Been waiting to get off my trip and watch some FREAKING DETROITBORG! LOL. I love your stuff man, and I love my Roku! I know there isn't a ton that the new Roku 2 XS brings that my original Roku XDS doesn't have, but I really want it. I'll probably buy one anyway. That new remote is schmexy.
Excellent review! I stumbled upon your youtube chan. looking for roku 2 reviews, I love your explanation of new tech. It's very good. I'm excited to get this for my sister for my sister for Xmas!! Thanks for the review, I know what to expect, and what my non-tech sister will experience.
I got my Roku HD for Christmas, and its a great complement to cable tv. I really enjoy the variety of channels, and I can usually find something to watch. My brother has Googletv and that seems a bit better, but I'm very satisfied with my Roku.
Just to clarify, DetroitBORG did a very good job on this overall review. However, as of December 2011, there is now an official Roku remote control app in the Apple iOS App Store. Also, Roku is making deals with Google to get UA-cam put onto the Roku ecosystem as quickly as possible. Google has to agree to a contract in order to get that service.
I don't know if things have changed since you made this video but I own a Roku 2 XS and you can use android or iphone as a remote, and you can also stream video over your wireless network with the use of some 3rd party apps available in the channel store. (This is however restricted to the supported file formats.) UA-cam is still not supported, but roku allows you to bypass the channel store and install independent apps. Some of which allow you to watch youtube but they aren't perfect.
If you jailbreak it, you can plug in the external hard-drive or USB through the micro usb port and watch it via a modded player. Streaming is not necessarily required in order to play videos when jailbroken.
Nice comparison well done. There is now an app that will let you use the iPhone as your Roku remote. Since all I wanted was Netflix i chose Roku 2 XS. Having had it for a while, I do wish it also had iTunes and UA-cam. If Apple comes out with 1080p and Google doesn't force them to drop UA-cam like they did to Roku, I may switch.
I love my Ruku box.I had the first gen XD box. It started to act up and would stop working and restart but still worked fine 95% of the time. It was the best gift my wife ever gave me.Today I opened my girts for Xmas and one was Ruku 2 XD. I love apple but i dont think i would ever get apple tv.
Roku Box has a UA-cam app but its a private channel so you have to add it in your self. Just Google Roku Box private channels. Its the best way I found to view youtube content as I can see my subscriptions.
Yes. I have my Apple TV 2 jailbroken with XBMC installed. XBMC connects to my network drive. You can do that a ton of different way, but I have the Apple AirPort Extreme (WiFi router) with a 1TB USB Hard Drive connected to it.
FYI- there is an iPhone app for the Roku now. It works great. The only downside is when you add a channel it pauses the movie you are currently streaming. Over all I'm satisfied with the Roku and this review is pretty accurate. I'm a Mac fanatic but glad I got the Roku instead.
Good review. I am happy with my Roku 2 XS. Some very good free channels like Ted, CNET, and UCTV, but a lot of the other free movie channels just have junk. I didn't have any trouble playing an MP4 on mu USB flash drive connected to the Roku. Also, it may not have been around at the time of the review, but if you use the Roksbox app you can play movies, music, and view pictures on a networked computer with some setup.
Get Format Factory. It will convert all your media into almost any format that you would possibly need. It does not require internet and is one of the best media format changers I have ever come across.
I have both Apple TV 3 and Roku 2 XS. You can add UA-cam channel to you Roku it is available as a private Channel and easy to add. You can also stream music or movies from your PC using PLEX or Playon which is far easier to use than Itunes. Roku is open source where as the Apple TV is limited to what Apple wants you to have. I use my roku to watch a wide variety of channels. I use Apple TV for Netflix which is about all it is good for. Airplay doesn't work for most movie apps like hbogo.
Love your reviews but 3 things wrong - there are several iphone/ipad remote apps for Roku on iTunes , I use DVPRemote, there is a UA-cam app and local streaming apps (even iTunes content) using - Chaneru or Roksbox Apps available thru the private channels list along with 200 others apps .Granted these should be built-in, but are not hard to setup. Not picking sides as I own both.
The Roku also has a mobile app. I can control my Roku from my cell phone no problem. It is a free mobile app in the Android market (App Store?). I noticed you included the Apple's mobile app so it only seems fair in case that point is the "over the edge" factor.
