The Tech-pert: Get this Great Father's Day 2010 Deal on a Roku Player

Looking for a killer Father's Day gift? I'm a big fan of Roku's set-top boxes, which stream Internet programming from sources like Amazon Video on Demand, MLB.com (that's Major League Baseball for you non-sports fans), Pandora and Netflix.

Discounts on these little boxes are extremely rare, but between now and June 20, you can get the top-end Roku HD-XR for $104.99, a savings of $25. Just apply the Roku coupon code at checkout.

The Roku HD-XR taps your home Wi-Fi network to stream content from several dozen free and premium channels. I use mine primarily for Netflix, as it allows me to browse, queue, and watch on-demand any movie or TV show in the service's Watch Instantly library. You need a Netflix subscription, of course, but it's well worth it.

The box connects via HDMI to your HDTV (though other connection types are available). Alas, Roku doesn't supply an HDMI cable; you'll need to pick one up so Dad can start watching right away. Remember, don't overpay for the cable!

You'll also need a broadband Internet connection (preferably cable, but DSL is also sufficient as long as it can manage 1.2 megabits per second). All Roku boxes can connect to the network via Wi-Fi, but only the HD-XR model supports 802.11n (the latest and fastest Wi-Fi technology). Hopefully your router does as well, as you'll need that faster throughput to enjoy the various providers' growing collection of HD content.

With those items in place, the HD-XR is a snap to install and set up. And trust me: If your Dad likes TV, he's sure to love the Roku box. It's a great gift item.

Self-proclaimed cheapskate Rick Broida has been a technology writer for over 20 years. He has authored over a dozen books, including, most recently, "How to Do Everything: Palm Pre." Currently he writes the Cheapskate blog.