Netflix and Roku

NeilGabriel
NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
edited February 2011 in Electronics
With the help of some Forum members, I went ahead and got the Roku HD (about $99). I run mine wirelessly from the router that is on my main floor about 20 feet from the Roku receiver.

I am only using it with Netflix at this time.

For maybe the first time, I got something out of the box, set it up in under 10 minutes and I was watching movies instantly from my Netflix Watch Instantly queue.

At first I thought the picture was breaking up, but I was watching a documentary on Everest and the original video had some breaking up.

Every movie has played perfectly. Pausing works fine, and while reverse and forward are a bit clunky, they do the job.

The color is excellent and so is the sound. I use the digital output from the Roku but set the receiver to stereo (I don't think the sound from Netflix is in 5.1).....others might know.

Right now, from what I understand, the video is not high def, but the Roku still has HDMI out, which I use, and a variation on component (as well as composite). Supposedly, at some time, Netflix might stream HD.

I especially like this for watching TV series, including some of the Brit stuff luck MI-5.

All in all, I think it was a very nice investment. There are a variety of "channels" you can use so long as you are a subscriber to them (e.g., Amazon Video on Demand).

ng
Post edited by NeilGabriel on
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited January 2011
    Some movies are in 5.1, some aren't - though I haven't taken the time to see if the movies are labeled as such on the Netflix page. sounds cool though :)
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,465
    edited January 2011
    I'm a little discombobulated with your post. It is my understanding that Netflix does stream HD. If they don't, that's one HELL of a DVD picture. Netflix even has an entire section devoted to just those DVD's that are available in HD, which is where my confusion lays.

    Could you or anybody else clarify, please?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited January 2011
    treitz3 wrote: »
    I'm a little discombobulated with your post. It is my understanding that Netflix does stream HD. If they don't, that's one HELL of a DVD picture. Netflix even has an entire section devoted to just those DVD's that are available in HD, which is where my confusion lays.

    Could you or anybody else clarify, please?

    They certainly rent HD DVD's....but I read in a review of the Roku (from more than a year back) that the movies were not streamed in HD....I agree the picture is great. I do not know for sure.

    A lot of people posted on this in the movie section...maybe they can help...

    Mike
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited February 2011
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114427

    see thread....apparently, Netflix is now streaming many of its movies in HD and it will be shown next on your selection in your queue....I need to check this out in a few...
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited February 2011
    NeilGabriel wrote: »

    Right now, from what I understand, the video is not high def, but the Roku still has HDMI out, which I use, and a variation on component (as well as composite). Supposedly, at some time, Netflix might stream HD.

    ng

    They stream HD right now, so I'm not sure why you are thinking they don't. The program has to be recorded in HD. I love Netflix streaming and the Roku. Except I have now learned that Comcast cable has been throttling a lot of Netflix streamers because they have bandwidth issues. It really PISSES me off because the few times I have issues I wanted to blame Netflix or Roku and in fact it's Comcast. I love the way they advertise these super fast dl speeds but then throttle you if you use what they are advertising and what you are paying for.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited February 2011
    NeilGabriel wrote: »
    They certainly rent HD DVD's....but I read in a review of the Roku (from more than a year back) that the movies were not streamed in HD....I agree the picture is great. I do not know for sure.

    A lot of people posted on this in the movie section...maybe they can help...

    Mike

    A lot changes in technology in a year. Never rely on a year old review when technology like this is in question. Netflix streams in HD if the content is HD.

    A year ago Roku offered a box that didn't support HD streams, all the boxes now support 720P which is considered HD but the least expensive Roku player doesn't offer 1080P HD, the other two do. It's more a question of the player rather than the service.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,083
    edited February 2011
    PrazVT wrote: »
    Some movies are in 5.1, some aren't - though I haven't taken the time to see if the movies are labeled as such on the Netflix page. sounds cool though :)


    I have yet to come across a 5.1 surround movie...am I missing something? :confused:
    Yes, I have the Roku set up for SURROUND SOUND...

    Also, will the HD Roku process the picture in HD any better than the standard box I wonder...
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited February 2011
    kevhed72 wrote: »

    Also, will the HD Roku process the picture in HD any better than the standard box I wonder...

    What box do you currently have?

    http://www.roku.com/roku-products#2

    Here are the current products. As far as I know the least expensive player from a generation ago did not do HD. They all do HD now except the least expensive player is 720P (which is still considered HD) the other two player do 1080P which is also HD.

