Shopping for a Streaming Media Box Player

(I meant to post this earlier on this year, when I did the research, but never got around to it.  I still feel that what I found, and would buy to still be the same, so I decided to finish the posting, and post it)
 
Here's my Story
Last year 2012, during boxing day shopping I helped my older sister pick out a new Media Box with very limited knowledge of them, and their capabilities. I had read only a bit on the Roku XS, XD version, and I know my brother-in-law a different device that plays files only.  Other than that, I didn't know very much about them.  I ended up telling my sister that she should buy the 'Roku XS', and if that doesn't work, she can return it to get the 'Boxee'.

We tried out the 'Roku' after she purchased it, and it worked to play the media files that she bought the device to play.  I decided at that time that it probably wasn't worth looking any further into it, to see what other media files it can play.  Boy! was that a mistake!  I found out later that it only plays 2 formats, or something like that.  It's great at streaming as a lot of articles I read say, but it isn't so good at playing files or different formats.

Leading to Conclusion
After looking and comparing Roku, Sony, WD Media Player, and some other media devices, I can't remember the names of the others, but there were a lot I looked at, I think the 'Boxee' has the best mix of apps, media streaming, and file compatibility, and price.  Though it's actually one of the more expensive ones.  At the time I compared, Sony was the only one selling for more.  Still $200 CA isn't bad I don't think for the functionality and features that you get with the device.

Conclusion/Recommendations
Well, if I were to buy a media device, I would go out and buy the Boxee, the version that plays nearly all the media type files.  I think they have a new one coming out at some point that may not be able to play as many media file types, so I wouldn't get that one, and I read that you may have to pay monthly for some sort of service.  I'm not a fan of paying monthly for anything, we all have enough expenses as is.

So, for me, Boxee wins, it's my choice for media players, and the one I would buy if I wanted to own one.