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
fantastic
on January 23, 2014
Posted by: Jethro59
Gender:Male
my wife got it for me for Christmas and it was easy to set up the pictures wonderful I think it even clearer then the cable. The 1080 I HD is a very crisp with beautiful vibrant colors. I have recommended this product of my friends.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
4
its a incredable media player
on January 23, 2014
Posted by: ve7bbd
from surrey b.c
Gender:Male
it a great media streamer and easy to use one thing it needs a way stream from network drive
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
5
Great Product
on January 23, 2014
Posted by: Marq800
from Seattle, WA, United States
Gender:Male
Bought it a month ago, it was a breeze to set up, great features, fast response, does everything it tells you it would do.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
5
Roku 3 Rocks
on January 23, 2014
Posted by: cateyetech
from Arkansas
Gender:Male
We cut the cable 4 months ago and have been on antenna and streaming from the PC via hdmi cable but the streaming process was cumbersome, NOT anymore!!! With the Roku the last month has been awesome, added our streaming and online movie accounts and a dozen or so channels and have never been more satisfied, better than cable ever was at 1/3 the price. Thanks Roku and keep up the great work, Roku Rocks our TV world!!!!!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
5
ROKU More Than Just "An Alternative"
on January 23, 2014
Posted by: Liz0285
Gender:Female
If you're like me -reading reviews from anonymous people before making decisions whether to purchase- or just wanting a commentary from experience- I hope this helps to dispel myths, dissuade fears, and give a factual account on what you can reasonably expect from this device.
I bought this with the intention of canceling my cable TV service, and streaming videos/content exclusively. The quality of the ROKU performance will depend entirely on your internet service provider and the reliability of your home internet network; if you have a modem or wireless internet connection that is constantly trying to thwart your attempts to domesticate it into a friendly, dependable, hassle-free technological experience- you will probably have the very same home network issues effect your ROKU performance as well.
My internet connection just so happens to be excellent, and I opted to connect my ROKU directly to the modem (for fear of tempting the whims and wrath of the wireless network). As far as technical performance (fidelity of sound/ picture quality/ buffering) the ROKU performs identically in visual/audio quality to my computer: if what you're watching is a low-resolution, poor-quality video/show/content, don't expect miracles. The commands and operations/interfacing with the ROKU when searching for content is intuitive- my only wish is that the remote had a sliding keyboard for actual typing, rather than having to physically select every letter and space for content searching.
By the way, just for clarification: This unit is NOT a full-blown personal computer or a "smart" anything- you won't be able to "multi-task" and write and check emails, and go to massive world wide search engines and browse endlessly for any old website for content, or sign in anywhere to pay bills, or shop online. Nope. ROKU 3 is not any of those things. The ROKU 3 will only be as 'good' as the subscriptions services and channels/networks available: you can have all the HD 1080dpi whatever you want- the actual technology is great- but if Netflix or any major content provider suddenly goes downhill with worthless/uninteresting filler... well, let's hope there's some serious provider/ network competition by then.
There will be some of you reading this saying, "This is redundant technology. Why would I want this when I already have a computer and smart gadgets and tablets that I can watch movies and TV shows on?"
And, well, you're right. The difference is that, while a ROKU is not any of those things, it's fair to say that it's less expensive when compared to other personal devices and performs beautifully. It's a function of convenience and physical practicality for most people. It enables you to have streaming web/ subscription content WITHOUT having to use a PC or personal device (including those smart phone data plans).
From what I understand, the ROKU 3 uses a very comprehensive search system, where you can search for specific content available through all the major channel subscription services (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon) as well as free content channels. If the title is available anywhere, it will find it. There are no surprises- it is not easy to 'accidentally' buy something you don't want, and I appreciate that as a consumer. Part of this search system is "fill in the blank" suggestions, which helps with the 'typing' quite a bit.
The visual displays of actual sites, like Netflix, HuluPLUS, YouTube- when compared to a computer's web layout of a webpage- is very different but not unmanageable or impossible to navigate in the ROKU 3 version.
