Do You Roku?

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Do You Roku? was Originally Posted on June 29, 2012 by

I am a big fan of the Roku, a streaming media box which allows you to watch TV shows and movies via an internet connection. While not as expansive as a cable TV or satellite connection, there is plenty of content to watch.Both the Roku site and a few others have codes to add channels to your unit. The unit can be managed online and you can manage a family members unit even if they live far away from you.

Unless you have a Netflix or other supported pay service, you will be presented with other movie and TV items. I enjoy watching an Australian gardening show and there are audio feeds of the Supreme Court. Also I watch Crackle and some other movie feeds. I also have many other feeds sent to me.

Because it is streaming, you can pause, rewind some or go all the way back. One drawback is the model I have does not do closed-captioning.

With a high-speed internet connection, you can connect this box via wireless or hardwired to your router (a router lets you share connections within your home). Then depending upon which device you get, you can connect an old TV with dual audio and a video connection, or use the newer HDMI cable. The old connections would also allow you to go to the input of a VCR or other similar recording device. I don’t know if any have HDMI inputs to be able to record.

The remote control is pretty simple to use and there is an Android app that lets you control the unit from anywhere in the world, however, you would not be able to see the screen.

While these boxes may not fit everybodys needs, the price is reasonable and they get high marks in reviews. On the Roku site, their top of the line $99 (free shipping) unit has 20,000+ reviews and an arting of 4.1 out of 5 stars. To ensure that is accurate, I checked Amazon and found 4 stars out of 5 with 1300 reviews.

If you think you want to try this, COSTCO and Walmart carry them and have easy return policies. You can buy on Rokus site and also get a better deal on Rokus site if you are willing to take a refurbished unit. That is what I did. having the original Roku and liking it so much, I just bought a Roku2 XS at a $20 discount because the warantee is the same as a new unit and 20% off is a nice price drop.

You do need a high speed connection (I have cable). I suggest getting one and trying it. What have you got to lose?

Also, with Wifi you can put the unit behind that big screen TV and not have to run wires to the router which may be elsewhere.