What is a Roku TV? I hope I can ask this here

[wryter2000]

I need a new TV, and I'm thinking about getting Roku, anyway. What's a Roku TV? Does it come with Roku included? Or does it have the hardware for Roku, but I'd still have to pay for a subscription?

In general, I'd love some information on how to get Roku, what it costs, etc. even if I didn't have to get a new TV.

Thanks.

Love this group, btw. I get all kinds of great recommendations.

[yellowdogintexas]

1. Roku is a streaming device. We have an old one

which we use to pull in Netflix, Prime, Hulu etc
There is no ROKU subscription; buy the device and go.

Now with a ROKU tv, I believe that means your TV comes with the ROKU capability without an external device. Same with Amazon Firestick

When ever our 'dumb' TV runs out, we will probably get one that has ROKU built in.

Our ROKU cost about $40 I think and you can get one at many places. There are a number of styles. All you need to do is link it to your wireless and you are good to go. Ours just connects to the TV.
Once you get it linked to your wireless, you can add the channels you plan to use. Easy Peasy. ROKU has a number of free channels (like Free Speech TV ); we mostly watch Hulu, Prime/freevee, Netflix, Peacock and Acorn which our subscriptions. We cut our cable 4 years ago.

[wryter2000]

2. If it comes with Roku capability

and there's no subscription fee, does that mean I get Roku for free?

I gather from what you say, to get Roku on a dumb TV, you just have to buy something like a box. So, if I buy a Roku TV, I already get the "box" with the TV? Sounds like a good deal.

[bullimiami]

3. Yes a roku tv has Roku built in. It also has tons of other streaming apps as well as tv tuner

and hdmi in like any other tv.
The fire tv is similar but has the fire app built in.

I have roku tvs and use Hulu Netflix YouTube Amazon etc.

[intrepidity]

5. What is special about the roku, though?

Is it that you can "record" programs, ie, hard disk space? For viewing offline?

Because any TV with an internet connection can stream those services, right?

[pamdb]

4. Roku

Ok I may not have this completely right but here goes. We got a Roku last year. You have to have a smart TV. Which we
did have. I think it was a 2003.

Then, a couple of months later we were at Best Buy (my husband was getting a new laptop) and I was wandering around
and spotted a Samsung 52 (or 54 I don't remember) inch new smart tv which has all the different streaming devices on the
tv so you don't have to use a Roku. It was on sale and our 33 inch Samsung was old and I had noticed we were starting to sort of lose sound, we had to have it turned up loud. So, long story short we bought it and gave our old tv to the son of a friend.You do have
separate controls -which I wish were bigger-but didn't need the Roku. Gave it my niece. You can also get an Amazon
fire stick although I don't really know anything about that.

From what I remember in the brief time we had it, basic Roku was free but I think if you want something "special" then
there is a subscription. We never bothered so I don't know what was included. I suppose if you Google Roku subscriptions you
could see.

.

Hope this helps.

[yellowdogintexas]

8. ROKU does have its own 'channel' and offers a number

of no extra cost programming. You can also subscribe to that channel if you like but you don't have to.

One of Roku's coolest features is its search function. You can put in any title, and it will show you where/how you can watch it. If it is not on any of your streaming svcs you can indicate you want an alert when it's accessible.

"Smart" TV is not a requirement. Our Emerson flatscreen is most definitely not smart. It has no internet capability of its own, everything streams in through the ROKU device. (our ROKU is about 3 inches square and sits on top of our DVD player)

We have an antenna in the attic for the local TV just like the old days.

We have a smaller flatscreen in another room and for fun we put a Firestick on it. I much prefer the Roku because the remote is easier to work with.

[claudette]

13. I like the microphone

feature where you can ask for ANYTHING

[OAITW r.2.0]

9. Most new TVs have the streaming apps built in.

Roku was a device that could be plugged into TVs that had input capabilities to access the apps on a module that plugged into HDMI port. I think the Roku device interfaced with your home WIFI to stream the various apps via the internet.

Smart TV's have it built in, so I don't think you need a separate device/ My Vizio has all of the major streaming apps built in.

[AndyS]

6. What Yellowdog said.

Roku is a streaming device that connects to the internet via your wifi. Buy it once and done, not monthly charges for the Roku. It offers a very simple method of signing up for subscription channels (HBO etc). It comes preloaded with several free services funded through advertising. Once you register a credit card it is a one stop for any streaming service, just click on the icon and approve the transaction then set up your account.

A Roku TV is a 'smart tv' that has the roku device built in--one remote control for all your streaming and TV control. You can still add an antenna for local broadcasts or other devices just like your dumb TV.

Smart TVs can connect to the Internet but surfing is painful and slow, it's not a reason to buy a smart TV.

[cilla4progress]

7. So I have a Vizio Smart tv about

6 years old. On the remote it says Netflix, Hulu, Prime. I can also access the TV from Vizio phone app.

I pay to subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, Prime. I could also HBO etc. If desired.

Sounds like it's the same as Roku?

[wryter2000]

10. Similar, I think

Based on what people have said here, you can get TV's with services built in to them. This one is for Roku.

[wryter2000]

11. So, I found a good deal on Best Buy

A Westinghouse 32" Smart Roku TV for $109. Well reviewed. The one on Amazon was $179.

I need a small TV because I live in a tiny studio apartment. Anything larger would obscure much of the main window to the apartment.

I was thinking of Roku, anyway, and my old TV is developing picture problems.

Thanks so much for the help. I may be back with more questions after the TV arrives.

[Doc Sportello]

16. You do know you're going to have to subscribe to a live tv service

Like Hulu live or Youtubetv in order to watch regular channels like ESPN or MSNBC. Buying a smart tv means you don't have to buy a separate device like Roku in order to stream. However, I bought a Roku soundbar to stream becasue it has a much bigger speaker than what you will find in a slim tv.

[wryter2000]

17. I have Xfinity for regular TV

I assume that will continue to work. Thanks

[Doc Sportello]

19. I think you may need Xfinity X1

I'm not familiar with that service but from what I read X1 is a subscription service for watching live tv. But maybe you already have that and it will work. Good luck with it.

[claudette]

12. Roku is free on

ANY smart TV. I have a Samsung TV and a Roku stick. I LOVE it. All the stations I downloaded are free and there is nothing that I miss about paying a bazillion dollars for cable!! You won’t need a Roku stick or box if you have a ROKU tv

[snowybirdie]

14. You Folks all are correct.

However, if you want to watch say, old CNN programming on ROKU, you have to be a subscriber to a CNN source. We have cable included at our complex and get CNN through that, but if we want to watch old CNN documentaries on our ROKU, you have to get an activation code from the cable provider. Netflix and Prime too. So the subscription costs are from your preferred viewing. Complicated but great to have during lockdown.

[claudette]

15. My Samsung TV

Has a connection to the internet where you can stream CNN and MSNBC and other stations for free at this website https://ustv247.tv/msnbclive/

[yellowdogintexas]

18. I always check YouTube for news-type stuff

There is an amazing amount of viewing on You Tube.

I watch the highlights of MSNBC programming