ROKU 2 XS In Depth Review

As I've stated previously, this item is AMAZING! I am a straight Noob when it comes to Instant Steaming Devices but setup and getting started was a breeze. As stated in the videos, you must set up a credit card or use your PayPal account in order to set up the device. Setting up Wi-Fi was a breeze as well. Overall, the device works well with my broadband Wi-Fi. The device has no on/off switch or button which struck me as odd as almost every device we own has an on/off switch. The device is stated to use as little power as a night light. Here's the box info for your techno pleasure:

What's Included
Roku 2 XS Streaming Player
Enhanced remote control
Angry Birds game
Two AA batteries
A/V cable (red/white/yellow)
Power adapter
Get Started Guide

What you need
High-Speed Internet (like DSL or cable)
Wireless or wired router
HDMI cable (optional, for HD video)
 
More entertaining than ever
Meet Roku-the original, best-selling streaming player. Now smaller and faster than ever. Roku 2 makes it a snap to enjoy the best movies and TV shows, live sports, music, games and more-all instantly on your TV, whenever you want it.

It's really easy
Be up and running in minutes. With the simple remote, you're just a click or two away from something great.

No PC needed
Roku connects directly to your high-speed Internet wirelessly (or via Ethernet if you prefer).

No extra monthly bills
Enjoy hundreds of free Hollywood movies from Crackle. Choose from over 100,000 hit on-demand titles. Or use your existing subscriptions (like Netflix).

It's always getting better
Roku brings you endless entertainment choices, with more added all the time. So you'll always find something new to watch, hear and enjoy.

XS. It even does games!

• With the XS remote, you control more than movies. The built-in accelerometer and gyro mean you can play games too-with just a flick of your wrist.
• Other XS goodies include 1080p HD video quality, Ethernet port and USB playback.

Key features
Up to 1080p high-definition streaming
300+ channels
Built-in wireless (Wi-fi b/g/n compatible)
Ethernet port
HDMI video output (for high-definition)
A/V output (for standard definition)
USB port for playing videos, music, and photos
Enhanced remote with motion control for games

So as you can tell by the box information, this device is totally SWEET! I know, I sound like a drone or fangirl but I'm only stating my opinion of this device. And being new to the Instant Streaming world, I can say that I"m totally pleased. So after setting up the device, you're ready to go. You can download "Channels" from the Channel Store. Some of which are free and others cost money. Some still require a monthly fee such as Netflix and Hulu Plus. I personally dropped the DVD portion of my Netflix and kept Streaming, picked up Hulu Plus and am still paying about 20 cents or more less than just having Netflix with one dvd out at a time. I'm seriously thinking about dropping HD channels with my local cable provider and just keep standard definition. 
    
      I feel that a drawback with some of the movie channels is the commercials. There's anywhere from 30 seconds to a minute and a half of commercial interruption during the movie/show you're watching. Sure, there's lag here and there but that's due to your broadband connection not the device. I feel the micro SD card slot is a huge plus. I didn't even know that was there before watching another review video. You can install an SD card, it states you need to format it once you do so in the instructions and then all of your channels will be installed on the SD card. Sweet huh? I'm assuming you can put any size SD card in the device as it doesn't state in the instruction manual or on videos I've seen the max size of the SD card you can use. 
    
      With 300+ channels and more to come, I'm sure there's something for anyone to enjoy. Me personally, I love Technology and there's a plethora of techno channels out there to soothe the savage beast. The device updates as needed as you never turn it off. There's categories from Featured to New, Most Popular, Top Rated, Featured Paid, Games, Movies and TV, Music, News and Weather, Sports, Food, Kids and Family, Science and Technology, Internet TV, Fitness and Outdoors, Photos and Video, Special Interest, Screensavers and Apps, Travel, International-South Asia, International-Other, Religion and Spiritually, Shop Roku Deals. As you can see, there's something for everyone and the device auto-updates. I would definitely recommend this device for anyone and you yourself may decide to switch, change, drop your cable, satellite service (well maybe not satellite). LOL! And overall, channels are FREE!! Aside from your broadband bill that is. If I could change anything it would be the layout of your channels. I would like to see them in a grid layout like on the movie channels as opposed to a linear layout. Hope this helped some of you in deciding whether to buy (or not) an instant streaming device. Take care guys and be sure to watch both parts to the Roku review videos. 

