Apple TV and Roku

[Unregistered]

Are Apple TV and Roku box really that different, or are they essentially the same product?

 

[Thomas G]

Both services are very similar, and each service does offers both tv shows, movies, and music content, but each service has its strong and weak points. Take a look at these posts:

Roku 3 vs Apple TV - DTVUSAForum
Apple TV 3rd Gen Review - DTVUSAForum

 

[redsoxfan949]

They are both similar and do essentially the same things as both of them are streaming media devices.

 

[dkreichen1968]

Apple TV and its "walled garden" approach makes it a less useful device in my thinking. If you're an "apple-verse" person, a Apple TV may be the way to go. But Roku with over 1000 channels, and the ability to stream from my hard drive, is the way I go for me. I've got three. A Roku 2 XS, a Roku HD, and the current model Roku 2.

 

[thesteveishere]

They are both streaming devices but the number of channels they offer is where they differ. Heres a link from Roku Roku VS AppleTV | Roku Streaming Player

 

[redsoxfan949]

I really like the analogy of Apple TV and the "walled garden" I call Apple Iclusive. I had an Apple TV but I think there seems to be so many more options with a Roku.

 

[FWAmie]

Wow, if I had to choose one it would actually be hard for me. That is unless they let me try both out for a week for free.

 

[scooterville1289]

I am torn between these two because honestly there is not a huge comparison

 

[MrPogi]

I am torn between these two because honestly there is not a huge comparison

If you already own Apple products, then Apple TV.
Otherwise, Roku.

 

[RockU]

Apple TV is more for the look and easy to navigate. I prefer it over Roku and it is just my preference, but with Roku you can do the same things that a Apple TV could, like watching Hulu, Netflix and browsing the web. However, you can now Jailbreaking your Apple TV device for more content and customization like the Roku. It is like comparing the iPhone and the Android, and like dkreichen analogy, it is like a "walled garden" because you are by default locked into tinkering with it.

 

[thesteveishere]

If you have any iDevices or a Macbook than an Apple TV may be the way to go. For me, the big difference between the two was the number of channels the Roku has to offer.