Roku HD1000 High-Definition Digital Media Player | 
| Brand: Roku
This item is no longer available
Rating:  16 reviews
Media: Electronics
Removable Memory: CompactFlash Type II
Shipping Weight (lbs): 8.4
Dimensions (in): 21.6 x 11.7 x 5.5
MPN: HD1000
Model: HD1000G
UPC: 029610841001
EAN: 0829610841007
ASIN: B0000DH8HH
Release Date: November 3, 2003
| |
| Features:
| • | High-definition media player supports 1080i, 720p, and 480p outputs for optimal viewing on high-definition and HD-ready TVs | | • | Designed for convenient living room slide shows and MP3/linear PCM music playback from your memory cards or personal computer | | • | Compatible with Roku Art Packs and LiveArt (not included) for high-definition wall art from still and motion images | | • | CompactFlash, SD, MMC, Memory Stick, and SmartMedia slots | | • | Can be networked with your PC through an Ethernet port or Wi-Fi |
|
| Accessories:
|
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
For the first time, you can enjoy viewing your favorite digital photos in high-definition on your HDTV. Simply snap in your digital camera's memory card or use the easy network connection between Roku and your home PC. And if you like a more sophisticated atmosphere, choose from a wide selection of motion and still artwork to turn your Flat-Screen or HDTV into beautiful wall art.Roku even plays digital music files over your home network, so you can finally enjoy that growing MP3 library on your home stereo system. Any way you use it, Roku is simple and easy. Just connect to your home network for sharing digital media from your PC, or pop in a variety of memory cards and watch your HDTV come to life with high-definition digital photos, art and music.
Amazon.com Product Description
Early Adopters Pick: October 2003. This is the world's first high-definition digital media player. Whether you're already equipped with a high-definition TV or still using a standard CRT set, the HD1000 from Roku puts all manner of digital entertainment before your eyes and ears. Tap into a home computer network, hook the unit up to a stereo, or simply pop in a memory card--then sit back and enjoy your favorite photos, artworks, music, or LiveArt (full-motion images of beaches, waterfalls, etc.).  While it will work on nearly any monitor, the HD1000 was designed to make the most of a high-definition television's brilliant color and pristine clarity. The HD1000 makes viewing and sharing treasured digital photos easier and more exciting than ever. Photos displayed through the device will look crystal-clear on your high-definition or big-screen TV. No more crowding around a PC monitor in your cluttered den--the HD1000 lets you relax and view digital slideshows in a leisurely atmosphere.  Not watching a program on your wall-mounted plasma display? Now you can create stunning wall art with a click of your remote. Roku's Art Packs (not included) are a simple way to enhance your decor and make use out of an idle HDTV. Choose from a range of images--classic masterpieces, stunning nature scenes, or a lifelike aquarium--and bring them to life in your living room. Or, use LiveArt to change your surroundings without changing your location. Bring a rippling mountain lake, a leafy summer forest, or a white sand beach with soothing waves to turn your living room into a pool of peace and tranquility. The HD1000 supports looping HD MPEG2, standard JPEG images, and MPEG clips. (Art Packs come on CompactFlash memory cards; just pop in the card and choose your favorite scenery.) Next, liberate your growing library of digital music files from your PC and listen to them through a home stereo. Roku lets you listen to files on any of various memory cards (CompactFlash, SD, MMC, Memory Stick, SmartMedia) or over a simple Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection, so you can enjoy your favorite music through the high-quality sound system in your living room. Its attractive onscreen display shows the current media source and displays its contents as well as the media file in play, with full ID3 data for music files. The HD1000 offers built-in protection to reduce the risk of image burn-in on your TV screen, too. (The unit can't prevent all types of burn-in, of course--it's ultimately your responsibility to use your display's manual and common sense to prevent burn-in.) The HD1000's Screen Saver mode engages when the HD1000 is your primary video source, and it can even step in whenever one of your other video sources stops moving. When placed in a pass-through configuration--with the signal from a DVD player, say, passing through the HD1000 on its way to a screen--the HD1000 can detect when the video input source is still and will automatically generate a changing Screen Saver.  The HD1000 is based on the Roku OS, an open platform that includes Roku's advanced media APIs and the Linux Kernel, and for which other companies can design as-yet-undreamed-of accessories. What's in the Box
HD1000, user's manual, remote control, remote batteries (two AAA), a component-video cable, a stereo analog audio interconnect, and an AC power cable.
|
| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 Getting closer but not quite there yet November 8, 2004
Allan
48 out of 48 found this review helpful
I am now on my third week with the HD1000, I believe I now can give a fair review.
