Roku Netflix Player hands-on, first impressions

It seems like everything about Roku's Netflix Player seems understated, from the plain, unceremonious purple box it shipped in, to the nondescript black plastic case, to the stripped-bare user interface. But as we've quickly discovered, it's pretty easy to learn to love this little hundred dollar bugger, even despite the fact that we need another set top box in our living room like we need a hole in the head. Sure, it's great that Netflix subscribers get a cheap, easy avenue for additional content to their TV, but the real beauty here is that this might actually be a streaming video box friendly enough to rival the Apple TV -- or to give your folks. Some initial impressions:

• The box is extremely small and light; looking inside, it just looks like a single, small PCB.
• Most of the vertical space it does consume seems to be for its myriad ports, including composite, component, S-Video, HDMI, and TOSLINK.
• The guided setup out of the box is really brief and painless. It supports 802.11b/g with WEP, WPA, and WPA2, and we were online in a cinch. Activating the box is as simple as hitting netflix.com/activate and entering a short code -- really easy and instantaneous.
  
• The remote looks cheap at first blush, but it's actually got a pretty good feel to it. The buttons are clikier than they are mushy.
• The interface, at its best, is simple and slick looking. It has almost no options and is ridiculously straight-forward. The interface, at its worst (namely, during movie playback), is still pretty decent, but lacks some polish.
• While fast-forwarding, you get still image markers to help indicate progress. It's nicety to ease the pain of skipping through streaming video (which we know presents some unique technological challenges), but it can use a little work. Chapter/scene markers, as in the Apple TV, would be a good start.
  
• Movie selection is done completely within Netflix's site, so don't expect to do any browsing through the device interface. If you want to load and watch any content on the box, you have to make sure it's in your Netflix Instant Queue through a browser. This part is definitely the biggest drawback for power users, but it does ensure a crazy simple device UI with zero learning curve.
  
• Movies don't load instantly (even on a 25Mbps connection), but they do load pretty quickly.
• Video quality is so-so. Definitely worse than a DVD and not even quite up to a standard def Apple TV vid. But it's certainly passable, and Netflix seems genuinely interested in bumping up the visual fidelity in the future.
• We saw some really wacky stuff going on with the HDMI, and the device did not play well at all with our HDMI switch. Roku let us know they're aware of some HDMI problems, and will be pushing out bug fixes and software updates as they're completed.

Stuff we hadn't yet heard about the Netflix Player

• Netflix dispatched a team of a couple dozen engineers to Roku to build the Netflix Player. Netflix didn't want to be the only hardware partner (which we already know), but clearly wanted to make sure whomever released the first box really nailed it.
• Netflix (and Roku) understand that the device's value doesn't just end with playing back Netflix content, and anticipate the box having content coming in from other providers as partnerships get hammered out.
• The box only outputs at 480i (over composite and S-Video) and 480p (over component and HDMI), although Roku will enable HD content (and menus) as soon as Netflix gives the thumbs-up. From the sound of things, it seems like they want to do this sooner than later, which we clearly hope they will.

Gallery: Roku Netflix Player hands-on, first impressions

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[mlknez @ May 21st 2008 8:47PM]

As most of the former customers of Roku know, Roku makes a lot of promises but tends to under-deliver. Their past products had fatal flaws that were never corrected. I would wait until another manufacturer comes out with a product for Netflix service.

[David @ May 21st 2008 9:03PM]

Maybe that's why Netflix dispatched a score of engineers to hold Roku's hand, a healthy precedent maybe?

not that I have a f***cking clue what I'm talking about.

[blade417 @ May 22nd 2008 9:05AM]

Netflix will surely work with Roku to make another little box that may or may not be better.... they shall call it.... Rohan

[Aguiluz @ May 21st 2008 8:47PM]

Looks like it could double as a piggybank.

:)

[Ayman @ May 22nd 2008 12:20AM]

I thought it was a new type of Barbeque

[imacmatt09 @ May 21st 2008 8:52PM]

The quality looks like a bootleg movie. You know the kind you get in china town...

[midiwall @ May 21st 2008 11:14PM]

What's your 'net speed? The box will handle a 2mbps data stream which is FAR above "China town" quality.

[NDBntly @ May 22nd 2008 11:52AM]

Well, I guess you have to get broadband instead of AOL dial up then.

