming content and ability to play local media (i.e. Boxee Box or WDTV Live Plus). If I knew for a fact that Roku didn't have the hardware to pull this off that would likely push my decision to change rather than patiently hope/wait for a firmware upgrade.
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post #125 of 638
11/16/10 at 12:46pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wish View Post

Does anyone know the chipset used in the Roku XDS? I've scoured this thread and also looked on other web sites (i.e. iboum) but have not been able to find a definitive answer. More to the point I'm interested if the Roku has the horses to eventually be able to play formats other than mp4 via the usb port. I'm pretty content with everything else the Roku does but am considering jumping to something a little more balanced between streaming content and ability to play local media (i.e. Boxee Box or WDTV Live Plus). If I knew for a fact that Roku didn't have the hardware to pull this off that would likely push my decision to change rather than patiently hope/wait for a firmware upgrade.

That's a good question. I too, wonder about the potential of the hardware.

CD
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post #126 of 638
11/16/10 at 1:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by wish View Post

Does anyone know the chipset used in the Roku XDS? I've scoured this thread and also looked on other web sites (i.e. iboum) but have not been able to find a definitive answer.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4016/r...r-the-masses/2

-Suntan
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post #127 of 638
11/16/10 at 1:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suntan View Post

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4016/r...r-the-masses/2

-Suntan

Chipset: NXP PNX8935 SoC. This chip from NXP handles the latest HD video formats including H.264 and VC1/WM9 at resolutions of up to 1080p

"The hardware should be more than sufficient for most streaming services; however, there isn't the sort of container format support you would expected from a local media streamer such as the Patriot Box Office or the WD TV Live. The primary goal of a box like this is streaming support, and while the XD/S adds USB support for local playback, the file and container support isn't anything to write home about compared to other streaming devices focused on local media."

Hmmm. Sounds like if I decide local media is a must that I may need to hang up the Roku. Thanks very much for the reply.
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post #128 of 638
11/16/10 at 3:12pm
For the mod'ers out there and those that are interested in the innards of the Roku, here is a somewhat interesting thread:

http://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=33393

Doesn't look like there's much that has come out of it so far other than adding a USB port to a model that doesn't come with it stock, but there is some interesting discussion and tinkering going on that might lead to something more substantial. We'll see.
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post #129 of 638
11/16/10 at 3:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wish View Post
Chipset: NXP PNX8935 SoC. This chip from NXP handles the latest HD video formats including H.264 and VC1/WM9 at resolutions of up to 1080p

"The hardware should be more than sufficient for most streaming services; however, there isn't the sort of container format support you would expected from a local media streamer such as the Patriot Box Office or the WD TV Live. The primary goal of a box like this is streaming support, and while the XD/S adds USB support for local playback, the file and container support isn't anything to write home about compared to other streaming devices focused on local media."

Hmmm. Sounds like if I decide local media is a must that I may need to hang up the Roku. Thanks very much for the reply.
I wouldn't say that Wish. Sure, it doesn't do much now; but your OP was does it have the "horsepower" to do more? It sounds like the answer is yes, even thought that isn't the focus for right now.

I mean, by all means...if you want/need to play a wide variety of local content right now, you'll need something else. But again, your OP was like "hey, does this ever have the potential to do more...in which case I'll hang in there; or should I go ahead and get something else, because it can't be a decent local streamer" (unless I got that wrong?).

I'm actually happy to hear it's capable, hardware-wise, of more...because I see no reason why developers, and even Roku themselves wouldn't try to do more...as time goes on. Unless, of course, it would queer their deals with content providers.

Of course, I have like 5 other streamers as we speak...so

CD
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post #130 of 638
11/16/10 at 5:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CDLehner View Post
I wouldn't say that Wish. Sure, it doesn't do much now; but your OP was does it have the "horsepower" to do more? It sounds like the answer is yes, even thought that isn't the focus for right now.

I mean, by all means...if you want/need to play a wide variety of local content right now, you'll need something else. But again, your OP was like "hey, does this ever have the potential to do more...in which case I'll hang in there; or should I go ahead and get something else, because it can't be a decent local streamer" (unless I got that wrong?).

