Thinking about buying a Roku box - Page 2

jonnythan · 12-28-2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murray_fan1

Raspberry Pi. Runs XBMC and is insanely cheap to obtain.

RPi is the opposite of "no hassle." No enclosure, no remote, no built-in software. XBMC has no Netflix integration (the plugin simply launches Netflix in a browser window).

Fun times!

Raspberry Pi is very cool, but it is a cheap tinkering or embedding platform. It is not a plug and play Netflix box.

Murray_fan1 · 12-28-2012, 08:05 AM

You are right probably not for Mikeler based on his want to run netflix. One could argue that if you have XBMC you don't really need Netflix.

jonnythan · 12-28-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murray_fan1

You are right probably not for Mikeler based on his want to run netflix. One could argue that if you have XBMC you don't really need Netflix.

How else are you going to watch movies on an RPi if not Netflix or another streaming service?

mikeler · 12-28-2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ico

Just to clarify, we have Watch ESPN through our cable provider (Optimum/Cablevision) and I assume yours does to. The Apple TV itself doesn't magically give you the service, it just makes it dead-simple for you to take the stream from an iPad, iPhone, iPod, or Mac and put on a much larger screen.

Hope you enjoy whatever purchase you make.

I used WatchESPN on my iPhone, sometimes even while at home this fall. So I've paid for the cable service that allows me to watch it. Thanks for adding that clarification though because I can see where others might think it comes with that feature already.

Andyroo10567 · 12-28-2012, 10:56 AM

Jailbreaking the Apple TV 2 wasn't hard at all. Though i would suggest not getting the TV 3 because they didn't have a released working jailbreak yet. Make sure to check your version number. I.E 4.4.4, 5.0.2 and such. The jailbreaking process took just about 3 minutes. The way "Jailbreaking" sounds is pretty intimidating but its just hitting a few buttons on the remote and connecting the apple tv to your computer. That's all. but you would have to download some stuff in order to jailbreak it obviously.

Andyroo10567 · 12-28-2012, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeler

Call me a hassle hater. I'm pretty sure Roku is the way I want to go but since I've got an Apple centric place, I still want to explore Apple TV some more.

And you get some of dem Apple stickers! Who doesn't love those!

Andyroo10567 · 12-28-2012, 11:02 AM

A person on youtube made a guide in literally 3 1/2 minutes on how to jailbreak it. And yes, they do have access to all of the newer movies, well most. The latest movie i watch a while ago was the dark knight rises.

cluckcluck · 12-28-2012, 11:41 AM

I have 3 Roku boxes in my house. They all work perfectly. I would suggest Roku cause it's cheap.

mikeler · 12-28-2012, 12:07 PM

Does Apple TV have a monthly fee? I'm pretty sure Roku does not.

cluckcluck · 12-28-2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeler

Does Apple TV have a monthly fee? I'm pretty sure Roku does not.

Neither of them do. It's a simple connection. I just like Roku because you don't have to tie it in with you iTunes account.

JRstriker12 · 12-28-2012, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeler

We are mainly looking to get Netflix streaming. Any tips, suggestions and/or recommendations about which unit to buy and what other services to purchase?

Do you game Mikeler? I stream Netflix from my Xbox 360 all the time.

If you want to go super cheap and have a laptop and a TV with an HDMI connection all you need is an HDMI cable and you're good to go.

Also IIRC - TennisMonkey in the TWMAC has a Roku.

theyhatethecans · 12-28-2012, 12:54 PM

I have a Roku(and we still play angry birds and galaga on it

) and I got apple tv and for whatever reason (maybe the Apple tv has a better antenna) the apple tv connects to the wifi much better than my Roku. If you won't be connecting by wifi it won't be an issue. We just got a Wii U which also has Netflix, so I have a lot of redundancy now. Apple TV has a lot of cool bells and whistles we use it often to view home movies.

canadad · 12-28-2012, 01:52 PM

I am buying an Apple TV, soon.
Apple does not do everything well, but what they do well is integrating their products. With Apple TV I will be able to use the features of the iCloud, iTunes Store, games, apps, Youtube, Netflix and Airplay, etc. My three year old who is good on the iPad will now be able to take control of the TV. Be warned that Airplay mirroring only works with Mountain Lion and not all iOS 6 devices but does work with iPad2 and 3 and iPhone 4S and iPhone 5. If you don't have all the Apple gadgets that I do, get whatever.
Here is a comparison between the Roku and Apple TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBgck_QrOK4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_GUuJyyyRQ

