Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #22

Hi, everyone !!



If you read my previous post, "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #21", then you may recall that my response to the launch of the new 'NFB' channel on Roku player was, "WAY TO GO CANADA !!!!!!", such was my enthusiasm for this latest addition to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. This week, after months of having hints dropped by me (for one), Roku FINALLY decided to update the banner headline for the "Official" Roku UK Website which, ideally, would have been met with a similar Roku-related response. Unfortunately, however, this was the image that greeted me...

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!

Granted, the figure used is far more accurate than the previous "300 channels and counting" which has been out of date (seemingly) forever. However, to update the banner headline after so long and yet STILL FALL (so far) SHORT OF THE MARK is, quite frankly, beyond comprehension. To put things into perspective, the "updated" headline figure of "450 channels and counting" was actually first reached back in May 2013, around twelve weeks ago, and (by the time it was published) their headline ought to have claimed "550 channels and counting" for it to be entirely accurate. In fact... if ever Roku or any readers of this blog would like to get a MORE ACCURATE FIGURE as to the number of channels available in the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store (at any given time) they need only take a look at my "Official Roku UK Channel Store - Overview" to do so. Those who do will always get a CHANNEL COUNT that is NO MORE THAN ONE WEEK OUT-OF-DATE in terms of the number of "Public" channels available on Roku in the UK. Meanwhile, even the quoted price bracket, "Starting from just £49.99", is too high compared with the ACTUAL PRICE of just £34.50 for a Roku LT, now being offered by 4 out of 7 RECOMMENDED RETAILERS for Roku in the UK who (currently) stock the product. A further two have the price set either side of the forty pound mark (£40 GBP) and ONLY ONE still sells it for MSRP of £49.99 suggested by Roku. Such inaccuracies have left me flabberghasted that a company, whose product(s) I have championed since owning one, can leave me thinking "WAY TO UNDERSELL YOURSELF, ROKU !!!!!!" when it comes to their operations outside of their native USA. I mean, sure, they'll take our money when they need it... but, when it comes to standing by the people who have supported them, it's a different story altogether (or so it would seem). To my mind, there's far too many companies these days whose customer service gets worse as the business grows. What should happen is the exact reverse, and we should expect customer service to improve as businesses grow - so take note Roku, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE !!


Anyway , fortunately they were able to redeem themselves (just a little) when, later in the week, Roku made THIS ANNOUNCEMENT on their "Official" Blog. If you haven't yet heard the news, you'll see from the Roku blog post that they've NOW ADDED the ability to stream video from iOS devices to Roku players, by expanding the functionality of the "Play On Roku" feature. Before you get too excited, however, I should point out that this merely enables the playback of video(s) from the 'Camera Roll' which were taken on the device (itself) and NOT FULL AIRPLAY of movies & videos from iTunes. Even so, it is a step in the right direction... as was the addition of support for the audiophile-requested FLAC and WAV file formats which can now be played via the 'USB Media Player' channel on the Roku 2 XS, provided you are using the latest firmware update to Version 5.1 on the player. Those of you with a compatible iOS device (e.g. iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) can get the FREE UPDATE for the Roku Remote App VIA THIS LINK but, apparently, Android users are going to have to wait a little longer for the update to be applied on their devices. One more thing... the latest firmware update (to Version 5.1) from Roku means GOOD NEWS for those of us with a MicroSD Card installed in our Roku 2 XS player(s) because the 'Player Info' found under the 'About' section of the 'Settings' menu NOW INCLUDES both "PERCENTAGE" and "ACTUAL" Memory USAGE INFO so you now have a visual indication as to how many more channels and/or how much additional game data can be stored on your streaming media player. Looking at my own figure(s) I am pleased to say that my 8GB MicroSD Card is in NO DANGER of filling up anytime soon - even with the ridiculous amount of channels I have installed on it since starting this blog !!

Still, let's get on with the details for the current 'Weekly RoundUp' of NEW ADDITIONS to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. This time, there are SIX NEW CHANNELS which have been added during the past seven days. These latest additions to the Roku UK Channel Store provided FRESH CONTENT to the Games, News, Weather, Sport, Special Interest plus Screensavers & Apps genres (i.e. categories).

In keeping with previous installments from the 'Weekly RoundUp' series, details of these new channels have all been listed below, together with links to obtain further information {by clicking on the channel name(s) beneath the respective channel icon(s) as pictured} and to read a 'Roku Guide' review for each one:-

WEBCAM PLUS...............................COST: £1.49 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

THE OCCULT NETWORK CHANNEL.............COST: £1.49 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

ESCAPE GOAT...................................COST: £1.49 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

TODAY'S DAILY APP...............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

HERMAN THE HERMIT...................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

THE SNOW NETWORK......COST: FREE (2-DAY TRIAL) + $9.99 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

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So, whether it's watching your favourite webcam feeds, playing video games, dabbling in the esoteric sciences, getting your fix of ski and snowboard movies, or catching up on all the latest mobile apps & hottest games for your iPhone or Android device, we've pretty much got all those bases covered with these latest NEW ADDITIONS to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store.

