Recommend a Video Streaming Device...

[solomr2]

This summer we'll be spending a lot of time at a beach house, which is equipped with TV, older DVD, and basic cable. I want to be able to stream and watch movies.

I just want a relatively portable external device for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and likely Vudu. If it is capable of music streaming, including Internet radio, that would be great too. I don't have details on any of these services so any advice here would be good too.

Wireless is necessary, and good video quality is a must. To date my standard has been BluRay, but 1080p streaming seems to be pretty immature still. 720p would be nice. Smooth playback is obviously very important.

I've done a little research on the Roku XDS and the Logitech Revue, but there seems to be a lot of negative feedback on both devices, from wireless issues to buffering problems, etc. Apparently, Roku can arbitrarily push updates out, which cannot be refused, and according to many it ruins performance. Revue complaints about video quality and wireless issues also abound.

The Roku XDS seems to be $100, the Revue is $200 but it comes with a keyboard. I haven't looked at other devices.

I know I'm likely to get a lot of opinions all over the map, good and bad, but I could use your feedback. I need to make a decision this week.

Thank you.

 

[bikemig]

Why not a netbook with an hdmi out?

 

[solomr2]

Why not a netbook with an hdmi out?

Interesting idea, I looked at netbooks about a year ago, but found the HDMI out was difficult to find. What models are out there today?

I'll take a look at them again, but right now I prefer a dedicated device.

 

[zhimbo]

I recently started using a Roku XDS, and have no complaints at all other than sometimes clunky interfaces on some channels (the USB "channel" for an attached USB drive in particular is very barebones, and the lack of keyboard makes searches a bit tedious). The price is hard to beat. I've heard of the forced-update issues, but haven't, in the last 2 weeks or so, had an issue (no surprise in such a short time).

The right netbook with 720p/HDMI out would be a nice versatile solution if you can find one for a decent price, but you'll get a cheap, convenient, effective solution with the Roku.

 

[highfigh]

I just ordered a ROKU XD/S yesterday and I had heard it would ship the same day if the order was in before 11AM but I didn't think it would be at my mailbox this morning. I haven't connected it yet but that will happen tonight, so I'll report back later. I got it because I'm tired of paying so much for satellite channels that I don't watch. I'll have saved enough to buy a 50" plasma before long.

 

[solomr2]

Reading about the Revue some more, it appears it has been plagued with multiple bugs, and a lot of networks are blocking Google TV, so it has been a tough start for Logitech. However, everyone raves about the concept of being able to search content everywhere.

Does anyone have one that can comment?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230014
It has hdmi and support for lossless HD audio codecs.
Only big drawback is only 1gb of ram. Windows 7 Starter imo would rather have two, but i'm sure you could add more later

 

[solomr2]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834230014
It has hdmi and support for lossless HD audio codecs.
Only big drawback is only 1gb of ram. Windows 7 Starter imo would rather have two, but i'm sure you could add more later

Hi BoredSysAdmin,

Not a bad choice for $280, but max resolution is only 1024 x 600, which is not even capable of 720P (1280×720), let alone 1080P.

I have yet to find a netbook or laptop with HDMI and HD for under $400.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hi BoredSysAdmin,

Not a bad choice for $280, but max resolution is only 1024 x 600, which is not even capable of 720P (1280×720), let alone 1080P.

I have yet to find a netbook or laptop with HDMI and HD for under $400.

Resolution is set only for netbook display, 2nd display aka HDMI could be full 1080p

 

[bikemig]

I would think that a netbook should do a better job of streaming than any standalone device since pretty much everything works with a web browser. If you are looking for music streaming, I'd check out MOG. I've been thinking of using it since it streams a high quality bit rate at 320 kbps and runs $5 a month. I would definitely subscribe if it would work with SB (which it doesn't).

 

[highfigh]

I haven't seen the bit rate of Pandora but I don't have a problem with the sound quality, FWIW. I haven't tried MOG yet, but I'll have to see what music they offer first. So far, the Roku is good. Easy to set up, easy to navigate and no manual needed, really. Also, Pandora has cover art for the songs and stations (the delay is far shorted than when streaming via a Panasonic BD player)- it wasn't unbearably long, but it was a bit annoying.

 

[bikemig]

I like Pandora but it streams at a lower bit rate than MOG. If you subscribe to Pandora, it streams at 192Kbps (but I believe you have to use the Pandora desktop player to get that bitrate).

 

[solomr2]

Resolution is set only for netbook display, 2nd display aka HDMI could be full 1080p

I can't find any reference to verify this, there were no specs for the resolution on the HDMI-out. Has anyone tried this?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I can't find any reference to verify this, there were no specs for the resolution on the HDMI-out. Has anyone tried this?

This laptop is based on same platform:
http://laptoprelease.com/acer-aspire-one-522-amd-radeon-hd-6250/

 

[highfigh]

I like Pandora but it streams at a lower bit rate than MOG. If you subscribe to Pandora, it streams at 192Kbps (but I believe you have to use the Pandora desktop player to get that bitrate).

That's surprising- as much as I hate the sound of MP3 files at low bit rate (weak bass, lots of compression and harsh high end), I hear none of that with Pandora.

 

[caper26]

1 - An inexpensive laptop with HDMI out for under $400 taxes in
2 - WD LIVE TV
3 - PS3

The WD TV might be the cheapest on ebay or something. Even PS3 on used market can be found at good prices...

 

[BMXTRIX]

I just want a relatively portable external device for Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and likely Vudu. If it is capable of music streaming, including Internet radio, that would be great too.

Panasonic DMP-BDT210

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Blu-ray-38-DVD/Blu-ray-Disc-Players/model.DMP-BDT210.O_11002_7000000000000005702#tabsection

$160

Vudu, Netflix, Amazon, Cinama Now, Picasa, Pandora, YouTube, etc.

Plus, you get Blu-ray playback from it just in case you hit up a Red Box.