Cheapest Ever according to camel X 3
Bonus Three Months Free of Hulu Plus and 60 Days of Rdio Unlimited with the Purchase of Any Roku Device
Purchase and activate any new Roku player between December 1, 2014, and January 15, 2015, to qualify. Terms and conditions apply.
CamelCamelCamel.
I miss those $1.05US days
What about the US$1.10+ days?
He misses them
Google reckons AU$104.55
Boogaloo used the Amazon exchange rate, google uses the posted.
Is the amazon rate forced?
Good deal
It always was. The price quoted in the title is including delivery.
Ooops…
Can you use the Hulu with full US acces without a proxy?
You need at least a dns service.
Its worth it, Roku is great..
I gave up trying to get it to work with my Netflix.
How exactly are you going about it?
I use Unotelly. It works with my WD Live and samsung blu ray player to give me access to Netflix. This Roku thing just doesn't get me there. Too cumbersome.
WD and Samsung don't force Google DNS like Roku's Netflix app does. Need to block 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Why did you give up? What are you doing?
Although I had a lot of issues with mine and didn't like many things about it to the point I sent mine back, Netflix worked very well.
See some setup details I linked to in my posting of Roku3 a while back - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/167148
To access hulu in Australia you need to modify your wireless router or device with some settings from a company like getflix or the like…… Super deal though OP, well spotted
Roku doesn't let you specify your DNS server manually AND forces Google DNS lookups.
You need to set it at the router level AND have a router that can block 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 via parental controls/static routes/etc.
I didn't need to have any static route setups with mine, I only had to do that with Chromecast. It doesn't force Google DNS, it just takes what the router is set to. I just had my Getflix DNS entered in the router as usual and that was it.
I can confirm that Chromecast uses Google's DNS. Static routes added to router to essentially 'block' access to those DNS Servers allowed Netflix over Chromecast to work, but this unfortunately caused Netflix to stop working on other devices such as Nexus tablet.
There's no need to block Google DNS to use Roku 3
Not for Hulu, but you have to for Netflix, amongst other apps.
http://www.reddit.com/r/Roku/comments/23o3rp/roku_firmware_5…
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2184544
https://getflix.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb/articles/200929080-Roku
http://support.unblock-us.com/customer/portal/articles/15239…
http://help.unotelly.com/support/solutions/articles/192836-w…
@SteveBuscemi: This is news to me, as I am using Netflix on a Roku 3 with no problem and I have no way to block Google DNS servers on my router (Airport Extreme)
Are you actually using a Roku 3 with this problem?
@marquise: Yep. Got a Roku 3 (and PS4 and ATV3 and FireTV) with the issue and had to swap my Airport Extreme out.
It's dependent on your ISP and location, if your smart DNS always pings lower than Google then you won't have an issue.
@SteveBuscemi: OMG, I cannot believe this, but my Netflix on Roku just stopped bloody working! aaargh!!!
thanks got 1.
Remember to factor in cost for AU power supply. Bundled one may possibly work but not rated 240v
Check ebay item no 351125597082 or get a multi dc plug from jaycar or dse
I purchased a Roku 2 XS for US$49 and have been successfully running that for a few years. I picked up a few of the Roku 3 a week ago for US$77 each and they also run without issue.
Roku have basically said to a number of people that the Roku 3 power adapter is labelled as 110V / 60Hz because it is only officially selling that particular Roku 3 in the USA at this time.
There are countless pages on various forums of people who have tested it with multi-meters, etc and have been running them (in some cases for more than a year) with the supplied power plug, without any issues. I haven't come across anyone mentioning a problem due to 240V.
In fact some people have even gone so far as to check the specs provided by the manufacturer of at least one model of the power supply and have confirmed that it is designed for 240V / 50Hz.
That said, do your own research, and make your own decision :-)
I have just received my Roko 3 and just plugged in the power supply into an US to AUS power adapter, no problem.
Yes, the fine print does not say 240 V AC on the sticker, but then it would be silly for them to make a device that need a lot of modification for the Asia-Pacific market.
