Top contenders: Apple TV ($100), Roku HD ($60), Roku LT ($50)
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
Once a fringe activity for the geeky set, online video streaming is now officially mainstream, thanks in large part to the omnipresence of Netflix on nearly all Internet-connected entertainment devices. But with so many options now available, what's the best solution -- be it for Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Amazon, or any of the myriad other online video sources?
As with anything in real life, there isn't one simple, straightforward answer that works for everyone. But we've created a set of different recommendations that should work for nearly anybody, based upon your individual priorities.
The best news for anyone shopping in 2012? Prices for excellent media-streaming devices now start at just $50, with plenty of other great options (including brand-new Blu-ray players) at less than $120.
Forget $100 -- $50 is the new entry-level price point for streaming video. The Roku LT is the only product at this price point, but it's an enthusiastic Editors' Choice. With built-in Wi-Fi and free control apps available on iOS and Android (and, if you're old-fashioned, a regular old remote), the Roku LT delivers Netflix, Amazon, Hulu Plus, and hundreds of other streaming-video and audio channels to any TV (including older, non-HD models).
Key compatible services: Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, Hulu Plus, Crackle, Mediafly, MLB.TV, NHL GameCenter, NBA Game Time, MLS MatchDay Live, UFC, Pandora, MOG, Rdio, TuneIn Radio, Flickr, Dish World, FoxNews.com, NBC News, Facebook photos, Flickr, plus hundreds of others. HBO Go and Epix are also available, but only for existing subscribers of those channels on compatible ISPs and cable providers. The new Plex "channel" now lets users stream video, audio, and photos from their networked PCs and Macs -- a long overdue addition to the Roku feature set. (Disclosure: CNET and some of its sister CBS-owned properties -- such as Chow and Showtime -- are also available on Roku.)
Who shouldn't buy it? The Roku is best for anyone who does not need iTunes compatibility. YouTube and Vudu are notable no-show apps on Roku. If you've got a big DVD or Blu-ray collection, you'll probably want to opt for a Blu-ray player instead (see below) -- though, for $50, the Roku would still be a great option for a second room.
Worthwhile alternative: TheRoku HD is nearly identical to the LT. It costs $10 more, but it tends to be in stock (online and in stores) more often than theRoku LT, which is almost perpetually sold out.
If you want the most diversity of content, the Roku box is the way to go. But if you're a die-hard Apple aficionado, Apple TV may be the better choice. It's the only box that's compatible with iTunes, iCloud, and AirPlay. The latter function allows you to stream audio (like Pandora and other Web- and app-based audio streams), photos, and even some video from your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch directly to your TV screen by just tapping on the screen.
Thelatest (2012) version of the Apple TV adds support for 1080p video output (not as big a deal as you'd expect) and an updated home screen. More important, though, are a flurry of feature upgrades that have been rolled out over the past few months: the addition of a Hulu Plus channel and AirPlay screen mirroring. The latter feature allows 2011 and 2012 Macs running the new Mountain Lion OS to "mirror" what's on their computer screens to the TV via AirPlay -- and that includes free Flash video sites such as Comedy Central and Hulu.com.
Key compatible services: iTunes Video, AirPlay, Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Vimeo, MLB.TV, NBA, NHL, WSJ Live, iTunes Match Music, Internet radio, many audio and video podcasts, Flickr, iCloud Photo Stream
Who shouldn't buy it? If you're not an Apple person -- no iPad, no iPhone, no iPod, no Mac -- you won't get as much value out of this device. And if you want services like Amazon Instant Video or HBO Go, you'll need to look elsewhere (namely, Roku).
Worthwhile alternative: If you want more flexibility -- albeit with a far bigger budget -- you could always just attach a Mac Mini to your TV.
Sony's ad campaign proudly touts that the PlayStation 3 "only does everything." For once, it's a case of truth in advertising. Everyone knows the PS3 is a great game console and a Blu-ray player. But -- thanks to an ongoing series of firmware updates -- it's now a formidable media streamer as well. The PS3 offers Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, Amazon, NHL, MLB.TV, and NFL Sunday Ticket -- the same "every out of market football game" package that was previously available only to DirecTV customers. The PS3 is also able to stream music, video, and photos from networked PCs and attached USB drives. Sweetening the pot even more: at $249, the PS3 is cheaper now than it's ever been. Bottom line? The PS3 is far and away the most versatile box to have under your TV.
