topic Re: What is Roku? in Electronics

What is Roku?

disneynut57 — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:01:45 GMT

HSN has a ROKU as todays special.

I don't know what a ROKU does. Can someone explain?

My son has a Smart TV in his room but there is no cable in his room. Would this be able to be used instead of running cable through wall?

Thank you!

Re: What is Roku?

circles — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:37:43 GMT

I would be interested to know, too...thanks for starting this thread...

Re: What is Roku?

KYToby — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:48:38 GMT

So HSN has a product that you want to know more about? Why not watch the presentation on HSN or een Google it? I do not understand why rather than doing these things you would coe to a QVC shopping forum to inuire about a product that is being sold on HSN.

Re: What is Roku?

circles — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:56:25 GMT

@KYToby wrote:
So HSN has a product that you want to know more about? Why not watch the presentation on HSN or een Google it? I do not understand why rather than doing these things you would coe to a QVC shopping forum to inuire about a product that is being sold on HSN.

KYToby....can't you be kinder...we come here because the girls on here can give a clear cut answer and the pros and cons...sometimes the hosts ...because they are so knowlegable sweep over "how easy things are" and forget those of us who need a more simple approach...

Re: What is Roku?

CoastalGal — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 12:56:32 GMT

If you do not have a smart tv and you like to watch stuff that is on the internet then you will love the ROKU.

It is a streaming device. We use it primarily for NETFLIX so we can watch it on our tv.

Re: What is Roku?

ValuSkr — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 13:03:58 GMT

Roku is a player that connects to your TV; it enables content to be streamed from the internet to your TV. If you have a wireless router, you should be able to stream wirelessly.

If your son's smart TV is Wi-Fi enabled, he should be able to connect wirelessly to the internet already (i.e. without a streaming player like Roku). If he can connect but the signal isn't strong, there are ways to ways to deal with that. If his TV isn't Wi-Fi enabled, Roku might help. I haven't heard of that particular situation - connecting a Roku player to a smart TV. I'd ask the manufacturer.

Re: What is Roku?

gardenman — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 13:23:16 GMT

@ValuSkr wrote:
Roku is a player that connects to your TV; it enables content to be streamed from the internet to your TV. If you have a wireless router, you should be able to stream wirelessly.

If your son's smart TV is Wi-Fi enabled, he should be able to connect wirelessly to the internet already (i.e. without a streaming player like Roku). If he can connect but the signal isn't strong, there are ways to ways to deal with that. If his TV isn't Wi-Fi enabled, Roku might help. I haven't heard of that particular situation - connecting a Roku player to a smart TV. I'd ask the manufacturer.

Just to build on what Valu Skr said, a Roku would likely give him more viewing options. Most smart TV's have a somewhat limited menu and they're not always updated as new options become available. Set top boxes like the Roku or Fire TV are constantly being updated with more viewing options. There are literally thousands of channels for viewing on those devices.

I'm not sure what age your son is, but you should be advised that not all of those viewing options are necessarily ideal for a younger child, so looking into parental settings would be wise on any type of media player you provide him if he's a younger son.

It should also be pointed out that many of the channels available need to be subscribed to which can get pricey..Since you have a cable subscription already, chances are he can live stream Watch ESPN for live sports coverage of the ESPN channels after signing in with your cable provider and multiple other live streams of cable programming. The process can get a bit tedious, but it's doable. For cable channels you typically have to sign into your cable provider, you'll be given an access code that you then have to submit and the device will then be activated for that channel. Doing it for one or two channels isn't so bad. Around the tenth or so time you do it, it starts to become kind of tedious.

Re: What is Roku?

jackthebear — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 13:28:48 GMT

@circles wrote:
@KYToby wrote:
So HSN has a product that you want to know more about? Why not watch the presentation on HSN or een Google it? I do not understand why rather than doing these things you would coe to a QVC shopping forum to inuire about a product that is being sold on HSN.
KYToby....can't you be kinder...we come here because the girls on here can give a clear cut answer and the pros and cons...sometimes the hosts ...because they are so knowlegable sweep over "how easy things are" and forget those of us who need a more simple approach...

oh boy, as much as I don't care for KYTOby's usual responses,

I have to agree. In the time taken to post the original post, OP could googled ROKU.

