Roku and flash drive Question.

Koo Koo Mouse · Post by **Koo Koo Mouse** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 1:36 pm

Hi all!
Is the Roku 2 extremly picky about about video formats?
Seems I can't play using a usb flash drive. I done it before but probly just got lucky. It played fine..
Now I have a full length movie (Christine) That would be great to watch thru the roku. I see I only takes these video formats.
mkv (H.264), MP4 (H.264)
I Have a converter that will convert anything to anything. Ive tried MP4, AVI, MOV and all that if the whatever H.264 is.
The Roku will always say no supported files found. No biggie but it would be nice to know what it wants.
Anyone?

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 9:58 pm

it supports:

■Video: MKV using H.264, MP4/M4V/MOV using H.264 (and MPEG4), WMV/ASF using WMV9 or VC-1.
■Audio: AAC, MP3, or Dolby Digital/DTS Passthru
■Photos: JPEG & PNG

that said, i haven't had issues actually playing files on a usb drive, but i stopped using the usb feature due to my dislike of the interface and file browsing. if i had a large drive with dozens or hundreds of files, it quickly became annoying to browse and find the file to even play.

not sure how to help other than maybe check for updates to the box? you could also try another usb channel rather than the Roku created one. there are one or two others available.

ZYFER · Post by **ZYFER** » Sun Dec 09, 2012 11:06 pm

I've played x264 MP4s and MKVs just fine. I am thinking it is more of what it is encoded as, but for the most part no issues at all. It seems to not pick up AVI/XviD files though. Some WMV files also do not show up.

Here is a listing though:
http://support.roku.com/entries/2029380 ... el-support

Find it kind of silly that there is no support for AVI files... Always can use the Xbox 360 for that I guess... If Roku had DLNA support it would be awesome though.

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:56 am

http://thenowhereman.com/roku/

there is one popular 3rd party usb channel. not sure if it will help, but scroll down to the "USB Media Browser" section.

ZYFER · Post by **ZYFER** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:05 am

You can also give this one a shot as well:
https://owner.roku.com/add/PlayUSB

Koo Koo Mouse · Post by **Koo Koo Mouse** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:38 pm

Hey thanks bunch everyone!
I'll play around with the links provided went time permits. First I'll try Zyfer link and see what happens.
Strange. I had never heard of a Roku unil it was recomened here. Now they are avertised daily on the radio. Timing thing for me I guess! Still wish Youtube would partisipate. Hear its in the making.
It sure streams nice though! No problem on that end.

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:48 pm

you can get youtube on roku, but it has to be done via 3rd party channels that you install. i don't mess with them much, but if you are interested, look into "private channels" for roku. nothing shady, that's just what they call them. plenty of sites that index them and you can pick and choose what fits your needs.

Koo Koo Mouse · Post by **Koo Koo Mouse** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 8:15 pm

Thanks all!
Video formats have always givin me headache so this nothing new!
Had a bit of time to play.. Wvm9 Works! But strangely is does not work on the original roku usb player but it DOES work using Zyfer's link. Go figure..
It's a trail and error game I guess. Cant complain as I didn't even know it could do this.
The Roku is to get buy until i get a full blown computer in there ifI that ever happens. lol
I'll check into that private channels. Um, do I do that on the roku or on my computer?

ZYFER · Post by **ZYFER** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 1:57 am

Using this link:
https://owner.roku.com/Add/

Enter 1080p
for the channel code.

It is as the code says, only offers 1080p videos. Youtube videos is among its offerings.

Here is a link to various Private Channel offerings:
http://streamfree.tv/apps/roku-private-channels/

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:46 am

that 1080p channel sounds cool...i'll have to check that out tonight.

Koo Koo Mouse · Post by **Koo Koo Mouse** » Thu Dec 13, 2012 7:02 pm

Hey thanks for the 1080 channel. I searched for "cars" as a test found one to play. WOW! very nice and clear! It had to buffer a few times and the sound chopped a bit but free is free. Bad thing is the bedroom tv is only a 720p so its sort of a bandwidth waste. ( he livingroonm is a 1080)
Guess I'm looking for a channel that supports any youtube vids. Normally they are horrible resolution anyway. Thanks though!

DaMaN · Post by **DaMaN** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 8:05 pm

http://m.slickdeals.net/f/5787600-Free-YouTube-Alternative-Private-Channel-VideoBuzz-on-Roku

Talks about a a private channel that has YouTube