Easier for them to make a new sticker than change the hardware. It arrived very quickly too. Now for that fun stuff.
Great device…
I got the HDMI stick, Unblock-us and Getflix both work fine with Router level DNS. No slowdown and no geoblock problems
Can anyone explain in easy terms how this works?
Will i be able to stream sports matches for free? E.g. EPL, nfl etc
Cheers
not the best time to buy from overseas… everything seems so expensive after converting to AUD
It might be more expensive down the line, so see it the way you want to. Unless you want to wait out a year for more, I dont see AUD coming out of this downhill dive any time soon. Should stabilize at 1.15~1.18
Intentionally influenced by the reserve bank
Blame Tony for giving the RBA $6 Billion (it didn't ask for) to play the market
So in 1 year the A$ will be better?
No.. the Ideal exchange rate is around 80c
Wish I could install XBMC on it.
Does anyone know if Roku can stream from my home media share on Synology?
Yes it does, there can be issues if transcoding is required and your NAS isn’t that powerful. I had certain issues with the Roku3 and my Synology DS413, I have noted some of that here - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/167148#comment-2328820
so this roku or getting an arduino with xbmc
also any android media player recommended?
I want to install android apps
also any android media player recommended?
Nexus Player?
any deals on it?
price?
No deals, some VPN trickery (for US Google Play account) and US forwarder required to get it for best price $160-$170 delivered or of ebay with less hassles for about $200.
Mine has just been shipped to my forwarder, a couple of Whirlpool members have them already and are very happy running XBMC on it.
Worst case scenario with exchange and forwarder (Comgateway), USB to Ethernet adapter and USB IR sensor it will cost me about $170. I considered the Amazon Fire, but it’s heavily Amazon focused GUI put me off. I don’t want to be sold to non-stop. The Fires Ethernet port and $30 off one day special they had did tempt. Me, but I couldn’t get past a few issues with it.
Mine should reach my forwarder on Wednesday (US time), I may up my freight charge a little to guarantee to get it before xmas, so maybe $180.
The expense for Comgateway forwarding freight has come through on my credit card statement. My cost for getting the Player is this:
Nexus Player: Au $135.04 (USD $108.99)
Comgateway: Au $38.13 (USD $30.51)
USB to Ethernet Adapter and USB hub: $9.23
USB to Micro USB adapter: $1.55
USB Infra-Red receiver and remote: $7.20
US to Aus power Plug adapter: $ Already had one.
So a total of Au $191.15.
You don't NEED the extra stuff I got, so it could have just cost me Au $173.17, which is what I expected.
With the currency dropping like it is, this will be over $200 quickly, especially adding a decent plug adapter. Will have to wait for the extras to arrive and have it working with my NAS to see if it’s truly worth it. I almost purchased a Mac Mini for $530 over the weekend, but decided to wait and see if this can do the job.
Highly recommend Amazon Fire TV Stick if you can get one. XBMC, Android Apps, Netflix, Allcast etc and remote included.
but it locks in with amazon
you can jailbreak it
can this be used stand alone or is it like a chromecast? i dont want to have to use my phone/tablet whatever to get it started..
cheers
Yes, it operates stand alone unlike the Chromecast. Super easy to use with supplied remote.
The only similarity to Chromecast is the form factor.
How is this for just playing media off a usb stick/hard drive? Can it download covers/get info?
no.. and even the file formats it plays is fairly limted, i cant remember atm what they exacty are sorry.
i use plex and it transcodes all my stuff anyway.
It can play via USB, but it can’t add covers etc…
It can only hand H.264 files, so MKV & MP4.
sorry, i should have been clearer
I haven't used it too much but I've never had an issue streaming with plex (torrents).
Why would someone get this instead of a quadcore android box/dongle which also has XBMC and can browse the net, play games etc?
Better UI
How does one of these compare against the Fire Tv as a Plex client? This would be the main use for the box, with Netflix second. I can get Netflix on my PS3 so the Plex setup would be the main use of either device.
