What Is Roku Stick? Is The Streaming Device Worth It?
Roku has been elevating your streaming experience through its products, such as branded televisions and streaming boxes.
A Roku stick is a streaming device that lets you stream media content on your TV using the internet. The device provides you access to a wide range of movies, TV programs, and channels without having a dedicated smart TV.
It is much smaller and more compact than other streaming players. The device transform your old-school TV experience to a steroid level.
Notable Features Of A Roku Stick
- About the size of a flash drive, a Roku stick is relatively small and compact compared to its capabilities.
- Instead of storing gigabytes of portable memory, a Roku stick plugs into the HDMI port of your TV, transforming an ordinary TV into a smart TV.
- The stick has a built-in WiFi that connects to your home WiFi network.
- The Roku stick comes with a remote control for operating it from afar.
- In addition, the stick can be controlled with a Roku App on your smartphone.
- What’s remarkable about Roku stick is how it aggregates the content on the internet. For instance, if you don’t know which platform streams “Stranger Things,” search it up on your Roku, and it will provide you with all the information.
Roku Channels and Applications
A Roku stick offers you access to over 4500 channels. They range from popular ones like Hulu, Pandora, Netflix, Vudu, Amazon Prime, HBO, and Disney+ to hundreds of never-heard-of channels.
While accessing many of these channels may be free, others—like Netflix require a subscription fee.
Some even ask for proof of being a cable subscriber to watch their content.
Popular channels like NBC also have their Roku Apps that allow you to live stream the Olympics and other notable sporting events.
Apart from providing unlimited content, a notable aspect of a Roku stick is its ease of use.
Its user-friendly interface and responsive remote control make changing the channels, searching for content, and controlling playback a breeze.
Types Of Roku Streaming Devices & Players
| Device Name | Price |
| Roku Express 4K+ | List Price $39.99 – Discounted Price $29.00 |
| Roku 4K Streaming Stick | List Price $49.99 – Discounted Price $39.00 |
| RokuExpress | List Price $29.99 – Discounted Price $24.00 |
| RokuUltra | List Price $99.99 – Discounted Price $79.00 |
| Roku Ultra LT 4K | List Price $59.99 – Discounted Price $53.00 |
| Roku Ultra LT | List Price $56.99 – Discounted Price $52.26 |
| Roku Premiere Streaming Player | List Price $38.90 – Discounted Price $29.99 |
How To Set Up Roku Stick
Setting up a Roku stick is very simple. The step-by-step process is listed below for your ease.
Power Your Roku Stick
- Connect the power adaptor to the Roku Stick, then plug it into a power outlet or your TV’s USB port if it provides enough power.
Connect To An HDMI Port
- Insert the Roku stick into an empty HDMI port on the back or side of your TV.
Switch On Your TV
- Turn on your TV using the remote control.
- Set it to the HDMI input channel where you inserted the Roku stick.
Pair The Roku Remote Control
- Pairing the remote manually if the Roku stick doesn’t automatically detect the remote.
- Select your language.
Connect Roku Stick With WiFi
- The device will automatically search for your home WiFi.
- Select your WiFi name from the list.
- Enter your password to allow network access.
- Go to Roku.com/Link to enter the PIN code that appeared on your TV screen to activate the device.
Create Or Sign In To Your Roku Account
- Sign in using your credentials if you have already made a Roku account.
- Or, create a new Roku account.
- Link your Roku device to your Roku account.
- Once the setup is complete, you will be taken to the Roku home screen to access device operations and explore channels.
Alternative Of Roku Streaming Stick
The best alternative to the Roku TV stick is the Amazon Firestick. Its functions are very similar to the Roku. The device allows you to access over 300,000 free movies and TV episodes. It comes with an Alexa voice remote and supports 4K streaming.
Conclusion
A Roku stick can open up a range of media and entertainment options simply by being inserted into one of the HDMI ports of your TV, out of sight. The step-by-step process of connecting a Roku stick to your TV has been outlined in the article above. I have tried to make the process as simple as possible to help even those who are new to a Roku experience.