Anyway, like it or not, that is your lot for this week and, whilst it doesn't quite the match-up to the twelve channels which made it into the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store during the same time-frame, I always think it's better to have SOME NEW CHOICES than none at all, don't you ?!!

Still, hopefully everyone in the UK with a Roku player managed to find something they like within the six channels outlined above. If not, then you'll have to pay us a visit another time when, with any luck, there will be something more to your liking. Afterall, there's no point installing every channel because, as I've said before, when it comes to adding new channels to your Roku player, IT'S YOUR CHOICE and, as with all things Roku... THE CHOICE IS ALWAYS YOURS !!

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Meanwhile, spare a thought for all those poor folk who handed over their hard-earned cash for one of the NEW NowTV Boxes [Powered by Sky] and, yes, that does include me. "Why is that?", I hear you ask... well, take a look at the photo below and you might just get a clue !!

PHOTO CREDIT: HANNAH GENTILES of Observation Full & Felt Photography (Facebook)

N.B. If you'd like to purchase the ORIGINAL FULL (UNCROPPED) VERSION of the above photo, it's available from Hannah's Etsy Store VIA THIS LINK where you will also find many other fine examples of her work. Those wishing to connect with the photographer can do so either via her Twitter Feed: @observationfelt or, if preferable, through her Facebook Page (see link in photo credit).

Anyway the point I was trying to make (by using this particular photo) was that, despite the promise of "more great content" with "more apps being continually added", there hasn't been a single extra new channel anywhere in sight since the player was launched just over two weeks ago. All of which means that NowTV [Powered by Sky] have managed to produce a (NOT SO) GRAND TOTAL of absolutely ZERO NEW CHANNELS which can be added to the (already SEVERELY REDUCED) version of the Roku Channel Store that features on their NowTV Box. Meanwhile, the "Official" Roku Channel Store that features on all UK Roku players has added ELEVEN EXTRA CHANNELS during that same period of time. If the NowTV Box is to succeed, they need to show that they really are "Powered by Sky" and live up to the moniker of their device by adding those "must-see shows" from Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts and Sky Living "NOW" rather than "later this year" as per the website.

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Still, whether you happen to own a Roku player, a NowTV Box, OR BOTH, as I do... be sure to come back in seven days' time for my next 'Weekly RoundUp' and, if you can't wait that long, remember you can always keep up with all the UK Roku action (as it happens) throughout the coming week, by following the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels where up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related (here in the UK) is posted on a daily basis (well, almost).

Until the next time, then...

That's all folks !!

Roku 3 UK - UPDATE #4

OK... Hold the front page !!



As those of you who regularly follow the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels will already know, I made a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT earlier today following a brief exchange of messages (tweets, if you prefer) with the Official Roku Twitter Feed: @rokuplayer having spotted a comment they made concerning the rollout of the new interface (previously referred to as "The New Roku Experience" in other Roku 3 UK updates) to Roku 2, HD (model 2500), LT & Streaming Sticks.


In case you haven't seen it, Roku made an OFFICIAL STATEMENT to the effect that the long-awaited rollout was finally going to commence THIS WEEK, before thanking us for our patience. Then came a slew of questions from assorted Roku owners, mostly enquiring as to when in May they could expect the update on their Roku player(s). This, in turn, produced a somewhat vague and (dare I say) slightly cryptic response from Roku, the essence of which was, "Starting this week, the rollout will be gradual and in random order - we expect it to be complete by the end of May".


Apparently, the rollout will be "gradual" so that Roku can monitor any feedback more easily and, if necessary, act on that feedback more swiftly. The overall idea behind this being to try and make sure that the rollout is "a great experience for everyone". Their general advice is to "hang in there, if you don't see it this week" and, when asked if there was "any way of forcing the update?", they were quick to dismiss this with a rather curt, "not currently".  So, it's still anybody's guess as to when in May things will take effect but certain(?) that it will be sometime this month. As you were then !!


Another snippet of information that I managed to glean from this flurry of tweets was that the rollout was going to be applied to Roku players in Canada. Thanks go to Patrick Bourdon (@bourdonfc) for seeking confirmation on that one. Seeing Roku's response to that particular line of enquiry, I decided it was worth a shot to ask whether we were going to be included in the rollout, here in the UK. This is what I was told:-

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing

As you can see, the GOOD NEWS is that Roku have OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED that the rollout of the new interface "will include UK Roku players" so, it would seem that my previous doubts were incorrect and I, for one, am very grateful about that - as I'm sure are the vast majority of UK Roku owners, having been told this. Obviously, since there were no Roku HD (model 2500) players, or Streaming Sticks, officially made available in the UK, the models affected here will be the Roku LT and the Roku XS (as detailed in my post: "It's Time To... Choose Your Roku !!" back in February). 

