Roku 2 XS 1080p Review
If you are into gaming then Roku 2 is the good news! My passion for games and gaming devices led me to find out this new high-end model of Roku 2 with better gaming options and superior capabilities. It is not only physically small and handy in size but also has various other additional features which make it a unique yet very fun streaming player. This is a fun, cheap and easy device containing sports channels and Netflix streaming at the same time. It uses less power and is easy to connect to your TV hardware since it contains a USB port and thus you can stream HBO movies and a variety of TV shows to entertain yourself along with a list of fun games. These games include Amazon games and Angry birds which can be played by an additional game controller device.
- Roku 2 offers further features for TV and you can use it through a web application on your computer, play games especially for kids. It has an additional IR receiver which is used as a remote control with a stronger frequency catching capability. It can operate on any TV and it displays full 1080p resolution. Roku offers three basic channels which include a Public and other more than 300 channels. Other channels include private channels and Apps channels. Further these channels are categorized into free channels, pay channels and Subscribed ones. You have to pay online for the pay channels, subscribed ones include Netflix or Hulu Plus which gives access to nearly 1000 movies and shows and you can also rent and buy more movies. More than 100 channels are free and are in HD quality. Roku 2 gives you games both free and paid ones since it have a lot of flexibility due to the fact that it operates on Linux OS.
- Now coming to the Apps channels it includes games, a motion controller in a XS model with full version games and a USB port. The Private channels, since they are not advertised as such, so they don’t have many subscribers. They can be located through Google Roku Private Channels but they have a lot of restrictions. In this way you are having a variety of channels with different ways of subscription. There are many disadvantages or negative aspects to Roku 2 as well. For example you need to have your own USB cable and HDMI cables since they don’t come along. Another negative aspect is that of the codes that are required in case you want additional channels. The registration process and access to codes is a pain since internet accessibility is an issue most of the times. However these negatives cannot undermine Roku 2’s features. No doubt it is a better option than many other devices such as Google TV or Apple TV. You get a XS model with a USB port and all you have to worry is about how much fun you can have with this tiny device!
Pros
- Tiny and handy
- Comparatively better
- Paid and Free options
- Better gaming features
Cons
- Lack of USB directplay port
- Problem with codes
- Variation in models
“a great product for home use ”
Pros
Good size Additional gaming features Free movies, music and gamesCons
Problematic access to codes No USB and HDMI playports Compulsory internet connectivitySummary
This new gaming model of Roku is incredible. It is small and handy, fun and entertaining on one hand whereas, it provides option of USB connectivity to television with a high resolution display. It has this additional game controller device used for playing as many games as I want to. With that, online streaming and internet connectivity can be used for watching movies through HBO or other web applications all for free. Also, Roku offers various channels (300-400); once you subscribe to them you can avail the facilities and enjoy!
As for the negatives, you need to have an access to some codes to get additional channels to watch and for that require internet connectivity. Plus you have to buy the USB port or HDMI cable separately since they are not included in the package Roku offers. So you need to worry about these issues before you have fun with the tiny gadget packed with entertainment. An easiest way to stream on TV!
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Pros
This is a review of the nsewet addition to the Roku streaming media player line-up, the Roku2 LT, of which I was given a unit to test by Roku. I am the owner of several versions of Roku players, so I have plenty of experience using these wonderful devices. Included in my stable of Roku players is the original PICO player, of which I purchased one of the first two thousand units sold in the US. I also own a 2nd generation XD|S player, as well as a 3rd generation Roku2 XS, the top-of-the-line unit at the time of this writing. I have been very happy with each new Roku player and am happy to have been asked to review the latest addition to their lineup. The Roku2 players are very compact, being about the size and shape of a hockey puck. Having such a small footprint means not having to worry about finding space for yet another home theater device. The Roku2 LT will fit just about anywhere. In addition, they use very little power, which is a good thing, as the unit remains powered on as long as the power pack is plugged in. There is no power switch on any model Roku player, so if you prefer to turn your unit off, you will need to consider using a switched outlet, such as a power strip. I use the switched power outlet on the back of my home theater amplifier. When the amp is powered down, the Roku player is also powered down. When you open the box, you are greeted with a well packaged Roku2 LT player and accessories, including a remote control (2 AA batteries included), a power pack and an analog stereo mini-jack to RCA cable for connecting the unit to your TV. However, I recommend using an HDMI cable, which is supported by all versions of Roku player. Using HDMI provides the best video (720p HD on the LT), as well as surround sound. Using the RCA cable only provides standard definition video and stereo sound. You will also find the standard warranty information (90 days) and warning information in a small pamphlet. The Roku2 LT is the most basic unit offered by Roku, so many of the bells and whistles found on other Roku players are not available on the LT. For instance, the LT only supports wireless connection to your