Roku unveiled five new streaming devices today, replacing the current Rokus 1 through 4 with the Roku Express, Roku Express+, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+ and Roku Ultra. The only previously-available Roku remaining in the product line is the Roku Streaming Stick. The devices range in price from $30 for the basic bare-bones Express model, up to $130 for the premium-level Ultra with quad-core processor, Ethernet and USB ports, microSD expansion slot, optical audio output, and the ultimate point-anywhere remote with voice search, headphone jack, gaming buttons and lost remote finder. The new Roku players are available now for pre-order and are expected to be in shipped and in stores by October 9.
Roku Express
The most-basic Roku model replaces the Roku 1, but with double the processing power in a smaller device. The Express still offers 1080p HD streaming, and supports all Roku channels. Roku's announcement states that this low-cost streamer is built for "new streamers or for those who wish to extend the experience throughout their home." ($29.99 at Amazon)
Specifications:
- Networking - 802.11 (b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA, and WPA2 support
- Video outputs - 720p and 1080p
- Video Up-conversion - Up-scaling 720p to 1080p on HD TVs
- Audio features - Dolby Audio pass through via HDMI®
- Remote control - Roku standard IR remote with channel shortcut buttons
Roku Express+
If you have an older TV lacking HDMI input, spending an extra $10 for the Express+ will give you a composite jack and A/V (red/white/yellow) cable. The Express+ is otherwise no different than the Express, but will be available only at Walmart. (Roku Express+ is $39.99 at Walmart)
Specifications:
- Networking - 802.11 (b/g/n compatible) with WEP, WPA, and WPA2 support
- Video outputs - 480i, 720p, 1080p
- Audio features - Dolby Audio pass through via HDMI®
- Remote control - Roku standard IR remote with channel shortcut buttons
Roku Premiere
The Roku Premiere steps up performance with a quad-core processor and the ability to stream up to 4K in up to 60 frames per second (fps). Premiere and higher devices also include night listening mode, which promises to even out the volume in action movies so that you don't have to crank the volume to hear dialogue, only to wake the rest of the household when ear-busting sound effects kick in at high volume. (Roku Premiere is $79.99 at Amazon)
Specifications:
- Networking - 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless
- Video outputs - Up to 1080p HD (1920 x 1080) on HD TVs; up to 4K/60 Ultra HD (3840 × 2160) on 4K UHD TVs
- Video Up-conversion - Up-scaling 720p to 1080p on HD TVs; up-scaling 720p and 1080p to 4K 60fps Ultra HD on 4K UHD TVs
- Audio features - Dolby Audio pass through via HDMI®, Night listening mode
- Remote control - Roku standard IR remote with channel shortcut buttons
The Roku Premiere+
If you want to hard-wire your Roku into your home network, or if you're a power-user needing expanded storage for lots of channels and games, you'll need to bump up to the Roku Premier+. This is the lowest model that offers an Ethernet port or microSD slot. It's also the lowest model that comes with a remote headphone jack for private listening. The Roku Premier+ remote is also a point-anywhere WiFi model, but all Roku streaming devices are IR-capable in order to support universal remotes. Rounding out the added benefits of the Premiere+ is HDR support. (Roku Premiere+ is $99.99 at Amazon)
Specifications:
- Networking - 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless; 10/100 Base-T Ethernet
- Video outputs - Up to 1080p HD (1920 x 1080) on HD TVs; up to 4K/60 Ultra HD (3840 × 2160) on 4K UHD TVs
- Video Up-conversion - Up-scaling 720p to 1080p on HD TVs; up-scaling 720p and 1080p to 4K 60fps Ultra HD on 4K UHD TVs
- Audio features - Dolby Audio pass through via HDMI®; night listening mode
- Storage expansion - microSD card slot for additional channel storage
- Remote control - Advanced point-anywhere remote with headphone jack for private listening; player includes IR receiver, compatible with various universal remotes.
Roku Ultra
The granddaddy of Roku models, Roku Ultra has everything the Premiere+ has, but for an extra $30 you'll get optical audio output, a USB port for playback of personal media through several Roku channels, support for Dolby Digital Plus, voice search through the Roku remote control, and a lost remote finder. (Roku Ultra is $129.99 at Amazon)
Specifications:
- Networking - 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless; 10/100 Base-T Ethernet
- Video outputs - Up to 1080p HD (1920 x 1080) on HD TVs; up to 4K/60 Ultra HD (3840 × 2160) on 4K UHD TVs
- Video Up-conversion - Up-scaling 720p to 1080p on HD TVs; up-scaling 720p and 1080p to 4K 60fps Ultra HD on 4K UHD TVs
- Audio features - Dolby Audio over HDMI® and optical; night listening mode
- Storage expansion - microSD card slot for additional channel storage; USB port for local playback
- Remote control - Advanced point-anywhere remote with voice search, headphone jack, and gaming buttons; speaker for lost remote finder alerts; player includes IR receiver, compatible with various universal remotes