Not that it was needed, but Roku also made a separate confirmation when asked a direct question, as to whether the Roku 2 XS would be included on the interface update. Credit goes to 'Muy Buen Tema' (@muybuentema) for seeking an answer to that one. Anyway, the long & the short of it seems to be that, at the very least, we will get to try out the "New Roku Experience" on our existing Roku players while we wait & see if we are going to be honoured with an official UK release for Roku 3.

Hey... you never know !!

Still, that's about it for this update. Hope it was as much of a surprise to you, and brought as BIG A SMILE to your face, as it did to mine when I heard the news. See... it's not all bad !!!

Until the next time, though...

That's all folks !!

Roku 3 UK - UPDATE #3

Hi, everyone !!


Thought I'd better let you know about some news concerning the "new Roku experience" as featured on the Roku 3 player (that is still, shamefully, ONLY AVAILABLE in the USA, by the way) and was supposed to have been rolled out to earlier Roku models (i.e. Roku LT, Roku XS, etc.) sometime this month. It's not really a surprise (to me at least) that nothing has happened in that regard, here in the UK, but there has been A LOT OF UNEASE among our friends from across the pond, who are becoming increasingly concerned over the lack of action on Roku's part, with this particular update.


During the past few days, I came across a tweet by self-confessed "Geek Blogger", Dave Zatz, of zatznotfunny.com who announced, via his Twitter Feed: @davezatz, that the "new Roku UI" had been "pushed from April to May for older boxes" and he supported that claim by including the following image from an official email to Roku Developers by Roku, themselves:-

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing

You will notice FROM THE HIGHLIGHTED TEXT at the bottom of the image that the rollout has apparently now been delayed (yet further) and will now happen "by the end of May" and NOT simply "by May" (i.e. completed during April) as we were all led to believe previously. This additional delay has been made even more infuriating by the fact that (in the USA, at least) Roku have, for some weeks now,  been running "Teaser Ads" for the "new Roku experience" on their streaming media players, hinting that it's "Coming Soon" when, as seems likely, this won't be soon enough for most !!

This "Teaser" campaign has also prompted many remarks from owners of older Roku players, several of which were featured comments in a similar news article from engadget.com such as:- 

(i) Mark Schroeder, who says: 

It's terrible to see the tab in the menu talking about the upgraded menu like I have it already. It's just a stupid tease that they need to take down since it's still a month away.

(i) John M. Bergman, who adds: 

I completely agree.  When it first downloaded, I thought it was the actual interface update. I was really excited, but quickly became equally as upset when I found out it was merely a teaser channel that I would prefer to not have at all.

and;

(iii) TBSteph, who summed it all up by saying that:

The coming soon upgrade tease on the Roku 2 Menu is already stale let alone if it is delayed for another month.  At this point it's kind of like waiting for paint to dry - a boring exercise in futility.   

However, there was also a suggestion that these people may have been getting themselves all worked up over nothing because, as pointed out by another engadget.com reader:-

Anjenaire, who commented:

I like the new layout but it isn't really that much quicker than scrolling side to side. Now you get to scroll up and down. It does scroll smoother, and you can hold the button down and it will rotate through without the audible noise, but in the end it is very, very evolutionary rather than revolutionary. 

Although, in fairness, he did finish by saying:

I do like it and will enjoy the interface update when it hits the other boxes but not worth checking every day for.

Before adding:

I too am peeved by the update channel tease. Just roll it out already. 

So, from what I've read elsewhere, it seems like the general opinion is that Roku have been dragging their heels for WAY TOO LONG over this particular matter and, despite their best efforts to reassure people via their own comments on the Official Roku Twitter Feed: @rokuplayer, they really ought to GET THIS SORTED as soon as possible or else risk alienating their existing loyal fanbase.

Overall, from the looks of things, the news is... THERE IS NO NEWS, ONLY DELAYS... which means we'll have to wait AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH until we know if UK Roku players are going to benefit from this "new Roku experience", or not (as I suspect will be the case). 

And there you have it... that's as much as we've been able to find out thus far. Needless to say, we'll continue to keep our ear to the ground and our eyes on the computer screen for any further Roku 3 UK update or details of any software rollout that may materialise and, rest assured, you will hear about it right here if & when it happens.


Meanwhile, remember that you can keep up-to-date with all things Roku-related in the UK via the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels where (as always) you'll find up-to-the minute information being posted on a daily basis (well, almost).



Until the next time, then...



That's all folks !!

Roku Tips, Tricks & Tweaks - #2 Faster Menu Scrolling

Hi, everyone !!


In the two months since it was published, there has been a lot of interest in the original post from this series, "Roku Tips, Tricks & Tweaks - #1 Adding A MicroSD Card", so I figured it was about time to offer you another little tidbit of information to help make the use of your Roku player(s) even more enjoyable... dare I even say, pleasurable?!!


Anyhow if, like me, you have more channels installed than the average user... then you've probably noticed that it can take quite some time to get from one end of the main channel list menu to the other, or even to somewhere in the middle, if you've been hesitant with your channel "pruning", as I have on several occasions. So, if I told you there was a way you could scroll through your channels FIVE TIMES FASTER, meaning you would get to your desired channel in a fraction of the time it took before, I bet you'd love to know about it, right? Of course you would !!


