I need a really cheap yet reliable set-top box for viewing Netflix on TV. Ideally it should have WiFi as I don’t have any wired internet connection in the room the TV is in and I’d prefer not to run one.
Any suggestions?
I don’t know how much cheaper this is than other options, but we use our Wii video game console to view Netflix and it works very well.
I expect that the price of the Wii should be coming down since they are coming out with its replacement, the Wii U. Or perhaps you could get a used one from someone who is upgrading.
The Rokubox fits the bill exactly. I’ve got a Roku LT, it works just fine and it’s just $50. There are more expensive versions with more features or higher resolution, but even the one that plays angry birds (seriously) is only $100. It also works with Hulu (if you pay for the plus subscription), Amazon, and other odds and ends which I haven’t thoroughly investigated.
I just bought a pair of Roku boxes a couple weeks ago. They’re pretty sweet.
Roku it is!
Is the LT the low end?
We have two roku in this house. One’s a Roku, the other’s a Roku 2; the 2 is more expensive. As far as I can tell they’re nearly identical.
Are all of the channels on Roku subscription only? Because it looks that way, even for the channels nobody would pay for.
Most of them are free. Hulu+ and Netflix are subscription. Vudu and a few others are pay per view.
Are the free ones supported by commercials or does the Internet Fairy* make them magically appear?
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- FTR, I don’t mind some commercials to pay for a service and think that people who believe that all content should be free are idiots, even though public domain crap seems to fill the schedules of many of Roku’s channels.
ETA: I don’t see YouTube there, though my old analog TV probably doesn’t have the resolution to make that work.
- FTR, I don’t mind some commercials to pay for a service and think that people who believe that all content should be free are idiots, even though public domain crap seems to fill the schedules of many of Roku’s channels.
Has roku upgraded to let you search more than your instant queue?
When I first started using the Xbox for netflix, I could only see my instant queue. Now I get tons of recommendations based on various genres and based on other movies I’ve picked, and I can search. I didn’t like the Roku because back when I had it 3-4 years ago it didn’t have that feature.
I’ve had one for two years and it searches all of Netflix’s instant videos. So…yes, it has that feature.
Does it have recommendations based on genre or previous movies you’ve watched?
Yes, pretty much similar to the layout on netflix.com – there’s rows of different categories, top being the instant que, second being search and results, and the rest being various types of recommendations.
Yes.
Wait, it has free channels too?
I just wanted access to my Netfilx, are you guys telling me I get extra stuff?
All kinds of free channels. Lots in their channel store are officially supported by Roku, and dozens offered when you google Roku Private Channel list. Everything from foreign, Family, podcasts, adult content. I lurves me some Roku.
Do you have a smartphone? Some of the newer ones are capable of streaming HD video out of the mini-HDMI port. I’ve done it a few times and it seems comparable to the quality you get streaming through a console.
Roku boxes are tiny, silent, and great. It turned my ancient CRT television in the bedroom into a Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, and Crackle playing machine.
Here is one site that lists a bunch of Roku channels, both official and “private.”
Roku is the classic answer. I might also suggest the Apple TV at $100. Then again, I have the following ways to stream Netflix: Built-in TV app, PS3, Wii, AppleTV, and hooking the computer up to the TV.
A fair few of the free ones are supported by commercials. You’re talking about one commercial before the show and another about halfway through, in most cases. There are also a few channels that offer tiered service with a free level and a paid level. Since, in many cases, we are talking about public domain stuff that is duplicated across several channels I haven’t yet seen any reason to pay for any higher tiers on channels that offer them. It’s probably also worth mentioning that some of the subscription fees are really low. I don’t remember which one, but last night I was looking at one that had a $2.99 per year fee.