Slashdot Mirror
Review of the Roku HD1000 Media Player
Animaether writes "Digital Producer magazine are running a review of the Roku HD1000 HD media player hardware. Between 'The unit crashed so much while I was testing it, I practically beat a path through the carpet to the unit's location on the shelf...' and 'Roku HD1000 misses by such a wide margin, it isn't worth buying', the review paints a pretty grim picture of this unit, and appears to put part of the blame on its Linux-based OS and software. The Roku HD1000 was previously covered here in December 2003."
He does complain about the OS itself:
"Yes, it can do these things, but because of its awkward Linux-based operating system and sluggish response, the thing acts like it doesn't want to."
One problem with his review, though, is that he looks for "features" from other products like an OSX transition - "why not have that with the Roku?" has asks.
What I like about this article is not that is blasts Linux, but Roku's implementation of it. I had considered getting one of these instead of modifying an Xbox to play media files (and yes, I've heard of the "Windows Media Center" machines, and I'm too damned cheap for that - I've decided to modify an Xbox myself and save the $).
;) ).
Anyway, the reviewer takes pains to note that the Tivo, which is also Linux based, is fast, responsive, and doesn't crash all of the time. Maybe this was a beta unit the reviewer recieved, but it seems as though the company hasn't tightened down the Roku's implementation and gone through a good QA session.
Too bad, really. I wouldn't mind finding a box that I could plug into the TV and stream my (personally, using Handbrake for OS X) XviD videos to my TV (to save wear and tear on my DVD's and keep my kids from getting thier fingerprints all over them) over my 802.11 connection.
Looks like I might as well get ready to order that Xbox and mod chip to "do it myself", since nobody in the industry seems to have a solution that does what I want yet. (Note: I know the Tivo can evidently tie into iTunes and iPhoto, but I haven't of it being able to read through a AFP or SMB share of movies and just play them. I'm willing to bet I'll see 10 responses regarding Myth or some such, so advise away - I'm holding off on the soldiering kit as long as I can
52 Weeks, 52 Religions with John Hummel
Instead, it sounds like they took Fedora or something and crammed it into a consumer device.
Which, by itself, wouldn't have been a *bad* thing provided you didn't install EVERY freaking library and application that came on the install media.
As for Linux boot times - I've seen the Zaurus boot before and it was nearly "instant on". It was certainly faster than my Nokia cell phone.
"Rocky Rococo, at your cervix!"
It sounds to me like you don't really understand what OS means. When an OS "crashes", whether Linux, Windows, or OS X, it is usually an application that caused the crash not the operating system. A modern OS should prevent an application from crashing the entire machine but there are always exceptions. I can tell you that I have successfully crashed all 3 OS's I listed.
and you are correct. I have one of these units and I find it perfectly useable. Yes if you have your stuff nested in 10 levles of folders deep in a windows box it will be a PITA to get to no matter WHAT use are using.
I find mine stable and easy to deal with when I organize my media sanely instead of the willy-nilly that the reviewer likes to use.
The problems are minimal and really only annoy those that feel that everything must be on their desktop instead of performing proper media management.
as for stability... I have ZERO problems, but then I dont leave it on for weeks at a time and certianly dont try to use it on any network that is less than 100BaseT
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
As for Linux boot times - I've seen the Zaurus boot before and it was nearly "instant on". It was certainly faster than my Nokia cell phone.
I _have_ a Zaurus and it takes a minute or two to boot what you probably saw was a resume from suspend (in when you go to the menu to try to reboot the Zaurus it says that rebooting usually isn't needed) I do agree though that boot for the Nokias take along time, but I don't really consider it an issue, how often do people power cycle their phones?
"These people like makers of Roku, in my opinion, lacks a business minded person on their board of directors, at least one very good example of this kind. Idea is good but marketing it half-baked is not going to do this company any favor."
It should be noted that the founders of Roku created the ReplayTV. You know, Replay. The DVR unit that has bankrupted two former holding companies of the technology and despite being on the market as long as TiVo, has only secured 100,000 + users.
"Right now, somewhere in this world, Scott Baio is plowing a woman he doesn't love," - Peter Griffin, *Family Guy*
Yes, I'll agree it isn't perfect but it is interesting. It will pick up smb shares without a hitch from browsing your network. There is info available for doing NFS as well. I've got the weather plugin working perfectly. It's also nice viewing all my photos on a 42" HD Plasma. Most "media PC" type machines don't offer component out especially with support for 1080i which is what I run. If you buy one be sure to grab the latest firmware and also install the copy/delete programs so you can easily delete some of the built in stuff. You can also do all that through telnet too. I would like to know if it's possible to overclock the CPU. I'd willingly put a larger heatsink on mine if it'd help performance. Video support still needs more work too. All in all, I do like it.
I am surprised that the review was this bad. I don't own one of these, but I have been following some discussions about them on avsforum.com, thinking I may soon buy one.
On avsforum, there are certainly complaints, and people asking for more features, but nothing as bad as this guy's review.
Also, I think the review may have been a bit aggressive. The advertised features of the Roku are for display of digital images and audio - in an HDTV environment. The other things this guy reviewed are not part of the advertised features, they are third party applications and extensions. These extensions are encouraged by Roku.. they talk quite a bit about their open Linux platform. But, you can't really condemn Roku because of bad third party apps.
He also says that the third party apps had a distinct beta feel. Well, that's because they are beta apps.. or even alpha. If Roku provided the apps, they made a tactical error. If the guy downloaded them himself, he didn't read the descriptions very thoroughly.
Based on what I have read from Roku users, my feel for the product is this: The core feature set of HD display of images via flash or network connections works well. As does playback of MP3/AAC audio files over the network. The third party apps - to stream HDTV captures or DVD VOB files is in its infancy. They work for some people, but are not mature or reliable enough for common use. I am waiting for HDTV streaming and control before I buy one. I would like to use the Roku for playback of HD files captured with a MyHD PCI card - the combination giving something close to PVR functionality (record one program, while watching another).
Home Theater Spot gave the unit a favorable review here . Based on their reveiw, the unit looks pretty nice.