The Roku player takes advantage of many streaming media services that are becoming a popular alternative to cable television. Instead of being stuck at the computer to watch streaming services such as Hulu Plus and Netflix, Roku provides a set top player that works with your television. Roku has several different types of set top boxes. Customers choose the box that most fits their streaming media needs, whether they only require a basic box or a Roku player that has added features.
Roku offers it's entire current product line directly on its website. This box does not need a computer in order to stream the media to a television, as it can connect directly to an existing wireless Internet connection.
While Roku bills its player as primarily for streaming media, it also has several different types of applications available. Roku owners look through Facebook on their televisions, play games such as Angry Birds and stream news stories as they happen. The addition of applications to the Roku streaming player gives it a good amount of flexibility when it comes to what for exactly what this product line is used.
Roku covers many different feature requirements with its product line. Expansion slots for SD cards allow for loading of the customer's own media, motion sensitive remote for better game playing, Ethernet and USB ports, and built-in channels. Even if the customer doesn't have any streaming services such as Netflix, he can still take advantage of streaming media and the Roku applications.
One area that Roku wins big on is compatibility. While many televisions offer streaming media apps, the companies may require expensive accessories to connect to the Internet before this is possible to access. Roku is compatible with many different televisions, and with a built-in network card the Roku doesn't need anything to start working.
The Roku website is focused entirely around this product line, as the streaming player is its one and only product line. The product setup is straightforward, making it easy to use for even the less technologically inclined. Some concerns that customers may have about streaming media players, such as the lack of sports coverage, are also mitigated through the features that Roku offers. NHL Game Center, UFC and MLS are among the sports applications that are accessed through the Roku.
The Roku online retailer does a good job at showing a potential customer exactly what he's going to get out of the player. Cable and satellite prices are rising higher and higher, so streaming media players offer a cost-effective alternative to getting entertainment. More and more companies are providing extensive streaming media packages as well, and these services are added to Roku boxes on a regular basis. Streaming media boxes are a good way to get low-cost entertainment to the living room and off of the computer, and the Roku box has an extensive product line to handle this.
