Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Roku 4 | HD and 4K UHD Streaming Media Player with Enhanced Remote (Voice Search, Lost Remote Finder, and Headphone), Quad-Core Processor, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB Port

Enormous channels selection, excellent interface, 4K HD support (hands-on plus FAQ)

Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2015

The media could not be loaded.

NOTE on the Video:

I apologize for quality but I am only trying to illustrate a couple of things:

- Voice search is super efficient: rather than push something cute your way, Roku figures out what you just said and the recognition rate was close to 100% and then immediately shows you what's available and for how much if not free.
- Search results are neutral: Fire TV claims that they can't 'see' inside Netflix yet Roku has no problem whatsoever finding the 'free' movie there while showing many other sources.
- Jumping from the search result to a service (Netflix here) is super-quick, no time wasted.
- The Roku Media Player required zero setup before it 'saw' my NAS and my router-attached HDD.
- Discovering over 1000 albums was done in no time and this is done over Wi-Fi.
- Led Zeppelin rocks.

UPDATE: I've been using this Roku 4 since 'day one' and my experience appears to be slightly at odds with what some have experienced so, these are my impressions:

* Performance is flawless: once setup completed, no further action was required as far as Wi-Fi authentication. The unit never disconnected and, except for some Twitch broadcasts that were probably coming from low bandwidth streamers, there were no frames dropped that I could notice.
* The 'fan noise' is so low, I never hear it unless I turn off sound and I go very, very close to the unit, like 2 feet.
* Yes, the Roku 4 runs hot which is not surprising because it's a powerful streamer. However, it's easy to set it to turn itself off if not used for 30 minutes which is a good practice anyway because there's no reason to burn electricity 24x7. It will take some 15 seconds for the Roku to wake up but, seriously, it's worth the power savings and it probably extends the Roku's life.
* Voice search is amazing. For the past 10 days or so, only once did Roku said "sorry, I wasn't paying attention". On every other instance, Roku displayed the right content. Search is intelligent enough to show not only, let's say all the Tarantino movies if you say 'Tarantino', and that includes the movies that are NOT carried by any service under Roku so you can add it to 'My feed' and be notified. Voice search goes deeper, actually. For example, if I say 'Stephen King', Roku gives me a list of movies and shows that are inspired by his works. And that's great.

I understand that not everyone's expectations are met by this new Roku model but this is the best you can get today as far as streamers in my view.

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For anyone new to the Roku world, I would recommend the Roku 4 over any other previous models. I do confess to some bias here as we ordered 2 (large family) already. I love the Roku for so far for all its new features, some of them (4K UltraHD support) not relevant to everyone at this time but it never hurts to have 'extra' capabilities that you may need in the future. Also, it's so much faster to operate. If 'cost' is an issue and 720p only is not a bother then the LT if still available should be a great pick for fraction of the price. For something in-between, I'd go for the Roku Stick (1080p resolution, not so expensive, decent performance).

True for all Roku models: there's an enormous amount of channels to choose from, including most popular ones. And if there's something that you can't find in the official store you can always check the private channel listings (I included the URL of my favorite site) which is where I found things such CNN International and BBC World.

The streaming is exceptionally smooth. Quite impressive considering that I tested this Roku on the second floor, some 60-70 ft. and two floors away from our Wi-Fi 802.11ac router located in the basement.

This model especially, due to the more powerful processor is easy to operate through Roku's very basic remote control.

This Roku 4 and all Rokus are stable. I didn't have the Roku 4 for too long (will update) but my experience with all other models was that it almost never crashed and I only had to manually reconnect to my Wi-Fi router once over a 6-months period.

The 'universal search' feature is quite amazing. You simply type in the name of a movie or show even an actor and you will see all your options on all channels and you will know in advance whether it's going to be free or exactly how much it was going to cost. On the Roku 4 all information appears almost instantly. And then there is of course, the Roku Feed. You can 'follow' shows, movies, even actors and get notified whenever the content you seek becomes available on what services. It's still work in progress but it's getting better as the feature matures.

Off the four 'major' streamers I will be discussing, and I know that they aren't the only ones, I prefer Rokus because, like the Chromecasts, they are near-universal, equal opportunity streamers and, unlike the Chromecasts and that gives them some edge, they come with a physical remote - not absolutely or always required because you can use your phone for control - and an excellent and consistent user interface. In addition, the Roku 4 has some useful physical ports such as Ethernet and optical audio plus a MicroSD expansion slot. I've relegated Amazon's and Apple's entries to the third position not because they are bad streamers because they are quite good but because they gently or not so gently try to steer their users toward their own content which may be a great thing for Amazon and Apple but does not always benefit the user. If the above can be considered 'bias', I accept it. I did try to make the SETTING UP... and the FAQ sections as factual as possible so, hopefully, my review could help a few make an informed decision.

COMPARISONS

[Roku 4 vs. Chromecast]
We are comparing the much larger and significantly more expensive Roku 4 to Google's very capable dongle so I'll try to be as fair as possible. As I stated already, Roku's main advantage is the unified user interface and the physical remote. And since Amazon doesn't yet view Roku as a competitor, Amazon Prime is on the Rokus but not on Chromecasts. Roku 4 has the built-in Ethernet port for wired connectivity vs. Chromecast's only available as a add-on and Roku's optical audio port and top it off with 4K support and I would say 'advantage Roku' so far.
Chromecast's main advantages include the much lower price of course, its built-in flexibility where basically any App developer can easily add Chromecast compatibility and I don't believe they even need Google's Okay for that. Chromecasts also allow casting from phones and anything else that supports a Chrome browser. You can cast to the Roku 4 but the Google way feels more natural and is available for a lot more sources.
For full disclosure, we have both a Roku and a Chromecast hanging at the back of our big TV and I tend to go Chromecast whenever I need to get to something quick while Roku is for my more 'regular' viewing sessions. I happen to prefer the Roku most of the time but some in our household prefer the Chromecast because they are more attached to their phones so... it's a close call at this time.

