I N T R O D U C T I O N
As part of a recent study I conducted on the current and explosive set top box streaming market, I tested Roku's Model 3 (gen 1) with my home theater. The unit works with any monitor, screen, TV or AV receiver with an available HDMI input, providing full 1080 HD with stereo or surround sound (if the streaming source provided it). Since our first look, Roku upped the game by adding voice search to the Roku 3 (without changing the model name) so I'll call it Roku 3 Gen 2.
When I opened the attractively packaged small box, I was pleasantly surprised not only by the unit's diminutive size but also by the items below that were in it:- Roku streaming unit with HDMI output
- Power supply for the main unit
- Small remote control of the standard infrared (IR) variety
The Gen 2 remote has a Voice button you press to speak what you want to search for. - Ear buds that plug into a 1/8" mini-stereo jacks on the remote.
Ah, wouldn't you know it? After spending a 100+ hours testing the model 3, Roku came out with a new model 3 (with the same model number) that adds a microphone to the remote so you can execute voice searches - a feature that, hitherto, was the sole domain of the Amazon FireStick. Perhaps Roku might send one my way so I test and report on what is likely to be an even better unit.
With it's low price, high end features, near flawless performance, and access to an unbiased list of thousands of streaming channels, the Roku 3 Gen 2 pretty much stands alone.
PROS
- Very low cost
- Provides access close to 4,000+ streaming sources, called "channels"
- Excellent product design - small, quiet, powerful
- Simple operation with a simple and intuitive interface
- Voice search. Press Voice, say "Independence Day", up pops channels carrying it
- Can display (aka "cast") Android screens on the screen attached to the Roku
- Bluetooth radio sends audio to the remote for listening on attached headphones
- Includes high quality channels like Amazon Prime, Vudu, and many among others.
- Give you a front row seat in the steaming revolution.
- If you are content with Internet news, a smaller selection of 1+ week old network shows with a few odd glitches, and music and/or YouTube videos, you can cut the cord now!
Update Q3-2016: Most networks now allow viewers with Cable or SatTV service to view their recent shows and episodes via a Roku channel - ABC being the latest as of this writing. So that barrier is rapidly falling. NBC is trying out a new streaming program to view current series as they air and CBS has their All Access Pass for $10/mo which allows you to view all their content without commercials. However, NONE of the networks offers true LIVE streaming without regard to a show's slot. That will take some However, since most people are using their DVR's to watch shows when they want, there is little difference from bringing up their network's Roku channel and selecting recent episodes.
A L T E R N A T I V E S
Update Q3-2016: Since this review's last update, Roku 3 has new alternatives in the form of its successor, the new Premier line (Premier, Premier+ and Premier Ultra) which cost $80 to $130 as of Q3-2016 and are to be available Oct 7th, 2016. All variants support 4K and quad core processors with HDR, Voice search, Remote finder, WiFi remote control being included in the higher models. We hope to get an evaluation unit to test for a dedicated review of that line.
Meanwhile, the list of alternative streaming receivers continues to grow hot and heavy. There still are few alternatives to the simple full dedicated streaming boxes of the Roku 3 and Premier lines. Othjer high end products include many detracting gaming options, others have channel choices heavily biased toward their OEM's like Apple, Google, and Amazon.
If one looks one level down to the streaming sticks and matchbox cases, alternatives includes Roku's own Roku Express and Stick lines; Amazon's "Fire TV Stick"; and Google's "Chromecast stick". Despite the fact that the prices are all very low and the functionality is decent, Roku continues to differentiate itself by the unbiased breadth of content that it continues to provide.
However, there are some interesting new developments in this area. There are "Roku TVs" that have been on the market a while with integrated Roku streaming receivers. But we have not ascertained whether the embedded Roku receivers are as capable as their Roku 3 and, now, Premier line.
