Roku Launches Two New Over-the-Top Set-Top Boxes

Over-the-top-TV company, Roku, on Tuesday announced the immediate availability of two new set-top boxes: the $79.99 Roku SD and the $129.99 Roku HD-XR, which join the company's existing $99.99 Roku HD Player (formerly called simply the Roku Player) set-top in its product line-up. According to the company, for a limited time consumers who purchase one of the boxes--which provide access to content from Netflix, Amazon Video On Demand and MLB.TV--through Amazon or Roku's own Web site will receive free shipping. "We're introducing a breakthrough price point with the launch of our Roku SD player," Roku founder and CEO, Anthony Wood, said in a prepared statement. "Additionally the Roku HD-XR is the first Netflix-streaming device to embed next-generation 802.11n dual-band wireless connectivity, making it easier and more reliable than ever to start enjoying movies, TV shows, sports and the best online content available, all on the living-room TV."

According to Roku, the new Roku SD player comes with Yellow-Red-White video/audio cable for connecting to the TV, and also incorporates WiFi (802.11 b/g) and an Ethernet port for easy broadband connectivity. It allows customers to stream content to their TV at "up-to-DVD quality," the company claims. The Roku HD and HD-XR boxes, meanwhile, are billed as providing HD streaming capability and as connecting directly to any TV using HDMI or component video (note: both products also include S-video or composite video outputs, Roku says). In addition, Roku says, the HD-XR adds support for the latest WiFi standard, 802.11n dual-band, providing improved connectivity range and better overall wireless performance between the box and the home network. According to the company, the HD-XR also works with legacy routers and can often boost WiFi range inside the house. In addition, the high-end box provides a USB port for future use, the company says.

Roku also said Tuesday that it will launch a Roku Channel Store later this fall, enabling customers to add new content channels (note: content deals have previously been announced between the company and Blip.tv, Mediafly and Revision3). According to the company, the Roku Channel Store will be delivered to all new and existing customers as an automatic and free update.

According to Roku, its three boxes allow customers to access over 17,000 Netflix titles and 45,000 Amazon Video On Demand titles (of which a thousand are available in HD). The boxes also enable access to live and on-demand baseball coverage from MLB.TV.

 to launch on the Xbox Tuesday, but didn't. Sky has issued the following statement: "The service has been suspended due to an unforeseen technical issue. Sky Player engineers are hard at work to resolve the problem. We expect to have the full service available on Wednesday."