General
The Netflix Player by Roku is a set-to-box to bring the Watch Instantly service to the living room. Any user of Netflix over the last should have some familiarity of this complementary service they have provided. As nice as it is, how much fun is it to watch a movie stuck in that office chair?

Watch Now service
To understand the use and important of the Netflix Player box, one has to familiar with the Watch Instantly service. The Netflix service is a subscription base movie rental service. The plans are based on how many movies one wants to have out at any one time—anywhere from one or up to eight movies. A little over a year ago Netflix implemented a movie download streaming service. When it first started, one could watch one hour per one full dollar paid in subscription service, ie. Paid $17.95 a month, get 17 hours of viewing. About four months ago, they amended the service to unlimited viewing if one had a plan with unlimited DVDs rentals per month; there are plans that limited the number of total movies one can rent.

The Box
The box itself is nothing that, from the surface, is going to impress one’s AppleTV tauten friends. Roku and Netflix choose function over form. The box is quite small; about the six of Xbox 360 controller. It has multiple outputs. For video, it has composite, s-video, component and HDMI, and audio has composite and toslink. The box also has an Ethernet port, and built wireless to connect a LAN either by A and G.



Installation
The Netflix Player comes with everything you need to install it. The player, a remote, composite video/audio cable, power cord, basic user guide, and warranty card.
Installation was designed to be very simple, quick, and easy so that those who may be technology challenged, will be able to get the box working. The box is designed to use the same ports that one needs open to surf the web on Internet Explorer. This makes sense considering if you want to watch movie you have to use Internet Explorer 7 or better. Installation basically consists of connection the box to a TV, and plugging it in. Once plugged in, the box will walk people through the installation, which is telling the box how to connect to one’s home network—wired or wireless—and entering any SSID and passcode information. The box will test how it connects, if it connects to the LAN and Netflix. Once it connects, it will do any updates needed, and then give you an activation code. Then one will go their PC, log into Netflix, go under account, Netflix Ready Device Activation, and enter the code. After that, one is all set.
The one thing to note on setting up the basic, the box is designed to get it's IP and DNS information dynamically. There is ability to setup a static IP and manually enter a device name or DNS information. This could a problem if one has already used up maximum IP leases his/her router allows, or if there DHCP option available.
Personally, I had a small issue installing because my firewall had ICMP ping blocking turned on which prevent the box from connecting to my LAN. Once I turned it off, it connected, and did the setup. I was able to turn the ping blocking back on with no further problems.
Also, once the box is up and running and connected to Netlix, to access settings, one needs to push up on the remote. From there you can change video option for standard to widescreen, factory resest (there is a push-pin option on the box for this too), audio, box info, and so forth

Use
The use of the box is simple. The home screen is selection of movie in one Instant Watch que. It show movie covers. Click on a movie, gives a brief description of the movie, it’s MPAA rating, time length. One can also give a user rating, remove the movie from que. There is also a resume movie play back. Nice feature because you can resume the movie no matter where you started to watch a movie, such as in the office on a PC.
To select movies for the Instant Watch que, one must go on the PC and select from there. Some people may not like this because they would like to search from their coach. Overall, it’s more an overrated complaint since you have be on the PC to select what DVD or blue ray movies one would like sent to their home, so it’s just an extension of that activity.
During movie play back, one can pause and stop the movie. Fast forwarding and rewinding is a bit different. Because the movies are streamed, they don’t keep enough movie in memory to do what is accustomed to from a DVD or other services such as AppleTV or Vudu. Instead, the box brings up little video vignettes, which are about ten seconds long. Select a vignette and the movie will play from that point.

Possible Negatives
The box is not perfect by any means. Depending on how uses their movie rental service, the box could not be right for them. The biggest one is the movie selection is limited in size and scope. Netflix has about ten thousand titles, which they include individual television episodes. There are no new release major studio movies, but there quite a few independent films. Most of the movies are older such as Fifth Element, Blade Runner, Logan’s Run, Vertigo, and so forth. There is a growing television shows, such as Heroes, The office, Dead Like, Dexter, Leave it to Beaver, Quantum Leap and so on. Unfortunately, not televisions have all the episodes, such as Dead Like Me. Heroes had all but the one unaired episode.
Another issue would be videophiles and HD snobs. The video output at this time is limited to 480p. The quality of the video is very dependent on the speed connection to Netflix. There is a four dot indicator when a movie loads showing the quality. Four dots is near DVD quality. 1mb is minimum speed for one dot, but ideally you want to 2.2mb for the highest quality.

Netflix player

Denon 2910 DVD player, and Fifth Element Superbit DVD


The last one issue is there is HD available as of this date. Netflix has indicated they want to bring to higher quality video to the service users. The box is designed to be about to putout a HD video. Roku/Netflix will do a firmware update.
Also, the movies can take up to a minute to load and start playing. I use Comcast ISP upper tier service (8m down, which I can 16mb with speedboost), I generally wait about ten to fifteen seconds. If resuming a movie, it takes about a minute; this is important if one is rewinding or fast forwarding through a movie.

