ROKU player problems

by Steve Cook - June 9, 2010

My experience with the ROKU player

I first learned about the ROKU player over a year ago when I read an article about it in Time magazine. ROKU is a device that allows for streaming delivery of content to your TV. The bonus was that with a ROKU player and a Netflix subscription, you could chose from thousands of movies in the Netflix database, then watch those movies instantly on your TV - at no extra charge to your monthly Netflix subscription fee.

As a movie buff this was Nirvana! Other media services began to appear on ROKU, like Amazon Video and MLB TV. While early picture quality was not ideal, ROKU continued to improve, and with the availability of HD programming from Netflix, the ROKU experience got better and better.

The ROKU problem

A couple of weeks ago I missed an episode of AMC TV's Breaking Bad.

Problem

! After some internet research I found that the only way to view the missed episode was through Amazon Video, which is available on the ROKU. Great! (or so I thought) When I tuned in to my ROKU player the problem was my TV gave me a "no signal found" error. I also noticed that the blue power indicator light was not on. I tried plugging the ROKU player into other outlets, and connecting to other TVs, but the problem persisted.

I contacted ROKU support about the problem and was disappointed at the solutions they proffered - none of which fixed the ROKU player problem. After a week or so of back and forth with ROKU support I sent them a final email about the ROKU problem. I let them know how big a fan I was of the ROKU player before I experienced this problem. I asked if I could send my player in for repair. Their answer was no. I then asked if I could get a replacement ROKU player (I even offered to pay a prorated fee). Again, ROKU support said no.

The problem, as they explained it, was that my ROKU player had passed the one year warranty mark. I completely understand the need for ROKU to set time limits on their warranty service, however I was disappointed in the way my requests were summarily dismissed, having been such a proponent of their product.

Fortunately, I can play Netflix movies with my Xbox and the quality is much better than ROKU!

Well, that's my story. I'm not trying to make the ROKU folks out as evil - I just wanted to tell my story about my ROKU player problem.

Have you had a problem with the ROKU player?

I'd like to know about it! Just complete the form below - I'll review your input and if I find it's suitable, I'll post it on this website.

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My problem ROKU player
My problem ROKU player.

August 20, 2010 T.S. from Villa Rica, Georgia says "I have only had it for a month and I have no signal on it. Waiting for tech support for 20 minutes - still no answer!!!"

www.rokuplayer.org

Steve Cook is an Austin, Texas website designer and shopping cart designer. Steve is a native Austinite and graduate of Brykerwoods Elementary School, Austin High School and the University of Texas.