Roku digital video player adding Amazon Video On Demand

Roku owners looking to go discless are one step closer, now that Amazon Video On Demand will be available on the box after a free software update in early 2009. Fulfilling the promise of more "big name" providers to come, flicks like The Dark Knight, Pineapple Express or any of Amazon's 40,000 other titles can be purchased and played back to the TV for a 24 hour window. The bad news? Max bitrate is an h.264 compressed 1200Kbps. Not bad if SD only is your bag, but we're even more eagerly awaiting another Amazon VOD HD rumor.

[Electromodo @ Jan 5th 2009 12:17PM]

Oh, decisions, decisions...
What Netflix accessory to choose? Roku, XBox, HTPC... or LG TV?

Roku - $99
XBox - $200
HTPC - $500 min
LG TV - ???

Roku looks like it's kickin' now, but the processor is too weak for a good HD, that's what I heard.

Decisions, decisions...

[Brad @ Jan 5th 2009 12:56PM]

Doesn't the Xbox netflix require an Xbox live membership? If not that might be a great option...

[matt @ Jan 5th 2009 1:18PM]

The problem with the Xbox is not just the paid Live membership, but you also need a hard disk, so the $200 Arcade version won't cut it. In order to get up and running with the 360, it is going to cost you over $300 at a retail store.

I got the Roku box because it's a cheap way to get into a relatively new technology and I figure in a year or so there will probably be something far more awesome than any of the options out there now. Basically I hate being the earlier adopter who gets stuck with an expensive piece of crap hardware - seeing as I don't play video games, the Roku is a great way to avoid this.

Anyway, the Roku does 720p, and if you have a half decent Internet connection, you do get a half decent HD picture. It's no Bluray, but the HD titles are noticeably better than an up converted DVD.

[ZeroCorpse @ Jan 5th 2009 3:49PM]

I'm very happy with the Roku's HD offerings- When they're available. It's at least better than the HD Lite you get from satellite companies, IF you have a decent high-speed Internet provider.

If you're a total videophile, and the difference between 720p and 1080i bothers you THAT much, then maybe you'd be better off just sticking to blu-ray discs.

[Brady J. Frey @ Jan 5th 2009 12:21PM]

Engadget - link to the real Amazon Video on Demand site, not to an ugly tag to other posts please!

Amazon is the same price to rent movies as iTunes, with lower quality (though that will be fixed) - and though I love the Roku, I can't buy and download my purchase for future use. I'm happy the service is getting better, but has taken over my Apple TV just yet.

[Eep @ Jan 5th 2009 12:30PM]

Pineapple Express has three P's.

- Your friendly local grammar/spelling Nazi

[M_ampersand_M @ Jan 5th 2009 12:38PM]

Though, if you want to get technical, 'Pineapple Express' has four p's - just sayin'...

[Eep @ Jan 5th 2009 10:09PM]

Good call.

[Philippe @ Jan 5th 2009 12:42PM]

Good news but still no closed captions...

[Jason @ Jan 5th 2009 12:50PM]

Which is a NetFlix issue, not a Roku issue.

[Valicore @ Jan 5th 2009 3:21PM]

Good point Philippe!

[telepheedian @ Jan 5th 2009 1:11PM]

Come on, add hulu and you've got a sale. Double points if you add the ability to stream from my network.

[vypergts @ Jan 5th 2009 1:15PM]

Have you looked at the slingcatcher?

[bmoura @ Jan 5th 2009 1:27PM]

Don't forget Boxee for Mac, Apple TV & Windows. The Mac version has Netflix and Hulu support with Netflix on tap for Windows and even Apple TV down the road.

[les avocado @ Jan 5th 2009 1:24PM]

apple tv plus boxee.... closer to adding netflix for apple tv use

[gamedude360 @ Jan 5th 2009 1:25PM]

im not interested in amazon until its subscription based or free.

last year amazon ran a poll about how to improve the video on demand service

options included. a subscription based model like netflix, and a free w/ short commercials like hulu.

i would rather the subscription based model to happen

[Dead_Rebel @ Jan 5th 2009 2:08PM]

Call me when these internet video devices support redtube. ;)

[Murdock @ Jan 5th 2009 2:44PM]

Don't forget the TiVo HD that already has both Netflix and Amazon. I have that for one TV and a Roku for the other.

[Creativepart @ Jan 5th 2009 2:57PM]

My wife got me a Roku for Christmas and we are loving it. We have a Tivo and have used the Amazon feature there. But we like the Roku better for watching shows and movies. We've got the HD firmware upgrade and it's putting out 720p without any delays or problems. It's rock solid.

We didn't even have a Netflix acct before the Roku. It's a great device. Well worth the money.

[Michael Scrip @ Jan 5th 2009 3:05PM]

I use RedBox for new releases. I reserve new releases late Monday night before they come out. And there are a dozen grocery stores that have Redboxes. And it's $1.07.

Plus I still use Netflix for getting older back-catalog stuff in the mail.

I'd like the Roku box... it's a small price to pay since I already subscribe to Netflix. There's tons of TV shows on Netflix/Roku. But paying $3.99 to rent a new release from Amazon seems silly to me... I can drive to the grocery store for that! And no buffering required!

[ZeroCorpse @ Jan 5th 2009 3:59PM]

Too bad Redbox is regional, and not expanding to other regions very quickly. There's not a Redbox within 100 miles of me.

[Michael Scrip @ Jan 5th 2009 6:49PM]

Oh, I didn't know they were regional. That sucks. Hopefully they will expand. It's really a great service.

I think each machine holds 200 titles... with more copies of the more popular movies. I wish they would make them bigger and hold a couple thousand titles. It's funny, I walk out of one of my grocery stores with my $1 rental in my hand... and I walk right past a Blockbuster. Nowadays, it just seems silly to have an entire store, with employees, for movie rentals. Sure, a video store has a bigger selection... but honestly, when was the last time anyone rented Leonard Part 6?

I'm just waiting for the day when EVERYTHING is available online or with a set-top box. Whoever can create the "box-that-does-it-all" will be king. Every kid's movie ever made at the push of a button, and every new release on Tuesday. That's the next big thing.

[YouFaceTheTick @ Jan 6th 2009 1:05AM]

Michael, it seems Netflix is aiming for that. I hope Apple pulls something big out tomorrow as right now Netflix is conquering online streaming to the TV. The Roku, LG TVs, Xbox, Samsung BR players...Netflix is shrewdly getting their watch instantly in everyone's stuff. They're going to be a defacto standard. Slick.