Sunday, April 5, 2009

Roku Netflix Player and Life with Pictures

I LOVE my Roku Netflix Player. It's the coolest device that I've ever spent a hundred bucks on. Let me run this down for you.


  • Dead simple to use. Seriously. You plug it in to the wall, the router, and the TV. Enter a code on your netflix account (that has unlimited streaming) and Wham! It syncs up and downloads all of the movies that you currently have on your "Watch Instantly" queue.
  • You scroll through the movies by picture, select it, and then you simply press play. I've never had to wait longer than 15 or 20 seconds for a movie to load (6-12 Mbps Comcast cable internet) and the resolution has been great. I haven't had a chance to put it on a huge HDTV yet, but the picture quality is certainly close to, if not on par with, DVD.
  • The selection is actually quite impressive. Over 12,000 titles are available through Netflix. And a whole bunch more content can be rented or purchased through Amazon Video on Demand. While I don't use Amazon, I currently have over 60 movies and full seasons of TV on my "Watch Instantly" queue.

This device has met all of my requirements to be a great edition to my AV setup. I'm planning on upgrading to an HDTV relatively soon, so I'll let you know what I think of it after that. Meanwhile, let me tell you this much: buy it. It's a hundred bucks. If you have a Netflix account with unlimited streaming, it allows you to get so much more for your money. I've watched 2 full seasons of 30 Rock (I can't recommend this show highly enough. One of the only shows that me and my wife actually laugh OUT LOUD at while we are watching it. The writing is sharp, witty, and current.), numerous hours of Law & Order SVU, and tons of movies that I can just turn on at the press of a button. As the selection continues to expand, this is only going to get better and better for the mere 100 bucks that it costs.


On another note, I bought it on a Saturday, and received it on Tuesday. It shipped late Monday night and was at my door on Tuesday (Shipped from 40 miles way in CA. :) ).


Ultimately, buy yourself one. You owe it to yourself. Expand your horizons, and enjoy your Netflix account again.


Life update: Things are very well in the Gamblin House. We spend time watching movies, going out to shop, and finding wonderful new places to eat and enjoy our time together in wonderful San Jose. We travelled out to Santa Cruz a week ago for a FANTASTIC Saturday date. It was seriously so fun. We were able to hang out and get some cotton candy and salt water taffy. The weather was perfect. Today was even better. 75 degrees, not a cloud in the sky. I love living in this state, as it provides the greatest summer weather you could ask for.


I start playing EY basketball on Tuesday. I'm so out of shape, but can't wait to get involved playing ball again. Friday I'll be at the in laws, and then the week after that my wife and I will head up to my parents to help my mom cater a wedding. My wife can't wait! I'll include some pictures here. They are from my phone, so please excuse the poor resolution!

Cake

My wife made this cake. It's a bust of my dad's head. She's amazing. And for hire! Call us. Serious. :)

Cave Train

About to ride the Cave Train Adventure. So lame. But so fun.

Deep Fried Twinkies

Anyone want one? Yuck.

Giant Dipper

This ride is fun, but headache inducing.

Santa Cruz

This was in MARCH.

Wife on Beach

We love our state.


Leave any comments. We love them. Comment for the sake of it. So I know you are alive. And if you have a blog, and I haven't linked you, give me the link. I'd love to add you to the blogroll!

8 comments:

Janae said...

I can't believe she made that cake. That is amazing.

Aubrey said...

Oh to be in California! Spring is gorgeous here but now it's snowing. It's crazy and unpredictable...unlike California. You guys look like you're having a blast! Oh, and by the way, we saw 'I Love You, Man' with Paul Rudd last week. I highly recommend it. It's hilarious!

Amanda P said...

What I wouldn't give to be able to take a weekend trip to Santa Cruz. We're still cold here. Highs in the 40s this week with rain through Saturday. Sigh.

Lisa said...

That cake is truly amazing. Tell Lindsay I am impressed!

bryan said...

Oh the Roku player. When I read the specs for that I couldn't wait to try it out. You will have to show me when I finaly move out there.

Chels said...

Guess what? I might be working in Cali this summer. And then you can stop rubbing in the fact that I live in bipolar Utah. And you and your wife are so cute. I love you both.

Kaija said...

Okay. I might just hire that cake lady sometime soon! 5th anniversary is tomorrow and my husband loves cake... NICE WORK LINDSAY! Santa Cruz is indeed amazing. I couldn't ask for a nicer place to go everyday for work/school!

Jason said...

Netflix needs to hurry up and make a deal with sony so I can stream movies on my ps3!