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7 Awesome Roku Features You Probably Aren't Using

Do you own a Roku device? If so, be sure to read our guide to get more out of your Roku. Get more from your Roku with these 10 tips. Get more from your Roku with these 10 tips. Okay, so you've got your Roku up and running, but you're probably not maximizing its usefulness. These 10 tips will help you get the most out of your Roku. Read More Here are 10 of the best... Read More Done? Okay. Then it's time for some more tips and tricks.

Because Roku devices are so feature-rich, we could write about them for years and still not cover them all. So, connect your device, follow our Roku setup guide How to set up and use your Roku Streaming Stick How to set up and use your Roku Streaming Stick So, you've just bought a new Roku Streaming Stick and are wondering what to do next. We're here to help, with the complete guide to setting up your new Roku Streaming Stick. Read More

1. Create your own screensaver

Roku devices come with three native screen savers. They are roku digital watch , Roku Analog Watch , and Bounce Logo . None of them are particularly inspiring. To select one, go to Settings> Screensaver> Screensaver and make your choice.

Of course, you can also download new screensavers from the Channel Store. As we have explained above, you can access the channel store from your Roku device. Using Roku channels:everything you need to know. Using Roku channels:everything you need to know. If you are new to the world of Roku, the concept of channels. You may be confused. But don't worry, here's everything you need to know about using Roku channels! Read More On your Roku device, go to Streaming Channels> Screensavers to see what's available.

7 Awesome Roku Features You Probably Aren t Using

But did you know there is a third option? If you have a 4K Roku device, you can also create your own screen saver using photos from your smartphone.

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To set up the feature, you need to download the Roku app for your Android or iOS device. Within the app, go to Settings> Mobile Screensaver . You can choose up to 25 images to use. You also need to set the display style (High Quality Stills or Pan and Zoom ), and the speed (15, 20 or 30 seconds). Tap Set Screensaver when you're ready.

Download: Roku (Android)
Download: Roku (iOS)

2. Private listening

Roku devices can be addictive. A Netflix subscription is even more addictive. Put the two together and you have a recipe for all night binge eating.

But all-night binges bring their own problems, and I'm not just talking about lack of sleep. If you live with other people, they probably won't appreciate being woken up at 4am by the sound of the TV blaring.

Similarly, if your kids love to binge watch. Spongebob Squarepants (or whatever the topic of kids is these days), you might be a little sick of hearing the same jokes on an endless loop.

The solution is private listening. If you own a compatible Roku model, the feature is available through the Android app, iOS app, and Remote Point Anywhere. Supported models are Roku Express , Roku Express+ , Roku Streaming Stick (model 3600 and above), Roku Premiere , roku+ premiere , Roku 4 , Roku ultra , and all Roku TVs such as the TCL 49S405 Smart LED TV.

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3. Pause live TV

Live TV pause is only available if you have a Roku TV (i.e. a smart TV with the Roku OS built in).

And even if you have a Roku TV, it's only available if you've connected an over-the-air (OTA) antenna to your set (which everyone should, you'll be amazed at the content you can get for free through an antenna). What can be seen with a TV antenna? What can be seen with a TV antenna? What if there was a cheap and legal way to get access to many of the big networks? I would probably enjoy it. Well, it turns out there is! Step forward the confidence of the TV antenna. Read more).

7 Awesome Roku Features You Probably Aren t Using

Lastly, you need to connect a USB stick with the last 16 GB of space to your TV. Live TV Pause uses the memory on the stick to save images.

Assuming your setup meets those three criteria, the feature will be available. You can pause live TV for up to 90 minutes, which is plenty of time to make a cup of tea or pop into the bathroom.

4. Hotel and bedroom connect

You've always been able to throw your Roku Streaming Stick in your luggage when you leave home for a few days. And by doing so, you will put all your content at your fingertips anywhere in the world.

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In fact, I've argued before that this "feature" is one of the main reasons you should buy a Roku device over a smart TV Don't buy a smart TV:Buy a Roku instead! Don't Buy a Smart TV:Buy a Roku Instead! Having! Don't buy that smart TV. Instead, read this article and find out why you'd be better off buying a stupid TV plus a standalone streaming stick to go with it. Read more.

