Roku

Universal Remote Controls that Work With Roku

May 23, 2019 by Mitch Bartlett Leave a Comment

I was using 3 separate remote controls for my TV, DVD player and Roku box and decided that I had to find a universal remote that could handle all three devices. I wasn’t looking for anything flashy. The Roku is a simple device, so I wanted a simple remote that didn’t cost too much money.

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How to Connect Android to Roku

January 23, 2016 by Mitch Bartlett 3 Comments

If you ever want to connect and mirror the screen of your Android device to your TV, you can do it via the Roku 4, 3, or Streaming Stick using these steps.

How to Connect Roku to Hotel WiFi

April 18, 2015 by Mitch Bartlett 3 Comments

So you want to bring your Roku along so you can sit back in that nice hotel bed and stream some shows. The only problem is, most connections to a Wi-Fi network will not work without logging the computer in or accepting a license via a web page. How can you do this with a Roku? Give these steps a try.

How to Connect Roku 4 & 3 to an Analog CRT TV

March 14, 2015 by Mitch Bartlett 4 Comments

Back in January, I wrote about how the Roku streaming video player can make older analog TVs useful. I have a 17″ Sony in my bedroom that can display a 480i picture, and that’s fine enough for me. Since the Roku 1 can connect to older analog CRT TV sets, I currently run a Roku 1 on that TV and enjoy it immensely.

Now the Roku 3 and 4 has been released with support for connections via HDMI only. If you were planning on using the Roku 3 with an analog TV, this news is a bummer. You still have an option though. With these steps, you can connect the Roku 4 or 3 to an analog TV.

Official YouTube App Now Available For Roku 3

December 19, 2013 by Mitch Bartlett Leave a Comment

There once was a time when Roku owners had access to an official YouTube app for their enjoyment of cat videos. Suddenly, the app was pulled and was no longer available. Some Roku users were “grandfathered” in and were able to keep their YouTube app as long as they didn’t uninstall it. Others would have to seek third-party solutions, like VideoBuzz or Plex. Well, those days are gone, as the Roku 3 now has an official YouTube app available for download again.

Solve “HDCP unauthorised. Content disabled” Error in Roku Amazon App

August 31, 2013 by Mitch Bartlett 12 Comments

This weekend I sat down to watch “Argo” using the Amazon app on the Roku 3. When I attempted to purchase and watch the movie on Amazon Instant, it threw an error on the screen. I could still hear the audio, but the blue and white error that said “HDCP unauthorised. Content disabled” error took up the entire screen.

Roku: How to Change Amazon Account

July 20, 2013 by Mitch Bartlett 10 Comments

Much of my time has been wasted trying to figure out how to change Amazon accounts from the Roku app. So I thought I’d write this post up to save others the trip. It would be wonderful to add multiple accounts, but the app only allows you to use one account at a time. If you want to switch accounts, the only way is to unregister the device. Here’s how.

Play Windows Media Center Recordings On Roku

July 14, 2013 by Mitch Bartlett 4 Comments

I have a PC in my living room that rocks Windows Media Center for recording TV. The bedroom is where the Roku is located. I thought it would be oh so nice to be able to play some of my Windows Media Center recordings on the Roku. I had to find a solution for this. Here are the steps you can take to get started.

2 Roku Keyboard Solutions

June 19, 2013 by Mitch Bartlett 6 Comments

The Roku has amazed me with many of its features. It seemed only natural that I’d be able to connect a keyboard to its USB port and use it to navigate and type. That doesn’t work though. Nor is there a Bluetooth keyboard solution available. It’s the one missing feature that would make the Roku absolutely perfect. Typing using the standard remote control is aggravating. There are a few handy alternatives for people who absolutely must use a keyboard with their Roku.

Roku app

Use your smartphone or tablet to control your Roku, right from the Roku official app. Not only does the app have a keyboard, but you can also speak commands to change the channel. Commands don’t work to call up individual movies, but it’s still a nice feature. The keyboard (and the entire app) only works vertically, which is perplexing since the keyboard would work so much smoother sideways. The Roku app is available for Android and iOS. Windows Phone users can settle for a number of third-party Roku apps.

remoku.tv

This handy web-based app will connect to your Roku player via your home network and allow you to use the standard arrow controls as well as a keyboard. You can use the website from almost any web browser including Android’s stock browser and Safari for iOS. Just type in the IP address to your Roku on the Setting screen (the scan option didn’t work for me) and you can instantly control your Roku.

remoku

Those are the best keyboard connection solutions we could find. How do you use a keyboard with your Roku? We want to hear about it in our comments section.

Roku: How to Watch Videos From USB Drive

April 2, 2013 by Mitch Bartlett Leave a Comment

My favorite feature of the Roku Media Player is the USB port. You can watch MP4, M4V, and MKV video files from a USB Drive. How do you watch those files though? Here are the steps:

1. Add the Roku USB Media Player Channel. You can add it to your account via the Roku website or find it under the Music or Photos & Video categories in the Channel Store.

2. Plug the USB drive into the USB port on the Roku.

3. Open the USB Media Player channel and select “Movies”.

Roku Media Player

4. A list of videos will appear. Select the one you want to watch and enjoy.

You can use the normal Play, Pause, Forward, and Rewind buttons just as you can with most other Roku channels.