Roku-3 question ?

boston1450

Hello. Im hooking up a roku-3 & its been stuck updating for 1/2 + hour. Is that normal?
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Channel Update 12 of 42
Adding ' Amazon instant video
........tweerly circle............
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Thats what it says on my screen. Any idea if thats suppose to do that ? Maybe my internet speed isnt fast enough ?
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BEFORE--I noticed on Netflix-- 24 (Jack Baur) was streaming ok--but on movies i was having to hit refresh on laptop. That is when i used HDMI cord to TV from Laptop.... Now i wanna use the Roku3-- so i shouldnt/dont have to use Laptop to Netflix....any help is great TIA
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Randy

rooftop59

I don't remember how long my older one took to setup initially. How fast is your internet, that could be an issue. Sorry I can't be more helpful...

boston1450

Mid grade.?. Wife read up & unpluged it for 10 sec, well keep trying thanks

rooftop59

They work REALLY well once they get set up, so hopefully yours works. Electronics do fail, so if its bad I would definitely exchange it for another. Of all the inexpensive little streaming devices its the best overall imo.

boston1450

Well we got it open & see tons of features. I guess we will have to spend some time to figure it out & how to use it. We already pay for Netflix & were going to add more to the mix once we get it up n running. Wow what rig this thing is.

rooftop59

yep its pretty cool. I would consider adding Amazon prime and/or Hulu plus if you wanna get the most of that little box. You can get a lot of entertainment without paying for cable...

boston1450

For some reason we add channels to MY CHANNELS & it doesnt save them. It shows no channels under MY CHANNELS.
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It shows our WIFI internet is excellent. We watched Utube vid's & looked online for info (with Laptop) Carla just unplugged it again to redo ot over again & hopefully it will reset it. Wife is much better with PC stuff than i. Well keep plugging away till we getter done

TNHNDYMAN

Randy- pming you my # again. I have some ideas for you, but much easier to discuss over the phone than writing emails back and forth....

TNHNDYMAN

Randy- I'm always up till at least midnight, so feel free to call me. Even though your wife is working on it, I might have some ideas for you to get the most out of the Roku.

boston1450

Thank You Travis. It was a pleasure to talk to you. Im still working on it. I do have a Amazon acct but still isnt holding the MY CHANNEL. & it has something to do with getting the Amazon icon open online & letting it know i do have a account. I will try again tomorrow & call customer service if they have one.. Im looking forward to getting this device up n running..

boston1450

It was a DUD spent 5 hours & 1 1/2 hours with costumer service last night--exchanged for a different one today--hooked it up & walla,its GOLDEN all i can say is Travis thank you sir. I like it. No more HDMI going to Laptop (across the floor) & easier to use & quick as a bunny looking forward to Sport Channels & our Netflix. I almost bought a wireless HDMI vs this unit. It would have cost more. YEAHHHH thank you all for your response & have a great day.

Jimbo18

You may already know about the private channels but in case you don't, they are channels not listed in the Channel Store but that can be added to your channels through the Roku website. You need a code for each one, and there's plenty of lists out there that tell you what is available. The best website I have found for them is

http://catastrophegirlsrokuchanneldata.blogspot.com/

Some are pay channels, a la Netflix, but many are free, but most of those do contain some kind of commercials. Still it's worth checking them out.

TNHNDYMAN

Sorry you got a dud. I've never heard of that issue with them before, but there's always a first. Happy for you that the replacement is up and running with no problems. You may want to check out playon for the roku for sports and other channels. I got it and pay each month around 7.00 but really haven't messed with it much yet. Has some nice features but does seem a little complicated at times. Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and now Redbox is avail as well will keep you busy for awhile. Best of luck with it.

txcoastal1

Better that it was a DUD instead of you being plain dumb ;-)

They are cool devices. I have a smart TV with streaming but it's worth have the Roku, it's a lot for speed efficient.

boston1450

Thanks for the site info. I have been flipping around with it alittle. I love the remote headphone jack, think i will get better headphones while the Mrs's is doing college homework... One thing i noticed is the Wi fi is much better than the laptop. No more refreshing the stream Best money ive spent in a long time & worth way more if you dont wanna pay for cable (since 2003) Best Buy didnt even open the box upon return ?

boston1450

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Better that it was a DUD instead of you being plain dumb ;-)

They are cool devices. I have a smart TV with streaming but it's worth have the Roku, it's a lot for speed efficient.

yes trying to hook up a DUD & never owning one just down right svcks.. My oldest daughter has a internet tv & it is some nice too. Maybe someday

TNHNDYMAN

Keep in mind that as long as the headphones are plugged into the remote, they are putting a drain on the batteries. Just unplug when done watching or have extra AA's around.

cnh

In all probability, the area of the state you live in, like mine, has NO FIBER optic lines, which means that most internet speeds hover around 10 Mbps or less depending on routing, traffic, etc. Providers may CLAIM they have faster service, but if you do the "tests" their claims don't hold up. And even 10 is being generous. Personally, I find that certain kinds of streaming over my PS3 can be problematic because of speed and lack of bandwidth. We really are BEHIND the national averages for metropolitan areas.

