Roku LT Streaming Media Player (Old Version)

This little box is the size of two packs of playing cards and it hooks into your TV either via the HDMI port (on HD TV's) or it can be connected to older TV's by the three-plug colored cord (red, yellow, white) that hooks up the video and audio. (HDMI carries both the video and audio signal together.) The Roku works on your home WiFi system, picking up your internet service and any subscriptions you may have such as Netflix or Amazon Prime and you can watch TV shows or films or other features.Setup is extremely easy. You need your WiFi key (the code that plugs you into your wireless network) and it pretty much goes in a few minutes. You also may need the passwords to any video online services you have. It's not entirely easy, but you can add Youtube (via Videobuzz. It's not straightforward, but I got it to work following the instructions on Videobuzz.)There are four different versions of Roku out at this time. This one is the base model and it lacks the ability to play 1080p HD video, which may or may not be available to you from your cable provider or because the speed of your internet connection can't handle it.This version also lacks a headphone jack on the remote (have to move to the Roku 2 for that) and if you and your family are enthusiastic gamers, there is a Roku 3 version more suited to gaming, with Dual-band wireless, motion control for games and a --much faster (5 times) processor as well as ethernet, a USB slot and a microSD card slot. For families who game, the LT Roku is NOT best choice. However, the Roku 3 only handles HDTV, so if you use an older analog TV, the Roku 3 is not for you. The Roku LT does NOT come with Angry Birds--so if that is important, you'd move up to the Roku 2, at least.Cutting your Cable: Depending on which channels you purchase, you could conceivably stop or reduce your cable bill, especially if your area has the basic local channels for a "small fee" (It used to be free, but as of last year, many services started scrambling even the basic, requiring a box and rental. This varies by area, so ask around.) If you only watch regular channels plus movies, a Netflix or Prime subscription is about one month of average cable service, and if you can pick up channels by air with a  FlatWave HDTV Indoor Digital Flat Antenna  you might be able to cut the cable completely. That could add up to quite a lot.**Note: A good question: Can you can run more than one TV on one Roku box? As far as I know, you need one box per television set. However, moving from one TV to another is fairly simple; leave an HDMI cable or the 3-plug cable attached to each TV, unplug the Roku from the current cable and the wall socket and carry it to your other set. (It is not a big device as I said--size of two decks of cards.) You can run two TV's at a time with a box for each TV, but some channels may not let you log in as the same user on two devices at a time.Things you need: HDMI cable or cables, subscription to a service such a Prime or Netflix or Hulu Plus. There are a number of free channels but the content may not be what you want. A box for each TV unless you intend to move it around from set to set.

I wouldn't give up my Sweetie, my son, or our dogs for it, but I can think of a lot of things I would. If you're all in on Apple and have bought a lot of video from them, then I've heard you should stick there. However, even if you are, I think the Roku deserves your consideration.The selling points that brought me to buy my first one were backwards compatible connectivity and price. I had an old TV in the bedroom that was still working well enough and I wasn't ready to upgrade yet. It didn't have HDMI connectors, but RCA (yellow, white red). I wanted to watch Netflix and Amazon Prime videos in the bedroom, so this solved the problem, but it created another one.I started wanting that in the kitchen while I was cooking, too. For a long time I would just move it back and forth, which wasn't really a problem. I just left the RCA cables plugged in to the TVs, and only had to move the Roku and its power cord back and forth. Eventually, I splurged on another one so I didn't have to move it back and forth. However, its portability is another plus.I tried Chromecast, and I'll admit I'm all in on Google, so I thought I'd like it, but I didn't like having to have another device to use that device--phone or laptop. With the Roku, all you need is wireless internet and a slot to hook it up to--RCA or HDMI. They also have a nice phone app if you misplace your remote or find the search there easier to use.We have a smart TV in the living room, but because of my experience with the Roku, I don't know that I'll get a smart TV again. The TV interface leaves much to be desired as compared to the Roku's. One of the greatest features on the Roku is the global search: you can search and it will look for your show on all of its channels. No more switching from one service to the next to see if something's available for streaming.Now, my original one didn't have the direct Netflix, Amazon, etc. buttons on the remote and I really don't like them that much. I tend to accidentally push one at the wrong time and get bumped where I didn't want to go, but the more I focus on making use of both of them, the more I am growing to appreciate them.This is, IMHO, the best solution to both cord cutting and aggregating your watching subscriptions. If it wasn't for Sweetie's love of prime cable channels--okay, I enjoy getting to watch without waiting for the post-season roll out too--I'd ditch cable and just go with the Roku. With HBO and other prime services going to an independent subscription option, it makes Roku even more attractive.Now, if you have subscription services like Amazon Prime and Netflix, this just rocks them, but if not, don't worry. The Roku line up is much more than that. Do a search for Roku channels and you'll find that there's a plethora of selection.Ha, I sound like I work for them. I don't, really. I just love my Rokus! But I know I've sold a number of my friends on them, and they've all loved them too. It's an affordable option with a great pay off! I can't say what will work for you, but if I had to choose between TV watching options, I'd be fine with nothing more than a Roku.