Technology

Roku Slims Down With New Internet-Streaming Device Design

SAN FRANCISCO (The Blaze/AP) — Roku is breaking out of the set-top box design with more advanced, smaller technology to better serve flat-panel televisions with its Internet streaming services.

Roku Streaming Stick Design Pairs With Smart TV

Roku Streaming Stick design.

The new approach will rely on a finger-sized device that won’t require extra cords or separate remote controls to stream video over high-speed Internet connections. The product, called the Roku Streaming Stick, will plug directly into a high-definition port available on a growing number of new-breed TVs, just as a flash drive fits into a computer’s USB outlet.

The streaming stick won’t be available until the second half of this year, but Roku announced it Wednesday to get a jump on the onslaught of consumer gadgets that will be unveiled next week at an annual electronics show in Las Vegas.

Roku’s streaming stick will only work on televisions that have mobile high-definition links. The technology, known as MDL, is being backed by a group that includes Samsung Electronics Co., Sony Corp. and Toshiba Corp.

“Smart TV manufacturers have struggled to find an application platform that sticks with consumers especially since software is not their area of expertise,” said Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst at Parks Associates. “The Roku Streaming Stick is a game changer for the Smart TV market. It takes the leading streaming platform and integrates into the TV in a way that no one has been able to do before.”

Although it’s still a small company, Roku Inc. has emerged as a significant player in the steadily growing market for Internet video since it introduced its first set-top box nearly four years ago. Originally designed to deliver Netflix’s Internet streaming service to big-screen TVs, Roku’s boxes now include more than 400 different online entertainment options.

Roku Streaming Stick Design Pairs With Smart TV

(Image via Roku)

As Roku added more choices, the prices of its boxes have fallen to as low as $50 – down from device’s original price of $100. The price cuts and expanded programming line-up helped Roku sell about 1.5 million streaming boxes last year, tripling its volume from 2010. The privately held company says it had about $150 million in revenue last year. It won‘t say whether it’s profitable.

The streaming stick is expected to sell for $50 to $100. Electronics retailer Best Buy Co. plans to include the streaming stick in a line of TVs bearing its in-store brand, Insignia.

Roku, which is based in Saratoga, Calif., decided to develop a more condensed version of its set-top box to cater to so-called “smart” TVs. That’s become a catchphrase for TVs that can be used to show content from stored on websites and mobile devices in addition to the more conventional fare from cable and satellite carriers.

Unlike smartphones running on software made by Apple Inc., Google Inc. and other technology vendors, smart TVs still remain more of a geeky novelty than a household staple.

Google has tried to widen the acceptance by developing Internet-surfing software for smart TVs, but that effort hasn’t made much headway since it launched 15 months ago. Apple is believed to be working on a smart TV that could hit the market this year or next year.

Comments (70)

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  • wizard101
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 3:39pm

    from wizard 101 you just dont know what web sites to go to thats all i watch first run movies any cable program black out sports events all thru my comp hooked up to my bigscreen tv yes i even watch gbtv you just have to know were to look on the web thats all if its on cable its on the internet all free have been cable free for 5 years no cable bill no phone bill now if i can just do something about electric i am all set

    Report Post »  
    • waggie
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:32pm

      Please please explain to me what I have to do to get rid of cable! Just buy one of these Roku streaming things? Can it be used on any flat screen TV? Oh my gosh, would that be awesome to get rid of the cable bill!!!!

      Report Post » waggie  
    • LAR15
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:26pm

      Waggie – what you need is a high speed internet connection – cable or DSL. Roku has the minimum requirements on its web site.

      What you need to do is take inventory of what you actually watch on a regular basis and then look at Roku’s application/channel listing.

      Some stuff that’s not there yet is live sports – like ESPN. But if you want movies and slightly delayed broadcast TV on demand then you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

      Some channels are free, others are subscription (Netflix, Amazon Prime).

      Assess your needs and see if Roku would work for you. It did for us and we save $100/mo on cable TV.

      Report Post » LAR15  
    • burned at edges
      Posted on January 6, 2012 at 7:29am

      I have used roku for at least 2 years (originally to stream netflix). They keep making having one better by adding more and better content.

      Report Post »  
    • botafogo
      Posted on January 7, 2012 at 2:44pm

      Hey, Wizard 101 want to share some website addresses that you referred to for free internet streaming and etc? Or, point me in a direction for the information? Let me know if you are looking for something, I would be glad to share any information I have with you.

      Report Post »  
  • GallagherPreach
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:45pm

    Having been a Roku customer/user for about two years, I think Glenn Beck is right when speaking of the new age of television. Having a Roku is excellent for our family. We cut cable two years ago.

