How to Choose a Roku Player, Roku Overview & Roku Ultra Review!
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
- Buy it on Amazon - lon.tv/9lyje (affiliate link) - Roku is a no frills media player that is still the market leader for streaming boxes. In this video we'll take a look at the current product line and dive into their new high end Roku Ultra box. See more set top boxes: lon.tv/settopbox and subscribe! lon.tv/s
VIDEO INDEX:
0:00 - Intro
01:00 - Roku product line Overview
01:10 - Roku Express
01:46 - Roku Express+
02:18 - Roku Premiere
02:57 - Roku Streaming Stick+
03:41 - Roku Ultra
05:21 - Personal Shortcut Buttons
06:10 - USB port and MicroSD Card Slot
07:24 - No Dolby Vision
08:03 - Retailer Exclusives : Best Buy and Walmart
08:16 - Walmart Express+
08:24 - Best Buy Streaming Stick+ Headphone Edition
08:34 - Walmart Ultra LT
09:01 - Roku Smart Soundbar
09:14 - Roku Televisions
09:37 - Using a Roku - Channel / App Offerings
10:59 - Apple TV on Roku
11:23 - Universal Search
12:20 - Finding free content
13:13 - No Games or Apps
13:28 - Conclusion
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I bought my first Roku box in 2015 when I learned that I could watch my Spectrum cable service on it without renting their box. Their box went back to them faster than s*** through a goose. I'm very happy with my present 3 Roku boxes. Thanks for the updates on the Roku line, Lon.
Yea I bought a TLC tv was my first experience with Roku. Love it mainly because it has everything I use even spectrum tv app.
I have a shield tv as well. But hardly use it manly because it can’t use a spectrum tv app.
@@me81372 yeah outside of connecting a full blown PC to your TV, Roku always seems to have the most Channels(apps) for their players with the best support at the lowest cost of entry, so it's a no brainer on why they have taken over the North American streaming market.
@@michelbasilieres5620 I guess we are lucky here in the US with all the options, and far as Mexico goes I was reading earlier this year about their equivalent of the US Supreme Court at one point issuing a ban on Roku devices because someone could install a private channel outside of the control of Roku that could pirate content, and also the fact they were taking bribes from the cable companies there, and as we know Roku cuts into those profits big time, but Roku is continuing to fight, and has resumed sales of the players from my understanding.
Fantastic job of explaining Roku device and streaming. Great for older people who are not so tech savvy. Excellent and concise without all the BS!
Very well done video!
4 Rokus here. different makes and models, all working great :)
I'm so definitely buying a Roku whenever I get a Chance and I can't Wait
Yeah, I've held off getting a Roku the last few years when I "needed" a device cause of lack of DV support. Was hoping to learn something new today, but good rundown for those that are looking for it. I'm now more tempted to get the new Fire TV Cube with DV then anything else.
Roku ultra from 2 years so still kicking ass
Hi there, it was very useful and interesting tutorial video. Thnx. Keep it up
Glad to see you are reviewing the soundbar, was interested in it as a Christmas gift for someone. More of a firestick person myself, the 4K Fire Stick is pretty impressive.
The soundbar looks like a Roku Premier shoved into a Soundbar. I was very surprised that they didn't add Ethernet to the soundbar with all the room that is available.
@@realtravisblaine Yeah, seems like you should have ethernet usb and the works I'm such a large form factor. Frankly, it needs to have hdmi passthrough at the very least.
Still running my Roku 3. Works just as good as the day I bought it (2013?) They make some great products.
It is a great player. I tried to replace it with the Roku Express but found out that there wasn't any performance improvement and had inferior WiFi, so I returned it.
Yep on my main 50in 1080p Samsung HDTV I'm still running a 2016 Roku HDMI stick, but the 27in Panasonic CRT sitting in the corner next to it for all my retro gaming is running an a Roku Express + via Composite, my 2 other TV's in my Den, and bedroom, and one TV at my work all run regular Roku Express, all with very few issues other then Express + not having as good of WiFi causing me to get a WiFi extender off eBay to solve the issue.
Dollar General is now selling the new ROKU Express box for $20(that was the price on the shelf at my local store), and that's a fantastic deal for a 1080p streaming player.
@@CommodoreFan64 Try hooking up an HDHomeRun and then using the HDHomeRUn app with the Express+ and you'll see the issue. Not related to WiFi either. Will work perfect on the Roku 3.
@@realtravisblaine I have zero need to spend any money on an HDHomeRun, so all my Roku's do what I need them to do fine with my current setups.