[Snitch @ May 21st 2008 8:54PM]

Has anyone try the Netflix box yet???? i heard the movies available Suck, & that some of the tittles available are of movies most people have never even heard off, is it true???

[Jordan @ May 21st 2008 9:01PM]

It is true.

[Aguiluz @ May 21st 2008 9:27PM]

Wait... Is there a movie called "Suck?"

The capitalization tells me so. :-D

[midiwall @ May 21st 2008 11:11PM]

They started shipping today. The people that opted for FedEx 2-day will see them tomorrow.

[midiwall @ May 22nd 2008 2:01AM]

Looks like the first consumer shipment hit...

http://forums.rokulabs.com/viewtopic.php?p=93242#93242

[itsalljustaride @ Jun 20th 2008 7:57PM]

The definition of "suck" depends on your preference in movies. I watch a lot of stand-up comedies, documentaries, and indie flicks, which Netflix has a robust selection of on instant view, so, for me, no it does not "suck". That being said, NF has slowly expanded the selection to more popular titles, and ultimately it is in their interest to do so, because that means they don't have to pay the shipping costs for DVDs.

[bob e @ May 21st 2008 8:54PM]

I was going to buy one until I realized I can do this same thing without the Roku box on my PC.

Thanks Netflix - unlimited streaming movies for $8.99/mo. Now bring out that version for my Xbox.

[pc @ May 21st 2008 8:56PM]

no usb, no hard drive support, no divx, no hd = fail

[Sonic_13 @ May 21st 2008 9:30PM]

Seeing as this device is solely for the purpose of streaming Netflix movies, I fail to see how any of those features (other than HD, which the box is already built to handle) are relevant or necessary.

[midiwall @ May 21st 2008 11:10PM]

@Sonic_13...

Correct. The people that are bashing this box simply don't get it. Yes, you can do this now on your 360. What if you're an old fart with a Netflix account that can't handle a game controller (I prefer keyboard/mouse) and don't want to drop $300-500 for a 360 just to do this?

This was an EASY sale for me.

If you're bashing it, you don't get it, and that's okay - it's obviously not for you.

[thethirdmoose @ May 21st 2008 11:53PM]

Or what if you only want to pay $9/month for unlimited movies?

[Jordan @ May 21st 2008 9:00PM]

WAOH! Engadget said something rivals Apple! It must be good! I'm going now, going to buy 10000 of these little buggers.

[Steffen Jobbs @ May 21st 2008 10:32PM]

They lied. This doesn't even come close to AppleTV. This Roku is just a $2 metal box box with a $5 circuit board in it with non-existent customer service support.

This is still a good barebones entry into streaming movies. A decent complement to their main business of mailing movies. Just not quite yet a replacement.

[Jordan @ May 21st 2008 10:45PM]

I'm sorry to hear that you refuse to acknowledge any product other than Apple... You're loss. Although, not really in this case.

[John @ May 21st 2008 11:43PM]

If it's a $5 board, let's see you hack together your own ;)

[blade417 @ May 22nd 2008 9:08AM]

@ steffen

If this is a 7 dollar product, why would you need customer service support?

You should be ashamed of yourself...

[David @ May 21st 2008 9:05PM]

Wish Cardiff had a Chinatown! (look it up its the capital of Wales)

[thethirdmoose @ May 22nd 2008 12:06AM]

I totally conquered that in Civilization 2.
That's right, I beat Boadicea

[Logboy @ May 22nd 2008 2:35AM]

Bloody Torchwood!

[David @ May 21st 2008 9:05PM]

meant to be a reply to the comment mentioning chinatown, I blame the booze

[zargon @ May 21st 2008 9:56PM]

I also blame the booze, a vendor took us out and it is taking all my will power to properly type each word, grammar is a whole nother can of worms.

[David @ May 21st 2008 9:06PM]

that was meant to be a reply to my out of context post, now im blaming engadget

[turtlehead @ May 21st 2008 9:13PM]

you can already do this if you have a xbox and vista MC. http://myweb.cableone.net/eluttmann04/projects/vmcNetFlix/default.htm

[Scott @ May 22nd 2008 3:01PM]

Really? You can get unlimited movies for a $100 one time cost plus $9/month from Xbox 360 and Media Center?

Please tell us how.