[Roku 4 vs. Fire TV]
Roku's major advantage is of course its neutrality. Yes, they do carry ads and they do have 'paid' buttons on the remote but Roku's searches return content from many providers and provide information on what it costs to access that content. Amazon's interface is kind of pushy and cluttered, trying to steer everyone into Amazon's own content. Their claim that they can't search inside Netflix, for example, is interesting because, somehow, Roku can. Roku's optical audio port gives it an advantage if one needs to send audio to, let's say a sound bar (because the HDMI is already taken by the TV). Also, Roku's Hotel and Dorm Connect feature (not tested by me yet) makes it more portable because it allows you to use a Web browser interface to log into a hotel Wi-Fi where you need a laptop for the initial authentication.
Fire TV's advantages are lower price (which may be higher if you buy the game controller), better games support, Amazon's excellent customer support and the Alexa-based voice search which does more than just show you what's available.

[Roku 4 vs. Apple TV]
I will update this once I can get my hands on Apple's latest and greatest. All I can say at this time is that, like in the case of Amazon's Fire TV, it's great if you don't mind being steered toward Apple-approved content. And, of course, there's no Amazon Prime on Apple TV.

[Roku 4 vs. older Rokus]
This is an easy one. While the TV interface is more or less the same, Roku 4 adds 4K Ultra HD support. I can't use it at this time because we lack the bandwidth and the 4K TV but I see that, at the time I'm posting this review they are listing Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, VUDU and MGo as 4K providers and I'm sure the list will grow. Roku 4 also adds 802.11ac support which is almost a must if you are going to go Ultra HD, optical audio port, better phone apps integration and, of course, the nice remote finder feature.

SETTING UP AND USING ROKU 4

As I expected, initially setting up our new Roku was a matter of minutes. We already have a Roku account so all our channels appeared but we did have to re-authenticate on Netflix, Amazon Prime and register YouTube, Twitch and so forth. By the way, Roku does NOT have our credit card at this time. Whatever we gave them, long time ago, it expired and we pay our providers independently.

Once on, there was very much the same familiar interface the 4K Ultra HD listing as an added option in the channel store. Setting it up on the 5GHz band and connecting to an 802.11ac router does seem to make a difference. Everything is fast and smooth, probably slightly faster than what we got out of Roku 3. We absolutely love the remote finder feature. No, we didn't lose the remote yet but it was fun to test it so, at least one of our remotes is going to be easier to find. Was also able to cast some photos my phone, using the Android app, all quick and easy.

Absent a 4K capability in our house, Roku 4 is still great to have but I would not recommend an upgrade unless you have the TV and the bandwidth or you are someone who must have 'the latest and greatest' or it's the your first Roku. If shopping for your first, I would say definitely go Roku 4 because 4K TV is going to be a big thing fast because the 4K TVs get cheaper almost by the day and high bandwidth is becoming available in more areas so a Roku 4 is worth the extra dollars in my view.

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THE FAQ

I will try to keep this section as objective (factual) as possible. Some of the topics concern Roku in general, not specifically the Roku 4. Will also update it and correct it if needed.

Q: Why would I want a Roku?
A: Roku has thousands of 'channels', but do keep in mind that there are 'tens of thousands' of apps that currently support Chromecast. If you like exploring content beyond the popular services (Netflix, Amazon, etc.) you should consider a Roku or a Chromecast but you may want a Roku if you prefer a more stable, easy to navigate interface and you are an Amazon Prime subscriber.

Q: Why would I want a Roku 4?
A: Roku 4 has a faster processor, adds support for 4K Ultra HD, 802.11ac (faster bandwidth but you will need an 802.11ac router to take advantage of it), an optical audio output which is super important if you don't use a receiver, has the remote find feature, allows for easy setup while on the road, such as in hotels.

Q: When I shouldn't pick a Roku 4 over other Roku models?
A: Always if it's going to be your first streamer. If you already own a Roku 3 and do not have a 4K TV, you probably don't need one yet.

Q: Is the Roku 4 expandable?
A: Yes. There a MicroSD slot for additional game and channel storage memory

Q: Can I use a Roku 4 with a TV lacking an HDMI port?
A: Not out of the box. There are some HDMI-to-... interfaces but I haven't tested one with a Roku myself.

Q: Are HDMI or Ethernet cables included?
A: No, you will have to provide your own.

Q: What type of HDMI cable should I use?
A: A 'normal' HDMI 1.4 cable is good enough if your TV is not Ultra HD capable but you may want an HDMI 2.0 if it is.

Q: What is HDCP and does it matter to me?
A: According to Wikipedia, High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP), is a form of digital copy protection [...] to prevent copying of digital audio and video content as it travels across connections. Ultra HD TVs require that certain content such as stream from Netflix or Amazon Video are played only through an HDMI port that is HDCP 2.2 compliant. Earlier Ultra HD TVs models had HDCP 2.0 ports but that standard has been surpassed by HDCP 2.2, available on newer models. If you are about to purchase a new Ultra HD TV, make sure that it is HDCP 2.2 compliant - be very careful if the TV is 'on sale' at a price that's too good to be true. You may also require an HDMI 2.0 cable (not HDMI 1.4) for best results. Also, be aware that not all streams require an HDCP 2.2 enabled port. Videos from YouTube, for example, and certain content acquired through TV's own services may be able to play through a regular port.

Q: What is HDR and does Roku 4 support it?
A: According to Wikipedia, HDR (High Dynamic Range) is a technique used in imaging and photography to reproduce a greater dynamic range of luminosity than is possible with standard digital imaging. It is not supported by Roku 4, at least at this time - Roku claims that there is no settled industry standard yet. A number of TV manufacturers (Samsung, LG) have announced HDR compatible TV models and HDR content is set to become available though several services. It is not clear if HDR support could be enable in the future through a firmware upgrade or a new streaming device (Roku 5?) will be required.

Q: What are the best screen resolution and audio supported?
A: 4K Ultra HD at 60 fps, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround.

Q: What media formats are supported for USB playback?
A: Video: MP4, MKV, HEVC MP3; Audio: AAC, Apple Lossless, WMA; photos: JPG, PNG

Q: Do I require a special setup to play Ultra HD content?
A: You can play YouTube Ultra HD content through a regular HDMI cable. However, some providers such as Netflix will work only if your TV has an HDCP 2.2 compatible HDMI port. Most 4K TVs do have such a port.

Q: How do I connect a Roku 4 to the Internet?
A: You can do it either via Wi-Fi or through the wired Ethernet port.

