Roku vs Android based (streaming) media player

[indijay]

Hello folks,

Resident of the US, planning to cut the cable TV and entertain off streaming TV and local media. I am planning to buy Roku 2 XS for big holidays. Before I get one, I was just wondering if anybody can help me figure out the difference between Roku 2XS and android based streaming media players.

I came across a few of them,
XIOS DS Media Play
AIOS HD Media Center
Micca EP350 G2
etc.

I am inclining towards Android based players because I get lot more than just TV channels, plus decent local media play (Roku XS also can do that with some apps like USB Media Play or Plex).

I would like to know if I go with Android media players, what am I going to lose that is offered by Roku?
If Android is better than Roku, can I select anyone of these or there is any better than this in the market (in the same price range?) Note: Not interested in buying generic china-made stuff.

Many thanks in advance.

[Moontrash]

streaming wise...what apps are you looking for on the android based player?

[jman98]

I have Roku. I have none of the other Android based players. I will tell you about Roku.

If you want to watch internet sites on TV, it's great. It can stream from Netflix and Amazon. It CANNOT stream from YouTube (Google refuses to allow this so they can protect their crappy Google TV offering). Various channels, some free some not free, can be added to the Roku. You can get a list from their website. If you do a search on "Roku private channels" you will see various private channels that may or may not be of interest to you.

The Roku is a media player, but it's a poor one. It is extremely limited in what it will play from USB devices. You can get a list of what it supports from the Roku site. If this is really important to you, it's probably not a good choice.

I have NOT used Plex, but it might make the Roku more useful as a media player. I will have to check this out.

[Moontrash]

I have no reference to a Roku as I've never seen or used one but the Micca I do. I know someone who has both a 350 and 950 model and they stream network wise flawlessly. If you want HD Streaming with networking you'll have to get the 950 model for gigabit LAN. The 350 is just 100mb...like 4 to 7 mb's streaming without hiccups(perfect for dvd's and smallish mkv's). As for built in streaming the Micca has al oad of channels but since it's a Chinese company it doesn''t have netflix or hulu or any of that. Just your basics like Youtube and Picasa and Mediafly. I do believe though you can stream netflix and youtube through the wireless part of the unit.

[marioval]

I too have been trying to decide between the Roku 2 XS and the Xios. I wonder if the Roku has channels for the major networks? Right now I can use my PC's browser to go to nbc.com or abc.com and watch full episodes. I wonder if the Roku has channels for those networks? I am assuming with the Xios, since it is just an android box, I could use a flash enabled browser and watch those videos just like on my pc.