Key compatible services: Netflix, Vudu, Hulu Plus, Amazon, MLB.TV, NHL GameCenter, NFL Sunday Ticket, Sony Entertainment Network, DLNA (home media streaming); plays DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, and USB-based media
Who shouldn't buy it? If you're not a gamer, the PS3 is somewhat less appealing. You'll also need to invest in a separate remote or remote adapter (if you don't want to use the PlayStation controller), since the PS3 lacks built-in compatibility with infrared remotes.
One reason to wait: There are rumors that Sony may soon announce a third-generation PlayStation 3 before the end of 2012. If you're considering a new PS3, it might be worth waiting -- at least until Labor Day -- to see if that's more than idle speculation.
Worthwhile alternative:TheXbox 360also does double duty for gaming and online entertainment, offering a recently expanded entertainment slate, including Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Hulu Plus, YouTube, Crackle, and Last.fm. Xbox also offers ESPN3, HBO Go, and Epix -- but, as on all other compatible systems, only for existing subscribers of those channels on compatible ISPs and cable providers. And existing Comcast and Fios subscribers can even configure the Xbox to work as a cable box, with a limited channel selection. However, unlike the PS3, to get many of these services you also need to be an Xbox Live Gold subscriber ($35 to $60/year). And the Xbox can only play standard DVDs, not Blu-ray movies.
We love the PS3, but we also realize that not everyone's a gamer -- and that the PS3's $249 price tag may be a budget buster for many. Thankfully, there are many Blu-ray players that offer access to several online streaming services (Netflix, Pandora, and YouTube being the most common), as well as the sort of disc playback you won't find on dedicated boxes like the Roku or Apple TV. For 2012, our top Blu-ray choice is the Panasonic DMP-BDT220, which can be had for less than $140.
Key compatible services: Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, YouTube, Pandora; DLNA (home media streaming); plays DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, USB- and SD-based media
Who shouldn't buy it? If you don't need compatibility with discs (DVDs, Blu-rays), or if you don't have the space for a disc player, opt for the Roku or Apple TV above.
Worthwhile alternative: You can find alternatives to the Panasonic by checking out our list of best Blu-ray players list. Just be sure you get one with built-in Wi-Fi -- not a "Wi-Fi-ready" model that requires the purchase of an additional dongle.
As we've shown, all of the products listed above are excellent choices, each with its own strengths. Many of them are also good for streaming audio and video files from networked PCs. But what about the "hard-core" tech enthusiast -- the one whose NAS drive is full of MKV, ISO, and VOB files? (If you don't know what any of that means, don't worry -- it just means you're normal.)
For that consumer, the best choice we've seen to date is the WD TV Live. Advanced users will appreciate that it was able to read just about every file type we threw at it, while newbies will enjoy its fairly slick interface for when you just want to kick back and watch something on Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, or YouTube. It's also the only product on this list that can double as a viewer for Slingbox content (thanks to a recent firmware upgrade). And unlike earlier versions, the latest WD TV Live unit includes built-in Wi-Fi as well.
Key compatible services: Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu, YouTube, Vimeo, Pandora, CinemaNow, MLB.TV, Spotify, Flickr, Mediafly, Live 365, TuneIn Radio, Shoutcast, AOL TV, SlingPlayer, BILD TV (Germany only), Australian Broadcasting iview (Australia only)
Who shouldn't buy it? If you don't have a hard drive full of your own (non-iTunes) movie and music files, opt instead for the Roku or Apple TV above.
Worthwhile alternative: If you like the WD TV Live feature set and would also like a full terabyte of built-in storage (also streamable to other PCs, Macs, and WD TV boxes via DLNA), opt for the WD TV Live Hub. In addition to the roomy onboard storage (which can be supplemented by additional USB drives), the Live Hub offers a nearly identical feature set to its smaller brother -- but it lacks Wi-Fi, unless you invest in an add-on dongle.
A cheap HDMI cable: Best DIY wired PC-to-TV solution
Want a "quick and dirty" solution for streaming video on your TV? If you've got an HDTV, and your laptop has an HDMI output, just get a long cable and call it a day. (This will also work with most DVI and DisplayPort/Thunderbolt outputs, if you have the correct adapters or cables.) And remember: a cheap HDMI cable will work fine -- no reason to pay for so-called "premium" cables. While the gadgets above will cost you $50 minimum, this solution can cost you as little as $6 -- assuming, of course, that you already have the laptop and the HDTV.
