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Boxee Or Roku?

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009
by Matt Hartley

Today I received news that Boxee has released a bug fix update, which will mean that I can once again see if I can get its Linux client working without too many hassles. Last time, there were some show stoppers that prevented me from bothering with the software for very long. But hopefully things are in good working order now.

And this brings me to my Roku box. Connected to my TV via HDMI, providing me with immediate access to the sparse (but fun) instant Netflix lineup, plus fantastic options from Amazon On-Demand has made me think very little about using any other sort of software or service besides it. To be honest, if they can get Hulu on the Roku, I would be a very happy man. Not enough to rush out and cancel my DirecTV subscription mind you, but happy nonetheless.

Boxee, on the other hand, has been offering Hulu access, along with other network specific sites as well. This really makes me Boxee is worth another look. Especially if they are able to offer me more content at the end of the day.

All of this being said, I think I will start off by picking your brains. What have your experiences been with Boxee? Reply in the comments area and don’t forget to mention which platform you are using.

4 Comments

Khürt Williams

July 16th, 2009
at 3:48am

Unstable is the word I would use. For me Boxee often dies in the middle of a show. I am using the Hulu app to watch that sites content and my HD TiVo does the rest (YouTube, Netflix, Amazon etc).

Colton Perry

July 16th, 2009
at 12:01pm

Boxee has been great for me. Have there been a few bugs? Sure, but it is Alpha software. I am on a Mac Mini with a 1TB external hard drive using ethernet via a Belkin Electric over Powerline adapter. Works great.

Blane Warrene

July 16th, 2009
at 12:06pm

I am somewhat of a long time Netflix user (just over 3 years) and have slowly been reducing the funds I send to the cable company and replacing with the the DVD/Blu-Ray unlimited and the Roku box. I have experimented with Boxee and liked the concept - but for now the Roku makes it effortless with zero configuration to stream media via HDMI to the TV. Like you - the Amazon tie-in makes Roku a little more tasty. If Boxee were loadable on the Roku or both Netflix Instant and Boxee could run “natively” on a media box (Apple TV or PS3) I would go for it. For now - I will juggle my bundle of Netflix DVD’s and the Roku box.

Bill C

July 16th, 2009
at 12:12pm

Unless the partner with Hulu officially, the current Roku box doesn’t have enough horsepower to run a browser that will allow you to connect to Hulu with. It has a very small amount of memory that it needs to buffer. Perhaps if they come out with a second generation box it will be able to do it, but with the current hardware, it will be difficult to do. Also, Hulu will block them anyway unless they use a standard browser. Isn’t it clear to people that Hulu doesn’t want to be made available on a TV yet?