Buy a tcl roku 32 or 44 inch of get a roku ultra 2020 100$ tcl roku 160 44 inch 240
I bought the 4 k one when it first came out and I also have a roku tv by tcl and love it. The roku remote controls the television and I dropped my cable company and went with Hulu and use my roku tv with the Hulu app. Love it. Even my parents can use it.
I bought my first Roku premier today to power the TV in my game room for spectrum because I didn’t want to spend $200 on yet another Apple TV and all my other TVs are fire TVs so far I will like it and I’m probably going to buy more of them great video
The industry really needs to consolidate these HDR standards.
I fully agree on that one, it's even more stupid than the HD-DVD vs. Blu-Ray fight from a few years back. Companies should just pick the best open standards, and stick with them.
I love that the remote for the ultra now has an internal rechargeable battery.
Thanks Lon. 🖖🏻
Right now have 8 Roku systems in the house. They all are wonderful. We even have one hooked up to an old Apple ][ crt monitor. Works well even on that.
Green screen, or Color? I honestly would love to see a picture of that either way, as it sound awesome.
Also to be honest back in the day I used a Magnavox RGB monitor for use on a C128, Apple II IE, NES, Sega Genesis/32X, and VCR(as a cable tuner), all hooked up through a radio shack switch box, and color reproduction on that 13in monitor was just awesome!
Roku had a great sale on the Ultra last Black Friday... I like the idea of having configurable buttons on the new Ultra. I'm wondering if Roku will put the 2019 Ultra on sale this Black Friday, like they did on the 2018 version, a sale I did not take advantage of.
Great content, many thanks, 👍👌❤🇨🇦
When i had Comcast, I was using the Express Plus with no trouble. When i switched to Fios gigabit the Express would have random disconnects on some channels. I tried the Stick and it's WiFi is much better for the faster speed internet.
I'm curious on Fios are you using their modem with built in WiFi? if so that could be an issue, as I know the Gateway combo Atlantic BroadBand gave me at my work that's a copper cable modem/dual band N WiFi Router/IP Phone box always had issues with random disconnects to the Roku Express we have on our main TV there for my senior clients, I disabled the WiFi totally, brought my spare D-Link N 300Mbps dual band router from home, and everything since has been all good, except when Atlantic BroadBand goes down fully.
Been playing with my basic roku stick (composite out model) and a mdlna server running on my raspberry pi 4. Overall been happy with each software revision. If the .nfo file (like kodi uses) is present the roku will display TV episode plot info. Won't display movie info though so one can hope for more features to come. That unlike the chromecast I can pick 720p out which on my TV looks better than downscaling the 1080p Chromecast forces if the TV says it can take it. Only "gripe" would be with music you can't browse...if you do the current song stops.
You mentioned there aren’t any games but the last I checked there were a TON of them available. Roku is also the only streaming box that offers Xfinity Stream Beta app for watching cable TV without the need to rent an Xfinity HD cable box.
Great breakdown of Roku options. I wish Roku still made a box with toslink. I have a setup that needs that and I ended up having to build a raspberry pi with a hifiberry toslink board to get optical digital out for Plex. Toslink is long gone with the exception of the Xbox One.
My Streambar has one. Sadly it does not have RCA, or a headphone jack. So to get volume on my PC...Xbox one TV in, toslink out. The Bluetooth is awful for a streaming device.
Just wondering if roku will release a new streaming stick this year
I was hoping you would make a stink why HDHomerun prime with DVR didn't work on Roku. IMO, this would make the Roku Ultra priceless!
Hey Lon Roku Express+ no longer supports CRT TV's. The new one that was just released is also only HDMI as the Standard Roku Express
There is now an Apple TV app on roku that you can now steam all of your Apple iTunes movie and Tv show purchases on! :)
Hey you said in another video you would thest the roku streambar pro, but i cant find this video on you channel.
Roku & other mainstream boxes vs low performance Kodi/hacked fire Tv, what am I missing? That would be a good video.
Great video. A few weeks ago Comcast moved the TCM channel to another package that cost $10/month. That tipped the boat and I decided to 'cut the cord'. I had a Firestick (with voice) and it was clunky to navigate and a little slow. I purchased an Ultra and it was worth the extra money. With ethernet it's snappy and easy to navigate. I wish I could reprogram some of the 'pre-loaded' buttons (ESPN, Sling, etc). If anyone knows how to do it, shout it out.
TCM is included in that new HBO Max service ($15 per month).
