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Roku To Go Open Source

Posted by timothy on from the what's-in-the-box dept.

ruphus13 writes "Time-shifting via Tivo changed the way we consume television programming. Now, Open Source enters the fray. Roku, the streaming-media set-top box has decided to Open Source its software. Roku had received praise for its streaming solution, and was in the press recently for its deal with Netflix, allowing users to stream Netflix movies directly to the box. From the article, 'Roku will release an open source version of its software by the end of the year. The CEO says he's looking for deals with content providers to stream their products through his device, and hopes to sell a bunch of them as a result.'"

5 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. Re:If only all companies had this vision by edmicman · · Score: 2, Interesting

    In my experience trying to get web-based video like Hulu and the respective network sites hooked up to a TV for a true TV-like experience is a PITA. Sure, you can s-video out, or have something like Media Center or MythTV....but ultimately I've found you still have a computer hooked up to a TV, with the same interface pitfalls.

    Watching your shows on a computer monitor may work in the dorms, but for relaxing on the couch with the wife, it doesn't cut it.

  2. Open Source? by Fnord666 · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I wouldn't get too excited just yet. I have not only read the linked article (which is a real dog's breakfast in both organization and apparently facts), but the articles that it links to and the ones that they link to. I didn't find anything that said Roku will be going open source. The nearest thing I can find is commentary with the word open in it that indicates that they are opening up the box to other content providers.

    Roku, the maker of a set-top box used to stream online video on a traditional TV, will open its platform to any content provider over the next few months, says Roku CEO Anthony Wood, speaking at Streaming Media West. "We're opening up the platform to anyone who wants to put their video service on this box," says Wood. "We're going to release the software developer kit, so anyone can publish any channel, and users can access web content on their TVs."

    Jennifer Guevin over at cnet has a decent article that talks about where Roku is really going with this. Keep an eye on Roku's press releases for the real deal if and when it's announced.

    --
    'The tyrant will always find pretext for his tyranny.' - Aesop's Fables
    1. Re:Open Source? by peterw · · Score: 2, Interesting

      That's my read, too. TFA doesn't say anything about even releasing source code, let alone using an OSI-approved open source license. All it promises is an SDK. You know, like the iPhone has.

      In fact, one of the articles linked to from an article linked to by TFA suggests that Roku is considering charging for software upgrades that provide HD playback capabilities (http://techpulse360.com/2008/09/24/streaming-media-west-roku-to-open-netflix-player-with-sdk-shifting-to-new-name-soon/). I know that's a "Gratis" issue, not necessarily a "Libre" issue, but still, this doesn't look at all like Open Source.

  3. Re:If only all companies had this vision by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    It will only matter if I can select content channels on the same image. What would be a much better move is if Roku could have one standard interface and a standard metadata syndication schema and the content provider just uses that and provides some Xml that Roku than reads and says new content provider found that you may like.

    Roku big sticking point currently is you have to Queue up movies at Netflix and provides zero discovery experience from the set top box. So the experience is very premeditated and there is no way to just browse like I can on Cable on Demand or a site like Hulu.

    Really Roku is going to go obsolete. Once someone figures out how to do Internet browsing on TV in a mainstream way. Why do we have to go to this AOL business model where I have to enslave myself to one content provider over another. There is only so many services I willing to pay 9.99 to 20 dollars a month to :)

    Roku problem is they are answering the wrong question.

  4. Re:If only all companies had this vision by Abreu · · Score: 2, Interesting

    No need to get all holier-than-thou on this.

    My kids (ages 4 and 1), also get the full-parenting experience: playing with blocks, reading/crayoning books, learning english...

    However, BabyFirstTV/DiscoveryKids/NickJR are absolute lifesavers when we need them to stay in their room for an hour or so.

    BabyFirstTV also has THE BEST sleep-inducing programming after 9pm

    --
    No sig for the moment.