Roku streaming box gets Amazon VOD

[digiblur]

Looks like it's out of beta now and going out to the public. I've been testing it for a few weeks and had no issues. Good quality!

Digital Video Player Instantly Connects Consumers
To Over 40,000 New Titles


SARATOGA, CA, March 3, 2009 – Roku, Inc., maker of the popular Roku digital video player, today announced that customers can now watch movies and TV shows from Amazon Video On Demand. With Amazon Video On Demand, Roku customers can for the first time purchase or rent new release movies the same day they are released on DVD and watch commercial-free TV shows the day after they air– all from Amazon’s extensive selection of more than 40,000 movie and TV titles.

”We are excited to give our customers access to Amazon's massive catalogue of top movies and TV shows – including many new releases”, said Anthony Wood, Roku CEO and Founder. “The launch of Amazon Video On Demand on Roku demonstrates our commitment to creating an open platform that instantly delivers the entertainment consumers want directly to their TVs.”

The compact Roku player connects directly to virtually any TV and uses a broadband Internet connection to deliver DVD-quality video instantly. Roku customers can now choose from Amazon’s enormous selection without paying subscription fees, waiting for downloads, or running out to the video store.

“The $99 Roku player provides our customers with tremendous value and a compelling entertainment experience,” said Roy Price, director of Amazon Video On Demand. “Consumers are looking for inexpensive and hassle-free ways to watch their favorite movies and TV shows, and the Roku player meets that need head-on.”

How It Works:
•Connect the Roku player to your TV and your broadband Internet connection (Wi-Fi is built in for ease of set-up)
•Register your Roku player and browse Amazon Video On Demand’s enormous selection right on your TV
•Rent or purchase and instantly watch any of more than 40,000 choices, including top new releases and the latest TV shows

Over the course of the next week, current Roku customers will receive a free and automatic software update giving them access to the Amazon Video on Demand service. All Roku player customers will continue to have access to Netflix Instant Watching with unlimited access to more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes for a low monthly fee.

The Roku digital video player is available for purchase exclusively at Roku.com and Amazon.com.

 

[Zookster]

I've been waiting for Amazon to start selling the Roku as I have some Amazon gift cards/credits I want to apply, but unfortunately, though it is available on Amazon now, Roku is the seller and there's a $15 shipping fee involved.

 

[mw1597]

I got the following email from Roku today.
So what is next? Hulu? "This is just the first of many exciting new additions coming to your Roku digital video player in 2009."
______________________________________________

Dear ______,

You don't have to fetch your car keys or grab your wallet to watch Hollywood's hottest new releases.

Your Roku digital video player now offers more than 40,000 movies and TV episodes available to rent or buy instantly from Amazon Video On Demand—many on the very same day they’re available on DVD. Prices start at 99 cents and no subscription fee is required.

Choose from newly released movies such as The Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express, or catch up on the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows such as House and Battlestar Galactica.

The new software update to access Amazon Video On Demand will be automatically delivered to you, free of charge, within the next five days. From there, just link your Roku player to your Amazon account to buy or rent right from your TV. No PC required.

New releases are just a fraction of the more than 40,000 choices available instantly from Amazon Video On Demand. See for yourself! Select the "Amazon Video On Demand" button from your Roku player's Home screen and start exploring. Amazon Video On Demand is an addition to your Roku player. Your Netflix service remains unchanged. Check out the Amazon Video On Demand Special Deals section, where you'll find popular titles like Speed Racer and Journey to the Center of the Earth for as low as 99 cents! And for a limited time, the 2009 SI Swimsuit Show will be also be offered for free.

This is just the first of many exciting new additions coming to your Roku digital video player in 2009.

Keep watching and enjoy.

Tim Twerdahl
Vice President, Roku

 

[SatinKzo]

Haven't done the VOD from amazon on Roku yet, but on Tivo, the quality has always been quite good.