To Smart TV or not to Smart TV, that is the question.  Or at least that was the question on consumers’ minds this holiday when many a retailer slashed pricing on just about every big screen TV under the sun.  Well folks, Roku is looking to negate that part of the purchase decision process.  Come this fall the company behind the Roku boxes will introduce the Roku Streaming Stick.

As you’ve no doubt sussed out, it is the same tech that is found in their boxes, yet this device weighs (and measures) in at about the size of a USB stick.  However, don’t be fooled by its form factor, because it doesn’t plug into your TV’s USB port.  Instead it jacks into your set’s HDMI port.  But not just any HDMI port.  Your TV will need to sport something called an MHL-enabled HDMI port.  It’s a new standard that delivers power “and other critical elements” to whatever is plugged into it.  But with this new standard at hand, your TV’s remote should be fully compatible with Roku’s Streaming Stick, allowing you to change your TV’s volume and the Netflix movie with the same device.

Inside the diminutive sized device, Roku has managed to stuff in not only the necessary processor to stream content from the greats, such as Netflix and Pandora, but WiFi so you won’t have to worry about plugging in an Ethernet cord and running that sleek setup you’ve worked so hard to attain.  Insignia, Best Buy’s own TV brand, will be the first to package the Roku Streaming Stick in with a big screen TV, though it will be compatible with other brands, provided they meet they aforementioned spec.

Unfortunately, Roku is mum on price at this point (expect it to be $50-100), but we do know that it will hit retail shelves in the latter half of the year, closer to fall.

Score on that Roku 2 XD Streaming Player you didn’t get yesterday for Christmas with today’s Amazon’s Deal of the Day! Originally listed for $79, you can get yours for $61.99, which is $18 (or 23%) off the original price. The tiny, yet powerful, Roku 2 XD makes it easy to stream more than 350 entertainment choices, like movies, TV shows, live sports and music, on your TV in an instant and whenever you want to see it. As the smallest streaming player out there, it’s perfect for slipping alongside any TV or entertainment center and only uses less than 2-Watts.

There’s no need for a computer since Roku connects to your TV and Wi-Fi network at home so you can be up and streaming your favorite movies in only minutes. Watching is just as easy thanks to its simple remote that allows you to watch entertainment of your choice instantly. It’s so much easier than having to set up everything to watch a DVD!

Roku 2 XD features content from the top sources, like Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, Hulu Plus, and more. Watch live sports on NBA League Pass, NHL GameCenter Live, MLS Matchday, UFC, and MLB.TV. With the Roku 2 XD Streaming player, you can access the best selection of streaming entertainment available—more than 350 channels, with more coming soon. Some features includes: live sports, music, photo and video sharing, games, international programming, radio, tech news, non-tech news, podcasts, cartoons, clips, cat tricks, and so much more!

Amazon has a slick discounted price you can get for this Roku LT 2400D Streaming Player!

Looking to get that extra oomph out of your home theater entertainment experience? This little Media Player from Roku gives you access to an astounding amount of content while simply being a small purple box. The Roku Streaming Player has 350 ‘channels’ of content built in which allows you to access the net in many different ways without having to scour for content. On one hand it gives you limitless access to your Netflix with support for Dolby Digital surround and even English Subtitles for foreign hits. Hulu Plus is also available, as is Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster, Crackle and hundreds more services. There are even services such as Pandora for obtaining your music and lifestyle programming along with photo and video sharing; the possibilities are endless.

Amazon carries this player for $44.99.  Still a solid deal for holiday giving.

Amazon has some extra savings to share for this Roku LT Streaming Player!

Give your TV that extra kick in the rear without having to overspend on features. Revolutionize the way you watch with this Roku LT Streamer that comes in an interesting shade of purple. With this device connected to your TV, and its easy setup you’ll be up and running in no time. It works with virtually any TV around, and when connected enables instant access to the Internet for streaming all around. Places like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, HBO GO and many many more are supported; up to 350 channels in fact to choose from. With all these options in your fingertips and a handy remote to control it all it becomes clear why this new low price is a spectacular offer! A new fixture but a sleek one at that.

This brand new player, that plays a variety of services costs just $49.99.  Beat that Apple TV!

In addition to adding HBO Go to their list of channels, Roku today introduced the Roku LT. The LT might as well refers to light, as in a light price since it only costs $49.99, $10 cheaper than the model up. But all things relative (to other Roku players) you get what you pay for. This box caps streams at 720p, while their other higher end versions (XD and XS) can perform 1080p. However, they have still managed to squeeze in WiFi, an HDMI port and VGA connectivity for those still using a non-HD television.

The Roku LT will ship sometime this November and you’ll be able to grab it from Amazon and other major retailers.

