
A Roku set top box is essentially a device that connects to your TV, allowing you to stream content from the internet.
These devices are designed to be simple and easy to use, making them a great option for people who want to cut the cord and ditch traditional cable TV.
The Roku set top box is a small, sleek device that can be easily placed under your TV or mounted on the wall.
It's powered by a small power adapter and connects to your TV using an HDMI cable.
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What is a Roku Set Top Box?
A Roku set top box is essentially a device that connects to your TV and allows you to stream video content over the internet in real time. This is a key feature that sets it apart from other devices.
Roku set top boxes have been around since 2008, providing broad established support within the streaming video industry. They're also agnostic in terms of streaming services, meaning you can find just about every streaming service available on the Roku platform.
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The Roku operating system powers a number of Roku-branded streaming media devices at a variety of price points. These range from set-top boxes and small sticks that connect to the back of an existing TV, to all-in-one Roku TVs that build the Roku experience into a flat-screen LCD TV.
Here are some of the current Roku devices available:
- Roku Express: ($29.90) Cheapest option, up to HD 1080p (all the other models stream in 4K & HDR)
- Roku Premiere: ($29.90) Same as Express, but can stream in 4K & HDR
- Roku Streaming Stick+: ($46.04) Best Roku for portability; device plugs right into an HDMI port
- Roku Ultra LT: ($79.99) Extended wireless & Ethernet port, expandable channel storage
- Roku Ultra: ($93.99) Best performance & wireless, includes Ethernet port, compatible with Dolby Vision
Roku set top boxes are designed to provide a dead-simple way to access streaming video and audio content on any TV, with a huge variety of specialized “channels” that stream everything from the spiritual to the strange.
Roku Devices and Features
Roku offers three types of streaming media devices, including set-top boxes, streaming sticks, Roku TVs, and the Roku Streambar.
The Roku Express, Roku Express 4K, and Roku Ultra are examples of set-top boxes, which connect to your TV via HDMI cable. The Roku Streaming Stick and Roku Streaming Stick 4K are small streaming sticks that plug directly into your TV's HDMI input.
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Roku TVs are large-screen LCD TVs with Roku streaming built-in, available in various screen sizes from 32 inches to 85 inches. Some examples of Roku TVs include models from Hisense, Hitachi, Insignia, RCA, Sharp, TCL, and Westinghouse.
The Roku Streambar is an all-in-one home entertainment device that offers 4K and HDR streaming, as well as premium sound without needing an extra speaker.
Here are some of the current Roku devices available in the market:
- Roku Express: $29.90, up to HD 1080p
- Roku Premiere: $29.90, 4K & HDR
- Roku Streaming Stick+: $46.04, long-range wireless & Enhanced Voice remote
- Roku Ultra LT: $79.99, extended wireless & Ethernet port
- Roku Ultra: $93.99, best performance & wireless, includes Ethernet port & Bluetooth capability
- Roku TV: $190.05, TV with built-in Roku player & Simple remote
- Roku Smart Soundbar: Dolby Audio, sound modes & speech clarity, Bluetooth capability
Roku devices come with various features, including a small and portable design, easy setup and user-friendly interface, customizable home page, and the ability to stream in HD, 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and Dolby Vision.
Streaming Device Basics
A Roku streaming device is a device that enables you to stream movies, TV shows and much more over your home internet connection to your TV.
You can access streaming services such as Netflix, The Roku Channel, and Hulu through a Roku streaming device. These services can be accessed through the Roku streaming device.
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Streaming lets you watch video or listen to music “on-demand” which means whenever you want without waiting for a show to be broadcast or downloaded.
There are three types of Roku streaming devices – Roku streaming player, Roku Streaming Stick, and Roku TV.
Here are the differences between the three types of devices:
A Roku streaming device is relatively easy to set up. Simply plug in the power cord, connect to your wireless network, and activate your Roku account to start streaming.
How Roku Works
Roku devices need an internet connection to access streaming content. This is a crucial aspect of how Roku works, and it's essential to note that some devices allow for a hard-wired connection via an Ethernet cable, but Wi-Fi is also an option.
You can set up your Roku device and start using it immediately after creating a free Roku account. This account is required to access thousands of channels, including paid and local channels. The type of content available will depend on your region, and some channels may be geoblocked, meaning they can only be shown in certain countries.
To use Roku, all you need is any TV with an HDMI connection and your Roku device. You don't need a Roku TV to use Roku, making it a great option for on-the-go entertainment.
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How to Use TV Features
Roku players are packed with features that make them a great addition to any TV setup.
The Roku device is small and portable, making it easy to move around and set up.
You can customize your home page to fit your viewing preferences.
Roku devices can stream content in HD, 4K Ultra HD, HDR, and even Dolby Vision for an enhanced viewing experience.
Voice search is also available, making it easy to find what you're looking for without having to type it in.
The Roku device has a headphone jack for private listening, perfect for noisy situations or when you don't want to disturb others.
Roku devices come with WiFi connectivity, and some models even include an Ethernet port for a wired connection.
You can also use Bluetooth connectivity to pair your device with other devices.
