Customer reviews from roku.com
Roku - 3 Streaming Player - Black
Average customer rating
4.5
(25,979 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 25,979 reviews
5 Stars
16,895
4 Stars
6,203
3 Stars
1,513
2 Stars
668
1 Star
700
93%of customers recommend this product.
(
23,564 out of
25,460)
Customer Reviews for Roku - 3 Streaming Player - Black
Customer Rating
5
ROKU – BETTER THAN EVER AND JUST AS CHEAP
on April 3, 2014
Posted by: teepee12
from Uxbridge, MA, United States
Gender:Female
Every once in a while, someone invents something that makes life a little brighter.
Enter the Roku, a little streaming device that runs off your WiFi so you can stream movies, TV shows and other channels both free and subscription-based on your television. The price is right: the entry-level model is $49.99, and even the top of the line is less than $100, cheaper than a modest game system.
The Roku comes in different flavors though they all work the same way. Advanced models offer additional bells and whistles including an earphone connection through the remote control. In our case, there is no point in getting an advanced model. Both our television have just one high-definition port and it’s already in use by the cable box. Also, we have wireless Sennheiser headphones hook-ups for both televisions.
Roku is small, the size of a little bar of soap. Connecting is simple. I did it alone and despite a few humorous moments caused when I didn’t notice I’d accidentally turned off the power strip, it went smoothly. Roku is as easy to install as the ads promise. It works. And keeps working.
Plug A into B, B into C. Insert batteries (2 AAAs, included) into the remote. Turn on the TV and follow the prompts. The single item the instructions don’t cover is reminding you to switch your TV input to whatever input you are using for Roku. This was easy on the newer TV in the bedroom where inputs on the back of the set are labeled. The bigger (older) TV in the living room makes you guess, so you have to click through the inputs until Roku appears. Mostly, you need to know to take this step or you will sit there staring at an empty screen, wondering why you are not seeing Roku.
The instructions promise installing the Roku will bring out your inner geek. My inner geek is not hidden. I just don’t like hardware. In my secret heart, I believe electricity is waiting for the right moment to spill out of the walls. I don’t trust hardware and I believe the feeling is mutual.
Regardless, I set it up and by golly, it works. This was my second installation, so I’m two for two. Yay me. It took about half an hour, most of which involved getting the wires out of the way and finding a place to put Roku where it is accessible yet close enough to plug into a power strip. Compromise was required. I wish manufacturers would include longer power cords longer on electronic devices. They are all — including Roku — about a foot short of convenient.
Despite advertisements to the contrary, there are only few free services. Almost everything is either subscription (Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime) or pay-per-use (Blockbuster On Demand).
I was pleased to see that improvements have been made to the remote. The older version works, but it’s awkward and not very responsive.The newer unit has dedicated keys for major channels (nice!) and the unit is much more responsive. I wonder if I can get a newer remote for an older Roku? I’ll have to check.
The “search” capabilities are primitive using the remote, so search on a computer and put everything you want to watch on wish lists. Use the remote only to make selections. I think that’s the way it’s supposed to work. Be aware: You can’t install Roku without a computer. To activate your unit, you must enter a generated code from the television into your account on the computer.
Closed captions are available on almost everything. Some old television series and movies don’t have them, but that’s true on cable too.
Is Roku going to replace expensive movie packages from your cable or satellite company? Maybe. It depends on your viewing habits, your technical aptitude, creativity and how your cable company has structured their prices. They don’t make it easy to delete pieces of your package. However, if you currently can’t afford movie packages from your cable or dish provider, this is affordable and easy to use — as easy as they say it is and getting more versatile every day. You will find that Netflix streaming video does not include most popular movies. For that, you need to sign up for their DVD service too … and I won’t do it. I’m not really thrilled with Netflix, by the way. Just thought I’d mention that. I’m tempted to try a different streaming service to see if it’s any better. I’m an Amazon Prime member and while their free selection is smaller than Netflix, it is higher quality.
You need one Roku per television, but you don’t need a different account for each Roku. One account for a household, no matter how many televisions you have, is enough.
