Do I Need Roku With A Smart TV? (Explained)

 

Roku Inc. produces a digital streaming device known as Roku.

It is a device that connects to your smart TV and enables you to watch paid and free content on your TV via the internet.

Many smart TVs come with a built-in Roku.

Let’s discuss whether you need a Roku with a smart TV or not.

 

Do I Need Roku With A Smart TV?

 

No, you don’t need a Roku with a smart TV.

However, Roku has an edge over other streaming devices or services in producing better content with finer quality.

Roku offers more TV options and is simpler, quicker, and better in performance.

It has an easy menu to navigate, smooth and fast loading times, a good functional remote, and comes with more updates, etc.

Also, it supports 4K and voice search.

These are some of the elements that increase the advantages of having a Roku for your smart TV.

 

Advantages Of Roku With A Smart TV

 

A smart TV and Roku need internet connectivity for operating.

You can add preset channels to the menu on both of them.

They both are comparable, and one provides slightly more output than the other.

Let’s have a look at some of the elements that make Roku necessary for your smart TV.

 

1. Content

Content availability is a major distinction among content providers.

The Roku device provides more content than you will likely see on your smart TV.

Many outdated smart TV models don’t function properly with the latest streaming service applications.

Smart TV streaming services lists are subject to change and have gaps.

For this reason, the Roku device is much more effective as it produces better content.

The Roku content library is more consistent and comprehensive.

It keeps the items from the menu and doesn’t make them unavailable the next day.

For this reason, people are more attracted to a Roku device.

The greater selection of TV shows and movies on Roku makes it worth the price.

 

2. Performance

Roku’s streaming performance is much faster and more stable.

It is a significant reason that makes Roku necessary for your smart TV.

Roku has more powerful processors than a smart TV, and this is one of the reasons Roku devices perform better.

To increase the performance of the Roku device, manufacturers embed more technological resources into the visual and audio components of the device.

It has enough speed to switch between different menu items without any lags.

Also, it gets connected to the internet quickly.

 

3. Updates

Roku receives regular updates.

You will receive every upgrade that the manufacturers have made to the software.

After updating an application, you receive the most recent version of the app.

Updating removes all the factors that are downgrading the performance of the device.

Regular updates also improve the application interface and layouts making them more responsive than before.

You also get the latest version of streaming apps like Hulu or Netflix with the newest features using a Roku device.

 

4. Usability And UI

Most smart TVs lack intuitive, friendly user interfaces for their streaming content.

The UI of Roku is user-friendly because it has a main screen with a simple design.

It comprises the layout of streaming services, and you can find each of the content on the main screen.

You can use the remote controls to switch between different segments of the screen and jump between traditional streaming applications and channels on your TV.

 

5. Junkware

You may find many apps and features you don’t want to see when you launch your TV.

These apps are mostly pre-installed, and it is almost impossible to get rid of them because there is no option to delete these apps.

You mostly find proprietary apps on your TV’s menus or rows.

Compared to apps on your smart TV, Roku also contains proprietary content, but they are easy to ignore and less noticeable.

The above-discussed are some of the elements that define why Roku is necessary for your smart TV.

It enhances the performance of the streaming services and the content you watch on it.

 

How To Set Up Roku For Your Smart TV?

 

Let’s have a look at the steps below to connect your Roku device to your smart TV and prepare it for on-screen activation and setup.

 

1. Connectivity

 

Connectivity is the first and the most important thing to remember while setting up Roku on your smart TV.

Let’s take a look at the steps you need to follow to connect Roku to your TV.

1. You have to use the HDMI port on your smart TV to connect your Roku device. If your TV does not have an HDMI port, you can use the composite cables to connect the Roku to your TV.
2. In a wired network, use an Ethernet port of a player and connect it to one end of the cable and the other end to the Ethernet port on your network switch or router. Roku also has wireless connectivity if you don’t have an extra Ethernet port available to connect it to the internet.
3. It is recommended to use a wall outlet to power the Roku device. You should use the power adaptor and connect it to the device via a USB cable. Also, you can connect it directly to the USB port on your smart TV, but it is not recommended, and you might face issues in connectivity.
4. Power on your TV and select the correct input where you connected your Roku device. The Roku logo will appear on the screen as your power on the device.
5. The last connectivity step is to set up a Roku remote. Roku offers two remotes: the Simple remote and the Voice remote.

• With the Roku voice remote, you have to hold the pairing button for five seconds until you see the green light flashing.
• With the Roku simple remote, you just have to insert the matching batteries, and it will start pairing up.

 

2. On-Screen Setup & Activation

 

Let’s have a quick look at the on-screen setup and activation of the Roku device.