Q: What's in the box?
A: You get the remote (batteries included), earbuds, the AC wall adapter, the Get Started pamphlet.

Q: Do I need 'line of sight' to control the Roku?
A: No, it comes with an RF remote.

Q: Is there an on/off switch?
A: No, but the Roku can be set to turn itself off after 30 minutes of inactivity (that doesn't count actually watching something).

Q: What are the remote's other feature?
A: It has dedicated buttons for 4 services, earphone jack, speaker for the remote finder function, motion control for gaming and an IR receiver for compatibility with other universal remotes.

Q: Does this Roku have a fan? Is it loud?
A: There seems to be a small fan inside. On my unit, the noise was barely audible from anywhere farther than 1-2 ft. but some user are complaining of 'loud' fan noise.

Q: Can I play games on the Roku 3?
A: Yes.

Q: Can I cast off a PC?
A: Yes through a supported service such as Plex (I know there are others but Plex is the only one I've tried so far). Can also cast YouTube off a Chrome browser.

Q: Will I be able to cast personal content?
A: Yes, directly from a phone, through the USB port, off a DLNA server.

Q: Is screen mirroring supported?
A: Yes, for Windows and Android devices.

Q: Are all Roku channels free?
A: Many of them are but Roku also carries 'premium' channels (Netflix, ShowTime, HBO, Amazon Prime) for which you will require a separate subscription.

Q: What are private channels.
A: These are channels that, for whatever reason, are not listed by Roku's official channel store. You can easily make them 'appear' on your TV by picking them from one of the sites that lists such channels. See the first comment to this review for the URLs of such sites.

Q: How much it costs to use a Roku?
A: Once purchased, it could cost you nothing. Or you may subscribe to one or more premium services.

Q: Can I have more than one Roku tied to one account?
A: Yes.

Q: Will the new Roku 4 get the channels I set on my other Roku devices if I am using the same account?
A: Yes, we have several Rokus tied to one account.

Q: Can I search for a specific movie or show across all of Roku's channels?
A: Yes. You can also search for other related information such as movies featuring one specific actor. Only keep in mind that the not all services may show up in searches but all major or popular ones usually do.

Q: Can I watch YouTube on the Roku?
A: Yes. Even better, if your computer had a Chrome browser, you can even cast YouTube from it.

Q: Are there shortcuts to my favorite channels?
A: The remote has dedicated buttons to MGo, Amazon, rdio and sling.

Q: If I also have Chromecast, will I be able to control which device gets the Youtube stream?
A: Yes, tested on a Chromebook.

Q: Can I cast from a phone or tablet?
A: Yes. You can cast content directly to the Roku.

Q: Can I get live news channels on the Roku?
A: Yes. You may be able to find such channels at the store or as private channels listings but many US 'mainstream' news channels only offer a selection of recent on-demand videos (VOD) rather than streaming live.

Q: Are non-video streams supported?
A: Yes, radio stations and music streaming channels such as Pandora are supported.

144 people found this helpful

Helpful

Firebottle

Superb player and fantastic technical support!!!

Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2015

Verified Purchase

This is our 4th Roku product, 2 3's a streaming stick and now the Roku 4. Fast easy set up. No fan noise unless you get your ear next to the unit. Connected to a 4K Ultra High Def TV. No issues, great picture, the Amazon, Netflix and others 4K material is great! I've never had any problems with streaming anything on Roku gear,. We have a steady 77.5 Mbps WiFi signal. Totally satisfied! Next step to cut the DirecTV and install a HDTV antenna for the local networks.

Since I wrote this, I have had problems with the Roku 4, turn it on and the screen is all white or pink. Turn it upside down to access the reset button, hold it 15 seconds or until it powers back up, then you have the aggravating task of starting all over again, e-mails, passwords for all the streaming accounts, etc. It runs hot, I installed 4 rubber feet on the bottom to allow better air flow (mine has the side louvers) and that seemed to help somewhat. If I choose the option to let it shut down after 30 minutes of non-use, that's when the problems started. Now I leave it on, and not having to reset as often I also have chosen the temperature control option to keep it cooler. The fan on this remains silent. I have to get very close to hear it running. I called Roku, they didn't want to hear about returning it (under warranty), just telling me how to reset it (hell, I'm a Roku 4 reset expert), I wish I had never bought it. When it finally dies, I'll replace it with a Roku 3. I was asked by Roku to review it, I did and submitted the review, they replied with a link to click on to acknowledge that it was me that sent it. Guess what? Their link doesn't work, just like the Roku 4. Maybe that's their way of rejecting a negative review? I have e-mailed Roku support with this problem and have yet to hear back from them.

Update: February 4, 2015
I received a telephone call from Roku this afternoon, they told me they were sending me a new Roku 4 and a prepaid return label for the defective unit. I'll post an update after receiving the replacement Roku 4.

Update February 5, 2016
I received a new Roku 4 the next morning at 8:38 via FedEx overnight from California. That is great service! No fan noise on the new unit, works great. Tech support was very helpful and took care of the problem. The new player seems faster and more responsive than the original purchase, maybe they have updated the software?

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Mike

A great player for streaming!

Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2015

Verified Purchase

This Roku 4 was an upgrade from a Roku 3 only because I had previously upgraded my TV to a 4K UHD.
The interface is basically the same between the two.
Connecting to Amazon Prime and Netflix was seamless as once I keyed ID and password into Roku I was set to go without any further sign ins required. Basically it registers the Roku 4 to your account to the respective service ( Netflix and Amazon prime).
The amount of channels offered is almost to many to comprehend. The Roku 4 offers even more than the Roku 3.
When I updated the 4 into my Roku account it seamlessly updated my programs in my favorite list. I still have to explore all the channels available now.
1. When you do start using the Roku and setting new channels, is helpful to have a tablet/laptop handy next to you as many require you to register. That is you go to their web site (the channel you want) and key in the code from the Roku ( from the channel you want) and you are then set to use the channel without any further ado. Many are free and some are subscription only.
2. Controller is cool in that it has hot keys to the several popular channels like Netflix/Amazon Prime. I have yet to try the find the remote function. Voice I am not even going to try as I am a push button guy.
3. The unit is a Quad Core and does have a fan to keep it cool. Though they did add a fan and thus is not 100% solid state, it will require a bit of maintenance. Not unlike your computer fans. I have can air and will use it as needed to keep the air vents open/clear.
If I find a way to open the unit, if the need arises, cleaning it will be easy. The can air I am sure is all that will be required. The Roku 3 and down were solid state and no maintenance.
4. Fan noise is almost nil. I have to get right next to it to even hear it.
5. ** Very Important little item! This unit being a quad core and having air vents and a fan needs to be kept in the open with plenty of room temp air around it. I keep next to the TV by itself and away from my other AV equipment. I did the same with my Roku 3.

