Roku Introduces New Line of HD Streaming Players Starting at $59.99

[Scott Greczkowski]

Roku Introduces New Line of HD Streaming Players Starting at $59.99

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New XD and XDS models feature 1080p HD, Wireless-N, and Instant Replay​

Saratoga, Calif. – September 23, 2010 – Roku, Inc., maker of the best-selling and award-winning Roku streaming player, introduced today its new product lineup, featuring improved performance and the lowest prices in the industry. With up to 1080p HD streaming support and Instant Replay, the new players are shipping immediately at prices starting from just $59.99. All models feature high-definition playback as well as support for older, standard definition TVs.
There are three new Roku models: the entry-level Roku HD at $59.99; the Roku XD with Wireless-N and 1080p, and the top-of-the-line Roku XDS, which adds dual-band wireless technology and extensive connectivity options for home entertainment systems.

All Roku players will continue to deliver the largest collection of streaming entertainment available for the TV, including over 100,000 movies and TV shows from Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) and Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) Video On Demand; live and on-demand baseball from MLB.TV; music from Pandora, MP3tunes, MOG, and RadioTime; photo and video sharing from Flickr and Facebook; plus news and entertainment from thousands of sources around the world.

“We’re committed to delivering the best entertainment experience at the lowest price in the industry,” said Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku, Inc. “Customers can now buy an HD-capable Roku player with wireless for 40% less than the price of our original $100 Roku HD player. Or, think of it this way: for around the price of two Blu-ray Discs, a Roku player brings you access to limitless instant streaming entertainment choices available today and in the future. It’s perfect for anyone who wants the most choice and control over their entertainment.”

The new $59.99 Roku HD streams video in high-definition at up to 720p, and features built-in wireless and Ethernet for easy broadband connectivity anywhere in the home. The small, sleek Roku HD is only 1 inch tall and less than 5 inches wide, so it fits anywhere and is tiny enough to take on a trip. A composite A/V cable is included so that it can connect to virtually any TV, including standard definition models. An HDMI port enables HD playback on HDTVs.

The new Roku XD ($79.99) and XDS ($99.99) models deliver the next level of streaming performance, with 1080p HD support (delivered over HDMI) and extended-range Wireless-N. In addition, the XDS model features dual-band Wireless-N technology, component video output, optical audio output, and a USB port. Over USB, customers will be able to play stored music, photos, and up to 1080p video using a USB playback channel, available as a free upgrade to XDS owners (expected to be available in November 2010).

Both XD and XDS models also feature an industry first in streaming devices for the TV: an innovative Instant Replay button on the remote, enabling the viewer to skip back in 7-second increments without having to wait for a rebuffering delay. It’s a convenience that until now has been limited to DVRs and other hard-drive based devices.

First introduced in May 2008, the Roku player provides an easy, affordable, and reliable way for hundreds of thousands of Netflix customers to watch movies and TV shows instantly on their TV. Since the launch of the Roku Channel Store last fall, all Roku customers now have access to over 85 channels from 50 unique content services, with more added all the time.

Pricing and availability
The new Roku HD is available for $59.99, while the XD and XDS models are available for $79.99 and $99.99 respectively. All three Roku players are available immediately at www.roku.com, and available for preorders at www.amazon.com.

About Roku, Inc.
The market leader in streaming entertainment devices for the TV, Roku has always believed that anything you want to watch, listen to, and enjoy should simply be there on your TV, whenever you want it. Roku streaming players are renowned for their simplicity, variety of entertainment choices, and exceptional value. Roku is privately held and based in Saratoga, Calif.

For more information on the company and its products, visit: http://www.roku.com.

 

[TheKrell]

I now see that I wasted my money on an LG Bluray player with Netflix... And worse still, the PQ on my LG streaming Netflix is nothing to write home about.

 

[rdinkel]

Here is a review: Roku XDS review -- Engadget

 

[WayneG]

It's interesting that Roku is introducing these new streaming players just when we hear today that Blockbuster has filed for bankruptcy. Netflix along with Redbox has really killed the traditional movie rental store.

I think these new players from Roku will allow more folks to convert over in the next year. The price points are good and Netflix's online library continues to grow.

 

[truecrimson]

Very nice. I might consider one if my PS3 didn't already handle everything I need.

