Should I buy Roku XD or HD? My TV is 720p. Is there an advantage in buying the Roku XD over the Roku HD?
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Their HD model streams at a max of 720p, while their more expensive models go up to 1080*. That asterix denotes that the detail is pursuant to what carriers offer. Example; Netflix only streams in 720p. Give a look at what the options are. If you want other components like a usb pnp, than upgrade, however the base model will support your tv. No need to get one that supports 1080 when you have 720p. Save your money and buy me a beer for good advice.
2071178
According to Roku's Web site: Roku HD-XR Capable of Playing 1080P HD Video (via free upgrade later this year)http://www.roku.com/roku-products#2
1743153
All HDTVs have the same quality through SD. You'll be able to see the broadcast but not clearly. If you go to a friend's house that has an HDTV broadcasting SD and go to another place with HDTV and SD, you'll see it's basically the same, pixelated quality. Hope this helps. It's not all that bad though but it's definitely not worth getting an HDTV if you plan to use only SD. You can try this out. Good luck!
1703236
Go to speedtest Dot Net on the web and run a speed test. If over 1.5mbps then you are good to go Roku. 1.25mbps is sort of borderline. Anything lower down to about 0.6mbps will work but never in HD. They will work with the lower speeds but never upshift to HD.
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The file format recommended by Roku is the MP4 or M4V format. The preferred conversion tool recommended by Roku is HANDBRAKE. I personally prefer the XD/S for playing video files, as you don't have to be connected to the internet as you do with the newer Roku2 XS. Connecting a 1TB hard drive with converted movies works very well on the older XD/S model. The newer Roku2 XS still has a problem sorting file names Alpha/Numeric just like your PC. As for support by Roku that has been answered in other posts.
470025
This is the WORST thing about this TV. You CAN'T. I had to buy a ROKU to hook up to the TV so I could. I had a nice 52' flat screen 1080, perfect, all I had to do was buy this ROKU and it is just like the SMART HISENCE. If I new that sooner, I would of NEVER bought the TV.
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I literally just ordered a KDL-W3000 52 inch television 1 hour ago. I did 3 months of research and although I am not sure how I'll fell when I get the television, I can say that I went for the w3000. I looked at some seocnd tier brands first, but quickly moved on to the main brands.... settling in on the Sharp D64 or a Toshiba 167 or the Sony W3000. Of course the Sony was the most expensive of the brands I was looking at. As far as picture and blur: I can not even tell you if I could see any difference between the w3000 and the XBR, so I went for the XBR. I did see one scene in a movie where I saw a slight amount of motion blur, so I am sure it exists.. the quesiton is, "how bad does the blur appear to you and what is it worth for you to minimize the blur" ? For me... the answer was in my order.. I went with the W3000. The price was $2309 no tax, no delivery fee.
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I have a Roku 2 XD which works fine on it... Is there something special about the ROKU 3?
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Sean (re: your 9/2/10 post)....I don't see such an update promised at the (Roku) linked page you provided. The only free update "**coming later this year (in November, 2010)" that it mentions is relating to USB compatibility. AND...they don't mention anything about the older HD-XR, but only about the new "XD" models! I presently own 2 of the (previous generation model) HD-XR units and would be glad to see such a (1080p) update, which would allow me to keep my existing units. But if not, then I'm considering the new model. Please re-check and clarify what you wrote, in case I'm missing something. Thanks! Sean (re: your 9/2/10 post)....I don't see such an update promised at the (Roku) linked page you provided. The only free update "**coming later this year (in November, 2010)" that it mentions is relating to USB compatibility. AND...they don't mention anything about the older HD-XR, but only about the new "XD" models! I presently own 2 of the (previous generation model) HD-XR units and would be glad to see such a (1080p) update, which would allow me to keep my existing units. But if not, then I'm considering the new model. Please re-check and clarify what you wrote, in... » Read More Sean (re: your 9/2/10 post)....I don't see such an update promised at the (Roku) linked page you provided. The only free update "**coming later this year (in November, 2010)" that it mentions is relating to USB compatibility. AND...they don't mention anything about the older HD-XR, but only about the new "XD" models! I presently own 2 of the (previous generation model) HD-XR units and would be glad to see such a (1080p) update, which would allow me to keep my existing units. But if not, then I'm considering the new model. Please re-check and clarify what you wrote, in case I'm missing something. Thanks! « Show Less
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I'm waiting on my roku, so take this advice with a grain of salt. From what I've read on the reviews, it seems that you can hook it up via A/V RCA cables, so no HDMI is required if you have a SD TV. A lot of folks on here seem to have SD TV setups, so I think HDMI is an option not a requirement.
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just make sure you buy an HDMI cable. the expense for that is all up to you. they range in price from moderate to high end based on what you decide. i have direct TV as well. i like the TV. have no complaints. a good buy. this was a very easy hook up however you will need to make sure that Direct TV has provided you with the correct satellite box for an HD Television or it will not work. they are very good about doing so
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If you watch a lot of SD tv you will probably want to spend the extra $600 on the XRB4 since it will up convert the signal to 1080p. I have the W3000 and my friend has the XRB4 and every time I watch SD tv on his I realize how bad mine looks on SD. However if you plan to go mostly HD I would save the $600. HD wise I can't tell the difference between W3000 and XRB4
798541
Not receiving any audio with Roku XDS, on Amazon. Other channels work fine. Had to have someone help me connect in the first place, and I don't know what to do next. Ideas?
1682503
I have been tweaking my new set's picture for 3 days now. The high def is terrific but I only get 12 channels of HD. Since 50% of my viewing will be standard def cable channels, I am very disappointed that I can't get the SD picture to a level of acceptability. (I feel compelled to go to another room and watch non-HD programs on my old 36" CRT.) Any suggestions on setting changes for SD programs? A lot of the screen is blurry and pixelated (with or without the 120-Hz on).
791240
Hook up your cable box with an hdmi cable for the best picture quality. I have a 1080p tv and my sd cable chanels look almost as good as hd. If you have an old cable box have them bring you a new one (put a few drops of water on it to fry it and say it fryed itself and theyll replace if for free). Also i got an upconverting dvd player for free with my tv and when its hooked up with an hdmi cable it has basically the same picture quality as HD dvd, just not as good sound quality as HD.
1943917
If you want to view in 720P (HD), you need an HDMI cable. If Standard Definition is ok for you, you can just use the A/V (red, white, yellow) cables that come with the Roku.
1285539
when buying something like this you need to take into your current needs and think what you might want to do (or in the case upgrade to) in the futurethey both will work as long as you have a HDMI cable and an available cable (you could also play through the RCA [red yellow and white] cablesif your planning on upgrading to a 1080i or 1080p tv then get the XD or if you have a dual band router get the XD|S but I recommend using ethernet its more reliable and less prone to interference