...there is one enormous show-stopper problem with Roku for me...it does not have a digital audio output so I cannot connect it to my home theater audio system. Roku has an HDMI output which is fine if your audio home theater preamp/receiver has HDMI inputs but mine does not. Roku also has an analog audio output but you need digital audio (Toslink or coax) for DD 5.1 if you do not have HDMI inputs. I can't imagine why Roku designed their players without digital audio output.
I'll never use the one they're sending me. I've never used NetFlix, HULU, Amazon Instant Video, or any other streaming services. I
do have an XBox 360, PS3, and FreeAgent HD Theater+, all of which offer the same capabilities of the Roku. Many standalone Blu-ray players have these "apps" included. And lets not forget modern "smart TVs" have them as well.
As far as the absence of a TosLink port...While perusing Roku's models, I noticed the absence of a digital audio port as well. My guess is that they have 2 targets:
- Low-end user with an HDTV and no AV Receiver. This user is interested in simplicity and ease of setup and connection. The addition of an optical or digital coax would just add one more step of complexity to said user. The Roku basically makes their "non-smart" HDTV into a "smart" HDTV.
- Higher-end user with an AV Receiver with HDMI switching. This user appreciates the simple elegance and small form-factor.
I'm a bit surprised the higher models (XD and XS) even have an analog port.