I'm actually happy to hear it's capable, hardware-wise, of more...because I see no reason why developers, and even Roku themselves wouldn't try to do more...as time goes on. Unless, of course, it would queer their deals with content providers.

Of course, I have like 5 other streamers as we speak...so

CD
You were correct in how you interpreted my OP. Despite that I have a ton of mkv files it isn't a priority to have the capability to play them now. I guess when I read "there isn't the sort of container format support you would expect from a local media streamer" I assumed that they meant the box was limited from a hardware perspective where you are saying that it is a firmware/software limitation that can be corrected. If so that I am certainly willing to wait it out & hope that is eventually provided. I like everything else the Roku does. If they ever did add this I'd have to think that with everything else it does so well at $99 that it would be one killer device.
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post #131 of 638
11/16/10 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by wish View Post
You were correct in how you interpreted my OP. Despite that I have a ton of mkv files it isn't a priority to have the capability to play them now. I guess when I read "there isn't the sort of container format support you would expect from a local media streamer" I assumed that they meant the box was limited from a hardware perspective where you are saying that it is a firmware/software limitation that can be corrected. If so that I am certainly willing to wait it out & hope that is eventually provided. I like everything else the Roku does. If they ever did add this I'd have to think that with everything else it does so well at $99 that it would be one killer device.
Wish, keep in mind...I never said it was a firmware/software limitation; I was basing that on the blurb you posted...

"The hardware should be more than sufficient for most streaming services; however, there isn't the sort of container format support you would expected from a local media streamer such as the Patriot Box Office or the WD TV Live. The primary goal of a box like this is streaming support, and while the XD/S adds USB support for local playback, the file and container support isn't anything to write home about compared to other streaming devices focused on local media."

To me, that says it's capable of more...which I have no problem believing...but that its current limitations have to do with firmware and focus. I mean, as far as Roku is concerned, it doesn't stream local media at all; only these private channels that make it so.

I've asserted before...and it may have been in another thread, so I guess it bears repeating here...don't assume it'll be as easy as Roku saying "hey, I think we should take our little box, and gett in the local streaming game". I think Netflix...which is the reason for their success in the first place...would have plenty to say about that. Why do you think all these "we play everything" machines are having so much trouble getting apps like Netflix and Hulu to begin with?

I have hope that the little Roku will end up doing more, but a) if they do, I think it would be naive to think the price will stay so low...and b) I wouldn't hold my breathe...lol.

CD
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post #132 of 638
11/17/10 at 5:37am
Hulu+ is live! 7.99/mo

Been waiting for this.
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post #133 of 638
11/17/10 at 5:55am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by berger6696 View Post

Hulu+ is live! 7.99/mo

Been waiting for this.

This may not be the best place, but I was a trial subscriber for PS3 (and just got a very nice note from Hulu, saying it's official...it's less...and they'd be refunding money. Wow; good for them!). Does this mean I'd get Hulu+ at the PS3 and Roku (and any other device that it supports) for my $8/month?

CD
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post #134 of 638
11/17/10 at 6:20am
The NXP chip is also in the newer Directv HDDVR's, so it'll oughtta be able to do nice things, especially 1080/24.

Is Hulu+ just live, or live on the Roku?
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post #135 of 638
11/17/10 at 7:35am
According to the Roku forums, its live on the Roku. Haven't had a chance to play with it yet.
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post #136 of 638
11/17/10 at 1:39pm
I need some perspective. I have a Roku XD which is in my bedroom. It's connected to the internet via Wi-fi. My ISP is Verizon Fios and I have their 25/25 plan.

Just now, I ran a speed test test and both Speedtest and Speakeasy using my Asus netbook which is about five in front of the Roku, i.e., further from the router. The results were about 22mbps down and bout 11mbps up, which is more or less typical.

Yet, I have trouble connecting to Amazon VOD, Netflix and even Revision3 on the Roku. The connection times out or it will play and then lose the connection and tell me to come back later.

I know that the Roku is configured correctly so I can't but wonder if the problem doesn't lie in the content providers' servers. I ask because I'd be willing to get a MoCA adapter, which costs more than the Roku, but if the problem is the servers, then why bother?

