Posted on 02/24/2015 6:11:54 AM PST by dennisw
Hi all
*****3mbs and 6mbs are my local DSL speeds.
I have never considered this before. I see many different roku devices. Which Roku are you using and recommending for it to stream Netflix to a TV set that has a few HDMI ports? Netflix is my only interest for getting a Roku. I know Roku can pull in other internet broadcasts such as as sports.
--Does the Ruku HDMI stick work well? I distrust such miniaturized devices as maybe failing sooner.
-- What is the total monthly cost for roku + netflix. Probably would be an unlimited netflix plan.
--- how will Netflix streaming work at 3mbs and 6mbs which are my local DSL speeds?
-- my understanding is that with such slower connection speeds I will have to wait 10 or 20 minutes for the Netfix stream to build up before I can watch it?
---will such slow speeds make for jerky motion and dropouts?
---- Do such slow speeds ruin action movies with special effects?
Thanks!
There is no monthly cost for the Roku device. The only cost is for the Netflix service which is somewhere around $9/month.
I bought a ROKU box for my daughter a couple years ago. Can’t remember the make and model. But it works like a champ. She uses it in her room, but can unhook it and carry it down to the basement if she wants to share a movie night with her sisters.
I think most of the ROKU devices are under $100, so I really don’t think you can go wrong. I’d head out to Best Buy and pick one up. If you don’t like it, take it back and exchange it.
Your DSL speed should be fine. I’d go with 6Mb/s if possible. It should still be fine at 3Mb/s as Netflix does a pretty good job of buffering enough movie before it starts to ensure that there are minimal if any freezes.
The issue you should consider with bandwidth, is if you are going to have MULTIPLE streaming devices competing for it. The only issues we sometimes have is if three people are watching netflix simultaneously.
We use blu-ray players to download/run Netflix content. That works well and “kills two birds with one stone”.
bttt
Indeed - take up a creative or profitable hobby instead of sitting and consuming drivel.
I have a 6mb, 4g lte link via Sprint. I first tried the Chrome stick. Terrible product. Was not able yo watch a movie with it. Movie kept starting and stopping. I then purchased the Roku 3 small table top unit. Works great. I would recommend the Roku small table top unit. I have subscribed to both Netflix and Amazon Prime. Amazon Prime has more selection. Hope that helps.
“Indeed - take up a creative or profitable hobby instead of sitting and consuming drivel.”
...said while sitting in front of Internet connected computer reading a forum post about Internet devices. Good advice, though.
Actually, if TFS was a bit more performant, you’d not see as much of me... :)
I'm not sure what comes with the Stick Version but with the Roku 3 you get a simple but powerful remote. The Netflix interface is essentially the same as you get built in with the newer HDTVs. But even though I have a new TV I use the Roku instead. The ease of use with the Roku Remote is the reason. Also the Roku 3 is wireless or wired, your choice.
Netflix is great of course but don't ignore Youtube. Build your playlists on your PC and then use the YoutTube App on the Roku. Watch Youtube on your HDTV. Great music. Great tutorials. The good stuff these days is HD. In my house we are Netflix + YouTube 90%, Fox News 9% and everything else 1%.
Also, we had 5 mbps service with Netflix and it would do okay (even over Wi-Fi in the house), but you couldn't have anything else downloading/uploading or it would cut out. Also, at lower speeds, sometimes the video quality just isn't there. It's especially noticeable on older movies and TV shows, newer shows tend to have better production qualities and that lends itself to better viewing. It's much better with higher speeds. We have 12 mbps now, and it's not given us any problems.
My two Ruku HDMI sticks both over heat constantly. They seem to loose connection about every two hours. Very irritating. I now run Netflix thru the Wii U. Very stable connection.
Simple. All you need is the screen and this. They also have them with lightening ends.
I had 5mb, Roku 1, and Netflix. At most it only buffered for about a minute before playing.
Either Netflix or the Roku degrades picture quality based on internet speed. 420 is old tv quality, and that’s the lowest I ever saw. At 5mb typically I was about 720, which is cheapo digital quality.
Only reason I boosted up to 20mb is CableOne forced me to because we used so much bandwidth. Our house gets 100% of it’s television and movies over Netflix, Amazon.com, and a personal media server.
How do you do that? I have a PS3 and I would like to do the same. Thanks.
We run Netflix through Wii U on main TV, Xbox 360 in basement ‘theater’ and Roku in our bedroom.
Roku is cheapest and gets HBOGo for Game of Thrones.
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