[P. J. @ May 27th 2008 8:59PM]

Can this barbie-box help me? I had been happily watching Netflix's Instant View movies at my leisure when suddenly my Trend Micro PC-cillin 12 raised it ugly head and blocked my Firefox-Google IE. I worked with technicians at both Netflix and PC-cillin to no avail. Nobody can help me unblock the URL for want of a password that never existed. Trend Micro's program even blocks some downloads.

Anyway, can I use this thingy to stream Netflix movies without it's having to pass a security check?

[SimonRichards @ May 21st 2008 9:21PM]

"From the sound of things, it sounded like something they want to do this sooner than later, which we clearly hope they will."

Proofreading FTW

[Sonic_13 @ May 21st 2008 9:29PM]

I use Netflix's Instant Play feature all the time. Here are my thoughts on video quality:
- New material, like 30 Rock episodes for example, are easily DVD quality.
- Some older movies look sub-DVD quality, but that is probably due to quality of filming at the time the movie was shot.

Also, my movies (on about a 1-2mbps internet connection) almost always load instantly (within 10 seconds).

I'd really like to know how this was tested. Was the video quality tested on an HD TV (in which case the video would be stretched out, and thus look worse)? Were you testing with older films (which don't look as great as new films/shows)?

[northcranky @ May 21st 2008 11:45PM]

Same here. Test data please. A lot of movies on instant watch look really good for their time IF you get the max quality and loading is a few short seconds as well.

[paul @ May 22nd 2008 12:33PM]

I'd also like Engadget to post a video of the picture quality.

[zargon @ May 21st 2008 9:53PM]

If roku would pull their collective head out of these ass, they would have something that would smoke the Apple TV (which isn't anything special in the first place). Their Photobridge was ahead of its time, the support from Roku (the third party support rocked) was just not there. Their open concept was a great idea, just too limited for a small group of people to keep up with.

What I am bitter and torn about is their lack of support with the photobridge. Great product, poor support. However, their soundbridge is living the lime life and has not been dropped from Roku. Basically, the company has a lot of potential and their products could be awesome.

[John @ May 21st 2008 10:25PM]

where it would kill is if i could use the browser to enable my hotel room internet access so i could stream movies using their internet to my room when i'm on the road

[northcranky @ May 21st 2008 11:48PM]

You should be able to do that.

[Bassir @ May 21st 2008 10:29PM]

Would be a whole lot better if Netflix had all of its library online as well. That would make it completely better than the Apple TV.

[totoro @ May 21st 2008 11:00PM]

Aw, come on, tell me that is a typo and its 802.11b/g/N, not just b/g.

[midiwall @ May 21st 2008 11:12PM]

Why do you want N? You can't make use of the extra bandwidth... Just set your router to Auto.

[totoro @ May 21st 2008 11:35PM]

1) It doesn't need the bandwidth yet-Netflix is promising higher quality movies without upgrading the box, just thru software. No "N" means they are going to lower the bitrate.

2) I would prefer to run my N network at full 5Ghz speed. I just figured most wireless devices released in 2008 would support N by now.

[northcranky @ May 21st 2008 11:54PM]

Why would you need that much bandwidth? A normal g connection should be plenty for internet hd quality. Its not like your streaming a blu-ray.

[squiggleslash @ May 22nd 2008 12:47PM]

How many people actually have faster-than-54Mbps DSL or cable connections?

In all honesty, it's probably fine with 802.11b, given the bottleneck is the customer's Internet connection, not the wireless connection. If it's important to you though, you can always use the Ethernet port. If you absolutely must have 802.11N wireless, consider getting a gaming adapter.

[Jayden @ May 21st 2008 11:21PM]

Does engadget just have some massive pool of cash for purchasing every gadget ever made?

[tiuk @ May 21st 2008 11:24PM]

Well, it's a good start. Once it matures a bit I think it'll be a real contender.

[zodad @ May 21st 2008 11:34PM]

Don't waste your money . . . on a completely unrelated note, I have lots of Roku gear that doesn't work for sale if you want to throw your money away. I'm sure this will be no different.

[John @ May 21st 2008 11:47PM]

I think it's a little TOO barebones... I mean, it's another box with very limited functionality. It does its job, but at this rate I'd have to stack everything from the floor to the ceiling