Watch Instantly on your TV with Roku for $99

The Netflix Player by Roku is now available. For $99.99 you can play on your TV instead of your PC.

It connects to the Internet using WiFi or Ethernet, and connects to your TV using Composite, S-Video, Component or HDMI. Audio includes optical out.

TV output can be switched to 16:9 from the default of 4:3.

I've been helping test it, so I've had one for a while, it works! I have a 54" TV, and hooked it up via WiFi to an Airport on a 3Mbit DSL. I mostly get the top quality feed, and to me its just like watching a DVD or Digital Satellite sources. Video quality is very good, on a big screen I find it depends a lot on the quality of the source material and encoding. On a PC screen you don't see the difference as much. A show that has visually stunning photography like the BBC Life of Mammals series looks great.

Setup is very easy, you configure the network then it shows a four character code on your TV and tells you to enter the code on the Netflix website at www.netflix.com/activate - thats it, the box and Netflix connect and your Instant Queue appears on your TV.

There was more demand than expected, and there is a week or so wait from order to shipment at the moment.

I started an activation thread, so people can post as they get their boxes.

There is also a Roku Forum for users of the Netflix Player by Roku

Roku have disclosed the NXP made MIPS32 CPU based system-on-a-chip that they used.

There is a separate discussion if you are also interested in the Xbox 360 option for watching Netflix on your TV, and another for the Netflix enhanced LG Blu-Ray player.

Adrian from Netflix

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Permalink Reply by Spindaddydad on May 19, 2008 at 9:34pm: WOO HOO!!! It's Heeeeerrre!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Evil Herbivore on May 19, 2008 at 9:42pm: thanks for posting - i was busy on back end!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Baff on May 19, 2008 at 10:43pm: "TV output can be switched to 16:9 from the default of 4:3."

What does that mean? Does it stretch full screen to wide screen or does it actually download a wide screen version, or something else?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adrian on May 19, 2008 at 10:51pm: Movie content is the same as PC, if you watch content in 4:3 it has a blank bar at the top and bottom. On a wide screen TV in 4:3 you get a blank bar on each side as well. In 16:9 it zooms in until it fits top-bottom leaving a small bar on each side. The user interface is in 4:3 (currently) so on my wide screen TV the UI is stretched slightly, but the movies have the right aspect ratio when they play.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Adrian on May 20, 2008 at 2:40am: H.264 vs VC-1 on wikipedia.

There isn't a significant difference in compression or quality levels between these two at the same bit rate. I think your 300 vs 1500MB comparison is incorrect.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Real Uncle Bob on May 20, 2008 at 5:42am: I had to use all my will to stay away from the soothing green "order now" button at Roku.com...

But the first-announced partner, LG, must be aware that they've been beaten to the market, and I'm curious as to what they'll bring to the table and when -- I hope they will at least include the hdmi cable that's extra with the Roku...if they bring in a BR player at the right price, I'll want to jump on that.

Besides, I live just a block away from the world's largest video screen (12.5 million synchronized LED lamps, 5 football fields wide), which is an LG, so I feel a bit of brand loyalty.

No date announced yet?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Real Uncle Bob on May 20, 2008 at 6:02am: Intriguing tidbit from Roku's FAQ:

The Netflix Player by Roku is HD-ready. Netflix is working to make movies and TV episodes available in HD. When they are ready, your Netflix Player by Roku will also be ready.

Wondering -- will a set-top box be necessary for HD? Anyone know, or even care to speculate?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ewd76 on May 20, 2008 at 6:28am: I think the two sentences you quoted indicated that this box will be enough,; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by The Real Uncle Bob on May 20, 2008 at 7:28am: Sure it will be enough -- I'm wondering, will it be necessary? Or will they implement HD on PC via Silverlight?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ewd76 on May 20, 2008 at 8:57am: I guess I don't understand your original question. The HD service will come through the same box if the sentences you quoted are accurate.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Baff on May 20, 2008 at 9:46am: Bob is wondering if he will be able to watch in HD on his computer later this year after Netflix switches to Silverlight, or will HD only be available through the set-top boxes. My guess is that HD will be available via Silverlight, too. Assuming adequate broadband.; ▶ Reply to This