This is a great unit so far. I would recommend it over a 3 only in that 4K UHD will be the market in a few years and you will be future proofing yourself when you get that new set.
And with cable cutting gaining speed in the market I can see the future in this fantastic Roku device. Its kind of unique in the market and they seem to do it well. I really can see the Roku as your next Cable/Satellite box. They just keep adding to it.

The one option I wish they would add in the future is a channel number system that you can customize. So you can set your favorites to numbers and just key that number to quick connect to the channel, much like you do with cable.
But the tiles work just fine.

Helpful

PSG

Better Than the Rest, But Search Has a Major Flaw

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2016

Verified Purchase

Some people might call me one of those Google "fanboys" but this fanboy has to admit that the Roku is a welcome replacement to my Android TV. It also greatly outperforms the so called "smart" features on my Samsung Smart TV.

The price of this product is easily justified if you just buy the regular version of a TV instead of a "Smart" TV and use the Roku 4 instead. Not only does this product have more services that connect to it than most smart TVs, but it is also less buggy and more reliable than my old Android OS and Samsung smart features.

If you search for a title, the Roku will return results against most, but not all, of the streaming services that you have. This is the reason for my four star rating. While the most common services (Hulu, Netfix, HBOGO, etc) are covered, there are a few streaming services that don't show up in the search results even though that service is accessible through the Roku. Even worse, Roku doesn't provide easy documentation on what services are covered in the search. This means that it is always possible that you pay to rent a title that you want even thought you might be able to get it for free. For example, suppose you search for a show that is only accessible for free on Showtime Anytime. Even though you can use your Roku to watch that movie, it won't appear in the search. The most likely outcome is that Roku gives you a list of paid rental links to watch the show. The only way to prevent paying for a movie that only appears as a rental is to know what services you don't subscribe to and then manually search them. Are you watching Roku? Fix this!

PROS:
Quick and easy setup
Responsive remote
Voice Search is intuitive and workable
The most neutral search engine I've found in any product

CONS:
Occasional (once per month) freezing and rebooting after a voice search
Search engine doesnt search all of your services
Lack of connections might be problematic for older systems

Helpful

MRK

Not as simple to set up as advertised.

Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2015

Verified Purchase

Update 11/26/17:

I completely forgot about the difficulty of set up. The whole family loves the Roku box. I have it hard wired, so that probably helps with the smooth streaming and very limited buffering. I have a 720p TV, so can't comment on image quality, but what we see has great clarity and color range.

Also, I got the purchasing under control after several rounds of experimentation with Amazon and Roku purchase lock settings. After a few weeks of unwanted purchases by the kids, it hasn't happened in at least a year.
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Not as simple to set up as advertised. It's been an hour and I still don't have it working.

It's been an hour and still not working. You do a little set up, then wait for the software download and update (this was on a wired 75 Mbps Comcast connection) which took about 10 minutes. Then you go online to register. But you cannot register without a credit card or paypal. I couldn't find a bypass option. The registration website is now frozen. I am frustrated beyond belief, I acknowledge it's 3 am and my kids are sick which maybe adding to the frustration. I'm hoping I can just package this up and send it back.

Admittedly, I primarily planned to use this for Amazon prime, so I guess I'll try Amazon Fire. Or just keep using a computer for streaming.

Update: I thought I had set a PIN for purchases on the ROKU. I did and just restested it. However, my kids ordered a few rentals through Amazon prime with no issues. You'll need to set up a separate PIN on the Amazon website and check the Roku box. I haven't tested it yet as I took the Roku away from my kids as punishment. I'll test it tonight.

In the meantime, I was disappointed in Amazon's customer service for the first time. I called them to confirm I had set up security PIN so purchases would not be allowed. The rep said she was unable to confirm it, I would need to test it on the device. That seems strange to me as the security I set up on the device failed to work. I remain confused as to Amazon customer service can't look up my security settings to verify things are set. I hope the security I set up centrally on Amazon's website works. Otherwise, my kids will just be disappointed as I'll throw the ROKU out.

The security did work when I tested it on a website, so I am hopeful. Overall, my negative review remains.

Additionally, I have had to reboot ROKU at least 5 times the past week. It just freezes.

To reboot? It's crazy:

1. Unplug the device, wait awhile (I generally count to 20), plug back in.
2. On the remote, press the home button five times, press the up button once, press the rewind button twice, press the forward button twice. Strangely, I have this sequence memorized. Sadly, it's only worked twice out of at least 10 attempts.

It took me several months to realize there is an indistinguishable black button on the bottom of the device labeled reset (in black text of course, because why would you want to read it?) From what I can assess in the scant documentation, a long press will reset it to factory settings, a short press will reboot it. Too scared to reset to factory settings because it's a hassle to set up.

So...I unplug and replug. Crazy design, I just don't understand it.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Geoffrey A. Fricker & Haylea Drysdale

Audio issues, Roku was no help in solving the problem.

Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2017

Verified Purchase

Unfortunately this is the first bad Roku device I've bought (generally I love their products). I had an issue with the audio where some apps in particular would play with no audio. This problem would just pop up sometimes, often it would work fine. I know this was a Roku issue because I tried different TVs, different HDMI cables and all the different ports on my TV and the issue didn't resolve itself. My fix for this was go back to the Home screen, and try again, and again and sometimes 5+ times, before eventually the audio would work (doing nothing else different). If it didn't fix it, I'd just restart the Roku or turn off my TV and that would generally help (but not always)!

