Product Category: Digital Video Player

Manufacturer: Roku

Where to Buy: Directly from Roku

Price: $99

System Requirements: Netflix account, Wired or Wireless Internet Access, TV

Pros:

• Inexpensive;
• Wireless built in;
• Small and silent.

Cons:

• Might be redundant if you already have an Xbox;
• No power button;
• Stereo Only.

Summary: If you have Netflix, you've got access to their "Watch Instantly" feature, giving you instant access to over 12,000 movies and TV shows via the web. To get the most out of this service, you really want to be able to watch these on more than just you computer. Netflix has made this feature available via a number of platforms, including Tivo, a Samsung Blu-ray player, the Xbox 360, and The Netflix Player by Roku (the subject of this review). After the break, my thoughts on Roku's diminutive offering.

Hardware

In the box, you get a manual, remote control, power adapter, and the unit itself.

Figure 1: In the box.

The Netflix Player measures a diminutive 5 1/4 inches square by 1 3/4 inches tall and weighs in at 10 1/2 ounces. Roku includes just about every potential connection type from composite through HDMI, so this device should work with anything but the oldest of TVs.

Figure 2: Connections.

As far as network connectivity goes, you've got 10/100 Ethernet as well as 802.11 b/g wireless with WEP, WPA, and WPA2 support. When hooked up to my Kill-a-watt, the unit only draws 5 watts, even when in use. However, it always draws 5 watts and there is no power button. The remote is small and has a minimum number of well sized buttons, which, as you will see, work well with the simplified user interface.

Figure 3: Remote.