Top Christmas Gifts 2011

Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player Review

View The Website

Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player Review

Watching what you want, when you want, has become possible with internet television. With the migration to digital television sets and cheap access to broadband internet, this way of watching movies, series, sport and other entertainment has become very popular. If you are in the market for an easy-to-use, compact streaming player that doesn’t eat into your wallet, then the Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player is just the device for you. This particular streaming player only sources its content from internet pay-services, meaning that you cannot stream movies and files from a networked PC.

Developed from the original Netflix Player that was released in 2008, The Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player is more expensive than the other Roku 2 players (the XD and HD), but offers more in terms of features and output quality. It is a small unit, that can connect via an ethernet cable, or wireless, to your internet router. Unlike the other models in the Roku 2 range, it has a USB port, allowing you to play photos, movies and audio files from a flash drive. There is limited support for different file types, so do not buy this device to act as a general media player. This high-end model also has a Bluetooth remote, which can be used for player control, and as a gaming device. The Roku2 XS ships with a free copy of ‘Angry Birds’ – more games will be available for purchase in the near future.

Order From Amazon

Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player Features and Specifications

• Dimensions:  3.25 inch square (width and length);1 inch in height
• Weight:  3 ounces
• Ports:  1x Ethernet port; 1x HDMI output; 1x minijack AV output for composite cable; 1x USB port; WiFi connectivity
• Connectivity:  Ethernet cable supported and WiFi (single band 802.11 only)
• Supported files:  MP4 video (H.264), PNG and JPEG images, AAC and MP3 audio files
• Internet Content: Over 200 internet channels and services are available, including Netflix, Vimeo, Hulu Plus and Amazon Prime
• Remote Control: Bluetooth connectivity, gaming capable (titles specific to the Roku 2 range); 10 button2; 4-way D-pad
• Gaming: Gaming titles are stored on a microSD card (2 Gigabyte card included)
• Power:  AC connectivity for the player; uses less than 2 Watts when streaming. Remote uses 2x AA batteries

More Features Here

Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player Reviews

76 percent of Amazon customers gave the Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player four or five stars. It is similar to the AppleTV in terms of size, weight and performance, but the AppleTV is obviously geared towards Apple services and brand-specific features. Customers on Amazon found that the Roku 2 XS performs very well for its relatively low price, in comparison to the other brands. It’s extra features, such as the Bluetooth remote, the USB port and the Ethernet cable, give it a discernible edge over the the Roku 2 XD and HD models.

Most customers found it very easy to install and to activate. A PC or notebook is required to activate the pay channels on the internet (as well as credit card). The Bluetooth remote is convenient to use, but not as visually appealing as that of the AppleTV remote. The limited support for file formats and no LAN streaming from computers, limit the Roku 2 XS’s multimedia capabilities.

The general consensus is that as a pure streaming player, the Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player is well worth the money and ranks as one of the top christmas gifts 2011

Click Here For The Best Price On the Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player