If you're in the market for a new TV, you might think, "These new 'Smart TVs' already have these streaming features built-in. Why don't I just get one of them and forgo the boxes mentioned above? It's no fuss, no muss, and no wires."
Well, sure, you could do that. But you're probably going to end up overpaying for the streaming features, and actually losing flexibility in the long run. We prefer to buy a TV strictly on picture quality, and then spend an extra $50 to $250 on getting any one of the devices above, depending upon your needs (PS3 for gaming; a Blu-ray player if you still want to play your old DVD collection; a Roku if you want maximum value and affordability; Apple TV if you already have a lot of iTunes content). That way, you can always mix and match boxes in the months and years ahead, and still have your TV purchased on maximizing picture quality.
In late June, Google announced its first home media streamer, the Nexus Q. Unfortunately, while the hardware offers a lot of promise, streaming services are currently limited to Google-only options (Play Video, Play Music, and YouTube), and the unit can only be controlled via Android smartphones and tablets. To make matters worse, the product retails for $300. In other words, it does less and costs more than all of the products listed above.
Noting the issue, Google recently delayed the Nexus Q's ship date and suggested that it was working to improve the product before it was released. That's a step in the right direction, but -- without the combination of a big price drop and a firmware update that adds some significant feature upgrades -- CNET cannot recommend the Nexus Q in its current state.
The good:The Roku HD is an extremely small Wi-Fi streaming-media box that costs only $60. It offers dozens of streaming video and audio services, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video, HBO Go, Pandora, Mog, Rdio, and MLB.TV. PC- and Mac-based media can be streamed via the Plex app. The Roku HD can be connected to HDTVs or older analog TVs.
The bad:The Roku HD currently lacks Vudu and YouTube channels, which are found on most competing products. There's also no Ethernet port, so you'll need a solid Wi-Fi signal in your home theater.
The bottom line:With its ability to stream hundreds of audio and video channels (including Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu Plus), the $60 Roku HD would be our top pick for those seeking an ultra-affordable Internet media box -- if not for the fact that it's nearly identical to the slightly cheaper Roku LT.
What's the difference between the Roku LT and the Roku HD reviewed here? Ten dollars, a different color body, and not much else.
That's the short version. We could go on a tirade about how companies should simplify their product lines, and avoid bestowing on a 2012 product the same (or nearly the same) name given its predecessors from 2011, 2010, and 2009. But you just want to know one thing: should you buy this box?
The answer: if the Roku LT is sold out (or discontinued), yes. That's because the new $60 Roku HD is, so far as we can tell, all but identical to the $50 Roku LT, which remains an enthusiastic CNET Editors' Choice as the most affordable streaming-media box you can buy. Both models offer hundreds of video and audio channels, including favorites such as Netflix, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, Crackle, Pandora, MLB.TV, Mog, Rdio, and HBO Go. Both connect seamlessly to your Wi-Fi network. And both can be connected to new HDTVs or any old-fashioned analog TV.
The only differences appear to be cosmetic. The Roku HD has full-size analog RCA video outputs (yellow, red, and white jacks) instead of a single minijack port with a breakout cable. Because of the extra back-panel real estate needed to accommodate those jacks, the Roku HD is a tad wider than the Roku LT. And the HD reverses the LT's color scheme: LT is purple with a black base, the HD is black with a purple base. But the electronic innards, features, and performance of the two boxes appear to be identical.
There are just a few tiny differences between the Roku LT (top) and the Roku HD (bottom).
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
The other distinction between the LT and the HD is one of availability. The LT is intended as an online-only product, while you can find the new Roku HD at brick-and-mortar retailers such as Wal-Mart and Fry's (though it's available online, too).
So, if these are basically the same products in different packaging, why does the Roku HD cost $10 more than the Roku LT? Your guess is as good as mine. That said, the LT is so popular that it's often out of stock at online retailers like Amazon. If you encounter that problem -- especially if you're buying one as a gift -- spending the extra on the Roku HD isn't a bad backup plan. In the meantime, we'll continue to consider these products to be more or less interchangeable.
