4. Playback and Video Quality
The Roku XDS is the newest and most feature-rich of Roku’s latest line of set-top boxes. Does it pack enough punch to stand up to Apple, Google, or Boxee?
Once you have your channels added and your media sources defined, you can sit back and enjoy the Roku XDS’ brilliant 1080p HD playback, providing your TV supports 1080p video and your video source is in full 1080p HD. Channels that provided 1080p video were rare, but when I did find HD video to stream using the XDS, it looked fantastic. This is one of the XDS’ biggest features, and when compared to a device like the Apple TV, which costs the same amount of money and doesn’t support 1080p video, you have a compelling reason to drop a hundred dollars on the XDS instead, assuming you watch enough 1080p content to make it worthwhile. Most video podcasts and streaming video from services like Netflix and Amazon Video on Demand all cap out at 720p, which also looked great.
Playback was smooth and crisp, but we did get occasional video lag. This tended to happen when streaming wirelessly and we saw a few video artifacts on our test HDTVs. Still, the XDS always managed to keep up. In some cases it took a little time to re-buffer before resuming playback, which was actually a good thing since the video didn’t just freeze. A progress bar was also displayed that indicated how long it would be before video playback resumed. Even so, re-buffering only happened a few times, and every other time the Roku performed well and frequently found at least 720p HD streams to play.
If you’re expecting 1080p wireless streaming, though, even over 802.11n, you’ll be disappointed. The XDS is a strong contender and probably the closest you’ll get to pushing 1080p to a set-top box with no wires, but the XDS in many cases simply won’t play 1080p if it’s connected wirelessly. But if you connect a USB hard drive or plug the XDS into your home network directly, 1080p video plays without issue and looks remarkable.
It’s worth mentioning that while the Roku XDS is the subject of this review, it’s not the only device in the Roku’s lineup. Roku also provides the Roku HD at the bottom end for $59.99. It doesn’t support 1080p video (it’s 720p only,) and it doesn’t have 802.11n wireless (it does support 802.11 b/g.) In the middle of the lineup is the Roku XD, a $79.99 set-top box that adds 1080p HD video and 802.11n to the HD’s package, but it lacks the component video, optical audio, and USB ports found on the XDS. Take care when picking the right Roku box for your particular wants and needs--if you know you’re going to connect via HDMI and won’t use the half-implemented USB streaming capability, you may want to scale back instead to the XD to save some money.
- 1. A Tiny Set-Top Box
- 2. Setup and Configuration
- 3. Software and Streaming Sources
- 4. Playback and Video Quality
- 5. Bottom Line: Perfect for a Second TV Room
This article very much hits the nail on the head with the reference to the secondary installation places for a device like this. "It’s difficult to recommend the XDS for the living room entertainment system" >> This is very well spoken.
Essentially, the delta between this device and an XBOX360/PS3 is price and form-factor for occupied 3D space. It becomes an expanded argument either way, when you figure that for $200 more, a PS3 will do this and give you blu-ray play back.
Not even mentioning PS3 games....
The review did not cover the component video output. There are many HDTV sets out there that do not have HDMI. The whole point of the Roku XDS device is the component video output.
The review did not cover the component video output. There are many HDTV sets out there that do not have HDMI. The whole point of the Roku XDS device is the component video output.
Uh, yeah it did. First on page 2 it pointed out the component video output. On page 4 it mentioned that while the XDS has component output and USB, the cheaper XD does not, and that you should:
Honestly, I don't know what else you want from them. It has component video and it has optical audio; combined they perform exactly the same function as a single HDMI cable. So if your TV doesn't have HDMI, but does have component video, then logically you'd spend a bit more and get the XDS instead. HDMI has been around since 2003 and has been mainstream in HDTVs for quite some time now. If your set was made in the last 5 years or so, I would think it should have at least one HDMI input.
What are they gonna do, compare the quality of the picture over component output versus HDMI?
Access to my network media files
Netflix
WiFi
What's so hard about that. Guess I'll hang on to my WD media player.
Access to my network media files
Netflix
WiFi
What's so hard about that. Guess I'll hang on to my WD media player.
