Roku Streaming Stick - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Wayne · 2012-01-04, 11:12 AM

This is a great idea, hopefully it comes to fruition.

It is the functionality of a Roku box build into a HDMI Stick (which looks just like a USB memory stick) that plugs into your TV. It does require special functionality in your TV but it makes more sense than having "smart TV" functionality built into your TV since these devices tend to become obsolete in about 2 years, much faster than your TV will.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/r...to-mhl-dongle/

Quote:

The latest innovation from Roku CEO Anthony Wood and his squad? After reducing the size of its players to a mere hockey puck, it has now managed to fit all the necessary hardware into this tiny dongle, that plugs into the HDMI port of MHL-compatible HDTVs. Mobile High-Definition Link ports, were intended for users to hook up their mobile phones simply for control and charging all-in-one, but also powers this unit which packs WiFi and all into one tiny package and can even be controlled by the TV's remote. Now, HDTV manufacturers can build TVs that function as dumb displays without it, but become smart TVs featuring the Roku experience we've become accustomed to just by plugging one in. The other benefit? No more obsolete smart TV hardware when the updates stop flowing. While Roku has a decent track record in this regard, if you ever need a more powerful unit, it's a lot simpler to swap out a simple dongle (expect a good/better/best pattern for functions like gaming, etc., following the player line) to add features than changing an entire HDTV.

Tikker · 2012-01-04, 11:21 AM

that is a heck of an idea

be nice if it came with an extension cable too tho, just in case you needed to move it slightly for better wifi reception, or just depending on how your tv is hung from the wall

Wayne · 2012-01-04, 11:31 AM

Personally I am not crazy about streaming HD video over Wifi. I have LAN drops right by my main TV so one way to handle this is to put a WAP in close proximity to the TV to ensure good reception. WAPs/routers are so cheap that cost isn't much of an issue, assuming that you have ethernet through your house.

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2012-01-04, 11:21 AM	#2
Tikker Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: SaskTel Posts: 895	that is a heck of an idea be nice if it came with an extension cable too tho, just in case you needed to move it slightly for better wifi reception, or just depending on how your tv is hung from the wall

2012-01-04, 11:31 AM	#3
Wayne Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Scarboro Posts: 5,568	Personally I am not crazy about streaming HD video over Wifi. I have LAN drops right by my main TV so one way to handle this is to put a WAP in close proximity to the TV to ensure good reception. WAPs/routers are so cheap that cost isn't much of an issue, assuming that you have ethernet through your house.