Software
While Roku 3 has hardware innovations in
both inside and outside, it software has received most of the TLC this time.
Users will immediately realize a difference in UI: instead of the old-fashioned
horizontal layout, there’s currently an icon grid, which increases the amount
of info on the screen at any time. Roku has imitated a bit from the classic
gaming control panel and it’s clear – like the developing experience on (most
noticeable) Xbox 360 and PS3, the new screens also includes a lot of
advertising space for the supplemental channels and content. However,
navigation is pretty simple and the advertising space is pretty far away so we
predict it won’t annoy users. In general, the changes work as expected,
providing faster access to the channel you want and delivering small channels
that most of users don’t even know that they existed from the more than 750-channel
category.
At this time, the apps are still the same,
though many new released channels (Spotify, Amazon) has runs significantly
slower on Roku 2. There’s no such signal here, with the upgraded CPU be able to
handle each option we try. There’s still a small annoyance: not all channels
have the same features. For example, pressing down on d-pad doesn’t at
unfailingly reveal the image quality or the left info about the time. In our
limited test with Plex, the apps loaded faster and began to transmit video more
quickly. Video performance seems to be the same between the old and new model,
while the forum poster announce that Roku 3 is more than capable of handle 1,080pMKV
transmission. Another addition is the chance to change UI with different themes.
It’s not a major change, but we have tried some themes and notice that they’re
pretty interesting, none of them have any negative effect to the experience
At
this time, the apps are still the same, though many new released channels
(Spotify, Amazon) has runs significantly slower on Roku 2.
Still new on the software field is a
feature which is actually released at the end of last year –cross-provider search
of Roku. While other devices (TiVo, Xbox 360) and services (Flixster, TV.com provide
the same function, the implementation of Roku seems to be superior, especially
with the upgraded hardware. If you’re trying to find a special movie, special
casts, etc., one of the accompanying services will have it and you can quickly
find them, especially when you’re using iOS or Android monile apps for the
keyboard. Of course, choices which are limited in video service subscription
means that most of what you will find will cost more to transmit, granted that
it’s available online. Namely, the wide coverage of the services of Roku and no
monthly service fee turn it into an ideal solution.
Related to these mobile apps, we don’t
realize any important updates. And that assumes our opinion about the software
changes –they haven’t gone far enough. If you’re looking for a remarkably
expanded support for the different file/codec formats, it’s not here; the list
of the new channels (at this time) is restricted and even UI update will
appears on the older boxes in the next few weeks. We have seen Roku continuing
to found it devices through the updates and we don’t expect anything different
from this model. But currently, the experience difference from 2 to 3 doesn’t
feel like it’s a generation leap.
Competitors
Compared to the other boxes in the segment,
the position of Roku is mostly the same. If you’re looking for integration with
iLife of Apple, Apple TV with the support of music, video streaming, and AirPlay
gaming will win, regardless of fewer options for the separate apps. If you like
to bring the specific content to the box through the compressing file library, download
or…, WDTV Live line will provide more consistent file/format support, the
ability to network and enhanced local player interface, though having client Plex
app here is of service to the playground. The strong point of Roku 3 is not a
game changer (yet) with a role as a platform independent box (mostly) provides
accesses to many media services that certainly you have already used with a
reasonable price, its position is still safe.
Some of the biggest competitors of Roku
which are new to the customers will come from its predecessor. At present, Roku
3 replaces Roku 2 XS, and unless you need the analog audio output, it will be
an upgrade in every respect with the equivalent price. The difference in
software experience will be much easier to evaluate once the old box is updated
with the new menus – next month as expectation – but the value matter here is
mostly the same. The 99USd box provides some features you have never taken use
of compared to its cheaper (1080p, gaming remote); however, especially with the
processor difference, if you’re planning to use it for many tasks than just a Netflix
box, it’s the only choice at present.
Roku
3 replaces Roku 2 XS.
For those who already have Roku, it creates
a worth replacement if you have gifted that box to your friend or moved it to
another room. Of course we will wait a little longer to see the software
changes, upgrades and differences announced in the future. A box which is
faster and smoother in operation and the remote control/headphone sounds nice,
but not nice for 99 USD.
Conclusion
Like the Roku devices that come before it, Roku
3 is the media streamer that is easiest to recommend on the market. An
attractive service pack, the accessibility and price all turn better with this
update, and we want it to continue to improve in the next few months. YouTube continues
to be the hole having odd shape in the streaming channel library of Roku, which
of course can be a problem when you’re looking for the videos, but many premium
contents helped to hide that problem in the backstage.
Like
the Roku devices that come before it, Roku 3 is the media streamer that is
easiest to recommend on the market.
Any failure of Roku with a role as an
official decoding box seems to fade when you consider its competitors, all
fails in one or many fields; notwithstanding DVR, game console, media player or
HDMI-connected PC, they all have complex UI, high subscription fee or high
prepaid expenses which Roku doesn’t have. We just want to lean on the sofa and
watch, and regardless of having things to improve, Roku 3 still does that in a
cheaper, faster and better way than the rest.
Info
·
Price: $100
Advantages
·
The new UI is a welcome improvement
·
Upgraded CPU rejects the performance problem.
·
Simple, capable of doing things and cheap
Disadvantages
·
There’s still no official YouTube or DLNA
support
·
No AV analog output
Key point
·
Roku 3 keeps everything that made the brand
success and have some welcome innovations without increasing the price or
destroy the basic settings.
Technical specs
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Hardware
·
Width: 1 inches
·
Depth: 3.5 inches
·
Height: 3.5 inches
·
Weight: 0.3125 pounds
·
Color: Black
Software
·
Audio codecs supported: AAC, MP3
·
Video codecs supported: H.264, MP4, MKV
·
Notable app support: Netflix, Hulu Plus,
Blockbuster, Amazon Instant Video, Facebook, Pandora, Flickr, Picasa, Vimeo,
HBO Go
Audio / Video
·
Audio channels: 7.1
·
Max. video resolution: 1080p
Storage / Data
·
External storage support: Yes
·
USB: 1
·
Supported external memory: SD
Output ports
·
HDMI output(s): 1
·
Composite video output(s): 1
·
Composite / Component combo output(s): 1
Connectivity
·
Ethernet: 1
·
Wi-Fi: Yes
·
Built-in Wi-Fi support: 802.11b, 802.11g,
802.11n, 802.11a
·
Bluetooth: Yes
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