Roku devices have local playback ability, allowing you to play content from a USB drive or other local storage.
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A remote finder is also available, making it easy to locate your remote when you can't find it.
Some Roku models come with extra accessories available separately.
With Roku, you can use voice search or control your device through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
You can also use the free Roku app for voice search and to access everything on your device.
The Roku app can double as a second remote, giving you more control over your device.
Roku's "my feed" feature allows you to follow your favorite shows and get notifications when new episodes are released.
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How It Works
To get started with Roku, you'll need to connect it to the internet. This is a requirement for accessing streaming content, so make sure you have a stable internet connection.
Roku devices can be connected to the internet using either Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable. This flexibility makes it easy to set up your Roku device, no matter where you are in your home.
Once you've connected your Roku device to the internet, you'll need to create a free Roku account. This account will give you access to thousands of channels and streaming services.
You can add both free and paid channels to your Roku account, making it easy to customize your viewing experience. To add a channel, simply find the one you want and click "Add Channel" – paid channels will prompt you for payment.
Roku devices can be connected to any TV with an HDMI connection, so you don't need a Roku TV to use Roku. This makes it a great option for upgrading your existing TV or using it on the go.
Here's a quick rundown of what you need to get started with Roku:
- A Roku device (such as the Roku Ultra or Roku Streambar)
- A TV with an HDMI connection
- An internet connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
- A free Roku account
Roku Subscriptions and Content
Roku makes it easy to manage your subscriptions, allowing you to link a payment method to your account and easily purchase a subscription via the Roku Channel Store.
You can subscribe to popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, and even cancel subscriptions and free trials with ease.
The customizable home screen on Roku makes it simple to organize your subscriptions, so you can quickly find the content you're looking for.
Subscriptions

You can link a payment method to your Roku account and easily purchase a subscription via the Roku Channel Store.
Roku makes it easy to manage your subscriptions, too. You can cancel subscriptions and free trials with just a few clicks.
The Roku Channel Store offers a wide range of streaming services to choose from, including Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Sling TV, and Netflix.
You can also subscribe to channels like ESPN or Showtime, which require paid subscriptions.
Roku's customizable home screen makes it easy to organize your subscriptions and find your favorite shows and movies.
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Available Content
You can watch live local networks like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC with Roku.
Roku offers thousands of channels, including all major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, and HBO Max.
Adding channels on Roku is a straightforward process that can be done from the Home Menu.
You can manually search through apps using the Roku remote or voice commands without closing the current app you're watching.
The majority of apps in the Roku Channel Store are free to download.
Roku Apps and Channels
These channels behave just like apps on your smartphone, and you can navigate to the one you want and press OK to launch it. If it's a channel that requires a subscription, you'll be asked to sign in or create a new account.
You can find over 350 free live TV streaming channels on the Roku Channel, including providers like ABC News Live, NowThis, Reuters, and USA Today.
Home Screen Menu
The home screen menu on your Roku device is a user-friendly grid pattern of large graphic logos, known as "channels." These channels are essentially TV-centric apps that you can use to access your favorite streaming services.
You'll see channels like Netflix, YouTube, and The Roku Channel on your home screen, each represented by a rectangle that's easy to navigate. To launch a channel, simply press the OK button on your remote.
To access a channel that requires a subscription, you'll need to sign in or create a new account. This usually involves using a second device like a smartphone or PC with a browser, but you only need to do it once.
The Home button on your remote is your ticket back to the home screen at any time, allowing you to easily switch between channels or return to the main menu.
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The Channel

The Channel is a central part of the Roku experience, offering a vast array of options for streaming content.
You can access The Channel by navigating to the Roku home screen and selecting it from the grid of available channels. The Channel itself is a free ad-supported streaming service that offers a collection of free-to-watch, ad-supported shows and movies.
The Roku Channel is also home to more than 350 free live TV streaming channels, including providers such as ABC News Live, NowThis, Reuters, and USA Today. You'll find sports networks too, including Fubo Sports Network, Outside TV, and Adventure Sports Network.
The Channel is available to watch within the Roku app for iOS and Android devices, as well as on the web. This makes it easy to take your Roku experience on the go.
Here are some of the key features of The Channel:
• Starz, Epix, and Showtime are among the premium subscription options available.
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• The Smithsonian Channel and Stingray Music are also available as optional paid subscription services.
• You can add and remove channels from your Roku account directly from the Roku app.
• The app uses your phone's mic for voice commands and keyboard for quick text entry.
• You can pair a set of wired or wireless earphones for private listening.
• Better Roku Photo Streams management allows you to cast photos and videos stored locally on your phone to your Roku device.
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Roku Guide and Tutorials
Roku Guide and Tutorials is a great place to start if you're new to Roku. To give you a better look at Roku’s features and what you can watch on your device, we’ll give a breakdown on each section.
You can expect to find detailed instructions on how to use Roku as your primary entertainment system. This includes information on how to navigate the Roku Guide.
The Roku Guide is a helpful tool that allows you to see what's available to watch on your device. Through this, you’ll see just how much is possible with Roku.
With the Instructions section, you'll find step-by-step guides on how to use various features and settings on your Roku device.
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