![]() In our limited testing with Plex, the app loaded much more quickly and began streaming videos faster. For example, pressing down on the d-pad doesn't always reveal picture quality or time left information. One minor annoyance remains: not every channel has the same features. There's no hint of that here, with the upgraded CPU capably handling each option we tried. The apps themselves have remained the same for now, although a number of the more recently released ones (Spotify, Amazon) have been chugging noticeably on the Roku 2. Overall, the change works as intended, offering quicker access to the channels you already know you want and bringing to light channels most users may not even know exist from its catalog of 750-plus. Still, the navigation is simple and the ad / promoted space is far enough out of the way that we don't anticipate it bothering users. Roku has taken a page out of the classic gaming console's book and it shows - like the evolving experiences on (most notably) the Xbox 360 and the PS3, the new screens also include a healthy amount of promo space for additional channels and / or content. Users will immediately notice a difference in the UI: instead of the old horizontal layout, there's now a grid of icons, which has greatly increased the amount of information on-screen at any given time. While the Roku 3 features hardware improvements both inside and out, its software has received the most TLC this time around. We tried running the batteries down, but despite 20-plus hours of headphone-equipped streaming plus additional regular use, we're still on the original set of AAs with no low-battery indicator in sight. The stereo sound was clear to our ears, however we suspect you'd be well-served by tossing the bundled earbuds and using any others you may have lying around. Unfortunately, there's currently no support for HDMI-CEC control for features similar to those found on the Roku Stick.Īs far as the new audio-streaming capability, we didn't have any problems listening to Netflix, Hulu or Amazon with headphones plugged into the remote's jack. The Roku 3 still supports IR control too, so if placed correctly, your universal remote will take over without a pause. One thing that might be nice would be the ability to control the TV's volume with those side-mounted buttons, just to cut down on any potential remote swapping. The d-pad is responsive when navigating through menus, and the back and home buttons still function as consistently as ever within the apps. That's good news for existing users, who won't have to relearn anything, and its dreadfully simple setup is easy to pick up for newbies. The switch to WiFi Direct for communication with the box, plus a headphone-out and small volume control buttons, have not noticeably affected the size, shape or feel. The remote is how many users will interact with their Roku, and thankfully that remains largely unchanged. There's also an upgraded CPU, but without detailed performance specs, we'll consider it later by judging how the software runs. The new Roku is packing dual antennas inside and we didn't have any problems connecting to home or hotel networks in our testing, although we'd never had a problem picking up a signal on the old box either. ![]() The SD card and USB ports remain, however the power adapter has changed slightly from the previous gen - it looks the same, but it won't plug into older models and vice versa. If you're living an all-HDMI lifestyle, you'll probably never notice, but owners of older TV or visitors to such forgotten hideaways should prepare for disappointment. ![]() One element is missing this time around: the breakout port that provided support for analog video on the Roku 2 XS has disappeared. The grippy material on the bottom covers less area than the Roku 2's, but thanks to a slightly heavier weight, it seems to hold its placement better, where the 2 would occasionally fall victim to dangling HDMI cables and the like. It's still all black with just a small purple tag and painted-on "Roku 3" label - something you probably won't see again once it's hidden away within your entertainment center. The Roku 3's design is but a small departure from the miniature hockey puck that preceded it, with a shape that bulges and flows with fewer sharp edges. The Roku 3's design is but a small departure from the miniature hockey puck that preceded it.
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