Amazon Fire TV is the best low cost, small box solution available for streaming IMO
Roku is good but the Amazon Fire TV is better
After, unfortunately, allowing a firmware update, the need for static route IP killed it for me. Too much hassle as other devices on my network didn't like this
AFTV allows DNS changes to be made on the device. A much better solution
I also have a UK Roku 3 which works well
Cool, I'm awaiting my Fire TV.
The thing I love about Roku 3 is the ability to reroute sound to the remote's headphones. Quite a cool feature.
And the one big thing missing in Roku 3 (at least on my version) is the HDMI-CEC thing that tells the TV to switch to that HDMI input when I start using it. Really like this when my PS3 boots up and switches HDMI inputs (and Chromecast too).
AFTV does that
The voice search function is great too but unfortunately only works for Amazon content
AFTV does what? The HDMI-CEC thing? Or the remote headphones?
Thanks mate, I've been looking at both over the last month or so to get Plex to my theater room and it looks like the AFTV is the way to go.
Have a look at YouTube videos of the interface etc.. to make sure it is something you will be happy with. Be aware that Plex via AFTV did have a problem not playing back DTS. Not sure if it got fixed, but that killed it for me, then the Amazon focused GUI was a put off too. Apparently XBMC works very well and doesn’t have the DTS issue. It is far more powerful than the Roku3.
Roku 3's are IMO the best streaming player available, I have 2 of the LT's and bought a Roku 3 from Amazon when they launched. I use Plex for all of my local content, the plex app is a great UI as is the Plex Media Server. Netflix is the other app I use in anger on this device. I used Hulu Plus for a bit but wasn't a fan of the content.
The supplied power supply will work although not rated to Aus, I just twisted the pins on mine to 45 degrees with pliers. However, recently the one for my Roku 3 did actually fail, it's unlikely due to it not being rated and probably just bad luck on my part. Ordered an Aussie replacement adaptor.
For those of you who do get one of these there is some mucking around to get the Netflix + other apps installed (plex is on there natively from memory). You have to setup a Roku account and link the box, this all needs to be done behind a VPN/DNS, so not a whole lot different to a Netflix setup but back when I did it for the first time there wasn't a lot of info online, there probably is now.
I could only set mine up using a VPN but once up and running, DNS only is fine
The static route setup kills it for me
One of the best things about Roku is the number of apps available - much more than for AFTV, Samsung Smarthub and WDTV
I support best streaming comment when referring to non-local content. For local content there are too many issues or it is too reliant on a decently powerful computer to transcode.
Yes you need to have a computer/server ready to do the grunt work for Plex, but there in lies my satisfaction with Plex as a media delivery method, regardless of the content, everything plays for me and plays well! Yes it transcodes, but over a wired connection most of it is actually direct play whilst the stuff that is transcoded is done so with little to no loss. I am by no means an video/audiophile so I am more than happy with the result especially knowing that it will play any manor of file without me having to re-encode.
Part of me wishes I got a replacement instead of a refund when I sent my Roku3 back, to see if it was a fault with the unit or it was the limitations that I had problems with.
It failed to play MKVs smoothly when my WD TV wouldn’t blink an eye. The WD is slow as hell though, and mine doesn’t do Netflix. Even if mine was a faulty hardware issue, I didn’t like Plex and the way it did or didn’t do certain things, same for every other media player option. I have a Lifetime Plex Pass, but it just isn’t great in many aspects.
Hopefully the Nexus Player I have ordered and XBMC will make me content, the videos I have watched make me think it will be what I’m after.
I haven't purchased from amazon US before. tried to buy this and it says they don't deliver to my address. Anyone else have this issue? or are people using a mail redirection service?
Do a search on their store for the roku 3 and then in the left hand column there should be a filter for "amazon global eligible", this will only give you results that can be shipped internationaly. I susopect you will then find a listing for one which can be sent here remembering that Amazon is also a shop front for lots of stores who use their online shopping capabilities so you can get multiple listings for the same items.
Thanks Link! I'll give that a shot
Au$108.50 delivered.