[mix4fix]

Anybody use Roku, especially from an external devices?

Thoughts?

[nlitworld]

Yeah it's decent for getting the apps you want on a non-smart TV. Outside of a large amount of some more obscure apps it doesn't add a bunch of extra value to a regular smart TV. There are some good things in there though and a very simple user interface.

It was better a while back when they had their unpublished channels. It was like pirate radio in anyone could post up whatever. There were tons of good b-movie channels hosted and those were always entertaining. FCC cracked down on that but there are still some that pop up here and there.

[Letitroll98]

I have a Roku for the bedroom TV, an older smart TV that won't update the apps.  I don't use it a lot, but the interface is fine,  it wouldn't work for my main rig as it won't control a receiver like my Flex from Xfinity does.  Perhaps the upper level Roku units do, I haven't checked.

[js1955]

Till I gave away the TV, I used a Roku Streaming Stick on a really old "non-smart"  TV.  Worked great.

https://www.roku.com/products/roku-streaming-stick-4k

Last year I bought a Vizio smart TV for the bedroom.  I hate the Vizio interface / operating system so I added a Roku Streambar.     Needed a soundbar anyways -- dialog impossible to hear on modern crap TV speakers -- so I got this combo streamer / soundbar:

https://www.amazon.com/Roku-Streambar-Streaming-Premium-Soundbar/dp/B08K3GLDYL/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rmZdXMv0XbzddtpYMhjanHgRWIALlHSTRefYo_YtWAqmQwgcfgBsv4Qt7UVbZiICEcX4ZXXa4RRU3_HBPGbgcT79a1WZ9olLB9L0TaL2RHKCXBeag65LzqhYzu4pWim9r-UgrzuSDfuje3W3P7oZi2XScko5H4C38G90LfGL8X3IKi9VqhVl4sTV1G6iUncmwOieJk3YBkkEHNv98JDOYSsIY010X3f0ddZozVpyAoc.XC0lEmBPzGWZjTofh2NPutTFNMjjfO4AwdtcR6-zxmo&dib_tag=se&hvadid=557351939982&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9010122&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2219803425300449624&hvtargid=kwd-1233046464633&hydadcr=17954_13446725&keywords=roku+streambar+pro&qid=1732276742&sr=8-4

They offer a cheaper version:

https://www.amazon.com/Roku-Streambar-Soundbar-Streaming-Speakers/dp/B0CTBF4MKS/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rmZdXMv0XbzddtpYMhjanHgRWIALlHSTRefYo_YtWAqmQwgcfgBsv4Qt7UVbZiICEcX4ZXXa4RRU3_HBPGbgcT79a1WZ9olLB9L0TaL2RHKCXBeag65LzqhYzu4pWim9r-UgrzuSDfuje3W3P7oZi2XScko5H4C38G90LfGL8X3IKi9VqhVl4sTV1G6iUncmwOieJk3YBkkEHNv98JDOYSsIY010X3f0ddZozVpyAoc.XC0lEmBPzGWZjTofh2NPutTFNMjjfO4AwdtcR6-zxmo&dib_tag=se&hvadid=557351939982&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9010122&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2219803425300449624&hvtargid=kwd-1233046464633&hydadcr=17954_13446725&keywords=roku%2Bstreambar%2Bpro&qid=1732276742&sr=8-3&th=1

Love the simple Roku system -- I also have 2 large TCL (Roku o/s) TVs.   I'm happy with all.

[mix4fix]

How much is the service? Any free service?

[nlitworld]

Individual apps cost $ (Netflix, Hulu, etc), but overall no charges. Quite a few decent free apps on there. Overall I would still vote a Samsung tv as their internet tv options seem better but that's only if you're shopping new tv also.

[js1955]

How much is the service? Any free service?

Many many free apps / channels on Roku TV.  Just google on "free apps on roku tv"  and read all about it.

[mix4fix]

Went to Walmart and Best Buy to look at Roku devices. Best Buy had Roku branded TVs.

Who makes Roku TVs?

[js1955]

IIRC, Roku branded TVs started appearing on the market in 2023 in response to some TV brands shifting from the Roku O/S to Google.   I don't know who makes them. 

You don't need to buy Roku branded TVs to get the Roku operating system.  It's included in several TV brands:  TCL, Hisense, Onn, Pioneer, Sharp, RCA.

I own two TCL TVs (55 and 65 inch) with Roku OS.  Happy with both.

[mix4fix]

I was just curious about Roku branded TVs. I typically do not buy cheap brand TVs. I bought Sharp and Samsung would be my next one. But, I was curious if Roku TVs were at least decent.

I have been scouting out Roku boxes to buy this holiday. A cheap one and a better one.

[Early B.]

I use the Roku Streambar Pro which has the 4K streaming built in. I bought it 2 years ago and it works great. Never had an issue. Much better sound quality than a typical TV. 

[artur9]

I had a Hisense Roku TV for a while.  It rated pretty highly in the non-Roku variant over on rtings.com.
I suspect Hisense may be one of the "secret" manufacturers for the Roku-branded TVs.

OTOH, its remote sensor required a contortionist to aim the remote beam with any chance to hit it....

[mix4fix]

Ended up buying three Express 4K+s.

One for my mom, one for me (for home), and another for me (as a spare).

[mix4fix]

Are the Roku remotes universal?

[Doublej]

Are the Roku remotes universal?

Mine is not but I can program it to turn on my TV when I hit the Roku remote power button. My Fire TV Stick turns on my TV and AVR when I hit the power button on its remote.

[rif]

I live my roku ultra, its much better than the LG's (65" c3 oled) interface.

One HUGE thing roku does, when you search for a show or movie, it tells you all the steaming apps it is available on.  And when you add a show to your roku watchlist, it doesn't matter which streaming service it's on.

Can't really go wrong for $80.

 

[mix4fix]

Mine is not but I can program it to turn on my TV when I hit the Roku remote power button. My Fire TV Stick turns on my TV and AVR when I hit the power button on its remote.

My bad. Let me rephrase the question.

If I took my Roku remote control, could operate your Roku box?

[artur9]

You have to pair them and there have been changes to the remote over the years.  Up shot, in a very general sense, yes.