i’m psyched netflix finally came out with this, though obviously it’s missing some key features. i would compare this to the first gen appletv in that it’s crippled without 5.1 and HD content. once they fix that i think this product will sell fast. however, unlike the apple, this box only streams to the limit of your connection, meaning if you have slowish broadband, you will get a “vhs-like” picture (their words). with apple (and vudu?) everyone gets the same quality with longer download time. again, not knocking the product, but waiting for rev2 before i jump on board.

This is a great device.  Only it won’t replace my XBMC.  The more I think about it, the more a dedicated media center PC is the answer.  Netflix, iTunes, podcasts, vidcasts, music collection, movies, games; it would all be there.  The only issue is noise since all of my components are in my viewing location.

This was a necessary step for Netflix to stay in the video delivery game, however, it is yet another set-top box. With no real anwser as to its true HD capabilities, I can only assume that it will mean I have to purchase additional storage if I want to grow a great movie catalog.
I agree with Jude that a media server is a much better option. All your features and storage are in one place and they are designed for direct HD movie downloads from services like VideoGiants.

Darn, was really hoping that the XBox 360 was going to fill this role…  Maybe someday?

The Xbox 360 already *can* do this… if you also have a Windows *Vista* Media Center machine to which your 360 can connect (as an extender).

Google for vmcNetflix.  (Of course, if you don’t already have a Vista Media Center PC, then it’s going to set you back more than what the Roku Netflix Player would.)

I love this idea, and will vcertainly give it some consideration once it can deliver HD content.  From the reviews I have read, it also has too much buffer lag when doing RW & FF; which they will need to do something about before I will pull the trigger.  Whoever can do all that first, will have my loyalty; as I hate having to remember to mail back my Netflix!!!

I don’t understand the logic in building your own movie collection (as Katerine posted below).  Why would you pay to own movies when you can just pay a monthly fee and stream movies and extras to your home theater?  Especially if they are in HD (in the near future)?

I own a Blu-Ray and a HD DVD player and I only own about a dozen high-def movies.  I just rent Blu-Ray movies from NetFlix.  You can spend your money how you see fit, but it seems like personal movie collections will become unnecessary.  Of course, if you don’t have broadband services available to you, its a different story.  Now if only cable and satellite companies would go ala carte.