    Report Post » GallagherPreach  
  • cessna152
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:22pm

    I love my ROKU. If only I could get live sports (even if it’s just college) I would cut cable in a heartbeat!

    Report Post » cessna152  
  • rocktruth
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:36am

    Boxee Box vs. Roku

    The Verdict

    Overall, both boxes do what they do well, they just do slightly different things. If all you care about is streaming Netflix movies and Hulu television shows, the Roku fits the bill. It’s affordable and it allows you to watch media from the net like a champ. If you’re like me, though, and it’s just as important (if not more so) to be able to watch your own media from your local network, it’s Boxee all the way.

    Article taken from: http://www.gulbransen.net/2011/03/boxee-box-vs-roku/

    Report Post » rocktruth  
    • proliance
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:09pm

      I’ve gone way overboard the last few years trying to get the best setup. I started with an Xbox360 to use as a media center extender and I was able to watch tv shows that I recorded on my main pc with a tuner card. Worked ok, but loud and power hungry. Then I got a Roku, loved it but it would not play the movies I have on my network attached storage. Then I got a Sage TV box. Played the movies, but no Netflix. Hated it.

      Next up was a Boxee Box. It worked great until it died a couple of weeks after the warranty was up.

      Now I’m in the process of building a home theater PC, should be done by Saturday. Start with an low power AMD APU with the GPU on the chip, just 4 GB of memory, a micro ATX motherboard, TV tuner, quiet power supply and a case that looks like a piece of stereo receiver. Add Win 7 home premium and your choice of XBMC or Media Browser for Window Media Center and you’re in there.

      Report Post » proliance  
    • Silent_Majority
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:23pm

      @ProLiant I have gone your route and do not advise. Use roku and on media center install play on. Add play on channel to roku. Be sure your video files are supported such as mp4. I still use Xbox as well in another room it see media center with play on too. No need for Xbox live for netflix or hulu http://www.playon.tv

      Report Post » Silent_Majority  
    • cessna152
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 2:25pm

      Proliance,

      Why don’t you simply get an LG Bluray player? It connects to your wireless network and plays ALL formats that are on your computer. Also, has Netflix, Hulu, pandora,etc. The go OTA for local channels and sports. This is A LOT cheaper… cost a grand total of $120.

      Report Post » cessna152  
  • wizard101
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:31am

    big deal i can do the same thing by puting a cheap 10 doller video card in my comp and hooking it up to my tv even if its a old set and watch evey tv show or movie i want

    Report Post »  
    • proliance
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:56pm

      Wizard, you must have great powers. A video card won’t do that. You can install a clear qam or tv tuner card though.

      Report Post » proliance  
    • reconmarine
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:37pm

      You won’t get internet tv on your video card. No GBTV for you!

      Report Post »  
  • Mullet Man
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:28am

    I went with the Roku after reading the below review and I got to say I couldn’t be happier. It was working before I could finish reading the instructions. I love the fact that I choose what I want to watch and when I want to watch it. Also, if I am watching a show and turn off the TV or switch channels I can always go back and it starts where I left off. I really like the fact that I can start at the beginning of episodes so I don’t miss anything. I had almost gone with Dish under a two year agreement until they said that two rooms in HD with DVR really only meant 1 room with HD and one room with std. definition. When I asked how could two rooms with HD not be two rooms with HD when it says right on your website two rooms with HD? They didn’t have an answer to that one.

    http://www.zdnet.com/blog/networking/internet-tv-shootout-apple-tv-roku-and-sony-blu-ray-dvd-player/1680

    Report Post »  
  • SFsuper49er
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:24am

    I‘m watching less and less TV now to almost none because i don’t like all the gay shows and liberal agenda being pushed on me to watch and also the stupidest commercials known to man… I won‘t watch anything that’s not recorded on DVR ahead of time to FF all commercials. I like places like Veetle.com better… because there’s good older shows with no commercials.

    Report Post »  
  • your sensei
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:00am

    ROKU – the last best ope for the world ever remembering who the heck that Glenn Beck guy was. That name sound so familiar.

    Report Post » your sensei  
  • In.Spite.of.Myself
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:38am

    Wonder why GBTV can’t just align with more providers?