Re: What is Roku?

Gram W — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:09:20 GMT

@gardenman@ValuSkr. Thank you for you information. It is appreciated. I also like to get personal reviews to add to the information I get on line.

Re: What is Roku?

Dusty1 — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:09:33 GMT

Come on people! Seriously? This is a legitimate question & there are some very kind & intelligent people on these boards that give great information. I saw a Roku at Sam's yesterday. I sort of know what it is, but not totally, so I opened this post to get some thoughts about the product. If you know about Roku &/or using them with the internet or Smart TVs it's easy to share that. If you don't know about the Roku & Smart TVs.....you know.....just shrug & move on. To me the Smart TV & Roku do basically the same thing. If you have wifi you should be able to do the same thing (maybe not as many options) with either.

Re: What is Roku?

MalteseMomma — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 17:01:54 GMT

qvc also sells Roku....

Re: What is Roku?

Venezia — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 17:50:45 GMT

@circles wrote:
@KYToby wrote:
So HSN has a product that you want to know more about? Why not watch the presentation on HSN or een Google it? I do not understand why rather than doing these things you would coe to a QVC shopping forum to inuire about a product that is being sold on HSN.
KYToby....can't you be kinder...we come here because the girls on here can give a clear cut answer and the pros and cons...sometimes the hosts ...because they are so knowlegable sweep over "how easy things are" and forget those of us who need a more simple approach...

@circles - I agree. There really was no need to make such a comment. At times in the past, I've wanted people's own experiences and opinions on a product. If someone has no helpful information to add, just skip the topic and move on. No one needs to be lectured about googling a subject.

Re: What is Roku?

disneynut57 — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 19:34:08 GMT

Thank you circles - lots of people ask HSN questions here all the time and over on the HSN board.

If I watched a demo, if I could I would have, I would have a host who is telling me I must have it. Looking for an unbiased answer.

Re: What is Roku?

disneynut57 — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 19:36:27 GMT

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful response. My son is 19.

I think he may have the option of hooking something up to XBOX One.

Re: What is Roku?

BalletBabe — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 23:21:00 GMT

I have Roku and also amazon fire stick. The one HSN is selling is expensive. I only paid 39.99 for mine. I prefer Roku to the fire stick. Roku can be purchased anywhere. I got mine at Walmart. I am sure there will be many good buys on it on Friday. I have 2 tv's that are not smart TV's . They are dumb, but now I hooked up Roku they are smart :0) Roku also has excellent customer service.

Re: What is Roku?

enw5002 — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 16:34:24 GMT

If your son has a smart TV and an Xbox one, a Roku isn't necessary. Both of his existing devices have the ability to hook up to streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and have access to other network apps (abc, nbc, HBO, showtime, etc). Some apps require a subscription fee to use, others don't.

Re: What is Roku?

Moonchilde — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 16:44:25 GMT

@KYToby wrote:
So HSN has a product that you want to know more about? Why not watch the presentation on HSN or een Google it? I do not understand why rather than doing these things you would coe to a QVC shopping forum to inuire about a product that is being sold on HSN.

Because...SOME people who read the forums are actually happy to be HELPFUL when they can. I know, that's probably a foreign concept for you.

QVC also sells Rokus - two different models.

Re: What is Roku?

chickenbutt — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 18:45:30 GMT

In case anybody looks here, who is contemplating purchasing a Roku unit for themselves or for somebody else -

I know they are running the really older models on super low prices lately but it's worth it, and none of them are that expensive at all, to purchase a unit that is at least the Roku3.

When they made the Roku3 they added a lot of stuff that isn't in any of the previous versions and there has since been the 4 and some other models. None of them cost all that much, but the later models will be much more appealing to the user.

Also, btw, one needs to have a home network to use this sort of thing. I could assume everybody knows that, but I think I would be wrong since it might be a very new type of thing for some.

That's my advice, FWIW

Re: What is Roku?

kcladyz — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:04:54 GMT

Its so annoying to be told to just google it. in that case there is no need for a forum to begin with. Maybe she wants peoples ooinions on it as well

Re: What is Roku?

goldensrbest — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 21:45:40 GMT

What can you watch with this?Is it for tv's? I keep trying to see if i can cut my comcast,and still have internet,and tv.