Roku helps say goodbye to expensive cable bills
The Internet has inspired expanded entertainment options, and TVs are trying to keep up. Some TVs have built-in streaming for services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Instant Video, and some are relying on television accessories, like Blu-Ray players or game systems, to fill the gap. Roku is a stand-alone option that is getting a lot of buzz and offers several benefits.
What is it?
Roku is a 5” x 1” box-certainly smaller than a cable box-that instantly streams movies, TV shows, music, and sports to your TV. It has hundreds of “channels,” which actually are independent services that want to deliver entertainment to you.
How does it work?
Cable packages usually include a lot of channels that you’ll never watch, but your pocket book knows it’s paying for them. With Roku, you only subscribe to free and premium channels-or services-that you want using accounts or subscriptions that you set up directly with the streaming entertainment providers. For example, if you have a Netflix account, log in and download movies instantly. No more waiting for the mail.
Hulu, a free streaming video service, will require a subscription to HuluPlus (currently $7.99 a month). The paid version of Hulu has the added benefit of delivering high-definition video that you can watch from dozens of mobile devices or other video streaming accessories. Other services that offer free content, like Pandora, Flickr and some Amazon Instant Video titles will continue to stream for free after you log in with your personal account.
What do I need to get started?
The simplicity of Roku is what makes it so flexible and appealing. You’ll need a TV, almost any one will work, and you’ll need a high-speed Internet connection. Roku recommends Internet speeds of at least 1.2 Mbps for general viewing, at least 3 Mbps for live events like Major League Baseball, and at least 5 Mbps for HD viewing. You can test the speed of your existing Internet connection at http://www.speedtest.net.
Almost everything else you’ll need comes with your Roku, including batteries for the remote. However, if you plan to watch HD video, you’ll need an HDMI cable. Roku offers a six-foot cable during checkout or you can buy one at Amazon.com.
Are all Rokus the same?
Roku comes in three versions, ranging in price from $59.99 to $99.99.
Roku HD has built-in wireless and delivers high-definition video in 720p. See what kind of HD your TV supports. This may be enough Roku for you.
Rodu XD delivers 1080p video and comes with an enhanced remote that supports instant replay. If you’re used to TiVo or DVRs, the replay feature is a must-have.
Roku XD|S delivers the best quality video over the latest wireless technology standard. It has component video and optical audio outputs as well as USB ports for playing photos, music and videos. For less than what you probably pay for one month of cable TV service, the Roku XD|S is a great value and worth the investment.
Will I still need cable service?
The vast amount of content on Roku could easily replace your cable TV service, especially if you have an HD TV that delivers over-the-air signals from local channels. You may even find content on Roku that you can’t get from your cable provider. Roku is constantly expanding it library of streaming entertainment.