Roku Launches Entry-Level $50 Streamer, Get It for $25 on Black Friday

[MULTIZ321]

Roku Launches Entry-Level $50 Streamer, Get It for $25 on Black Friday - by Bryan Clark/ Insider/ TNW/ thenextweb.com

"The launch of the Roku 4 brought 4k to its tiny black box as well as a host of other upgrades. The Roku SE is basically the opposite of that.

With the higher end of the market covered, Roku decided to drop the SE as a $50 entry into the world of streaming video. Even better, it’s discounted to $25 for Black Friday.

The Roku SE won’t carry the same 4k functionality as the Roku 4, but you didn’t really expect that from a streaming device that costs less than half the price of its predecessor, did you? Instead, you’ll find the familiar menu system of Roku OS 7 with access to nearly 3,000 streaming channels which boasts 300,000 movies and TV shows..."

Richard

 

[Ironwood]

The SE streamer will be a big step up from my Roku streaming stick, at half what I paid for it a year ago. I'll keep an eye on it. Time to upgrade and switch the stick to another TV....not that I'll watch movies on my Samsung 24" office screen.

 

[taterhed]

Actually, the SE will not be a big step up from the stick. The stick has better wireless, better remote, instant Netflix and profiles and more.

The SE is a revamped Roku 1. But, at $25, it's a steal.

All Roku's now have built-in functionality to bypass hotel sign-ins (a Roku app and cell phone may be required).

I can't wait!

 

[Makai Guy]

Far as anybody can tell, the Roku SE (Special Edition) *IS* the Roku 1 unit. Although they have a different designation molded into the top of their case, they appear to otherwise be physically identical. Outputs are identical both HDMI and composite (yellow, white, and red RCI-type jacks). No ethernet port on either, so they are wifi only. They both report the same internal model number, 2710X.

The difference seems to be in the IR (not RF) remote. The old Roku 1 had dedicated buttons for M-Go, Amazon Video, Netflix, and Blockbuster. The new SE replaces M-Go and Blockbuster with Vudu and Rdio.

Unboxing comparison video: https://youtu.be/g5MsuSEjN-w

User performance comparison: https://youtu.be/xl0-067MVQY

 

[Ironwood]

Thanks for the added insight...I won't rush out to upgrade my Roku streaming stick, which I don't watch much in any event. An upgrade to the IPad Air 2 64gb is on my Black Friday shopping list and that will be costly enough

 

[rapmarks]

I was given a Roku a few years back, and I cannot get it to connect any longer. I believe they made it obsolete. I am not sure what model it is,

 

[WinniWoman]

We have a Roku streaming stick our son bought for us for I think $35 for a XMAS gift one year. We love it. I get the Blaze network on it (a subscription) and my husband is now trying to watch every single Mission Impossible show for the past. I also watch Amazon prime movies on it.

 

[Quiet Pine]

During October, I bought and returned 3 Rokus: 1 & 2 & streaming stick. I've spent hours (20+) on the phone with Roku and with my internet provider. Apparently the wireless router and the Rokus are not friends. One TV backs up to the kitchen refrigerator--major interference. The streaming stick upstairs just won't cooperate. I've been sent to the Secret Screen to disable pings, then to the Platform Secret Screen I can be stubborn about these things, and I haven't totally given up. Costco is selling a WiFi Range Extender that might help. I'm in a puddle of despair when I hear happy reports of others who plug it in and quickly stream Amazon, Netflix, and more.

 

[WinniWoman]

During October, I bought and returned 3 Rokus: 1 & 2 & streaming stick. I've spent hours (20+) on the phone with Roku and with my internet provider. Apparently the wireless router and the Rokus are not friends. One TV backs up to the kitchen refrigerator--major interference. The streaming stick upstairs just won't cooperate. I've been sent to the Secret Screen to disable pings, then to the Platform Secret Screen I can be stubborn about these things, and I haven't totally given up. Costco is selling a WiFi Range Extender that might help. I'm in a puddle of despair when I hear happy reports of others who plug it in and quickly stream Amazon, Netflix, and more.

When we originally bought the Roku box we had nothing but trouble and ROKU tech support was horrible so we sent it back, Then we got the stick and it worked ok, but not great. Then, we just so happened to have a problem with our DSL internet and the tech came to our house and changed out our modem and now the ROKU stick works great! Seems we had an old modem. Our modem is upstairs and our TV is downstairs in the kitchen/den area.

 

[Quiet Pine]

mpumilia

Seems we had an old modem.

I got a new modem in July from the internet provider. I think you're right about replacing the modem & I'll try that before the range extender. I agree that tech support is deficient!

 

[Ironwood]

One difference I find using my Roku stick, is that access to Netflix and You Tube is quicker and easier than through my smart TV, but that TV is nearly 7 years old and likely a dinosaur in the 'smart' world.

 

[ausman]

Best Buy has the Roku SE for sale today at $24.99 with free shipping.

 

[Rene McDaniel]

Thanksgiving Day update:
I clicked the link in the original post and the Roku site says the $25 Roku is sold out. But they still have the stick and the $79 model available.

-- Rene

 

[x3 skier]

If you sign up for three months of Sling TV, you can get $50 off a Amazon Fire TV or a Roku Stick for free. https://www.sling.com/?mkwid=sC8AN8...x4cKx7E1pPG4kU-D9BQh4ySAyWwCk_tkdEaAq858P8HAQ

I'm about to cut the TWC cord and go with a HD TV Antenna coupled with Apple TV (for mirroring my iThingies) and Roku.

Cheers