For starters, to properly TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE of this particular Roku Tip/Trick, then you will need to "Know Your Roku Remote" as per the 'Quick Start Guide' for your Roku player(s). For those of you that may not have immediate access to those guides, here are some links to view the online PDF's of those guides for both the Roku LT and the  Roku XS which, as I've explained before, are (currently) the ONLY TWO OPTIONS AVAILABLE to Roku purchasers in the UK:-



Roku LT Quick Start Guide (UK)


AND


Roku XS Quick Start Guide (UK)



For ease of reference, viz the purpose(s) of this article, I am also going to include some image scans for the relevant pages from the 'Quick Start Guide' for each of the two models outlined above. This, I hope, will enable you to quickly identify which button(s) to press in order to scroll through your channel list FIVE CHANNELS AT A TIME, instead of repeatedly advancing by just one channel, in either direction. So, if you're not already acquainted, prepare to "Know Your Roku Remote"...



For those of you with a Roku LT player, here is a key to the layout of your remote control:-

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing

If, on the other hand, you are the owner of a Roku XS... then your remote layout is like this:-

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing

Now, if you've owned your Roku player for a short while then you'll already know that the Roku Remote feels right at home in your hand. You will, no doubt, also be aware that you can move left and/or right (one channel at a time) using the "[LEFT]" and "[RIGHT]" directional button(s) to navigate through your list of channels. If you are still unsure, take a look at the relevant remote control layout (above) for your particular model of Roku player (See Ref. 'D' for Roku LT players and Ref. 'C' for Roku XS players). What is not quite so obvious, perhaps, is exactly what is meant in the Quick Start Guides by, "scroll... one page at a time" or when, where, how and why this function may prove to be useful. Observe, if you will, the "[FWD SCAN]" button (See Ref. 'G' for Roku LT players and Ref. 'I' for Roku XS players, in the respective remote control layouts above). In addition to performing the "Fast Forward" function when playing back media on your Roku, it is this little button which holds part of the secret to the "Faster Menu Scrolling" referred to in the title of this post...


Just try it for a moment... go to your list of channels on your Roku player and, instead of pressing the "[LEFT]" or "[RIGHT]" directional button(s) to navigate through your list of channels one at a time, use the "[FWD SCAN]" button and look closely at your television screen (while you do) so that you notice what happens. At first, you may not believe it, but the simple action of using the "[FWD SCAN]" button in this way will allow you to advance to the right FIVE CHANNELS AT A TIME through your Roku channel list... INGENIOUS !!!


Anyway, you've probably already guessed it by now but, it's the "[REV SCAN]" button which holds the other part of the secret to the "Faster Menu Scrolling" referred to in the title of this post. Yes, indeed, using the "[REV SCAN]" button (normally reserved for the "Rewind" function during media playback) will permit "Faster Menu Scrolling" in the other direction (i.e. to the left). Again, if you are unsure, take a look at the relevant remote control layout (above) for your particular model of Roku player (See Ref. 'E' for Roku LT players and Ref. 'G' for Roku XS players). Similar to before, this will (again) advance you FIVE CHANNELS AT A TIME through your Roku channel list but moving the opposite way to the "[FWD SCAN]" button... EQUALLY INGENIOUS !!!


But, wait, that's not all... oh, no... far from it, because this 'secret' for "Faster Menu Scrolling" can be used within the sub-menus for (as far as I know) ALL OF THE CHANNELS that are installed on your Roku player at any time, too. This proved to be a revelation to me when I first discovered it (by accident, if I remember correctly) and I've been using it ever since. I mean, think about it... with only 20% of the button presses needed to reach any channel on your menu it's not only going to SAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME, but it's also going to make the BATTERIES in your Roku remote LAST A LOT LONGER, and reduce the chances of Repetitive Strain Injuries (R.S.I.'s) from all the button presses associated with moving through the menu, one channel at a time, using the "[LEFT]" and "[RIGHT]" directional button(s). I can virtually guarantee that, ONCE YOU HAVE TRIED THIS particular Roku Tip/Trick, YOU WILL ALWAYS USE IT - unless, of course, you need to move less than five channels in either direction, that is !!


Still, that's about it for this post. Hopefully this little pearl of wisdom was news to some of you, at least, and I'll be sure to offer up more of my Roku knowledge & advice by bringing you additional Roku tips, tricks and tweaks as I continue this series of posts over the coming months. Meanwhile, stay tuned to this blog for more UK-related Roku news and information, as well as the 'Weekly RoundUp' of all the new additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store and details of more Roku Private Channels that can be added to your UK Roku streaming media player(s).



Until the next time, then...



That's all, folks !!

Roku 3 UK - UPDATE #2

Hello, again !!