Another terrific review! Although the Roku has some clear advantages over AppleTV (1080p, media file grab off of USB), those aren't enough for me to switch from my AppleTV. The lack of UA-cam and the addition of "Fox News" dissuades rather than attracts.
I have no bias one way or another. I use 2 Roku Boxes. I also own 2 Macs, a PC, and iPhone, and both an iPad and an Android Tablet.. When the reviewer said "The Apple TV is much more elegant", he exposed himself as a typical bias fanboy. Congratulation on your "elegant" Apple TV. I bet it's "sexy and Magical" too, isn't it???
I feel that this review missed a very important feature of the Roku; private channels. With the Roku, you can get codes from various content providers to install "unofficial" Roku channels. This opens up a VAST amount of potential that apple tv simply doesn't have. For the record, UA-cam IS playable on the Roku, so long as you acquire the appropriate private channel code. Finally, it is worth noting that many of these private channels are free, but you have to search them out online.
would you see any point it getting somthing like this if you already have a playstation 3? i mean it kind of already does the same stuff? so what your thoughts?
I can't decide. I just bought the rokus2 but was thinking to change it for an apple tv. I have an ipad2 so it might be a good thing. but i keep hearing the apple 2 its limited and and only plays in 720p. I wonder if it plays movies from netflix in 720p as well?
A year ago i said Roku was better because you could download more apps but that was before i started having quality problems and actually having to return 2 of them. Then i got a mac and realized it was much easier to go with Apple Tv plus i haven't had to return or haven't had any problems unlike the Roku were it constantly freezes and worse part it was the Roku 3!!!!
I just got the Roku XDS last week, it still does the job to me. I really didn't want the Roku 2 as yet. Maybe I'm being foolish, but I did it for several reasons. I still prefer using the AV to connect to the TV oppose to HDMI which is being used by another device. I'm not into the gaming. And I read poor reviews about the Roku 2 glitches. As for AppleTV2, it's limited as compared & it doesn't have the USB port for what I want. I can plug my ext drive to Roku, that alone was the deal breaker.
Thanks for the video! I think I am going to go with an Apple TV since my home is largely iTunes based. I already have a PS3 with netflix and hulu and would mainly use the iTunes streaming :) Thanks again!
i have both a roku xd and an apple tv 2nd gen. my main goal was to be able to stream .mkv movies from my mac to my tv using plex. I needed to jailbreak my apple tv in order to do this which i didn't mind. I also preferred the ui of the apple tv to the roku. However, the ui is pretty slow on the apple tv. It doesn't respond well with the number of clicks you press on the D-pad. The roku supports 1080p hulu, plex, hbo go, amazon prime, and rdio. apple tv's only advantage would be airplay.
OK, I am a certified Roku fan, prefer it to Apple, and mind you, between 2010 and now, I've bought 8 (eight) Rokus from amazon. That is very good. They sale it on: #amzn.to/1fOXpAi
@UATimka not that I'm aware of. I do however have my mac mini running through a denon avr-1912 receiver that supports airplay. However I rarely use it, rather I keep lots of loseless audio files (flac and wav) on a external hard drive that I play off of cog and use my ipad with a vnc app as a big touch screen controller.
Before I started this video I was thinking I don't need one of these because I have an Apple TV. But after watching it I was thinking It might be nice to have both :).
@DetroitBORG To say “Apple TV” would imply the entire Apple TV line, as with Roku 2 it would only include the second series. If you are going by that then you are counting all the sales of the Apple TV for the past 5 years, as apposed to the Roku 2 that has only been out since July. But to the point, that is that the Roku series does outsell that of the Apple TVs. Mainly because of it’s lack of dependency to iTunes and streaming compared to the Apple TV that just recently gained the ability.
question, i have netflix and hulu plus on my wonderful and lovely nook tablet (i work at bn hehe) and i absolutely LOVE watching my movies and tv shoes on it, however i want the roku for streaming my netflix nd hulu to my tv when i have company, now my question is, is that what the roku does? does it just stream your stuff to your tv? also, if i got apple tv, does it do the same? can i stream netflix and hulu? thanks!
your videos are always so complete ! 10 minutes feels like 2 when you are talking and that's a really good thing ! keep up the good work !