Any ideas?
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post #137 of 638
11/17/10 at 4:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberto Carlo View Post

I need some perspective. I have a Roku XD which is in my bedroom. It's connected to the internet via Wi-fi. My ISP is Verizon Fios and I have their 25/25 plan.

Just now, I ran a speed test test and both Speedtest and Speakeasy using my Asus netbook which is about five in front of the Roku, i.e., further from the router. The results were about 22mbps down and bout 11mbps up, which is more or less typical.

Yet, I have trouble connecting to Amazon VOD, Netflix and even Revision3 on the Roku. The connection times out or it will play and then lose the connection and tell me to come back later.

I know that the Roku is configured correctly so I can't but wonder if the problem doesn't lie in the content providers' servers. I ask because I'd be willing to get a MoCA adapter, which costs more than the Roku, but if the problem is the servers, then why bother?

Any ideas?

Have you tried running your Roku wired? It could just be poor wireless performance.

There are also a couple of things you can do to get an idea of the connection speed to your Roku, which can help you troubleshoot your problem:
  1. Use the private speed test channel.
  2. Enable playback debugging.
    • From your Roku remote, hit the following button sequence:
      [HOME] 5 times, [REW] 3 times, [FF] 2 times
      Then select enable playback debugging.
    • Now whenever you begin a video a screen will appear telling you your connection speed.
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post #138 of 638
11/17/10 at 4:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hps70w View Post

Have you tried running your Roku wired? It could just be poor wireless performance.

There are also a couple of things you can do to get an idea of the connection speed to your Roku, which can help you troubleshoot your problem:
  1. Use the private speed test channel.
  2. Enable playback debugging.
    • From your Roku remote, hit the following button sequence:
      [HOME] 5 times, [REW] 3 times, [FF] 2 times
      Then select enable playback debugging.
    • Now whenever you begin a video a screen will appear telling you your connection speed.

Wow; 2 nice tips!

CD
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post #139 of 638
11/17/10 at 6:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hps70w View Post

[*]Enable playback debugging.
From your Roku remote, hit the following button sequence:
[HOME] 5 times, [REW] 3 times, [FF] 2 times
Then select enable playback debugging.[*]Now whenever you begin a video a screen will appear telling you your connection speed.

How do you disable the debugger?
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post #140 of 638
11/18/10 at 3:16am
Quote:


Have you tried running your Roku wired? It could just be poor wireless performance.

There are also a couple of things you can do to get an idea of the connection speed to your Roku, which can help you troubleshoot your problem:

Thanks for the useful tips. I have tried it wired but it was an ethernet over powerline setup and my throughput was only sos-so. Still, it was consistent, so I suspect that MoCA might make a real difference.

I also suspect that the difference between the Roku and my laptop is that two walls and a lot of electronic gear stand between the Roku and the router.
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post #141 of 638
11/18/10 at 5:19am
I followed your advice and installed the private speed test channel and it showed a latency of between 45 and 70ms.

The debugging indicated I had a 5.6mbps network. This should be fast enough for Netflix, Amazon and company.

Ironically, on the other side of the wall from the Roku is my PS3 which runs Netflix without a hitch. On HD streams it consistently indicates "X-High" quality.

Still, the Roku is probably worth it for the Pandora and other music channels alone.
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post #142 of 638
11/18/10 at 6:13am
hulu premium went live today.
Has it been released on the roku yet?

Anyone got info on what you get now that its official?
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post #143 of 638
11/18/10 at 6:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by etrin View Post

hulu premium went live today.
Has it been released on the roku yet?

Anyone got info on what you get now that its official?

Yes. On my box it no longer says "coming soon." If you select it it will prompt you for a service update.
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post #144 of 638
11/18/10 at 7:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by wish View Post

How do you disable the debugger?

Use the same remote key sequence, and then select disable playback debugging.
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post #145 of 638
11/18/10 at 7:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberto Carlo View Post

I followed your advice and installed the private speed test channel and it showed a latency of between 45 and 70ms.

The debugging indicated I had a 5.6mbps network. This should be fast enough for Netflix, Amazon and company.

