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Product Details
![AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters) [Amazon
Frustration-Free Packaging]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vW5PiKMWeE66KijMxF-CZAuoSKzUy0RWEmUqW2euhEkfmftSHBdMpkQ5rkUSdGHxQP3Kql5NMhPttuyIyhGKW0USCpAHSOc9-i8tBOcK57G3k9kKoEYhPVEcVsbYwE4y4=s0-d) | AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 Feet/2.0 Meters) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging] |
| Price: | $5.90 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details |
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com
Average customer review:
Product Description
AmazonBasics products are quality electronics accessories offered at a great value.Product Details
- Size: 2 Meters
- Color: black
- Brand: AmazonBasics
- Model: hdmi2
- Dimensions: .50" h x .50" w x 72.00" l, .33 pounds
Features
- Ships in Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging
- One 6.5-foot-long (2.0 meters) high-speed HDMI cable
- Connects your HDTV to your cable box, satellite dish, Blu-Ray player, and other source devices
- Constructed with durable, black PVC outer layer; shielding; and corrosion-resistant, gold-plated connectors for optimal signal transfer
- Distributed by Amazon.com; backed by one-year AmazonBasics warranty
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Product Description
The AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI Cable is intended to connect all your
latest high-definition components. Use this cable to connect your HDTV
to your cable box, satellite dish, Blu-Ray player, and more, and
experience higher quality audio and video that your home theater can
deliver.
Supports HDMI 1.3b
for Quality Picture and Sound
The AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI
Cable lets you take advantage of up to 1080p resolution and increased
color depth on your HDTV. The High Definition Multimedia
Interface (HDMI) has become the de facto standard for high-definition
digital devices. It combines both audio and video into one convenient
cable, so it's all you need to connect your HDTV to your A/V receiver,
Blu-Ray player, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, satellite dish, and other
high-definition source devices.
Backwards Compatible with
Previous HDMI Standards
The cable is backwards compatible with
all previous HDMI standards, so you'll be able to use this cable with
all your HDMI devices. When you connect two devices with different HDMI
standards, they will automatically find the best available connection.
Shielding and Gold-Plated Connectors for Signal Purity
This
HDMI cable features shielding and a durable, black PVC outer layer. The
shielding provides defense against outside interference and helps
maintain the integrity and purity of the digital signal.
The
cable also features gold-plated connectors that resist corrosion while
offering optimal signal transfer with lower distortion at the point of
contact. The result of this dedication to the digital signal is sound
and picture quality that is more faithful to the original.
AmazonBasics:
Quality Products at Low Prices
AmazonBasics is a collection of
consumer electronic "basics" created by combining quality and low prices
for an overall focus on value.
Amazon Frustration-Free
Packaging
This AmazonBasics product features Amazon
Frustration-Free Packaging that is recyclable. It comes without excess
packaging materials such as hard plastic clamshell casings, plastic
bindings, or wire ties. The packaging is designed to be opened without
the use of a box cutter or knife, and it will protect your product just
as well as traditional packaging. Products with Amazon Frustration-Free
Packaging can frequently be shipped in their own boxes, without an
additional shipping box, saving on resources and reducing waste. In
addition, the packaging materials that we do use are easily and
frequently recycled, composted, or reused by our customers, and all the
inks and dyes are biodegradable.
Warranty and Helpful Hints
This cable is backed by an AmazonBasics 1-year limited warranty. To
view the full AmazonBasics warranty, click here. If you are having
trouble connecting your components with this cable, click here for the
AmazonBasics HDMI/DVI Helpful Hints Guide [PDF].
What's in
the Box
Multi-shielded High-Speed HDMI Cable (6.5 feet / 2.0
meters) and warranty card.
High-quality,
gold-plated connectors resist corrosion while offering optimal signal
transfer for superb audio and video quality. |
 |
|
Customer Reviews
Reasonably priced, gets full Amazon support behind it
Just to clear any doubt, this cable works as well as any other 6 ft.
HDMI wire, including the premium ones and it's no better than those
that sell at Amazon for one penny (I actually have one in use right
now).
I am in the process of upgrading my AV receiver and I needed an
extra wire. So, I purchased one Amazon branded HDMI cables and not a
very expensive 'premium' brand or a less expensive 'discount' brand
because...
AmazonBasics vs. Other Discount Brands
--------------------------------------
It's not an easy call between an AmazonBasics-branded wire and
someone else's that sells for less (plus shipping :) ) but, here's why I
went with Amazon this time.