On another note, we should point out that the LT can stream from sites such as Hulu, Netflix, Pandora, Rdio, Cnet, Flickr and whole bunch more – 320 channels to be exact. It’s $10 cheaper than the Roku 2 HD, and from where we sit the only difference seems to be that the LT can’t play games and has a purple finish.

Roku is back baby, and this time it’s smaller, faster and more energy efficient.  The company’s first box just streamed Netflix.  But over the last few years they’ve added a variety of streaming content of the set top box which includes Pandora, Crackle, UFC, Foxnews.com and more.

The new boxes, which are available in three flavors – Roku 2 HD, Roku 2 XD and Roku 2 XS – sport a smaller footprint, use just 2 watts of power and get this, can now play video games.  They’ll continue to output 5.1-channel surround sound with compatible content.  The Roku 2 HD is limited to just 720p, while the XD and XS can playback full HD video.  However, all models are compatible with Roku’s gaming platform, which will launch with, what else, Angry Birds.  The game will ship for free with the XS model, the highest of the three, and will include a bluetooth, motion sensing gaming controller.  This model, unlike the other two, will also sport an Ethernet port for a wired connection and USB port for playing back media off any USB drive.   All models ship with built-in WiFi, though the lower tier ones will not include a free copy of Angry Birds or Roku’s gaming controller.

The Roku 2 HD, Roku XD and Roku XS will ship at the end of this month for $59.99, $79.99 and $99.99 respectively.

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The HD version is $99.99 + free ship  = $99.99!

The HD-XR version is $129.99 + free shipping = $129.99!

Just in time for the holidays, Roku has announced an all new Roku Player…sort of.  Actually, the HD-XR model just adds a USB port (not enabled) and support for 802.11n to the HD version of the box.  You can grab one now for $129.99 or opt for the now discounted SD version for $79.99.  For some the $30 for the HD-XR version might not be worth it, but for those streaming users that want to move their box further from their router it might make sense, and who knows, maybe that currently disabled USB port will actually facilitate not only local play from an attached hard drive but enable it to be a NAS.

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If there’s one thing I love–positively LOVE!–about gadgets, it’s their great potential to make my life better, easier, and more entertaining.  And now that I’ve found a possible way to shatter a cable bill by the judicious use of Netflix, DSL and a Roku video device, I’m more inclined to express my love of gadgetry.

Here’s the rundown: a DSL subscription can run about twenty three bucks a month, depending on where you live and what plans are available.  A subscription to Netflix that includes unlimited downloads starts at a measly nine bucks.  The Roku?  Another ninety nine.

So for a hundred bucks to open and thirty two bucks a month, I can essentially get access to a wide-open commercial free library of movies and television shows.  Why would I get cable when this is a possibility?

And now, thanks to this coalition of gadgets, you can overthrow the cable company.  Sounds like a plan to me.

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Today, Roku added Amazon.com’s Video On Demand (VoD) service to its Roku media player. Now you’ll be able to rent and/or purchase Amazon.com’s huge lineup of media directly from the Roku device. This effectively eliminates the need to subscribe to Netflix’s service.

The Amazon VoD upgrade is free and will rollout to users over the course of this week. Quite a significant upgrade, I must say, since you’ll have a buttload of new viewing options for the same $99 Roku box.

[Electronista]

Amazon.com announced that their video on demand service will be coming soon to the Roku Digital Video Player. This will add 40,000 movies to the Roku player, along with new releases and TV shows. Combined with Netflix, this box should keep you glued to the set until your eyes pop out.

[Electronista]

Within the next few weeks, users of the Roku digital video player should expect an update that will enable HD Netflix streams. My question is why in the heck did it take so long?

I guess what matters is that it’s finally here, eh?  This little box is now capable of streaming hundreds of HD streams in addition to the 12,000 standard definition titles. Great value I must say.

Official press release:

SARATOGA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Roku Inc., a leading innovator in digital media technology and maker of the popular Netflix Player by Roku, today announced it has released support for streaming high definition (HD) content. Through the use of advanced compression technology, Roku can deliver instant streaming of HD content over average consumer broadband connections – bringing HD to the mass market at an affordable price of just $99.

“Netflix is a pioneer in streaming HD content over the Internet and the results are impressive,” said Anthony Wood, founder & CEO of Roku. “Adding hundreds of HD titles to their catalog of more than 12,000 streaming titles provides tremendous value to Roku owners.”

Netflix, Inc. is the first content provider to deliver HD content to the Roku player. Additional providers of HD content are expected in the first quarter of 2009. The new software will be automatically delivered to all Roku players free-of-charge over the course of the next few weeks.

“No other HD device delivers as diverse a catalog of HD entertainment along with flexible HDTV connections and incomparable price-value as Roku,” says Richard Doherty, Research Director for The Envisioneering Group. “More and more HD video programming is instantly available, making Roku even more valuable over time than many expensive PVRs and leased services.”

[Yahoo]