1. Firstly, you have to choose a language. The selected language will display all Roku device dialog and text in the language you have selected. Scroll the list and press OK to select your desired language.
2. Connect your Roku device to the network by selecting your Home Network and entering your network credentials. It will connect automatically after you enter the credentials.
3. After connecting to the network, you have to wait for Roku to check for the latest updates. If updates are available, you have to wait till it completes downloading and installing it. Also, the device will reboot after it completes updating.
4. The Roku device automatically detects and analyzes the HDMI connection to give the best screen resolution. It saves you time configuring the settings manually. If you want to change the display settings, follow the below steps.

• Go to Settings.
• Select Display type.
• Pick 4K or HDR.

For 4K and HDR displays, make sure that you have connected all the cables firmly and attached to HDCP 2.2.

1. Create a Roku account and activate your device. You must link your Roku account to activate your Roku device. The account stores information about the channels you installed, preferences, settings, and which device you own. Luckily, there are no charges to activate your Roku account. Take a look at the following steps to activate your account.

• On the account creation screen, enter a valid email address.
• Switch to mobile or computer to click on the activation link in your emails.
• If you are unable to find the activation link in the inbox, check junk or spam folders.

These are all the steps you need to follow, from connecting to on-screen setup and activating your Roku device to your smart TV.

You have to follow all the steps carefully to set up a Roku device.

Otherwise, you will start witnessing real-time issues.

 

Can You Connect Roku To A Non-Smart TV?

 

Yes, you can connect Roku to a non-smart TV as well, but you have to meet some specific parameters and follow the steps carefully to set it up.

The Roku remote control and the streaming player come with a pair of batteries, an AC charger, an HDMI cable, and the user manual.

You should ensure that you have all these essential elements to start the connecting procedure.

Have a look at how to connect a Roku device to a non-smart TV.

1. Turn on the TV before connecting the Roku device to your TV. It is good to turn on the TV first, as you can immediately see if your TV is recognizing the Roku device. You can also connect it even when the TV is off.
2. On your TV, look for the HDMI port to plug in the Roku device’s cable. It is most likely on the back side of the TV and looks slightly broader than a standard USB port.
3. Link the device to the Roku player after inserting an HDMI cable. You don’t need an HDMI chord to use a Roku streaming stick because you just have to plug it into the port to connect it.
4. Plug the Roku device into the AC power source to turn it on. If you are using a streaming stick, you don’t need to follow this step.
5. Select the correct HDMI input if your TV has multiple HDMI ports.

Following the above-listed steps will pop up a Roku welcome screen on your TV.

This welcome screen signifies that you have successfully set up a Roku on your non-smart TV.

 

What Are The Benefits Of A Roku Device?

 

Roku is a small streaming box that connects to your smart TV.

The device is capable of consolidating the streaming content from Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, etc., in one easy-to-search place on your smart TV screen.

Apart from this, Roku has a lot of features.

Take a look at some of them briefly.

 

1. Easy Content Searching

Roku enables you to enjoy your favorite streaming content and services on your TV with easy search capabilities.

It allows you to search for a specific TV show or movie.

Also, it has as great search functionality for finding your favorite content you want to watch.

You can search from the search bar on the home screen, or you can also use a voice search feature to look for your desired show.

One of the key features of Roku is that it brings content from different streaming services to one place.

 

2. Linking Google Assistant

You can link Google Assistant to a Roku device to give hands-free commands.

It means that you can now control the Roku from your smart speaker, phone, and smartwatch.

Also, there are a bunch of commands that you can use after you have connected the device to Google Assistant.

 

3. No Jumping Through Apps To Watch New Content

It is really hard to keep up as there are so many great shows available on different streaming services to watch these days.

Roku has a feature called “My Feed” which is capable of keeping track of your favorite movies and shows.

Roku makes the new episode appear in your feed, so you don’t have to jump through apps to watch it.

This feature is beneficial as it saves a lot of time that you have to spend searching.

 

4. Simple Home Screen

One of the major benefits of Roku is that it has a simple home screen.

It only has two segments.

One is the side menu, and the other is the channel grid.

The sidebar menu is something that you will probably avoid.

Also, you can turn it off from the settings and make your home screen simpler.

These are some of the benefits of connecting a Roku device to your smart TV.

It features simple layouts and designs that are effective in searching for different channels quickly and easily.

 

Conclusion

Roku comprises many streaming services with better quality and performance as compared to the services that come pre-installed on your smart TV.

For this reason, you need a Roku device to access the content without facing such issues.

You can also access the unavailable content on a smart TV if you install a Roku device.

It is fast, simple, and smooth.

Roku also supports voice search and 4K screen resolution to provide you with better image quality that your smart TV fails to provide.