The reason this is an insidious problem is that it's manageable, just annoying, so I just dealt with it for a long time (6+ months) before eventually contacting Roku. If you just keep trying and going back, or resetting the Roku or turning your TV on and off, it will eventually play the audio, but it can be maddening when it's not working. Unfortunately since I reported the issue to Roku after the 1 year warranty period, they didn't cover it. I asked for a credit so I could buy a new one and no help from the company. Like I said I wanted to like this product and would've stuck with the company if they'd have helped me out in replacing the device. I'm certainly not going to go by a second Roku 4 (if I buy a Roku at all). Shame because I wanted to like this product and the company generally. Also, the unit gets very hot as reported by other users.

If you want to take the time, below is my transcript with Roku trying to solve the issue (detailing the issue itself and the steps I tried to fix it). If you experience the same problem, won't wait more than a year to report it, otherwise Roku doesn't care and won't help you.

Transcript Below (names removed):

ROKU CUSTOMER, Oct 23, 20:19 PDT:
Chat started: 2017-10-24 01:29 AM UTC

(01:29:36 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: My Roku 4 is malfunctioning, I've checked the articles and tried all the solutions to fix the audio, but basically the audio will stop playing sometimes. Sometimes it plays and sometimes it doesn't. The reason I know it's the Roku (and not the TV) is because when I use a different input from the cable box the audio is fine and never cuts out. Generally the only way to solve the problem is to restart the Roku and start again. When I'm clicking on a show or movie to watch, I'll click and video will start and audio will be silent, then I'll go back a screen and try again, if it's silent again I'll repeat and generally after a few tries, it'll work doing nothing else differently. Is this a bug in the software or an issue Roku is familiar with?
(01:44:59 AM) *** ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE joined the chat ***
(01:46:22 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Hi CUSTOMER NAME.
(01:46:30 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: I will do my best to assist you.

May I know the serial # of your Roku device?

You can find it at the base or bottom of your Roku device.
(01:46:45 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: i'll get it...
(01:48:31 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: 4U965C158078
(01:49:31 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Thank you for your information.

Is your Roku directly connected to the TV ?

Do you use any receiver inbetween ?
(01:49:49 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: no receiver, direct connection
(01:52:23 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Okay.

Kindly follow the steps below and let us know whether that helps you.
1. On both your Roku player and your TV or AVR, unplug each end of the HDMI cable.
2. Power off your TV and your Roku player and unplug their respective power supplies.
3. Swap & reconnect both ends of the HDMI cable, pushing them firmly, all the way in.
4. Reconnect your TV and your Roku player to their power supplies and power them on.
5. Try viewing the video again.
(01:53:02 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: ok, I'll do that now...
(01:53:39 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Sure. Take your time.
(01:54:44 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: so just fyi, part of the issues, is that the problem doesn't occur everytime I use the Roku, sometimes I have trouble with the audio and it seems like I have more issues with certain apps, but it's not a consistent issue.
(01:55:00 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: (disconnecting and re-testing now)
(01:57:02 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Okay.
(01:57:15 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Let's figure that out.
(01:59:52 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: ok i just tested, same problem
(02:00:02 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: audio isn't working
(02:01:46 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Okay. May I know since when you started facing this issue ?
(02:05:40 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: i've had this issue for at least 6 months, I've just never contacted Roku about it, but it seems particularly bad recently, so I decided to reach out.
(02:06:52 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Basically, the audio is not in sync with the video and restarting the Roku fixes this issue correct ?
(02:07:21 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: generally yes, but it's not that the audio is out of sync, it just doesn't play at all.
(02:09:55 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: But you say that restarting the devices fixes the issue. Correct ?
(02:10:35 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: only sometimes, sometimes the issue persists, but once the audio has stopped it's the only way to get the audio back
(02:11:46 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: If this is an issue with Audio, it shouldn't start playing on a restart.
This could also be due to the speed of your network.
That may incur late responses.
May I know the distance between your Roku and your Router ?
(02:12:06 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: 10 feet
(02:12:51 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: generally my internet speeds are faster than 10 mbps
(02:13:38 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Let's check your network speed.
Kindly click on the link below and click on "begin test" .
www.speedtest.net
Once done, let us know the download speed you get to see.
(02:13:39 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: right now I have 12.5 mbps
(02:13:47 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: just ran the test
(02:14:45 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Thank you. Let's try refreshing the connection between your Roku and your Router once.
Unplug the Router from the power source
Unplug the Roku player from the power source
After 30 seconds..
Plug the Router back to the power source
Plug the Roku player back to the power source
(02:15:07 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: ok, doing that now....
(02:17:22 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Take your time.
(02:19:16 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: k, just re-tested and got the same issue
(02:21:20 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Is it possible for you to try connecting your Roku to a different HDMI port on your TV and let us know whether the issue persists ?
(02:21:58 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: I've tried all my HDMI ports previously, they all give the same issue.
(02:22:06 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: I've even tried different TVs
(02:23:15 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Okay. From Roku home screen>go to Settings>System>System update>And let us know the current software version.
(02:24:10 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: 7.7.0 Build 4154
(02:25:08 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Okay. Try updating it once.
(02:25:23 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: ok
(02:25:25 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: ...
(02:29:42 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: updated
(02:29:47 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: trying again now.
(02:30:12 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: tried a couple times, but eventually the audio cut out again.
(02:31:18 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: We are sorry about that.
May I know when and where you purchased your Roku device?
(02:32:09 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: on Amazon, on August 5th 2016
(02:34:14 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Okay thank you for your information.
We would like to inform you that, we have tried the possible steps to resolve this issue.
This seems to be some internal hardware issues with the device.
(02:34:40 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: i see, is it possible to get a replacement device?
(02:35:22 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: or does my warranty cover it?
(02:38:44 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Upon checking , with the hardware warranty of your Roku device, we see that the device is out of the warranty period. So we are unable to replace your Roku device.
(02:39:40 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: can I get a credit towards a new one? Is there anything you can do to help me fix the issue?
(02:41:30 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: We have tried the possible steps to fix this issue.
As told before, this seems to be an issue with the device's internal hardware.
(02:42:20 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: ok, so there's nothing Roku can to do help me?
(02:45:36 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: If the device was under warranty period, we would have replaced it for you. Now that the device is out of the warranty period, we are unable to replace it for you.
We are sorry about that.
(02:46:19 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: what was the warrant period (just out of curiosity)? The issue has been going on for a long time.
(02:46:54 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Warranty period for any Roku device would be 365 days.
(02:47:47 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: All other Roku products I've owned have worked great, but for some reason I got a bad one. Unfortunately if Roku is unwilling to help me solve this issue, I'll be negatively reviewing it on Amazon (1 star).
(02:49:31 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: We do understand your concern. We have been trying to help you. We have tried the possible steps to fix this issue as you can see from above.
(02:50:48 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: We certainly have and I appreciate your help personally, but the fact remains the problem is a hardware device issue and I guess I'm just forced to buy a new one since the steps we tried aren't working? Certainly won't be buying the same unit if I buy a Roku at all.
(02:51:39 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: I feel like it's a better plan for Roku to at least give me a credit towards a new one (I can send the old one in for testing), rather than just losing a customer completely.
(02:52:56 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Since you are our valuable customer, we will take it as a feedback and forward it to the concerned team.
(02:53:53 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: Which will be helpful for Roku internally, but it doesn't help me and my malfunctioning device. I want to like the product and I want to fix the problem.
(02:54:03 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: Unfortunately, it sounds like the only way to do so is to just trash it and buy a new one, correct?
(03:07:23 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: Is this my only option? Roku is unwilling to help me? I can send the old one in, you can refurbish and resell it once the issue is fixed? Just trying to propose a constructive solution here.
(03:08:12 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Sorry CUSTOMER NAME. Currently we do not have an option to replace the product out of warranty.
(03:08:50 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: W#e will take your feedback and forward to the concerned team for future enhancement.
(03:12:45 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: please do, sorry if I sounded frustrated with you ROKU AGENT NAME, I know you're just doing your job. tell Roku they should reconsider their policy on fixing out of warranty products. it's cheaper to keep a current customer happy than having to find a new customer.
(03:13:40 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: Sure CUSTOMER NAME. We will pass on this feedback.
(03:14:54 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: If Roku would like the newest 1 star review on Amazon removed, let me know and I'd be happy to oblige.
(03:16:10 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused.
(03:17:08 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: I'm sorry I won't be buying any more Roku boxes, generally I've really liked the products.
(03:17:31 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER: Have a good day ROKU AGENT NAME!
(03:18:52 AM) ROKU CUSTOMER SERVICE: You're welcome.

