*Official* Roku 2 Media Streamer Thread - Page 25

Vudu seems to work well with the Roku Box. It is very fast. Of course my only complaint is that the Roku2 only has pass through of 5.1 DD+. It can't transcode it to 5.1 DD. SO with a title that only has DD+, you have to select stereo audio in the Roku settings to be able to get any audio, which of course is stereo. The Roku2 in the room I'm in is connected to a sound bar that only handle legacy audio.

But when you select stereo in the settings what is it playing the audio from. I'm checking out MI4 and it supposedly only has 5.1 DD+ for all quality settings. Is there a stereo track that can only be accessed when you choose stereo mode in the Roku settings?

I have the latest (Roku 2 XS) connected via HDMI to my Anthem MRX AVR. I am not seeing any indication of 5.1 coming from VUDU to my receiver. In the first VUDU screen it actually says 7.1 audio now. Wonder if this will be addressed. I have to have 5.1 for this to be a useful player (as it is via my OPPO).

Update: I just launched the 2 minute preview for MI 4 Ghost Protocol and it is indeed in Dolby Digital + as indicated by my Anthem receiver. Woohoo!!
Edited by scirica - 9/20/12 at 7:19am

I played the 2 minute preview of Prometheus and it output 7.1 channel DD+ as advertised. It's a perfect implementation .

For VUDU audio – have a look here

happy streaming

Very Nice! I was actually expecting to be disappointed with a Roku-ized version of VUDU, but it's the full VUDU app/experience. I just used my credit for the HDX version of The Cabin in the Woods; it started instantly and is paying flawlessly in 1080p with DD+.

I'm impressed.

Roku is definitely getting more and more system time these days! Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu +, Pandora, HBO Go, Radio Paradise, MLB.tv, and now VUDU. WOW!!

CNET did a review of the Roku Streaming Stick dated Sep. 20, 2012 here.

"... Roku finally announced today that the Streaming Stick will be released in October for $99. That's the same price as its flagship Roku 2 XS and, in fact, Roku says the Streaming Stick is largely a Roku 2 XS in a smaller enclosure."

Dana

I got a Vudu credit for each of my two Roku2 boxes. So now I have $17.97 in credits(I also got a credit when I registered the VUDU app on my GFs Vizio TV) I need to use over the next few weeks. I will certainly be using the Roku 2 for playback. Another thing I was glad to see was the Disney titles. The Boxee Box doesn't have access to the Disney titles from it's Vudu App.

New "Play on Roku" feature of the android and ios apps is very cool. Throws photos and music (but not video) from the smartphone/tablet to the Roku screen.

http://blog.roku.com/blog/2012/09/20/app/

My wife already has two feature requests:
1. She wants to be able to start a playlist then show photos while the music is still playing. I think there is a way through settings to choose a song for the slideshow but she wants it to be a more impromptu thing.
2. She would like to be able to zoom in on the photo and then throw the cropped version onto the Roku screen.

I was messing around with this last night from my cellphone and my Kindle Fire HD. It worked well and was quick, WIth the pictures and music showing/playing in a split second after selecting it.

The only issue I had was with some of my music purchased from Amazon. For some reason my Roku2 boxes would not play it. Even though it's DRM free and the MP3 bitrate is the is the same as other Amazon purchased music they had no issues playing.
So I'm at a loss as to what the reason is that the Roku2 won't play these tracks.

It's not perfect yet. 24p out doesn't work with current HW, the Streaming Stick should support it though.

Okay--"perfect" for me . I don't need 24p output.

What is the difference between 2 and 2X?

Currently there are 2 XS, 2 XD, LT and HD models (just for confusion's sake, there's an old model called the Roku HD as well).. The difference between the 2 XS and 2 XD is that the 2 XS has a wired Ethernet port (the only model in the line) and a USB port (it can play files from USB drives), a motion-sensitive RF remote with which you can play games and a free copy of the game Angry Birds. The LT and the new HD are not 1080p capable; otherwise I don't know the difference between them except for $10 in price (HD is more expensive).

You can see a feature comparison table on Roku's site here.

