Developer

Cracking Open the Roku 2 XS

By // August 10, 2011, 12:12 AM PST // billdetwiler

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  • Roku 2 XS teardown

    In July, 2011, Roku revamped its line of streaming media players with the Roku 2 HD, XD, and XS. The new Roku boxes are smaller and have a more-rounded design and a glossy exterior.

    The HD model provides video playback at 720p, while the XD and XS support 1080p. All Roku 2 players have built-in Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, but the XS also has Ethernet and USB ports. The XS version comes with a motion-control remote (needed to play games, such as Angry Birds).

    We cracked open the Roku XDS in January, and couldn't wait to see the tech packed into the new player's smaller case. Follow along as I crack open the Roku 2 XS for a look at the hardware inside.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Now with Angry Birds

    As of this writing, the Roku 2 HD is $59.99 (US), the XD is $79.99 and the XS is $99.99. The motion remote is included with the XS, but HD and XD owners will soon be able to purchase the remote for $29.

    Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
    Caption by: Bill Detwiler

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Roku XS and motion control game remote

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Box contents

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Smaller case

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Rear ports and microSD card slot

  • Roku 2 XDS teardown: USB port

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Motion control remote

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Remote in hand

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Removing the rubber base

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Torx T6 Case screws

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Removing the case screws

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Removing the base of the case

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Inside the case

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Removing the printed circuit board

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Printed circuit board and port cover

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: PCB - Top

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: PCB - Bottom

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Samsung K4P2G324EC-AGC1 LPDDR2 RAM (2Gbit - 256MB)

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Hynix HY27UF082G2B NAND Flash (2Gbit - 256MB)

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: SMSC LAN9512-JZX Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Hub and High-Performance 10/100 Ethernet Controller

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Broadcom BCM59002 Mobile Power Management Unit

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: AKM 4430ET 3.3V 24-bit stereo digital audio converter

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: EMI shields soldered to the bottom of the PCB

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Broadcom BCM4336 wireless LAN chip (and main processor)

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Broadcom BCM20702 is a single-chip Bluetooth processor

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Texas Instruments TPS2051B Power-Distribution Switch

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Antenna 1

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Antenna 2

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Antenna 3 - Bluetooth

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Removing the motion control remote battery cover

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Removing the motion control remote battery case screw

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Separating the halves of the motion control remote case

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Opening the motion control remote

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Inside the motion control remote

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Removing the motion control remote rubber button pad

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Motion control remote case and PCB

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Removing the motion control remote PCB

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Empty motion control remote case

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Motion control remote PCB - Top

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Motion control remote PCB - Bottom

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Motion control remote PCB chips

    On the PCB of the Roku 2 XS motion control remote are the following chips:

    • Broadcom BCM20730 Human Interface Device (HID) Bluetooth 3.0 Single-Chip Solution
    • IMU-3000 Triple Axis MotionProcessor Gyroscope
    • Microchip Technology 4F236I 114BGH
    • 2115 C3H 99XDM
    • Unknown chip

  • Roku 2 XS teardown: Completely disassembled

Roku 2 XS teardown

In July, 2011, Roku revamped its line of streaming media players with the Roku 2 HD, XD, and XS. The new Roku boxes are smaller and have a more-rounded design and a glossy exterior.

The HD model provides video playback at 720p, while the XD and XS support 1080p. All Roku 2 players have built-in Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n connectivity, but the XS also has Ethernet and USB ports. The XS version comes with a motion-control remote (needed to play games, such as Angry Birds).

We cracked open the Roku XDS in January, and couldn't wait to see the tech packed into the new player's smaller case. Follow along as I crack open the Roku 2 XS for a look at the hardware inside.

Photo by: Bill Detwiler / TechRepublic
Caption by: Bill Detwiler

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By Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Editor in Chief of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...