Roku Gets HD Netflix Movies, Finally

roku(2).jpg Good news for Roku owners: the Netflix-branded box will now stream high-definition video from, you guessed it, Netflix. The video obviously has to be compressed pretty substantially to be delivered over a typical broadband connection, so I have no idea what the video quality is like. But I'm sure the jury will be out in full force in the next couple of days.

The $99 Roku box will automatically receive the update over the coming weeks adding several hundred HD titles to Netflix's substantial movies library of over 12, 000. In the first quarter of 2009, it's expected that we'll see a few more HD additions to the Roku library, definitely something to be excited about. Check out the press release after the jump.

Roku Digital Video Player Now Streaming HD Content From Netflix

SARATOGA, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Dec 22, 2008 Roku Inc., a leading innovator in digital media technology and maker of the popular Netflix Player by Roku, today announced it has released support for streaming high definition (HD) content. Through the use of advanced compression technology, Roku can deliver instant streaming of HD content over average consumer broadband connections - bringing HD to the mass market at an affordable price of just $99.

"Netflix is a pioneer in streaming HD content over the Internet and the results are impressive," said Anthony Wood, founder & CEO of Roku. "Adding hundreds of HD titles to their catalog of more than 12,000 streaming titles provides tremendous value to Roku owners."

Netflix, Inc. is the first content provider to deliver HD content to the Roku player. Additional providers of HD content are expected in the first quarter of 2009. The new software will be automatically delivered to all Roku players free-of-charge over the course of the next few weeks.

"No other HD device delivers as diverse a catalog of HD entertainment along with flexible HDTV connections and incomparable price-value as Roku," says Richard Doherty, Research Director for The Envisioneering Group. "More and more HD video programming is instantly available, making Roku even more valuable over time than many expensive PVRs and leased services."

ABOUT ROKU

Roku is a market leader in innovative applications for digital media. Through its work in both software and hardware, the company develops and sells consumer products and business solutions to bring rich media to the end user. Its products include: The Netflix Player by Roku, and the BrightSign digital signage controllers. Roku is privately held and based in Saratoga, Calif. For more information on the company and its products, visit: http://www.roku.com.

December 22, 2008

Roku Gets HD Netflix Movies, Finally