5 issues I want everybody knew earlier than shopping for a Roku

Within the huge world of streaming, you are definitely not brief on choices in relation to units to purchase. There’s Amazon’s Fire TV Stick lineup, the Google TV Streamer, the Apple TV 4K, Walmart’s onn 4K, Nvidia Protect, and many extra. However one of the vital standard selections is undoubtedly Roku, whether or not it is certainly one of its streaming sticks or the extra premium Roku Extremely.

Credit score is due the place credit score is due: Roku has constructed a robust lineup of reasonably priced, dependable streaming units. Its platform, Roku OS, has develop into the biggest streaming platform within the US, largely because of its ease of use and intensive content material. Between the large library of free content material on The Roku Channel and the way easy it’s to leap into streaming staples like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video, it is simple to see why Roku stays a go-to choice for many individuals.

With that in thoughts, if you happen to’re trying to bounce into the world of Roku streaming for the primary time or are involved in switching from one other platform to Roku, listed below are 5 issues I believe it’s best to know earlier than diving in.

Roku units use HDMI

Your TV can even want a USB port, if you happen to’re getting a Roku Streaming Stick

To kick issues off, it is value stating that, like just about each trendy streaming system, a Roku connects to your TV by way of its HDMI port, whether or not you are taking a look at certainly one of Roku’s streaming sticks or the Roku Extremely. HDMI has been the usual connection port on TVs because the mid-2000s, so this seemingly will not be a difficulty in any respect.

Nevertheless, if you happen to’re planning to make use of a Roku with a a lot older TV, it is value double-checking that HDMI is definitely there. If it is not, you’ll want an adapter, resembling an RCA-to-HDMI converter, to make it work.

Along with plugging into HDMI, a Roku Streaming Stick additionally wants energy. Within the field, Roku features a USB cable that allows you to energy the stick immediately out of your TV’s USB port. In case your TV does not have a USB port, you may want to make use of a USB wall adapter as a substitute. The excellent news is that virtually any USB adapter will work, since Roku Streaming Sticks do not draw a lot energy.

Should you’re trying on the Roku Extremely, it comes with each an HDMI cable and a plug for the wall within the field, so you may have every thing you want.

Be certain to decide on the Roku that’s finest for you

Roku has 4 totally different units accessible, with the most cost effective supporting 1080p streaming

Roku has constructed fairly an intensive lineup of merchandise over time, and the variations will be complicated. In complete, there are three streaming sticks: the Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Streaming Stick Plus, and Roku Streaming Stick 4K. Along with these, Roku additionally sells its premium choice, the Roku Extremely. Should you’re attempting to determine which one makes essentially the most sense for you, otherwise you’re slightly misplaced on the variations, let me break it down.

For starters, there may be the Roku Streaming Stick. That is Roku’s most reasonably priced streamer at $30, and it retains the worth low by limiting the decision to 1080p. In case you have a 4K TV, this is not the one you may need, since you will not be making the most of that larger decision. However if you happen to’re connecting it to an older 720p or 1080p TV, the fundamental Roku Streaming Stick is a stable, budget-friendly choice.

Subsequent up is the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which often goes for about $40. The massive improve right here is help for 4K and HDR, making it a significantly better match for a 4K TV and noticeably sharper image high quality.

On the prime of Roku’s streaming stick lineup is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, priced at $50. It nonetheless gives 4K HDR just like the Stick Plus, however provides extra premium options, together with Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+. It additionally has Roku’s finest Wi-Fi efficiency because of a long-range Wi-Fi receiver constructed into the USB energy cable. In case your TV is much out of your router, this will make an actual distinction in maintaining your connection steady.

Lastly, there’s the Roku Ultra, which Roku payments as its “final streaming participant.” In contrast to the sticks, it is a small field that connects to your TV with an HDMI cable. It has the quickest {hardware}, Wi-Fi 6 help, an Ethernet port, and all the identical high-end options because the Streaming Stick 4K, together with Dolby Imaginative and prescient, Dolby Atmos, and HDR10+. If you’d like the perfect streaming expertise Roku gives, the Extremely is the way in which to go, although it is also the priciest choice at round $100.

You should use your cellphone to regulate your Roku

Roku has a free iOS and Android app

Like most streaming units, each Roku participant features a distant, which Roku calls the Roku Voice Distant. You should use the directional buttons to navigate your TV as you’d with any distant, or press the microphone button to open apps like HBO Max along with your voice, with out digging by way of menus. That stated, Roku additionally offers you one other approach to management your TV: its cellular app.

The Roku App is free on each iOS and Android. Whereas it allows you to watch content material from The Roku Channel while you’re away out of your TV, it additionally doubles as a backup distant. There is a built-in distant function that shows a digital model of the Roku Voice Distant in your cellphone, letting you navigate your TV similar to you’d with the bodily distant.

I’ve discovered myself utilizing the app often to navigate my Roku Streaming Stick 4K, and, better of all, it has its personal app drawer to rapidly launch any app.

Developer

Roku

Subscription value

No

The Roku Channel has a number of free content material

Nevertheless, you may nonetheless must pay for stay TV in order for you sure channels

I might be remiss to not point out top-of-the-line perks of proudly owning a Roku: easy accessibility to The Roku Channel, Roku’s hub at no cost streaming content material. Over time, Roku has executed a formidable job increasing it. It now gives greater than 500 stay TV channels, plus 1000’s of on-demand reveals and films — all free to observe, supported by advertisements — and Roku continues so as to add new content material. This February alone, it added nine new channels. So if you happen to’re feeling subscription fatigue from juggling a number of month-to-month streaming payments, The Roku Channel can assist lighten the load.

That stated, it is essential to set expectations right here. If you wish to watch main networks like NBC, ABC, CBS, or Fox — particularly for giant sporting occasions just like the Tremendous Bowl, the Olympics, or the Stanley Cup — you may nonetheless want a paid stay TV subscription like YouTube TV or DirecTV, as The Roku Channel does not have these networks accessible at no cost. The identical goes for apps like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. You’ll be able to obtain the apps in your Roku at no cost, however you may want an lively subscription to really watch something.

You will get a free HDMI extender from Roku

An HDMI extender could make it simpler to arrange and entry your Roku

One notable distinction between Amazon’s Hearth TV Sticks and Roku’s Streaming Sticks comes all the way down to what’s included within the field. It will not matter to everybody, however Amazon bundles an HDMI extender with all of its Hearth TV Sticks. That is useful in case your TV’s HDMI port is difficult to achieve or squeezed too near different ports. The extender creates slightly respiratory room between the TV and the streaming stick, making setup a lot simpler.

Roku, alternatively, does not embody an HDMI extender within the field with its streaming sticks. The excellent news? It can send you one for free if you happen to want it. Most trendy TVs will not have a difficulty, however if you happen to’re struggling to plug your Roku in correctly, you may request a free HDMI extender immediately from Roku. Simply fill out a brief kind on Roku’s website, present your system’s serial quantity and your mailing deal with, and Roku will ship one out freed from cost.