Streaming Services.
Premium:
Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, Hulu, Blockbuster, CinemaNow, M-Go, HBO Go, Google Play Movie and TV, HBO Now, Showtime, CBS All Access, Disney Movies Anywhere, MLB.TV, NHL, WWE Network, NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL, MLS, UFC.TV, Tennis Channel Everywhere, Sling TV
Other:
YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, Picasa, Flickr, Facebook, Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney Junior, Watch Disney XD, Fox Now, FX Now, Watch ESPN, NBC, Starz Play, Nick, Crackle, Vimeo, Plex, Slingplayer, Showtime Anytime, TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Rdio,Vevo, Slacker, Epix, and more
Description. The Roku 3 (2nd gen) is among the smaller streaming-media players; it's a 3-inch square--though its edges are curved rather than straight--and it's just an inch high. The player has a glossy black finish, with the now-familiar purple Roku tag hanging off one side. The Roku 3 feels noticeably heavier than the Roku 1, so it was less prone to being pulled backwards by a heavier HDMI cable. The Roku 3 has an HDMI out, a microSD card slot for expanding it's built in memory, and a side-mounted USB port. While the Roku 3 lacks the composite A/V output included on the Roku 1- which is useful for connecting it to older gear without an HDMI input--it does have a wired Ethernet port for connections to a home network, something missing on the other model. The Roku 3 comes with a motion-sensing game-centric remote control that operates via WiFi Direct rather than infrared (IR). Like the other players' remotes it has dedicated buttons for accessing Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu, and Rdio as well as A/B game buttons (and purple navigation controls). Perhaps its most notable feature is a standard headphone mini-jack that automatically shuts off the sound to a TV or A/V receiver, allowing you to listen privately even when others are in the same room.
Setup. This player is a bit harder to set up than other models, mainly because it was one of only a few tested models that require you to register the device using a computer. While there was labeling for all the connections, it lacked contrast so it was a bit difficult to connect the HDMI and other cables. It does have an onscreen guide that automatically scans for available WiFi networks, but it does not support an easier WPS connection, which doesn't require entering a password. We found updating the firmware for the box is easy because it will automatically prompt you if there is a firmware update.
Ease of use. For everyday use the box is easy to use:
Interface. The main home screen uses graphic tiles for all the available apps and content, and it can be customized for easier access to your favorite apps. It has a search function that will search several of the available video streaming services for content. It also has a very responsive voice search function which makes searching a lot easier than when trying to type in search terms with the on screen keyboard. Thanks to a new, faster processor, we found this Roku's response to be noticeably faster than most other players, which made navigating the menus and content more pleasing. It also loads apps faster than other players.
Remote control. The provided remote is very simple, with few buttons that are well sized and labeled, with high enough contrast that they can be seen in a room with low-light conditions. However, some buttons are labeled with non-standard icons, which could be initially confusing. It uses a WiFi Direct connection so it doesn't require line-of-sight to control the box. The motion-sensing remote can be used to play games such as Angry Birds. It also has a built in mic and a dedicated voice search button. A unique feature is its built in headphone jack, with volume controls right on the remote. When a headphone or earphone is plugged into the remote, it cuts off the sound from the TV. You can download an iOS, Android, Windows, or Fire OS app that lets you use a phone or tablet to control the player, and use the device's QWERTY keyboard to enter text, making it easier to enter passwords. The app also lets you search for content and use the device's built in mic to do voice searches, access channels directly without navigating the player's menu, and beam photos and music stored on the device to the player via its "Play on Roku" feature.
Picture quality. This player supports 1080p output. In general we found the streaming picture quality to be very good, better than standard DVDs but not quite as sharp or detailed as from a Blu-ray disc. However, the quality of the video you'll get is largely dependent on the speed of your wired or wireless network. (We tested all the players using a wired Ethernet connection.)
Audio. This player will output multichannel digital audio via its HDMI output.
Connections. It has a very good number of connections, including one HDMI output, an Ethernet port, DLNA support, a Micro SD card slot for memory expansion, and one USB port (that can be used with an external hard drive) so you can play images, videos, and music. It has built-in WiFi that supports dual-band 5GHz networks, and the remote has a headphone jack. It supports "casting," which allows you to load content from YouTube and Netflix onto the player and control the video from the app on your mobile device. It also supports Miracast, so you can mirror the screen of any Android, Fire OS, or Windows device on to your TV via the player.
Miscellaneous.This player does not have any form of a sleep or standby mode, so it always consumes the same amount of power (about 3.5 Watts).
Firmware Version. All players are evaluated using the latest firmware version available at the time of testing.
Firmware version for the Roku 3 (2nd Gen) is: 6.2 Build: 3672
About Firmware Version. Our test results are valid for the version of firmware indicated above. If your player's firmware differs from the one shown you either have an older or a newer version of firmware. Manufacturers may periodically upgrade the players’s firmware to enhance operation, fix bugs, or add features. Firmware upgrades may be downloadable directly to your player via a wired or wireless network, USB port, or memory card, depending on your player’s capability. You can check your player’s firmware version, or upgrade to the latest firmware by pressing the menu button on your remote and navigating to the appropriate submenu, typically under settings. Consult the user manual or manufacturer’s website if further guidance is needed.