    Report Post » In.Spite.of.Myself  
    • VRW Conspirator
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 12:11pm

      GBTV works with the Boxbee and the Roku units…
      I tried to get it through my PS3 browser but it needs a flash player upgrade…
      I expect it will work with the Apple TV since there is already an Ipad and Iphone app for it…the Apple TV works on the same platforms…
      and why do they need to…so many newer TV’s are internet ready and allow surfing on screen…if all else fails…buy a cheap laptop and hook it into the VGA port on the TV and away you go… it is what i do now…until I get a Roku or similar unit anyway…

      Report Post » VRW Conspirator  
  • thekuligs
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:31am

    Ohhh, I want this! It’s so tiny and awesome! We were going to buy one during Christmas, glad we decided to put it off until the move.

    Report Post » thekuligs  
  • Benjamin Abruzzo
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:12am

    I looked into this as an option to replace TV. The biggest miss of these devices over the ole PC is that I get free xfinitytv.com on my computer. That includes all the free programing. But Roku and others don’t give you free Hulu or others or live streaming of the 1000s of other web based content.

    And, on top of that, my 15 inch analog TV needs lots of converters to get anything nowadays and tech is changing so fast, I have yet to find where to plunk down $150 for TV and content. Bad enough the lowest cost Internet is $30 a month (I have no land-line phone for DSL – which would total $50-$60 per month).

    Report Post » Benjamin Abruzzo  
  • cranberry
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:02am

    This is the best purchase for me for 2011. I adore Roku, I use Netflix almost exclusively, have
    loved it tremendously and I recommend it.

    Report Post » cranberry  
  • danenut6
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:14am

    Works fine on my ROKU. . . LOVE LOVE LOVE my ROKU. . . canceled my cable

    Report Post »  
    • randy
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:25am

      Cancelled my cable, my direct TV and Netflix.
      Only pay for GBTV now.

      There isn‘t anything you can’t find to watch on the internet
      streamed to your flat screen TV from your computer with an HDMI cable.
      Only watch hulu.com and sidereel.com now.
      You’ll need megaskipper.com to bypass sidereels time limits :)

      Report Post » randy  
    • margo7000
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 11:24am

      How can yoy watch FOX News? I don’t see it in the Netflex listing. I would cancel cable in a heartbeat if I got FOX NEWS…

      thanks

      Report Post »  
    • zenster
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:35pm

      Fox News – no problem – giddyupnetwork.com
      Sometimes here: http://cvinetwork.com/?p=681
      or here: http://www.tvweb360.tv/
      or here:http://wwitv.com/portal.htm
      You need to search a little harder…

      Report Post »  
  • Chuck T
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:46am

    I bought the Roku XS a couple of weeks before GBTV launched. It took several calls to Roku support to get it working, only to have it quit accepting commands from the remote (it also stopped working with the iPod Roku app, which normally works fine). I sent it back and they replaced it. Then another round of Roku Support calls before the new one would work. It’s working now, but frequently it goes into “reloading” mode. Frustrating, but I like it when it works. I think the technology will improve over time, and for myself it may be partly due to sharing bandwidth with 2 computers and an iPod, so I’m not going to put it all on them. Still, it ****** me off when GBTV stalls in the middle of Glenn’s monolouges.

    Report Post »  
    • checkmate0831
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 5:22pm

      ChuckT, really?? I think it took me 6 seconds to hook up mine. Roku’s instructions were great. The product is great and is the best tech product I bought in a long time. One other thing, I made sure I used a dedicated 100mb ethernet connection for my ROKU HD instead of wireless for the exact reason you are having all of your problems. With five people in the house and all of them using iphones, itouchess and laptops, no way I was sharing that bandwidth and expecting a good connection. Enjoy!

      Report Post »  
    • ramburner
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 7:24pm

      BW too slow in the Philippines to watch GBTV. Wish he would process the shows through podcast. I listen to his radio broadcast through podcasts that download without problems. If he did his video that way as well, I would think he could significantly increase his bottomline!

      Report Post »  
  • sta
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:12am

    GBTV STILL won’t play on my Roku. I’ve contacted GBTV and Roku, no one will help.

    Report Post »  
  • renee
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 7:42am

    I wanted a Roku so I could watch GBTV every nite on my old, NON- HDTV. I also have a dinosaur, 8 year old PC. My sister bought me a ROKU for a Christmas gift. I attempted to install it yesterday. It specificialy said it doesn’t need wi-fi.WRONG! Thing is, as it turns out, my new ROKU is not equipped with an ethernet connection to plug into my modem . So, if I want to use my ROKU, I have to go out and purchase a “wi-fi router”. Well, forget that, I don’t have the $40 + to purchase one! So, now I am screwed and have one more Christmas gift to return! It’s back to watching Glenn on my old, 15″ PC! Sucks to be me!

