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Roku XDS
This product hasn't been reviewed yet.
We've added this product to our database but we haven't actually tested it yet. If you want us to review it drop us a line and we might just bump it to the front of our reviews queue.
Nilay PatelSeptember 22, 2010
Pros
- Lots of content options1080p supportPromised local media playback
Cons
- Not much 1080p contentAdded cost over Roku HD / XD yields few extrasNo DLNA support yet
Roku
Engadget - Not yet scored
0
Critics
2 reviews70
AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE
Users
17 reviews81
AVERAGE USER SCORE
View All Critic & User Reviews
Roku XDS
- Critic Reviews (1)
- User Reviews (17)
- 70AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE1 ReviewsComputerworldNot RatedApple TV vs. Google TV vs. Roku: 3 streaming mediaRoku feels like the world of home-brew computer enthusiasts in the 1980s. There's a lot of professional-grade stuff there; there's a lot of clever amateur stuff, too. For a consumer, it means that there's plenty of choice, much of it free, but you may find a few channels are clunkers before you design your dream menu of video options. The plus side is that you can do that more readily with Roku than you can with Apple.Engadget70Roku XDS review -- Engadget...the XDS's limited local playback support just isn't worth a $20 premium over the XD right now, and the lack of 1080p streaming content means the XD's 1080p streaming support isn't necessarily worth $20 over the HD.
- 81AVERAGE USER SCORE17 ReviewsEngadget Reader80September 13, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader80April 14, 2012Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100November 13, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A gadget unicorn - EngadgetEngadget Reader90August 4, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90July 16, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I would recommend the Roku to anyone who wants to view most steaming content to their TV. They have a solid user friendly product that is affordable.Engadget Reader90July 15, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I'm convinced that the Roku is the best choice in set top streaming box right now. The only problem I have with the whole line of Roku boxes is the inability to set a static IP address.Engadget Reader70July 2, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A dependable product that doesn't really stand out from the competition. - EngadgetEngadget Reader100June 6, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!Perfect device for streaming all sorts of media to your television. The reason i bought this over the others was it supported my non HDTV with composite cables. I love the fact i can attach an external hard disk so i can play all the movies i have downloaded over the years.Engadget Reader80May 25, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!I really love this thing. So much so that the fact that I have to reboot it from time to time doesn't really bother me. The content is fabulous. With both Hulu and Netflix, along with usb support it almost limitless. I own 2 of these, and canceled my cable subscription.Engadget Reader80May 23, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader90May 18, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The Roku is an excellent device that is easy for anyone to use. I got it when cutting cable to use in the bed room. It is fantastic and provides many great paid and free services.Engadget Reader80May 17, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!There's a lot to like about this in spite of a few flaws. - EngadgetEngadget Reader60May 17, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!While initially excited about getting the Roku XDS to support my cord cutting habits, ultImately the unit was sent back after several reboots, freezes, and general lagginess. I love the concept of a simple and intuitive streaming box, the Roku XDS is that solution. I think they're on the right track and hope to purchase a more refined box in the future.That being said: the small form factor, and simple remote and interface left me confident Roku is on the right track. Set-up was simple...by far the easiest gadget I've ever installed. Seriously, it was streaming content in 5 minutes.I also dig the idea of channel subscriptions a la carte...while some are well done [Netflix, Amazon, Pandora, and TWiT] others gave off a generic vibe but also give it a homebrew feel as well. Since most of the content our family consumes is Netflix, we opted for a Wii.All in all, Roku shows promise and I'm sure with future development and partnering with other providers they'll be able to deliver more quality boxes in the future. I have high hopes but we ultimately returned the Roku XDS for various reasons mentioned int the category ratings.Engadget Reader90February 28, 2011Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!This box is fairly amazing. Yes, many of these features are bundled with flat panel TVs and BluRay players, but they are not as easy to use with a remote. Also, compared to my Panasonic BluRay player, the Roku is lightning fast. So while I'm a big fan of this unit, there are a couple of improvements I'd like to see. I wanted a unit that could both access my home iTunes libraries and Pandora. Apple TV only did iTunes and Roku only did Pandora. I realize that there are hacker workarounds for both issues, but I didn't want to deal with them. I wanted Pandora more, which is why I went with Roku over Apple TV. The Pandora onscreen menus are rudimentary compared to the iPhone app, Pandora One and the web site. There's no bookmarking or more information or seeing why this song was selected. The other area for improvement is integration with Logitech's Harmony One remote. With the iPhone remote app (DVPRemote), I can jump right to a "channel." However, with the Roku or Logitech, I always have to scroll through all the channels to get to the one I want. Also, it would be nice if they could figure out how to do Slingbox (placeshifting) functionality.Engadget Reader60December 28, 2010Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!A forgettable product. It isn't bad, exactly, but also doesn't do anything particularly well. - EngadgetEngadget Reader40October 26, 2010Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!the idea of adding channels sounded like a good idea but the implementation is very poor. the fact that you have to scroll through lots of content to find the show or video you want is poor design. you also can't easily bookmark channel content for later viewing means that if you don't watch the whole video in one sitting you have to scroll through quite a few menus and fast forward to where you left off.i'm also very disappointed at the limited usb video playback and no streaming of local media (which was confusing in the specifications)Engadget Reader90October 1, 2010Feedback submitted!Unable to submit feedback!The best in its category. We highly recommend it. - Engadget
Key Specs
TYPE
Audio / video player
VIDEO SERVICES
Netflix, Amazon, Youtube, Other
VIDEO OUTPUTS
Component, Hdmi, Composite
AUDIO OUTPUTS
Hdmi, Toslink
WIFI
Yes
ETHERNET
10/100 [Fast Ethernet]
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