Thank you for choosing Roku. Wish you a good day!

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Spydergtcv

Update-I have upgraded my star rating to 3 due to finding solutions for it's short-comings. PS, This ain't your grandma's Roku.

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2016

Verified Purchase

Update-I have upgraded my star rating to 3 after finding work-arounds from the buffering and lockups. Although it now performs flawlessly due to the solutions that I have found, the every day user with no IT administrator experience would struggle to love it. I still hate the remote. (I use my Logitech Harmony 9000 RF remote which is much easier to use) I had setup a return with Amazon and had printed a return label and before I decided to give up and sent it back I did the following work-arounds. I created a firewall rule on my Asus RT-N56U router that will force YouTube and other streaming apps to push the content directly to the user rather than delivering slower, cached content. There are 2 steps which will also increase your connection speed for streaming content on your PC as well. Use at your own discretion!!
1.) Click Start, type cmd, right click on the icon and Run as Administrator to open the command prompt.
If you see a UAC prompt, click Yes.
Copy this command: netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name=”YoutubeBufferTrick” dir=in action=block remoteip=173.194.55.0/24,206.111.0.0/16 enable=yes
Right click in the command prompt and select Paste.
Hit Enter.
If you ever want to remove this alteration from your network, do the same thing except use this command instead:
netsh advfirewall firewall delete rule name=”YoutubeBufferTrick”
Since this trick blocks a wide range of IP addresses, you may run into a site every once in a while that’s blocked by this trick. Use at your own discretion!
2.) Go into your router's setup page and choose the "Firewall" option. Under "URL Filter" add the following addresses, clicking the add icon (Plus Sign) for each. 206.111.0.0 and 173.194.55.0 and click the apply button. This will add the blocking rules to all devices on your network, including phones, tablets and other streaming devices. The technology behind it works like this. In an effort to preserve bandwidth, some ISPs will throttle bandwidth and download speeds on connections to servers that deliver cached video content, e.g., YouTube. The following command blocks IP addresses on this content delivering network, which forces YouTube to push the actual video straight to you (not the cached version) without any ISP throttling. Now, for the lockups: I have found that when this device heats up, it tends to slow down and lock up. I used a remarkably low-tech solution. I placed a saucer upside down on my media cabinet and placed the Roku on that. The added height seems to give it more breathing room. I haven't had a lockup since.
Old Review: I want to love it.....I really do. The concept is great and when it works, the 4K resolution is stunning. I simply can't get over the constant buffering on 4K material and the lockups when streaming directly from my PC using Plex and the Roku Media Player. I have an extremely fast Internet connection-105 mbps and 350 mbps on my internal network, yet, I still get buffering issues when streaming 4K on Plex and many other formats on Roku Media Player. Plex is blazing fast on my Samsung HU9000 on Smarthub so it's not a PC or Plex issue. I have tried moving the router and the Roku directly next to the router and still experience buffering. I will be sending this back and waiting for the new Samsung 4k Bluray player to be released in a few weeks.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Will

Roku 4: The Best Streaming Device

Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2015

Verified Purchase

I'm a first time Roku owner but am not new to streaming devices. My previous streamers include Chromecast (1st generation), Apple TV (3rd generation), Fire TV (1st and 2nd generation), and various computers built as HTPCs running XBMC, Kodi, and Plex. Roku 4 gets my vote due to its performance and ease of use. I use this device in a wired network configuration, as I've previously had problems with streaming devices over wifi in my house despite hardwiring an access point less than five feet from my TV.