PS Vita Best Buy Experience!!

     Ok, so I just came from Best Buy about 4 hours ago and I have to say that I am anticipating the PS Vita even more!! No video that I have seen does the 5 inch OLED screen justice! After seeing this bit of eye-candy in person I am thoroughly pleased with my pre-order.  Holding the Vita in hand felt natural and not heavy the least...The screen had a glare from the lighting in the store but it is extremely vibrant and the colors "pop". I was able to demo Little Deviants AR mode of the game and that game is soo beautiful! Originally, I was contemplating on selling that game but after playing it myself, I'm definitely keeping it! You find yourself immersed in the game play and don't even realize that the people walking by are looking at you like you're crazy! I suggest those who are skeptical about buying this console or don't know what the console is go and check it out and get a feel for hands-on gameplay yourselves! This is a totally awesome product...

New Colab Channel with Darkruler1030!

First off i would like to formally thank Darkruler1030 for this amazing opportunity. We will have a chance to voice our opinions on gaming and such, as well as meet new and amazing people. I'm all for having positive debates on these topics and making new and interesting videos. Point blank, this will be a channel where we have fun doing and discussing what we love and that's gaming and meeting new and interesting people like you...

Playstation Vita Bundle

     Now I may be crazy but I upped my PS Vita to the "Playstation Vita 1st Edition Bundle". You may ask why and I'm going to tell you. The bundle comes with the 3G/Wi-Fi console, a limited edition case, 4GB memory card, and a copy of Little Deviants game. It's all for $349.99 plus tax which comes to about $352 and change and well worth the price due to buying these items seperately would cost more indeed.
  
     I feel the 3G/Wi-Fi model is the better buy because of the 3G and if the service is lacking in my area or the plans are too expensive, you can still use the Wi-Fi and do not have to pay for the 3G. I am soo looking forward to February 15th!!!!! BRING IT ON!!!!!!!

Nintendo 3DS isn't just for kids!!

     Ok now when I first stepped foot into my local department store just browsing, I had no intention to buy anything. Lo and behold I had to step foot in the electronics department and Voila!!! the Nintendo 3DS just called me over to the kiosk and said Buy Me!!! Ok, not really but I felt an overwhelming need to buy the Aqua Blue 3DS and had to buy it then. This is when I found out that you can't buy a Nintendo Points Card for the device, oh no, you have to now buy a 3DS points card. There are too many to keep up with now: 3DS, Playstation, Wii, Xbox 360...UGH!! But to the point:
    
     Initially, I was not going to buy a 3DS EVER because I felt the 3D aspect would ruin eyesight and I would never get to play any of my gaming consoles ever again!! NOoooooo....So anywho, I bought the beautiful console and a points card and came home. So, what's in the box:
1. The 3DS in all it's Spectacular glory
2. Charging Cradle, Nice Nintendo
3. AC Adapter
4. Stylus
5. 2GB SD Memory Card, another 1 up for Nintendo
6. AR (Augmented Reality) Cards
7. Quick Start Guide
8. Operations Manual (Including Warranty)    

     There is pre-installed software as well such as: Nintendo 3DS Camera, Nintendo 3DS Music, Mii Maker (Awesome by the way), AR Games, Face Raiders (Another fantastic game), Activity Log, Download Play. Now once I got the system Wi-Fi enabled on my network it took for the system to perform a system update before I was able to have the Nintendo eShop (Channel-that's what they look like to me like on the Wii). It wasn't hard to redeem my code either for great downloads from the virtual console. Also, I downloaded the Nintendo Video tab for free as well. Netflix is an Awesome freebie too!! I was ecstatic once I found out the system supported Netflix. I feel this little tidbit should be "across the board" for all portable systems. At first I felt the screen would be too small to view content from Netflix but viewing is comfortable. Sound quality is good for a portable and earbuds are even better.

