Roku Player Updates Should Make it a Hot Christmas Buy

When the Roku player was brand new, offered by Netflix, I couldn't wait to buy one. The Roku let me watch movies instantly at home (instead of waiting for them to arrive via a Netflix mail subscription). I loved - and still love - my Roku player. I like its relatively small size, decent selection of movies and other benefits. After buying it, I wrote enthusiastically about it here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/775859/netflix_bypasses_its_computer_or_mail.html .

Recently, the Roku player has gained some attractive new options, features which ought to send it soaring to the top of anyone's Christmas gift list. For those on a budget, it could be the Christmas buy of the year, sure to delight many family members and friends. They won't have to know you shelled out around $100 for an entertainment option with so many attractive features.

Roku player's low price, new options add up to a hot Christmas buy

This Roku player - now with both Netflix and Starz movies available for instant streaming - should be a serious contender on anyone's Christmas gift list this year. Start with the price tag for the Roku player, just $99. The membership fee for Netflix is also low, starting at $8.99 a month. But the cost-saving benefits don't stop there. Instant streaming of movies make this one a no-brainer when it comes to saving money - compared to driving to a movie theater or rental store and buying or renting a movie. Instant streaming of movies through the Roku player also eliminates any time spent waiting for movies to show up in the mail. If the weather is bad, you don't have to go outside, not even as far as your mailbox. Just select your movie and watch it immediately. You can find out more here: http://www.roku.com/

Roku player update - Netflix and Roku now have Starz movies

With at least 2500 movies acquired from Starz (as well as select TV shows and some concerts), this is a major addition to Netflix's already attractive benefits. Like the other movies on the Roku player, they can be viewed instantly. One huge advantage here is that a fair number of the Starz movies are first-run features. Potential buyers of the Roku player should know, however, that subscribing only to Starz will cost $8.00 a month, not a huge cost, but worth noting. Still, with the Roku player costing only $99, this is still a low-cost and reasonable feature. How much did you spend in just one or two visits, plus popcorn and drinks, when you visited a movie theater? Does that Roku player seem more appealing yet?

Hannah Montana, Disney and Roku players

Yep, that's right. Disney actually signed deals so that Hannah Montana can be added to the Roku player line-up. That ought to tempt plenty of fans of Hannah Montana as well as parents whose children clamor to watch her every chance they get.

Roku player update - instant streaming of Heroes and other tv shows

Heroes, CSI Miami and NCIS are just a few of the shows available for instant streaming. Plus, there are no commercials. I'd rather wait a day after Heroes shows on television and watch it commercial free on the Roku player. Perhaps you feel the same way. If so, you have that option. Of course, you can also watch older shows like Weeds and vintage episodes of The Office on the Roku player by Netflix. Wizards of Waverly Place is another popular option.

Roku player is user friendly, another plus for Christmas shoppers

Being a user of Roku, I know how easy it is to play movies, pause movies, and simply delete them when I'm done watching them (although I might want a repeat showing of a particular favorite first) I can even pause a movie if I need to take time to help my son with homework. Then I can come back and watch the rest of the film later. Maybe that doesn't add up to a ton of bells and whistles but I prefer user friendly devices which are simple to use.

Even in an economic downturn, the Roku could be a wise buy

I know plenty of people who are canceling their Christmas vacation plans this year. That Roku player could help take the sting out of cutting back. No driving to Blockbuster or other movie rental stores, no waiting for DVDs to arrive in the mail. All these features add up to big savings and a great deal for Christmas shoppers this year.

Sources:

Netflix Bypasses Its Computer or Mail Delivery System with the Roku Device: Watch Movies Instantly on Your Television: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/775859/netflix_bypasses_its_computer_or_mail.html

Personal experience

Roku website: http://www.roku.com/