I received and installed the Roku Netflix Player a few days ago. My setup is a 50" Panasonic plasma, Roku player connected via HDMI, Belkin Pre-N wireless router, and Comcast broadband connection. I'll try to present here the pros and cons that I have experienced with this unit.
Pros:
1. Relatively easy to install (make sure you have necessary info like SSID, your WEP and WAP security passcode for your wireless router) for wireless setup.
2. Picture quality is quite good (nearly SD-DVD 480p if not better). Remember the veiwing quality is dependent on the original source. Some movies are very clear and some not as good. Again, it's the original copy not the Netflix transmission.
3. Large selection of movies and programs. I am a fan of the classics, where the plot and story line were more important than special effects. I found Netflix provides a large selection of those classics like Alfred Hitchcock movies and even his TV series and others.
4. After the initial setup there is no logging on or waiting for Netflix to do their thing to start. It's on twenty four/seven whenever you are in the mood to watch a movie in your instant queue.
5. No extra cost to your original Netflix plan as long as you are enrolled to one of their unlimited instant view plans.
6. Unit low power consumption in standby uses 4 watts and 5 watts during actual veiwing a movie.
7. Remote is small with large enough selection buttons and feels solid and well built in your hand.
8. It remembers where you left off for every uncompleted movie and allows for resume play.
Cons:
1. Screen display setup is somewhat confusing. The player recognized my TV and connections and suggested viewing Full 4:3 version, and I wondered why. I discovered the reason during playback of the download movies: most of Netflix's selection, for now, are 4:3 origination source and are spread more evenly across a widescreen TV using FULL. Anyway, my equipment allows for a very good widescreen FULL spread where you can barely notice objects are slightly wider.
2. Rewind and forward option allows for frame by frame (in most cases) viewing, but when backing up or forwarding to where would like to be it needs to reload the movie to that spot. Not what we're use to with the traditional rewind and forward progression.
3. There are a few movies not suited for children (topless women, adult situations and language) and there doesn't seem a way to password blocked those.
Conclusion:
Netflix has hit a homerun with this new feature. I told my wife, "This is the future of how movie selection and viewing will likely work (easy and fast)." If they keep their word to add the HD option, in the future, and provide software to allow PS3s and others to access your own Netflix account will broaden their user base. It may be the end of how satilite and cable do business; they are going to have to change by lowering their prices to compete with this new service.
BTW I do not work for Netflix, Roku, or any other of the companies mentioned above. I am only an impressed subscriber.