GS · 12-29-2012, 06:08 AM

Will a Koku box allow me to get ESPN for free? Please tell me yes.

mikeler · 12-29-2012, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theyhatethecans

I have a Roku(and we still play angry birds and galaga on it

) and I got apple tv and for whatever reason (maybe the Apple tv has a better antenna) the apple tv connects to the wifi much better than my Roku. If you won't be connecting by wifi it won't be an issue. We just got a Wii U which also has Netflix, so I have a lot of redundancy now. Apple TV has a lot of cool bells and whistles we use it often to view home movies.

I would like to game but the wife knows better than to let me get a console.

Power Player · 12-29-2012, 08:18 AM

You can only get espn for free if you have a login and password from a cable provider and the espn app on your ipad that you can airplay on your atv.

Jailbroke the atv last night and installed xbmc. Game changer. I was going to watch cloud atlas but it was too late.

Andyroo10567 · 12-29-2012, 11:55 PM

^^ Wasn't hard right?

PS : Did you get 1Channel yet? It's going to be a lot more handier than IceFilms.

Fuji · 01-03-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRstriker12

Do you game Mikeler? I stream Netflix from my Xbox 360 all the time.

If you want to go super cheap and have a laptop and a TV with an HDMI connection all you need is an HDMI cable and you're good to go.

Also IIRC - TennisMonkey in the TWMAC has a Roku.

Oh man this is how I run Netflix all the time! PS3/computer is the way to go for myself!

-Fuji

JRstriker12 · 01-03-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeler

I would like to game but the wife knows better than to let me get a console.

Bummer... I brought mine home after I got a new job with a pay raise. Wife didn't complain about it. Otherwise I'd probably be in the same boat

mikeler · 01-03-2013, 10:25 AM

Since I can't make a decision and I got a decade changing birthday coming up, I'm going to get both.

12-28-2012, 08:05 AM	#22
Murray_fan1 Semi-Pro Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Pacific North West Posts: 762	You are right probably not for Mikeler based on his want to run netflix. One could argue that if you have XBMC you don't really need Netflix. __________________ Bag Check: Head IG Prestige Pro with a couple other wild cards in the mix

12-28-2012, 10:56 AM	#25
Andyroo10567 Semi-Pro Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 786	Jailbreaking the Apple TV 2 wasn't hard at all. Though i would suggest not getting the TV 3 because they didn't have a released working jailbreak yet. Make sure to check your version number. I.E 4.4.4, 5.0.2 and such. The jailbreaking process took just about 3 minutes. The way "Jailbreaking" sounds is pretty intimidating but its just hitting a few buttons on the remote and connecting the apple tv to your computer. That's all. but you would have to download some stuff in order to jailbreak it obviously. __________________ Racquet : Prince Youtek 6.1 Tour 531g 17x19 Strings : Steel Wire ( 21G ) <- Prototype

12-28-2012, 11:02 AM	#27
Andyroo10567 Semi-Pro Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 786	A person on youtube made a guide in literally 3 1/2 minutes on how to jailbreak it. And yes, they do have access to all of the newer movies, well most. The latest movie i watch a while ago was the dark knight rises. __________________ Racquet : Prince Youtek 6.1 Tour 531g 17x19 Strings : Steel Wire ( 21G ) <- Prototype

12-28-2012, 11:41 AM	#28
cluckcluck Hall Of Fame Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Between the baseline and netcord. Posts: 1,505	I have 3 Roku boxes in my house. They all work perfectly. I would suggest Roku cause it's cheap. __________________ Donnay X-Dark Red 94

12-28-2012, 12:54 PM	#32
theyhatethecans New User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 79	I have a Roku(and we still play angry birds and galaga on it) and I got apple tv and for whatever reason (maybe the Apple tv has a better antenna) the apple tv connects to the wifi much better than my Roku. If you won't be connecting by wifi it won't be an issue. We just got a Wii U which also has Netflix, so I have a lot of redundancy now. Apple TV has a lot of cool bells and whistles we use it often to view home movies.