As you know, I'm always looking for 'the next thing' when it comes to watching my video content on the big screen at home. I was rather disappointed in Sony Media Streaming for $50. After Sony updated their software, it now supports H.264 streaming - but it's very slow. The box often delay playing by pre-downloading content via DLNA and can take up to 3 minutes to play back a 720p file.
With these streaming media boxes, you can listen to Pandora, MOG, Spotify, or local music (via DLNA or AirPlay).
Anyway, Western Digital just entered into the market for streaming media box, which is a natural evolution from their already-established WD TV player (Play now supports YouTube and Vudu, etc). So how does it stack up against their competitors? I've put together a checklist of things I'm interested in (Amazon Prime, DLNA support, YouTube…), everything else I don't really care about.
NOTE: Flixster (Ultraviolet) is compatible with VUDU if you link your two accounts together. What that means is movies you own on UV can be accessed on Vudu - unless there are rights issues (some movies are exclusive to Vudu or vice-versa). For the most part, I'm lumping Flixster and Vudu together as one item.
With these streaming media boxes, you can listen to Pandora, MOG, Spotify, or local music (via DLNA or AirPlay).
Anyway, Western Digital just entered into the market for streaming media box, which is a natural evolution from their already-established WD TV player (Play now supports YouTube and Vudu, etc). So how does it stack up against their competitors? I've put together a checklist of things I'm interested in (Amazon Prime, DLNA support, YouTube…), everything else I don't really care about.
NOTE: Flixster (Ultraviolet) is compatible with VUDU if you link your two accounts together. What that means is movies you own on UV can be accessed on Vudu - unless there are rights issues (some movies are exclusive to Vudu or vice-versa). For the most part, I'm lumping Flixster and Vudu together as one item.
| Product: |
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| Price: | $99.99 (on sale $84.87) | $69.99 | $99.99 |
| WiFi: | YES | YES | YES |
| Ethernet: | YES | YES | YES |
| DLNA: | NO | YES | NO |
| Bluetooth: | YES (limited to Roku remote only) | NO | YES (limited to Apple Wireless Keyboard only) |
| Video Outputs: | Up to 1080p | Up to 1080p | Up to 1080p |
| AVI: | NO | YES | YES |
| MP4/Mpeg: | YES | YES | YES |
| MKV: | NO | YES | NO |
| Subtitles: | NO | YES (SRT, ASS, SSA, SUB, SMI, MKV) | NO |
| HDMI | YES | YES | YES |
| Composite | YES | YES | NO |
| Expansion: | USB 2.0, microSD card | USB 2.0 | NO |
| Netflix: | YES | YES | YES |
| Hulu Plus: | YES | YES | YES |
| YouTube: | NO (Roku 3: YES) | YES | YES |
| Amazon Instant Video: | YES | NO | NO |
| Crackle: | YES | YES | NO |
| Vudu/Flixster: | YES (both) | YES (Vudu) | NO |
| Spotify: | NO | YES | NO |
| Pandora: | YES | YES | NO |
| MOG: | YES | YES | NO |
| Total: | 15 | 19 | 10 |
So here's the breakdown: WD TV is the only one that supports DLNA. Apple TV is the only one that supports iTunes purchased movies and "Air Play", but if you don't live in the Apple Universe, a workaround is with UltraViolet (via Flixster or Vudu). You can read more about UltraViolet here.
Note: Roku 2 is the only box that works with Amazon Prime, but I'm sure Amazon will eventually make their way to WD. Roku 2 also doesn't really play local content (it doesn't even support AVI) and what kind of box doesn't support YouTube???
Based on the $70 retail price and its functionality, at least to me, it seems like my next streaming box that I will purchase. The LEAST attractive box is the Apple TV… but it does support their iTunes ecosystem, and for some people, that's really all that matters. I believe, looking at the trends, that Apple TV will introduce a new product that will ultimately support "apps" based on their iPad iOS apps.
Currently, the only media box that does it all is my PS3, which I'm quite happy with - but there is a huge $300 price to entry that is off putting to most people. PS3 is the only machine that plays Blu-Ray, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Hulu Plus… and because the hardware was built for games - it's so much smoother and faster than any stand-alone box I've played around with. If you are thinking about getting an Xbox instead: don't bother. Nothing will work unless you pay Microsoft an extra $80 a year for their so-called "Gold" service. Imagine paying extra to access YouTube, you fanboys love it.
PS, this is a cross-post on movies.weheartmusic.com.
UPDATE 02/01/2014: As of mid-December 2013, Roku now supports YouTube. Note that only Roku 3 will have YouTube at this time.
Note: Roku 2 is the only box that works with Amazon Prime, but I'm sure Amazon will eventually make their way to WD. Roku 2 also doesn't really play local content (it doesn't even support AVI) and what kind of box doesn't support YouTube???
Based on the $70 retail price and its functionality, at least to me, it seems like my next streaming box that I will purchase. The LEAST attractive box is the Apple TV… but it does support their iTunes ecosystem, and for some people, that's really all that matters. I believe, looking at the trends, that Apple TV will introduce a new product that will ultimately support "apps" based on their iPad iOS apps.
Currently, the only media box that does it all is my PS3, which I'm quite happy with - but there is a huge $300 price to entry that is off putting to most people. PS3 is the only machine that plays Blu-Ray, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Hulu Plus… and because the hardware was built for games - it's so much smoother and faster than any stand-alone box I've played around with. If you are thinking about getting an Xbox instead: don't bother. Nothing will work unless you pay Microsoft an extra $80 a year for their so-called "Gold" service. Imagine paying extra to access YouTube, you fanboys love it.
PS, this is a cross-post on movies.weheartmusic.com.
UPDATE 02/01/2014: As of mid-December 2013, Roku now supports YouTube. Note that only Roku 3 will have YouTube at this time.
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