Difference between Roku, Boxee and Apple TV
Streaming entertainment isn't exactly the de facto standard that a few of the more enthusiastic proponents claimed it was going to be, but there is no denying that business is on the rise. Names such as Roku, Boxee, and Apple TV have staked out claims across households across the country, bringing streaming to the masses. Which provider should you go for? Let's take a look!
What Is It?
Roku is a digital video player that is also known in the company’s product line as the Netflix Player. Its main purpose is to stream movies from Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand over Internet lines to your television.
Boxee is a combination of services that provide you with a single platform for accessing photos, music and video from your computer hard drive. In addition, Boxee also allows you to access streaming content from services such as Netflix, YouTube, CNN.com and many other sites so that you can view them from your television.
Apple TV is the most established of the lot, having been among the first to offer streaming services for television via a set-top box. This service offers 99-cent TV program rentals from companies such as ABC and Fox.
Advantages
According to the company, Roku can be installed so easily that even a child can do it. This is actually true in practice, and the easy to understand manual helps things along considerably. The unit is also equipped with Wi-For instance, which means that no adapter is necessary. The unit is also quite compact, and takes up very little space.
Boxee doesn't actually require, after all, a box, and content can be downloaded directly to your desktop. Boxee is a great choice for those who are keen to explore the social-networking side of entertainment, since it allows you to update your Twitter, Tumblr and FriendFeed accounts automatically. You also have a lot of opportunity to personalize your viewing experience.
Apple TV is actually the second incarnation of the company’s online video effort, and it has the advantage of a much lower price than its predecessor. In addition, the service offers 99-cent TV program rentals from companies such as ABC and Fox.
Disadvantages
The main drawback to Roku is that it has a fairly limited selection. In addition, the service is also prone to buffering delays when the fast-forward and rewind controls are used.
Boxee for its part is hindered by incompatibility with PCs, since they work only with Mac and Linux systems. Also, the free online video service Hulu has since blocked Boxee from its site, a move that many people fear will be followed by other providers.
The biggest drawback to Apple TV is, interestingly enough, one of its selling points: the $.99 television show rentals from ABC and Fox. While this offer may seem pretty good, Amazon Video on Demand actually sells the same videos for the same price.
Similarities and Differences
Roku
- Also known in the company’s product line as the Netflix Player
- Allows you to stream movies from Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand
Boxee
- Provides you with a single platform for accessing photos, music and video from your computer hard drive
- Allows you to access streaming content from services such as Netflix, YouTube, CNN.com
Apple TV
- Offers 99-cent TV program rentals from companies such as ABC and Fox