Further to my Roku 3 UK - UPDATE #1, last week, I paid a visit to the "Official" Roku (UK) Website and just happened to notice that some of the channel icons from the image in the headline banner (which now claims a mere "450 channels and counting" when, as we have already shown, there are actually far more) had been altered (slightly) since the last time I checked. If you had taken a look for yourself, on the date of this post, this is the image you would have seen:-

Now, unless I am mistaken, the "Angry Birds Space" game DOES NOT FEATURE in the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. Nor, as far as I know, can it (currently) be added as a private channel to UK Roku players (which. as of now, remain limited to a choice between the Roku LT and the Roku XS). In fact, unless you have imported a Roku 3 player from the USA (an act which brings with it some problems of it's own, i.e. NO SEARCH FUNCTION when used in the UK) you would not even be able to add this game to your Roku, never mind play it, so why feature it on a UK-specific web page ?!!


The fact that the "Angry Birds Space" icon does feature in the above image, however, raises several questions over it's inclusion as part of the headline banner on the Roku (UK) website. For example:-

1. Does the inclusion of the "Angry Birds Space" channel icon mean that the launch of a Roku 3 UK player is imminent?
2. Does the inclusion of the "Angry Birds Space" channel icon mean that the game is about to be added to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store?
3. Was the inclusion of the "Angry Birds Space" channel icon in the Roku (UK) headline banner image simply a mistake inherent from the failure of Roku (USA) to implement a genuine standalone Roku website for the UK (e.g. Roku.co.uk)?

In the first instance, an official Roku 3 UK release would (obviously) be very welcome and is, I'd venture to say, what most people would prefer to be the case, here. Of course, if you've read my previous Roku 3 UK - UPDATE #1 you will also be aware that this could equally mean the arrival of the much rumoured "NowTV" branded Roku player which, depending on the distribution factor implemented, may not prove to be popular with many UK Roku users. Afterall, having boasted about NO TIES and NO CONTRACTS for the NowTV service on Roku UK, it would (in my opinion) be wrong to then limit the next generation UK Roku player for purchase ONLY via NowTV and/or Sky. That said, I'm not against a rebrand (per se) as long as the player remains generally available for purchase through both the current channels (i.e. Amazon, Box.co.uk, Currys, Maplin, PC World, Play.com, Tesco Direct, etc) and as many NEW retail outlets in the UK as Roku can muster.

If, however, there are NO PLANS to bring Roku 3 to UK purchasers anytime soon (as was the case when my original post, Roku 3 For The UK..., was made) then the second option might not be such a bad thing, either. If you think about it, we can already get the original "Angry Birds" game for FREE in the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. We also have the option to purchase both "Angry Birds Rio" and "Angry Birds Seasons" for £2.99 (each) from the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store, if we want. So, what would be the problem in making "Angry Birds Space" available to UK Roku users for, say, £2.99 as well? That way UK Roku owners would at least get a chance to play "Angry Birds Space" on their Roku 2 player, by purchasing it via the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store, while they wait to see if the Roku 3 ever makes it to the UK (in one form or another). 

Seriously, it's a WIN-WIN situation I'm suggesting here. If Roku 3 does eventually get a UK release, it will sell on it's own merits and the inclusion of "Angry Birds Space" for FREE will only be a deciding factor for a minority of purchasers. In the meantime, if the game is made available for purchase, at least anyone who forks over the asking price will have had the benefit / advantage of being able to play the game between now (assuming it's added to the UK channel store, of course) and whenever the Roku 3 arrives in the UK. Finally, in a worst case scenario, if the Roku 3 NEVER makes it to these shores (would they really be that mean?) we would at least have another game choice in the UK channel store. ALL THREE of these potential outcomes would make money for Roku that they would not (currently) be getting because of restricting "Angry Birds Space" to the USA market, via it's free inclusion with the Roku 3 player. So, come on Roku... get your finger out and, if you're not going to give us the Roku 3, at least give us "Angry Birds Space" to take our mind off that fact. But wait, I must apologise, for it seems that I have digressed somewhat...

... because there was, if you recall, a third possibility referred to (above) which suggested that the inclusion of the "Angry Birds Space" channel icon was simply a mistake. If true, that would indeed be the least favourable reason but, of course, these things do happen, from time to time. For example, you need only scroll down a short way, on the "Official" Roku (UK) Website, before you come across another misleading image which suggests that the Roku Newscaster channel is also available on UK Roku players as of this moment in time:-

However, if you try the ADD CHANNEL link from the UK (using ACCESS CODE: newscaster) it will only result in the familiar (to me, at least), "We're sorry. This channel is not available in your area" message which, of course, means you're not going to get the Roku Newscaster channel in the UK. So, I say again, come on Roku... sort your act out and quit teasing the UK market with stuff you can't deliver. Either bring us the Roku 3, add "Angry Birds Space" to the UK channel store, update your excuse for a Roku (UK) website or, BETTER STILL, do all three before it's too late !!