home network, it has no Ethernet port. You won't find a USB port on the LT, either, so you cannot view images or listen to MP3s on this unit like you can some of the other models. For details on which Roku units provide which options, interested readers should visit the Roku website. Setting up the Roku2 LT is very easy, with step-by-step instructions provided on-screen, as well as a comprehensive instruction booklet that also includes troubleshooting and contact information, in the event that you experience any problems. Simply connect the unit to your TV using the provided RCA cable or an HDMI cable, and plug in the power pack. The Roku2 LT takes about a minute to boot up, at which time you will be presented with the first configuration screen. The first thing you have to do is connect to your home network via wireless Internet. Once connected to your wireless network, you will be prompted to register the unit to your Roku account. If you don't have a Roku account yet, you will need to go to the Roku website and create a new account. Once you have a Roku account and you register the unit, you will be prompted to upgrade the unit's software before you can begin using it. This only takes a few minutes, depending on available bandwidth, after which the Roku2 LT will automatically reboot.Once the unit reboots, you should be presented with the start menu, which includes a settings icon (more on this later), the Channel Store icon and an icon for the current highlight channel. You use the remote control to move around the menus. The remote has a large purple D-pad, similar to a game pad, with an OK button in the center which you use to select whatever is highlighted on the screen. There is a Home button which returns you to the main menu from any channel. There is also a left-arrow key that will return you to the previous screen. Finally, there are Play/Pause, FFW and RWD buttons, and an Option button. One of the best things about streaming movies or other video content is the ability to choose what you want to watch and when, as well as to pause, FFW or RWD that content. The Roku remote for the LT is well made and works using IR. You can use more than one remote with the same Roku player and Roku offers remote controls for sale separately on their website, for those who would like to have more than one. The Channel Store is equivalent to the Android Market or the app store for Apple products. It includes channels that stream movies and TV shows, such as Netflix, Crackle, Amazon and Hulu Plus. There are also games, news and sports channels, along with specialty channels for things like Anime, comic books, cooking, even a NASA channel. Some of these are free, just add the channel to your player and it willCons
This is a review of the nsewet addition to the Roku streaming media player line-up, the Roku2 LT, of which I was given a unit to test by Roku. I am the owner of several versions of Roku players, so I have plenty of experience using these wonderful devices. Included in my stable of Roku players is the original PICO player, of which I purchased one of the first two thousand units sold in the US. I also own a 2nd generation XD|S player, as well as a 3rd generation Roku2 XS, the top-of-the-line unit at the time of this writing. I have been very happy with each new Roku player and am happy to have been asked to review the latest addition to their lineup. The Roku2 players are very compact, being about the size and shape of a hockey puck. Having such a small footprint means not having to worry about finding space for yet another home theater device. The Roku2 LT will fit just about anywhere. In addition, they use very little power, which is a good thing, as the unit remains powered on as long as the power pack is plugged in. There is no power switch on any model Roku player, so if you prefer to turn your unit off, you will need to consider using a switched outlet, such as a power strip. I use the switched power outlet on the back of my home theater amplifier. When the amp is powered down, the Roku player is also powered down. When you open the box, you are greeted with a well packaged Roku2 LT player and accessories, including a remote control (2 AA batteries included), a power pack and an analog stereo mini-jack to RCA cable for connecting the unit to your TV. However, I recommend using an HDMI cable, which is supported by all versions of Roku player. Using HDMI provides the best video (720p HD on the LT), as well as surround sound. Using the RCA cable only provides standard definition video and stereo sound. You will also find the standard warranty information (90 days) and warning information in a small pamphlet. The Roku2 LT is the most basic unit offered by Roku, so many of the bells and whistles found on other Roku players are not available on the LT. For instance, the LT only supports wireless connection to your home network, it has no Ethernet port. You won't find a USB port on the LT, either, so you cannot view images or listen to MP3s on this unit like you can some of the other models. For details on which Roku units provide which options, interested readers should visit the Roku website. Setting up the Roku2 LT is very easy, with step-by-step instructions provided on-screen, as well as a comprehensive instruction booklet that also includes troubleshooting and contact information, in the event that you experience any problems. Simply connect the unit to your TV using the provided RCA cable or an HDMI cable, and plug in the power pack. The Roku2 LT takes about a minute to boot up, at which time you will be presented with the first configuration screen. The first thing you have to do is connect to your home network via wireless Internet. Once connected to your wireless network, you will be prompted to register the unit to your Roku account. If you don't have a Roku account yet, you will need to go to the Roku website and create a new account. Once you have a Roku account and you register the unit, you will be prompted to upgrade the unit's software before you can begin using it. This only takes a few minutes, depending on available bandwidth, after which the Roku2 LT will automatically reboot.Once the unit reboots, you should be presented with the start menu, which