My first week was spent struggling with the networking of the unit. Normally, networking is not an issue with most users, but in my particular application some tech support would have been nice. I say "would have been nice" because there is very limited effort put forward by Roku on this. Their website even states that tech support is only available via email, although they are more than happy to talk to you live, if you are placing an order. The response time is a few days, and then they tell you to call back a long-distance # - not exactly what I had in mind. Problem was solved on my own. I would not count on tech support from these guys, you are better off getting help from other users at the Roku's forum (http://www.rokulabs.com/forums/)
Picture viewing was great. My 5 mega-pixel picts looked very nice at the 1080i setting. The mp3 playback was sufficient to playback, but seemed lacking as far as playlists, control, shuffle and format. Watching pictures and listening to music at the same time is not possible with the limitation in memory, although Roku says otherwise. In order it to work, you must use a CompactFlash card as a swap drive, otherwise the system will freeze up and you will have to reboot. This hack is a comprimise for its deficiency in the memory. Although the ATI chip does suggests high performance, the 64MB (half of which is reserved for video) does not, hence the CF hack. Using the swapfile does solve all freezing issues. Plan on using one if you ever buy into the HD1000. The HD1000 then feels much more robust. It is then the perfect tool for viewing your high res pictures and a decent mp3 player. The ATI chip, the component output to 1080i video and the digital output for audio are the right tools for the job.
I believe currently the biggest problem is that the firmware development is incomplete. The video playback is virtually non-existent, as well as the advertised visualizer. This lack of development of its firmware is what is really holding back this product. The lack of firmware development is an ongoing topic of discussion at the Roku Forums, although Roku itself, does not seem to be interested in participating. I can understand why there is a lack of Roku participation in the forums on this topic, it is because there has been a lack of development in the firmware. The last firmware update was nine months ago. That's pretty bad, when you consider the fact that the product still does not do what it is supposed to. I think Roku stopped advertising the fact that the HD1000 will play back mpeg2 streams, but page 15 of the user manual still claims this a viable feature. The only support for the video playback, is through third-party software, which is really at the beta stage. You can get some playback, but there are lip-synch and control problems that are inherient with the pending firmware update. Again, until the firmware is updated, this aspect of the HD1000 is incomplete and insufficient.
Although the limited memory issue does present some problems that would be difficult to workaround, I do think that the success of the HD1000 is close at hand, but is directly dependent on the development of the firmware. I consider myself a person who hopes that Roku will truly be succesful in their endeavours, being that they are the only ones that currently support HD, use an open platform, and do not require server-side software. I just hope they focus on developing their creation and foster it into greatness, rather than obsolescence.
I suggest before buying, the consumer check the progress of the firmware update (to be announced as v1.6) on the Roku Forums at http://www.rokulabs.com/forums/ and judge for themselves. I hope to soon retract all negative comments mentioned in this post if, and when, Roku resolves these problems.
(Dec. 11)- I would like to update that the anticipated v1.6 is to be released in Decemeber 2004, but it will be a beta release. Sounds as if it may be a patch for the various bugs, but perhaps it will also have some added functionality. We will have to wait and see. Roku's CEO did state on the Roku forums, that a software cycle for this type of product is normally around 12 ~ 18 months! I am hoping that this upgrade is more than a bug fix, being that it may be a long time for another update after this one and that are a some major outstanding issues! Current software functionality and how frequent a manufacturer updates its software are aspects the buyer should definetly consider before spending the money. The Roko CEO also stated that Roku recommends that the buyer purchases their product soley on what it does today, and not what it may be able to do in the future. If that is the case, it would seem that if you are looking for a media player with functional video playback, then the HD1000 is not for you, today.
(Jan 3, 2005) The HD1000, aka the PhotoBridge, is in the process of evolving! Roku has just released the beta of v2.0. Although it is hard to believe that the current functionality of the 2.0 beta is the result of nearly a years worth of work, it is a step towards where it should be. The beta so far does seem to be primarily a bug fix with the addition of video playback functionality, although still quite limited and buggy, nothing ground-breaking (yet) - but again, a work in progress. Hence, I will update this review and modify my rating when the work is complete. Hopefully progress will be made at an exponentially faster rate! See what the update addresses and what is to come upon the official release for yourself at...
http://www.rokulabs.com/support/HD10002.0Beta.php
The HD1000 also has been upgraded hardware-wise, to address the lack of RAM. Apparently, Roku has been shipping 128MB versions (version B, opposed to the original version A with 64MB) for the last 2 months, but did put forward any communications. Good for new customers, but it sounds as if early adopters and recent customers are S.O.L. I wonder if version A owners will find their units obsolete, once apps are created requiring the 128MB. I fear that Roku will have no options for us other than offering the old Swap Hack. Personally I have concerns regarding the longevity of my Compact Flash card (used as swap disk), being that flash media has a finite cycle life.
 Chris L December 30, 2003
CBL (VA United States)
36 out of 40 found this review helpful
Have had mine now for a month. Works as advertised and I am excited about continued upgrades / developments.