Anyway, sadly, this means that no real conclusion can be drawn from the alteration(s) to the image from the banner headline on the "Official" Roku (UK) Website. We're still none the wiser for having seen it. This latest Roku 3 UK update has, undeniably, been more about rumour & speculation than any official announcement from Roku about a Roku 3 UK launch. But, that said, the questions raised do provide some food for thought on the matter, I hope you'll agree. 

Needless to say, we'll continue to keep our ear to the ground and our eyes on the computer screen for any further Roku 3 UK update that may materialise and, rest assured, you will hear about it right here if & when it happens. Yes folks, our Roku 3 UK search will continue until (hopefully) a Roku 3 UK release date is officially announced and, once purchased, we'll begin compiling a Roku 3 channel list to add to the other UK Roku information provided on the pages of this blog.

Meanwhile, remember that you can keep up-to-date with all things Roku-related in the UK via the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels where (as always) you'll find up-to-the minute information being posted on a daily basis (well, almost). Be sure to check it out and bookmark it, if you haven't already done so. Plenty of stuff gets posted there which, whilst it usually gets updated on this blog too, is not always obvious from looking through the archive(s) of these pages. 

Still, that's about as much Roku 3 related gossip as I can bring you for now.

So, until the next time...

That's all folks !!

Roku 3 UK - UPDATE #1

Hi, everyone !!


A few days ago, on Monday 8th April 2013 (to be precise), there was an official announcement about an Update for Roku 3 posted on the Official Roku Blog. However, this particular Roku news bulletin amounted to little more than a heads up concerning the first firmware update for the new streaming media player since the Roku 3 launch (for the USA market) on Tuesday 5th March 2013.


Unfortunately there was still no information given regarding an official Roku 3 UK release and, although they did confirm that the minor software update for Roku 3 (Version 5.0, Build 7070) would be pushed to all Roku 3 players within 48 hours, there was no further news about the general rollout of the much touted "New Roku Experience"as featured in their video intro to Roku 3 last month.


Personally, I'm not convinced that we'll ever get such an update for Roku UK players, due to the incompatibility of the built-in "Search" function as mentioned in my post on "Roku 3 For The UK...". My concerns have since been reinforced by the experiences of one Roku Forums member, called 'Batnun', who recently imported a Roku 3 player to the UK and announced "Just got the Roku 3 in the UK - works great", only to find out subsequently that the 'search' option was missing.


So, if you have considered importing a Roku 3 player from the USA, you would be wise to hold off for an official Roku 3 UK release which, if it ever happens, will at least be for a Roku player that has been designed fully for use in the UK. Aside from which, if you do import one now, you'll be paying over the odds for something which will not be completely functional when paired with a UK Roku Account. In other words... BUYER BEWARE !!!!!!!


Elsewhere in the online forums, speculation has arisen concerning the manufacture of a new Roku box for the UK which will be exclusive to NowTV [Powered by Sky] and branded accordingly. In other words, there will be no Roku branding on the player (despite being manufactured by Roku) and, instead, there will only be brand markings for Sky's NowTV service. The fact that the owners of Sky and NowTV invested heavily in Roku last year opens up the possibility that the 'Roku 3' for the UK might actually appear to be more of a 'NowTV' player, at first glance, even if the design is essentially that of the 'Roku 3' with a re-badge. Still, with that in mind, it might just make more sense to "wait & see" if there is a Roku 3 UK release in the offing before shelling out the BIG BUCK$ on an import.


If only Roku knew just how much interest there is to bring Roku 3 to UK users, then I'm certain they would adopt a different marketing strategy. That way, instead of "Celebrating 5 million Roku players" in the USA, they could be boasting about shipping their ?? millionth Roku streaming player in the UK!


Until Roku themselves wake up to that fact, however, we are still (currently) limited to the Roku LT or the Roku XS in the UK (as outlined in my post, "It's Time To... Choose Your Roku !!"). Unless, of course, the rumours about the 'NowTV' styled Roku 3 for the UK turn out to be true !!


Needless to say, we will keep you informed of any and all Roku 3 UK news, including a Roku 3 UK release date (when it happens),  any Roku 3 updates and (ultimately) a Roku 3 channel list just as soon as they wise up and bring Roku 3 to UK purchasers so that we can get hold of one to actively compile it. Meanwhile, the Roku 3 UK search will continue on a daily basis until we can bring you the news that we've all been waiting for... the Roku 3 UK launch !!


Fingers crossed, it's coming sometime... maybe ??!!!


Anyway, that's all there is to tell you for now.


So, until next time...



That's all folks !!

UK Roku Private Channel - mkvXstream.com

Sometimes, all you have to do is ask...


... and that's kind of how I came by this latest addition to my ever-expanding list of UK Roku private channels, while exchanging emails with another blogger, this past weekend. More of that, in a bit...


First, though, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to yet another batch of new readers from various locales around the world including, but not limited to: Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Cyprus, Jersey, Oman, Pakistan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.