This is THE BEST review of anything I`ve ever seen! So through and edited cleanly. Thank YOU!!!!
Been waiting to get off my trip and watch some FREAKING DETROITBORG! LOL. I love your stuff man, and I love my Roku! I know there isn't a ton that the new Roku 2 XS brings that my original Roku XDS doesn't have, but I really want it. I'll probably buy one anyway. That new remote is schmexy.
In depth and professional, nice video editing also. As we are getting used to from the magnificent DetroitBORG!
I just purchased my Roku 2 XS and I'm very excited!!! So happy I can't watching my favorite tv series on demand.
Excellent review! I stumbled upon your youtube chan. looking for roku 2 reviews, I love your explanation of new tech. It's very good. I'm excited to get this for my sister for my sister for Xmas!! Thanks for the review, I know what to expect, and what my non-tech sister will experience.
I got my Roku HD for Christmas, and its a great complement to cable tv. I really enjoy the variety of channels, and I can usually find something to watch. My brother has Googletv and that seems a bit better, but I'm very satisfied with my Roku.
I was considring the roku xs until I came across your great review. Thanks a lot!
Thank you for the very unbiased review! I own the Apple TV and love it, but have been thinking about Roku. Thanks much!
Awesome as always!! You and TLDToday are my favourite tech channels on UA-cam!! :D :D
There are several Roku remote apps for Ipad and Iphone available on the Apps store. I have tried two versions, and they both work great.
Nice video. (Apple tv has been upgraded to 1080p on the 3rd gen & lots of more features have been added)
Just to clarify, DetroitBORG did a very good job on this overall review. However, as of December 2011, there is now an official Roku remote control app in the Apple iOS App Store. Also, Roku is making deals with Google to get UA-cam put onto the Roku ecosystem as quickly as possible. Google has to agree to a contract in order to get that service.
I don't know if things have changed since you made this video but I own a Roku 2 XS and you can use android or iphone as a remote, and you can also stream video over your wireless network with the use of some 3rd party apps available in the channel store. (This is however restricted to the supported file formats.) UA-cam is still not supported, but roku allows you to bypass the channel store and install independent apps. Some of which allow you to watch youtube but they aren't perfect.
Amazing attention to detail as always!
If you jailbreak it, you can plug in the external hard-drive or USB through the micro usb port and watch it via a modded player. Streaming is not necessarily required in order to play videos when jailbroken.
Nice comparison well done. There is now an app that will let you use the iPhone as your Roku remote. Since all I wanted was Netflix i chose Roku 2 XS. Having had it for a while, I do wish it also had iTunes and UA-cam. If Apple comes out with 1080p and Google doesn't force them to drop UA-cam like they did to Roku, I may switch.
I love my Ruku box.I had the first gen XD box. It started to act up and would stop working and restart but still worked fine 95% of the time. It was the best gift my wife ever gave me.Today I opened my girts for Xmas and one was Ruku 2 XD. I love apple but i dont think i would ever get apple tv.
Very Good Review
I think I will look at the XS model.
Great review... you just earned yourself a subscriber lol.. Oh and I also laughed a bit when you tossed the cables aside lol
FYI: With the Plex Channel (free), you can view .mkv and .avi on the Roku.
Roku looks like it just out does Apple TV even more, so many more features. So it seams, i think i'll go with the Roku, thanks for the review!
Roku Box has a UA-cam app but its a private channel so you have to add it in your self. Just Google Roku Box private channels. Its the best way I found to view youtube content as I can see my subscriptions.
Yes. I have my Apple TV 2 jailbroken with XBMC installed. XBMC connects to my network drive. You can do that a ton of different way, but I have the Apple AirPort Extreme (WiFi router) with a 1TB USB Hard Drive connected to it.
You have some awesome reviews.
FYI- there is an iPhone app for the Roku now. It works great. The only downside is when you add a channel it pauses the movie you are currently streaming. Over all I'm satisfied with the Roku and this review is pretty accurate. I'm a Mac fanatic but glad I got the Roku instead.
Was UA-cam added to this? Wanting to use this on my older CRT TV, for 4:3 ratio content.
Good review. I am happy with my Roku 2 XS. Some very good free channels like Ted, CNET, and UCTV, but a lot of the other free movie channels just have junk.