If you look carefully, you will find the probably hundreds of HDMI
'brands' offered at Amazon (exclude the 'premium') fall in about 3
'types':
a - usually under $10 plus shipping
b - usually under $10 but over $5 that qualify for Super Savers free
shipping
c - listed for as low as 1 penny plus shipping
AmazonBasics beats category 'a' on price and it's more or less
on-par with category 'b' as far as price is concerned. Category 'c'
saves you a few dollars - and I did order a couple of these myself -
but, Amazon has a few extra advantages worth considering if you don't
mind paying a little extra.
- EASY RETURN - I know because I had to return quite a few items for
various reasons. Amazon makes it very easy and, if you are returning
the item because it came defective or damaged Amazon pays for shipping.
- WARRANTY - these wires come with a 1-year warranty (talking about
future-proofing). If an HDMI cable performs for one year, the ods that
it would stop working after that are pretty close to zero. It's possible
that the other vendors back their inexpensive cables too (I never
checked) but I am highly confident that Amazon will be around to honor
its warranty and I'm not so sure about vendors I know less.
- QUALITY ASSURANCE - I've never had any problems with 'cheap' HDMI
cables but it may be reassuring to have Amazon's name on a wire. My
assumption is that Amazon did insist on some quality checks before they
stamped their logo on the product.
HDMI Background and the FUD of Premium Cables
---------------------------------------------
Let's face it, HDMI 1.3x cables have become a commodity these days.
There are 'premium' brands, for sure and some look prettier than others
(for something that goes to the back of your equipment and no one else
will probably see) but the fact is that nearly all of today's makes and
models qualify for 'high-speed' or 'Category 2' (see HDMI 1.3 specs
below). Just to eliminate the confusion, it's worth stating that:
The FUD (see definition below) campaign attempting to attract buyers
toward the more expensive brands makes a series of claims. I will
address them, as they may apply to this specific cable.
- Practically all HDMI 1.3x certified cables are HIGH-SPEED or
CATEGORY 2. Only the Category 2 (high-speed) cables support 1080p
resolutions.
- The HDMI official site advises that even HDMI cables under 15 ft.
(5m) that were made BEFORE the HDMI 1.3 specification can work as
Category 2 cables. The FUD claim that signal attenuation is less over a
more expensive cable may be true, nut that's irrelevant on a 6 ft.
length.
- The 'ultra high-speed' claim that some premium brands make means
very little or 'nothing'. As far as I know, there is NO official HDMI
specification for 'ultra high-speed' and, every time I checked the specs
of cables labelled as 'ultra', all I saw was the familiar HDMI 1.3
specifications and nothing more.
- The 'premium', very expensive HDMI cables are NOT 'future proof'.
The HDMI 1.4 specs that add an Ethernet channel, an audio return
channel, support for 3-D and 4K by 2K resolution use a physically
different connector - in other words, the highly-expensive and the
ultra-expensive 'premium' cables do NOT work with HDMI 1.4.
- At this length - 6 ft., you will get as good a service from a
no-brand or Amazon-labeled cable as you would from a super-expensive
rip-off. Any HDMI 1.3 cable should be able to carry, error free, all the
signal your electronic equipment may put out.
________________________________________
Here are the HDMI 1.3 specs supported by this cable the premium
brands and the less expensive alternatives:
Maximum signal bandwidth (MHz) 340
Maximum TMDS bandwidth (Gbit/s) 10.2
Maximum video bandwidth (Gbit/s) 8.16
Maximum audio bandwidth (Mbit/s) 36.86
Maximum Color Depth (bit/px) 48
Maximum resolution over single link at 24-bit/px 2560×1600p75
Maximum resolution over single link at 30-bit/px 2560×1600p60
Maximum resolution over single link at 36-bit/px 1920x1200p75
Maximum resolution over single link at 48-bit/px 1920×1200p60
sRGB
YCbCr
8 channel LPCM/192 kHz/24-bit audio capability
Blu-ray Disc video and audio at full resolution
Consumer Electronic Control (CEC)
DVD-Audio support
Super Audio CD (DSD) support
Deep Color
xvYCC
Auto lip-sync
Dolby TrueHD bitstream capable
DTS-HD Master Audio bitstream capable
Updated list of CEC commands (only on HDMI 1.3a,b,c)
________________________________________
Note: FUD Definiton
FUD - Fear, uncertainty, doubt.
