Roku question/confusion

[frannn]

Thinking of getting a Roku box but not sure of the difference between them. Also wondering if you can view ALL free programming from the internet, like the MTV series, Bravo, etc, since I'm a huge reality TV nut. We have cable, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu + (probably going to cancel). I usually fall asleep at the last 15 min of any given show, and would love to be able to fast forward to that part of what I missed. I watch mostly Fox and NBC, and VH1, etc, so it would be great to have that content available on the Roku. Or, are you much more limited? Can I easily unplug this and take it to WDW now that they have wifi, or would this be complicated to do? Thanks!

 

[Twinados]

We recently replaced our satellite TV with two Roku boxes. Between Netflix, Hulu+ and Amazon Prime, we don't feel like we're missing out at all. You can't go directly on the internet to watch the free stuff out there, but they do have some "channels" you can download for some of the networks. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like you can actually watch much in terms of full episodes through them. You can easily fast forward or rewind any of the shows through the services I mentioned. I'm not sure about how reliable the wifi will be at WDW, but it's simple enough (and small enough) to take with you to try. Roku's website gives a great breakdown of what each model does but the long and short is the most basic box (which is what we have) will likely do all you need at 720p. Higher end models give better resolution (1080p) and a motion controller (think Wii) to play games on it with.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Networks are not available directly on Roku. You can get some current tv through Hulu+, but some shows are not available through Roku, only on your computer. As the PP posted, go to Roku's website for info as to what programming you can stream.

As far as taking your Roku on vacation, you have to be able to connect it to the tv, and many hotels don't allow this. Also, many hotels have wi-fi which is just too slow for streaming videos.

Roku is great, but it doesn't replace cable.

 

[DawnM]

We have Roku boxes and subscribe to Hulu+ and Netflix. Some hulu shows are hard to fast forward as it isn't like a DVR where the motions are faster so you can see where you are. You FF until you think you are at the right spot and then wait through about 2 min. of commercials before you find out if you got it right. Drives me nuts.

Also, you cannot stream any CBS shows through Hulu+ at all. I have purchased Play-on for CBS (and right now it comes with a free Roku box) but I haven't gotten it to work all that well.

Dawn

 

[Nayan]

My suggestion is to go to the Roku site and look to see what they have and if it will suit your needs. It's not like a cable box where you can stream TV and there's many things not available on it. I use it for Amazon Prime Instant Video and Netflix. It could never replace my cable for the things I watch most.