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Why I bought -- then returned -- Roku 3
- Thread starter Toe
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Why do you nerds have such a hard time comprehending that the average family doesn't feel like going through all the geekery that you/we (I'm actually one of you guys, I have a similar setup in my house, although I do use the Apple TV as a middle man even though I don't need to) go through? Just because WE enjoy building computers (with "spare parts laying around," because we all know everybody has spare PC hardware laying around,) and hooking them to our tv, and then switching the input to the tv, and then sitting down on the couch with the mouse and keyboard and navigating through Windows and opening whatever files/websites they need and then putting the respective program/plugin into fullscreen mode?
"lol it isnt that hard" NOT the point. This is very simple to us. It's not to everybody, and to some, they just don't want to go through the hassle when a simple $99 box can streamline most of the entire process.
"but you can do more with a-" DOESN'T MATTER. These families aren't looking to build a $200 Windows "box," make room for it in the entertainment center ("LOL THEIR NOT EVEN THAT BIG! I MADE A REALLY SMALL ONE FOR-" that's nice,) and then show their kids how to point and click their way to the movies they want to watch. They just want something that plays Netflix and maybe whatever's in their computer's media library, as painlessly as possible.
"but all you gotta do is-" Stop, STOP. NO. You are not the voice of consumers, nor are you the voice of the industry if the direction lately is any indication. There's a reason everybody doesn't do it your way. And no, it's not because everybody is an idiot and you're a super-genius. It's because you're out of touch with reality.
Let them use their Roku or their Apple TV. The entire TV media hub industry isn't going to shrivel up and die because you think it's pointless.
I don't have kids, and I don't know where I implied that this is the only way to go, but I would certainly recommend it for anyone who can put in even an ounce of time to get a far superior product. I use a case that is about the size of a cable box, and basically looks like one too. I don't use a keyboard and mouse, I have a $25 backlit Lenovo HTPC remote that I am using to type this as I lay on the couch. I don't go opening folders and then "fullscreening them", I use XBMC which automatically organizes everything. I can give the remote to anyone, and they will have no problem navigating around or finding what they need. Sure, it takes a couple of hours to set everything up, but it's completely worth it. I would be so frustrated only using a Roku/ATV. The functionality is very limited. Just because it may sound intimidating to some doesn't mean they shouldn't at least look into it. Sure, I would never recommend this setup for my grandma, but she doesn't know how to use a smart phone either. You'd be surprised at how many "normal" people are just hooking up their laptops to their tv to do some of this stuff. Kids have iphones at 5 years old now. It's completely insane how fast technology is progressing, and I think you're underestimating the abilities of a lot people, especially the younger generation and those that will follow.
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I find this to be astonishing news. This was really my biggest issue with the Roku. I was not able to set it up without accessing their website from my computer. From that point forward, why they *%$@ should I need to use the stupid four little arrows to type in complex passwords? And Apple does this too? I think I'm just not ready for these devices if they're that poorly conceived. (So I'm a perfectionist. That's why I use Macs in the first place.)
In fact, both devices have USB ports and both have ethernet ports. I shouldn't even need to enter my wifi password (which is very long, thank you) since there are obvious ways they could be made to connect directly to a device with a luxurious keyboard.
Steve Jobs had a reputation for impatience with stupid imperfections, especially in user interface. What, did he never set up his own ATV? Amazing.
I know it may sound hyper-critical, but it's just such a dumb oversight. Millions of people each waste a bunch of time and frustration trying to type with arrows because a development team couldn't spend a few days thinking through the obvious.
For now, I'll just stick with my stupid "smart" TV and my HDMI cable direct into my MBP. Maybe someday I'll calm down and put up with the ridiculous ritual of arrow-typing, but... just so frustrating. Why?
P.S. As for the AirPort being the problem; I don't think that was it. The way I did get it to work was some ridiculous hack I found on one blog (Roku website was beyond useless; just showed me a ultra-basic setup video) that got it to work. Rebooting AP didn't do anything. But the Roku made sure I had to type my complex wifi password again and again and again and again with the stupid little arrows. Sometimes wifi worked, sometimes it didn't. (And no, my wifi signal was no problem.)
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for roku, you have to set up an account in their channel store, after that, you can do everything on the roku itself.
for apple since they don't have a store, no need to set up an account.
talk to netflix, other channels like rdio will give you a code in the app, then you go to the rdio website on your computer and type in the code. no typing on the roku.
no they don't.
the USB port on the aTV is a B version, so the kind you find on a peripheral not a computer.
in much the same way that you can't plug a keyboard into a hard drive, you can't plug a keyboard into the aTV.
both atv and roku have iOS apps that will let you use the keyboard on your iOS device.
atv will let you use an apple bluetooth keyboard.
i've had my first aTV2 for at least 2 years, i spent maybe 5 minutes (on the outside) typing in my passwords. so .00047 percent of the time i've owned it.
on roku, you don't need to type any thing with the remote.
plug it into etherent, and connect via the iOS app. after that you can even type the wireless password from the app, and then disconnect the wired connection.
aTV won't let you access wireless networks if it's hardwired.
http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-howto/31914-how-to-crack-wpa-wpa2-2012?start=4
even 7 characters can take more than 10 days to crack.
