Roku 3 vs Desktop PC

[JayRich]

Hey Everyone,

I recently purchased a Roku 3 on the boxing day sales with the impression I would do a bit of research and see if it's worth the $100. It was purchased to be used in my theater room which currently houses a BenQ W1070 and a bunch of other electronics. I currently have a pretty decent desktop pc that is less than a year old that I have no use for but don't really want to sell it either and take a substantial loss so I am currently using it for media until I can find a better use for it. The PC is hooked into my receiver and also connected to an ethernet cable on a 100/30 fibre connection. My question is, is there any advantage for me to use the Roku 3 or is everything the Roku can do available on a PC? I don't mind integrating it into my setup for the price but i don't necessarily want to keep it if I can just continue using my PC. Also worth mentioning I currently use a Logitech K400 with the PC so remote controls aren't necessarily an issue. As for my usage, I watch some Netflix, Twitch.tv and torrented movies. I don't watch much live TV at all and currently have a HD tv package included with my internet.

Look forward to hearing your suggestions!

Thanks

 

[nick779]

Hey Everyone,

I recently purchased a Roku 3 on the boxing day sales with the impression I would do a bit of research and see if it's worth the $100. It was purchased to be used in my theater room which currently houses a BenQ W1070 and a bunch of other electronics. I currently have a pretty decent desktop pc that is less than a year old that I have no use for but don't really want to sell it either and take a substantial loss so I am currently using it for media until I can find a better use for it. The PC is hooked into my receiver and also connected to an ethernet cable on a 100/30 fibre connection. My question is, is there any advantage for me to use the Roku 3 or is everything the Roku can do available on a PC? I don't mind integrating it into my setup for the price but i don't necessarily want to keep it if I can just continue using my PC. Also worth mentioning I currently use a Logitech K400 with the PC so remote controls aren't necessarily an issue. As for my usage, I watch some Netflix, Twitch.tv and torrented movies. I don't watch much live TV at all and currently have a HD tv package included with my internet.

Look forward to hearing your suggestions!

Thanks

Most everything a Roku can do, a pc can do, just not as pretty and user friendly, or for as cheap.

For a media center device, I love mine, and 15 feet away sits my 4670k/780ti gaming pc. Its just easier to run netflix, prime instant, history on demand, and DLNA on the Roku3

 

[zeyuanfu]

A Roku should be enough for everything you want to do.

 

[JayRich]

Yeah, it's not so much about which I need more, I am sure a Roku will suffice above and beyond my needs. But I have my gaming setup in another room, and then my space PC sits directly beside my media setup in my theater room. I have been using that exact setup for months and have never really seen a reason to need anything else. That being said, I have never really looked into exactly what a Roku can do so I am mostly curious if it has any features or attributes that I cannot do with my PC. As far as user friendly goes, I am fairly tech savvy and believe I can get maximum media usage out of my PC just really curious if the Roku adds anything else to the setup.

 

[zeyuanfu]

A computer can do everything a Roku can do.

 

[JayRich]

A computer can do everything a Roku can do.

Awesome, that's all I need to know . Thanks!

 

[zeyuanfu]

No problem

 

[juno1]

Just got a roku to see what the talk is all about, and i have to say that my HTPC setup just killed the roku. My answer will be a bit generic for others who stumble to this forum looking for answers, however my answer will also address your question.

I find roku so limited, unless one is willing to pay for premium content. The "free content" is not entirely free (you have to watch ads). All Roku free content can be accessed via PC without ads, the Roku free content is limited and selected by Roku.

With HTCP you can download:

• 
  Kylo - for web browsing on your TV
  
  Windows Media Player - for recording and watching over the air content
  
  Kodi - for watching listening to content on your hard drive, for steaming several free content from all over the world (via Kodi add-on)
  
  Logitech K400 - this is not an application just a keyboard

Just the 3 apps above outperform Roku. To me Roku is just a glorified pointer to content. For premium (non free) content it does a good job, however for free stuff it's just a joke loaded with ads. So if you consume premium content ONLY then Ruku is a device for you, however if you would like to expand beyond the limitations of premium content and are somewhat technically inclined and willing to learn then Ruku is not for you.

As for the price, one must keep in mind that the HTCP can also be used as a PC (run a HDMI cable to a monitor and a TV and you got a PC or a HTCP). Other things you can do with your PC/HTCP:

• 
  Add a webcam and you can convert you PC to home a security system (or watch you pets when you are not home)
  
  Get a VPN tunnel (for example UK - and you get all the BBC stuff for free)
  
  Rip youtube videos to hard drive to watch some other time
  
  Access your PC remotely via TeamViewer and get stuff from it when needed
  
  Add a blue ray ROM and you now have a blue ray player
  
  You can also use your HTCP as a web server or as a file server
  
  With Win7 or Win8 install Microsoft Family Safety set up an account for your kids that limits them to age appropriate content

 

[nick779]

Just got a roku to see what the talk is all about, and i have to say that my HTPC setup just killed the roku. My answer will be a bit generic for others who stumble to this forum looking for answers, however my answer will also address your question.

I find roku so limited, unless one is willing to pay for premium content. The "free content" is not entirely free (you have to watch ads). All Roku free content can be accessed via PC without ads, the Roku free content is limited and selected by Roku.

With HTCP you can download:

• 
  Kylo - for web browsing on your TV
  
  Windows Media Player - for recording and watching over the air content
  
  Kodi - for watching listening to content on your hard drive, for steaming several free content from all over the world (via Kodi add-on)
  
  Logitech K400 - this is not an application just a keyboard

Just the 3 apps above outperform Roku. To me Roku is just a glorified pointer to content. For premium (non free) content it does a good job, however for free stuff it's just a joke loaded with ads. So if you consume premium content ONLY then Ruku is a device for you, however if you would like to expand beyond the limitations of premium content and are somewhat technically inclined and willing to learn then Ruku is not for you.

As for the price, one must keep in mind that the HTCP can also be used as a PC (run a HDMI cable to a monitor and a TV and you got a PC or a HTCP). Other things you can do with your PC/HTCP:

• 
  Add a webcam and you can convert you PC to home a security system (or watch you pets when you are not home)
  
  Get a VPN tunnel (for example UK - and you get all the BBC stuff for free)
  
  Rip youtube videos to hard drive to watch some other time
  
  Access your PC remotely via TeamViewer and get stuff from it when needed
  
  Add a blue ray ROM and you now have a blue ray player
  
  You can also use your HTCP as a web server or as a file server
  
  With Win7 or Win8 install Microsoft Family Safety set up an account for your kids that limits them to age appropriate content

This is weird because Ive never been forced to watch an ad when using a free movie channel or something.

But again, I bought my roku for mainly paid services and to stream DLNA from my home server, and for that it is wonderful.