Pros:
- Dead simple to install. I could give this to my mom for Christmas and I know she would be able to set it up.
- Dead simple to navigate.
- Faster processor to support 4K streaming via HDCP 2.2. My first generation Fire TV suffered from stuttering issues on Netflix after a few days of sitting idle. This required manual restarts. This meant either pulling the plug or navigating through a series of menus to do it.
- Optical audio output (Fire TV 2nd generation ditched it). Valuable for some people.
- Fast UI with no latency.
- RF remote meaning I can put this device in my home theater cabinet out of sight and out of mind.
- Universal cross platform search -- this is a huge advantage. This means if I search "Seinfeld", it's going to find it on Hulu. If I search "House of Cards", it's going to find it on Netflix. If I search "Transparent", it's going to find it on Amazon Video. If I search for a movie to rent or buy, it's going to do it across all services and return the prices for each on the same screen, showing me immediately the cheapest source. Fire TV search is limited to Amazon content. Apple's new streaming device also adds this feature, but Roku has had it for years. This works flawlessly and effortlessly.
- Support for Amazon Video. Many streamers sadly don't support it and most Prime subscribers aren't aware that Amazon Video has lots of great content, including many HBO series.
- Channels. Lots and lots of channels. I haven't had an opportunity to explore many yet outside of the big ones (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Plex).
- Ability to cast content to it. You can cast videos from the native YouTube app, for example, on your iPhone to the Roku 4. This worked without any hiccups.
- High on the wife and kids ease of use factor. Yes, it's something that has to be considered in my house. If it's not easy enough for my wife to be able to pick up and start using in a matter of minutes, it won't last.
- Ability to manage channels on the device via Roku website.
- Remote finder. Did the dogs eat it? Is it stuck in the couch? I can't count the number of times we've lost other streamer remotes requiring us to rip the couch apart to try to find the remote.

Cons:
- Price. It's considerably higher than other streaming devices. Time will tell if it's worth it.
- Voice search is hit or miss; it's no match to Amazon Alexa.
- Fire TV X-Ray feature on Fire TV is missed.
- Channel buttons on the remote. I don't subscribe to Rdio or Sling. It's a lame push to consumers and I'd pay extra to not have the buttons.
- Ads when navigating to list of channels. I want an ad free experience. I'd pay extra for it.
- Remote layout. The Fire TV and Apple TV have remotes that are better designed and easier to use.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kelly

Die hard WD TV Live plus/Chromecast user finally converted to Roku with this launch!

Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2017

Verified Purchase

Before I begin, you should know that I have been a die hard WD TV Live Plus and Chromecast gal for many years and have avoided Roku because of one simple reason: FILE PLAYBACK. WD has always been hands down the best at being able to play just about ANY type of file you throw at it, regardless of container type, audio encoding, surround sound, subtitles etc., while Roku has really REALLY been behind the times i that regard. HALF of my video files wouldn't play on previous versions of Roku and half of them that would play would play with video only (no audio) which really frustrated me. I bought a Roku 2 and gave it to my sister because while the interface, remote and other features are great, the playback of the files on my computer SUCKED!!!

However, with the release of the Roku 4 and the development of Plex, I decided it was finally time to give it another chance. The Roku 4 touts the ability to play .mkv, .MP4 and .MOV files in addition to others where previous versions of Roku did not. No, it still won't play .avi files but those are less and less common these days and are few enough that I can convert them with handbrake whereas I had far too many .mkv files before to spend the time converting them all. With the addition of Plex to my life, I can now play ALMOST all of my files on the Roku 4. It was also very important to me that it have a USB port for plugging in an external drive (which is does).

I've been using the Roku 4 for a few weeks now and here are my thoughts:

- User interface and remote are great! It's much more beautiful than the WD TV Live plus interface and I'm a fan. I like that it can also be easily customized to your liking in terms of layout and colors etc.

- I LOVE having a remote with a headphone jack!!! This cannot be overstated. For any mom with a newborn baby who won't sleep anywhere but your arms, this feature is basically a godsend. Not kidding.

- I LOVE the remote finder button on top of the Roku box itself. This also cannot be overstated. We have an autistic 4 year old and have found remotes in our refrigerator before... They end up everywhere.

- I LOVE the picture and sound quality! Using it with Plex has been a great experience so far! Having all of my media so beautifully organized, displayed and easily accessible on the Roku (and all my devices) has been delightful! I know I might be the only person in America, but we don't have a Netflix account (GASP). Most of what we watch comes from Amazon Prime or our own digitized collection on our PC, so it's VERY important that the Roku 4 be able to play most of it, which it can. We mostly use the media player and plex channels.

- I LOVE that we can cast content from our phones and tablets to the TV through Roku like we used to do with Chromescast! Our son loves sto watch YouTube kids on the big TV from his iPad and this has enabled us to free up an HDMI port because the Chromecast dongle is no longer needed!

- I LOVE that there is a free Roku app that gives remote and other functionality to your phone or tablet. It has worked really well for me so far!

Other reviewers have complained about a noisy fan. I honestly have no idea what they're smoking. This thing is silent! At least ours is! It does run a little hot but we haven't had any issues.

In terms of what I don't like...

- Obviously file playback still isn't 100%, but it's enough better than previous versions of Roku that we'll be keeping it and just trying to convert what files still won't play to playable formats.

- PARENTAL CONTROLS. Basically there aren't any. Well, there are but they're VERY limited. You pretty much have to go into your account of each channel and set up what you can within them but some don't offer much either. This is the main reason I took off a star. They really need to get with the program and help parents lock it down. This box is basically a portal to the whole crazy internet world for anyone with the remote and we all know how much trash is on the internet. Ok Roku, you've developed a good device, now it's time to reign it in and help users take more control over where it can go and what it can do. Makes it hard as a parent to have this thing in the house and not be a little worried, even with our best efforts to keep it in the main room of the house, teach our kids how to use it and how not to, set family rules and do our best to raise smart children. It would just really help if Roku would build in better parent control software.

One other thing you should know in order to get the most out of your Roku 4 is YOU NEED A GOOD ROUTER THAT ISN'T 10 YEARS OLD (and a good internet connection - duh)!! I ran into this problem with the Roku 4 right out of the box. While our internet is good and reliable, our old Linksys router has been a good work horse for many years, but the Roku 4 exposed its age in a big way, necessitating that I buy a new router. I ended up getting the ASUS RT-AC87U dual band gigabit router and it has been awesome. Connecting nothing but our PC and the Roku 4 to the 5 Ghz channel and all other devices to the 2.4Ghz channel made all the difference! No more long load times, no more freezing or dropping connection.