According to Wikipedia, "the term originated to describe
disinformation tactics in the computer hardware industry and has since
been used more broadly. FUD is a manifestation of the appeal to fear."
Still Wikipedia, quoting Eric S. Raymond: "The idea, of course, was
to persuade buyers to go with safe [...] gear rather than with
competitors' equipment. This implicit coercion was traditionally
accomplished by promising that Good Things would happen to people who
stuck with [...], but Dark Shadows loomed over the future of
competitors' equipment [...]".
Great inexpensive HDMI cables
It is a relief to find HDMI cables that are inexpensive and deliver
high quality video. I paid $40 for a 4ft cable at Circuit City a year
ago, and less than half that price for the 10ft cable from Amazon.
As an electrical engineer I can tell you copper is copper. Unless
Monster cable has coaxial wire for each signal line, which they don't
because then the cable would be 10x larger than it is, then it's just
copper wire inside a shield. There's still going to be crosstalk and
capacitive coupling and all that stuff. All that "gas filled" stuff
doesn't matter either. If you look at the mathematical equasions for the
frequency response of an unshielded wire, you'd know none of this stuff
makes any major difference.
The biggest thing to avoid, if you can, are ferrite cores on a
cable. Ferrite cores are those black blob things that overmold the cable
near one or both of the connectors. Ferrite cores act as high frequency
filters and may cause signal degradation. They are typically used to
comply with FCC laws and other regulatory bodies' radiated emissions
laws. They add cost to the cable and typically degrade performance.
Regarding expensive cables, HDMI or otherwise, what no one asks is
the most fundamental question - Why? Let's assume Monster cable isn't
lying and they can provide 300 GHz bandwidth or whatever they claim. Why
do you need a cable that outperforms so much? It's like owning a car
that can go 1000 MPH but the speed limit is 55MPH. In my field, that's
called "over-engineering" which equates to unnecessary additional cost,
which is exactly the problem Amazon has solved by sourcing this simple
low cost HDMI cable.
While I'm soapboxing, gold plating isn't necessary either. Silver is
the best conductor, followed by Copper, and then Gold (third best).
Stainless Steel isn't far behind. The only reason gold plating is
"better" is Gold does not corrode (but neither does stainless steel...
they actually gold plate the stainless steel, how dumb is that?). If you
are using your cables in a house where the humidity & temp is
relatively constant, you should never need gold. As far as I can tell,
Gold is just a gimmick to charge more for cables.
AmazonBasics makes a very good HDMI cable
I got an email from Amazon announcing their new line of AmazonBasics
cables. They said that their goal was to make a high quality cable and
sell it at a very reasonable price.
They have achieved that goal.
I ordered two of the six foot HDMI cables and on nine foot cable for
about eight bucks each.
The cable came in a simple cardboard box with nothing but a twist
tie aside from the cable (which is a good thing, I hate the plastic
blister packs that cut your hands and unnecessary stuff in the box to go
in the landfill).
The cable has a solid, quality feel to it. Nothing feels cheap or
chintzy.
Connecting the cable between my TV and several compontents including
my brand new Samsung Blu Ray player, the connection just worked every
time.
For comparison purposes, I bought a $50 super delux, high end, will
solve all the problems in your life (according to the sales guy) HDMI
cable at Radio Shack. Connecting the AmazonBasics cable to the same Blu
Ray player as the fancy cable I saw **NO DIFFERENCE**!
Looking into it I found out that HDMI is a standard that is run by
an organization. In order for anyone to make an HDMI cable and put the
HDMI logo on it (which the AmazonBasics cable does), the cable must be
made to the HDMI organizations standards. So the group basically tells
the companies how the cable must be made in order to be given the HDMI
logo. The long and short of it is that cheap cable or expensive cable,
it must work to the same standards in order to have the HDMI logo.
So, super fancy $50 cable gets thrown back across the counter to
Radio Shack guy for return and AmazonBasics cable gets a new home in
back of my entertainment center.
I'm now going to purchase several more of these for family and
friends to have as spares since they don't know any better and will get
suckered by the sales guy at best buy into buying a $50 Monster Cable
HDMI cable that does nothing better than this one.
Product Details
| Roku HD-XR Player From Roku, Inc.
|
Product Description
Now featuring extended-range wireless, Roku is the easiest way to stream instant movies and shows directly to your TV - over 50,000 and counting, from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, and more. The top-of-the-line HD-XR model uses the latest wireless standard (Wi-Fi "N") to deliver the best quality video virtually anywhere in your home. It's so easy and powerful; no wonder Roku is Netflix members' top rated streaming player.Product Details
- Brand: Roku
- Model: N1101
- Released on: 2009-11-23
- Dimensions: 1.75" h x 5.00" w x 5.00" l, 1.00 pounds
Features
- Start watching movies on your TV in seconds using your high-speed Internet connection
- Instantly plays the entire Netflix Instant Watch library with your Netflix membership - no additional subscription cost required
- Instantly plays over 45,000 movies and shows from Amazon Video On Demand
- Extended range wireless (Wi-Fi N dual-band) built-in the latest standard
- Plays High Definition as well as DVD-quality video; works with any TV
Editorial Reviews
From the Manufacturer
The Roku player instantly delivers HD-quality movies and TV shows
directly to your TV over the Internet. The affordable Roku player is
compact, easy to set up and intuitive to use.
|
The Roku comes with everything you need to start
watching within minutes of opening the box - the standard yellow, white
and red cables, both Wi-Fi and Ethernet are built in, wireless remote
and batteries. Start watching instantly anywhere you have a TV and a
high-speed Internet connection.
As Easy As 1 - 2 - 3
 | 1. Wired or Wireless, The Choice is Yours You can connect the Roku player to the Internet using most broadband providers (such as a cable modem or DSL connection.) You need at least 1.2 Mbps to watch movies instantly on the Roku digital video player with decent quality. The faster your connection, the better the quality (although this rule-of-thumb peaks out at about 5mbps). Use the built-in Wi-Fi capabilities to connect to your wireless network, or use the Ethernet port for a wired connection. It's easy either way. |
 | 2. Connect to Virtually Any TV, New or OldThe player comes complete with everything you need to get connected right away. It even includes the standard yellow, white and red cables. Or use the HDMI or component connections with your new HDTV. |
 | 3. Control is at your Fingertips and Easy to Understand The Roku player is easily controlled using the handy included remote. Choose the item you want to watch, play, fast-forward, rewind, pause and resume play later, just like watching a DVD. |
Rent or Buy more than 40,000 Titles from Amazon Video On Demand
With Amazon Video On Demand Roku customers can now instantly watch more than 40,000 commercial-free movies and television shows, including hit new releases and the latest episodes available in HD. | Using an intuitive interface, customers can order movies right from their couch and enjoy instant playback without waiting for lengthy downloads or annoying commercials. Prices start as low as $.99 and no subscription fee is required |
 | Find Choose from thousands of movies and TV shows by browsing in the Amazon Video On Demand section on your Roku. Access and add to your virtual library of purchases via Amazon Video On Demand’s Your Video Library and re-watch anytime on the Roku Player, your PC or Mac and other compatible devices. |
 | Rent or Buy Renting and purchasing titles is a snap with the power of Amazon’s 1-click purchasing. Order new release movies and the latest TV shows right from your couch and you’re watching within seconds. Prices start as low as $.99. |
 | Watch Using your Roku Player, enjoy Amazon Video On Demand’s high quality video on any TV. Videos playback instantly, without waiting for a download. Purchases and rentals are added to Your Video Library and stored online by Amazon so you can conveniently watch them on your Roku Player, PC or Mac, and other compatible devices. |
Watch Netflix Movies and TV Episodes Instantly
Netflix instant streaming ready Netflix members can now easily access over 12,000 movies and TV shows – including some new releases and hundreds of options in HD – instantly from Netflix over the internet. Netflix members can watch as much as they want and as often as they want without paying more or impacting the number of DVDs they receive. Start watching movies and TV episodes instantly in as little as 30 seconds. | Roku Player is Netflix Members' #1 Rated Streaming Device If you are like most Netflix customers and on a Netflix Unlimited plan (any plan that costs $8.99 a month or more), there are no limits to how much you can watch instantly. You can watch as much as you want. There is no extra charge for online viewing, and of course you still get DVDs by mail. |
 | Fill Your Instant Queue Use the Netflix site to browse a growing library of over 12,000+ instant movies and TV episodes – including hundreds in HD. Place choices in your Instant Queue, add more whenever you want, and keep them as long as you like. |
 | Choose and Watch on your TV From your couch, use your remote to browse your Instant Queue and choose something to watch. Pause, fast-forward, rewind, or watch a favorite over and over — just like owning a DVD. |
Specifications
- Networking: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) with WEP, WPA, and WPA2 support; 10/100 Ethernet (RJ-45)
- Video Outputs: Composite video, S-Video, Component video (Y/Pb/Pr), HDMI
- Video Modes: 16:9 HD (720p), 16:9 anamorphic (480p), 4:3 standard (480i)
- Audio Output: Stereo (L/R RCA), Digital Optical (Toslink), Digital over HDMI
- Remote Control: NEC protocol, supported by various universal remotes
- Power Input: 5V, 1.5A provided by included AC adapter
- Power Consumption: 5 watts peak, 3 watts in standby
- Size: 5 x 5 x 1.75 inches (130 x 130 x 41 mm)
- Weight: 11 oz (300 grams)
Customer Reviews
If you don't have N-wireless networking or desire a usb port, get the cheaper model
First let me say I own a Roku and LOVE it! NetFlix and Roku are a
marriage made in heaven as far as I'm concerned, and they are saving me
tons of money and treks to the video store. The picture, ease of use,
wireless capabilities, quality of video content... everything is great!