Thanks to all of you for stopping by... I hope you all found something of interest while reading this blog and I look forward to your continued support, as I attempt to provide you all with an up-to-date Roku UK channel list that includes all the Roku channels 2013 has to offer for Roku users in the UK.


It's fair to say that, aside from what's on offer in the "Official" UK Channel Store, there is a lot of interest in the 'other' Roku channels available. In fact, some of the best Roku channels can be found among the so-called Roku private channels, hidden channels, beta channels, etc. which, no matter how you choose to refer to them, are all just Roku channels that are not available in the Roku channel store, for one reason or another. So, to help you discover some of these hidden Roku channels and develop your own list of Roku private channels, I'll be gradually building my own Roku private channel database right here on this blog.


Just in case you missed them, I've already posted details (including access codes, etc.) for two Roku private channels UK users can add to their Roku private channels list(s). For starters, there was my WORLD EXCLUSIVE first reference to a UK Roku Private Channel - Resources For The Future. This was followed by another UK Private Roku Channel - H*E*R*O* USA but, suffice to say that we have barely even scratched the surface when it comes to revealing ALL of the Roku private channels UK users can view once they know the channel codes for these 'other' Roku channels.


So, the aim is to bring you these details as and when we hear about them. Think of this as your very own Roku private channels blogspot where you can keep coming back for all the latest news & updates on what hidden channels are out there to boost your Roku UK channel list. As the ONLY currently available UK Roku blog, private channels that are compatible with UK Roku players are best sourced from the pages of this blog. When you read about them here, they are already tried and tested on a UK Roku player so there's less chance of "We're sorry. This channel is not available in your area" which is a common message you'll get if entering codes found elsewhere.


Actually, it was because of getting one such message that I began my exchange of emails (referred to at the start of this post) with the good folks at mkvXstream.com as to why their Roku channel was not available here in the UK. Having long been an avid reader of their blog, as evidenced by their inclusion in my Blog Roll, I was keen to see what was on offer via their Roku private channel. However, despite my repeatedly trying the access code on and off over a long period of time, I was always met with the "We're sorry. This channel is not available in your area" message.


Anyway, this time I decided to try and find out why the mkvXstream.com channel wasn't available here and, at the same time, request that they took steps to rectify the situation so that UK Roku users could finally see what they had been missing. So, off went the first email (via the contact form on their website) and I then just had to wait and see if I got a response.


Amazingly, I heard back from them inside of 24 hours with a message that, "As requested, the mkvXstream Roku channel should now be viewable in the UK and rest of the world", which was exactly what I had hoped to hear. So, having waited so long to view the channel, I wasted little time in entering the access code (which I'll reveal to you later in this post) and added the mkvXstream private Roku channel to my Roku player, via the "Add a Private Channel" option in my online Roku Account. Once the hidden channel code had been successfully entered, I was greeted by the following on-screen message:-

As usual, I opted for "Yes, Add Channel" rather than the "Cancel" button because, aside from having waited all this time to view this channel, it was FREE to add... so there really was nothing to lose !!


Once the channel was installed on my Roku player, I noticed the "dot com" had been dropped from the channel name (see 'Add Channel' image above) and that it was now identified as simply "mkvXstream" with the tag line, "Covering the Hottest Media Streamers & Roku Channels on the Planet". Other than that, the channel icon remained the same (as pictured above) and it loaded quickly and smoothly.


The main menu (currently) offers three options:-

(i)   Xstream - Watch Your Videos on Roku (3 videos - ALL in HD);
(ii)  MX Privateer - Today's Hottest Supercross Privateers (7 videos - 3 in HD / 4 in SD), and;
(iii) GoPro HD - Extreme Sports Videos by GoPro in HD (8 videos - ALL in HD)


In the 'Xstream' category, you will find an episode of OCDtv (Obsessive Comics Disorder TV) feat. Chris Renshaw, aka 'The Professor', who gives us his review of the Roku XD (a model only available in the USA). There is also a brief commercial for 30a TV, which was released in the UK last week and mentioned in my last post for the Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #1. The last video is basically a brief video 'hint' to visit the mkvXstream.com website and view their 'Site Index' for more info on how to "Add Your Video" to "Watch on Roku"... Hmmmm, sounds interesting !!


Under the 'MX Privateer' category, you will find a selection of no less than seven videos by Privateer Motocrosser, Mike Horban, showing him in action at PTF (Phil's Training Facility) near Redding, California and getting ready for the US Open. There's also footage of his battle with Tiger Lacey at Josephine County Fairgrounds, where he's running with a blown radiator but still not giving up. Plus, you can see him getting the jump on Factory Yamaha's Josh Hill at Medford's ArenaCross. The four videos that I have just mentioned are the ones recorded in SD only. The remaining three are all in HD and include the short films "Life of a Privateer Motocrosser" & "Filthy Animals", as well as footage of both Mike Horban and Josh Hansen practicing at Milestone. If you like what you see here, you can always check out Mike's website (mikehorban.com) for more on what he's been up to.