Roku holds its own even in the lower tiers, with its huge unbiased ranges of channels whereas Amazon's and Google's USB sticks, though capable in their own rights, are biased toward the products of their parent companies and have fewer channels. It is interesting to note that the Roku 3 includes the Amazon's own "Amazon Prime" channel with recent high quality movies like Vudu, the reigning champion of high quality HD streaming of recently released movies. With Roku 3's on sale for about $79, there's little risk in buying it now to enjoy a growing list of content - much being unavailable elsewhere as independent streamers begin to offer unique content.
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| Amazon FireStick, Roku Streaming Stick, and the Google Chromecast Stick |
Among the 2nd tier receivers (other than Roku's own lesser models), there is Amazon's Fire TV Stick which despite its smaller and biased channel list, provides a nifty voice input search function that betters Roku's rather slow onscreen keyboard but it's not enough to offset Roku's massive channel list, speed, quality, and feature set. Chipping away at the deficiency are 3rd party Roku controller Android apps that use Android's excellent voice-to-text feature to speak your searches.
Google's ChromeCast is also an interesting 2nd place contender for its ability to display your Android screen on your main viewing screen. I then discovered late in the review process that Roku's WiFi connectivity supports exactly that - it allows you to display (aka "cast" or "throw") your Android content on the screen attached to your Roku (if you have a recent Android OS version).
Example: Our DVR recorded a favorite network show incompletely due to a shifting of network time slots for an overtime sports event. Luckily, it was from the previous week so the show was available online from its network home site. To maximize distribution revenues from cable and satellite providers, current shows are usually not available until a week later. Not for long .. but not yet. So, I directed my Android tablet to the network web site and started streaming the episode. With the Roku on the network, the top bar of the tablet's screen showed an arrow-like icon that you click to display the tablet's screen on the screen connected to the Roku. Even smarter, in some cases, if the content you desire to show on the larger screen is already a Roku channel, Roku forgoes the inter-device transmission and simply shows the Roku channel directly for a faster, higher quality result.
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N
(1) an penchant for watching video media
(2) a high speed Internet connection (15-30 Mbps)
(3) a viewing screen, monitor with an available HDMI input
In short, buy it now! It works simply, cleanly, costs little, and provides a staggering amount of that continues to grow by leaps and bounds with each passing month.
Not enough HDMI Ports?
If all the HDMI ports on your big screen monitor, TV or AV receiver are already in use, one solution that is far cheaper than buying expensive upgrades is to add a manual or remote controlled HDMI switcher. These devices typically have one HDMI output and 2-4 or more HDMI inputs. You choose which input to pass the to output by using a button on the unit or, as with the more advanced ones, an infrared (IR) remote control which you can integrate with your programmable remote control.The unit below is one of many available. It has several HDMI inputs and 1 HDMI output, and a small infrared (IR) remote control (like most other media equipment you already have) so you can switch it from your viewing position. An advantage of an IR controlled unit is that, if you have a programmable remote, you can add the control of the switch to it. For example, if you bought an IR switch to add a Roku unit as a new HDMI source to your media rack, you would unplug one of your existing HDMI cables from your TV and plug it into Input 1 on this unit and plug the HDMI cable from the Roku into Input 2. You would then program the remote to add a "Roku" setting and add a command to that program to set the switch to Input 2. You would also reprogram the activity that used the cable you moved to the switch so it sets the switch to Input 1. It's easier to do than to explain if have the slightest aptitude for programming.
A D D E N D A
For a large sample though still a small part of the myriad channels Roku provides, visit the independent Roku channel listing site, http://mkvxstream.blogspot.com. If that's not enough, there are many other channel listing sites. Just search for "Roku Channel List".
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About TK Anthony Research
We specialize in the research, development and promotion of quality
corporate architecture, product design, program code, technical
innovation, graphic arts, education, or other important areas. We
strive to maximize quality and value as measured by the user's
satisfaction per unit time. E.g., a high quality product costing $200
that satisfies for 20 years ($10/year) is worth much more than twice as
much as a lesser product that costs $100 and lasts 5 years ($20/year).
We like the motto of Zenith, the once leading (and long gone) US radio & TV company:
"The quality goes in before the name goes on."
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