What is it?
Roku is a box that makes it easier to watch streaming video on your livingroom screen.
This one was developed by Netflix, a DVD rental and streaming service available only in the US. Extra content, including Amazon Movies on Demand, is available.
The closest thing we have is Telstra BigPond movie downloads (they don’t have a box like Roku yet, although their T-Box is shaping up to do something similar).
How does it work?
You hook up the Roku box to the livingroom TV and your WiFi network.
You create a playlists of movies from the Netflix online catalogue. The Roku box gets this info via your WiFi and displays it as an onscreen menu. The Roku remote launches video streams, which don't start instantly, but load quickly.
Costs
$99US, plus whatever subscription plan to Netflix you choose.
Lifespan
Roku suffers from the "not another box!" syndrome.
With the launch of IP enabled TVs, all external boxes will have a limited lifespan. Currently, Roku is a closed system, which also limits its desirability.
Why should I care?
Roku is another sign that technology for the distribution of video content is moving inexorably to satisfy consumer demand for flexibility, convenience and choice. As independent content creators, this widens our path to the end user.
For background, see MediaWave article
The Last Metre to the Content Cloud
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