First, before I get in the ring with Boxee vs. Roku, I’d like to give a brief introduction to the two contenders. Although their names may sound like boxers from an exotic country, both the Boxee and the Roku are actually media boxes that allow you to view different types of Internet content or media stored on your personal computer on your television instead of the screen. his computer. .
While previously you used to download the media first to your computer and then watch it, with these two you will generally stream the media (rather than download) from a large selection of streaming media providers such as Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon, Vudu, Pandora, etc. etc. You will subscribe to these content providers at a very nominal monthly subscription fee or pay per view. However, if you already have downloaded material on your computer’s hard drive; These two players can also play popular media formats like MPEG video, MP3 audio, and JPEG photos from your hard drive.
The comparison between Boxee and Roku
I’ve laid out the product-by-product facts on this Boxee vs. Roku matchup, but before I jump right into this Boxee vs. Roku comparison, let me first outline what the common features are across both products:
- Both have HDMI ports
- Both can play common media like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video
- Both can connect wirelessly to your home network
- They both have apps that can connect to Facebook to let you share your photos, videos, and links.
- Both allow the use of expanded memory through its micro SD slot.
What are the characteristics and weaknesses of the Boxee in this matchup between Boxee and Roku?
- Boxee can play Vudu and Vudu with their latest Hollywood blockbusters and the 5.1 sound channel is great, especially if you’re a fan of the movies.
- Netflix interface is better on Boxee than on Roku
- Hulu Plus is not supported. Apparently, this is not due to technical limitations, but to business deals that need to be finalized by both parties.
- A big advantage of Boxee over Roku is that it uses open standards like SAMBA, DLNA and has a QWERTY remote.
- It’s very impressive, especially if you have a lot of local content.
- It is capable of playing all other media on your network and movies from your PC’s hard drive.
- The user interface feels much more elegant and looks much more refined than the Roku.
- It’s more polished and for everything it does, it does pretty well.
- It is more geared towards internet browsing and content and searches the internet for apps, channels and content and displays them in one location.
- An HDMI cable is included in the package.
- Although this is subject to personal preference, overall I felt that Boxee has a more attractive interface than Roku.
- Comes with 2 USB ports
- It supports all channels like Vudu, Vevo, YouTube, etc.
What are Roku’s strengths and weaknesses in the Boxee vs. Roku matchup?
There are many different models of Ruku and with each of these models you pay a different price for a different feature. However, basic features are common across these different models and the comparisons outlined here are based on common Roku features.
- Voodoo is not supported. This is unfortunate as Vudu has a huge collection of the latest Hollywood blockbusters.
- Netflix’s interface isn’t as nice as Boxee’s
- Hulu Plus is available
- It is very reliable and provides a more TV-like experience.
- HD processing is excellent.
- It is based on a “Channel” model. Out of the box, your “Channels” are set to shows like YouTube, etc. and add more “Channels” for your own services
- In general, its interface is less elegant than that of the Boxee.
- Streaming local media on a large TV is slow as it tries to scale to fit the entire TV screen
- You can use a remote app to control the box from your smartphone
- The Roku is designed with gaming in mind; so your controller has a directional pad and A/B game buttons
- HDMI cable is not provided.
- There is currently no good way to access music, photos and videos stored on a NAS (Network Area Storage) box, but you can connect a portable hard drive directly through the USB port.
- Comes with 1 USB port
Overall, both media boxes do what they do well. However, their focus is on slightly different things. If what you need is primarily streaming Netflix movies and watching Hulu Plus TV shows, then Roku fits the bill. It’s affordable and lets you watch network media like a champ.
