Streaming Streaming Devices 102 102 people found this article helpful What is a Roku Smart TV? Find out if this smart TV is right for you by Robert Silva Writer Robert Silva has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998. Robert has written for Dishinfo.com, and made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. our editorial process Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Robert Silva Updated on June 03, 2020 Tweet Share Email 2020 TV Buying Guide 2020 TV Buying Guide Introduction TV Basics What is a Smart TV? What Are Pixels? HDR Formats Explained HDTV, HDMI, DVI or HDCP Measuring a TV Screen How Room Lighting Affects TVs TV Buying Guide What Is 4K? LCD vs LED All About OLED TVs QLED vs OLED Extended Warranties What is a Roku TV? The Best TV For You Best TVs of 2020 Best 4K Ultra HD TVs Best TV Brands Best Cheap TVs Best Smart TVs Best Outdoor TVs Best Gaming TVs Best TVs Under $500 Best Online TV Retailers Best TVs by Brand Best LG TVs Best Roku TVs Best Vizio TVs Best TVs at Walmart Best Samsung TVs Best Sony TVs Best Hisense TVs Best TVs by Size Best 40-inch Smart TVs Best 42-inch TVs Best 48-inch TVs Best 60-inch TVs Best 65-Inch 4K TVs Best 75-Inch TVs Best 80-85 inch TVs Best 26-29 inch LED TVs Best 32-39 inch LED TVs Best TV Accessories Best TV Antennas Best TV Stands Best TV Wall Mounts Best Under Cabinet TVs & Mounts Best Surge Protectors Best HDMI Cables Best Blu-Ray Players Best Devices for Streaming TV A Roku smart TV is a combination of both a smart TV and a Roku streaming device (also known as an external media streamer.) This combination combines traditional TV functions with an operating system/platform. That allows viewers to access, manage, and view internet and network-based media content straight from their television set with no extra devices. The Difference Between a Roku TV and a Roku Streaming Stick A Roku streaming stick is a separate, handheld device that communicates wirelessly with a television set to connect you to entertainment from the internet. A Roku TV includes everything in the television instead. How Does a Roku Smart TV Work? Roku licenses its streaming platform for use in smart TVs. This means that Roku doesn't make its own TVs, but it allows manufacturers to include Roku features inside their TVs. There is no need to buy an additional streaming device since the features of a Roku streaming stick or box are already inside the TV (via software). When it's time to stream a television show or movie, users simply turn on the TV set and use its controls to download, set up and use the streaming apps as needed. TV brands that make Roku TVs include Element, Hisense, Hitachi, Insignia, JVC, Philips, RCA, Sharp, and TCL and All Roku TVs are LED/LCD TVs. Screen sizes range from 24 to 75-inches. Depending on the brand/model, a set will feature 720p, 1080p, or 4K display resolution. Some Roku TVs are compatible with one or more HDR formats. TCL What Does a Roku TV Do? Roku TVs provide access to familiar services such as Netflix, Vudu, Amazon, Hulu, and YouTube as well as over 5,000 more official and non-official services (referred to as channels) depending on location. They also provide access to additional devices that can be plugged into it as well as over-the-air TV broadcasts when an antenna is connected. What You Can Connect to a Roku TV Just as with any TV (smart or not), you can connect other devices to a Roku TV. An Antenna connection is provided for reception of over-the-air TV broadcasts.HDMI inputs are provided for plugging in DVD/Blu-ray/Ultra HD Blu-ray players, cable/satellite boxes, game consoles, and more.At the manufacturer's discretion, shared composite/component video connections may be provided which allow you to plug in older devices, such as VCRs or DVD players that don't have HDMI outputs.HDMI-ARC and HDMI-CEC are also included. HDMI-ARC simplifies connection of the TV with many home theater receivers and some soundbars, while HDMI-CEC provides limited control of externally connected devices, such as Blu-ray/Ultra HD Blu-ray and cable/satellite boxes using the Roku TV remote. TCL/Amazon Roku TVs feature a modest speaker system. However, you can connect it to an external soundbar or audio system using HDM-ARC, analog and/or digital optical audio outputs if those options are provided. Roku also offers optional external wireless speakers that work exclusively with Roku TVs. Roku TVs also support screen mirroring/casting via smartphones and media file playback via plug-in USB drives. How You Control a Roku TV A Roku TV can be controlled via its provided remote or the Roku Mobile App. Roku TV remotes look and work like the ones used for streaming sticks and boxes, but the main difference is that they include volume control and can turn the TV on and off. The Roku Mobile App includes features such as voice control, private listening, and more. You can also control a Roku TV with Google Assistant via your smartphone or Google Home directly or indirectly in combination with the Quick Remote App. Roku TVs provide control and management of both streaming and traditional TV functions such as input and channel selection, picture and sound settings. Picture settings can be applied to each input separately. Robert Silva for Lifewire Additional Roku TV Convenience Features Roku TVs have built-in WiFi for convenient connection to your home network and the internet. Some Roku TVs (mostly 4K models) provide both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. If an antenna is connected and you select the Antenna TV icon on the Roku TV's Home Screen, it prompts you to scan for available channels. An onscreen Smart Guide allows you to navigate through antenna channels. The Roku TV will also show if the program is available via streaming (More Ways to Watch feature via the * icon next to the program listing). When using Roku TV's search feature, in addition to finding streaming channels and content, in some cases, you may find TV programs available through your antenna. Robert Silva for Lifewire You can connect a 16GB or larger USB flash drive (ver 2.0 suggested) to a Roku TV and use the Live TV Pause feature for up to 90 minutes of video. While Live TV is paused, the program is recorded on the flash drive. When you hit play, the portion of the program you missed will play back. Live TV Pause only works for live TV received via an antenna, it can't be used to store recorded programs or transfer recordings to another device. If you change channels or exit Antenna TV, any paused video stored on the USB drive is erased. Robert Silva for Lifewire Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up. Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit