# Apple TV, Xbox TV, or other? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 12, 2011, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944 "2011-12-12T19:14:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/21 "2011-12-14T14:50:40Z")
I heard about Roku in a dif thread for the first time yesterday. I’m trying to decide between that and a Wii as a gift. Does the Roku support streaming music? Is the Roku limited much by the computer itself? Can it be switched between computers easily? I think that Netflix would be the content 90% of the time so I’m thinking that a wii would provide more options (games, fitness etc) ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/22 "2011-12-14T15:05:24Z")
What the…? here’s [cnet.com](http://cnet.com)’s comparison between the Roku LT and the Apple TV, which looks like it was updated yesterday: > **[Apple TV vs. Roku: Which streaming box should you buy?](https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/apple-tv-vs-roku-which-streaming-box-should-you-buy/)** > > The Roku 3 and Apple TV are the two most recommendable streaming-media boxes on the market, but choosing between them can be tough. And here’s a comparison between the Ruko 2 and the Apple TV: > **[Apple TV vs. Roku 2: What's the best streaming-media device for under $100?](https://www.cnet.com/culture/apple-tv-vs-roku-2-whats-the-best-streaming-media-device-for-under-100/)** > > Both Apple and Roku sell black boxes that offer Netflix and other streaming services. Which one's the best value for your $99? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/23 "2011-12-14T15:25:54Z")
I saw that Cnet article, saw the $50 price for a RokuLT on Amazon, and immediately ordered it. It should be delivered tomorrow. I see that Amazon also gives you a $5 credit towards streaming video when you activate your Roku, which is good for at least one movie. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/24 "2011-12-14T15:40:45Z")
One last stupid, stupid question: both Roku and Apple TV will be able to access my wireless network, right? The whole point of this is so that we don’t have to try to run either cable or an ethernet cable to the middle of the room (there’s a power outlet nearby, so that’s not an issue) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/25 "2011-12-14T15:46:49Z")
According to the [website](http://www.roku.com/roku-products), all of the current Roku models have built-in wi-fi. ---
**Author:** ![What\_the](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f4b2a3/32.png) [@What\_the](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_the)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/26 "2011-12-15T14:57:50Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > According to the [website](http://www.roku.com/roku-products), all of the current Roku models have built-in wi-fi. Which means that they communicate with your home network?? Or does that mean that you can get Netflix (and other channels) directly without needing to have your home computer system involved??? ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/27 "2011-12-15T15:59:39Z")
All the Roku boxes and Apple TV can connect to your home network. They do not connect to Netflix directly on their own - that would require something like 3G. They also have an ethernet connection if you want to just connect a wire instead. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/28 "2011-12-15T16:42:45Z")
Only the most expensive Roku 2 boxes have ethernet ports - the cheaper ones are Wifi only, removing the ethernet port as a cost savings most likely. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/29 "2011-12-15T16:47:07Z")
Oh, good catch. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/30 "2011-12-15T16:50:13Z")
Yes, Roku removed the Ethernet port when they made the Roku 2. My Roku(original) is the cheap model and has it. I have Wifi, but still have the Roku hard wired in. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/31 "2011-12-16T02:00:57Z")
Just got my RokuLT today. From opening the box to watching The West Wing on Amazon streaming took 25 minutes and it seems to work great. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/32 "2011-12-16T02:52:08Z")
eta: When you activate your Roku on Amazon, you get a $5 credit (offer good until March I think). Also, when I went to order a movie from Amazon via Roku, it only offered the HD version, which is $1 more than the SD version available via the website. I just went ahead and ordered it on my laptop and it plays fine on TV via Roku. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/33 "2011-12-16T06:44:39Z")
I received my Roku LT this week also. Seems pretty neat so far. I bought mine at Amazon too, but know nothing of the credit. I’ll look into it. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/34 "2011-12-16T13:16:02Z")
[Roku just released a free app that makes your Iphone/Ipod/Ipad work as a remote for the Roku. This was available third-party for a charge, but it’s now free and from Roku. Just a heads up.]([‎The Roku App (Official) on the App Store](http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/roku/id482066631?ls=1&mt=8)) ---
**Author:** ![jackdavinci](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackdavinci/32/3259_2.png) [@jackdavinci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackdavinci)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2011, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944/35 "2011-12-16T13:22:16Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I might do the Roku. In the short term, I’ll just plug my laptop into my tv. What the Apple tv offers is the ability to easily watch stuff on my iphone or my wife’s ipad on the screen. You don’t need an apple TV for that, just a cable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apple-tv-xbox-tv-or-other/605944.md?page=1)