First, from my last post, I wondered if there were any corrections I had to make. I'm not sure how to spell that "M-Go" service, or the "right" way to stylize the letters. Their logo has no dash. It's kind of a huge capital M, and then a smaller capital "GO" underneath. On their main webpage, they've typed it as M-GO. Their domain name is just plain "mgo," but I think that has more to do with domain names in general (usually lowercase and limited punctuation). So, whatever that service is called, I may be warming up to it (yet not buying anything yet, LOL). Apparently, there are buy options on some movies. I forget if you can only rent certain titles (wouldn't really make sense, would it?), or if there's normally a rent + buy menu option for newer movies, while the old ones could have buy options and nothing else.
Blockbuster's stores and DVD-by-mail program apparently DID go out of business late last year. How would you rent physical discs, then? Are Netflix and Redbox some of the only choices left? I'm thinking in terms of older movies (not new releases), which may not be on every streaming service (or they get removed, due to people not watching them). I've heard that you can rent DVDs from the public library and pay NOTHING.
Moving on: the quirks of this device. One of the first weird things is how there's no power switch or button! As long as it's plugged into an outlet, I assume it's always "on." What must happen is that, after a while, it kind of goes to "sleep" and the white LED on the front panel shuts off. That reminds me a little of laptops, or even a desktop where the monitor might shut itself off based on a timer. When I've gone back to that video input to start a new viewing session, there's usually the screensaver playing (in my case, a Roku logo that bounces around the screen), and you have to press any button on the remote to wake it up again. I assume it opens the last screen you were viewing before the screensaver or sleep mode got activated. In my case, that's been the "home" menu, and the list of "My Channels," with their grid of tiles/icons.
I've heard people talk about this being a cable/satellite "replacement." That's where another "quirk" sticks out to me. A typical cable box or satellite receiver tends to passively play a channel for as long as you leave it powered on. With this device, you need to be more intentional and have an idea of what you want to watch. Some videos will play, and then exit back to a menu within the channel where you found them. Only the newsfeed seems to play a whole list of videos as a queue (sort of another quirk that I might get to next). Pretty much, if you want endless viewing, you have to hunt around for specific content. I don't see that as necessarily "good" or "bad," but obviously different.
Speaking of finding content, although I mentioned LOVING the search feature that's part of the main menu, my experience with being inside a channel has been that only certain channels have their own search feature. The other ridiculous thing was, by the time I found the "search" icon in Crackle, I was on the bottom of the screen. Shouldn't that really be near the top? I can't really pin that on Roku, since I'm not sure who programs the individual channels. Amazon has a search feature. I don't have the Netflix channel to check that, but I assume the more popular channels, or the ones with huge libraries of content, should have them.
On the main menu interface itself, I've noticed the way menus seem to "wrap around." Like, when you get to the bottom of the left-hand menu (My Channels, Movies, and so on), and press down, it restarts from "My Channels." Inside certain channels, the videos tend to loop around also. There might be a horizontal list of 60 videos, and if you go left at video 1, it takes you to video 60 (which tends to be several weeks old). That's kind of neat. I guess the videos that take the most time to access end up being the numbers near the middle. No matter whether you were going backwards from 1, to 60, to 59, or 1, 2, 3 ..., the middle numbers might still take about 30 presses of the little D-pad.
Speaking of those horizontal lists, I've noticed how they tend to start you in the middle, at video "3," instead of number 1. Then, there's almost a dialogue bubble (think of comic strips) directing you to the bottom right corner just to read a description of that video. I'm not sure how they could adjust that. Like, if you started from the far left video (which might actually be #1), the dialogue bubble thing would be near the middle of the screen, but not quite, and you'd still need to read the bottom half of the screen. It's just something to be aware of, and I've seen that consistent layout in multiple channels.
I kind of mentioned last time that the fonts are strange. I guess they're freeware, or not what you'd see in a computer operating system. Over time, they haven't bugged me as much. Almost every channel seems to use them in the preview screens (which you can look at before deciding to add a channel). They probably do that to keep everything consistent. Only one sort of thick font really annoys me.
I think the rest of the quirks are mostly related to the "News" section of the menu. Last time, I may have mistakenly said "HuffPost Online." They're called "HuffPost Live" instead. Hasn't that newspaper always been an online thing? The point is, you can't really tell if those news stories came from Newsy, HuffPost, Wall Street Journal, or somewhere else (those are the three popular sources), until the video starts playing. I've seen separate channels for those services I listed, but it feels easier to let the News menu pull out whatever sounds the most relevant. HuffPost tends to annoy me the most, since they'll have Marc Lamont Hill (college "professor"), or some weird guy with a shaggy mullet complaining about "income inequality" (Waaah, waaah - at least they apparently have JOBS). Newsy comes off as the most "neutral," but they also make their clips really short, as if you have ADHD (or maybe they do?).