In summary, I'm not ready to completely throw out my WD TV Live plus just yet, but its HDMI spot on the TV has been replaced with that of the Roku 4 and so far, it looks like it will stay that way. I will update if I run into any new problems but I've gotta say, you done good with this newest version, Roku people!

I did NOT receive this item for free or at a discount

9 people found this helpful

Helpful

ChasM603

RETURNING THIS PIECE OF JUNK

Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2016

Verified Purchase

DOESN'T WORK...the old Roku 2 it was supposed to replace is likely to be plugged back in. I've spent over 2.5 hours and with Roku support and it is NOT WORKING...KEEPS rebooting..it allowed me all the way through 'setup' and updating of my Channels, but immediately upon attempting to watch MLB it failed...vertical bars (either red/yellow checkered, green/white checkered or black/white checkered.

S - Anisha
Support Agent
S - Anisha
Hi Charles Martin, how can I help?
Charles Martin
We are attempting to replace our Roku 2 with a Roku Ultra ,we got through the setup and activation but attempted to login to MLB or Netflix and the screen started flaking out (verticle stripes) and is continuously rebooting...occassionally after MANY minutes (10 or more) it'll get to the Homescreen, but on each occassion itfails to play...SO AGGRAVATING
S - Anisha
I really apologize for the inconvenience .

I will do my level best to resolve the issue .

Could you please provide the serial number of Roku ?
Are we connected ?
Charles Martin
just had to go try and find it in another room..
S - Anisha
Alright .
Charles Martin
Is it on the box ?
S - Anisha
You may find the serial number at the bottom sticker of the Roku player, on the side (Roku stick), box sticker or on your Roku online account if the device is already linked (https://my.roku.com/signin).
RokuRoku provides the simplest way to stream entertainment to your TV. On your terms. With more channels than any other streaming player.
Charles Martin
YY000N719338
S - Anisha
Thank you so much Charles .
Do you see a steady light on Roku ?
Charles Martin
It seems to be cycling..flashing/blinking
S - Anisha
Have you connected the Roku's power adapter directly to the wall socket ?
Are you using a power strip ?
Charles Martin
Yes...using a power strip
S - Anisha
Could you please directly connect the Roku to the wall socket ?
Charles Martin
Sure...if it'll reach..the cord for the adapter is very short.
S - Anisha
I really apologize for the inconvenience .

We recommend our customers to always connect the Roku directly to the wall socket .
Could you please try with a different wall socket ?
Charles Martin
It is plugged directly into a wall socket....it got to the dancing roku sign..then the video showed some black and white vertical stripes over the roku and started chattering (noise) again.
S - Anisha
Could you please try to connect the Roku with a different HDMI port on TV ?
Charles Martin
The chattering remains.
video still has verticle black/white checkered stripes overlaying the dancing Roku.
S - Anisha
Could you please try with a different HDMI cable ?
Charles Martin
We have done that already, but will do so again.
S - Anisha
Okay .
Have you done that ?
Are we connected ?
Just to confirm that we are connected .
Charles Martin
Yes...this setup is another room...I'm on a desktop in a different room....the flipping roku4 acts as though it wants to work and seems to have me trying now to go to the setup and re-pair the remote...BUT THEN IT GOES BACK to red and yellow verticle stipes and chirping or green vertical stripes and chirping and restarts
AGGRAVATING.
S - Anisha
Could you please try with a different TV?
Charles Martin
NO
The prior Roku 2 was working fine. The ports are fine. I've lost 2+ hours of my life and it is still not working...I've missed a baseball game...one of the few of the remaining seasons.
AGGRAVATING
It is NOT the TV....had not decided to upgrade the slower Roku 2 would have been tolerable instead of completely malfunctioning/unusable..>AGGRAVATING<
S - Anisha
I really apologize for the inconvenience caused .
Are you trying to watch 4k content ?
Charles Martin
No. My TV is 1080 at best. The Roku was configured for 1080 when we went through the setup...we got all the channels downloaded, but as soon as I tried t actually watch any channel...it then failed...and hasn't worked at all.
S - Anisha
So this video issue occurs only while watching channels,and doesn't appear on the home screen ?
Charles Martin
No...it DOES appear on the homescreen now..
Originally I was able to get beyond the homescreen and try (twice) to view a channel...now it fails before I even get to the homescreen..
S - Anisha
May I know the date and place of purchase of Roku ?
Charles Martin
Amazon...24 Sept 2016
Actually it was 23 September, 2016 via Amazon
It gets as far as trying to pair the remote...but as soon as that is attempted it then starts chattering
S - Anisha
Thank you for the information.
Let's try resetting your Roku player.

please press and hold the reset button at the back/bottom of your Roku for 30 seconds while it is connected on the power outlet. Release after 30 seconds.
Charles Martin
Now, when trying to use the app, which I had used to enter my netflix and trying to enter my mbl login/username, it states that orku 4 may be in Eco Mode and I cannot connect...the Roku seems to keep rebooting .
OK...I believe the factory reset is how I ended up where we are now (unable to pair the remote and vertical stripes and chattering....but I'll try again.
S - Anisha
Alright.
Charles Martin
Roku comes up, starts dancing, can hear music normally...then chattering and vertical lines start up again and it reboots.
S - Anisha
Please give me two minutes, let me check this with my resources.
Charles Martin
OK...I'm east coast and have lost now 2.5 hours on a fault device...if it cannot be fixed, it will be returned with bad reviews.
S - Anisha
I really apologize for the inconvenience caused .
To isolate the issue ,Could you please try to connect the Roku to a different TV ?
Charles Martin
Is there ANY hope of getting this working tonight? No.
The Roku 2 that was plugged in using the same and then different HDMI ports on the TV works with and without the older cable and the newer cable I'd also ordered and received through Amazon...it is NOT the TV,.
S - Anisha
I understand your concern ,but to isolate the issue please check with a different TV .
Charles Martin
NO
S - Anisha
We suggest you to replace the Roku with Amazon.
Charles Martin
Is this going to happen again with the next device if I were to replace it with another Roku Ultra? or should I just return it until Roku gets their act together? Read
S - Anisha
The Roku which you are using is not Roku Ultra ,it's a normal Roku 4
Charles Martin
OK...
Is this going to happen again with the next device if I were to replace it with another Roku4? or should I just return it until Roku gets their act together?Delivered

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