But as a consumer it's important to understand the differences
between the 3 Roku offerings so you can make an informed decision on
your purchase. It does seem odd that Roku has simply not put out one
device at one price for everyone with all the bells and whistles, but
for now, you have to choose one... based upon your needs and budget.
THE DIFFERENCES IN ROKU PLAYERS:
Roku HD Player is capable of wired or wireless hook-up, but not at
the fastest speed available from a 'N' wireless network. HD content
streams to this device flawlessly (if the content is available and your
home network is sending a proper signal), despite not being 'N' network
ready.
That being said, Roku came out with Roku HD-XR Player which WILL
stream the fastest 'N' network standard, provided the rest of your home
network is also working with the same standard. That being said, this
device is not at all necessary if you don't have all the devices on your
home network using the 'N' standard, because the speed will only go as
fast as the device with the slowest connection which is probably the 'B
or G' standard.
The third device is available on Roku's website. Roku SD, which
streams in standard definition, will not stream HD content, isn't
capable of surround sound audio like the other two and does not have a
HDMI connection. It only supports the red/yellow/white (composite video
and audio) connections, but it will connect wirelessly or can be
hardwired to the internet, working on a 'B or G' network. The Roku SD is
about twenty bucks less than the Roku HD and , so again, consider your
needs before buying. **Anyone with a standard def TV and who doesn't
plan to upgrade to an HDTV with HDMI ports any time soon, would probably
want this version.
The Roku HD-XR Player is a jump up from the HD model in wireless
capabilities. All the Roku offerings will give you years of enjoyment by
boosting your NetFlix subscription, streaming Amazon On Demand media
and boosting your viewing library. What the HD-XR has that the others
don't: 'N' network capabilities and 1 USB port for firmware upgrades and
possibly, other media hook-ups via USB, but at this time Roku doesn't
even bring up the USB on their website so I tend to wonder about this
being a selling point. Is it worth the extra cost? Only you know the
answer to that question.
MY CONCLUSION:
The quality of the streaming video on my 'G' network is perfect;
standard and HD content, via my Roku HD, but since I don't have a 'N'
network, nor do I expect I will in the near future, I saved myself a bit
of money and didn't buy this one.
The only reason I give this product 4 versus 5 stars is because of
the price bump for the ability to use an 'N' wireless network when
frankly I believe it should be considered a standard feature, not an
extra. The USB port, whatever it's used for, should also be standard on
all models. Again, it would be wonderful to have one Roku with all the
potential connections and wireless ability, and perhaps in the future
there will be, but for now you need to consider these three: Roku SD,
Roku HD and Roku HD-XR.
To may your own informed choice, evaluate your needs and buy
accordingly. While the Roku products are not media storage devices or
DVR's, they can give you a tremendous boost in your enjoyment of NetFlix
and expand your viewing library.
ROKU HD-XR PLAYER SPECIFICATIONS (per the Roku website):
*Note the USB port isn't even listed as a feature.