If you are thinking about buying this device to replace cable TV outright WITHOUT a subscription service, (Netflix, HuluPLUS, Amazon Prime) you might be disappointed with the content of the "free" channels. The availability of "contemporary/current shows" offered on free channels is lacking: while major networks (SyFy, A&E, FOX, etc) do offer 'content' it consists mostly of clips and web site behind-the-scenes exclusives, cast and crew interviews- Not full episodes- at least not at the time of this review.
A side note: If you are "into" major American Sports ( I am not ) or live network news media (FOX, CNN, ABC, etc) this might be a difficult transition for you if cable TV or digital antenna stations is not an option in addition to ROKU. As far as I know, there isn't a 'free' or 'subscription' channel that I am aware of that will allow real-time live viewing access to sporting events or news like cable network broadcasts.
However, this is not to say that the free channels don't have interesting content; but it will probably be 1. Vintage, 2. VERY Vintage, 3. 'Independent' 4. 'PBS/Science/Info/Documentary.' 5. Niche/ Genre. If you aren't into those five ideas as a whole, you will probably not be happy. This has more to do with the emerging "internet television" networks vs. the established cable networks/television stations, than being an actual fault of the ROKU device/service itself. Internet TV and web-only networks just haven't been around as long, so they don't have the 30-40 YEARS of shows and programming stockpiled to offer for content, nor do they have rights or access to them at present time.
Also, as an added bonus: this version of ROKU has YOUTUBE as an official channel, where you can link your account and watch whatever is on your regular Youtube channel subscriptions and such.
I will note one slight sticking point, in that while HuluPLUS is an official channel offering interfacing with your subscription, Basic/ Free Hulu does not seem to be available/compatible, even if you have an existing account/profile with the free Hulu service.
In summation: If you want to free up your computers and personal devices to stream movies and such through Netflix, etc. on your newer TV and want excellent performance, this will probably be the right product for you. This is a very good, hassle-free and lower cost device option; especially if you're not looking to buy-in to fancy game console systems when you don't play video games, or don't want to upgrade to a Blu-ray player when you don't have a lot of respective movie discs lying around, etc.
If you're like me, and got tired of paying A LOT of money to watch a lot of nothing on cable (decades of re-runs, reality tv and their ilk, Hollywood gossip, sports I have no interest in) than I encourage you to give this a try with a Netflix/HuluPLUS/amazon subscription. The ROKU 3 pays for itself very quickly when compared to even a basic cable plan: You buy the unit- one time cost and it's done. Choose to pay for additional subscriptions and channels if you want them- and- I don't have to contort around my computer to watch movies or browse youtube.
No double-speak, no fine print, no gimmicks, no tricks: it's a piece of technology that actually does what it's suppose to without giving you a headache. If I can set it up and figure it out, anyone can.
I wish I had done this a year ago when I was talked into a yearly "promo rate" package bundle from the cable company... Speaking of which, be sure that you understand the DATA USAGE terms for your internet service: while the ROKU 3 streams at a glorious HD 1080dpi or 720dpi, it might blaze through your monthly 'data allowance' and cause fees or overages.
I had a very different experience vs. what I was expecting with the ROKU 3:
I was apprehensive and thought I'd walked into another snake oil scheme- but this idea thus far has exceeded what I hoped for: I'm very satisfied with the device, concept, and ease of use. If you're even remotely curious, try it. Chances are good that you won't be disappointed.
I was apprehensive and thought I'd walked into another snake oil scheme- but this idea thus far has exceeded what I hoped for: I'm very satisfied with the device, concept, and ease of use. If you're even remotely curious, try it. Chances are good that you won't be disappointed.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
5
Best Xmas gift ever!
on January 23, 2014
Posted by: AZCliff
Gender:Male
I bought this thing for myself to try out and was impressed right out the gate! It was easy to set up and easy to sign up for the various services! It respond quickly to commands and the remote is real easy to figure out! It basically allowed me to convert for flat panel plasma TV into a SMART TV! Love it!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
5
Very Good!!
on January 23, 2014
Posted by: surferBob
from Baltimore, MD, United States
Gender:Male
This is exactly as advertised and how often does that happen? We have been very happy and use the Roku more than the regular TV now.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com
Customer Rating
5
Easy to use & set up!
on January 23, 2014
Posted by: Teacher18
from Pocatello, ID, United States
Gender:Female
Wish I had bought this a long time ago. If you are a movie buff, this is a must have.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting roku.com