Roku Express | HD Roku Streaming Device with Simple Remote (no TV controls), Free & Live TV

QUICK TAKE If you have a Smart TV that is disappointing you, do yourself a favor and get this. You will love it. WHAT I NEEDED Ok ok ok, I'll admit that my Samsung Smart TV is ancient, by most folks standards. It was a display model that I got about 5 years ago and I've always been a bit disappointed by the Smart TV capabilities as they have always been very slow and glitchy. I was never sure if this was the fault of the Apps or the TV, but it took me a very long time to purchase a Roku and that was a dumb decision on my part because this little device has TOTALLY changed the way I use my TV. SETUP The kit is pretty straightforward and simple. Hook up to the HDMI, stick the receiver on the TV, and initialize the setup. At first I was having issues because when I hooked everything up, the Roku setup couldn't successfully access my WiFi. Initially I was super frustrated and assumed it was the Roku's fault, but at some point I realized that my 2G wifi was down and this was the culprit. Apparently Roku and Ring doorbells and probably a bunch of other devices all can only run on 2G, not 5G, so I had to call my cable company to get that going again and once I did the Roku was able to connect and utterly stupefy me with how wonderful it is. PERFORMANCE So far I have had zero issues with any of these apps, which I used to have constant crash issues with on my Smart TV. For example, my Hulu app would always randomly close and would never allow me to go from episode to episode without an error message. No issues at all with the Roku. I also love that the Roku is always ready, whereas my Smart TV I would turn it on and then have to wait about 3 minutes while the TV "warmed up" and even then usually the first time I'd try to open Hulu it would just crash and I'd have to restart. I love that there are so many available channels, although I was disappointed to find out that my cable provider and Roku have been at an impasse and I can't use the Roku to replace my cable box (hoping that happens someday soon so I can stop wasting money on that box, too). OVERALL Absolutely 100/10 would recommend, this little thing has brought me so much happiness for such a reasonable price. Bravo, Roku, Bravo! If you are on the fence like I was for years, get off the fence and just buy!

The Roku Express is a user-friendly streaming device that brings an abundance of entertainment options to your TV with ease. Whether you're a cord-cutter looking for a simple and affordable way to access streaming services or a tech enthusiast seeking seamless integration with your smart home, the Roku Express is the perfect solution for elevating your entertainment experience. The standout feature of the Roku Express is its straightforward setup and user-friendly interface. Getting started is a breeze - just connect the device to your TV via HDMI, follow the on-screen instructions, and you'll be streaming your favorite shows and movies in no time. The intuitive interface allows for easy navigation through various streaming channels, putting thousands of content choices at your fingertips. Despite its compact size, the Roku Express offers impressive performance. It supports HD streaming, providing clear and crisp visuals for your favorite content. Whether you're streaming the latest blockbuster movie or catching up on TV shows, the Roku Express ensures a delightful viewing experience without any lag or buffering. One of the most appealing aspects of the Roku Express is its extensive selection of streaming channels. With access to popular services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more, you can enjoy a vast library of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content. The Roku Channel, with its collection of free movies and TV shows, offers even more options for entertainment without any additional subscription costs. The Roku Express is compatible with voice commands, thanks to its support for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. Using a compatible smart speaker or the Roku mobile app, you can control the device hands-free, making it even more convenient to find and play your favorite content. The device's energy-efficient design ensures minimal power consumption, making it an eco-friendly addition to your entertainment setup. Additionally, the Roku Express automatically adjusts display settings based on your TV's capabilities, optimizing both picture and audio quality for the best possible viewing experience. Roku regularly updates its software, ensuring that you have access to the latest features, security enhancements, and content options. This commitment to continuous improvement keeps the Roku Express up to date and ensures you can enjoy the best streaming experience possible. In conclusion, the Roku Express is an exceptional streaming device that offers a hassle-free and enjoyable entertainment experience. With its simple setup, user-friendly interface, and extensive selection of streaming channels, this device is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to cut the cord or upgrade their streaming capabilities. Experience the convenience of streaming with the Roku Express and discover a world of entertainment right from your living room.

I finally decided to buy one to help keep my TV relevant. Most of the apps from my 2011 model TV don't work anymore and was limited in functionality. I wish I bought one of these years ago though. Now, reading through previous comments, there is someone who gave 2 stars and complained about being single banded WiFi. This guy doesn't pay attention to what hes looking at. Yes, this is clearly stated that it only uses 2.4GHz band. No, they didn't go backwards in any form with this. With a quick search, and all Roku Expresses, which is what this is, have been single band. And 2.4GHz is fine when only going 1080p for HD. Now about using it. Setting everything up doesn't take long, around 10-15 minutes. Once you have it set up, it's eay to use to get on Netflix, or Amazon Prime to watch your favorite shows. You can also download some other apps to get some free TV to you flip through another couple hundred channels and complain about there is nothing to watch, because we all know we do that. When watching something, the picture does take a minute to download, buffer, and catch up, so the first little bit may be a bit blurry, but it evens out. There is also the Roku app for your phone, and this adds some ease of use. Instead of using the remote to attempt to hit the sensor on the device, you can connect to the Roku on your phone as long as they are on the same WiFi network. If you want to stream easier on your TV, or your TV doesn't have the Smart features you want, I would recommend this. If you want 4K video, then you need to look at something else because this doesn't off it. Also, if you really need to use 5GHz WiFi, then also, look elsewhere. Now, I can't compare this to other models, but this works well for what I wanted it for. Would recommend.

