In November, we reviewed the Roku XDS streaming media player for our 2010 Geek Gifts series. The Roku XDS offers 1080p, 720p, and 480p video playback. It supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and costs $99 (US).
Using the Roku you can watch a variety of content from Netflix, Hulu Plus, and others.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS comes in a plain brown box.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS has both an HDMI port and a specialized component video port, but you only get an RCA composite cord in the box.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Of the Roku users that I’ve spoken with, two of their favorite features are the intuitive GUI and simple remote.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS’ remote uses two AAA batteries–included.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Under the two rubber discs are the external case screws.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Luckily, the external case screws are standard Phillips screws.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS’ PCB is attached to the bottom half of the device’s case with two Phillips screws.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roju XDS uses a Trident Microsystems / NXP Semiconductors PNX8935 multi-format source decoder. The chips has the following markings:
Trident
PNX8935E1/M101S1
P2U110.00
06
ESD1035M1A
SPLC
NXP is a joint venture of Phillips and Roku. In February 2010, Trident acquired NXP’s television systems and set-top box business lines.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS uses an NXP Semiconductors TDA9981A HDMI transmitter. The chip has the following markings:
NXP
TDA9981A/8/16
SP7803.1
19
ZSD10301
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS uses an SMSC LAN8710A 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX transceiver. The chip has the following markings:
SMSC
8710A-EZK
81029-A2
8J142859A
SCMMY
E3
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roju XDS uses an SMSC USB2512A USB 2.0 hub controller. The chip has the following markings:
SMSC
USB2512A
A0945-AF12
8J139789A
SCM-MY
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS uses an Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) AK4421A 3.3V 24-bit stereo DAC. The chip has the following markings:
AKM
4421AET
9E018
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS has four Samsung K4H510838G-LCCC DDR DRAM chips. Two are mounted on the top of the main PCB, and two are mounted on the bottom.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS’ wireless chip is likely housed under this EMI shield. Unfortunately, the shield is soldered to the PCB.
Interestingly, there are two unused antenna connectors to the right of the shield.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
The Roku XDS has a single Samsung K9F2G08U0B-PCB00 NAND Flash chip on the bottom of the PCB–next to the second pair of Samsung DRAM chips.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Hon Hai Precision Industry’s logo is printed on the Roku XDS’ PCB, which also has the markings ML1-H94V-0.
Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler
Bill Detwiler is the Editor for Technical Content and Ecosystem at Celonis. He is the former Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and previous host of TechRepublic's Dynamic Developer podcast and Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Previously, Bill was an IT manager in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.