You can't unless you found some way to hack the firmware of the remote itself. It's one of the ways Roku makes it's money by being paid to promote specific streaming apps, I have remotes from old Roku boxes that still work on the express as spares(kids love to walk off with them, and hide them lol), and they have M-GO, and Blockbuster buttons on them that when clicked will say this channel is no longer available.
It's not a perfect solution, but if you set up the Roku app on your phone or tablet, you can launch directly into a channel with 1 tap in the app.
@@AAWinnerMichaelCaine Yeah that's a solution, plus if you ever need to type in a password(outside of setting up your WiFi connection), or do a search that's not via voice, then having the built in touch screen keyboard on your phone is much easier then using the navigation cluster on a Roku remote.
@@AAWinnerMichaelCaine I agree. I got rid of cable when I had to pay for the higher package to get Tcm my favorite channel.
I'm not tech savvy, but here's my question ... do I need to buy a Roku ULTRA if I already uploaded a Roku App into my smart tv (samsung)? What is the difference of using the Ultra VS running the app that I am using with my smart tv? Thanks for making me understand :)
Can the Roku Ultra be attached to a receiver like a NR-TX757?
Any chance you could identify a few speaker systems that would allow me to have sound when i use the hdhomerun app on a roku. I get a great picture but no sound. Is there an inexpensive fix? I dont see hfhomerun fixing the issue.
Is there anyway I can plug a USB drive into Roku and play gapless music.
Do you think we can read that image with the three listed units next to each other? Way too tiny.
I've installed at least 50 of these for family, friends and customers. If you do need better Wi-Fi reception I must say that the mobile units have been nowhere near as good as the ultra including the new one that has the additional antenna. I've had to return a few of them and get ultras for them because the USB version just didn't have enough of a signal.
True that, I had to upgrade my router to ASUS dualband with Antennas I can could remove, and get longer ones, along with a WiFi extender in the back Game/Family room to solve the issues with my Express + on my 27in Panasonic CRT I use for retro gaming, and as a 2nd display for various sports like college football Saturdays, and wrestling events.
I've bought one for most of my family. I have two now that are doing nothing.
Do i need 4k to use this roku
Any connection with a Google home hub?
Unfortunately the Roku Ultra is not available in the UK
Lon reminds me of Mr. Rogers... Welcome to the channel. Won't you be my Neighbor by subscribing and pressing the like button? lol
That's definitely a compliment!
Will the universal search feature search within PLEX along with the other services?
I don't believe it searches inside of Plex I'll have to look into that.
It will not search Plex content, but if that is something that you want caavo will search Plex. Caavo is a remote replacement/HDMI switch.
I have to go check my roku see if they updated to include the Apple TV channel, thanks for the reminder.
Edit: Nope. Either not yet, or never.
Can you stream from local network, NAS?
Yes but it's not as good as an Android box will be for that. No lossless support, etc.
Lon, there are simple games offered on Roku..... not to the level of a Shield, but they are there
Yep, and the best one I found was the official version of Tetris, but with the average Roku remote, it's kind of awkward to play.
I understand that the Roku ultra will stream better
than the Roku TV. I have low bandwidth like 3.5 and a non-smart TV 1080p and it
works fine. My Question is. When I am able to get better Ethernet I would like
to get a better TV but I don’t see any non-smart TVs. Can you connect an ultra
to a Roku TV?
I’m trying to find a streaming device Roku that has a Optical 5.1 output.
I need to connect the device to my tv via HDMI but i need to connect a opt wire from the Roku device to my audio surround receiver!
I literally have t found anyone with this info and it’s driving me more nuts than figuring out a device gat comes with shudder!
Thanks i really need help before buying the device!
Unfortunately none of the Rokus have an optical output any longer… you’ll need an HDMI to optical audio extractor like this: amzn.to/3D0Kzyb
Still no DishAnywhere? Unless I can download an app from Google Play I am not interested. I pay for DISH and need to be able to get the service when I travel on any TV. Nvidia Shield allows me to add my own apps.
I’m good Friday I purchased a TCL/Roku 32” TV The four digit activation code did not work instructing me to call technical support. When I called technical support they told me I’d have to pay a one time lifetime cost of $99.99 to activate the television I only paid $129.00 for TV! This is a new policy that started November 2019. What’s up with this? I haven’t been able to get a good answer from Roku just that it’s a new pricing policy. I have three otherTCL/Roku TV’s they were all activated at no cost using the four digit code on the television.