I purchases mine right before my 3 years olds Birthday party. Created a couple of HD resolution .jpg files saying Happy Birthday in Photoshop and mixed them in with a hundred or so pictures of my son on a CF card. Made a great little presentation on my Plasma for during the party.Another reason I pulled the trigger on the Roku was the pass through component input with screen saver. My wife has a habit of pausing DVD's for long periods and during Christmas kept leaving the TV on Music Choice channel with static images. With my plasma TV I always warned her about burn in - now I don't have to worry about it because the Roku will take over after a set static period and put up a screen saver (or if have it set showing slide show will go to that). I currently use it to view my digital pictures (2000+) and play digital music (just started transfering some albums to my hard drive to have instant access to). I have it connected to my computer via a wireless 802.11g bridge (2 floors away). I agree with the previous post that for the price it would have been nice to include wireless access out of the box. However, for $30-$40 you can add one of the very small USB 802.11b adapters (which also require no other wires) and be up and running with the Roku on your wireless network. Since I now have the Roku on my network I don't use the memory cards all that much. However, they still are nice for when you take some digital pictures and want to see them right away. On my wish list (and supposedly coming) is support for .VOB files to play DVDs. Will be great to have a bunch of my kids favorite movies available to play at a moments notice.
Almost there, but not just ... December 2, 2003
hgaphoto (CA USA)
26 out of 56 found this review helpful
This is almost a good attempt from Roku to solve the problem of media glut at home. Enabling HDTV set owners to view digital pictures on their large screen TV is a good idea. However, a device that has various flash card slots is probably not the best solution. Flash cards are a good media solution for temporary storage of digital pictures, but almost all digital camera users I know transfer their pictures to their computer and keep them organized using some type of a S/W solution. And for backups, CD-R discs seem to be a cheaper and more reliable solution. Instead of the 4 flash card slots, Roku should have added a DVD/CD drive that can play CD-R/CD-RW disks to this system. That way, the unit could not only show pictures from a CD/DVD but also could be used as a progressive scan DVD player.Another mistake Roku made was to provide wireline only network connectivity. I would expect a device in Roku HD-1000s price range to come with at least built-in 802.11b connectivity, preferably with 802.11g connectivity. Having a separate USB-to-wireless adapter (and its power adapter, etc.) will spoil the elegence and simplicity of a possible solution.
 Rock on Roku! December 7, 2003
Alphaman (Madison, AL USA)
21 out of 24 found this review helpful
This unit provides a quality media player for the high-end AV officianado. It does not try to be everything to everyone -- it does its job and it does it well. It focuses on the delivery of your personal digital content to your HD-based AV system. It does not play DVD's, it does not attempt to funnel high-bandwidth HD-quality media through a wireless connection that may not meet the speed requirements for video, nor does it try to force you to one media format like so many other media players. In the same vein, it does not exclude you from doing anything you'd like through its support of pass-through component signals, a wide variety of memory card formats, integrated Ethernet with support for external WiFi adapters, the use of standard file services on your servers, and standard MPEG2, JPEG, and MP3 & playlist support (NOT some vendors' proprietary or DRM-restricted file format!)As if the HD1000 doesn't come with enough features today, the open-source nature of this device allows for a lot of future software features and upgrades from RokuLabs, 3rd party developers, and hobbyists. The ability to connect to any kind of server with no specialized server software required is a big plus in my book. The included ability to easily script your own programs in the simple language included can make for some great custom scenes on your HD display with corresponding soundtracks; if that's not enough, a full-blown C/C++ SDK is in the works for the diehard hobbyist. The future of this unit is wide-open! The sleek, clean design looks even better in person than the online photos lead you to believe. The remote control is simple and easy to use, as is the user interface. The wealth of connections on the back are clearly labeled (even without my reading glasses!) and leave enough room for fingers to plug and unplug cables. This is the device I've been waiting for, and I've confirmed that desire with actual hands-on testing -- it's definitely on my xmas list!
Very good product, although a bit too expensive February 12, 2004
sfbiker (San Francusco, CA USA)
19 out of 23 found this review helpful
This is a very well executed product. After using the Prismiq MediaPlayer for six months (which I have now sold off on ebay), this is a godsend. Even my wife can now use the Roku HD1000. * Component Video Output of upto 1080i (this is a plus for me as I have an HDTV, although this may not be an important feature to you if you do not have HDTV) -- finally some justice done to my digital photos. Actually, the UI is more readable as well because of the higher resolution. * Very good UI, although some some features (better playlist navigation, auto-playlists or sort by artist/album/genre etc) are desperately needed. * Open platform, SDK is freely available. Opens door for 3rd-party developers * No special server software needed, other than SMB file sharing. * The company engineers (including the CEO) seems to be listening to the customers and coming up with useful feature updates. * The only negative feature is its price. At $500, it seems a bit too expensive.
|
|
|
