Does anyone have a Roku player?

MrsBrownsFan

My H and I are buying a new TV, and he mentioned considering getting one for $800 with wireless internet capabilities so that we could stream Netflix and Hulu Plus to it.  There is a TV that I think would work just as well for us without the wireless internet capabilities for $550 on sale, and I see that I can get a Roku player for $80 on Amazon, which seems like it would do the same thing.  Anyone have any opinion on this?  The $800 is more than we originally agreed to spend, which is why I am balking on just getting that one.

MerRhosyn

We have a Roku and think it's great.  We use it w/ streaming NetFlix, Amazon Video on Demand, Pandora, etc.  We don't use Hulu Plus.  The Roku was a gift, but I wouldn't spend $250 extra for a TV with built-in wireless when a Roku does the job.  Does your H use Wii, PlayStation?  I assume their are advantages to having built-in wireless if you're into these.  We don't own any, so I'm not sure.

ape

I have a Roku for this reason. My tv doesn't have a hdmi port so it can't stream w/out a Wii or Roku. My next tv will have a hdmi port. I see your issue but most tvs that are being made have hdmi ports. My real concern would be putting $550 into something that may have limits on it in the future. I would think the only thing you would need that port for is streaming high def but who knows. Personally, I would not buy another tv without an hdmi port to allow it to stream.

To answer your real question though, love the roku and highly recommend. We also cancelled our cable and just use hulu plus. I get BIll Maher and some of my HBO shows thru itunes. 

MerRhosyn

ape:

My tv doesn't have a hdmi port so it can't stream w/out a Wii or Roku. My next tv will have a hdmi port. 

Unless I'm mistaken, wireless internet-ready sets are not defined by whether or not they have HDMI ports.  You're just talking about a way of connecting one thing to another.  This is different from having a built in receiver/network card.

MrsBrownsFan

The one we are looking at does have a single HDMI port, but it does not have its own wireless capabilities.  The more expensive ones have multiple ports and do not need an external device to have a wireless connection.  We do not having any gaming systems and are not that type of people, so that is not an issue for me.  I think I am going to go for it...thanks for the input!