Roku XDS (2100X)

reply on August 30, 2011 by Delia1940

This cable comes in 2 flavors and this uses the "other" type of connection. It seems non-standard because ut us not the same as the camcorders, Zune of iPod video but it is the same as:
Archos, Gigabeat, Creative Zen Vision, Apple iBook, Aiptek, and many more devices. So if you go by the number of devices that uses that cable it is standard. But in reality there is NO standard for 3.5mm 4 connector to 3 RCA. When using the ones for video plus audio (red, white, yellow) match it
Yellow -> RED = Pr
Red -> BLUE = Pb
White -> Green = Y
So you know component can only give you 720p
if you wanted highest quality you will have DVI or HDMI.
In addition using WiFi (802.11) a,b or g is good enough for HD so maybe you should check your facts before you bash ANYTHING. Therefore usually the bottle neck is your ISP provider (usually no where near even 802.11a)
The ROKU box is great device specially the XD-S. Now your rating only reflects your knowledge of technology.

reply on February 2, 2011 by PTRio

I meant component (not composite) the Roku XDS most definitely has component outputs. These are often used by projector owners, such as myself, who have no need for HDMI other than routing it through a receiver which I prefer to avoid with video signals.

reply on February 2, 2011 by PTRio

Zeppo, the Roku XDS, according to Roku http://shop.roku.com/Roku-Streaming-Player-Options-W5.aspx most definitely has composite outputs for video, and it has optical out for audio. For those who use a projector, the component is often the only means available to connect the viedeo to the projector, and then use the optical to access audio. HDMI delivers both, and obviously the projector is unable to process the audio signal.

reply on December 10, 2010 by Zeppo

The Roku XDS has ONLY composite and HDMI output ports, no component ports. Composite and component are not the same. On most old TVs only composite ports are available. On most HDTVs one will find composite, component and one or more HDMI ports.

I don't understand why you have to make your connection to an in-wall component setup. If you use a newer home theater system with HDMI ports you could plug it to one of the input ports and use a single HDMI cable out to your HDTV. If you don't have such a system, you can simply connect the Roku directly to your HDTV via HDMI port.

You have options it seems to me. Perhaps I am missing something?

reply on December 3, 2010 by deecee

Roku is a 1080p device, and it's designed to work over the HDMI interface, for all those who is really concerned about 1080p performance, get a TV or a receiver with HDMI interface.
But also realize there are plenty people out there who is more concerned about the content than 1080P output, those who still have older TVs. Almost all TV in existence has RCA connections, a low cost, easy solution for those is the RCA cable. The component connection is a dying breed, forcing over 90% of the customer pay for component connection provision just because a niche market still want component output makes no value engineering and marketing sense.
The comment about the Wireless N router to take advantage of HD video makes NO sense, the best of the HD stream out there right now does not exceed ~3mbps streaming rate, that can be easily handled by a 802.11g (54 mbps) wireless connection. N for n sake is silly, the problem most likely lie with the router anyway.

reply on December 3, 2010 by deecee

It's amazing how people can't estimate any engineering concept, but keep commenting on bad engineering.
Yes, Roku is a 1080p device, and it's designed to work over the HDMI interface, for all those who is really concerned about 1080p performance, get a TV or a receiver with HDMI interface.
But also realize there are plenty people out there who is more concerned about the content Roku can provide than 1080P output, those who still has older TV. Almost all TV in existence has RCA connections, a low cost, easy solution for those is the RCA cable. The component connection is a dying breed, forcing over 90% of the customer pay for component connection provision just because a niche market still want component output makes no value engineering and marketing sense.