The biggest annoyance with the News section is probably the ads. I'm not sure if I mind the fact that ads are playing at all, or just how IT'S THE SAME ONE over and over. Who is the Downy spokeswoman? Why does her hair have really dark roots, but other streaks of blonde? Then the dark eyes don't seem to match.
Mainly when the news is playing, I notice two particular quirks: a darkened title bar at the bottom of the screen, and a small pause before any sound plays. Many of the thumbnails have such a long title that you can't read the whole thing without playing the video. The thing is, when it does put up that title bar, I'm blocked from reading the reporter's name that shows up in pretty much the same portion of the screen. The audio issue is weird. Maybe it's out of sync? I just don't hear anything (or it could be muted) for at least two or three seconds.
I did remember one other "quirk." On my box and my TV, the "My Channels" menu tends to show a big ad (for a news item or another Roku channel) off to the right. While you're on the menu item that reads "My Channels," it's not visible, but then you go right a little bit, and there it is next to your grid of channels. I'm interested whether it displays that way on 4:3 ratio TVs also. I mean, you can kind of not look there and try to ignore it. In my case, I'm not sure if they've tried to target it towards content and channels I've already viewed (which is better than random spam). Just be aware that, yes, even this device has some ads.
Well, I've rambled mostly about the interface and a few menus. What I really hope to get to are the channels and CONTENT, which I might split up into the topics of "quantity" and "quality." I know I've watched a few channels so far, but haven't really tried to set up accounts for other services (you need a login for Pandora?), or to link my Amazon account yet. The fact of needing so many logins or accounts might count as another "quirk."
I'm not sure when I might be able to get those other reviews out, since the box is currently unplugged. I have a weird setup where it's like I could watch DirecTV or have the Roku on that HDMI port. I'd have to figure out a way to route at least one to my receiver instead (despite how the main left and right speakers pretty much CAN'T be put in the right spots, but that's another story).
Until next time, happy reading and happy viewing!
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WWE 2K18 ROSTER & MATCH TYPES | ||||
If you see multiple of the same name, it just means different versions that can be in the ring together. Names highlighted in blue are Cruiserweights | ||||
1 Up Man Adam Cole Aerostar Aiden English AJ Styles Akam Akira Tozawa Albert Aleister Black Alexander Wolfe Andrade "Cien" Almas Andre The Giant Angelo Dawkins Animal Apollo Crews Ariya Daivari Arnold T101 Austin Aries B Brian Blair Bam Bam Bigelow Baron Corbin Barron Blade Batista '10 Beautiful Bobby Eaton Big Boss Man '91 Big Boss Man '99 Big Cass Big E Big Show Big Show '00 Bo Dallas Bobby Fish Bobby Roode Booker T Braun Strowman Bray Wyatt Bret Hart '97 Bret Hart '98 Brian Kendrick British Bulldog Brock Lesnar Brutus Beefcake Bryan Danielson Buddy Roberts Butch Cactus Jack '92 Cactus Jack '98 Captain Jobber Cedric Alexander Cesaro Chad Gable Chris Jericho |
Chris Jericho '00 Christian Col Sanders Cole Quinn Curt Hawkins Curtis Axel Daniel Bryan Dark Link Darren Young Dash Wilder DDP '92 DDP '98 Dean Ambrose Dennis Condrey Diesel Doc Louis Dolph Ziggler Donatello Drago Drew Gulak Drew McIntyre Dude Love Dusty Rhodes Earthquake Eddie Guerrero Edge El Mago Elias Enzo Amore Epico Colon Eric Young Erick Rowan Fandango Finn Balor Finn Balor Demon The Godfather Goldberg Goldust Gorgeous George Gran Metalik Greg Valentine Hawk Heath Slater Hideo Itami Hurricane Jack Gallagher Jake Roberts Jason Jordan JBL Jeff Hardy Jey Uso Jim Brunzell |
