Roku has refreshed its line of streaming media players, launching three new versions on Thursday. Hard to believe the first time I showed this on the air, all it did was allow you to watch movies from your Netflix queue. Now it has its own channel store, with the boxes supporting Amazon Video On Demand, MLB.TV, Pandora, and Flixster, among others. Roku says it plans on having well past 100 channels later this year.
The first noticeable difference is size. It’s smaller both in height and width, and weighs about 7 ounces. The second is they’re all capable of streaming HD content and have integrated WiFi.
There are three models to choose from:
Roku HD $59.99
The entry-level Roku box supports 720p streaming and has built-in ethernet and 802.11 b/g. It includes both HDMI and composite video, so you can use this on standard-definition TVs or on newer models. All three versions have HDMI and composite outputs.
Roku XD $79.99
The step up adds support for 1080p video and extended range Wireless-N Wi-Fi support.
Roku XDS $99.99
The top of the line model adds the ability to play content via a USB drive. Roku will be pushing this feature out via a free software update in November.
I particularly like the remote that ships with the new units. It’s skinnier and longer than the old one, feels more comfy in my hand, and the version that ships with the XD and XDS
has an Instant Replay button that lets you jump back a few seconds in the video you’re watching, without re-buffering.
Netflix will be available on the Apple TV when it launches in a few weeks and it remains to be seen how the $99 unit will compare. Roku streams 1080p, and has a multitude of content partners. Apple has iTunes and a few, limited partnerships.
Which one would you choose?
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