Netflix Launches Movie Streaming Set Top Box - Mac Rumors Today, Netflix unveiled a Roku designed $100 set top box that delivers streaming movies to your television (as blogged last January).

The Roku box is about the size of a paperback book, has no hard drive, and simply streams video through an ethernet or Wi-Fi connection. For the best possible viewing experience, Netflix recommends an Internet speed of at least 1.5 Mbps. There is no additional monthly fee for use beyond Netflixs usual monthly charge minimum $9/month to have unlimited access to Netflix’s 10,000 streamable movies.

I have an Apple TV and I love it, but it was a gift — and it does things this box can’t, so it’s hard to make an accurate hardware comparison overall. Nevertheless, as I’ve mentioned previously, this presents Apple with a considerable challenge for the movie rental business. Apple has newer releases and the jump on HD content, but has a small library and nothing near as good as a subscription service.

Personally I think this announcement should bring a whole new angle to home entertainment - the fabled shift from material to streaming, if you will. Both Apple and cable/satellite services are going to have to do something to compete with this; hopefully this new addition to the home entertainment market will stimulate competition that benefits the consumer. Add your thoughts below or on the the boards.

Filed under: Geek, Movies