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luqven

What's a better buy, the Roku HD 2ng-Gen or the new Apple TV?

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dave

I see your have list includes the iPhone 4 and iPad 2. Apple TV might be better for you due to AirPlay.

That said, I think most people who aren't hugely invested in the Apple eco system would like anything by Roku. The number of programming options they have available is pretty amazing. That said, if Apple eventually adds support for Apps on the Apple TV, that might change things.
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luqven's pick
islanddreamer

I have to go with the Roku, although AirPlay on the Apple TV is sweet. It really is a matter of priorities: playing iTunes content (ATV), Amazon Unbox (Roku), web video (Boxee Box). Since all three matter to me, I bounce between them all. And the best Netflix/Hulu Plus experience is on the PS3, while the XBox 360 does a nice job with ESPN.
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luqven's pick
Anton

I don’t have an Apple TV, but as an owner of a Roku HD, I have nothing but the highest praise for it. But I think it REALLY depends on how you use what you watch online.

I rent a lot of movies through Amazon’s streaming video service, because they have quick releases on most titles (the others I just rent through Redbox). The duality of Amazon and Netflix is what I use it for the most - so, I and my family are very content with our little black box.

Now, if you need it for streaming local server files, it takes a little more work, but not impossible (though the HD does have a USB port on the side to stream h.264 from storage).
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mjpuczko

depends on your needs. if you have a mac & movies in itunes, appletv is best. if you just want to stream via netflix/youtube/etc roku is best. i have the new appletv and love it but i'm thinking about getting the roku just because of rdio. both are so cheap
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shafnitz

Haven't used a Roku, but I love my Apple TV 2. Jailbroken with XBMC running, that thing is money.
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luqven

I'm really tempted to stick with the Roku, but I can't get over how ugly its UI is. Finding a movie to watch must be a pain. Do any of you Roku owners feel like it can be too tiresome to browse through movies in the amazon app?
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TheBITTV

I personally think Roku because of the range of content
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userd40ad11b74f

I have Roku now and it is great, but I will probably go Apple TV once they add apps. Roku has a content edge at the moment, but that will change once Apple adds apps to Apple TV. My guess is that apps will be announced at WWDC.
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muti277

I agree with most responses in here, right now I would go with Roku as it has a lot more streaming options unless you have a lot of content in iTunes library. Once apple will ad third party apps to it however this might change but no one knows when that will happen. Apple would have captured this market if they would have done that in the last Apple TV update but now there are more competitors and it won't be as easy to get developers on it.
With these type of devices it's all about easily accessible content for the right price and right now Roku is the winner with that and if it wasn't for Netflix support in the Apple TV most people wouldn't even consider it.
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curtisbyers

I think a big plus of the Apple TV is 5.1 sound for Netflix streaming.
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dougmejia

I think that it all depends on what you want to watch. If you have a bunch of movies that you bought from iTunes (or ripped for your iOS device) and want to watch Netflix, then the Apple TV is definitely for you. However, if you want to see other programming like Hulu+, then you might like to go with the Roku. I have both and love them.

I like the Apple TV interface for Netflix better than the Roku or PS3 version. Just aesthetics, but it thought you might like to know. Another thing you might think about is the form factor. Apple TV 2 has a smaller footprint than the Roku. On the other hand, the higher end Roku allows you to attach an external USB hard drive while the Apple TV 2 has not storage to speak of.

Good luck and happy buying.
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speed9dev

If you love content and watch Netflix, Hulu plus,and other services get the Roku. If you are an Apple fanboy and love itunes get the apple tv.
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