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Roku's Netflix Player: Internet TV Comes of Age
By Rick Klaw
(August 2008)
In the mid-1990s, when the Internet finally infiltrated home computers, prognosticators promised a near-future featuring all sorts of new and amazing uses for the pc. More than a decade later, one of the most intriguing, potentially economic and social changing predictions - the computer would be a delivery device for television entertainment - has finally become a reality.
The 2006 introduction of Apple TV ushered in a new era of Internet user-controlled streaming video available via the television. The expensive device (starting at $229) offers some 2,600 videos through the iTunes Store ($3.99 for new releases/ $2.99 for older titles), user-generated content using the "Export to Apple TV" option, and YouTube. The player fails to work on older televisions and runs inordinately hot, reaching 44° C (111° F). Additionally, it has no "off" switch - unplugging it is the only way to power down.
Soon after the appearance of the Apple TV, Netflix, the largest online DVD rental service, allowed unlimited, instant DVD viewing to most of its eight million subscribers. For a flat monthly rate, users can choose from more than 12,000 selections viewable online as many times as desired and for an unlimited period of time. Apple, in contrast, allows viewing for just 30 days after purchase and, once you start a movie, you must finish within 24 hours.
Roku released the first Netflix Player on May 20, 2008. Though currently available only through Roku, the affordable ($99) device sold out of its original production run within two weeks. ("Roku's Netflix Player sells out," C|Net, June 3, 2008 accessed August 24, 2008.) The player received overwhelmingly positive reviews in The New York Times, Wired.com, Time, PC Magazine and elsewhere.
The small, innocuous-looking device (roughly paperback book-size) takes less than ten minutes to set up. Clear and concise instructions assume little or no technical expertise. The player connects to almost any television either directly or through an RF modulator, which is readily available at most electronics retailers. The videos can be accessed by a direct ethernet or wi-fi connection. Depending on your Internet access speed, the video will play at VHS (tested at 384/kbps) or DVD (8.0 Mbps) quality. Unlike the Apple TV, the device generates almost no heat. Oddly, like the Apple, the Roku player has no power switch.
The Roku's main strength comes primarily from the extensive and varied Netflix library and the player's ease of use. Although numerous, many of the Netflix selections resemble the dredges found in Wal-Mart dollar bins: long-forgotten TV shows, inferior 1980s John Hughes knockoffs, third-tier chop sockey and made-for-cable documentaries. Among the detritus, however, several gems emerge, including Oscar winners, recent feature films, classic comedies, quality kids fare and popular television shows, both U.S. and British. These videos contain none of the DVD extras or commentaries and, surprisingly, lack closed-captioning. The interface allows for rewind/fast forward and scene selection, and remembers where the viewer stopped watching, even days or weeks later.
The Roku's simple TV interface relies on computer access to Netflix for viewing choices. There is no access to your account from the TV nor an easy way to change to other Netflix user accounts. The small remote control contains everything necessary (except for a power button) to manage the box.
Since Roku wisely used open source firmware, the equipment is easily upgraded. Presumably, some of these shortcomings will be addressed in future iterations.
While not perfect, the $99 Roku Netflix Movie Player grants a tantalizing glimpse of television's future: viewer-controlled content. Buoyed by the persistent Internet rumors of Roku including Hulu.com and YouTube connections by the end of the year, this affordable option presents one of the most exciting advancements in home entertainment since the advent of the DVD. -MPM |
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