8 is more than sufficient for home use.
if you're that concerned about network security, turn off all wireless and go wired.
No if you set up with the remote app on an iPhone or iPad, you can use the keyboard which is a huge improvement. This can be done right after you connect the tv to your network with the stainless steel remote.
That's what I mean... what the heck are these companies thinking? Since the first thing Roku does is require you to use a computer, why can't they allow you to use that computer to set up channels?
Not that Apple is apparently better. Both companies seem to be really dropping the ball here.
I'm not suggesting one plug in a keyboard to either device... but rather that one directly connect the computer. No it's not possible on either, but it certainly could be and so it's a big oversight that it is not.
After you have set up wifi on the device and after you have gotten the app paired with the device. For whatever reason, I could get neither to work (as per my op; and btw, yes I did reboot everything in the chain; even my iPhone).
I had the Roku on for about an hour and a half and I spent about an hour and a half trying to get it configured. Which involved thousands of clicks on those four stupid little arrows.
Mind you, at some point in that hour and a half, I had each part of the equation working. But never did I reliably have the full thing working. So 100% of the time I had it, it sucked.
Yes, I tried that. The app connected to the Roku the first time I used it, then lost its connection. I got it back once, but then it kept failing. So I tried to manually enter the IP, and the app would not accept keyed input into the IP field. Period. I would press numbers, and they would not show in the app. Force-quit the app, reboot the iPhone... and still no. Not sure wtf happened there, but to me it looked like Roku had some lousy programmers. (And yes, of course my iPhone is up to date.)
Wow. That's incredibly stupid.
That's some dangerous misinformation. It assumes the only kind of attack that ever occurs is brute-force. But with wifi hacking, the most common approach is to look for packet vulnerabilities and/or backdoors. Security is not about protecting from the known but also from the unknown. And a longer password is much, much safer than a short one for several different reasons.
I do agree that passwords don't have to be complex in terms of characterization (that is "zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz" is much safer than "1Gh8*i"), but it would be very misguided to think that 8 characters is great security.
I'll do you one better. If you want perfect security, turn off networking, unplug the computer's power supply, smash everything to pieces, grind the memory and hard drive to dust, then incinerate the whole thing. That is the only way to achieve (nearly) perfect computer security.
I use wifi because it is safe with the proper precautions and it affords a great deal more convenience and possibility.
And as far as being concerned about security, it's not a question of whether or not one should be concerned, but rather whether or not one understands enough to know why it is crucial to take good security measures. A wired network is by no means sufficient security if it is connected to the internet.
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Can someone explain this for me?
The specifications of the ATV say "Dolby 5.1 pass through"?
If I play a movie from my iMac with 5.1 sound, ATV will pass this to my amplifier?
3 of my roku latest & greatest remote controls I purchased all loose volume
I have my imac and ipad, and in the past used Roku and loved it.
My original Roku, and 2nd Roku worked great.
Then they came out with the latest Roku which has the ability to listen to everything using the ear buds which connect to the Roku remote......wonderful right????? I thought so....
Wrong!!!!!! Why you ask?......Which is also what I asked..... over..... and over..... again......and again..... to no avail.
"Once Roku got my money they did not care to follow through at all and mail out the 3 Fed Ex prepaid labels in order to permit me to return all 3 defective Roku remotes for complete refunds back to y credit card."
Pairing all 3 brand new Roku remote controls were a real hassle to begin with.....too bad the products did not work as promised!
I contacted Roku and explained there was a serious volume shuf off problem and the volume was no longer working no matter how many times I rebooted, and followed all their Roku help instructions, as well as stayed on the telephone for long periods of time following the advice of Roku technicians all to be let down.
The only alternative they said was to just purchase their latest Roku remote which had the ear bud capabilities for private listening while viewing programs using Roku. Purchase it as a stand alone item which would pair with the Roku box connected to my LG big screen TV and plugged into the electrical outlet.
I did that 3 times and all 3 times each so called brand new Roku remote control would start out okay while I used the remote with ear buds attached, and then without warning the volume would stop....and never start again regardless of all the troubleshooting Roku techs did, and I did.
Then I had to alert them of the issues many times again and again, and request my 3 roku refunds again.
Finally Roku told me I would have to wait for a pre-paid Fed Ex mailing label which would be mailed to me within 10 days. Place the prepaid Fed Ex label on the Roku package and follow the instructions for returning all the defective Roku remotes......okay.....easy right?
