What Is Roku and How Does It Work? (original) (raw)

Made by the company that shares its name, a Roku is a device that streams media (shows, movies, and music) from the internet to your TV. It requires minimal setup and connects to the internet much like a phone. Through various hardware options, it offers a practical and affordable way to add or expand internet streaming options to your TV.

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Roku Device Types

Roku offers four main kinds of streaming players:

Roku Box: This option is a standalone box that sits next to your TV or attaches to the side with an adhesive strip. There are three models in this category and they all connect over Wi-Fi, with Ethernet as an option in the Roku Ultra. The Ultra and Express 4K+ support 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+.
Roku Streaming Stick: This one is compact and slightly larger than a USB flash drive. It also attaches over HDMI like the other options, but its dongle form factor means it hangs from the back/side of your TV instead of resting on a table. The 4K streaming stick has built-in Wi-Fi and ships with a voice remote.
Roku Streambar: The Streambar, Streambar SE, and Streambar Pro connect over Wi-Fi and come with a voice remote, but include a speaker to differentiate them from the rest of Roku's offerings. Surround sound add-ons are available for building a home theater experience.
Roku TV: A Roku TV is an all-in-one solution. It's a TV with Roku built-in, so it doesn't require the streaming box, stick, or soundbar. TV brands that offer Roku TVs in their product lines include Hisense, onn, Philips, Sharp, and TCL. Roku TVs come in several screen sizes, and 720p, 1080p, and 4K Ultra HD versions are available.

What Is Roku And How Does It Work?

Apple TV 4K vs Roku Ultra

Roku Channels and Apps

All Roku products provide access to thousands of channels (location dependent) of internet streaming content. These range from popular services like Netflix, Fandango at Home, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Pandora, and iHeartRadio, to niche channels like TWiT.tv, NewsON, and Crunchyroll (explore lots more on Roku's website). Even major networks, like NBC, have Roku apps. NBC's Roku app, by the way, allows you to live stream the Olympics and other major sporting events.

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However, although there are many free internet streaming channels, many also require an additional subscription or pay-per-view fee to access the content. To be clear, if you buy a Roku, you might have to pay to watch and listen to content.

Of course, you can always opt for channels owned by free movie streaming and music streaming services to limit your monthly subscriptions. Roku even has its own free movie/TV streaming channel called The Roku Channel.

In addition to internet streaming channels, Roku also provides apps that let you access video, music, and still image content stored on a computer attached to your home network. Plex is a popular example.

Beyond streaming, on most Roku TVs and select Roku boxes, the ability to play back video, music, and still image files stored on USB flash drives may be provided.

Setting Up a Roku Device

The process for setting up a Roku device is fairly straight-forward:

Connect the Roku to your TV or turn on the Roku TV.
Change the input on your TV to whatever HDMI port the Roku device is plugged into. This doesn't apply to the Roku TV.
Select your language.
Establish wired or wireless network access. If using Wi-Fi, the device will search all available networks - choose yours and enter your Wi-Fi password.
If you see a prompt to update the Roku, select OK to do so.
Sign in to your Roku account on your TV. There are a few ways to do this, but selecting the QR code option is probably the easiest.
If you don't yet have a Roku account, we recommend signing up from a computer or phone for simplicity's sake. You'll also need to enter payment information, but that's only to make buying things easier later; you are not charged just for using your Roku.
If you have a Roku TV, additional items, such as verification of an antenna or cable TV connection and channel scanning will be included in the setup procedure.

At the end of the setup process, the Roku home screen will appear for you to start accessing apps. You might also see a first-time tour that you can follow or press Home on the remote to exit.

TCL / Roku

Convenience Features

Once you get your Roku up and running, here are some great convenience features you can take advantage of:

Voice Search: Roku's on-screen menu is easy to navigate using the buttons on the remote control, but if you have a Roku that includes a voice-enabled remote control or you use the Roku app, use voice search to launch apps and find specific content by actor or title.
TV Everywhere Single Sign-On: For those who use a Roku in combination with cable or satellite service, this feature reduces the constant need to log into TV Everywhere channels. It lets you authenticate just once to access the content you're subscribed to.
Hotel and Dorm Connect: Roku devices are small, so they're easy to take out of the house. This feature simplifies the setup process when you're using public Wi-Fi, letting you use your Roku in a hotel or dorm by authenticating from your phone or computer.
The Roku Channel: Although Roku serves as a gateway to thousands of internet streaming services and channels, it also offers free, ad-supported movies and TV shows, live news, and sports on its own Roku Channel. It also includes access to paid content from HBO, Starz, and other services.

Additional Features For Roku TV Owners With Antennas

Roku provides some added conveniences specifically for Roku TVs.

Smart Guide: This feature combines over-the-air TV and streaming channel app listings for a more seamless navigation experience. You can also list your favorites. You can play from the beginning or resume playback from a specific point when streaming content. You can also display broadcast TV listings up to 7 days in advance.
Roku Search For Over-The-Air Content: Not only does search work with streaming content, but you can also search through over-the-air content.
Voice Control For Roku TVs: In addition to Roku functions, such as searching and launching apps, Roku TV voice control can switch TV inputs and tune to a local broadcast channel. Also, for those who do not have a voice control remote, the Roku mobile app is a great replacement.
Fast TV Start: Voice control lets you switch the TV on, go to a specific over-the-air TV channel, or launch a streaming channel app. In other words, with the TV off, you can give a command such as "launch Netflix" and the TV will turn on and go directly to that channel or app.
Private Listening For Roku TVs: On select Roku TVs, users can listen to antenna-received or streaming programming via earphones connected to a headphone jack-equipped Roku remote control or earphones plugged into a compatible mobile device.

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Which Roku Option Is Best For You?

Roku provides several options for adding comprehensive internet streaming to your TV viewing and music listening experience, but which option is right for you?

Here are some possibilities:

If you have a TV with an HDMI connection, but no smart features — consider adding a Roku streaming stick or Roku box.
If you have an older TV with no HDMI input, Roku makes a limited number of models, such as the Roku Express+, that will connect to a TV using analog video/audio connections.
If you have a smart TV that doesn't offer the streaming channels you want, you can add a standard Roku Streaming Stick or Roku Express to expand your selection.
If you have a 4K Ultra HD TV and it is not a smart TV or a smart TV that does not offer enough streaming channels, consider the Streaming Stick 4K or Roku Ultra.
If you are in the market for a new 1080p or 4K Ultra HD, Smart TV — a Roku TV might be an option to consider.

The Roku Mobile App

Roku provides a mobile app for iOS and Android, allowing even more flexibility. The Roku app is a smart way to control a Roku without a remote. There's voice search, a keyboard for typing directly on the TV, Headphone Mode for private listening, and access to all the company's free streaming content.

You can also use a smartphone or tablet to send videos and photos from the device to your Roku. The app also simplifies channel management; add new ones and launch apps on your TV in one tap.

For Roku TVs, the app also controls internet streaming and TV functions, such as input selection, OTA channel scanning, and picture and audio settings.

FAQ

Although Roku is mainly used to stream content from subscription services such as Netflix and Hulu, there are many free channels available. The Roku Channel is built in to your Roku device, and you can add Pluto, Tubi, and other free channels. You'll just have to watch a few commercials.
Roku PINs are features of the parental controls on Roku. You can set a PIN to prevent purchases on Roku if a PIN isn't entered. This is a useful feature for parents with children who also use their Roku.
Roku Pay is Roku's name for their own direct payment service. If you add a payment method to your Roku account, that's signing up for Roku pay. You can then use this payment method to make purchases directly on your Roku device.

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