Roku is a popular streaming device that streams your preferred media such as movies, shows, and music via the internet to your TV. With the number of cord-cutters on the rise, more people are opting for streaming devices for their essential entertainment. And Roku is one of the top choices!
If you are looking for affordable, practical, and high-performance TV streaming devices, then consider Roku. With it, you can enjoy a home theatre experience with a wide variety of streaming options. The best thing about it is that it requires minimal setup and connects effortlessly to the internet.
Roku Media Streaming Devices
Roku streaming devices incorporate an effective operating system or OS. It allows users to manage and access streaming content. Setting up a Roku device is not difficult. You can follow the guides online to do so.
The following are the three types of streaming devices by Roku. You need almost the same TV equipment for all three of them:
Roku Streaming Stick
It is a compact device, slightly larger than a flash drive or USB. You need to plug it into the HDMI input on your TV or your home theatre receiver. You can access all sorts of media that Roku hosts.
The stick comes with a built-in Wi-Fi to connect to your broadband router.
Roku Box
It is a standalone box. You can connect it to the internet using an Ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi connection. The Roku Box connects directly via HDMI input to the TV or to your home theatre receiver.
Roku TV
Investing in a Roku TV is like getting an all-inclusive entertainment fix. It doesn’t require an external stick or a box to access the streaming media. The Roku OS comes built-in this TV. You can connect your Roku TV to the internet using an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.
Some of the top TV brands, which have introduced Roku TVs in their product line, are Hitachi, Sharp, Insignia, TCL, and Hisense. You can choose from a range of different screen sizes such as 4K Ultra HD, 1080p, and 720p versions.
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Roku Apps and Channels
Roku media streaming devices offer as many as 4,500 channels based on your location. These are more than the channels offered by Cox TV Starter or any TV plan for that matter.
Channels range from popular streaming services such as Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, iHeart Radio, Pandora, and so on. Niche channels include Local News Nationwide, Twit.tv, Euronews, Crunchy Roll, and several others.
Most of the major TV networks have apps now. Roku has made them available. One instance is NBC. You can stream popular sporting events via the NBC Roku app. Other apps are YouTube, iWebTV Player, Vimeo, CuriosityStream, JTV Live, CNET, NASA TV UHD, and the list goes on.
There are many free channels available. However, there are many channels, which require additional pay-per-view or subscription fee.
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Effective Features
Users today are all about convenience features and perks. Once you get your hands on any of the aforementioned Roku devices, you can take advantage of these lucrative features. Take a look:
TV Everywhere Single Sign-On
If you are using your Roku device with cable or satellite internet service, you don’t need to log in to view TV Everywhere channels again and again. This TV Everywhere Single Sign-On feature stores up to as many as 30 channel sign-ons.
Voice Search
The onscreen menu of Roku is quite easy to navigate. You can use the remote control but if you have a voice-enabled remote control, you can conveniently use the voice search feature.
You can leverage voice search to look for content by a specific actor or director. Also search for a particular movie or show and launch streaming channels by voice commands. TV providers introduce the voice search feature too. Contour TV, for instance, uses voice guidance for its subscribers.
4K Spotlight Channel
If you have 4K-enabled Roku TV, box, or streaming stick, you get access to an exclusive onscreen menu. It is only available for viewers to search for 4K content according to categories and genres.
You will be able to see the 4K spotlight channel only when you have a 4K-enabled Roku box or streaming stick. It detects that it is connected to a compatible device and then displays.
The Roku Channel
Roku acts as a gateway for you to access thousands of streaming apps and channels. But with its own Roku channel, it also offers hundreds of free movies, shows, and live sports and news. You don’t have to log in to access this channel.
The only downside of free content is that it contains commercials.
FAQs:
Which channels are free on Roku?
Some of these are the Roku Channel, Pluto TV, FilmRise, Sony Crackle, PBS, and so on.
Is Netflix free on Roku?
No, Netflix is not free on Roku.
Is there an activation fee for Roku?
No, Roku setup and activation are free. If someone is trying to charge you for it, know that it is a scam.
Does Roku work without Internet?
No, Roku is an internet-streaming service and it doesn’t work without the internet.
How do I connect my smartphone to my Roku?
Go to Settings, and click Display. Then click Cast Screen. On the Menu tab just enable Wireless Display Box. Your Roku device should appear now in the section of Cast Screen.
