# Netflix Set-Top Box Recommendation **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 11, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703 "2012-11-11T19:57:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [November 13, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/21 "2012-11-13T19:23:27Z")
Have you purchased it yet? If not, and if you’re willing to spend $70 on a Roku LT, then I recommend going through [PlayOn](http://www.playon.tv/buy/) and getting a lifetime subscription. It adds even more free channels to your lineup, including Hulu (not the subscription-based Hulu Plus), access to the networks’ online offerings, and some free cable channels’ online offerings. You’ll need to set up PlayOn on your home computer, which will then act as a media server. It’s easy to set up, and adds quite a lot to any house that’s trying to cut the cable. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/22 "2012-11-13T20:17:39Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Have you purchased it yet? If not, and if you’re willing to spend $70 on a Roku LT, then I recommend going through [PlayOn](http://www.playon.tv/buy/) and getting a lifetime subscription. It adds even more free channels to your lineup, including Hulu (not the subscription-based Hulu Plus), access to the networks’ online offerings, and some free cable channels’ online offerings. > > You’ll need to set up PlayOn on your home computer, which will then act as a media server. It’s easy to set up, and adds quite a lot to any house that’s trying to cut the cable. That looks like a good deal. Does your computer need to be on all the time for it to work and do the computer and Roku need to be connected? I’m thinking about a Roku for the TV in my bedroom and I don’t know if I’ll want to put a computer in there too. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/23 "2012-11-13T20:26:09Z")
I went with a Roku HD and I’m loving it! The only downside is that I was up till 2:00 am watching Breaking Bad episodes I missed. This thing is either gonna save me or kill me 😃 ---
**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:** [November 13, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/24 "2012-11-13T20:27:51Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > That looks like a good deal. Does your computer need to be on all the time for it to work and do the computer and Roku need to be connected? I’m thinking about a Roku for the TV in my bedroom and I don’t know if I’ll want to put a computer in there too. 1. Your computer will need to always be on (or at least, whenever you want to access it). 2. The LT doesn’t actually have an ethernet port, so it’s wifi only. So as long as you have a good signal, you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/25 "2012-11-14T04:18:20Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Wait, it has free channels too? > I just wanted access to my Netfilx, are you guys telling me I get extra stuff? At bare mininum you get access to Crackle, which is a free movie/TV show channel, Pandora for music, and Flickster for movie trailers. And of course if you have an Amazon Prime account you access that through Roku too. What other free channels do people recommend? I haven’t added many yet myself. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2012, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/26 "2012-11-14T05:41:51Z")
I like Vimeo, SomaFM, and Mog on my Roku. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/27 "2012-11-14T08:13:31Z")
Is there some reason that getting a Roku is better than just getting a HDMI cable and hooking up the laptop when you want to watch the Netflix? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/28 "2012-11-14T08:21:08Z")
Well for me I want to use the laptop and watch netflix at the same time. I may be watching a show and helping my kids with homework (in other words, posting on the dope) at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/29 "2012-11-14T14:57:42Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > 1. Your computer will need to always be on (or at least, whenever you want to access it). > 2. The LT doesn’t actually have an ethernet port, so it’s wifi only. So as long as you have a good signal, you’ll be fine. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/30 "2012-11-14T23:34:18Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > Is there some reason that getting a Roku is better than just getting a HDMI cable and hooking up the laptop when you want to watch the Netflix? In addition to what Munch & zoid said, it depends on your temperment somewhat too. I can’t stand watching things on my computer. Not sure why, but it’s **a lot** harder for me to focus then than it is watching something on a TV. I’d say screen size, but my new monitor is only 2" smaller than my last TV (admittedly, it’s much smaller than the current TV) and I watched stuff on that TV for years without the same issue. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/31 "2012-11-14T23:51:14Z")
The Roku is always there and ready to go, small and silent. It has its own remote control. Just much simpler and cleaner than a laptop. ---
**Author:** ![Kaio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c68b51/32.png) [@Kaio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaio)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2012, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/32 "2012-11-15T00:25:47Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > In addition to what Munch & zoid said, it depends on your temperment somewhat too. I can’t stand watching things on my computer. Not sure why, but it’s **a lot** harder for me to focus then than it is watching something on a TV. I’d say screen size, but my new monitor is only 2" smaller than my last TV (admittedly, it’s much smaller than the current TV) and I watched stuff on that TV for years without the same issue. Well, that’s why you’d be hooking up the laptop to the TV? Or am I missing something here? ---
**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:** [November 15, 2012, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/33 "2012-11-15T01:25:55Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Wait, it has free channels too? > I just wanted access to my Netfilx, are you guys telling me I get extra stuff? Yep, it’s a cool thing. We use Netflix and a bunch of private and public channels. ---
**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:** [November 15, 2012, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/34 "2012-11-15T06:42:31Z")
> [@Kaio](#): > > Well, that’s why you’d be hooking up the laptop to the TV? Or am I missing something here? You’re just missing that a set top box like a Roku is purpose built to do one thing, and that is delivering video content to your TV. Yes, it doesn’t do much more than what you could do by connecting your computer to the TV, but the interface of the Roku is more convenient. The box can be controlled by a remote. For a relatively low cost, they add a fair amount of value. A laptop can certainly work. A set top box is easier to use. I think if you are going to use it often, it is worth getting. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2012, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/35 "2012-11-15T06:58:26Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Yep, it’s a cool thing. We use Netflix and a bunch of private and public channels. Could you please share with us what channels you have? ---
**Author:** ![D-bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@D-bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D-bear)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2012, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/36 "2012-11-15T07:47:21Z")
Here are the [public channels.](http://www.roku.com/channels/#!browse/movies-and-tv/by-popular) And here is just one of many [private channel lists.](http://mkvxstream.blogspot.com/2012/07/2012-roku-private-channel-list.html) But they’re all more or less the same channels on each list. Lots of choice for free and some you subscribe to. I used pay 16 bucks a month for Hulu plus and Netflix, but cut Netflix cause there is so much content, I rarely used Netflix. Now I pay 8 bucks for Hulu plus and that’s 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:** [November 16, 2012, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703/37 "2012-11-16T17:51:55Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Could you please share with us what channels you have? I’m not home now, but off the top of my head: Netflix Youtube(had to sign on early to get this one) The Roku Newscaster Pandora Radio [Blip.tv](http://Blip.tv) Crackle Classical TV BBC World(private channel) Facebook Weather Underground Some others I use less, but can easily report later if you like. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/netflix-set-top-box-recommendation/640703.md?page=1)