Add to the mix there is a "limited edition Angry Birds" Roku 2 XS that is red and has an Angry Birds logo on it. Same exactly as the all black model feature-wise.

If you're in the market for one, check out Target. I'm reading that they currently have the red Angry Birds edition on clearance. If I remember correct someone spotted it in a store for around $76.

That's where I got my "limited edition" XS, only because it was on sale and cheaper than the black one.

Do those models still have a removable micro SDHC card?

The spec-sheet on Target's page says yes.

$76 on clearance? that is what I paid directly from Roku last December. Just picked up a second non red XS on ebay for $28 - sans power supply and remote, but I have tons of power supplies in boxes n the basement and I use a harmony remote so it's all good. Only issue is my TV won't pass DD over optical and my bedroom receiver does not have HDMI connections. looks like what I saved will have to go toward a updated receiver.

^^
The Harmony remote won't play Angry Birds on the XS, if that matters to you...

May I ask when the stick version be out and if it will do high def audio/ 1080p and USB 3.0, wireless and dlna capabilities ?

Try posting in this thread, I’m also curious.

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1384816/roku-streaming-stick-very-slick#post_21439912

I know. Angry birds was fun for a few days but I have not touched it in months.

I am having a blast with the Roku 2 XS. It all started with my desire
to get a device that would get max Netflix and Vudu. Sony 590, LG
220 and finally the 620 got me very disgusted, as none showed PQs
comparable to my PC (Netflix) and old BD390 (Vudu).

Wife and I from different EU countries and we can watch 3-5
channels in our languages on EULive for PL and Mummybox HU.
BBC World is on 24/7 too!

XXX, refreshing to see all the favorite sites without the annoying ads.

Netflix shines, pic still just a shade below what I can get HDMI
out of my Nvidia, but DD+ a welcome bonus (old 2 channel PC).

Vudu comes close to LG BD390 but still a hair below on my 110"
PJ. I compared scenes, but the difference is minimal.

Have 2 more XSs on order, every TV in the house gets one.

The Roku 2 XS is the best thing that happened to our home since
the iTunes streaming Roku M500/1000/2000 infestations (have 5).

The lil uns dig Angry Birds, until now they only played on iPad, my
4yo sleeps with an entire squad of stuffed angry birds:)

Glitch: had video handshake issues with my DHC-80.3 with washed
out green pic every time 1080p came on until I turned all VP in the
processor put it in "Auto" screen aspect and "Through" processing mode
for this activity.
Edited by bobpaule - 9/24/12 at 12:28pm

Same here!

USTVNOW finally available to Roku users in the USA.
"Our free plan incl.all major terrestrial stations........that you normally receive for free.(ABC,CBS,NBC,CW,FOX,PBS).For one month you will be able to enjoy the free service in hi res.using your computer or........Roku.After the first month on our free plan,you will be able to watch only on your computer and will be in low res.If you still want to have the first month features,you will have to upgrade to a paid plan,which includes not only the networks mentioned above but also the top cable tv channels.you can also add DVR service.The paid plan incl.ABC,CBS,NBC,FOX,PBS,My9,A&E,Animal Planet,Bravo,Cartoon Network,CNBC,CNN,Fox News,Comedy Central,Discovery Channel,ESPN,Food Network,FX,History,Lifetime,Nat.Geo,Nickelodeon,Spike,Syfy,TBS,TNT,USA."

They also have another tier of service which incl.6 HBO channels,6 Showtime,with up to 200 channels and HD.For more info.go to www.ustvnow.com

Kinda shocked that the networks will condone that. I could understand when it was outside-of-the-US-only.

Where did you find this announcement about USTVNow?
Edited by michaeltscott - 10/2/12 at 5:58pm

I read about it on the Internet tv Forum today. I then went to USTVNOW's website where i read about it.The quote you saw in my post comes from their website. What surprises me is that the cablecos would allow it,but then again the tiers that have the channels that the cablecos carry are paid tiers and the cablecos must be profiting by it,hell they're probably encouraging it. More $$$$$ in their coffers ya know!.
Edited by greaser - 10/2/12 at 7:06pm

Well did you look at the pricing? There will be few if any takers. $265 to setup, and $165/m.