I didn't have any trouble playing an MP4 on mu USB flash drive connected to the Roku. Also, it may not have been around at the time of the review, but if you use the Roksbox app you can play movies, music, and view pictures on a networked computer with some setup.
Get Format Factory. It will convert all your media into almost any format that you would possibly need. It does not require internet and is one of the best media format changers I have ever come across.
Nice little device. Great review!
I have both Apple TV 3 and Roku 2 XS. You can add UA-cam channel to you Roku it is available as a private Channel and easy to add. You can also stream music or movies from your PC using PLEX or Playon which is far easier to use than Itunes. Roku is open source where as the Apple TV is limited to what Apple wants you to have. I use my roku to watch a wide variety of channels. I use Apple TV for Netflix which is about all it is good for. Airplay doesn't work for most movie apps like hbogo.
Thanks for this review it's really useful
Good video, I will be getting one soon. Wish it had UA-cam.
good info...im thinking of dumping my cable!...this was very informative
just got mine today
The Roku 2 is pretty slow in 2022 I have the Roku express and it's super fast
Thanks for all the info.
Very imformative. Thanks
you use a husky utility knife i got one of them at homedepot a week ago and it is vary good
Thanks for this review, super helpful!
Love your reviews but 3 things wrong - there are several iphone/ipad remote apps for Roku on iTunes , I use DVPRemote, there is a UA-cam app and local streaming apps (even iTunes content) using - Chaneru or Roksbox Apps available thru the private channels list along with 200 others apps .Granted these should be built-in, but are not hard to setup. Not picking sides as I own both.
I love how the stance on glossy plastic hasn’t changed in twelve years 😂
fantastic review. Thanks.
Hey Mike!
Will you be getting the Apple Thunderbolt Display?
The Roku also has a mobile app. I can control my Roku from my cell phone no problem. It is a free mobile app in the Android market (App Store?). I noticed you included the Apple's mobile app so it only seems fair in case that point is the "over the edge" factor.
Super informative, thank you
Is there a big difference in speed between the xs 2 and Roku 3?? I have ordered the xs 2 as a client for Plex but Roku 3 is not available in the UK.
All of the 300+ channels available on roku are available in the form of podcast on apple tv / iTunes
Another terrific review! Although the Roku has some clear advantages over AppleTV (1080p, media file grab off of USB), those aren't enough for me to switch from my AppleTV. The lack of UA-cam and the addition of "Fox News" dissuades rather than attracts.
Great review!
I have no bias one way or another. I use 2 Roku Boxes. I also own 2 Macs, a PC, and iPhone, and both an iPad and an Android Tablet..
When the reviewer said "The Apple TV is much more elegant", he exposed himself as a typical bias fanboy. Congratulation on your "elegant" Apple TV. I bet it's "sexy and Magical" too, isn't it???
Did you film some of this with your Nikon D5100?
@TheSLSAMG It's not like you are holding it the entire time you are using it, are you?
I feel that this review missed a very important feature of the Roku; private channels. With the Roku, you can get codes from various content providers to install "unofficial" Roku channels. This opens up a VAST amount of potential that apple tv simply doesn't have. For the record, UA-cam IS playable on the Roku, so long as you acquire the appropriate private channel code. Finally, it is worth noting that many of these private channels are free, but you have to search them out online.
Plex makes a client for both Roku and Apple TV which enable you to stream videos from your local network.
Outstanding video!
would you see any point it getting somthing like this if you already have a playstation 3? i mean it kind of already does the same stuff? so what your thoughts?
Is Roku available to be used worldwide? I want to get one.
also you dont have to turn your roku off because it uses as much power as a night light and it is meant to be left on
I can't decide. I just bought the rokus2 but was thinking to change it for an apple tv. I have an ipad2 so it might be a good thing. but i keep hearing the apple 2 its limited and and only plays in 720p. I wonder if it plays movies from netflix in 720p as well?
Great video. Thanks!
What video editing software do you use to edit your videos?
A year ago i said Roku was better because you could download more apps but that was before i started having quality problems and actually having to return 2 of them. Then i got a mac and realized it was much easier to go with Apple Tv plus i haven't had to return or haven't had any problems unlike the Roku were it constantly freezes and worse part it was the Roku 3!!!!
detroitborg: what did you say at 8:16 ? what kind of media ?