Future/Rumors
Rumors have it that Roku wants to bring more content to the box and are talking with other content providers, possibly Hulu.com. If can they can do this, the $100 price will be a bargain; Hulu.com has some, albeit limited, HD content.

Conclusion
For $100 the box is a bargain for what it is. I recommend this box to current Netflix subscribers who use the Instant Watch service. For new subscribers, considering the box, because of the limited amount of content, it may not meet their expectations.
The good thing the box can updated by firmware updates, so the when better content comes, it will have the ability to do HD, or 5.1, maybe 7.1 audio via the toslink.
I think Netflix can have a big hit here if they can figure out how to get the big movie studios to allow new movie releases to fit within their subscription business model.

Holy crap! Nicely done. Bot!!

I'll probably jump on this when HD is available and the selection is expanded a bit. I've been a Netflix subscriber for years and swear by their service.

I also wonder if the Netflix / MS 360 partnership will come to fruition and be an alternative for current subscribers (i.e. won't have to purchase the Roku box)

As for the 360 being a Netflix device, think they're are good odds for it. One of the executives, I think they CEO, of Netflix is on the board for the 360 devision of M$. It's just a matter of the parties working out a deal to rectify the differences in their business models. A Netflix device on the 360 could effect sales on XBL movies/television.

Nicely done bott! I love the comparisons. Crazy how much more you can see with the added resolution.

It's one thing to say "slightly below DVD" and actually see it. I felt it would be beneficial to see a similar scene to get a good comparison with equalizing as many variables as I could. Both were 480p on the TV--the DVD was using a component non-HD input, and box was using the HDTV component input. The DVD is a good one from Denon. I spent more on the DVD player than the receiver. And the DVD is a Superbit, which means more info on video and audio; it has next to nothing for extra features.

I tried to be as objective as possible, and consider what some people's issue were, and who would the box be best suited to be used by. Unfortunately, I also try to be as thorough as possible, which means not always quick read. Not bad I guess considering I did the write up in about 30 minutes and next to nothing for proof reading, LOL.

Well, Roku has updated the box. The box is capable is streaming the new HD content that Netflix made available on November 19, 2008. The HD content is not 1080, but is 720p. The HD is still limited, but is expanding. The content is a mix of television episodes and movies.

In addition, Roku is stating they're going to bring addition, non Netflix, content to the box. They're haven't stated what content it will be or who those partners will be. Personally, I hope they're able to bring the content from Hulu.com.

The box automatically updates, so this is what I saw on Friday:





This is what you see if you're getting HD quality video when the content is loading:

Originally Posted by lovekeiiy

The box is not capable is streaming the new HD content that Netflix made available on November 19, 2008.

OK, this may be a typo, but figured I'd let you correct it. Is it HD capable, or isn't it?

you are correct, a grammar error. 8am for me is like 11pm for the rest you. It IS capable too.

Well, the first announcement has been made for the first content that is not Netflix related for the Roku box. Roku has inked a deal with Amazon's video on demand service:

this article is from Home Media Magazine

Roku, manufacturer of Netflix’s proprietary set-top box, Jan. 5 said it signed a deal with Amazon’s video-on-demand (VOD) service.

Beginning this year, Saratoga, Calif.-based Roku will offer owners of the $99 box (heretofore primarily Netflix subscribers) access to more than 40,000 on-demand movies and TV shows for rent or purchase from $3.99 and $1.99, respectively.

Titles include The Dark Knight, Hancock, Tropic Thunder and Pineapple Express — the latter the same day as the Jan. 6 Blu-ray Disc/DVD releases.

Roku, through its deal with Netflix, includes access to about 12,000 free content streams in standard and high-definition. The box connects wirelessly to any TV, or via HDMI, component video, S-Video, stereo or optical audio connection.

The Amazon deal marks Roku’s effort to re-establish its device as the Roku Digital Video Player and not “Netflix’s player,” according to company spokesperson Amy Bonetti.

“The Netflix player name is done,” Bonetti said. “It’s dead.”

Anthony Wood, founder and CEO of Roku, seemed to concur.

“This [deal] makes the Roku player the ideal choice for watching Internet content directly on TV,” Wood said.

Netflix spokesperson Steve Swasey said the online DVD rental pioneer welcomed the addition of Amazon VOD.

“We think it is terrific,” Swasey said. “Anything that adds value to the player is going to sell more players and that is good for Netflix. We are all about broadening the appeal of our [streaming distribution] partners.”

