Roku Media Player

[idgolfguy]

Anyone using it?

Set it up over Easter, just cancelled my $196/m Foxtel. I still am amazed at how much we get ripped because we have no competition.

[Steve]

What is it please tell ???

[Ashes]

Have you used the headphone socket on the remote? Awesome idea if the quality is ok.

[idgolfguy]

What is it please tell ???
http://www.roku.com/

Have PlayOn, with Hulu and Netflix.

[idgolfguy]

Have you used the headphone socket on the remote? Awesome idea if the quality is ok.
Son loves it. Straight stereo.

[Steve]

Thank you looks good

[idgolfguy]

Bought 2 devices via Amazon for two rooms. Our Dodo connection Adsl connection easily streams one device but has the occasional issue with two, when we are using the Internet as well.

[oncewasagolfer]

How much would it cost for the channels id? Can you get the golf channel?

[idgolfguy]

Still looking for Golfchannel.

Costs to date:
Setup (once off)
2 x Roku3: $248
Playon and PlayLater: $59
Hulu Gift Card for 3 months: $68 (setup US prepaid credit card)

Monthly:
Adsl unlimited: $59
Hulu: $7.99
Netflix: $7.99
Unblock US: $4.99 (enables streaming from US, will also try Unotelly)

Trying Prime: $8 (has stuff we like)

Sports will be a challenge.

[oncewasagolfer]

Thanks for the rundown but it definately needs some sports channels otherwise would be pointless for me anyway.

[idgolfguy]

Yes, I don't watch much sport unless they are marque events.
However, these services should at least enable stream from the US.

[hocko]

Please excuse my ignorance but why wouldn't you just plug your computer into the TV and stream everything?

[virge666]

Yes, I don't watch much sport unless they are marque events.
However, these services should at least enable stream from the US.

Can you record ??

Not really around at 6am ....

[oncewasagolfer]

Please excuse my ignorance but why wouldn't you just plug your computer into the TV and stream everything? That's the way I watch golf now when I wake up in time haven't had much success recording streams.

[idgolfguy]

Please excuse my ignorance but why wouldn't you just plug your computer into the TV and stream everything?

There's a level of effort to operate the pc to watch something. TV, Foxtel etc. turn it on, use the remote and it is there.

Playon is used to record and that resides on the PC. The Roku is an appliance, built to do one thing. I don't like having to play with computers just to watch TV.

[idgolfguy]

Can you record ??

Not really around at 6am ....

Google PlayLater. It records streams and encodes in a portable format. I expect it would schedule.

[Ashes]

What do you get for $8 a month on Hulu?

[idgolfguy]

Movies and tv serials. I believe the site search still works.

[Ashes]

Movies and tv serials. I believe the site search still works.

So you get anything available on Hulu for $8 a month???

[idgolfguy]

Yes

[idgolfguy]

Been using it for about three weeks. Foxtel was gone over a week ago.
My Dodo connection is overworked but functionally streaming both devices at the same time and providing connectivity for the 20 or so other devices.
Will need to upgrade my PlayOn Media server as it records the movies ok but can't stream at the same time. It's on a 7 year old laptop 1.6G Mobile CPU.

[idgolfguy]

As an update.
Family is happy as they get to watch all they want.
My DODO downloads has increased from 40GB to 600GB last month as we stream everything.

On an old laptop I have installed the following:
- Connectify to gang/load balance my 3G (18GB) wireless when I am at home to my DODO ADSL to increase bandwidth
- PlayON/Playlater ($60 - lifetime) to record streams from Hulu, Netflix, ABC, NBC etc. (legal)
- PlexApp to stream to the ROKU the movies and TV series recorded and downloaded (legal)
- XBMC for movies and TV series recorded and downloaded that is played through Plex
- ITunes for iPad and iPhone compatibility

When I travel, I use SyncIOS to move the media my iPAD to watch. I don't use iTunes to manage my media.
Still working on the Sport streams - not critical for me at this stage.
When I travel, I can also stream from my home network.

[Ashes]

My DODO downloads has increased from 40GB to 600GB last month as we stream everything.


What does that cost you???

[idgolfguy]

I've been with DODO for a few years - my unlimited plan is $39 per month. My 3G plan for 18GB is $39 too.
I almost double the speed on 3G 70% of the time.
Hulu - $8
Netflix - $8
Unblock US - $5

Still cheaper than my Foxtel - about two months of Foxtel subscriptions got me set up for hardware and software and at least a year of the subscription services.

[golfbound]

Anyone using it?

Set it up over Easter, just cancelled my $196/m Foxtel. I still am amazed at how much we get ripped because we have no competition.

Where did you buy yours from

And what else is needed for it

[Ashes]

I've been with DODO for a few years - my unlimited plan is $39 per month. My 3G plan for 18GB is $39 too.
I almost double the speed on 3G 70% of the time.
Hulu - $8
Netflix - $8
Unblock US - $5

Still cheaper than my Foxtel - about two months of Foxtel subscriptions got me set up for hardware and software and at least a year of the subscription services.

Are you paying line rental on top of the $39 for dodo?

[idgolfguy]

They foregoed it when we moved to new plan.

[idgolfguy]

For those that have asked - the process I followed for procurement:
1. Amazon for US
2. Signed up to Unblock US and configured router and confirmed DNS was up updated and working
3. Registered on ROKU site and connected devices and upgraded firmware
4. Signed up to Netflix using Paypal
5. Went to http://www.buyfrompowerseller.com/ for Hulu
6. Purchased PlayON and PlayLater
7. Installed PlexApp