Networking
Wi-Fi (802.11N/B/G "dual-band") with WEP, WPA, and WPA2 support
10/100 Ethernet (RJ-45)
Video Outputs
Composite video (480i)
S-Video (480i)
Component video (Y/Pb/Pr - 720p/480p)
HDMI (720p/480p)
Video Modes
16:9 High Definition (HD)
16:9 anamorphic
4:3 standard
Audio Output
Stereo (L/R RCA)
Digital Optical (Toslink - Stereo/Surround)
Digital over HDMI (Stereo/Surround)
Remote Control
NEC protocol, supported by various universal remotes
Power Input
5V, 2.5A provided by included AC adapter
Power Consumption
6 watts peak, 4 watts in standby
Size
5 x 5 x 1.75 inches (130 x 130 x 41 mm)
Weight
11 oz (300 grams)
You'll have to read this to believe it
The Roku HD-XR is fantastic. Even if you only have Wirless-G, what
you see on screen still looks like a million bucks, and is truly HD,
even if you have na HD TV or not. It's only actually 720P, and not
1080p, but unless you're using a large TV over 32", you'd never even
notice anyway. Regardless, it still looks fantastic.
Before I gush over the features, however, I MUST tell you about the
experience I had with getting it connected:
First, it took less than 5 minutes to pull it out of the box to
watching movies on NetFlix. It's astonishingly no-brainer, and I'm dead
serious when I say that. If you also have an internet-connected
wireless laptop sitting in your lap during setup, drop the
out-of-the-box-to-watching-movies time to 3 minutes.
Now this is where this little device knocked my socks off: I'm a
computer network engineer, and I do not have a simple wireless internet
setup in my house. I have a very complex enterprise network set up,
consisting of servers and workstations, cabled and wireless, and
connecting wirelessly to my network insfrastructure is required to make
use of my internet proxy server. This is just like the same setup you
find in corporate offices.
So to make a long story short, I was worried that the Roku would not
be able to make use of my complex internet proxy server for internet
access and that I'd have to return it. I thought the box would be to
"dumb", or would not have the required configuration menus to make use
of such complex networking architecture. If you know what internet
proxy servers are, then you know exactly what I'm talking about.
Imagine my surprise when I entered my network wireless security
information (so it could connect to SOMETHING at least), when it also
automatically found my proxy server and AUTOMATICALLY CONFIGURED ITSELF
to make use of it. All 3 of the Roku's on-screen indicators all lit up
green and BAM! - I was punching right into our NetFlix queue, our queued
movies already waiting to be watched. WOW! And I mean WOW!!! This
little gizmo has the ability to hunt down proxy servers on local area
networks and make use of them AUTOMATICALLY without further
configuration! Did I say WOW!!!!???
Oh, and by the way: My wireless network is pumped through a
Wireless-G LinkSys Access Point (WAP), which is what the Roku is talking
to for connection t my network. And it works GREAT. So for the
reviewer who said that it won't talk through LinkSys hardware - sorry,
not true.
VERY happy with this device. Embarrassingly close to euphoric, in
fact, simply because of it's configuration and connectivity capabilities
alone! The fact that it connected so quickly and so incredibly on my
network is reason enough for me to own this thing. Let alone how cool
it is to actually use, watch and enjoy, the very reason you get one in
the first place!
However, I simply must also add these additional review details:
The box itself is very small, the size of a small jewelry box, and
blended right in with my home theater system. It's even pleasing to the
eye to some degree, not the typical mess of cables you'd expect. It
takes up virtually no shelf space and only has two cables connected to
it if you're using wireless and HDMI: the HDMI cable itself and the
power cord. That's it. The remote control itself is VERY small, be
careful, it will slip down between couch cusions VERY easily. But it's
very nice looking and very stupid-simple to operate, having only a few
buttons for menu and playback control. The simplicity of the thing is
so beautiful compared to the typical "slap a million buttons on it for
cool factor" we're inundated with these days that I'm darned close to
taking the thing out to dinner and a movie.
The device is extremely simple to use, no tech savvy-ness required.
You will absolutely LOVE the simplicity of it. It is so amazingly
simple that I'm going to risk sounding like an idiot by calling it an
engineering masterpiece. And trust me when I say that I know
technology. As much as I like to go full-blown geek on most things,
this device is so refreshingly simple that I'm surprised at such a
device can be so simple. I'm also surprised at myself for being so
thrilled with it.
The included directions that come with it are incredibly simple.
However, the device is so simple to hook up and use, I'd offer that the
included quick-start instructions aren't even necessary.
My Roku is hooked up to a 52" Samsung HDTV at 1080p. The picture
quality of the streamed content over the Roku is very impressive for a
720P device streaming compressed internet media content. Please
understand that compression is required for internet streaming, and that
you will notice some fuzz in the picture, especially if you have a big
HDTV. That's the nature of internt streaming, and is not because of any
shortcoming of the Roku product itself.