Wrong!!!!!! I called until I turned blue in the face and the Fed Ex prepaid label never arrived, so evidently it was never sent out for any of them. They said they would mail it again....this went on for close to one month and after being completely disgusted with Roku I contacted my cc company and explained and placed all 3 Roku remote control purchases in dispute.
Roku even ignored them and never answered their investigations inquiry, so I was noified by my cc company by mail in writing that I had already receied full refunds because Roku never replied to any of their dispute investigation requests.
I have to say I am sorry Roku was not manufactured here in the USA with reps who are real pro's and follow thru, and a customer service which understands what the words defective, not usable, volume shuts off and does not go back on, and what the words defective and requesting refunds please really mean.....At least my credit card company did, and that is why I love that cc dispute protection.
I am from the old school where the words integrity, honesty, word of honor, and reliability, really stand for something.
I always believed it is better to lose anything but your reputation.
As for Roku it used to be a great product.....until what I encountered with their latest and greatest Roku remote control device, with the ear bud private listening option on their remote control unit.
After my exhausting consumer frustrating experience with Roku I can highly not recommend them as they no longer stand behind their products, no longer mail out the pre paid Fed Ex labels which they say is the only way to begin the refund process.....and they certainly remain totally mute when being contacted my credit card companies relative to consumer disputes and refunds for defective Roku products.
I have my imac and ipad, and in the past used Roku and loved it.
My original Roku, and 2nd Roku worked great.
Then they came out with the latest Roku which has the ability to listen to everything using the ear buds which connect to the Roku remote......wonderful right????? I thought so....
Wrong!!!!!! Why you ask?......Which is also what I asked..... over..... and over..... again......and again..... to no avail.
"Once Roku got my money they did not care to follow through at all and mail out the 3 Fed Ex prepaid labels in order to permit me to return all 3 defective Roku remotes for complete refunds back to y credit card."
Pairing all 3 brand new Roku remote controls were a real hassle to begin with.....too bad the products did not work as promised!
I contacted Roku and explained there was a serious volume shuf off problem and the volume was no longer working no matter how many times I rebooted, and followed all their Roku help instructions, as well as stayed on the telephone for long periods of time following the advice of Roku technicians all to be let down.
The only alternative they said was to just purchase their latest Roku remote which had the ear bud capabilities for private listening while viewing programs using Roku. Purchase it as a stand alone item which would pair with the Roku box connected to my LG big screen TV and plugged into the electrical outlet.
I did that 3 times and all 3 times each so called brand new Roku remote control would start out okay while I used the remote with ear buds attached, and then without warning the volume would stop....and never start again regardless of all the troubleshooting Roku techs did, and I did.
Then I had to alert them of the issues many times again and again, and request my 3 roku refunds again.
Finally Roku told me I would have to wait for a pre-paid Fed Ex mailing label which would be mailed to me within 10 days. Place the prepaid Fed Ex label on the Roku package and follow the instructions for returning all the defective Roku remotes......okay.....easy right?
Wrong!!!!!! I called until I turned blue in the face and the Fed Ex prepaid label never arrived, so evidently it was never sent out for any of them. They said they would mail it again....this went on for close to one month and after being completely disgusted with Roku I contacted my cc company and explained and placed all 3 Roku remote control purchases in dispute.
Roku even ignored them and never answered their investigations inquiry, so I was noified by my cc company by mail in writing that I had already receied full refunds because Roku never replied to any of their dispute investigation requests.
I have to say I am sorry Roku was not manufactured here in the USA with reps who are real pro's and follow thru, and a customer service which understands what the words defective, not usable, volume shuts off and does not go back on, and what the words defective and requesting refunds please really mean.....At least my credit card company did, and that is why I love that cc dispute protection.
I am from the old school where the words integrity, honesty, word of honor, and reliability, really stand for something.
I always believed it is better to lose anything but your reputation.
As for Roku it used to be a great product.....until what I encountered with their latest and greatest Roku remote control device, with the ear bud private listening option on their remote control unit.
After my exhausting consumer frustrating experience with Roku I can highly not recommend them as they no longer stand behind their products, no longer mail out the pre paid Fed Ex labels which they say is the only way to begin the refund process.....and they certainly remain totally mute when being contacted my credit card companies relative to consumer disputes and refunds for defective Roku products.
So you are upset because this was posted for someone that might be able to use the info? I really don't understand why. Just skip over the part you are not interested in, you are not the only person that reads the forum. Easy, right?
Do realize you are also not the voice of the industry? Seems like a hypocritical post to me.
Do realize you are also not the voice of the industry? Seems like a hypocritical post to me.
I got one of these for a friend as a gift. The interface for seasons/shows is beyond awful and the setup is a pain. Would never recommend this with google's new device out.
I think there is just a lot of Roku "plants" on here who try to make it seem like an amazing device, but its mediocre at best.
I think there is just a lot of Roku "plants" on here who try to make it seem like an amazing device, but its mediocre at best.