But there was always a problem:the use of Wi-Fi networks that required you to access the network through a web browser. You know the type, you see them a lot in hotels and office buildings.

Well, if your Roku is running Roku OS 7.0 or higher, your life will get better thanks to the new Connected Hotel &Bedroom. characteristic. Lets you log in to browser-based Wi-Fi networks in seconds.

Just be sure to select I'm in a hotel or college dorm when you connect to the network.

5. Plex News

No one who owns a Roku stick should be without Plex. It allows you to watch all your locally saved videos anywhere in the world. You Don't Even Need a Plex Pass 5 Reasons You Really Don't Need a Plex Pass 5 Reasons You Really Don't Need a Plex Pass If you have a lot of media stored locally on your computer, Plex is a must-have piece of software. But do you really need to pay for a Plex Pass? Let's find out... Read More Of course, all Plex channels also give you access to legal TV on demand. 20 Unofficial Plex Channels You Should Install Now. 20 Unofficial Plex Channels You Should Install Now. With the AppStore not supported, you can unlock new Plex content to watch. Here are the best unofficial Plex channels to install. Read More Plex Live TV:Everything You Need to Know Plex Live TV:Everything You Need to Know Plex has added live TV channels to its service, but what exactly is Plex Live TV? We've got everything you need to know about this exciting new option for cable cutters. Read more.

In September 2017, Plex announced another great new feature:Plex News .

7 Awesome Roku Features You Probably Aren t Using

If you're an experienced cord cutter, you'll know that news is one of the hardest areas to replicate without a cable TV subscription. In the past, we have tried to help you by introducing you to some news channels that all cord cutters need. 5 Free Streaming News Channels for Cord Cutters. 5 Free Streaming News Channels for Cord Cutters. News. Or the lack of it. Fortunately, things are changing, and there are plenty of free cord-cutter news channels here. Read more . Plex News adds another solid option.

In case you missed the ad, Plex News gives you access to over 190 global news outlets and uses an advanced algorithm to figure out what news you care about.

6. The Roku Channel

There is no shortage of high-quality video-on-demand apps. Netflix, Amazon Video, Hulu, HBO Now, PlayStation Vue, Sling TV - the list goes on and on. In fact, we've argued that there may be too many streaming apps out there today. Are there too many streaming TV services? Are there too many streaming TV services? So, you've thrown the cord and launched yourself into the world of cord cutting. But what now? Is it possible that there are too many streaming TV services to choose from these days? Read more.

If you are observant, you will have noticed that all the applications I mentioned have one characteristic in common:they all cost money. The same goes for almost all renowned services..

7 Awesome Roku Features You Probably Aren t Using

It does not have to be like that. Just install The roku channel from the channel store. It is the official channel of the company and offers hundreds of the best movies for free. You don't even need to make an account. The channel is available on any device launched after June 2011.

The only catch? The channel is ad supported. However, Roku promises to show fewer ads than regular TV. If you try to watch the channel for some time, you will find that the company stays true to its word.

7. Enable control of consumer electronics

Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) is part of the HDMI standard. It can be used to sync volume between devices, coordinate separate audio and video inputs, and can allow one remote to control all of your devices.

Roku uses CEC's One Touch Play feature. If enabled, your TV will jump to the Roku input port as soon as you press the Power button on your Roku remote. It eliminates the need to use your TV remote if you want to switch from normal cable programming to Netflix, for example.

To turn on the feature, go to Settings> System> Control other devices> 1-touch play and check the box.

Do you have any Roku tips to share?

Using these seven tips along with the 20 tips we covered in the two articles referenced in the introduction means you should be well on your way to becoming a Roku ninja.

But wait! Surprisingly, there are even more little-known tips and features out there. So now it's for you. What are your favorite tips, tricks, and features that most Roku users don't know about?

As always, you can leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Or share this article with other Roku users on the social networking site of your choice.