Roku recently cut prices on several set-top boxes and has now launched three new models aimed at competing with the Boxee box, Apple TV, and other competitors moving into the market it once dominated.
The new entry-level Roku HD is now priced at just $59.99 and includes 720p high-definition video support. The set-top box is just 1 inch tall and is less than 5 inches wide, and can be easily transported between different locations.
Roku's midrange product is now the Roku XD player, available for $79.99. It includes 1080p HD support and Wireless-N support. For an extra $20 over the base Roku HD model, customers can now get the XD model that includes 1080p streaming and better wireless.
The premier Roku XDS model has a $99.99 price tag, but includes 1080p HD support, dual-band 802.11n wireless, a remote control, a USB 2.0 port for playing back local media and optical audio out.
All three models include support for Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand, MLB.TV, Pandora, and other third-party Roku partners. Interested customers can purchase any of the newly launched models now.
Roku recently dropped prices on all of it's legacy models, but those have now all been replaced by these newer units. The Roku SD (standard definition) player used to cost $59.99, so it's nice to see that an HD version is now available at that same price point.
It's still relatively unknown what to expect from the set-top box market, as cable set-top box sales slid even though interest remains high.
With the Boxee box, Google TV and Apple TV all launching soon, it's going to be a very interesting battle in the internet player market this year. What box or internet TV solution are you most interested in?