     I won't go into the specs because that would take up way too much space but will instead outline a few that sort of jump out at you: 3D screen (the obvious), Stereo Cameras (so you can take pics in 3D), Spot Pass (so you can connect to wireless hotspots or LAN access points to obtain free software, game data, videos, etc), and Street Pass (so you can exchange data you specify to other 3DS systems within range). I love the 3D depth slider so I can adjust the depth of 3D and even change to 2D if I so choose. Developer's can go HAM with this device. The motion sensors are pretty neat especially with a game such as Starfox64 3D. The circle pad is a great addition that let's you move 360 degrees. It is very fluid and not jerky at all.  Battery life varies depending on how you're using your system and the brightness display, etc. 3 to 5 hours seems to be the standard. I have played a game and then watched Netflix movies/shows and found to only use about 1/3 or a bit more during the time span of about 2 hours or so.

     Some games that I currently own and looking to buy are:
1. Starfox64 3D (own)
2. The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D (own)
3. Rayman 3D (own)
4. Frogger 3D (own) following are games I want to buy:

MarioKart 7, Super Mario 3DLand, Pokemon Rumble Blast, Driver Renegade, Michael Jackson Experience 3D, ZooMania 3D, Nascar Unleashed, to name a few. So that's about it even though I can go on and on-I won't. So, do you own a 3DS and if so how is your experience with this handy dandy device? Any games you are completely stoked about? Let me know...Hope you've enjoyed and Good day to you all!

Why I bought the Nintendo 3DS

PS Vita!!

I know some of you are not looking forward to the PS Vita but I can truly say that I am TOTALLY Stoked!! I absolutely cannot wait for the release if the Vita (meaning Life in Latin) and the one KEY feature that captured me from the get go is the fact that it offer's CROSS GAME CHAT!!! The one thing that I do not like is that there will likely be AT&T service for Wi-Fi. Now I don't know how most people view their service but I have never had this service before. I understand there will be pre-paid 3G service. I truly wonder how this is going to pan out...Uhh, but alas...I can almost feel it between these long fingers of mine...But since Sony haven't released the launch date as of yet here in the US, we will have to wait in anticipation that we too get a holiday release. I hear early next year but who knows other than Sony.
         
     Now I'm not a fan-girl (as gamers so eloquently put it) but I love my games. I do own an Xbox 360, Xbox, PSP 3000, PS2, Nintendo 3DS (gave my DS to my brother), Wii,  Sega Dreamcast (2) and hopefully come early next year---a Sony PS Vita!!! So there it is...My gaming consoles all wrapped up in a cute little red bow. I have had a Gameboy Color, Gameboy Advance SP, Nintendo but all have either been sold or given away to my neice's/nephew's.
    
     Some key features that I love about the Vita are as follow's:
1. Cross Game Chat (Duh)
2. Design
3. Dual Touch Screen/Pad
4. Wi-Fi/3G to keep in contact with friends/play on the go
5. 6-axis Motion Sensor is a given
6. Front/Rear camera's for Augmented Reality games (Killer-gonna love this game)
7. Games are going to be AWESOME!!

Now things I don't like about the system are as follows:

1. Having to pay for 3G (I know nothing is free but come on now)
2. No UMD support
3. Having to actually BUY a memory card (1 up for Nintendo) I mean seriously, I just paid $299.99+ tax which comes out to $314.99 and I have to buy a proprietary memory stick too!!! Come on Sony... Hope I have money for games by the time I'm done paying for a memory stick, UGH!!!

Can't think of anything else at the moment but I'm asking you, Do you plan on buying the PS Vita? Why or Why not? What do you like/don't like about this system? Release Date? Come on, Blog with me!!!