Roku XD Streaming Player

The Roku XD Streaming Player is your handy tool for watching streamed movies on your TV from your high-speed Internet connection. The player features a large selection of instant streaming movies as well as TV shows, ranging from Amazon VOD to Netflix to many more. You can also listen to music from Pandora, or blast out your own iTunes or MP3 playlists. It comes with a built-in wired as well as wireless Internet connectivity, with an extended-range Wireless-N feature, and can play up to 1080p or high definition video.

It is also compatible with any TV, with a minimal setup time of about five minutes. All you need to do is to connect it to your TV and to an existing high-speed Internet subscription, with a minimum speed of 1.2 Mbps, and you’re ready to go. You will no longer require a PC for your streaming gigs! TV viewing will never be the same with this live streaming gadget!

The Roku also comes with a remote control and an instant replay button. Two AAA batteries are also included in the purchase, as well as a power adapter for the unit. It also comes with a getting started guide, and it is covered with a one-year warranty.

Roku XD Streaming Player Review:

The over six hundred customers who have bought the Roku XD Streaming Player gave it an average rating of 4.1 stars, with over half of them giving it a perfect 5.0 star rating. The entertainment box garnered a 4.5 rating for its ease of use, 4.3 for ease of installation, 4.4 for streaming video, and 4.4 for picture quality.

They liked how the Roku was very flexible in its well-established channels store. One reviewer appreciated that it helped eliminate the need for a monthly cable subscription, which resulted in tremendous financial savings. He pointed out the variety of choices he could have using this streaming device, including movies, YouTube clips, and even music. Another user described setup as having a few glitches but still easy and very much worth it. One buyer described it as a “gem,” while another one liked how it was very compact. Another buyer shared how he bought a second unit for their bedroom, and he loved how it was very easy to understand the remote. One user actually wished there was a 6.0 star rating as he was that happy with this device: he found it very reasonable, and described it as “beyond brilliant.” One buyer who claimed to be an Apple loyalist shared that he bought the Roku because it had more applications and did not charge for everything. He also liked the quality of the video along with how easy it was to use.

The issues brought up for the Roku, especially when comparing it with rivals like the Apple TV, was that it was relatively more complicated to get setup. If it wasn’t being compared, it might be OK, but one user actually went to the comparison, and also found that the user interface was not as smooth or as responsive as the Apple TV. It was found to have frequent load animations when the user was navigating between channels. Of course, the reviewer still conceded that for the price, it was an excellent device and he would still recommend it. Perhaps it was not fair at all to compare it directly to the Apple TV, but at least it gives us a clearer look at what a streaming device can actually do.

Other users who were not happy with this complained of a unit that malfunctioned after a while. Another user pointed out that this was a low-cost alternative for video streaming off the net, but might result in limited channels. One more user complained of its not having a power button, which resulted in his having to unplug it every time and taking a few minutes to start it back up. Still he gave it a 4.0 star rating for its functionality and practicality.

Based on these reviews, it would seem the Roku is a great alternative for those wanting to cut on cable subscriptions cost without saying goodbye to entertainment. For the price, you will definitely enjoy the value it gives you.