Product Review: Roku Premiere | HD/4K/HDR Streaming Media Player

 

I have a few different Roku devices (two ultras, and one Express). The Roku Express crashed when trying to open apps like Netflix and Hulu, but worked with other apps. After trying to restart and factory reset it (and trying to replace the express with my old Firestick which got caught in a boot loop that I could not get it out of), I decided to replace it with the Premiere. So far, it is able to open all of the Apps without a problem and the stream quality is very good. The setup is very easy. You just go to the Roku website and enter the code on the screen. Then it will download the apps that you select, or if you already have a Roku account, whatever apps have already been downloaded on the other devices.

Overall, the interface and remote for the Roku to be much better and more user friendly than the FireStick/FireTV interface and remote. The only downside I have discovered with the Roku interface (aside from the issue of the Roku express crashing) is that you are forced to have all of the same apps on each device that are logged in under that account. So, if you have multiple TVs in your house, some of which only certain people watch, and each has a Roku device that is logged in under the same account, everyone has to have the same apps on their home screen. The apps on each device's home screens can be rearranged, however, and those are sticky to the particular device. So, while each TV is stuck with the same apps, regardless of whether the person who watches that TV watches them all or not, each person can have their home screen arranged how they prefer, with the apps they watch toward the top of the list. And, Roku will randomly put new Apps on the home screen, whether you want them or not. That is the biggest pain and drawback. But, other than that, Roku has a very nice interface and is easy to use.

Product Review: Roku Premiere - HD and 4K UHD Streaming Media Player

 

I took the plunge and cut the cord from Satellite TV back in 2017. I got a couple of these for free from AT&T/DirecTV NOW's promotion where you could get a free Roku for prepaying for 2 months of DirecTV Now. It comes preloaded with a few apps mainly the ones that have the remote buttons as shortcuts (on mine it was Amazon, Netflix, DirecTV Now, and Pandora). Then you can download whatever other apps you want like such as Hulu, Sling, or channel-specific apps like Comedy Central, CW, etc. Some of the apps are free, and some require you to sign in with your TV provider information.

Roku has a pretty nice free app that rotates older movies and TV shows every couple of months. The only cons I have come across which knock it down a star for me is that at this point there is no internet browser app to allow you to open web pages, it does lose internet connection from time to time, and randomly becomes unresponsive requiring you to unplug it and plug it back in. Occasionally it will just reset itself. That can be a pain in the ass, but I would say, for the most part, it stays connected to the internet fairly well. It is usually not a big deal to get it connected back to the internet or working again if it freezes, but it is kind of a pain when it happens. Overall though I am satisfied with it, and would recommend it to anyone thinking of getting rid of cable or satellite.

Product Review: Roku Streambar

 

This is a good option if you want to upgrade the sound on your tv without spending a fortune or wiring a room for surround sound. It is pretty much a plug-in-play device that takes minimal setup once you connect it. You can plug it into a regular HDMI port or an HDMI ARC port (assuming your TV has one) to allow sound from other devices like a Blu-Ray player plugged into the TV to be played through the soundbar as well. Pretty much, if you have ever set up another Roku device or an Amazon Firestick, you can set this up.

The sound is good, but not overwhelming. You can get the Roku wireless speakers and/or subwoofer that can connect to this wirelessly and get a better surround sound experience. The only real issue I have had is that when I switch to the Blu-Ray input, the soundbar will turn on the player, and then the inputs will jump between the one the Blu-Ray player is plugged into and the one the soundbar is plugged into, and keep jumping between the disc player and the Roku screen. Turning the TV off and back on stops it, but it is irritating. It is definitely an upgrade over the sound that comes out of the TV speakers, but it is not as good as an expensive home-theater setup with a 7.1 Dolby Atmos setup, but it is also a fraction of the cost even if you shell out for the wireless speakers and subwoofer.

Product Review: Roku Wireless Speakers (for Roku Streambars or Roku TV)

 

The big thing to note if you are considering getting these is that you need to have a Roku soundbar or a Roku TV. If you do not, these will not pair with a different soundbar or a smart TV. Basically, these will get you the surround sound experience without having to run a bunch of wires across the room. They pair to the soundbar via Bluetooth, so the only wires are the power cords. You get good sound (usually the background effects) through them, without it overpowering the sound coming out of the soundbar itself. They are easy to pair, you really just follow the steps in the Roku settings after you plug them in. You may have to move them closer to the soundbar to get them paired, but once they are paired you can move them farther away and you will get sound through them.