Roku Netflix player

Roku has announced that it has released support for streaming high definition (HD) content from its Netflix Player. Through the use of advanced compression technology, Roku can deliver instant streaming of HD content over average consumer broadband connections – bringing HD to the mass market at an affordable price of just $99 – and no monthly charges for those already signed up for one of Netflix’ unlimited rental plans ($8.99/month or higher).

So far, the number of HD titles numbers in the 100s, but it’s a step in the right direction and you should expect to see more and more content coming through in high definition. If Roku delivers as promised, it should soon stream HD content from more sources and with a much wider selection.

Netflix, Inc. is the first content provider to deliver HD content to the Roku player. Additional providers of HD content are expected in the first quarter of 2009. The new software will be automatically delivered to all Roku players free-of-charge over the course of the next few weeks.