Although many people are out shopping for a new TV this weekend just to get Smart TV streaming features, you can actually save a whole lot more money by turning your existing TV into a streaming Smart TV by adding the Roku streaming media box. Roku is one of the market leaders in streaming media hardware because they offer the best selection of streaming media services as well as an intituive user interface and remote control.
All your TV needs to play is an available HDMI port (for HD streaming) or a composite video input (for standard def streaming). The Roku boxes have built-in WiFi networking so they can connect to your router wirelessly. If you prefer a hard-coded network connection, these boxes have that option as well.
The two Roku boxes on sale now on Amazon are the Roku HD (now $39.99), which offers 720p HD output and the newer Roku 2 (now $59.91) which offers full HD 1080p output. The Roku 2 also features a really cool feature: a headphone jack right on the remote control. This allows you to tune in privately for late night movie viewing or music listening without having to run a long headphone cable to your TV. Considering most TVs don't even have headphone outputs, this is one killer feature.
Both Roku boxes feature the same selection of streaming channels, including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Pandora, Hulu Plus, MLB, NHL, NBA, VUDU and hundreds more. So just decide whether you need full 1080p resolution (plus that nifty headphone jack) or save a few bucks and go with the 720p option.
Find out more or buy one of these while supplies last at Amazon this weekend:
