*Official* Roku 2 Media Streamer Thread - Page 8

New budget model on the way: Roku2 LT

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/27/b...-as-the-2400x/

I recently spoke with Roku tech support about onboard and SD memory. They would not tell me how much onboard memory was in the Roku 2 XS.

Now I know. Thanks.

Honestly, it is to get the wifi signal closer... Another thing to try is to see if you have the same issue with the roku and tv in the room with the router - if you don't, then you KNOW it is signal strength.

However, saying that, you should NEVER drop frames on a Roku2, because it should be adapting when it loses frames and output at a lower rate (720, for example).

Despite what they say, wifi and 1080 isn't always a great combo...

Other things to try is to change the connection, change the channel in the router, things like that.

Krisbee, thank you for your response. The Roku is only 1 room away from the router, and maybe a total distance of 25 feet (including 1 dividing wall). The Roku says it has "EXCELLENT" signal stregth.

I agree with you in that I really wonder if the large 1080 signal is too much for a wi-fi connection. I was wondering if maybe some type of booster or electrical signal drop are options. Does the Roku support that "N" router designation? I think my Time Warner Cable all in one router is a standard "G".

If it a Roku 1, have you considered just running a cable? You don't have to drill at first, just drape it from one room to the other. Then see if it makes a difference.

I ended up running an ethernet cable to my Roku since I had to for my MythTV computer (with both, I ended up cutting the cord and saving $100 a month!) - it is something to consider. From what I read, the Roku is b/g compatible - the Roku 2 is b/g/n...

Very nice! I did consider running an Ethernet cable to this close room; however, I will eventually install a Roku 2 in an upstairs bedroom where I can not get an Ethernet cable hardwired. It made me think that it may make a WD Livewire kit worth the money (would be utilizing it in 2 rooms).

My current wireless modem is an all-in-one (wi-fi and telephone). Is there an easy way for me to keep this Time Warner Cable modem/router and to add on a wireless N router? Sorry, I know this is a bit off topic.

All of the current Roku 2 models are wireless b/g/n compatible.

There are also actually two Roku 1 models that are wireless b/g/n compatible: the XD and XDS models.

All other Roku models are only b/g compatible.

Very in-depth and informative review. Definitely worth the wait. Nice work.

Maybe I'm just lucky enough to have my media in fomats that work well, but my XS2 using the Plex channel and Netflix has been a hit in my household. Easy to use and problem free.

Is anyone able to smoothly stream a 1080p signal from a wi-fi "G" connection??

I haven't tried it on my Roku 2 but with the low bitrate 1080P encodes that Netflix has, wireless G certainly has the bandwidth as long as other devices aren't also hogging that bandwidth.

Thanks. I have consistent 18 mbps download and 1.8 mbps upload with no one else on the internet when I stream. Signal strength on the Roku 2 is listed as "Excellent".

It reads like Roku did what it had to do with the 2 to stay in the game at a competitive price with a shrinking dollar. I'm happy with my XS2s I tried a Sony n100 and a Roku 1 before the 2 both of which were unacceptable with buffering (does not happen with my 2s) and Boxee is too expensive. Even with a less than stellar and very well done by the way review I honestly have no complaints and I am so far very satisfied with my decision two months ago to go with the Roku 2.

I have three Roku 1s and decided to get the Roku 2 and have to say it's been everything I could want so far. Paired it with my new Panasonic 42ST30 plasma and PQ has been great. Never played Angry Birds before I got the unit and like that a lot also. Only small glitch is that there is no clicking when I use the l/r arrows like on the old units. Roku know about it and say they are working on the issue but it's not that big a deal. Nearly bought another one this weekend with the $10 off offer but held off. Really would like for them to add VUDU. Watched one of the HDX streams for the first time and boy was it great. If they would add VUDU this would be the only streamer I would use.

Something I'm not clear on is if it is possible to stream content from a network share with the Roku 2?

Currently I have an HTPC in our media room but I'd like to get the Roku 2 HD for my kid's room, and streaming our media content would be important. I just like the design of this unit and the controller seems more kid friendly over the ATV2.

It depends: if it is h264 (or sometimes xvid mp4's) it will stream using a third party channel... I use one called roxsbox that called that will stream photos, music, and video - it has a nice interface, shows information if you want, and only cost $15 for the life of the product, which does get updated.

I have basically setup my own movie channel and that is what we go to sleep to in the bedroom with since I cancelled satellite.

On a slight tangent, for the more adventurous, there is a free mythtv channel that hooks into mythweb - I have my main computer record tv off the antenna, and it transcodes to h264 and I basically have a whole house DVR for free.

The Roku 2 LT ($50) was officially announced today, along with HBO Go coming to the Roku platform.

http://gizmodo.com/5848475/the-new-r...only-costs-50-

So far so good, using the Plex channel with mixed results. Trying to work with people on the plex forums to find a solution as to what is stopping some of these movies from streaming. Most likely a codec issue or something in the mkv container is causing the parser to die.

Really liking the Roku, I don't see myself going back to the HTPC after this.

At $50 I might pick one up to keep at my girlfriends house. Now if I can just get her to get a faster Internet connection.

How does the roku 2 xs handle dvd and bluray rips? Or does it at all?

well if you install plex it does quite well.

Hi All! Nice thread. We just received our Roku's before the weekend and have been using them the past couple days, nice little box. One question, a couple time we lost sound, not video. To fix the problem, we just unplugged the unit to re-boot it. Is there another way to fix this problem?

Thanks in advanced!

SO it can handle my 1100+ BD ISO rips with Plex? OR another container?

OK - I will bite.

How many Terabytes is 1100+ BD ISO?

Well, from my understanding Plex transcodes on the fly. There is no way it will keep up at Blu-Ray quality, no matter what processor you have. So, it will most likely give you an SD picture, if I understand correctly.

There are other channels out there besides plex, but they don't do transcoding on the fly. I use one called Roksbox, but you have to have everything in a Roku compatible format (basically a .h264 mp4). So, if you have ISO rips, I don't think you will be happy and would be better off with another product.

The Roku is meant to get stuff off the internet and display it - the home server stuff, while awesome and I use it, it is bending what the box can do.

Having said that, I do have my own "movie channel" set up, all our family photos, tons of mp3's, and I even have a private channel to watch my mythtv server so I watch tv recorded off the air, all on my roku.

Exactly. I use plex with MKV Blu-Ray rips - scene encodes, not remuxes - and it plays those fine (without transcoding on the fly).
You can look at the specs on the Roku site, but basically it will play H264 up to 8Mbps with peaks at 12Mbps, so there is no way it can keep up with Blu-Ray bitrates.
Also, currently 5.1 is not supported, so there's that as well...

Btw, krisbee, your own "movie channel" you mention, is it with Roksbox or something else? I've been wanting to explore the possibility of having my family photos on my TV but I haven't played around with it. Is the navigation fast and responsive?

If those are the limits of the specs, then I guess it won't be getting VUDU anytime soon. Unless VUDU decides to let them use the VUDU application without the ability to get 3bar HDX. SInce 3bar HDX is 9Mb/s H.264.

The last time I checked each folder had an average size of around 30 or 31GB.