Reviewed this past year are the Netflix Roku and Vudu streaming boxes which have seen hundreds of hours logged to date and without any technical problems specific to the units.

The Vudu has a sturdier form factor and nicer remote in addition to a USB port however, the Roku is less expensive (Vudu box costs $149.00 verses $100.00 for the Roku) The Vudu did come with a better compliment of cables, such as an HDMI standard, with the Roku its extra which could get you up to the cost of the Vudu.

As both will stream content depending on quality level (Vudu HDX content requires a long download period) the Roku was faster* of course depending on your downstream speed (see below).

As to operating costs its six of one half dozen of another: While the Roku requires the $8.00 level of monthly membership with Netflix if you want to utilize its primary mission, the Vudu does not have such an arrangement with say Blockbuster and while it has Vudu labs I really do not care about YouTube on my BoobTube, but that's me.

The UI's they are about equal (maybe a bit slicker on the Vudu) from my perspective however, this is a soft topic and open to personal tastes. As to content I'd have to give the nod the the Roku however, this again is from my perspective and tastes. Both companies are adding new content and building new strategic relationship with other providers.