Design
The Roku HD is a little black box. It's essentially the same size as rival Apple TV, but, as mentioned above, it's a tad larger than the Roku LT, Roku 2 XD, and Roku 2 XS models, in order to fit full-size analog AV jacks on its rear end.
In addition to those AV jacks, the rear panel has an HDMI port for connecting to HDTVs. As with all previous models, the analog option makes it possible to connect Roku boxes to older analog TVs, something you can't do with the HDMI-only Apple TV.
The only other things you get in the box are a power adapter (it's a modestly sized wall wart) and a small remote. If you want any other extras -- casual games like Angry Birds, an Ethernet port, a USB connection for enjoying local music or video files -- you'll need to step up to the $100 Roku 2 XS.
The Roku HD has built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi for connecting to the Internet, and while it's not dual-band like the old Roku XDS, we didn't run into any performance issues.
The remote is pretty straightforward. There's a directional pad with an OK button in the center, and there are some basic playback buttons, plus home and back. The asterisk button on the bottom generally brings up more options, such as search, though it can vary from channel to channel. There are also shortcut buttons to the Netflix, Pandora, and Crackle channels.
Here's everything that you get in the box.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
If you prefer, you can also control the Roku over Wi-Fi using the company's free iOS and Android apps. (Note that the Roku HD and Roku LT do not offer compatibility with Roku's Bluetooth gaming remote. But that's no great loss, in our opinion.)
Setup
Setup is straightforward and relatively easy. The only real annoyance is that you'll need to create a Roku account, which involves entering your credit card information or linking to a PayPal account, so you can purchase premium channels. Virtually every channel we're interested in is free or billed separately through the channel provider, so we'd prefer it if the credit card step were optional.
You'll also need to link your Roku box to each individual streaming service, which usually involves entering an activation code on a Web site, so expect to spend some time in front of your TV with a laptop during setup.
Content and user interface
The home screen has a basic interface, with a horizontal row of channels to choose from. The Roku HD comes preloaded with the most important channels: Netflix, Amazon Instant, Hulu Plus, and Pandora. The first three are an outstanding trio for cable-cutters, letting you mix and match subscription and pay-per-view content to catch up on your favorite TV shows.
The home screen is basic, but simple.
(Credit: Matthew Moskovciak/CNET)
The user interfaces for the major services are good, although we've seen better. The Netflix UI here looks similar to the one found in the Sony PlayStation 3 interface, although fewer titles are visible on a single screen. Unlike on those very first Roku boxes, you can search through Netflix's streaming catalog, as well as browse titles that aren't in your instant queue. The current Rokus also support closed captioning on Netflix.
The Netflix interface is similar to the one you'll find on the PlayStation 3.
After a front menu screen, the Amazon Instant interface is almost identical to the Netflix one. It works, but it's not nearly as nice as the new and improved Amazon or Vudu interface you'll find on the PS3, or the general Apple TV navigation experience.
If you want more content, you'll go into the Channel Store. Here you'll find lots of excellent mainstream apps like HBO Go, MLB.TV, NHL GameCenter, Epix, Crackle, Picasa, Flicker, Mog, and Rdio, as well as more niche channels like TED Talks, Revision3, TWiT.TV, NASA, and CNET. (Disclosure: The CNET Channel --and some other Roku channels -- feature content that is produced by CNET and its parent, CBS.) You can see a full list of available channels on Roku's Web site.
The real annoyance is that at least two of the most desirable channels (HBO Go and Epix) require "authentication." That means that you need to subscribe to those channels on your cable or satellite system, and your cable or satellite system needs to allow online access on the Roku for each channel. None of this is Roku's fault -- the same issues apply to those channels on other boxes, such as the Xbox 360 or Samsung TVs -- but anyone hoping for a no-strings-attached cord-cutting solution will be disappointed.
The Channel Store can be overwhelming.
As we mentioned in the "setup" section above, some of these channels are free, some of them are premium (like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu Plus, which require a paid subscription or account set up through the provider's Web site), and others are just "clip hubs" that offer little or no substantive content. There are also dozens, if not hundreds, of channels that appeal to niche -- some might say fringe -- programming interests. But parents need not fret: password controls are available to ensure that only the Roku account owner can add channels. And, because you can add and delete channels as you see fit, you see only the programming you want.