 

[Tony S]

I am not sure if Roku is the clear choice that it used to be. There are many competing boxes out there that can not only do netflix, but they can also play movies, photos, and music from a network share or a from a DLNA device. The Engadget article says that Roku will add some of this ability in the future, but there are already existing boxes that do all of this right now. That is why they were forced to lower their prices. This is good, the more competition there is, the better the prices will be for all of us.

 

[satjay]

Humm..59.00 not bad if programming continues grows, I have a PS3 as well, but for the family the Ruku might be more user friendly in accessing video?

 

[DustoMan]

I am not sure if Roku is the clear choice that it used to be. There are many competing boxes out there that can not only do netflix, but they can also play movies, photos, and music from a network share or a from a DLNA device. The Engadget article says that Roku will add some of this ability in the future, but there are already existing boxes that do all of this right now. That is why they were forced to lower their prices. This is good, the more competition there is, the better the prices will be for all of us.

The Roku box isn't just for Netflix anymore. They have been adding channels like crazy lately. Just look at the channels there are: Roku Channel Store | Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, MLB.TV, Pandora, Facebook & More on Roku And that's on top of the USB and DLNA support that is coming in a future update. Roku has become a pretty open platform, they make is pretty easy for developers to make public or private/for pay channels. That is what differentiates the Roku for other devices like Boxee and AppleTV along with integrated devices from the major manufacturers. You have to rely on the manufacturer to get firmware updates done to add more content. I'll tell you what hasn't happened. People who have purchased earlier models are not getting left out of new feature updates. Something that other companies, :cough Panasonic, seem to have no problem doing - leaving their early adopter loyal customers behind.

Humm..59.00 not bad if programming continues grows, I have a PS3 as well, but for the family the Ruku might be more user friendly in accessing video?

BINGO! Roku is just so easy to use it's fool proof. For sure a good box for the grandparents.

 

[Peter Parker]

Roku is easy to use. It offers MLB.com, streaming movies and the capabilities are growing with the updates. Note too that it not only does Netflix but it does it with better PQ than the PS3s and BP players.

 

[JTBenson]

I look at the apps on Roku and although they do have many Apps, the only one I would use is Netflix. I can already use that on XBox. I want something that easily integrates with ESPN3.

I have Playon, it works very good with non-live events, but for ESPN3, it takes forever to load. I works just great on my computer (with great picture quality), but going from computer to XBox through Playon just doesn't work as well as I would like it.

I frankly want something that works with EVERYTHING on the internet. That is why I think Google TV is better than the competition. Unfortunately, I can't afford a new one right now, so I will have to make due with what I have (either PlayOn or hooking computer up to TV physically).

 

[Peter Parker]

I look at the apps on Roku and although they do have many Apps, the only one I would use is Netflix. I can already use that on XBox. I want something that easily integrates with ESPN3.

I have Playon, it works very good with non-live events, but for ESPN3, it takes forever to load. I works just great on my computer (with great picture quality), but going from computer to XBox through Playon just doesn't work as well as I would like it.

I frankly want something that works with EVERYTHING on the internet. That is why I think Google TV is better than the competition. Unfortunately, I can't afford a new one right now, so I will have to make due with what I have (either PlayOn or hooking computer up to TV physically).

I can't say much about GoogleTv because it is not ecen available yet but the Roku is superior to the PS3 on NetFlix

 

[tomcrown1]

I can't say much about GoogleTv because it is not ecen available yet but the Roku is superior to the PS3 on NetFlix

I have a problem with google tv and boxee. The two units under the hood are the same as their both made by logistic. So why is the google box $100.00 more?

Also I heard a rumor that dish will have a new box with google tv build in. Will that receiver be worth it or is this rumor unfounded?

 

[DustoMan]

I have a problem with google tv and boxee. The two units under the hood are the same as their both made by logistic. So why is the google box $100.00 more?

Also I heard a rumor that dish will have a new box with google tv build in. Will that receiver be worth it or is this rumor unfounded?

Boxee Box is manufactured by D-Link not Logitech. Problem solved?

As to rumors of there being a receiver with Google TV built-in. It's probably a ways off, but still only a rumor.

 

[Peter Parker]

even if they were made byt he same manufacturer they would not necessarily be identical inside.

In any event this thread is about Roku not Boxee and Google.

 

[satjay]

If they could add some other on demand programming like WWE, that would help for those who dont have access to other "on demand" programming VIA satellite

 

[tigerfan33]

Netflix has added some new programming from Universal. Watching the season 4 of Friday Night Lights on my Roku. The HD quality on season 4 is light years ahead the other seasons of FNL IMO. Notice more movies also.