Even though the Roku has true HD mode, do not expect crystal clear
"HD" content - remember, this device hooks up to ANY TV, not just HD.
Imagine slightly better quality regualr TV on a giant screen. That's
how it is watching a Roku on an HDTV, especially a big one, even with
the Roku's HD display feature enabled. The menus are crystal clear in
HD - the actual streaming media content you'll be watching will not be,
it's like watching slightly enhanced regualr TV, at least on large TVs.
On smaller TVs, 32" and smaller, it will look fantastic.
And the question many of you are wodnering: What if you will be
using the Roku simultaneously with other computes or devices in your
home on the same internet conenction? Simple: use common sense.
You'll have no problems if all you're doing is email and web browsing
while watching thigns on the Roku box. Online gaming and downloading
giant files, however, might cause the Roku to kick picture quality down
or pause for buffering or even stop it dead in its tracks altogether. I
have had no problems whatsoever so far, but I make sure to keep
computer use to "light duty" while watching content over the Roku. Use a
little common sense and you'll have no problems. Surprisingly, it does
a lot better than I thought it would.
Critical: for wireless use, the Roku needs to be at Wireless-G or
higher. If you have a PDA or older laptop that only does Wireless-A or
B, and your internet router is in mixed mode (allows A, B, G and N),
most wireless routers/access points will kick down in speed to match the
slowest device talking to it. This will basically stop the Roku dead
in its tracks by pretty much dropping it's access to the itnernet down
to virtually nothing. Don't use old slow wireless-A/B products if
you're using your Roku wirelessly.
The most economical entertainment under the sun: NetFlix is only
$10 a month, but you must understand that the Roku will only play the
movies that NetFlix has made available in their "watch now" category,
and that category really isn't all that impressive. Most NetFlix titles
are still DVD-by-mail-only, so their entire catolog is not available to
the Roku player. However, Amazon's On-Demand service, though it is
pay-per-view and much more expensive at 1-3$ per movie viewing, has over
45,000 titles you can watch immediately on the Roku. Either way you
go, this is an incredible entertainment system. As for me personally,
we're subscribed to NetFlix and watch the occasional Amazon On-Demand
title when a new release comes out we want to see. All total, we're
probably spending no more than $20 a month to watch what we want to
watch and when we want to watch it. This is at about 25-30% of a normal
cable bill, and all while providing convenience, content and
flexibility that cable or satellite can't even (currently) dream of.
You just can't beat it.
This is how all cable and satellite service content will eventually
be delivered. Until then, you get it all right now with the Roku.
And if you don't have Wireless-N in your home yet, and you're
thinking about saving $10 and getting the lesser model, just get this
one - you're going to soon have Wireless-N in your home anyway, so get
it right the first time. Otherwise you'll just end up buying this model
later anyway.
Also, this Roku box, when first plugged in, will download an update
and then reboot itself. Afterwards, you will see the main menu for the
first time and be pleasantly surprised to find that not only are NetFlix
and Amazon On-Demand available to the Roku, but also several other
music and video streaming services, such as Pandora, a NBL (baseball)
streaming service, and several other trial services.
All "surprises" with this box were pleasant, no bad experiences,
failures or complaints whatsoever.
I want to finish this review with the following statement: This by
far - dead serious - the best $130 I have ever spent in my life. Bang
for buck, I have never seen anything provide such incredible
high-quality entertainment in such a well-engineered way in such an
attractive, small, easy-to-use package. If you ever wanted to see magic
in a little box, thsi is the product. Not often you get to see cool
things like this come along, but here's a real winner of an example.
"Roku" is misnamed. It should be "Kudos".
A great new toy
I am really enjoying my new Roku XR. The setup was extremely easy
and intuitive. I am running the ROKU XR wirelessly off of an N-Router
(Trendnet 633) located on the other side of the house. I am getting "4
dots and HD" (best quality) with no interuptions in play.
My only complaint is that I have to go to Netflix and enter movies I
want to watch on the Netflix Instant Queue before the Roku XR will play
the movie. So basically, I have to go to my computer, find my TV shows
or movies, enter them into the Instant Queue on the computer then goto
the ROKU and my selections will be available to watch. I really wish I
could scan for movies and shows thru the ROKU.
Other than that, the setup and playback quality is excellent using
HDMI. Recommended :)