Finally, the 'GoPro HD' category offers a selection of extreme sports videos made using the GoPro HD Hero & GoPro HD Hero 2 cameras. There's some really HIGH QUALITY stuff on offer here, with footage ranging from wingsuit fliers Jeb Corliss & Roberta Mancino, to avalanche cliff jumps with Matthias Giraud, to skateboarding with Ryan Sheckler in New York. Plus, you'll find footage from the Red Bull Rampage 2010 in Virgin, Utah and a video on mountain biking, feat. Craig Sanchez, a movie on radical freestyle skiing and a short film of 'Shark Riders' dive housing with world renowned free diver Mark Healy. All incredible footage... you've got to see this, if you like extreme sports !!


Now, for those of you with your Roku players hooked up to an old CRT television, using the mini-jack to composite cable, as I did for the purposes of testing this channel... PLEASE TAKE NOTE:


In order for the HD content (i.e. 15 of the 18 videos currently on offer) to play properly you will need to look at your Roku Player Settings to make sure that 'Display' is set to HD (i.e. 720p or 1080p) because, if you have it set to 4:3 or Widescreen (i.e. Standard Definition) they will not play.


*** N.B. You will need to connect your Roku player to an HD television, via an HDMI cable, in order to see the HD options listed under the 'Display' settings (if you haven't already done so). Once you have selected either 720p (Roku LT and Roku XS) or 1080p (Roku XS only) you can then exit settings and disconnect your Roku player from the HD TV. When you then reconnect to your CRT television, using the mini-jack to composite cable, the Roku player will remember the HD settings and you should have no trouble watching any of the HD content on the mkvXstream channel. ***


This was finally established after an exchange of emails between myself and the good folks at mkvXstream.com, this past weekend, where we threw several ideas around whilst trying to find some sort of technical solution, and even discussed potential GEOblocking issues, before FINALLY hitting on the answer to the problem... PHEW !!!!!!!!!!!!


Anyhow, the long and the short of it is that the mkvXstream private Roku channel DOES WORK here in the UK and has some good quality content on offer, provided you like the subject matter that is !! So, if the above description has left you wanting more and you'd like to add this FREE private channel to your Roku player, then you can do so (via your online Roku Account) by clicking on the following direct link:-


ADD CHANNEL: mkvXstream.com


Alternatively, you can access your Roku Account online (without using the 'ADD CHANNEL' link, above) and from there, use the 'Add a Private Channel' option to then enter the access code manually, yourself. That being the case, the code you will need to type in is:-


CODE: mkvXstream


If you'd like to know more about the developers of this channel or to view their 'Site Index' for more info on how to "Add Your Video" to "Watch on Roku", then you should visit their Official Website:-


DEVELOPER'S WEBSITE: mkvXstream.com


For those of you that prefer to use Twitter for your snippets of information on current media streaming technology, Roku private channels and FREE internet TV, you can follow them at:-


DEVELOPER'S TWITTER FEED: @mkvXstream


Finally, if Facebook is more your thing, they can be found at:-


DEVELOPER'S FACEBOOK PAGE: mkvXstream


If you do decide to get social with them, please be sure to let them know that you heard about them here and tell them I said, "Hi". While you're there, remember to thank them for making their channel available to Roku users in the UK. Not forgetting it's now available in the Rest of the World, too !!


As always, if this particular channel was not your cup of tea (so-to-speak), just remember to visit this blog again in future because there will be plenty more Roku channel codes and details of other UK Roku Private Channels, Hidden Roku Channels, Roku Beta Channels and 'Other' Roku Channels... call them what you will, but you can find them all here, published alongside all the other UK Roku-related goodness on offer, via the pages of this very blog.


The aim is to provide details that are always relevant to UK Roku users, with the assurance that any Roku channel codes that are published here will always have been tested first on a UK Roku player. In this way, you know for certain that they will work on Roku streaming media players, here in the UK (at the time of publication) and that the code(s) used resulted in an 'Add Channel' screen (as shown above) when entered via a Roku Account online.


If nothing else, this latest addition to my Roku private channel database has indeed proven to me that... sometimes, all you have to do is ask. My thanks again to the kind folks at mkvXstream.com for making it happen for UK Roku users. Now, if only other channel developers would follow suit...


Then again, maybe all we have to do is ask ??!!!


So, with that in mind, if there's any particular channels that you'd like to see made available to UK Roku users, please leave your suggestions in the comments and/or do as I did and contact the developer yourself to ask them. Just be sure to share the knowledge here, if you are successful !!


Anyway, that's about it for this post. Be sure to visit this blog again soon if you want details of more Roku Private Channels UK users can add to their Roku players. Not forgetting, of course, the scoop on the very latest additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store, which you will now find in our new 'Weekly RoundUp' feature (to be published every Saturday). Meanwhile, for those of you who are really into your Roku player(s), and don't want to miss a beat when it comes to Roku UK news and updates, I suggest you also follow the associated Twitter Feed for this blog: @ukrokuchannels


Stay tuned for more.


Until the next time...



That's all folks !!