*Official* Roku 2 Media Streamer Thread

That video in your first link has to be a marketing gimmick (LOL). So for Roku 2 itself, other than the addition of Bluetooth & ability to play 'Angry Birds', anything exciting about it?

The thing about the PS3 is that it can't pass-through DD+ (outputs DD 640k) or 24FPS on anything other than Blu-Ray playback, so I guess going to the Roku would be a logical choice for me. It's frustrating, otherwise the PS3 would be perfect.

That said, are the older Roku models getting the Netflix 1080p update? If so I won't have to shell out $100 for the new ethernet model, I can get the older $80 one with ethernet.

I was out of HDMI ports. So I just ordered up a 5x1 HDMI switch, some new cabling for it, and a Roku 2 XS. The fact that the Roku 2 HD only does 720p, and the Roku 2 XS comes with the $30 remote makes it a pretty big "no-brainer" choice over the Roku 2 XD for me.

I've watched the original Roku grow over the last 3 or 4 years from the first CE device to stream Netflix, and nothing else. Through a dedicated software update team they now offer up 300 channels of content. This has always made me respect the company and their offering, but it was never quite enough to get me to pick up a Roku. My 360 and PS3 were doing just fine. Throw in some games and update the hardware though? I'm sold!

Now to wait patiently. And shop for a 16GB MicroSD card to pop in to it.

I heard back from Roku PR this AM. The NEW Netflix app is for Roku 2 hardware only, as you suspected.

Will the Roku2 have native resolution output? So 720P netflix will be output as 720P and 1080P Netflix will be output as 1080P.

Thanks Dave. I guess it's the 2 XS for me. I only wish they would have kept the ethernet port in the cheaper model.

Dlna?

too bad - if this played MKV's and passed through HD audio, I'd buy one today. No DLNA either. But as it stands, worthless to me.

Agreed. Even if it didn't HD audio, I'd get one as a secondary streamer.

I don't see any mention of IR-receiver capability on Roku's product page or
the various previews. I'd like to have this for a Harmony (IR) remote.

Is it reasonable to assume it's RF only? Maybe I should try to order a current
model although Amazon's out of stock of the XD at the moment (and maybe
forever.)

the two low models say "IR" on them. I assume the XS has it too.

They all have IR. It's on the product page. Also, the exciting part is to see where the community development goes with it. Maybe they will allow someone to build a DLNA client for it. Maybe they'll allow XBMC to be ported to it as an app. It depends on how strict they want to be, and if their licensing deals with content providers call for local streaming restrictions.

After a couple of corrections here and a quick review, I find I was mistaken.


That would be nice. I use (Windows') XBMC except for streaming.


If the box still runs Linux, they'll have to Tivoize it to prevent third-party
extensions.

"If the box still runs Linux, they'll have to Tivoize it to prevent third-party
extensions."

I'm not even referring to aftermarket modding of the device, but more about authorized 3rd party apps. I'm thinking along the lines of "Where does the game service go from here?". It's pretty obvious that Roku has had great luck building internal channels, growing the device from one streaming service to 300. They also seem to be eyeing what Apple is doing in their App Stores, and have started to emulate that with their initial handful of casual games. Ease of 3rd party development is also something that they are trumpeting with the release of Roku 2, I'd guess with the intention of selling 3rd party apps through their own version of an App Store.

So, the question is "What will they allow?". Will it be strictly regulated to games, will Roku allow productivity apps, will Roku's content licensing deals allow local network streaming apps, and do they want to allow those in their app store?

The 300 apps that they have right now justify it's purchase for me today, but I also see a lot of potential there that follows in line with Roku's track record thus far of extending a simple device as far as possible with great software support. If none of that potential is ever realized? That's fine. It will still be a great little streamer. Hopefully though, they build up a great little 3rd party app service, in turn giving Apple the kick in the pants they need to bring App Store ideas to the AppleTV, which will of course feed back in to the Roku.

I think I will stay with my XDS for now as the improvements aren't that well supported with streaming material yet. Also I paid money for the Playon software and I am guessing it's not transferable to another machine.

Maybe it's a 2012 buy for me I do like my Roku.

I'll end up buying this and probably a dedicated media streamer besides. I'll have like 5 media boxes.

I'll consider getting the Roku 2 for Netflix streaming if it has Native resolution output, so my external scaler/processor can do the work. Picture qulaity takes a big hit when I view Netflix from the PS3, Boxee Box and other players when they do the scaling. I typically use my TiVos for Netflix since they have Native resolution output. But I figure Roku will also give me access to some things that my other devices don't have.

Hopefully BestBuy will get them quickly. I have over $100 available in reward zone dollars so if I do get a Roku 2, my out of pocket cost will be zero.

I doubt it will do native output for Netflix. Probably just upscale everything to 1080p (or whatever your set resolution).

I'm more interested in if it will output 24FPS and DD+.

The Roku 2 XS has a USB port for attaching storage to... is there any kind of sharing setup, so other systems on the network can read content off the Roku 2 XS?

I am going to assume not - you can't do that now, and I don't see the usb as much of anything other than a convenience for some users that you happen to have a thumb drive with stuff, and you stick it in and see whats on there.

You can always get a third party app and use your computer to stream content to the roku though (that's what I do - I keep my content on my main machine and can access it on the roku).

http://support.roku.com/entries/2029...y-roku-player#

It appears the older Roku models can output 1080p/24, 1080p/30 while the Roku2 cannot. The wording there is a little unclear on what exactly they mean. Hopefully it will be cleared up.

What*****????

That seems pretty clear. Although it makes no sense for the newer player not to support those.

"Only 1080p24 and 1080p30 playback is supported on non-Roku 2 player models."

You guys seem to be putting the word "only" in the wrong place in your reading comprehension.

This says "Old Roku doesn't do 1080p60". It doesn't say anything about which variants of 1080p the Roku 2 does aside from "1080p".

http://support.roku.com/entries/2028...-definition-hd

This explicitly states that Roku 2 decodes 1080p24 and 1080p30 just fine, though there is still wiggle room in the wording as to actual output. And what's up with the exclusion of p60, given the implication from the other FAQ?

"The Roku 2 XD and Roku 2 XS models are capable of playing 1080p video (24 and 30 fps) on a 1080p capable HDTV."

Anyone get theirs yet? Mine shipped today.

Well I guess that is typical for a company to say two different things.

I'm not the one that worded that quote. the way that quote was worded was wrong then.

Since it certainly makes more sense for the newer box to support 1080P24.

So did anyone pick this up? I see the upper two models are available at one of my local Best Buy stores.

I picked up a XS for the fun of it. First time with a Roku so I can't compare it against the earlier models. First few points...

- I hate that the Ok button isn't located in the middle of the arrow keys.
- Bones via Amazon displays in 1080p60.
- Bones via Netflix displays in 1080p60.
- Netflix outputs DD+ (if the title supports it).
- Netflix buffers quite a while before starting.
- Netflix's image starts out very low resolution and progressively gets better (same as the PS3 I believe).
- Hulu Plus displays in 1080p60 (haven't played around).
- Overall the contrast ratio seems very hot (overly so) with blacks being crushed (compared to my TiVo). It will certainly need to be tweaked.
- Both Amazon and Netflix images look more 3D than my TiVo (some of it is probably the torch mode).

Under settings you can only pick 1080p. Nothing about 1080p24. It's a shame they don't support VUDU. It appears Plex is currently not compatible with the Roku 2... along with some other 3rd party channels so I couldn't test out streaming via my Mac Mini.