What is Roku? [TV | Streaming Devices | App

Roku is one of the best cord-cutters, on which you can access most of the paid streaming services and free live TV channels. It is affordable and provides the best streaming experience you can get. Wanna learn more about Roku? check out the information provided in this article.

Table of Contents

What is Roku?

Roku is a Streaming Device or TV, with Roku OS that helps you to stream media from the Internet. Manufactured by Roku Inc, Roku is a Public company that runs its business with ads, and by selling its hardware and software to companies. Roku can be easily set up on your device and connected to the Internet for accessing and watching streaming content.

What Roku Devices is Best?

Roku has been providing hardware and software products for Streaming Devices, Smart TVs, Audio, and for Smart Homes. Get to know the products in detail and learn more about your Roku device.

The Operating System (Roku OS)

Roku OS – Get the entertainment you love quickly and easily.

Roku OS is the base of all Streaming Devices of Roku. This custom Linux distribution is updated regularly to fix bugs, security updates, and additional features, and improve the interface for user experience. The Smooth Setup process, a simple home screen, and automatic updates make Roku OS devices more valuable.

Have you ever thought of Jailbreaking your Roku Devices? Learn more about Jailbreak of Roku from How to Jailbreak Roku?

Roku Streaming Players

Roku Streaming Players can be connected to your Smart TVs HDMI Ports and then to internet services to transform your Smart TV into a Roku TV. With these devices, you can access the Roku Channel Store to get your favorite apps on your device. The Roku Channel application can be used to watch live TV for free. The Streaming Players available on Roku are as follows,

Roku

Express
Express 4k+
Streaming Stick 4k
Streaming Stick 4k+
Ultra
Streambar
Streambar Pro

NOTE: Your TV must have HDMI Ports and you will need Intenet Connection to use the Roku device and its features and services. Visit roku.com/products/players to learn the product details and price.

Having large data of Cache Memory can disrupt the performance of your Roku devices. Follow How to Clear Cache on Roku TV? to clear the cache on your Roku device.

Roku TV

Smart TV companies have signed deals with Roku for the usage of Roku OS on their Smart TV models. This way there will be no need to buy Roku devices separately. The list of Smart TV Partners with Roku OS is as follows,

Let your Guest Use your Roku devices by turning on the Guest Mode on Roku. If you are unable to do so, learn the steps from How to Turn on Guest Mode on Roku TV?

Roku has its own smart tv like

Plus Series 4k | Select Series 4k | Select Series HD

The Roku TVs and Smart TVs with Roku OS come in different display sizes. You can now buy Roku TVs with the size you want and enjoy endless entertainment at home. The Roku Channel Store on these models and get access to the apps available on it.

Did the volume control on your Roku Remote Stopped Working? Get it fixed right now with the methods discussed in How to Fix Roku Remote Volume Not Working?

The Roku Channel Store

The Roku Channel Store also known as The Channel Store is a library of channels and applications that are compatible with your Roku OS devices. There are both free and subscription-based applications found on Channel Store. You can easily search for channels and applications on the Channel Store and add them to your Roku devices. You can either directly add it to your devices from its official website or The Roku Mobile app.

The categories available in Roku Channel Store can help you get the channel you want easily. The categories offered by Channel Store are as follows,

Did you know? Roku has a secret menu on it. If you have never used it, then read How to Use Roku Secret Menu? and know more about it.

Is your Roku TV screen too bright to wathc? Adjust the brightness on your Roku device by following the procedures given in How to Turn Brightness Down on Roku TV?

The Roku Channel

Watch free movies, shows, live news, kids’ TV, and more on The Roku Channel. This application can be found as default on your Roku devices and can be installed on other devices from the respective app stores. By subscribing to The Roku Channel Premium service you can get access to

Want to watch Local Channels on your Roku devices? Read How to Get Local Channels on Roku? and watch your favorite local channel live on your Roku TV.

Devices on which you can access The Roku Channel are as follows,

You can hide your favorite channel on your Roku device by simply following the instruction provided at How to Hide Channels on Roku?

The Roku Mobile App

You can control your Roku devices and Watch Free TV on The Roku Mobile app available for your Android and iOS devices. Using the app you can carry a part of Roku with you and access your Roku devices with its amazing feature such as,

Using the Roku Mobile app to control streaming devices.
Easy search using voice
Private listening through your Phone or Tablet
Get back to recent channels quickly.
Add Channels or Apps to your Roku Account.