Ironically, on the other side of the wall from the Roku is my PS3 which runs Netflix without a hitch. On HD streams it consistently indicates "X-High" quality.

Still, the Roku is probably worth it for the Pandora and other music channels alone.

Yeah, 5.6mpbs should be more than enough. When you have problems, does your stream rebuffer down to a lower quality, or do you just lose connection all together? If you have playback debugging turned on, it will also show you your connection speed when it rebuffers down to a lower quality stream. You can then see how much of a drop-off in speed you are getting.
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post #146 of 638
11/18/10 at 8:35am
hps70w thanks big time for the tips.

I watch mine thru my router and it is hitting 6Mb 0 6Mb 0 over and over.
its not a steady thruput I assume its buffering and then asking for more.
I shut down the wireless to the unit and it will still play for about 15+ seconds.
the pulses are about 5 seconds apart so even with a connection half that speed it should have no problems.
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post #147 of 638
11/18/10 at 9:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hps70w View Post

Yeah, 5.6mpbs should be more than enough. When you have problems, does your stream rebuffer down to a lower quality, or do you just lose connection all together? If you have playback debugging turned on, it will also show you your connection speed when it rebuffers down to a lower quality stream. You can then see how much of a drop-off in speed you are getting.

Thanks for the help. I just tried to watch an SD documentary. It started with four dots and said "1.5mbps out of a 4.9mbps stream" or words to that effect. Then, a few minutes later, it re-buffered and said "0.5mbps out of a 0.7mbps stream."

As I asked earlier, is this something that going to MoCA, instead of Wi-fi, would fix?
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post #148 of 638
11/18/10 at 10:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberto Carlo View Post

Thanks for the help. I just tried to watch an SD documentary. It started with four dots and said "1.5mbps out of a 4.9mbps stream" or words to that effect. Then, a few minutes later, it re-buffered and said "0.5mbps out of a 0.7mbps stream."

As I asked earlier, is this something that going to MoCA, instead of Wi-fi, would fix?

Just make sure it's not your internet connection in general that's being flakey and causing your problems. Do you get consistent connection speeds through other wired devices in your house? If you do, it very well could be that your Roku is just not getting a consistent wi-fi signal, in which case a wired connection, whether it be straight cat5e/6, a powerline adapter, or a MoCA adapter could provide you the consistent connection you need. I believe you said you tried a powerline adapter already and didn't have much luck, but their performance and consistency can be hit or miss depending on how your house is wired. I can't say for certain that MoCA is your answer, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a try. Just buy from somewhere with a good return policy in case it doesn't fix your problem.
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post #149 of 638
11/18/10 at 10:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hps70w View Post

Just make sure it's not your internet connection in general that's being flakey and causing your problems. Do you get consistent connection speeds through other wired devices in your house? If you do, it very well could be that your Roku is just not getting a consistent wi-fi signal, in which case a wired connection, whether it be straight cat5e/6, a powerline adapter, or a MoCA adapter could provide you the consistent connection you need. I believe you said you tried a powerline adapter already and didn't have much luck, but their performance and consistency can be hit or miss depending on how your house is wired. I can't say for certain that MoCA is your answer, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to give it a try. Just buy from somewhere with a good return policy in case it doesn't fix your problem.

Again, thank you so much for your help. Ethernet over power line worked consistently until one day, for some hard to understand reason, the Roku stopped seeing the ethernet connection. It was never fast enough for "HD" streaming but otherwise pretty consistently four dots.

I'm going to try one more thing: I'm going to move the Roku to the other side of the wall by the PS3 to see if the location is what is interfering with the Wi-fi connection. If it is, then I'll probably order a MoCA adapter from Amazon since, as you noted, a good return policy is important in this case.

P.S. My FiOS connection is very solid, and my Desktop, laptop, netbook and PS3 don't exhibit these problems.
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post #150 of 638
11/18/10 at 4:44pm
I bought the Netgear Roku XD yesterday and I'm wondering if its ok for me to use the 720p setting on the device and have my Pioneer VSX-1120 receiver to upscale the 720p signal to 1080p?
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