Roku's Chromecast Killer

[Jel]

http://www.multichannel.com/distribution/roku-unleashes-its-chromecast-killer/148669

Priced at $49 right now. I think if they bring it down to $35-40 it would just kill the Chromecast. There would be no reason to buy a Chromecast at this point.

Not sure if it will ship with the remote like in the picture but even without it, it has more channels and features.

I have a Chromecast and it's definitely cool for displaying Netflix or Youtube from your Smartphone. I also own a Roku 3.

[the86d]

I bought a Roku XDS (2100) less than 3 years ago (I thought it was longer), and it cannot keep up with buffer streams on a FiOS 25mbps/25mbps pipe on a wired connection, and LOVED to rebuffer, but when it did... it rebuffered to SD, not HD. ALL other devices, like the XBOX 360's, and even the Chromecast (on WiFi, none the less) have had 99% less issues with buffering.

I have received updates from Roku that disabled my WiFi connection, and some that disabled my wired connection.

Roku's 1 year warranty is only 3 months including phone support, and then they charge an extortion fee if you call in with issues I mentioned above, but they did extend the phone-supported warranty on the phone support for a full 2 years after you pay the extortion-fee. I shouldn't have had to call, as they should not have dropped crap-updates that were untested, so they made ME pay for THEIR screwup.

No thanks, I will not buy a Roku again. Chromecast works wonderfully, and I am much happier.

The ONLY drawback with the Chromecast is that with the Roku you could see a preview and FW past an entire opening song tapping FW a few times and see a block-preview (for some shows that play an entire, full-length-song every show) in a series like Star Trek: Enterprise much easier.

[SMR510]

Maybe I don't understand but I don't see anything that the Roku does that the Chomecast doesn't do. I have never used a Roku so maybe that is why I don't understand, recently got a chromecast for our bedroom though and it has been great. We used to have a "smart" blu ray player but that thing was such a POS I decided that $35 was a small price to pay for something that actually worked like it should.

[Yugo]

The old one supported PLEX so if this does then its cool but not for $100 all those other apps I watch through PLEX on the chrome cast.

[sl0re10]

Maybe I don't understand but I don't see anything that the Roku does that the Chomecast doesn't do. I have never used a Roku so maybe that is why I don't understand, recently got a chromecast for our bedroom though and it has been great. We used to have a "smart" blu ray player but that thing was such a POS I decided that $35 was a small price to pay for something that actually worked like it should.

the chromecast is intentionally hobbled because they want to keep the illusion up that your casting from your other device.

So; since my android device can't get the newest Hulu version I cant get chromecast to play hulu. Even though the stupid chromecast doesn't need the android device in the loop.

So there is one thing. If you want to watch HBOGO or Hulu or whatever on the Roku there are no stupid games.

[the86d]

the chromecast is intentionally hobbled because they want to keep the illusion up that your casting from your other device.

So; since my android device can't get the newest Hulu version I cant get chromecast to play hulu. Even though the stupid chromecast doesn't need the android device in the loop.

So there is one thing. If you want to watch HBOGO or Hulu or whatever on the Roku there are no stupid games.

You could use a computer to temp-resolve the issue until the other is updated, right?

I thought you COULD get Angrybirds on Roku these days...

[sl0re10]

You could use a computer to temp-resolve the issue until the other is updated, right?

I thought you COULD get Angrybirds on Roku these days...

yeah; but actual casting from chrome on a computer is 'off' a bit compared to running it native on a stick. The framerate seems lower, colors are off, sound isn't in perfect sync, et cetera. re: kinda su*ky.

but anyway; I don't think updating is the plan which is my complaint. They want it like this.

something else in the roku's favor is there are a bunch of third party apps. They are not blocked either / no games to install them. You just have to get the code to put in the channel store if its hidden (by the maker).

[the86d]

The Chromecast doesn't need apps, it just receives a streaming link and pulls it from the Internet itself, after it is passed along via PC, Android or iPhruity device...

I was using a HTPC, the MK808B, and it worked pretty well, but it is having problems these days, so I got the Chromecast, and have not had any issues (aside from my post about when I changed it to a static-IP, from a dynamic, which was a bit whack for any device..).

My Roku would whack out all the time, when parsing through tiles, and then reboot, since I got it. Don't get me started on Roku's 3 minute boot time...

[Bryansix]

I bought a Roku XDS (2100) less than 3 years ago (I thought it was longer), and it cannot keep up with buffer streams on a FiOS 25mbps/25mbps pipe on a wired connection, and LOVED to rebuffer, but when it did... it rebuffered to SD, not HD. ALL other devices, like the XBOX 360's, and even the Chromecast (on WiFi, none the less) have had 99% less issues with buffering.

I have received updates from Roku that disabled my WiFi connection, and some that disabled my wired connection.

Roku's 1 year warranty is only 3 months including phone support, and then they charge an extortion fee if you call in with issues I mentioned above, but they did extend the phone-supported warranty on the phone support for a full 2 years after you pay the extortion-fee. I shouldn't have had to call, as they should not have dropped crap-updates that were untested, so they made ME pay for THEIR screwup.

No thanks, I will not buy a Roku again. Chromecast works wonderfully, and I am much happier.

The ONLY drawback with the Chromecast is that with the Roku you could see a preview and FW past an entire opening song tapping FW a few times and see a block-preview (for some shows that play an entire, full-length-song every show) in a series like Star Trek: Enterprise much easier.

Apples to oranges dude. Three years ago is a LONG time in the tech world. The new ROKU 1,2,3 don't have those issues.

[Bryansix]

My Roku would whack out all the time, when parsing through tiles, and then reboot, since I got it. Don't get me started on Roku's 3 minute boot time...

Considering it has no power button, I have no idea what you are talking about.

[the86d]

Considering it has no power button, I have no idea what you are talking about.

Clearly you don't.
Here, these are for you...

Have fun, and TRY to stay in the lines.

Considering that it is in fact an electronic Linux-based device, a power-cycle via unplug, then once you reapply power, it in fact boots... PLEASE "TRY" to keep up.
They actually boot EVERY time you plug them in to power.