I only received this player yesterday so I haven't had time to really learn all the ins and outs and how to navigate my way around all the content, which is very impressive. I don't know what I expected, but I never realized just how much content there would be. With the exception of your local channels and some regional sports channels, just about any channel or program and streaming service you might want to watch are here. If they aren't you can download the app for it. You also have the ability to watch free movies or rent them. First of all, everything you need to set up comes in the box. The player has a remote with batteries included, and an HDMI cable. You also have the option to either connect the power adapter or you can use the USB port on your TV if you have one. This eliminates more cords laying around. Set up is fast and easy. All you need is wireless internet and the player does all the work for you. It easily guides you through the set up process. It took maybe ten minutes to get through. The only complaint I have is the HDMI cable included is too short. I had to use a longer one I happened to have. It just isn't long enough to allow for the fact that different TVs have ports in different locations from one another. This is a minor problem, not really anything to keep you from buying this device. If you are sick of paying through the nose for cable or satellite and aren't concerned about missing your local channels and some sports channels then I highly recommend this player. You can play this along with your cable or satellite at the same time by just using the input button on your TV remote. If you want to have access to tons of content, this ROKU Express is a no-brainer. For the price you can't go wrong. I was somewhat suspect before I hooked it up but now I am very glad I made this decision. Buy one and start streaming.

Bought a Sony Bravia Smart TV back in 2013 which I could use for Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, Amazon Prime, TED talks ....and a slew of other apps/channels. Fast forward to 2019 where only Netflix still works and I've received notifications from Hulu and Amazon that my Smart TV is no longer supported. Back in 2013 I paid more than +$2000 for it. Enter the Roku Express HD I bought for $29 on a Cyber Monday deal. For almost 1/100th of the original TV it brings live back to my TV set. I already had a Google Chromecast and still have that attached to my Sony. But the Roku interface + TV remote makes it much easier to use. Especially for guests like my elderly father, who probably isn't going to like fiddling with a smartphone to cast with Google Chromecast. So that way the Roku is just easier and simpler to use. Points taken off for the following. a) Plug for USB power does not provide 5V with 1Amp. Its less than that, but it is enough amps to drive the Roku Express HD, which needs very little power. The plug power rating is incorrectly stated on it. b) The iOS Roku app doesn't always work with a keyboard. This is useful when search for movies and entering passwords, which you're doing a lot in the beginning when signing up to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon , YouTube.....etc. etc. They should fix the keyboard handoff to the smartphone Roku app. Using the Roku remote can be somewhat slow and tedious, so I found a work around. The Roku app on iOS was inconsistent when it would work or not. The Roku physical remote being simpler always worked. Overall great product to give a 2nd life to an ageing and abandoned Sony smart TV. I'm sure my smart TV isn't the only one out there.

bought about 4 years ago, still use it to this day

Exc

Update: 7/1/2020 ----------------------- Not happy about YouTube TV jacking its price up to $64.99 for 8 new channels that aren't worth two cent so I wanted to switch over to Hulu+Live TV instead for $54.99. Needless to say, the Roku Express HD won't work with Hulu period. I've trying everything under the sun (clear cache, reboot, reinstall Hulu app, restore Roku default settings, etc.) to get it to work but no luck! Nothing but playback errors so if you intend to use the Hulu streaming service then DON"T BUY THIS DEVICE because it doesn't work! Hulu+Live TV worked perfectly on all my desktop PCs and laptops just so you know. ----------------------- I finally setup a 4G LTE cellular internet system last year and we got around 20+ Mbps speeds and an unlimited data plan from AT&T that supports streaming services so I decided to give the Roku Express HD 2019 a try. I also tried a trial period of YouTube TV and seen that it offered pretty much what Dish Network was offering but at a much cheaper price point ($49.99 vs. $149.90 per month)! So far its worked perfectly! So I cut the cord and I hope I never have to go back to HughesNet & Dish Network which seem to like charging $150 per month which is a complete ripoff! The Roku Express HD 2019 was easily setup and works perfectly, just bare in mind that you need to add the YouTube TV channel because its not installed by default. For $29, you can't beat the price and I might add that the Logitech Harmony One remote is compatible with the Roku Express HD so the remote that is supplied in the kit isn't needed. Thank you Roku for helping me cut the cord and save hundreds of dollars per month in the process!