The Channel Store itself is as overwhelming as the amount of content in it, presented as a huge grid of channels. The lack of a search function can make it annoying to track a specific app and even though there are filters, like "Most popular" and "Movies and TV," it's still easy to get a little lost as to what you're actually looking at. Luckily, once you add a channel it shows up on the home screen, and you can arrange home channels in whatever order you'd like.
Private channels, missing channels
There are also dozens of unofficial "private" channels built by third-party developers using standard Web tools. These include everything from quasilegal re-streams of Web and international video channels to adult content. They're accessible using special codes available online; check out the Roku Channel Database and Nowhere TV for a full list of Roku channels. Just be aware that some of the private channels are unsupported, so they could be shut off without notice.
We'd be remiss if we didn't point out the two big omissions from Roku's lineup: YouTube and Vudu. A YouTube channel is apparently in development for Roku, but that's been the rumor for months, and it has yet to appear. And while Vudu's content library is largely redundant if you have access to Amazon's, the fact that the Wal-Mart-owned service now offers a disc-to-digital option, including compatibility with cloud-based Ultraviolet titles , makes its lack of availability on Roku notable. The other curiosity is that both YouTube and Vudu are on scores of competing devices, so it's unclear what's keeping both of them off Roku.
Streaming local files with Plex
Roku boxes have always been good for streaming Internet-based media sources, but their big weakness compared with competitors was that they couldn't be used to access any music, videos, or photos residing on your networked PC or Mac. Thankfully, that's no longer a deal breaker: install the Plex "channel" on the Roku, download and install the free Plex software forWindows, Mac, or even Linux, and you'll be able to stream your local media to your TV with relative ease. (Hardcore geeks can even install a version of the Plex software on higher-end NAS servers, for a PC-free streaming experience.)
We didn't spend a long time playing around with Plex, but we had it up and running within 5 minutes of installing it on a Windows 7 PC. Once we pointed the PC software to the correct video, music, and photo folders, we were able to access all of our files from the Roku interface. No, it's not as slick as the iTunes-to-Apple TV experience, and tech newbies may be flummoxed, but it worked well enough, and was generally smoother to set up and use than some DLNA streamers we've played with in the recent past.
In other words: for the folks who want the local streaming feature, it's now fully baked and available on the Roku if you can handle configuring Plex on your own.
Image quality: Is 720p good enough?
No matter how many times we say 1080p doesn't matter, buyers still get worried when they see that the Roku HD (like the Roku LT) "only" does 720p HD video. Again, we didn't find the lack of 1080p video to be noticeable using the Roku HD, even for high-def streams from Netflix, Amazon Instant, and Hulu Plus.
Occasionally we'd notice some slight false contouring in the background, but it was minor even to our trained eyes. It's hard to imagine anyone complaining about how the BBC's "Sherlock" on Netflix looks on the Roku HD. Of course, excellent streaming-video image quality is dependent on the quality of your broadband connection as well as on the content itself.
The bottom line is that we don't think buyers should give weight to the lack of 1080p video much, if at all, when choosing a streaming-video box.
Conclusion
We love the Roku LT, so it's not surprising that we also love the nearly identical Roku HD. Yes, it's annoying that it costs $10 more, but we prefer the HD's black design over the LT's purple, so the extra cash may be worth it for those that prefer the HD's aesthetics.
The downsides of the Roku HD are few and far between, especially when you consider its rock-bottom $60 price tag. If we had our druthers, Vudu and YouTube channels would be added, along with more robust app support (so you could control the Roku's various audio channels without needing to navigate on the TV screen, for instance). But those are quibbles on a device that's otherwise an outstanding deal.
Three great boxes, three different price points, two different feature sets.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
The toughest choice will likely be for those who own other Apple devices: is it worth spending $40 more to get an Apple TV for $100? The advantages are AirPlay connectivity, iTunes (and iCloud) integration, a slightly more refined interface, and a YouTube channel that's not currently accessible on the Roku. The disadvantage is that you get considerably fewer content sources, with the most glaring omissions being Hulu Plus and Amazon Instant. Meanwhile, the addition of Plex support for Roku helps level the playing field for local media streaming, though it's definitely rougher around the edges than iTunes, iCloud, and AirPlay on Apple TV.
Bottom line: if you're not committed to the Apple family of products, the Roku HD (along with the interchangeable Roku LT) should be at the top of your list.
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
(Credit: Sony)
(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)
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