This is from Amazon's blogs:

Big movies on your big-screen TV -- without waiting for a download. Pinch me. Or better yet, get me a Roku box, 'cause that's what it provides. I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't love their Roku. (Though they tend to know the little black bit of goodness as "the Netflix box.") The word is out, however, as of today: Soon, it will be an Amazon Video On Demand box too. Just think of it as a great way to enjoy new-release movies like Hancock or Tropic Thunder as well as more than 40,000 other movies and TV shows -- no subscription required and commercial-free. (You can also access any Amazon Video On Demand stuff you already own.) I've been lucky enough to try out an early version of Amazon VOD on Roku, and I have that TiVo feeling -- you know, the "how did I ever live without this" sensation. Can't wait 'til you get to try it out! -- Stephanie Reid-Simons, Amazon Video On Demand

Personally, I'm not super excited about the VOD part. It's a nice extra is I want to watch a new release. The rental prices don't see too bad. The only issue some people will have is the max resolution is 480p. They do have some, albeit very limited, free content; I saw some comedy stand ups, Cribs, and some shows I've never heard of.

What I'm really wait for, and rumors are, that Hulu will be coming to the box. Hulu has extremely limited HD content, but a ton of SD content. And the commericals only run for thirty seconds a pop. In my experience, thirty to sixty minutes shows have about two to four minutes of commercial time.

Originally Posted by lovekeiiy

What I'm really wait for, and rumors are, that Hulu will be coming to the box. Hulu has extremely limited HD content, but a ton of SD content. And the commericals only run for thirty seconds a pop. In my experience, thirty to sixty minutes shows have about two to four minutes of commercial time.

That's weird all the tv shows I have watched on there unless old are in HD.

unless there's been a recent change, it's usually just in 480i/p, I think. Might be a little lower resolution. They do have a HD area, that's very limited, but it's 1280x720.

A lot of it depends on the video they get to make a transfer from. Netflix gets most of their video sources in HD because some of the video looses some quality in the transfer, which is why most of the SD shows look pretty good.

I see your right... I thought most of the shows I was watching where 720p I see now they where 480p... oh well...

No problem. Even though it may be just 480, if there is a good transfer and you got a good monitor or TV, it will look good. I just know, for lack of a better term, we have some HD snobs.

Did you guys see thisLG Electronics First to Unveil 'Broadband HDTVs' That Instantly Stream Movies From Netflix - Jan 05, 2009

Yep, I saw that in the news. Although it's the first for Netflix, Sony and another TV manufacture have been doing some streaming for the last year with some limited content. I want to say it was with TV Channel, some news, and what not.

I have to say though, I've been pretty impressed over how aggressive Netflix is getting with getting deals to get the Instant Watch devices on several devices.

Apparently Amazon VOD has added HD content. Here a copy of the email I got from Roku about it:

...Dear [botmann],

The wait is over. Your Roku digital video player now offers high-definition movies and TV shows from Amazon Video On Demand. Instantly.

The Amazon channel now features a wide variety of HD titles to choose from, including many new release movies and the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows.

To browse Amazon's choices of HD movies and shows, simply select Amazon Video On Demand from the Roku home screen and start exploring the newly added HD Movies and HD TV Shows. You're ready to enjoy an HD title tonight, such as one of these critically acclaimed movies and TV shows, available to purchase or rent.

Your player has been automatically updated. If your player is unplugged or not connected to the Internet, simply reconnect and it will receive the automatic update within a few minutes. If you have questions about the HD update please visit: HD FAQs

Don't forget to tell your movie- and gadget-loving family and friends about Roku by forwarding this message, or suggesting they check out www.roku.com.

Keep watching, and thanks.

Tim Twerdahl
Vice President, Roku

PS. By the way, did you know the Roku player won the Best Home Entertainment Device of the Year in the 2008 Engadget Readers' and Editors' Choice Awards? Our thanks to everyone who voted for Roku.
...

I haven't had a chance to check this out yet. But I will. Kind of curious about pricing.

Apparently there was an interview with the VP consumer products are roku. Some nice tidbits, but nothing extremely detailed: contentinople interview

These are the ones I found most interesting:

[about how the roku differentiate itself from other STBs, 360, and Tivo] It's three things for us. One is value -- $99 is extremely hard to beat, especially in this economy. Another is it's really easy to use our product. And the third is content. Yes, there is overlap today. We will be bringing out additional channels that you will not see on those types of boxes. They're big-name entertainment companies.
...
We look at content for our boxes as this matrix: You have various kinds of content -- TV shows, movies, YouTube. One of the key cells that we don't have today in that matrix is ad-supported TV. We will have ad-supported TV this year.
...
Rounding out that content matrix is what we're focused on now. This summer, we'll be releasing an SDK [software development kit] publicly where anybody can create a channel, and we will have a marketplace for those channels so that our users can choose to add the channels they'd like to to the box.
...
what we want to offer is the content. We want to offer the shows that NBC Universal and ABC Inc. and Fox Broadcasting Co. and CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) and all of those other companies have access to. If Hulu wants to talk to us about doing that, that would be great, but it's not the only path for us to get that content

I really like the fact they're still trying to add content. What would be interesting, and in theory possible, would be to add stuff like MLB, MotoGP, live internet feeds.

I reviewed a Roku player YEARS ago (maybe 2001?) and it was pretty sweet. When I met with them at CES one year they were all really cool and seemed like they were heading in the right direction. I'm glad they're still cranking along!