Roku is great addition to your entertainment package, especially for the price. It delivers the goods, is more than worth the money, whether you buy the economy model or top of the line. Whether or not it can replace other services is subjective.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
5
No more cable/satellite bill!!! I love it!
on April 4, 2014
Posted by: DMLove
from Example: New York, NY
I bought a Roku 3 for the living room, and one for the master bedroom. Couldn't be happier. I cut my cable/satellite ties and am saving over $100 a month! Sound goes through my receiver for surround sound, and the picture is just as good as when I was using my cable/satellite box. Even if there is a show we want to watch that isn't free (ex: Walking Dead), it's only $2 per episode on one of the many channels available. So we can watch a whole season and come nowhere close to paying what I was when I had cable/satellite. I have a 15 month old, and the amount of free kids shows is enormous! The setup and use is extremely easy, the app on my iPhone is awesome because I can use the keyboard to search, and the headphone jack in the remote works perfectly! I just wish I would have switched to Roku sooner. I have turned quite a few people on to the Roku, and they love it as well. Thanks Roku!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
5
Great machine. I LOVE my ROKU 3.
on April 14, 2014
Posted by: cindyandjiri
from Asheville, NC, United States
Gender:Male
I have it for a month and im just amazed how all works smoothly, fast and so much free stuff, music, movies, news, international movies from around the whole world, documentaries, tv shows......wow. I got rid off Direct tv after 15 years no problem service from them, however i paid $80 and roku is free, just paid netflix 7.99 and hulu 7.99 and its more then i need.Roku is just what i need to save $960 a year on TV bill . And its 100 times better then direct and no commercial.......best investment in my life, great value. Easy set up, connection, great pic quality HD, no lags over wifi and my wifi modem is old linksys wrg 54 (not dual), like made 15 years ago, looks good next to tv, Just excellent product. This is honest review from just regular guy from NC - asheville. Its not just great value, its about i watch what i want and with direct tv i have to watch what they played that mmt.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
4
Great Features but ....a few hang ups
on April 27, 2014
Posted by: roku123456789
from USA
First: Everything works flawlessly wifi, USB connection (although it only plays certain formats of video "annoying")
Why it doesn't get 5 stars: cheap purchase price initially and then BAM want to rent a movie or subscribe to certain channels...pay for cable TV in order to register channels....BOO!...and the prices for movie rentals are a little silly....
Why it doesn't get 5 stars: cheap purchase price initially and then BAM want to rent a movie or subscribe to certain channels...pay for cable TV in order to register channels....BOO!...and the prices for movie rentals are a little silly....
final thoughts...because of the giant cable companies TV channels are still limited, occasionally we will rent an overpriced movie just because its convenient. But mainly this has turned into a netflix box.... I've been an owner for about 6 months now
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
5
Can't live without it, won't live without it.
on May 2, 2014
Posted by: lynn42
from Maine, United States
Gender:Female
I have the distinction of having the very first Roku player ever, it's so old and clunky compared to the new one I also have, I believe it is Roku Xs and I believe this might be archaic now too. Guess what folks, they are both still running. The oldie is in the bedroom for my 20", to sleep by tv. The newer one has the HD, subtitles and a smooth, easy to hold remote for the HDTV 42". I said goodbye to subscription t.v. since the first one I bought. I have saved 1000's and I can't live long enough to watch all that is offered. Yeah!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
1
stops working after a few months
on August 10, 2014
Posted by: de67
from Massachusetts, United States
This is the second Roku 3 I have had and it stopped working after 3 months. The first one lasted even a shorter time. I it great while it works but not worth it in the long run - just another thing to throw away.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
1
Frustrating
on August 13, 2014
Posted by: rrjay
from California
Gender:Male
I have an extremely fast network at home: 5TB SSD network drive and hard-wired ethernet. Yet, I constantly have "loading..." messages which make watching movies on Roku so frustrating, that I've just about given up. No, I have given up. I'm waiting for something reliable and fast.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
4
Nice Work Roku
on March 14, 2013
Posted by: Bunky
from Santa Cruz CA
Verified Purchase:No
Love the compct size,picture quality,speed of WiFi connection. New remote is excellent especially the headphone jack,I can watch late at night without disturbing anyone. The "universal" search is definately a plus.
Pros: Built in Wi-Fi, Video selection, Compact, High quality picture, Easy to use
Cons: Had To Re Enter Passwords
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com