Roku v1.5 firmware update brings HD Netflix streaming
by Darren Murph 
posted Dec 20th 2008 at 10:06PM
[Thanks, TheManTheyCallJayne]
Filed under: Set-top boxes, Internet
[Thanks, TheManTheyCallJayne]
[Thanks, TheManTheyCallJayne]
Previous
Windows 7 media center review
Logitech Harmony Adapter for Playstation 3 review
HD 101: What is ATSC, PSIP, QAM, and 8-VSB?
How to install a CableCARD tuner in your DIY Media Center
DISH Network launches remote DVR control
Engadget HD Podcast 157 - 09.29.2009
Paradigm SUB 25 subwoofer review
Engadget goes behind the Dolby logo
Breaking news Feed
- Best Buy partnering with CinemaNow to stream first-run DVDs to 'all web-connected devices sold'
- Netflix coming next month to PlayStation 3
- Toshiba details CELL REGZA LCD TV, coming December to Japan (update: video!)
- Intel announces Atom CE4100 for insanely powerful cable boxes and Blu-ray players
- Media Center CableCARDs freed from OEM requirement
- Samsung's LED TV Couple packs a 7-inch tablet remote for streaming TV and so much more
- Toshiba BDX2000 Blu-ray player coming November for $250, gives HD-DVD the final cold shoulder
- PS3 Slim bitstreams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA audio, at last
- Xbox 360 officially the only console to stream Netflix -- sorry, PS3 and Wii
- Toshiba applies for BDA admission, Blu-ray players and laptops coming soon
Featured stories Feed
- Ask Engadget HD: Is it (still) a good time to buy a TiVo?
- Pace and Rovi work together to make a standard set-top a true multi-room DVR
- Ready or not, the latest 3D technology is coming home
- How to automatically skip commercials in Windows 7 Media Center
- Ask Engadget HD: How do you evaluate HDTVs in-store?
- Sharp AQUOS LC-52LE700UN impressions
- Ask Engadget HD: Best home theater setup for gaming?
- TDK's heavily stacked 320GB disc shows its nearly-clear face at CEATEC
- Panasonic's 1080p twin-lens P2 camcorder seen behind three-dee glass at CEATEC
- Panasonic's 50-inch 1080p 3D plasma spotted, watched at CEATEC
Resources
Sections
- Announcements
- Ask Engadget HD
- DIY
- Features
- Industry
- Misc
- Podcasts
- Polls
- Regulatory
- Reviews
- Blu-ray
- Cables
- Camcorders
- Displays
- DVRs
- HD DVD
- Media PCs
- Media streamers
- Other formats
- Other hardware
- Players
- Ports
- Receivers
- Recorders
- Remotes
- Set-top boxes
- Speakers
- Switches
- Tuners
Hardware
Manufacturers
WIN Network
- Autos
- Technology
- Lifestyle
- Gaming
- Finance
- Entertainment on AOL
- Lifestyle on AOL
- Sports on AOL
- Travel on AOL
- Also on AOL
Other Weblogs Inc. Network blogs you might be interested in:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
scyber @ Dec 21st 2008 10:30AM
It will also allow access to additional content besides Netflix. No one knows what content that is yet, but it will be revealed once the update is fully deployed.
crawdad62 @ Dec 21st 2008 11:10AM
I was a beta tester for 1.5. It's pretty rock solid stable. I only had issues at first with wireless that I never encountered before the beta. Unfortunately I don't know if that issue was totally fixed in the later builds since I went wired and never switched back.
At first Netflix was offering HD streams at 3.6mbps but I believe most now are at 2.6 and SD streams report at 1.5mbps. All in all the HD content is pretty good. Certainly not BD quality but decent. Somewhere between DVD and BD.
The biggest thing is how Netflix encodes the movie/show. Some look great (I recommend the Star Trek series and The Thing) while others are just adequate.