I would go with the Apple TV seeming as most of the Roku's services aren't available in the UK. I'm not even sure if the Roku's itself is...
I just got the Roku XDS last week, it still does the job to me. I really didn't want the Roku 2 as yet. Maybe I'm being foolish, but I did it for several reasons. I still prefer using the AV to connect to the TV oppose to HDMI which is being used by another device. I'm not into the gaming. And I read poor reviews about the Roku 2 glitches. As for AppleTV2, it's limited as compared & it doesn't have the USB port for what I want. I can plug my ext drive to Roku, that alone was the deal breaker.
which one is better be honest the apple tv or roku 2?
Roku Tip: You can use the A/V Out port for audio.
Thanks for the video! I think I am going to go with an Apple TV since my home is largely iTunes based. I already have a PS3 with netflix and hulu and would mainly use the iTunes streaming :)
Thanks again!
Is the Roku only sold in America? If so you should of mentioned that, because the Apple TV is sold in heaps of countries.
Im going to get this someday!
i have both a roku xd and an apple tv 2nd gen. my main goal was to be able to stream .mkv movies from my mac to my tv using plex. I needed to jailbreak my apple tv in order to do this which i didn't mind. I also preferred the ui of the apple tv to the roku. However, the ui is pretty slow on the apple tv. It doesn't respond well with the number of clicks you press on the D-pad. The roku supports 1080p hulu, plex, hbo go, amazon prime, and rdio. apple tv's only advantage would be airplay.
can u interact with the apple tv thru a macbook pro or air?
Will you be getting the 2011 Mac Pro?
which is better the Roku or the Apple Tv
Can y unbox and review the wii if you can?
OK, I am a certified Roku fan, prefer it to Apple, and mind you, between 2010 and now, I've bought 8 (eight) Rokus from amazon.
That is very good. They sale it on: #amzn.to/1fOXpAi
What I mean is like rhe Wii u.
Can put create a Roku account without giving a credit card?
@DetriotBorg Im confused does apple tv even have channels to watch tv on.
What kind of TV do you have?
Can i hook up my headphones to the ruku player via usb?
The roku also supports plex player, no jail breaking to stream from your media server. Private channels are a plus.
do they come with wifi or just wired?
@UATimka not that I'm aware of. I do however have my mac mini running through a denon avr-1912 receiver that supports airplay. However I rarely use it, rather I keep lots of loseless audio files (flac and wav) on a external hard drive that I play off of cog and use my ipad with a vnc app as a big touch screen controller.
ps i am in the uae and netflix isnt supported .... so can i use this or what ?
Is giving your credit card mandatory?
how do you turn it on please reply
That would be the Zenith Digital TV Tuner but the Antenna is sold separate. Will get you 60 to 100 channels.
Soo if I already have an Xbox 360 with Xbox Live, wouldn't make sense to get this right?
Android has a couple of roku remote controller apps.
@DetroitBORG doesn't that cost a lot of energy?
I have a Roku 2 and like it wish it had youtube , but is always getting new channels.
Before I started this video I was thinking I don't need one of these because I have an Apple TV. But after watching it I was thinking It might be nice to have both :).
If you have a PC (no Mac) is Apple TV a waste of time ?→ (for streaming content off my PC)
can you video stream from your mac to roko?
@DetroitBORG To say “Apple TV” would imply the entire Apple TV line, as with Roku 2 it would only include the second series. If you are going by that then you are counting all the sales of the Apple TV for the past 5 years, as apposed to the Roku 2 that has only been out since July. But to the point, that is that the Roku series does outsell that of the Apple TVs. Mainly because of it’s lack of dependency to iTunes and streaming compared to the Apple TV that just recently gained the ability.
question, i have netflix and hulu plus on my wonderful and lovely nook tablet (i work at bn hehe) and i absolutely LOVE watching my movies and tv shoes on it, however i want the roku for streaming my netflix nd hulu to my tv when i have company, now my question is, is that what the roku does? does it just stream your stuff to your tv? also, if i got apple tv, does it do the same? can i stream netflix and hulu? thanks!
I love Roku! it's awesome!
Would Hulu on the roku work in the uk?
Can you do a web browser on roku?
i have one but its put away since i use an xbox 360 and a google chromecast on my tv
Why are you gonna use HDMI cable but not AV analog cables?