10 Tips and Tricks for New Roku Users
If you’re a new Roku user, you know that it’s possible to connect your Roku TV or streaming media player to the Internet to watch all sorts of streaming video content. You probably don’t know all the other cool things you can do with your Roku device—and there are a lot. Let’s look at the coolest things you can do with Roku.
1. Add Your Favorite Channels
The content you watch on your Roku TV or device comes to you via individual apps or what Roku calls channels. Netflix is a channel, Disney+ is a channel, Hulu is a channel—you get the picture.
You must install that channel on your Roku device when you want to watch a new streaming video service. Actually, you’re adding that channel to your Roku account; every device connected to your account gets every new channel you add.
Adding a new channel to Roku is as simple as selectingStreaming Channelsfrom the main menu. You can browse recommended channels or channels by genre or selectSearchto search for specific channels. Select the channel you want to add, then selectAdd Channel. The tile for that channel will be added to the bottom of the Roku home screen.
2. Rearrange Channels on the Roku Home Screen
Pre-installed channels are arranged by default on the Roku home screen, and the new channels you add go to the bottom of the list. However, you can rearrange your home screen to put your most-used channels at the top or arrange everything alphabetically.
To move a channel tile, highlight that tile, press theOptions (*)button on the Roku remote, and then selectMove Channel. Use the remote’s left, right, up, and down arrows to move the tile where you want it, then pressOKon the remote.
3. Change Roku’s Theme and Wallpaper
Roku’s default screen background is nice, but it might not be what you want. Fortunately, Roku lets you install new themes with different backgrounds and system sounds.
To switch to a different theme, selectSettingsfrom the main menu, then selectTheme > Theme Packs. You now see a large selection of themes; some are free, some aren’t. Highlight the theme you want, then pressOKon the Roku remote to view more details. SelectGet Theme Packto install the new theme. After the theme is installed, selectSet Theme Packto set this as your default theme.
You can also change wallpapers without installing an entire theme pack. SelectSettings > Themes > Wallpapersand make your selection.
Throughout the year, Roku offers a variety of seasonal theme packs. These themes are only available for a set period of time. After the seasonal theme pack expires, Roku automatically shifts back to the installed theme.
4. Change Your Roku’s Screensaver
Your Roku TV or player has a built-in screensaver that displays when the device has been inactive for some time. If you find the default screensaver a tad boring, you can change it, just like you change the overall theme for your Roku device.
From your home screen, selectSettings, then selectTheme > Screensavers. Browse the available screensavers, highlight the one you want, and pressOKon the Roku remote. SelectGet Screensaverto download this screensaver; after it’s downloaded, selectSet Screensaverto set this as your default screensaver.
5. Control Roku With the Roku Smartphone App
You’re already used to controlling your Roku device with the remote control. But did you know you could also control your Roku device with your smartphone? All you have to do is install the Roku app on your phone, and then you have total control over any Roku TV or devices connected to your Roku account.
There are many ways you canget the most out of the Roku mobile app. You can change channels, browse and search for programs, and enter text into onscreen forms with the app’s onscreen keyboard. You can evencontrol your sound bar with the Roku mobile app.
Download:Roku - Official Remote Control forAndroid|iOS(Free)
6. Control Roku With Voice Commands
Some higher-end Roku devices have a voice-enabled remote control that lets you control Roku with voice commands. You can tell Roku to “Launch Hulu,” “Search for comedies,” or “WatchStranger Thingson Netflix.” If you have a Roku TV, you can tell it to “Turn on the Roku TV” or “Switch to HDMI 1.”
Don’t have a voice-enabled Roku remote? You can control any Roku TV or device with voice commands from the Roku app on your smartphone.
7. Control Roku With Your Amazon or Google Smart Speaker
You cancontrol your Roku with your Amazon Echoor Google Nest smart speaker. You have to set up your Amazon or Google device and link it to your Roku, which you may do from that device’s smartphone app. Once you’ve linked your smart speaker to your Roku device, you can just say “Alexa, pause Roku” or “Hey Google, open Netflix on Roku.”
8. Display Closed Captions on Your Favorite Shows and Movies
If you have trouble hearing dialog in the shows you watch or want to watch something with the sound turned down, you can opt to display closed captions onscreen. Roku lets you enable captions for almost all the programming you watch, so you don’t have to turn them on for each individual channel or program.
From the Roku home screen, selectSettings > Captions > Accessibility > Captions Mode. You can then select to display captionsOn AlwaysorOn Replay.
Not all channels support Roku’s universal closed captioning. For example, Amazon Prime still requires you to turn captions on or off from within that channel.
9. Level Roku’s Volume
Do you get annoyed when a commercial starts with a volume level much louder than the show you’re watching? Or when one channel has a noticeably louder or softer sound than the other channels you watch? you could fix this by using Roku’s volume leveling feature, which levels out the highs and the lows. Turn it on by selectingSettings > Audio > Volume Modes, then switching onAutomatic Volume Leveling.
Volume leveling isn’t available on all Roku devices. Plus, volume leveling converts programs with surround sound into normal stereo.
10. Search for Any Programs You Want to Watch
Looking for a TV show or movie to watch but not sure which streaming service it’s on? Instead of searching every channel individually, use Roku’s universal search function to search across all the channels available on your Roku device.
SelectSearchfrom the home screen, enter the name of the program you want, and Roku will display all the services where that program is available—and whether that program is free (sometimes with a subscription to that service) or available for purchase or rental. You can even search for actors and directors and select any given result to go directly to that service.
Roku Can Do All These Things—and More
Your Roku TV or streaming media player is a very versatile device. it’s possible to personalize your Roku with the channels, wallpapers, and screensavers you want, then use it to play back your favorite shows in many ways. It’s a lot better than watching traditional broadcast or cable television.
Do you own a Roku device? If not, why not? If so, good, because it’s time for some more tips and tricks for getting the most out of your Roku.
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