Well, that’s certainly the idea of
this palm-sized gizmo. But we wonder if the Roku Streaming Player LT does quite
enough to justify even the $75 tag
The idea of the Roku Streaming Player LT is
to provide a fuss-free way of bringing on-demand content to an old,
non-connected TV. In that regard, it’s similar to products like LG’s SP820
Smart Upgrader – only it costs considerably less, and does less, too. It’s not
media player, so files stored on your home network have to stay there (although
with the control app it can access music and picture files on your smartphone).
The
Roku is easily controlled via it’s intuitive, clutter-free remote
For $75, the Roku brings access to over 300
on-demand ‘channels’. The obvious worthwhile offerings here are the likes of
BBD iPlayer, Netflix, Sky’s Now TV movie-on-demand service and Tuneln radio,
but it’s worth browsing. I found Rok TV, with its collection of old Westerns
and weird horror movies, quite diverting.
The Streaming Playing LT’s HDMI output is
limited to 720p but this isn’t a deal-breaker for me at this price point. More
of a problem is the unit’s tendency to be a bit slow to load up selected
content. However, picture quality from BBC iPlayer and Crackle proved
reasonable. And if any content offers a 5.1 mix, the Roku will pass it on to
your AV receiver.
The
Streaming Playing LT’s HDMI output is limited to 720p but this isn’t a
deal-breaker for me at this price point
I also connected the Roku via its composite
output to remind myself what it was like in ye olden days. Pictures here are
noticeably softer and offer less color punch, but aren’t unwatchable –
particularly on a smaller second room set, which is where I can see this little
streamer being of most use.
As a brand that wants to appeal to
technophobes, Roku has got the design of the Streaming Player LT just right.
It’s small, lightweight, nicely curved and a very pleasing/trendy/annoying
shade of purple. It’s so light, in fact, that you might worry about build
quality if it wasn’t for the fact that it can just be plunked somewhere and
forgotten about.
Roku claims ‘you don’t need to be nerd’ to
use its dinky device, but I found setup a little more time-consuming than I’d
envisaged. Fired up and connected to my Wi-Fi network, I was then given a code
I had to take to Roku’s website to set up an online account. Once I’d powered
up my laptop I discovered that to register you have to provide credit
card/Paypal details. This so you can add PPV content/channels, but there’s no
option to skip this if all you want to get access to is BBC iPlayer and Tunnel
radio. Annoying.
Roku
Streaming Player LT does quite enough to justify even the $75 tag
Affordable fun
The Roku is certainly a fun gadget. It has
a foolproof remote and user interface, can bring an outdated flat screen
up-to-date, and is cheap enough to be an impulse buy, too. Yet its
better-specced big brother, which adds 1080p playback, a motion sensitive
remote for game and Ethernet and USB ports costs twice the price, might suit
you better.
AV info
Product: Affordable Wi-Fi-only Smart TV
upgrader
Position: Roku also offers the higher-spec
Roku 2 XS
Peers: LG SP820; Sony NMP-200; Roku 2 XS
The verdict
Highs: Foolproof remote and interface;
plenty of worthwhile content (including Sky Now TV); neat design; affordable;
Lows: No 1080p output; credit card detail
required for setup; occasionally slow to stream; wouldn’t play mp3 files on
Samsung Galaxy Ace
·
Performance: 3/5
·
Design: 4/5
·
Features: 3/5
·
Overall: 3.5/5
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Specifications
·
Channels: Netflix, Now TV, Crackle, BBC
iPlayer, Facebook, Flickr, Video, Spotify, Tuneln, Vevo, Rdio and more (over
300)
·
Connections: 1 x HDMI; 1 x mini-jack to
analogue stereo/composite video
·
Dimensions: 84(w) x 84(d) x 23(h) mm
·
Weight: 85g
·
Features: Less than 2W typical power
consumption; requires registration online to activate; mini-jack to composite
cable supplied; IR remote; two-year warranty; Android/iOS app control
·
Roku Streaming Player LT price: $75 Approx
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