topic Re: Roku problem in Electronics

Roku problem

CalminHeart — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 12:43:46 GMT

My tv is a 2017 model and, surprise, it doesn't have an HDMI port. Is there and HDMI to USB port adapter that will work with Roku? Thanks!

Re: Roku problem

jackthebear — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 13:00:57 GMT

youtube

google

amazon

Re: Roku problem

ValuSkr — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 13:23:04 GMT

I would talk with someone at Best Buy, or use their online chat.

Re: Roku problem

SilleeMee — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 13:23:54 GMT

@CalminHeart

You'll need this to connect your Roku to your older TV (Amazon $13):

HDMI to RCA Converter, HDMI to AV 3RCA CVBs Composite Video Audio Converter Adapter Supports PAL/NTSC for TV Stick, Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, PC, Laptop, Xbox, HDTV

Re: Roku problem

SilleeMee — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 13:32:06 GMT

@CalminHeart

On the back of your TV there should be three plugs, like this (red/white/yellow), where that adapter gets plugged into. The Roku gets plugged into the HDMI port on the adapter.

Re: Roku problem

gardenman — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 13:32:54 GMT

@CalminHeart wrote:
My tv is a 2017 model and, surprise, it doesn't have an HDMI port. Is there and HDMI to USB port adapter that will work with Roku? Thanks!

You might want to take a closer look at the back of your HDTV. By 2017 HDMI ports were the norm. I'd be stunned if a TV from 2017 didn't have HDMI ports. By 2007, 90% of the TVs made had HDMI ports. I'm pretty sure that by 2017 that number had grown to 100%. If it has them but they're all in use, then you need an HDMI switch which will let you add additional devices to the existing ports.

Re: Roku problem

SilleeMee — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 14:44:23 GMT

@gardenman wrote:
@CalminHeart wrote:
My tv is a 2017 model and, surprise, it doesn't have an HDMI port. Is there and HDMI to USB port adapter that will work with Roku? Thanks!
You might want to take a closer look at the back of your HDTV. By 2017 HDMI ports were the norm. I'd be stunned if a TV from 2017 didn't have HDMI ports. By 2007, 90% of the TVs made had HDMI ports. I'm pretty sure that by 2017 that number had grown to 100%. If it has them but they're all in use, then you need an HDMI switch which will let you add additional devices to the existing ports.

If all of the HDMI ports hare being used then that adapter I posted about should solve the problem and it will simply add another HDMI port to the existing ones available or not.

Re: Roku problem

gardenman — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:04:26 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@gardenman wrote:
@CalminHeart wrote:
My tv is a 2017 model and, surprise, it doesn't have an HDMI port. Is there and HDMI to USB port adapter that will work with Roku? Thanks!
You might want to take a closer look at the back of your HDTV. By 2017 HDMI ports were the norm. I'd be stunned if a TV from 2017 didn't have HDMI ports. By 2007, 90% of the TVs made had HDMI ports. I'm pretty sure that by 2017 that number had grown to 100%. If it has them but they're all in use, then you need an HDMI switch which will let you add additional devices to the existing ports.

If all of the HDMI ports hare being used then that adapter I posted about should solve the problem and it will simply add another HDMI port to the existing ones available or not.

The problem is you'd lose image quality. A three-port HDMI switch costs about $10 and keeps the higher image quality you get from the HDMI format. Your way would work also, but when you switch to analog from digital you lose a bit of image quality. It's not a huge issue, but it's there. All things being equal, sticking with HDMI and a full digital signal is better. And using a switch gives you extra HDMI ports for future expansion all for around $10. That's assuming she truly has at least one HDMI port which is a pretty safe bet for a TV made in 2017. If not, then your way is the better option. I'm pretty confident a set made in 2017 has at least one HDMI port though.

Re: Roku problem

Mz iMac — Sun, 07 Mar 2021 21:20:56 GMT

@CalminHeart wrote:
My tv is a 2017 model and, surprise, it doesn't have an HDMI port.

@CalminHeart I find this hard to believe. Post a pic of the back & both sides of your T.V.

On some t.v.s (newer & older), the HDML ports are on both or one side of the t.v. instead of on the back.

Re: Roku problem

CalminHeart — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 12:48:29 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:

My brother came over to help me yesterday. I have 1 HDMI port and DirecTV is plugged into it. I have just the one HDMI and one USB port.

Re: Roku problem

gardenman — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 13:44:17 GMT

@CalminHeart wrote:
@Mz iMac wrote:

My brother came over to help me yesterday. I have 1 HDMI port and DirecTV is plugged into it. I have just the one HDMI and one USB port.

If you do a search for "HDMI switch" you'll find a number of options to multiply that one HDMI port into three or more starting at around $10. You'll simply unplug the DirecTV HDMI cable and plug it into one of the outlets on the switch and plug the Roku into one of the other outlets and then plug the switch into your TV's HDMI port. Easy-peasy and you'll have one or more spare HDMI ports should you want to add something else later. It's just like plugging two lights into an extension cord.

Re: Roku problem

SilleeMee — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 13:52:30 GMT

@gardenman

Do you mean 'splitter' not 'switch'. A switch would require changing to the appropriate devices by switching to them using a HDMI switch. In other words you wouldn't be able to use two devices at the same time if those two were plugged in to the same HDMI switch.

Re: Roku problem

gardenman — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 14:03:49 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
@gardenman
Do you mean 'splitter' not 'switch'. A switch would require changing to the appropriate devices by switching to them using a HDMI switch. In other words you wouldn't be able to use two devices at the same time if those two were plugged in to the same HDMI switch.

No. I mean an HDMI switch. How exactly would you expect someone to use both DirecTV and Roku at the same time on the same TV? You would only be using one at a time so an HDMI switch is perfect for that use. They're cheap (often under $10) and readily available. They convert one HDMI input into three or more. It's what they're made to do. You can't really use two HDMI devices on the same TV at the same time (except in weird picture-in-picture setups where each picture could use a different input) and even then each HDMI input would require a different jack. HDMI splitters are more designed to send one HDMI output to two different devices not two outputs into one device. For that, you need an HDMI switch.

Re: Roku problem

Mz iMac — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 18:53:41 GMT

@CalminHeartGardenman is correct. You need an HDMI switch. I have one for the tv in my bedroom.

I purchased mine from Amazon $8.

HDMI Switch 4K HDMI Splitter-Techole Updated Bi-Directional HDMI Switcher 1 in 2 Out or 2 in 1, HDMI Switch Splitter Supports 4K 3D HD 1080P for Xbox PS4 Fire Stick Roku HDTV(HDMI Cable NOT Include)