Access to my network media filesNetflixWiFiWhat's so hard about that. Guess I'll hang on to my WD media player.
Hulu is finally coming to Roku. I am looking forward to that.
)
Darkk
If there is already a Xbox or PS3 in the house there really is no point in this device, it is kinda cool, but I would rather carry around a laptop, and just plug her in, then waisting money on this.
Uh, yeah it did. First on page 2 it pointed out the component video output. On page 4 it mentioned that while the XDS has component output and USB, the cheaper XD does not, and that you should:Honestly, I don't know what else you want from them. It has component video and it has optical audio; combined they perform exactly the same function as a single HDMI cable. So if your TV doesn't have HDMI, but does have component video, then logically you'd spend a bit more and get the XDS instead. HDMI has been around since 2003 and has been mainstream in HDTVs for quite some time now. If your set was made in the last 5 years or so, I would think it should have at least one HDMI input.What are they gonna do, compare the quality of the picture over component output versus HDMI?
It actually isn't the same as a single HDMI cable, since the HDMI spec is plagued with DRM, and you can't easily split off the audio into a discrete Amp, unless the Amp also supports HDMI. On the other hand, I can simply run the component into my HDTV, then the toslink into my Amp. HDMI was an evolving spec when I purchased my TV, and the first one I purchased had an even older version simply called HDCP interface, with a completely different connector. Fortunately, I took it back an got a newer model that had a single HDMI port, but only supports the earlier spec. My Amp, purchased at the same time, does not have any HDMI switching, and was an extremely uncommon (expensive) feature at that time. HDMI/HDCP is nothing more than the MPAAs paranoid attempt to prevent people from doing disc to recorder copies like old VCR-VCR copies. What sense does it make from a consumer perspective to have a degraded HDMI video output (480p) on a perfectly fine HDTV because it doesn't support the current HDCP standard?
Component has no such problem.
I agree with your point that the other poster should have thoroughly read the article before complaining, but I completely disagree with your sarcastic characterization regarding addressing HDMI restrictions and output quality vs. Component. If they don't cover it in the review, fine, but it's not a "non-issue" for many people.
It actually isn't the same as a single HDMI cable, since the HDMI spec is plagued with DRM, and you can't easily split off the audio into a discrete Amp, unless the Amp also supports HDMI.
Hmm.. first off, do you plan to copy a lot of copy-protected media? Not ALL HDMI signals are copy-protected, and for the ones that are, you probably shouldn't be copying them.
Second, many newer TVs (I know you said yours was old), support audio pass-through and time-delay, with the explicit purpose of allowing you to use an external amplifier for the audio signal.
Still, my old roommate had a 61" HD rear-screen projection TV that only had component inputs and even lacked an ATSC tuner. HD TV technology was far ahead of the actual content, so yeah, in certain cases, its good to have the proper selection of outputs.
Tom's needs to get on the ball with blocking spam posts.
I have a Roku Netflix player with a standard component video RCA outputs (RGB) that I connect to a component video switch that connects all of my video components to my HD TV through an in-wall component video cable. I use the optical audio out to connect to my home theater audio system.
I purchased the XDS because it has both wireless n and a component output. When I opened the box I was surprised to find that the component output is nonstandard (I admit that I did not read the fine print). It has 3.5 mm jack output, not the normal 3 RCA jacks. Consequently I am unable to simply unplug my old player and plug in the new one. When I went online to find a cable I discovered that no one seems to make this cable. To make matters worse ROKU is out of stock of the cable.
What I don't understand is why they kept the RCA composite video output (Y) with the RCA stereo audio outputs (R/W) when there are lots of inexpensive cables on the market that use the 3.5 mm jacks to connect camcorders and ipods to TVs. Component video equals HDMI video in quality when using quality cabling. Composite video is clearly inferior, especially for a box that is supposed to have 1080p out. BAD ENGINEERING is the only answer.
I use my current Roku to watch Netflix videos several times a week. I also use it to listen to Pandora on my stereo because we live in an area with terrible FM reception. I just want my new box to work with my new wireless n router to take advantage of HD video streams. My new XDS is waiting patiently. In the meantime I am sharing my experience with all, which I promised Roku customer service that I would do.