This is a scam! czcams.com/video/MpmXQH78h1M/video.html
If you need to hook up to a TV without HDMI then you better grab the 2018 Express+ now. They are quickly becoming Unicorns. I couldn't find any locally at WalMart -- you need to order it through WalMart on Roku online. The 2019 Express+ lost the RCA connections in favor of a remote you can talk to 🙄
As far as the Express goes, it is about as powerful as a Roku 3 from 2013, so I would avoid it and get the Stick+ or the Ultra. In some cases it is worse than the Roku 3 from 2013. For example the Express+ can't handle 4:3 stations on an HDHomeRun using the HDHomeRun app -- it does something weird where is zooms and stretches the screen. I tried 2 different units, so it isn't a hardware issue. With the HD channels and a strong WiFi signal I still had pixellation with the HDHomeRun. This isn't an issue on my Roku 3 from 2013. I also saw the same issue when playing back 4:3 full DVD rips of the HDHomeRun channels via's Roku's own Media Player. Although the Express+ claims it can handle MPEG2 directly -- it can't. Even Roku support gave up on helping me try to fix it.
i HAVE HAD THE BASIC ROKU FOR 8 YEARS BUT MY SON GOT ME THE ULTRA VERSION FOR CHRISTMAS. THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING IS THAT YOU CAN'T SHUT OFF THE CLOSED CAPTIONS ON THE AMAZON PRIME APP.
Press down button during playing. Press right to highlight CC icon. Press OK.
I'm trying to get a Roku for a 1440p monitor (Acer H257HU) as a gift for someone. Any idea whether it will work, and if it does what is the best for it?
I don't think they output anything other than 720p, 1080p, and 4K (the Express+ will do standard def too). They should work on a 1440p screen, but I wouldn't expect 1440p output.
@@AAWinnerMichaelCaine You can get the Express plus over composite to go down as low as 480i 4:3, as I have one hooked to a 27in Panasonic CRT I also use for retro gaming in my game/family room I use when multiple college football games are on, or there is more than one Wrestling program on I want to see, and I the main TV has a 2016 Roku HDMI stick, and the setup works great over 5.1 surround sound, just never have 2 express units in the same room, as one remote will control both lol!.
Who uses the TV for sound?
Prob people that cant afford a soundbar 🙄
Hello Thanks for letting us know what and how to use our Roku. I bought a $100.00 Roku Ultra Now I can't
Stream . Could I ask why? Google or Someone is saying $7.00 per mth. I cannot afford it.
Roku please fix your device please? Thank you.
Pretty cool but probably not for me since I have apple devices and might get the apple tv 4 instead.
The AppleTV 4 is a nice set top box. It would be nice if they were a little more price competitive though. The interface and control is quite nice.
Also, if you are a Plex user, they now have local playback, but it's imperfect.
Apple TV is available as a Roku channel.
We have one but it seems to be a pain to stream local content.
The Roku (even the Ultra) will choke if you are trying to direct stream a 4K Blu-ray rip as the Ethernet is only 100Mbps and parts of 4K films can exceed that.
Same here. I am 100 miles south of Atlanta. I cannot stream Atlanta GA locals and cannot stream our own locals on the Apple TV. Why buy it if none of our locals are supported.
@@incog99skd11 Have you tried CZcams TV? It pulls in local channels based on IP address.
Otherwise, search the Roku channel store for the closest big news station. That's what I did to at least get local news for free.
@@realtravisblaine (PROBABLY HE MEANS LOCAL CHANNELS RATHER THAN RIPS)
NEW: Information ℹ️
APPLE Music Is Now Currently Available On Most Roku Streaming
Devices.
CBS ALL ACCESS:
Is Now Paramount+.
My house Roku list
Kitchen Roku Express
Master bedroom 55" Roku tv
Living room Roku ultra
Office Roku stick 4k
Garage Roku 3
Daughter room Roku Tv
Theater room Roku ultra
Work well for us, easy to use, constant update.
So you aren't using the "Bathroom" option that is available to pick when you first setup your Roku and it asks you the room it is in.? 😁
@@realtravisblaine lol , been using Roku since 2013, as house grew. We just stuck with it, it just work.
Nice to have the same UI on every TV.
The Ultra is your best bet! the sticks and the expresses will fail!
sooner then later! One, the onboard wifi will within a year or less will
go out on them! I think it is heat related due to such small area.
