Do you ROKU?

[Outlaw]

Wired or Wireless?

Favorite Channels?

Best Apps?

Cool work arounds or tips?

ie:

• Twonky Beam, an app for Android and iOS, makes it possible to stream YouTube videos to the Roku in an AirPlay-like fashion.
  
• Remote wonky? download the Roku app and your phone doubles as a remote!

Share the love!

[Kelt]

Have been an avid Roku'er since it first came out. There is no downside, and for me the advantage over something like a DVR is a no-brainer.

I like my video/audio when, where, and how I want it. Interruption (ad) free and on-demand. My uses are pretty pedestrian really, I mostly access Netflix, Amazon, Pandora, and Newscaster.

I am currently using it via ethernet connection just due to proximity to the router, but that is about to change and I will be using it via wi-fi going forward.

The latest release of Roku 3 has enough more to it for my uses to be worth the probably upgrade. I just discovered the phone app option, when I go to the newer model I think that will be a great backup tool, although one of my reasons to upgrade is the remote-as-headphone port option. Also, the elimination of line of sight remote operation is something I want.

Great thread idea! I look forward to hearing how others use theirs.

[Talon]

Yes..I've been Roku(ing)....for about a year now.

I really love my Roku.

Mine is ran through a wireless router..*courtesy of my Pops*

My favorite channels...Mog...Italian, Thai, and Mexican cooking channels..
Midnight Pulp...Dog TV...The Snow Network...Wieder TV (German)...Mediafly Autos...Ted...Instant browser for Netflix...Vudu...Pandora.

I've yet to run it through my mobile.

>>Thanks for the phone tip! I did not know that you could do that.

[WolfyOne]

I talked my brother into getting Roku about 6 months ago and he loves it.

I'm still saving for the one I want and will have it in time. I was just going to get the basic model because I have enough in free credit at Amazon to get it, but when I heard about Roku 3, I decide to continue saving gift cards from a site I visit regularly that gives me points when I use their browser. I trade their gift cards in for credit at Amazon. I'm more patience than I even imagined I could have

[Amante]

LOVE my Roku.

Had several of them until my ex moved out, now just have the one.

Most were connected wirelessly, never a problem. The one I have now is connected directly just because it's right next to the router.

I mostly watch Netflix and Amazon (streaming/Prime), and occsionally use it for Pandora. I'd love suggestions on other stations though -- cooking channels?!?

I have a question: Is there a way to get a full list of all possible channels that can be searched by genre? I haven't tried in a while, but the last time I tried to look for channels the only option was to just look through every possible channel. I'm very interested in checking out some of those cooking channels, and would LOVE to find a dance channel that I was TOLD was available but I've never been able to find it.

[Outlaw]

Awesomeness abounds via ROKU

Originally Posted by Amante

I have a question: Is there a way to get a full list of all possible channels that can be searched by genre?

I've found this helpful for both tips and channels: Yahoo Roku Group

[Kelt]

Originally Posted by Amante

LOVE my Roku.

Had several of them until my ex moved out, now just have the one.

Most were connected wirelessly, never a problem. The one I have now is connected directly just because it's right next to the router.

I mostly watch Netflix and Amazon (streaming/Prime), and occsionally use it for Pandora. I'd love suggestions on other stations though -- cooking channels?!?

I have a question: Is there a way to get a full list of all possible channels that can be searched by genre? I haven't tried in a while, but the last time I tried to look for channels the only option was to just look through every possible channel. I'm very interested in checking out some of those cooking channels, and would LOVE to find a dance channel that I was TOLD was available but I've never been able to find it.

Yes, things are searchable by genre, you can't really filter down but general categories are available like "cooking", "news", "most popular", etc.

Since I just went over to verify this and it has been a while since I went through things, I now blame you for having me add 20 channels while only deleting 8.

[Sparkle]

I have a roku and I love it, I got rid of my cable television and replaced it with roku for the same reasons Kelt mentioned.

Admittedly, I use only a fraction of its functionality.

I use it for netfix, amazon prime streaming and hulu plus.

Mine is hooked up wifi.

Great tip about using your phone as a remote, I had no idea.

I'm going to keep my eye on this thread for more tips and tricks, thank you Outlaw.

