Ratings: 4/5
Price: $64.5
Website: www..co.uk
Roku
2 XS
Roku 2 XS allows you to transfer media
directly from internet to TV, makes LCD or latest CRT TV become Smart TV of
next generation. Connecting it to TV by using HDMI output or composite, HDMI is
essential if you want to view media in 720p or 1080p resolution. Roku 2 XS has
installed 802.11n Wi-Fi as well as a 100 Mbit Ethernet port, so you do not need
to use much wire around the TV base. However, Roku has lightweight frame,
sometimes the weight of HDMI cable makes it totter from the TV base.
The media streamers (media streaming devices)
require excellent user interface, the interface of Roku 2 XS is wonderful. The
animation is smooth, the control system is easy to understand and use. It
contains an optional series that rolls across the screen. If you select an
option, you are presented a list that scrolls horizontally. This thing keeps
the interface simple and consistent.
First time you connect to Roku 2 XS, you
are guided a simple setting process, it takes only a few minutes to complete,
but you'll need a networked computer to activate the unit. You must provide
payment details before using streamer, so you can buy from Channel Store of the
device. We like to input your payment information from the system and when we
download the newer channels.
Once it is set, you can easily change the settings
and download the new channel from Channel Store, such as Netflix, iPlayer and Crackle.
You can also download games, and you have free Angry Birds, though it is not HD
version. The image quality depends mainly on the quality of the transmitting
channel, but some specific channels such as iPlayer HD is great. There are many
channels to choose, although the choices focus on U.S audiences. For example,
you do not have 4oD or ITV Player but you have Fox News. Some channels have to
be purchased, some require registration and some are free, such as Crackle –
excellent film channel. Subscription is for each channel, for example, you can
have comedy channel: You Don’t Know Jack with once prepaid of $1.99 or Netflix with
$3.86/month.
You can also play media from an USB drive connected
to local or hard drive, but your choice is limited to MP3, AAC, MP4, MKV, JPG,
and PNG. It’s annoying, Roku 2 XS does not transmit media from a networked PC
right from the start; you have to use an application like Plex or Roku. They
are all free, but you need to install server on PC to transfer media, so they
will not work with NAS device.
Roku 2 XS is a media streamer that is easy
to use and well designed. It has enough compact to carry, although the media transfer
via UPnP or DLNA is lack and disappointing. It is a good way to upgrade TV to Smart
TV, but we think it’s best to use WD TV Live OF Western Digital, which supports
file format more, Netflix and iPlayer support is only $43.
Roku
2 XS
Summary
Comment: 2 XS of Roku is a cute compact media streamer with a great
interface, but the file and transmit LAN support is limited.
Streaming internet device: 1 HDMI output, 1 composite output, AAC support, MP3 audio, H.264 video,
MP4, MKV, 1 year warranty