Also, the ultra has memory, which over time you will need, due to the
fact those at Roku load their streaming devices down with so much crap
ware that they become so slow, they are useless, so you will have to buy
the newer models. Roku's 1 and 2 models are prime example of this. It
takes forever to load the apps, and when you do get them loaded and
start to watch a movie, say on MoviesAnywhere, once you get the movie
started it plays fine, but minutes later the movie starts to buffer! and
either will not start again or you wait forever for it to do so, and
this is with only 4 apps, I deleted all my apps except for 4 to see if
it would speed it up, and results was a big NO! Why is this? Because
like I said, those at Roku load the streaming boxes down with so much
crap-ware, that it eats up the memory, they did this on purpose, to make
the older streaming devices unusable, that way you will have to buy a
new/er box/stick to play your apps. This is a way to screw us the
costumers, out of our money, and put the same said money in their
pockets! They are crooks! But I am not here to tell you how to spend
your money, just giving You a heads up! The choice is yours! Regards!
I just wish they weren't filled with advertising. I get they need to make money, but it's annoying.
Edit: I am referring to their menu ads and am not referring to the ads within the free content.
Very good, Going to switch my service have ATT U-verce fiber , Have TV, Phone, Internet combination, TV NOW cost $160 mouth, I want to drop the TV and keep Internet and phone sevice.
The Roku I will get
.
.
.
.
The Nvidia shield
@@cryengine_x Yep, and if you are going that far over a Roku, then you might as well build something like an AMD APU system you can upgrade over time, with good Linux distro like Manjaro Linux(your DE of choice, I like Budgie myself), then install STEAM, and Kodi on it, so you know it's not gonna stop being supported till you say it's no longer useful to you, and you upgrade to something else.
Who the hell still has a CRT television?!
I have 2 a 27in Panasonic CRT with component inputs from the early 00's, and a 20in JVC I'Art CRT with Component inputs from the mid 00's. The Panasonic is in use in my game room for my retro consoles(also hooked to my 5.1 surround sound), and has a Roku Express + attached to it for when I want to watch say a 2nd football game, or Wrestling program, while the JVC is my backup in climate controlled storage.
If you are a retro gamer, and one who likes light gun games, you will come to find out a flat screen LCD, or newer won't work, and at this point without some expensive hacks that are not true solutions only a curved glass CRT will work with these types of games, so I will be keeping these 2 units with lots of love, and TLC till they stop working, and I can no longer repair them without having to get specialized equipment to do as such.
@@CommodoreFan64 congratulations
@@Andrew-ry7iw Don't ask a question on an open forum, if you don't want someone to eventually answer. 🤦
I am nowhere tech. I have comcast that is 200 a month. I don't need the crap they run. But I checked my roku and found news and many of the shows I do watch. I'm dropping comcast but they and Verizon want me to bundle a landline in. And there you have it I'm back to 80 bucks without equipment rental and taxes. Why can't I somehow connect to my unlimited data Verizon cell phone. Ok great video, I'm going ultra then hope for service.thanks
Games ? Retro Games ? Emulators ?
Nope not on Roku. They attempted gaming a little while back but it's strictly a streaming device.
@@LonSeidman Yes. Exactly.. One of the major drawbacks on ROKU. But if streaming is only wish, they are super. Enjoy your shows... Super stuff...
Buy a used Wii for cheap, update to the last firmware, do the letterbomb hack, and install the homebrew channel on it. Next to a Raspberry Pi it's about the cheapest, and easiest emulation station to setup these days. Just make sure to get a model with GameCube support so you can use GameCube controllers if you want.
@@LonSeidman AND THE TETRIS GAME ON YOUR ROKU??? :)
How did tv turn into a rich man's past time? I refuse to pay for tv. Internet yes I will pay for that. But tv... no way. And I haven't watched tv in 15 years. Looks like I haven't missed anything.
Okay so a $30(low as $17 when on sale at Walmart) Roku Express, you are already paying for internet so no added cost there, and all the FREE Channels with FREE!! content, and then a simple $10 OTA TV antenna hooked to your TV for FREE!!! content is a rich man's past time??
Please give me a break with that BS!!! You only pay what you want to pay, as there is again so much FREE content on Roku, along with OTA, it's crazy, and yes it's legal content, and some fairly decent content at that. All you need to do is put up with some ads from time to time.
no games...tetris shown!!!(lol)
I have an old Roku player. Hulu was the first channel to stop being able to be played on my old model. Yesterday I was watching Prime and got an on screen notification that my Roku no longer supports Prime. I paid for the subscription to Amazon Prime and now I can't watch it. I can't get anyone to tell me what model Roku will support Prime since there is no live customer service anywhere to be found on Amazon or Roku. Retailers are even cutting off their outside lights at night to save money I suppose, but it is horrible when you can't see to park or even where you are walking. The communists are doing a good job of destroying America from the inside out.
I just can't enjoy the Roku devices or their GUI. Great video though as always.
Free! Clearance and Kohl's cash. 2020 is fine for me.