Let’s just start by reflecting on the past two weeks shall we?
What happened in those last two weeks? Oh yes…. Snow. And then… more snow.
And then cabin fever set in. BIG TIME.
Kids, bouncing off the walls, mom needing to come down from a Blissdom high get work done, snow days…
General mass hysteria.
When I initially received the Roku, it was to be a part of the Holiday Gift Guide I was putting together but when we thought that Brian wouldn’t go back to work, I set that aside and garnered up more writing work so we could have a Christmas.
Needless to say it’s February.
Back to the Roku…
As part of the review I had a free trial to Netflix. Cool and awesome at the same time. I was familiar with how it worked but not realy keen on how it would apply to the Roku. I was also encouraged to check out Amazon.com’s Video on Demand.
I couldn’t wrap my head around I would get movies from Netflix and Video on Demand right into my house without filling up a que and waiting for the mail. I was about to be schooled.
Setting up the Roku was easy once I read the directions. If you have a wireless Internet connection the process goes that much faster (like minutes). In order to use the Roku, it is necessary to have a high speed/DSL or cable Internet connection. I have DSL and wireless. I was GOLDEN.
The Roku box holds the key to peace and tranquility during SnowMyGod 2010
Once I was set up, I created a profile on Netflix and was given a code through Roku to enter at Netflix online in order to get my free trial started. Roku and Netflix did some syncing with some magical technical wireless fantasticness that I don’t understand and BAM! It’s done. I can now browse Netflix online and create a video library that we can watch instantly.
The first time the kids watched a movie through Roku they were stunned and I was relieved that peace and quiet had commenced in my house again. I’ve created a library of movies just for the kids and they know what they can watch and what they can’t.
Video on Demand for Roku works in much the same way; I received a code to enter and once the two were synched I could start choosing movies to rent and watch instantly. Think of it as Blockbuster without the car and the gas and the traveling.
LOVE THAT.
The only major downside that I can find with the Roku is that first release movies aren’t generally available through Netflix. I’m finding older movies (some 2009) but most are 2008 or later. This hasn’t really stopped me though because my kids have now seen The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, The Iron Giant (when Bug was little this was his favorite DVD until it died and now it’s Peanut’s favorite) and a number of other classic family movies from my generation. (Go ahead. Date me. I DARE you.)
Amazon Video on Demand has a slightly larger selection of current movies (we watched Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs that way) but I still find more older than newer selections. In most cases with the Video on Demand library, you rent a movie, have 30 days to watch it and then it disappears from your library unless you buy it. (note: we did buy Everybody’s Hero and it’s available for the kids to watch any time). I’m fairly certain though that as Roku’s popularity grows, the title selections will grow as well (did I mention I can watch television shows too). I can find movies on Roku that aren’t on Video on Demand and vice versa so I don’t really feel that the selection is huge disadvantage to us.
Roku has already changed quite a bit. When I first connected it, I was limited to Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand and a few other channels I wouldn’t really watch. Since November, Pandora radio has been added as well as Flickr, Facebook photos, and blip.tv just to name a few. It took me about a minute to sync my Pandora.com profile to the Roku and now I don’t slow my laptop down streaming music when I work.
As I look out my window and I see more snow falling, a sure sign that I will be digging out again tomorrow, I’m glad to have this handy little box bringing me instant family movie time.
In the meantime though, I’m browsing my video selections for the week, Just. In. Case.
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Sounds really cool! And how neat that it streams from more than one place!
Erica Mueller´s last blog ..Blissful Alarm {NOT}