[Scuba]

I have two ROKU units and I love, love, love them. Netflix, Hulu and Pandora

[The JD]

Is Closed Caption available on the ROKU channels? it's spotty on Netflix streaming, and worse on Amazon/Prime... otherwise I would have dumped the cable company already. But maybe things have improved since the last time I looked into it. Anyone know?

[pinkgeek]

I loved my Roku - the Mr. wants a BlueRay that streams Netflix etc. We can't agree so neither has been purchased.

[maryam]

I lurves my Roku and want to get a second one for the bedroom for when SU wants to watch post-apocalyptic weirdness and I'm not in the mood. Then I could watch all the Netflix in stead of Mad Max for the bajillionth time.

[Outlaw]

I've added Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, Hulu+ and a few private channels (terra, Smithsonian, woot, iTunes podcasts and nowhereman. The remote stinks, it won't sync, it will however blink methodically. I'm hoping they just send me a new remote.

[Kelt]

Originally Posted by Outlaw

I've added Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, Hulu+ and a few private channels (terra, Smithsonian, woot, iTunes podcasts and nowhereman. The remote stinks, it won't sync, it will however blink methodically. I'm hoping they just send me a new remote.

I don't know if this will help, but maybe. I had this happen a few months ago, since I had an old remote around as a backup, I tried it, same thing. That made me think it might not be the remote. Went to the old tried and true unplug the power supply, and reboot that way. It worked for me, that was the only time in several years use of two units that it happened.

Good luck.

[MissItalianDiva]

I love my Roku. I stream wireless

I am probably not using it to it's full potential but for me using my Amazon Prime and Netflix on it is good enough

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by The JD

Is Closed Caption available on the ROKU channels? it's spotty on Netflix streaming, and worse on Amazon/Prime... otherwise I would have dumped the cable company already. But maybe things have improved since the last time I looked into it. Anyone know?

When I use it on Amazon Prime with my Roku, the captioning works well, though I'm not sure if it is available with every video.

[Hollylane]

Originally Posted by Kelt

Have been an avid Roku'er since it first came out. There is no downside, and for me the advantage over something like a DVR is a no-brainer.

I like my video/audio when, where, and how I want it. Interruption (ad) free and on-demand. My uses are pretty pedestrian really, I mostly access Netflix, Amazon, Pandora, and Newscaster.

I am currently using it via ethernet connection just due to proximity to the router, but that is about to change and I will be using it via wi-fi going forward.

The latest release of Roku 3 has enough more to it for my uses to be worth the probably upgrade. I just discovered the phone app option, when I go to the newer model I think that will be a great backup tool, although one of my reasons to upgrade is the remote-as-headphone port option. Also, the elimination of line of sight remote operation is something I want.

Great thread idea! I look forward to hearing how others use theirs.

I am most certainly upgrading to the new Roku. I am really excited about it, but have also been procrastinating about it (I may be suffering from an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" ailment). I seriously only use my cable tv for football season, and I'm thinking about contacting Comcast and finding out if I can go to an only internet service. I've done this before, and somehow they have talked me out of it each time, but I'm going to try again.

Edited to add...I just called Comcast, they tried, they failed, and I am now saving $35 a month! YAY me!

[WolfyOne]

Finally have my Roku...yay!!!
But, having a problem getting it hooked up on my TV and had no problem when I hooked my brothers up at his house.
I'm not getting my screen prompts to walk me thru the steps I need to get it going.
I have an older G router, so I hooked the Roku up thru ethernet cable, I ran an HDMI cable to back of my small TV, plugged in the Roku and no prompts

I also have a DVD player hooked up to the TV and I wonder if that's why I'm not getting my prompts. I go thru the DVD player when I watch cable because I'm too lazy to use 2 remotes.

Anyone have any ideas on how I can get my prompts on my TV screen? Is my router perhaps too old and may need updating?

[Chancie]

I can't remember the details of my minor glitches when I set up my roku, but when I called customer service, they were very helpful.

[Jesse]

I finally bought a Roku 2 today. Still exploring and learning the ins and outs of this thing, but the best part for me so far is that I can access all of my YouTube stuff via the big screen TV now.