Look out, Apple TV: The $100 Netflix Player has arrived

The straightforward interface of the Roku Netflix Player

(Credit: CNET)

The Netflix box is finally a reality.

The Netflix Player by Roku is the first product that allows subscribers to have movies and TV shows from the service's Instant Viewing feature (aka "Watch Now") to be streamed directly to their TV screen. Previously, Instant Viewing was available only to Windows PC users through the Internet Explorer browser. With the release of the Netflix Player, subscribers need only have a wired or wireless broadband connection to access the entire Instant Viewing catalog through their TV. The full review--with hands-on video--is available at CNET Reviews. But for those who prefer to cut right to the chase, here's the short and sweet version:

The diminutive Netflix Player can access about 8,000 titles--so far.

(Credit: CNET)

We've been playing with the Netflix Player for about two weeks, and--for the most part--we found a lot to like. Setup is simple, and--if you've got a solid broadband connection--picture quality is acceptable and streaming performance was almost entirely lag-free.

Those looking for the HD video quality and polished interface of Apple TV and Vudu will be disappointed. The Netflix Player is strictly barebones--you're not intended to do anything more than just dive in and watch the movies and TV shows you've already queued up via your online Netflix account. The biggest drawback--for now at least--is the dearth of quality content. Thanks to Hollywood's byzantine licensing system, less than 10 percent of Netflix's 100,000-plus library of titles is available for streaming to the Player. That means, for now, that only two of Netflix's top 100 DVDs are available for streaming: March of the Penguins and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

That said, the Netflix Player has a major trump card in terms of price: it retails for $100, and delivers unlimited streaming to any Netflix subscriber on the $8.95 plan or above. That's a major departure from Apple TV, Vudu, Xbox Live Marketplace, and Amazon Unbox, all of which offer only pay-per-view options, including download-to-own videos and rentals with tight viewing windows (e.g. rental titles must be completely viewed within 24 hours).

For the time being, Roku's affordable box is the only Netflix hardware on the market. However, Netflix has reaffirmed that three other hardware partners are scheduled to release competing products by year's end. (One is confirmed to be LG; the others have yet to be named.) It's likely that the subsequent players will be more upscale products--such as a Blu-ray or DVD player--that include Netflix playback as a value-added feature rather than the main attraction. In the meantime, the Roku solution offers a quick, easy, and affordable way to watch a limited selection of Netflix videos on your TV.

What do you think: is the Netflix Player a game-changing product that bests Apple TV? Or is the selection too lackluster to be worth even its $100 asking price?

[krosavcheg]

I personally only care about a replacement for driving to Blockbuster or Netflix physical mailings. I want at least DVD quality and surround audio... The box can stream off my Netflix queue all day for all I care. OnDemand would be nice, but reality is the ISP's have a massive advantage on IP distribution... *when* they actually catch up to play this game in full.

[Ed Hoarse]

Throw in an unlimited selection of streaming music with playlist support and a usb/ and memory card reader for and digital photo album and a hdmi and digital optical out and wifi support for the same monthly price and you got yourself a deal.

[CodaWeb]

http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9869101-2.html

Been doable on Media Center for a little while now.

[lexpoot]

What I am missing is what is the sound quality? Does it Dolby Surround? I think a movie does not go well without good sound.

[rcrusoe]

I occasionally rent movies on my Apple TV, but I use it more to play music, view podcasts, and tv shows I've recorded with my Elgato tuner. This netflix box is too limited for my use.

[aspi3107]

That's officially the ugliest thing I've ever seen and I don't want one setting in my living room. At least the AppleTV is sexy and has DVD quality video as well as Hi-Def, regardless of your connection speed. Nice Try but I think Apple has thought this through more and has the advantage here.

[berbar]

Netflix streaming is fine for watching chick-flicks or movies that don't need a great surround system, something like the Motorcycle Diaries or Stolen Beauty. However, I have a cheaper solution than the $100 box. Get an RGB cable, a 3.5mm to RCA audio cable, and connect your laptop to your TV and your sound system. That is what I do when streaming from Netflix. If you want HD and surround, wait for the DVD (BluRay) to come in the mail.

[berbar]

I don't understand why people always have to look for the bad in something. It is CLEAR that Netflix streaming is limited, but it is very convenient. Yes, the lack of titles is a BIG drawback.