A great place for infrastructural stimulus, but probably not any time soon. Eventually the U.S. will be divided into those who have super fast Ultra bandwidth and the rest of us "hicks" in the hinterlands. lol

I do hope Roku works for you but as for me, I won't even try that until I retire and get me to some fiber optic cable land!

Actually, while streaming Pandora, just now, my download speed was a whopping 2.2 Mbps (supposed to be 7-8 Mbps). ROKU? Anyone? Forget about it!

cnh

Upstatemax

Glad you figured it out!

I love my Roku 3. I have one in the living room and one in the bedroom. The wifi in my house SUCKS yet the Roku upstairs has never once dropped the signal or had any issue streaming

I've been sick for the better part of a week so the bedroom Roku has had a serious workout this week and it never once skipped a beat.

boston1450

TNHNDYMAN wrote: »

Keep in mind that as long as the headphones are plugged into the remote, they are putting a drain on the batteries. Just unplug when done watching or have extra AA's around.

good to know that. I guess i woulda found that out the hard way LOL..
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Cnh good point & im sure your right on
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Upstate i watched 2-3 movies & never once did i have to refresh the stream. I was doing it every 5 mins on the Laptop. We ditched cable years ago & saved a bunch of $$$ & worthless shows THEY packaged FOR US.. So i am very impressed & going to buy 1 for our bedroom when we go to the city next time we go to the city

Jimbo18

Besides the headphone jack, one thing I like about the Roku 3 is the dual band reception. I have a simultaneous dual band wireless router, so with the 3, I can take advantage of the higher 5Ghz band which seems to have less interference. I live in a townhouse and have a couple dozen wireless systems surrounding me, so the less traffic the better, I figure.

Conradicles

I think we are getting one of these. All the reviews are great. Everybody happy with theirs?

I see so many pros...any cons?

boston1450

Ive had mine since 2-17-14 LOL & we love it well worth the money. Go with the Roku3 i read alot on it & they say its fast streaming than the others & we havent had a issue.... When i had problems with first one-it was because when we walked out of store the alarm went of (like we stole it LOL) i looked at the guy near the door & he said ''your all set'i saw you buy it.... Well when that happened i think the device automatically shuts off.. The next one has been flawless. We had/have only subscribed to netflix & there are lots of other channels & free movies on it & once you have it if you dig you can add more also.. Great little unit

txcoastal1

It's a dedicated separate that works better than smart TV and most BR player streamers

TNHNDYMAN

Conradicles wrote: »

I think we are getting one of these. All the reviews are great. Everybody happy with theirs?

I see so many pros...any cons?

I'm still loving ours. We have three. Two are the older model, and one of the latest Roku 3's. The 3 has much better wireless reception and the menu system for finding shows or movies is much better than any of the Blu Ray players I've had. The built in headphone feature is really useful when I want to read on the kindle and the wife wants to watch something on tv before bed. Hundreds of channels out there from trout fishing to pilates. Apple TV is a nice option if you are a full apple household, but for us and the extra bonus of being amazon prime members helps the Roku to be the one to beat.

Jimbo18

We have 3 units, two of which are the Roku 3 and I can't see us ever being without them from now on. I haven't researched it much because I don't need one, but Roku is releasing a new "stick" for $50 which is similar to the Chromecast but has a dedicated remote. It doesn't do everything the 3 does, but it's sounds like it's pretty good for half the price if that's a consideration, or if you are adding one to a TV you don't use often.

jflail2

Pondering picking up one of these for my parents. Is there any benefit to the Roku over the Apple TV (which they already have), beyond Apple compatibility?

TNHNDYMAN

^ you need to go to the roku website and check out all the various channels you can add. If just streaming Netflix then probably not, but if trying to cut the cable or dish sat cord- then this gives you a lot more options for entertainment choices. Also a bonus to me is that it streams amazon videos. As a prime member it gives me a lot more choices than Netflix or hulu alone.

Jimbo18

jflail2, TNHNDYMAN has it right. Besides Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon, it gives access to Blockbuster streaming, Redbox streaming, HBOGO and Showtime Anytime. Tons of other free and pay movie channels as well as most music channels.

The only thing I know of that Apple TV has over Roku is if you are already an Apple user.

tonyb

Color me curious, but all you Roku users....how much is each of these services ? Hulu/ HBOGO/Showtime/Netflix/Redbox/Amazon....plus any local channels....news or sports ?

Once you add it all up, plus internet service....seems to me your not too far off cable prices.

jflail2

Jimbo18 wrote: »

jflail2, TNHNDYMAN has it right. Besides Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon, it gives access to Blockbuster streaming, Redbox streaming, HBOGO and Showtime Anytime. Tons of other free and pay movie channels as well as most music channels.

The only thing I know of that Apple TV has over Roku is if you are already an Apple user.

Thanks guys. My parents are retiring this year, so I'm trying to get them as squared away on entertainment/technology as is possible. I've added as much as you can to their Apple TV (meaning I've inputted my cable co info for their HBO GO, ESPN apps, etc, so they can watch those after having cut the cable TV cord.)

I don't foresee them adding any additional subs/bills to their monthly tally, so I'll have to see how much better the app selection is for the Roku, based on things I can "piggyback" to my cable account.