Roku vs. Apple TV

[DawnM]

Well, the truth is, I would like Apple TV as it connects with itunes and we have Apple computers. But we also pay for HuluPlus and if that can't even be seen on an Apple TV, it does make me think twice before buying.

Dawn

Correct. Apple TV does not support Hulu. I haven't read any plans for them to add Hulu either. Given the choice, I probably would have gone Roku, but my husband is a huge Apple fanboy.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Apple probably never will add Hulu. Apple charges 99 cents for an episode of a TV show that aired the day before. Hulu is either free (on your pc) or $7.99 a month for unlimited viewing).

Apple TV is 720 dpi and Roku is full HD, 1080 dpi. The dpi isn't a huge deal on small screens, but once you get above 32" there's a noticeable difference.

Correct. Apple TV does not support Hulu. I haven't read any plans for them to add Hulu either. Given the choice, I probably would have gone Roku, but my husband is a huge Apple fanboy.

 

[wshupnastar]

Okay, hope I am not hijacking this thread, but my head is about to burst trying to decide whether to go with Roku or Apple TV.

We do not have Apple computers, but are complete I-POD addicts. Two teenage daughters = a lot of I-Tunes downloads. Not to mention, I have quite the library of stuff myself.

The way I understand it, you can rent the newest episodes on Apple TV for .99. Can you also buy the episode for the normal 1.99 or 2.99 (for HD, which, honestly I never do...I am not techno enough to really see the difference..I am sure DH would disagree with my choice) and watch it on your TV?

Roku seems to have a ton of advantages, other than the "I-Tunes" factor. If I can watch and listen to my I-Tunes library, that may be a decision maker...my question is...we have 4 I-Tunes accounts, one for each member of our family. Can we stream all of the accounts, or is the Apple TV tied to one account?

My question with Roku is actually more about Hulu Plus. Is the monthly charge of $7.99 all you pay for even the most recent episodes (for instance, to watch last night's Glee?) or do you pay per episode?

Also, we currently have Directv, and we have it in three rooms. Will I be able to get 3 boxes and will that allow us to watch 3 different programs? I am actually not sure how often that happens...but it's nice to know we can. We currently have Netflix and pay for the "3 at a time" program. Currently we stream it through our Wii (one in the living room, and DD (14) just bought her own Wii for her room (side note, aren't you so proud when you kids save for something and buy it for themselves?) so we have the capability of streaming 3 programs at one time. I want to make sure this will still be the case.

Sorry for all of the questions. I know I could just do some internet searches and find some answers, but I trust the people on this board so much more than I do "random search people"

 

[DawnM]

I don't know about the Apple question, so I am starting with your HuluPlus question.

You don't pay per episode, you pay one monthly charge to watch all that they offer streaming.

You will need to make sure your shows are on HuluPlus though as some shows are not. CBS is the biggest dissapointment as it isn't on HuluPlus.

As for 3 boxes.....you can have up to 5 devices registered through Netflix and watch different shows on different boxes at the same time. HuluPlus however says you can only use ONE device at a time to stream.

From what i understand though, a computer doesn't count as a "device" as they are only talking about external devices like a Roku box.

I am not sure that HuluPlus enforces the one device streaming at a time thing.....as I haven't tested it.

Dawn

My question with Roku is actually more about Hulu Plus. Is the monthly charge of $7.99 all you pay for even the most recent episodes (for instance, to watch last night's Glee?) or do you pay per episode?

Also, we currently have Directv, and we have it in three rooms. Will I be able to get 3 boxes and will that allow us to watch 3 different programs? I am actually not sure how often that happens...but it's nice to know we can. We currently have Netflix and pay for the "3 at a time" program. Currently we stream it through our Wii (one in the living room, and DD (14) just bought her own Wii for her room (side note, aren't you so proud when you kids save for something and buy it for themselves?) so we have the capability of streaming 3 programs at one time. I want to make sure this will still be the case.

Sorry for all of the questions. I know I could just do some internet searches and find some answers, but I trust the people on this board so much more than I do "random search people"

 

[DawnM]

Yes, this is true, although Huluplus only broadcasts in 780p at the moment.

DH was very happy with the picture quality of Roku over the Wii (wii is 480p capable only).

Dawn

Apple probably never will add Hulu. Apple charges 99 cents for an episode of a TV show that aired the day before. Hulu is either free (on your pc) or $7.99 a month for unlimited viewing).

Apple TV is 720 dpi and Roku is full HD, 1080 dpi. The dpi isn't a huge deal on small screens, but once you get above 32" there's a noticeable difference.

 

[JB2K]

With all the talk about Roku and Apple TV, let's not forget that many of today's Blu-ray players have built-in streaming services (such as Netflix and Hulu) built-in the player.

There are a couple of advantages with such a setup -- one being that you only have one machine to manage (instead of both a DVD player and a TV box).

And the other, obviously, is you have a High-Def machine for both your streaming and your discs (all for about $100).

 

[DawnM]

Roku also has some more channels than just Netflix and Hulu.....and some of them are free.

http://www.roku.com/roku-channel-store

I have enjoyed some of those as well.

 

[BilltM]

Anybody have experience, good or bad, with the Boxee box?? How are they different from Apple and Roku??

 

[DawnM]

http://www.gulbransen.net/2011/03/boxee-box-vs-roku/

Interesting. I haven't looked at this one before. Looks like it doesn't support Hulu or Amazon Prime though.

Dawn

Anybody have experience, good or bad, with the Boxee box?? How are they different from Apple and Roku??

 

[BilltM]

Thanks for the link. Sounds like the Roku is going to be my choice for now. Goodbye Cable TV

 

[DawnM]

I think Roku is definitely leading the pack at the moment, but my prediction is that in the next few years we are going to have far more TV streaming choices in content and in devices.

I called to cancel our Directv in April and they gave me 3 free months, so I WILL be cancelling, but for now we have both.

Dawn

Thanks for the link. Sounds like the Roku is going to be my choice for now. Goodbye Cable TV