    Report Post »  
    • termase
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:14am

      @Renee;
      If you go to compusa.com, you can buy a Refurb Cisco\Linksys router for 28 or 29 with tax and shipping. The wireless router has B\G\N wireless connections.

      Report Post » termase  
    • Gundy
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 9:07pm

      Thanks Termase for giving advice that may help…I‘m sorry but it seems that too many are making comments about people’s situations without actually helping. We’re all on the same team folks. My Roku stops streaming during the shows and it drives me nuts! However, I’m sure my internet provider, or my plan is to blame. I’ll have to fix that soon. Happy New Year GB fans.

      Report Post » Gundy  
  • Rob
    Posted on January 5, 2012 at 6:46am

    This is another example of a web site getting PAID to make an advertisement look like a news story. Wanna bet??

    Report Post »  
  • DeeJae345
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:42pm

    Speaking of technology…there is no way to correct our posts after they get sent off. oops.

    Report Post » DeeJae345  
    • Jim in Houston
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:19am

      I’ve been complaining about that for months.

      Report Post »  
    • auntbea
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 1:30pm

      Come on, Blaze. We need to be able to edit/delete our posts. You have to know how to do this, we think you’re just being difficult.

      Report Post »  
  • DeeJae345
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:39pm

    Sounds like folks like me who only get (ugh!) dial-up or satellite internet won’t be able to use it. So much new technology, Rural folks keep getting left out of the fast internet age. Sigh.

    Report Post » DeeJae345  
    • Southernsoul
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:25am

      You don’t like the inconvienences of living in the country, away from everything, move. That’s one of the reasons you decide to live there.

      Report Post » Southernsoul  
    • gallinipper
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 10:06am

      DEE, i feel your pain, When GBTV started I tried to watch it/ I had Hugesnet satellitewhich wouldn’t pick it up, so bought 4G wireless from Verizon/ they said it would work/ that was a big fat lie. I should have been smarter. Anyway GBTV tech said the 2 worst connections for trying to pick up GBTV was satellite and wireless. rural area = no GBTV. I wish we could all get it as we need to stay informed.

      Report Post »  
  • drphil69
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 10:11pm

    I love my Roku!

    I got it for GBTV, but love it for free movies (Crackle), games, Pandora radio, and being able to plug in a usb stick with mp3s.

    Report Post »  
    • epeele
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 8:15am

      DRPHIL69,

      If you have Roku, you should also check out the PlayOn service (right now it’s like $49 for lifetime) that allows you to get regular Hulu (not the subscription HuluPlus) and tons of other channels on your Roku. It’s like putting your Roku on steroids. http://www.playon.tv

      Report Post » epeele  
  • Bwbarrnone
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 9:21pm

    Apple TV is sooooo much better. plus Apple is about to have a TV that will stream. Sooooo why is it that GBTV is not on Apple TV yet. I mean they already tell you to ‘air play” it.

    Report Post » Bwbarrnone  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 3:54pm

    How will Roku compete once TV manufacturers just integrate online streaming directly into the TV set?

    Report Post »  
    • Gulby
      Posted on January 4, 2012 at 4:57pm

      TV manufacturers have proven they are unable to provide a streaming solution that is compelling to the end users while providing the content they want, so they are finally–and wisely–turning to third parties for this expertise. Roku would be a great partner for any set maker. It’s the same way Apple creates the hardware platforms and then opens the App Store to developers. In the same vein LG has signed on the indy media center PLEX to build this software into their TV’s.

      Report Post »  
  • TLS_SN
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 2:30pm

    any chance we will see an xbox live application in the near future? That would be great!

    Report Post » TLS_SN  
    • Collegeboy
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 4:44am

      For real! Young people have Xbox’s… Huge market capabilities

      Report Post »  
  • Wool-Free Vision
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 2:22pm

    And yes, I caught my own typo.

    Report Post » Wool-Free Vision  
  • Wool-Free Vision
    Posted on January 4, 2012 at 2:20pm

    Dear Staff,

    I am currently unemployed and unattached. I am highly employable, very intelligent, and am a genuinely friendly, fun-loving Christian. I submit this mini-resume simply because I continually rampant spelling and grammatical errors, the VAST majority of which (and I mean 99% of them) I have no problem catching in a SINGLE proofreading.

    If you have a proofreader, fire him and hire me instead, because none of us sees any proof of his/her existence. If you don’t have one, please hire me. It would be money well spent, and I am ready to move in today.

    Report Post » Wool-Free Vision  
    • Rob
      Posted on January 5, 2012 at 7:43am

      “because I continually rampant spelling” lol

      Report Post »  
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