Jim Neidhart Jimmy Garvin Jimmy Uso Jinder Mahal John Cena John Cena '06 John Cena '10 Johnny Gargano The Joker Kalisto Kane Kane '98 Karl Anderson Kassius Ohno Kerry Von Erich Kevin Nash Kevin Owens Kevin Von Erich Killian Dain King Cuerno King Feck Kofi Kingston Konnor Kurt Angle '01 Kurt Angle '06 Kyle O'Reilly Larry Zbysko Lars Sullivan Leonardo Lex Luger Lince Dorado Link Little Mac Luigi Luke Luke Gallows Luke Harper Mankind Mario Mark Henry Matt Hardy Michael Hayes Michaelangelo The Miz Mojo Rawley Montez Ford Mortis Mr.205 Live Mr. McMahon Mr. Perfect Mustafa Ali Necroplasm |
Neville Nick Miller No Way Jose Noam Dar Noob Saibot Oney Locan Optimus Prime Otis Dozovic Papa Shango Pentagon Jr Pete Dunne Primo Colon Prince Puma R-Truth Randy Orton Randy Savage Raphael Razor Ramon Reptile Retro Rick Rey Fenix Rey Mysterio Rezar Rhyno Ric Flair '88 Ric Flair '91 Rich Swann Rick Martel Rick Rude Ricky Morton Ricky Steamboat '91 Ricky Steamboat '94 Rikishi Rob Van Dam '06 Robert Gibson The Rock The Rock '01 Roddy Piper Roderick Strong Roman Reigns Rusev Sami Zayn Samoa Joe Sawyer Fulton Scorpion Scott Dawson Scott Hall Seth Rollins Shane McMahon Shane Thorne Shao Khan Shawn Michaels '97 |
Shawn Michaels '98 Sheamus Shelton Benjamin Shinsuke Nakamura Sin Cara Snoop Dogg Stan Lane Starman Steve Austin '97 Sting Sting '88 Sting '91 Sting '98 Sting '99 Stormtrooper Stunning Steve Austin Subzero MKX Superman Sycho Sid Tatanka Tatsumi Fujinami Ted DiBiase TehJew22 Titus O'Neil TJP Tommaso Ciampa Tony Nese Triple H Triple H '01 Triple H '98 Tucker Knight Tye Dillinger Tyler Bate Tyler Breeze Typhoon Tyson Kidd Ultimate Warrior Ultimo Dragon Undertaker (Classic) The Undertaker Undertaker '00 Vader Vampiro Velveteen Dream Venom Viktor Voltron Waluigi Wario William Regal Xavier Woods Zack Ryder |
WOMEN | ||||
Alexa Bliss Alicia Fox Alundra Blayze Asuka Bayley Becky Lynch Beth Phoenix Bianca Belair Billie Kay Brie Bella Cammy Carmella Charlotte Chun Li Dana Brooke Ember Moon Emma Ivelise Velez |
Ivory Jacqueline Jade Kairi Sane Kharma Kitana Lana Lita Liv Morgan Mandy Rose Mariposa Maryse Mickie James Mileena Naomi Natalya Nia Jax |
Nikki Bella Nikki Cross Paige Peyton Royce Ronda Rousey Ruby Riot Sarah Logan Sasha Banks Sexy Star Shayna Baszler Sonya Blade Sonya Deville Stephanie McMahon Summer Rae Tamina Taya Valkyrie Trish Stratus Wii Fit Trainer | ||
VALETS & MANAGERS Anyone above can be a "manager" plus... | ||||
Bobby Heenan Lana |
Mr. McMahon Paul Ellering Paul Heyman |
Stephanie McMahon Ted DiBiase | ||
MATCH TYPES | ||||
*** ONE ON ONE *** Normal |
*** TRIPLE THREAT *** Normal |
*** FATAL 4 WAY *** Normal |
*** TWO ON TWO *** Normal *** 8-MAN *** Tag Team |
*** 6-MAN *** Tag Team *** HANDICAP *** One on Two Tag |
MATCH MODIFIERS | ||||
Pin & Submission Both, Pin, Submit, Off 2 Out of 3 Falls Iron Man |
Over the Top Rope On, Off K.O. Last Man Standing |
Perform Finisher to Win On, Off First Blood Climb out of Cage (Cage Match Only) DQ |
Rope Break (Automatic) On, Off Ring Out Elimination |
Falls Count Anywhere On, Off Time Limit Entrance Interval (Chamber/Rumble) |
SUPER SMASH BROS. ROSTER & SETTINGS | |||
Akira Alph Austin Powers Bayonetta Bob Ross Bowser Bowser Jr Burger King Captain Falcon Charizard Charlie Brown Chuck Norris Cloud Col Sanders Corrin Dark Pit Diddy Kong Donkey Kong Dr. Mario Dracula Drew Carey |
Duck Hunt Dumbledore Falco Fox Ganondorf Greninja Iggy Jr Ike Jacky Jigglypuff Joker King Dedede Kirby Larry Jr Lemmy Jr Link Little Mac Lucario Lucas Lucina Lucy Ludwig Jr |
Luigi Majora Mario Marth Mega Man Meta Knight Mewtwo Morton Jr Mr. Game & Watch Mr. Miyagi Ness Olimar Pac-Man Palutena Peach Peppermint Patty Pikachu Pit Popeye R.O.B. Retro Rick Robin |
Rosalina & Luma Roy Roy Jr Ryu Samus Sheik Shulk Snoop Dog Sonic Steve Urkel TehJew22 Toon Link Villager Wario Weird Al Wendy Jr Wii Fit Trainer Yoshi Zelda Zero Zerosuit Samus |
BATTLE TYPES TIME BATTLE: All characters battle for a set amount of time scoring one point per KO and LOSING one point each time they are KO'ed. STOCK BATTLE: All characters have a set number of lives and when they run out, they're done. When combined with a time limit whomever has more lives left when time runs out wins. COIN BATTLE: For 2-4 characters ONLY! Coins are knocked out of characters as they battle. After a fixed time limit whomever has the most coins wins. SETTINGS TIME LIMIT: Can be from 1 to 15 minutes. |