Roku

Roku Streaming Player, or simply Roku, is an audiovisual (multimedia) playback device for devices, especially old TVs, manufactured by the American company Roku Inc

Different operators provide OTT content service in the form of channels

The name comes from the Japanese kanji 六, roku, which means six, since it was the sixth company that Anthony Wood (founder and CEO since 2002) created

It is basically a Wifi access point, with interchangeable USB and HDMI plugs, which once connected to a TV with HDMI input replicates to the TV what is seen on the Roku

Although the Roku device can be used globally, its official support and distribution is only available in the following countries:

• United States
• Canada
• French
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Spain
• Argentina
• Chile
• Colombia
• Peru
• Costa Rica
• Brazil
• Puerto Rico
• El Salvador
• Ecuador
• Venezuela
• Bolivia
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Paraguay
• Uruguay
• Belize
• Panama

Software

Roku uses a custom Linux distribution called Roku OS as its operating system

Software updates include bug fixes, security updates, feature additions, and many new interface revisions

Roku pushes OS updates to supported devices in a tiered release

OS updates are rolled out to a percentage group of candidate devices to ensure that the build is stable before it is massively available

The most recent versions of Roku OS are: Roku OS 14 (released in September 2024) for compatible streaming devices and Roku OS 13 (released in April 2024) for Roku TVs

All second generation and newer devices receive updates to the Roku operating system

First generation devices are discontinued and no longer updated

Services

There's no subscription fee for the service, but individual channels and content may require a fee

Content varies according to the country where Roku officially operates

Technical support is provided free of charge

OTT Applications

In countries where Roku has a presence, users can access channels from most OTT services, such as YouTube, Netflix, Crunchyroll, Twitch, Facebook Watch, to name just a few

Online Roku Channels

The content of the Roku DVP is provided by Roku partners, and is identified using the vernacular channel

Users can add or remove different channels from the Roku Channel Store

Creating Service for Roku Player

Roku is an open-platform device with a freely available software development kit that allows anyone to create new channels

The channels are written in a Roku-specific language called BrightScript, a scripting language that the company describes as unique, but similar to Visual Basic and JavaScript

Developers who want to test their channels before a general release, or who want to limit the audience, can create channels private or non-certified that require the user to enter a code on the account page of the Roku website

These private channels, which are not part of the official Roku Channel Store, are not reviewed or approved by Roku

There is an NDK (Native Developer Kit) available, although it has additional restrictions

The Roku Channel

Roku launched its own streaming channel on its devices in October 2017, exclusively for the United States

It was a free service, but with ads

The channel contained licensed content from studios such as Lionsgate, MGM, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Warner Bros., as well as channels such as American Classics, FilmRise, Nosy, OVGuide, Popcornflix, Vidmark, and YuYu

As of August 8, 2018, The Roku Channel can be found available online

Roku also added the Free Featured in the upper section of the main menu from where users could access series and movies from their partners

In January 2019, premium subscription options for partner content providers were added to The Roku Channel

Anti-piracy measures

In June 2017, a Mexico City court banned the sale of Roku products in Mexico after a lawsuit filed by Televisa owned Cablevision

The lawsuit stated that the devices were being used by people illegally streaming television content without permission from copyright holders

The devices were used to install services that were not offered in the official Channel Store

Roku defended itself against the allegations, stating that these apps were not officially certified and that the company had actively taken steps to prevent its platform from being used for illegal streaming services

On October 16, 2018, the 11th Collegiate Civil Court in Mexico City lifted this prohibition, in Mexico

During May 2018, in an attempt by Roku to stop piracy, users of channels such as YouTube and Netflix and other popular channels, were greeted by an FBI logo warning them that the channel was removed for piracy

This was a mistake on Roku's part and was quickly resolved

Roku TV

Roku announced its first (self-branded) smart TV in early 2014 and it was released in late 2014

These TVs were manufactured by various companies, using the Roku user interface as a the brain of television

Roku TVs Upgrade Just Like Streaming Devices

Newer models also integrate a set of features for use with over-the-air television (DTT) signals

Such streaming includes a program guide that provides information about series and movies available on local television, as well as where such content will be broadcast and the ability to pause live TV (although the user must connect a 16GB or larger USB drive to use this feature)

In November 2020, added the function Airplay to Roku TV, including smart TVs, which allowed screen mirroring or sharing other features on an iPad, iPhone, or Mac

In April 2021, Roku announced the release of Roku OS 10, which included Instant Resume for streaming channels and automatic configuration for game consoles, Airplay 2 and Starter Kit support for streaming boxes and Roku HD TVs

In March 2022, Roku announced Roku OS 11, which added new audio options, custom photo screensavers, and more

In October 2023, Roku announced Roku OS 12.5, which focused on sports, live TV, and simpler content discovery

In April 2024, Roku OS 13 was released, this OS update was announced for all Roku TV models and many Roku streaming players

The update was said to offer improvements to content discovery, navigation, and other features, including auto-adjusted picture modes and Custom Backgrounds

In September 2024, Roku announced the release of Roku OS 14

This update included a new Kids & Family Zone added to the home screen, the ability to give the go-ahead or thumbs down to content, and the option to use voice commands to update smart TV settings, among other changes

On September 29, 2024, operating system 14 was officially released, many fourth generation Tablo DVRs could no longer play at all or, after adjusting the settings, played, but without audio

As the aforementioned issues have not yet been resolved, it is not recommended to upgrade on all smart TVs, even though it is available

Generations

First generation

Roku announced the first Internet video device, the Roku DVP, on May 20, 2008

This device was using a modified version of Linux

Prior to fall 2010, three versions of the Roku DVP were available:

• Roku SD: it only receives content in standard definition, has an Ethernet connection, and a Wi-Fi antenna that supports 802.11g
• Roku HD: supports content up to 1080p (Full HD) has an Ethernet connection and a Wi-Fi antenna that supports 802.11g
• HD-XR: It streams content in SD and HD, has a dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi antenna and a USB port on the back

Since September 2010, Roku has modernized its line of devices:

• Roku HD reviewed: became the basic model of the line, offering 720p content reception, with 802.11g Wi-Fi reception and an HDMI port
• Roku XD: added 1080p content reception and an improved remote control
• Roku XD|S: offered component video and optical audio output, a dual-band Wi-Fi antenna, and a USB port for playing videos, music, and photos

Currently discontinued since 2015, all models manufactured before 2011 are not possible to buy them, nor do they receive updates

Second generation

On July 20, 2011, Roku updated its product lineup with three new devices:

• Roku 2 HD:
• Roku 2 XD:
• Roku 2 XS: With an Ethernet connection and the motion remote for gaming, the Roku Game Remote used Hillcrest Labs' Freespace motion control technology, so users could control games with natural gestures

The Netflix app was revamped for all three models; offered the option of subtitles, if the program included them

On October 11, 2011, was presented the Roku LT as a reduced, low-cost version of the Roku 2 XS

The model consisted of two AV ports, an HDMI and a 3.5" composite micro-SD

The same content capacity was available, except that it supported gaming, and its highest video resolution was 720p

There was no Ethernet port or micro-SD card slot

The function Roku Search added October 29, 2012

This feature allowed users to search for movie and TV show titles, actors, and directors; for multiple services on Roku from the United States such as Amazon Video, HBO Go, and Netflix

The feature was only available on Roku 2, Roku Streaming Stick, Roku LT, and Roku HD, due to technical limitations on previous models

On May 14, 2013, an updated software interface for second-generation Roku units was released

This is the same interface that was introduced with the launch of third generation players

On July 26, 2013, in the United Kingdom, BSkyB launched a Now TV-branded Roku LT, which allowed users to stream Now TV content to their TVs, as well as access content from BBC iPlayer, Demand 5, Spotify, and Sky News

Third generation

On March 5, 2013, Roku announced the release of its updated media player, the Roku 3, with a faster CPU than the Roku 2 XS, and a Wi-Fi Direct remote instead of Bluetooth

The Roku 3's remote included a headphone jack (with headphones included) for a private listening mode

Roku announced in 2015 two new versions of its devices:

• Roku 3 (4230): with a new remote control, a microphone for voice search
• Roku 2 (4210): with a much faster processor than the old Roku 2, but its remote no longer has a built-in headphone jack

The Roku 2 model number before the one released in 2015 was 2720

This naming scheme caused some confusion among consumers

Fourth Generation

On October 6, 2015, Roku officially announced the launch of the Roku 4

The new device had 4K video streaming capability, a remote control finder, updated software (Roku OS 7), and hardware that included support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi

The Roku 4 began selling in October 2015

Fifth Generation

On September 26, 2016, Roku renewed its entire lineup of streaming players with 5 new models:

• Roku Express: low end
• Roku Express+:
• Roku Premiere: high end
• Roku Premiere+: supports HDR video using HDR10
• Roku Ultra: supports HDR video using HDR10

In April 2016 he launched the new Streaming Stick 3600 as a sixth option

Sixth Generation

In October 2017, Roku introduced its sixth generation of products

Updates included the removal of the models Premiere and Premiere+, the introduction of the Streaming Stick + (with an improved Wi-Fi antenna), as well as new processors for the Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Express and Express+

Seventh Generation

In September 2018, Roku introduced the seventh generation of its products

The products Express (3900), Express+ (3910), Streaming Stick (3800) and Streaming Stick+ (3810) they are unchanged from the last generation

The Ultra It's the same device as the last generation, although it now comes with JBL Premium Headphones and was catalogued with a new model number, 4661

Roku resurrected the names of Premiere and Premiere+, However, these two new models bear little resemblance to those of the fifth generation: the models Premiere (4620) and Premiere+ (4630)

The new models Premiere (3920) and Premiere+ (3921) are essentially based on the Express (3900) with added 4K support

Eighth generation

En septiembre de 2019, Roku presentó la octava generación de productos

The same year, Netflix announced that it would stop supporting older generations of Roku, including Roku HD, HD-XR, SD, XD and XDS

As well as XD and XDS of the brand NetGear as of December 1, 2019

Roku had warned in 2015 that it would stop updating its players manufactured before May 2011

Ninth generation

On September 28, 2020, Roku introduced the ninth generation of products

A was launched Updated Roku Ultra along with the incorporation of the Roku Streambar, a Roku device and 2-in-1 soundbar

The micro-SD slot was removed from the new Ultra 4800, which made it the first Roku device since the first generation to lack this feature

On April 14, 2021, Roku announced the Roku Express 4K+, that replaced the devices Roku Express Eighth generation

And the Voice Remote Pro, as an optional upgrade for existing Roku players, and Roku OS 10 for all newer Roku devices

Tenth generation

On September 20, 2021, Roku introduced the tenth generation of products

The Roku Streaming Stick 4K was announced along with Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, which included a Roku Voice Remote Pro rechargeable Updated with Lost Remote Finder

Roku announced a Roku Ultra LT upgrading it with a faster processor, more powerful Wi-Fi and Dolby Vision, as well as Bluetooth audio streaming and built-in Ethernet support

Roku also announced Roku OS 10.5 with several new and improved features

On November 15, 2021, Roku announced the economic model Roku LE (3930S3) that would be sold at Walmart, as long as supplies lasted

Which lacked 4K and HDR10 support, which made its features similar to those of the Roku Express (3930) Aug. 2019

It had the same form factor as the Roku Express except that the plastic casing was white instead of black