Roku HD user reviews (2012)

Pros - Plays Amazon content.
- Plays HD smoothly with my mediocre DSL connection.
- Amazon HD looks as good as most cable HD channels
- Bargain price
- Wide selection of channels to chose from
- Connects to older, non-HDTVs.

Cons - Most available content is of mediocre to poor image quality (not Roku's fault, but limits its value nonetheless).
- No dedicated Amazon button on remote

Summary I would have bought an Apple TV, but it doesn't support Amazon. I bought this solely to take advantage of my Amazon Prime membership. It does that beautifully, and the small investment has more than paid off.

I would watch many of the other channels, but their image quality is poor in most cases, and some interrupt movies with commercials. So for me, it's an Amazon box, and occasionally Pandora. I don't care much about Youtube, so I don't miss it. My iPad is fine for watching that when I do want to.

720p is HD, and is the format of choice for a number of broadcast and cable HD channels. Most people would not see much difference between it and 1080p, even if there were much of the latter available for streaming. And, like the majority of buyers, my Internet connection would not support the bandwidth needed for 1089p anyway.

I don't see these boxes as an adequate replacement for cable any time soon, but they provide an excellent substitute, and may permit some to lower their cable bill by switching to a more basic plan.

Pros Looks nice.
I wish this could have worked for me.

Cons 1. Cannot connect to a wireless requiring a password in a web browser.
2. Placing your credit card on file to create an account although you can *delete the credit card after the account is created.

according to their support page.

Summary ROKU 2500X
This cannot be used when a wireless password is required through a browser.
I purchased this to be used mostly when I travel. Since hotels do not accept a password until you've connected to the wireless network and opened a browser window the current roku interface could never work. Roku allows you to enter a password when connecting to a wireless network which works great for home. I found too late that their support page mentions cloning your computer address to your wireless router. I have not tried this since I don't intend to start traveling with the roku, the router and whatever else this leads into. I'll have to stick with connecting my laptop to the hotel tv for now.

Updated on Sep 11, 2012

I was able to connect to my home wireless so I've seen how it can connect.

Pros Yes, Netflix and MLB work great.

Cons Poor playback quality on Plex avi and divx(Plex blames Roku firmware), layout for Netflix and MLB is poor/ugly. Much nicer on Xbox Live.

Summary Worth under 100 bucks for sure! Very happy with it! However, now that I can get my Plex to play on Xbox I'm beginning to question why I need it...

Pros Easy to use.
Good quality.
Very simple.

Cons Netflix interface, although it works, is definitely sub-par.

Summary Nice product but nothing special. I also have the PS3 and its interface for Netflix is far superior. Roku is just one big long list of programs. For example, Law & Order, 15 seasons.. not broken out by season.. just one long horizontal list. Come on Roku!