Turn on your Roku devices without their Remote now with the information provided on How to Turn On Roku TV without Remote?

Roku Audio

The Roku devices have the best Video Quality and Audio Quality. Using Roku Audio devices can bring your the best Premium quality Audio for its users. The Roku Audio devices come in both wired and wireless modes. Here is the list of Roku Audio models you can connect with your Roku Deices to have the best Audio Experience.

Wireless Soundbar (Exclusively for Roku TV)
Wireless Speakers
Streambar
Streambar Pro
Wireless Bass
Wireless Bass Pro

Did your Roku device default have access to CC or subtitles? You can turn it off with the help of How to Turn Off CC on Roku?

Roku Smart Home

Other than Streaming and Audio Products, Roku also provides Smart Home devices. You can control these devices with your Roku Mobile app, Roku Voice, Alexa, and Google Home.

Home Monitoring
Cameras
Video Doorbells
Lights
Plugs

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How to Setup the Device?

Have you purchased your new Roku Devices? Having trouble setting up the devices? You can easily connect your Roku device to your TV, add it to WiFi and use it to watch your favorite entertainment. Follow the simple procedures given to her to set up your new Roku device.

Use HDMI Cable to connect your Roku Device or Plug your Roku Streaming Stick Directly into your TV’s HDMI Port.

Add the required power source to your Roku device
Connect your Roku Device to your Home WiFi with good internet Speed.
Turn on your Roku Device and TV.
Select the HDMI Port to which you have connected your Roku Device on your TV.
Use your Roku Account Credentials to Sign In.

You can also learn to connect your Roku streaming devices to your TV from How to Connect your Roku to TV?

To connect your Roku devices to a WiFi Netowork, refer to How to Connect Roku to WiFi?

You can now access the features of your Roku devices easily. If you have not yet created an account on Roku, Simply follow the steps provided here,

How to Create an Account?

On any of your Phone or PC Web Browsers, visit my.roku.com/signup
Provide your Email Address, First Name, Last Name, and a secure password for your Account.
Check the Box after reading the details

Complete the Captcha and press Continue.
On the Choose your PIN Preferences, select the preference you want and press Continue.
Now choose a Payment Method and follow the instructions on the screen.
Provide your Billing Address Information.

Your account is now ready to use and you can activate your Roku device with these credentials.

Did you forget your Roku PIN? You can reset it easily with the simple steps provided at How to Reset the Roku Pin?

How to Activate the Device?

Turn on your Roku Devices and the TV to which it is connected.
Make sure your Roku Device is connected to a WiFi network
Now follow the on-screen instructions
Get to the roku.com/link page on a PC or Phone web browser.
Use your Roku Account Credentials to Sign In.
Enter the Code from your TV screen and Activate it.

After Activation, your Roku device will be restarted or refreshed and takes you to its home page.

Features

You can watch free Live TV channels and On Demand shows on Roku.
The Roku Remote can be used to control your Roku device using Voice Commands.
Use can access Private Listening through supported Roku Remotes and Roku Mobile App.
It is possible to Screencast or Screen Mirror contents from other devices to your Roku TV screen easily.
Access to Premium Streaming services through Roku Channel Store.

Is your Roku device Audio Description annoying? It’s time that you turn it off on your device, Follow How to Turn Off Voice on Roku? and learn to turn off voice on Roku.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Access Roku on TVs without HDMI Port?

If you are using an older model of TV with no HDMI Ports and still want to access Roku. Then the Roku Express+ streaming device can be used. Becasue it can connect to a TV with analog audio/video connections.

How to Watch Channels / Apps Not from Roku Channel Store / Third Party Apps on Roku?

If your favorite movies, TV shows, or Sports are not available on Roku, you can easily get them from other supported devices to your Roku Device. All you have to do is connect the supported devices and your Roku device to the same WiFi Network. You can easily Enable the Screen Mirroring and AirPlay option on your Roku device. And screencast the content you need from other devices to your Roku TV screen.

Share your device’s screen with your Roku TV screen by reading How to Screen Share on Roku TV? Try Screen Mirroring on your Roku device, by following the instructions provided on How to Screen Mirror on Roku TV?