includes a settings icon (more on this later), the Channel Store icon and an icon for the current highlight channel. You use the remote control to move around the menus. The remote has a large purple D-pad, similar to a game pad, with an OK button in the center which you use to select whatever is highlighted on the screen. There is a Home button which returns you to the main menu from any channel. There is also a left-arrow key that will return you to the previous screen. Finally, there are Play/Pause, FFW and RWD buttons, and an Option button. One of the best things about streaming movies or other video content is the ability to choose what you want to watch and when, as well as to pause, FFW or RWD that content. The Roku remote for the LT is well made and works using IR. You can use more than one remote with the same Roku player and Roku offers remote controls for sale separately on their website, for those who would like to have more than one. The Channel Store is equivalent to the Android Market or the app store for Apple products. It includes channels that stream movies and TV shows, such as Netflix, Crackle, Amazon and Hulu Plus. There are also games, news and sports channels, along with specialty channels for things like Anime, comic books, cooking, even a NASA channel. Some of these are free, just add the channel to your player and it willSummary
This is a review of the nsewet addition to the Roku streaming media player line-up, the Roku2 LT, of which I was given a unit to test by Roku. I am the owner of several versions of Roku players, so I have plenty of experience using these wonderful devices. Included in my stable of Roku players is the original PICO player, of which I purchased one of the first two thousand units sold in the US. I also own a 2nd generation XD|S player, as well as a 3rd generation Roku2 XS, the top-of-the-line unit at the time of this writing. I have been very happy with each new Roku player and am happy to have been asked to review the latest addition to their lineup. The Roku2 players are very compact, being about the size and shape of a hockey puck. Having such a small footprint means not having to worry about finding space for yet another home theater device. The Roku2 LT will fit just about anywhere. In addition, they use very little power, which is a good thing, as the unit remains powered on as long as the power pack is plugged in. There is no power switch on any model Roku player, so if you prefer to turn your unit off, you will need to consider using a switched outlet, such as a power strip. I use the switched power outlet on the back of my home theater amplifier. When the amp is powered down, the Roku player is also powered down. When you open the box, you are greeted with a well packaged Roku2 LT player and accessories, including a remote control (2 AA batteries included), a power pack and an analog stereo mini-jack to RCA cable for connecting the unit to your TV. However, I recommend using an HDMI cable, which is supported by all versions of Roku player. Using HDMI provides the best video (720p HD on the LT), as well as surround sound. Using the RCA cable only provides standard definition video and stereo sound. You will also find the standard warranty information (90 days) and warning information in a small pamphlet. The Roku2 LT is the most basic unit offered by Roku, so many of the bells and whistles found on other Roku players are not available on the LT. For instance, the LT only supports wireless connection to your home network, it has no Ethernet port. You won’t find a USB port on the LT, either, so you cannot view images or listen to MP3s on this unit like you can some of the other models. For details on which Roku units provide which options, interested readers should visit the Roku website. Setting up the Roku2 LT is very easy, with step-by-step instructions provided on-screen, as well as a comprehensive instruction booklet that also includes troubleshooting and contact information, in the event that you experience any problems. Simply connect the unit to your TV using the provided RCA cable or an HDMI cable, and plug in the power pack. The Roku2 LT takes about a minute to boot up, at which time you will be presented with the first configuration screen. The first thing you have to do is connect to your home network via wireless Internet. Once connected to your wireless network, you will be prompted to register the unit to your Roku account. If you don’t have a Roku account yet, you will need to go to the Roku website and create a new account. Once you have a Roku account and you register the unit, you will be prompted to upgrade the unit’s software before you can begin using it. This only takes a few minutes, depending on available bandwidth, after which the Roku2 LT will automatically reboot.Once the unit reboots, you should be presented with the start menu, which includes a settings icon (more on this later), the Channel Store icon and an icon for the current highlight channel. You use the remote control to move around the menus. The remote has a large purple D-pad, similar to a game pad, with an OK button in the center which you use to select whatever is highlighted on the screen. There is a Home button which returns you to the main menu from any channel. There is also a left-arrow key that will return you to the previous screen. Finally, there are Play/Pause, FFW and RWD buttons, and an Option button. One of the best things about streaming movies or other video content is the ability to choose what you want to watch and when, as well as to pause, FFW or RWD that content. The Roku remote for the LT is well made and works using IR. You can use more than one remote with the same Roku player and Roku offers remote controls for sale separately on their website, for those who would like to have more than one. The Channel Store is equivalent to the Android Market or the app store for Apple products. It includes channels that stream movies and TV shows, such as Netflix, Crackle, Amazon and Hulu Plus. There are also games, news and sports channels, along with specialty channels for things like Anime, comic books, cooking, even a NASA channel. Some of these are free, just add the channel to your player and it will