If you can’t wait to get those envelopes in the mail from Netflix, or maybe you have a movie itch that needs immediate scratching and can’t be fulfilled by your cable provider’s on-demand, sit back and relax. Maybe it’s one of the 10,000 movies or TV shows you have access to with the new Netflix Player from Roku.

The player is being released today for $99 as a one-time purchase. If you have one of Netflix’s unlimited movie package subscriptions—those are the ones that start from $8.99 per month, if you can’t remember which plan you’re on—then you’re good to go.

The box itself has a pretty small footprint, at 5 x 5 x 2 inches dimensions, with connections that include HDMI and component video. Yes, that gives it HD-readiness, but Netflix isn’t quite there. However, the FAQ from Roku says that, “When Netflix releases HD content for Instant Watching, the Netflix Player by Roku will be ready.”

Of course, we’ve heard that you might have to pay extra for Blu-ray rentals, so we’re guessing that may cross over into the HD download realm.

With a catalog that’s starting at 10,000, though, and the simplicity of adding movies and TV episodes into your Queues, this seems to be a pretty convenient way to watch Netflix movies. And unlike some download rental services, you don’t have to watch the whole movie within a 24-hour time frame, as far as we know.

The Netflix Player also comes with a remote so you can easily scroll through the synopses to help make your selections.

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!