The original Roku HD sells for just $99, and plays HD video, optical surround sound audio output, and an HDMI port. It’s easy to set up, comes with built-in wireless connectivity, and plays videos from Netflix, Amazon.com, and more.

The new Roku SD has those same functions, but is built with downgraded televisions in mind. Instead of HD quality, it supports lower-definition video, like what you find on a standard DVD. It sells for $79.

The Roku HD-XR is the next-gen model at $129, offering all the same stuff as the HD, but with enhanced 802.11n Wi-Fi and a built-in USB port. Roku has big plans for the HD-XR, including the Roku Channel Store, which is said to offer additional content channels to Roku users, most of which will be free. (Just what those channels are is anybody’s guess, but with big league players like YouTube and Hulu out there, I wouldn’t rule anything out.)

Image: Roku.

Post from: EveryJoe

Roku expands lineup of set-top media boxes

It comes with a wicked cool remote that, like some cell phones, includes a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.

The full list of Internet apps is as follows:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Flickr
• Yahoo! Widgets
• Netflix
• Blockbuster OnDemand
• Amazon Video On Demand
• Rhapsody
• Vudu
• Revision3
• Showtime
• Pandora

The Vizio XVT will be available this holiday season with these options in 42″, 47″, and 55″ models, for $1,199, $1,699, and $2,199, respectively.

Image: Copyright 2009 ©Vizio.

Post from: EveryJoe

Vizio releasing social networking TV

This monopolistic partnership has prompted Blockbuster to raise their subscription price to keep at par with Netflix. In the end, consumers were the losers which led to the lawsuit.

Netflix and Walmart could easily lower their prices as they help each other out and I don’t see any reason why they have to increase their prices which led Blockbuster to do the same.

At least, when consumers are concerned it only means they are not downloading pirated copies using their computers.

Post from: EveryJoe

Netflix and Walmart Under Fire

image: netflix.com

By accessing Netflix.com using your computer or by using Netflix-ready devices on your TV, you can watch shows like South Park (the first nine seasons are already available!), iCarly and SpongeBob SquarePants whenever you like.

This is a great service for many reasons but, as a parent, it’s nice to know that if my daughter wants to see an episode of Dora the Explorer, I can simply turn it on (which could make keeping her occupied as I cook dinner a lot easier when she doesn’t feel like coloring).  I can see parents with sick kids at home loving this too.

Of course, even if you aren’t a parent, being able to find and watch a specific episode of South Park at any time is great.  This is just another way that Netflix is revolutionizing the way we watch television and movies.

Post from: EveryJoe

Stream Your Favorite Shows With Netflix

As pointed out by the article the service isn’t available to all Netflix users yet. They’re slowly rolling it out. Since I’m both not a Netflix customer and a U.S. resident I can’t try them out for myself. The review gives us all a glimpse though.

So with Netflix offering instant gratification will we see a contender to iTunes? Don’t think so, not until they improve their instant watching catalog. At least that’s what I got from the review.

Post from: EveryJoe

Netflix Instant Watching Review