    Not all HD content is 1080P. 720P is still considered HD.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dvran
    dvran Posts: 280
    edited February 2011
    NeilGabriel wrote: »
    They certainly rent HD DVD's....but I read in a review of the Roku (from more than a year back) that the movies were not streamed in HD

    I didn't know Netflix had "HD DVDs", I though they all went to "Blueray" format? ;)
    ~Dan

    Projector: Epson 705HD on 106" DaLite
    TV: Samsung 50" Plasma PN50B550
    Receiver: Onkyo 607
    Fronts: Polk 1000i
    Center: Polk Csi40
    Rears: Polk Fxi30
    Sub: Velodyne Minivee 10
    PS3 and Xbox
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited February 2011
    I have yet to come across a 5.1 surround movie...am I missing something?
    Yes, I have the Roku set up for SURROUND SOUND...

    Also, will the HD Roku process the picture in HD any better than the standard box I wonder...

    I can't remember what I was watching recently - but it seems like random movies will have dolby digital plus (perhaps HD, perhaps newer movies ... I need to look into it). I'm not sure all devices support it though - you'd need to check that. FYI, I usually play netflix on my PS3 or 360.

    The HD content looks pretty decent too. The PS3 upscales automatically (still trying to figure out how to make it let the Denon do it) so not sure I've seen 720p content in 720p. It should still look good though.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited February 2011
    All of my movies/tv shows have looked great except one very old film. Even if the Roku passes 480p. won't my HDTV automatically upscale it to 720, its native resolution.

    I don't see any designation in the watch instantly queue...that designates whether it will stream in HD (higher than 480p).

    I am looking at FAQ to see what it says....and can't find them right now...I know that a lot of online music servers try to keep their streaming and downloading rates a bit of a secret.

    Thanks, H9....I need to find some more current material to read....like to better understand what I am pllaying with.
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  • dvran
    dvran Posts: 280
    edited February 2011
    Netflix on the 360 is pretty easy to use, but you guys are right, the sound quality is not there yet. I think the PS3 does 5.1

    Have you guys ever viewed a stream in the native resolution? It's like 8" wide...lol.
    ~Dan

    Projector: Epson 705HD on 106" DaLite
    TV: Samsung 50" Plasma PN50B550
    Receiver: Onkyo 607
    Fronts: Polk 1000i
    Center: Polk Csi40
    Rears: Polk Fxi30
    Sub: Velodyne Minivee 10
    PS3 and Xbox
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,598
    edited February 2011
    PS3 and netflix works very well.
    When son #2 finishes college and comes back to re-claim it,
    I am gonna have to buy one of my own!
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited February 2011
    NeilGabriel wrote: »

    I don't see any designation in the watch instantly queue...that designates whether it will stream in HD (higher than 480p).

    Thanks, H9....I need to find some more current material to read....like to better understand what I am pllaying with.

    Neil, when you view the details on either a DVD or TV Series it says in the format area HD.

    Look at Lost season 1 and see what I mean.
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Snowdogyyz
    Snowdogyyz Posts: 37
    edited February 2011
    Last I heard, only the PS3 streams netflix with 5.1 sound currently. They say this will eventually move to the 360, Roku, etc, etc, but not yet.
    Denon 4311CI
    Emotiva XPA-3
    Oppo BDP-83
    Polk RTiA7 fronts
    Polk CSiA6 center
    Polk FXiA6 surrounds
    Polk PSW505 sub

    Harman Kardon HK3490
    Monitor 70
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,083
    edited February 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    What box do you currently have?

    http://www.roku.com/roku-products#2

    Here are the current products. As far as I know the least expensive player from a generation ago did not do HD. They all do HD now except the least expensive player is 720P (which is still considered HD) the other two player do 1080P which is also HD.

    Not all HD content is 1080P. 720P is still considered HD.

    H9

    Thanks...I beleive I have the older 720p version...which may need to be upgraded if and when I ever get the projector room up and running.
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  • B&W802d
    B&W802d Posts: 72
    edited February 2011
    When you are looking for a movie to choose, look in the description. If it is HD it will say so and of it is in 5.1 it will say that as well. Your picture quality will vary depending on your internet connection. A friend of mine has DSL and can only get HD medium while I get X-HD with cable. Just wish they would bump it up to 1080p though. As time goes on and more people join I'm sure they will bump up the quality. Not that it's bad now I just want it all and that bag of chips they always talk about.
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