I believe Netflix streaming is for watching simple films that don't need great sound. Something like The Motorcycle Diaries, documentaries or chick-flicks.

However, I have a solution which is cheaper than the $100 box. Get an RGB cable, a 3.5mm to RCA audio cable, connect your laptop to your TV and your sound system. If you want HD and surround, wait for the DVD (BluRay) to come in the mail.

[berbar]

The Roku box will be getting HD and 5.1 surround by firmware. Read Brian Lam's review at Gizmodo.
http://gizmodo.com/389698/first-netflix-streaming-box-review-100-and-unlimited-downloads

[timaeus77]

Netflix Player = Standard Def only
Apple TV = High Def & SD
Game over; Apple wins.

[Batotahell]

Poor Blu-Ray and HD-DVD slugged it out in a war that didn't really matter. In a couple of years we will have downloadable movies in HD quality with Dolby Surround. Only people wanting to collect the little tchotchkes in "Special Collector" edition DVD sets will actually be buying DVDs. Granted there are a few movies I would own, but mostly I would be very happy just downloading the latest releases for a single viewing.

[pairof9s]

I think you get what you pay for! For $99 and a low monthly subscriber fee, you get to instantly watch older movies in normal DVD quality without expanded sound quality. For $240-$300 and rental fees, you can watch newer movies (but not new releases) in HD w/ Dolby 5.1 sound, plus you get free access to a rich library of video Podcasts, your music library, your photo library, YouTube, Flickr as well as any media you've shared from your iTune catalog (TV shows, home movies, music videos). I just think the Netflix offering is a great one-trick pony but don't mistake it as better for the price than the Apple TV or even Vudu offerings.

[veggiedude]

I like renting DVD's from Netflix. I don't like the idea of watching streaming video - it just does not appeal to me, and if they go this route and one day drop DVD rentals, then they lose a customer.

[ripjack5x5]

Sounds great except those of us who have Netflix already know the "view now" selection is seriously below par. There is no logic in paying $100 dollars for something not worth watching for free and add yet another electrical device to my entertainment system. I'll pass.

[robt.public]

I was all set to buy, but $25 to ship? $15 sales tax? $20 for 3 cables when I only need hdmi?I'll wait for Amazon or buy.com to stock it, get free shipping and a reasonably priced cable.

[jashin01]

1. It's firmware upgradable and Roku said they will be working on opening up the system to 3rd party developers to add more content.
2. New content is added daily to the play instantly.
3. It's perfect for the kids so they can watch their cartoons and I can watch my old TV shows that I never got to watch when they were on. A-Team, Quantum Leap, ect.
4. Mine ended up costing $130 with shipping and HDMI cable and everything and it's so small I can pick it up and move it to any TV in the house have it hooked up and working in 2 minutes. It has built in WiFi AND wired ethernet.

It has built in HDMI and optical audio and will be getting upgraded to take advantage of them. Netflix already has plans to start streaming HD. The future for this device is very bright and it's relatively inexpensive.

[Sashazur]

Just got my Roku Netflix player 2 days ago and I've been very happy with it. It is tiny (just a black box even smaller than many paperback books), the remote looks good and is straightforward. Setup was quick and easy, and operation is simple. As to all the gripes I've heard from people about the video quality, lack of browsing all of Netflix' site from the player, etc --- you get what you pay for, and for the price the quality and features are just fine. If you want sharper video, pay more to get a blu-ray player; if you want more flexibility, pay more to get an Apple TV. But in my book, this gadget is worth every penny of its nice low price.

[cwclifford]

Granted there are no beveled edges or glowing fruit logos, but the fact that it is only a hair over 5" wide and black means that slipped into any tiny space available in your 'tainment system, you won't notice it is even there!

[TimmyD1000]

My Netflix instant queue currently has 41 movies. Among them: Motorcycle Diaries (oscar winning foreign film), Stir Crazy (classic Gene Wilder, Richard Pryor prison comedy). I recently watched Pan's Labyrinth (fantastic oscar winning foreign film) and Adams Family Values (yeah, I'm the guy who hadn't seen). There are some gems (maybe not diamonds) available for instant watching.

[Robocoastie]

people are skeptical of the product because we are tired of getting "the next big thing" only for it to be turned into a door stopper six months later. I'm skeptical of the AppleTV as well because it's only been here for a short time and apple has a history of turning products into bricks.