The future is now and it’s time to say goodbye to cable and hello to streaming players. With smart TVs gaining in popularity and companies such as Netflix and YouTube upping their game when it comes to watching videos, movies and shows, there’s never been a better time to enjoy a night in watching television. If you need better access to streaming services on an older TV, you might be looking at the Roku Express 4K, a high resolution streaming player.
What can you do with Roku Express 4K?
The Roku Express 4K is a small device that connects to your TV and allows you to stream your favourite shows, movies and more. This means that you can connect the Roku Express 4K with your Netflix, Amazon Prime or other streaming service account and watch everything on your TV instead of on your phone or laptop. You can also access the Roku Channel, where you can watch hundreds of shows and movies for free.
The Roku Express 4K has amazing picture quality since it will deliver content in higher resolution 4K video, and can also stream in HD, and it uses HDR technology which is responsible for giving you incredibly vivid colours. What’s more, Roku claims it has a dual band wireless connection that’s super fast, smooth and allows you to connect multiple devices without slowing down.
What can I watch on Roku Express 4K?
When you set up the Roku Express 4K on your TV, you can customize the Home Screen, choosing the streaming channels that you want to appear there. Whether it’s Apple TV, Disney+ or even music streaming services such as Spotify, Roku has you covered. You can also watch live TV, news, kids’ channels and sports.
Its massive selection of channels and streaming services means that pretty much everyone can find something to watch on the Roku Express 4K.
Setting up Roku Express 4K
Setting up Roku Express 4KIt also couldn’t be easier to set up, making it perfect for first-time streamers (like a gift for your parents or grandparents, say). In essence it’s plug-in, connect to Wi-Fi and then sign into your existing streaming accounts. Then you’re ready to watch. I’ve long found Roku’s interface easy to navigate and use and
I often recommend it to those looking for a streamer for newbies.
The Roku Express 4K is also great for anyone looking to save money on cable. Since streaming players mean you choose what to watch and when, you don’t have to pay for all those unnecessary channels that you never watch. A streaming player like Roku is the natural next step for anyone looking to replace cable with something better quality, cheaper and with a bigger range of content to watch.
If you have more than one TV in your home, or you have an older TV that’s not up to the task of streaming, the Roku Express 4K can be great for these televisions and mean that you can catch all your favourite channels no matter where you are in the house.
Roku Express 4K Key Features:
A Roku Express 4K is about more than just watching TV; you can customize your experience and it works with a host of other devices too. Let’s take a closer look at some of the Roku Express 4K’s key features:
1. Adjustable Home Screen
The streaming player lets you personalize your Home Screen so that you can easily access your favourite channels and streaming services at the touch of a button. You can also sync with voice control features such as Alexa, Siri and Google, making it even easier to watch the movies and shows you love!
2. Apple AirPlay
The Roku Express 4K’s Apple AirPlay compatibility means that you can effortlessly share videos, photos and music from any Apple device as well as mirror your screen.
3. Roku Smart Remote
The Roku Remote is small, streamlined and super simple to use – it even has shortcut buttons to your favourite channels. Can’t find the remote? No problem – you can download the Roku Remote app on your phone and never worry about losing it down the back of the sofa!
4. Roku Private Listening
The Roku app lets you stream audio through your phone rather than the TV, which means you can have the full visual experience and listen as loud as you like through headphones connected to your phone, without disturbing the whole house.
If you’re looking for a streaming player to replace cable, gift to some first-time streamers or just provide a fantastic-quality streaming experience in your home, look no further than the Roku Express 4K. With a solid range of channels and smooth, fast wireless connection, just set this device up on your TV and you’ll never look back.
Roku Express 4K has earned quite the reputation of being the ‘king of budget 4K HDR streaming boxes’. But you know we wouldn’t just take their word for it. This review aims to offer an honest assessment of the product.
The Sunny Side of Things – Pros
There are plenty of reasons why Roku has almost 30% of the market share, triple that of its closest contender when it comes to the smart streaming devices market.
Affordable
At just $49.78, it’s tough to beat in the price race. Google’s Chromecast with 4K, on the other hand, is priced at $69.99.
4K HDR Streaming
For its modest price, it promises high-quality 4K and HDR10+ streaming for an ultra-crisp visual experience.
And just with these features at this price range, it blows everyone else out of the water. Just don’t expect it to have Dolby Vision, as that’s a feature reserved for pricier Roku devices such as the Ultra.
User-friendly Interface
Keeping things simple seems to be Roku’s forte. Navigating through the channels is as easy as strolling through your smartphone’s home screen.
he home screen presents a series of icons in a grid, which you can navigate using the Roku remote. Each icon represents a different channel or streaming service, allowing you to easily access your favorite content.
Loads of quality original content
The Roku Express 4K is one the least expensive ways you can access Roku Originals, which include a mix of TV series from various genres such as comedies, dramas, and movies.
If you’re looking for Weird: The Al Yankovic Story with Daniel Radcliffe playing the iconic musician, for example, the Roku Express 4K, along with the other Roku devices, is the platform that you can watch it on (at least legally).
AirPlay Support
The Roku Express 4K has AirPlay support so you can easily stream content from your iPhone to the TV. The feature is useful if you want to watch videos from your phone on the big screen without having to connect your device. You can also use AirPlay mirroring if you want to show off a webpage or iOS app on the TV screen.
Private Listening Mode Through the Roku Mobile App
Roku’s private listening mode allows users to enjoy their favorite content without disturbing others by routing the audio through headphones connected to a smartphone or tablet. To activate private listening, you need to use the Roku mobile app, plug in your headphones, and tap the headphone icon in the app to enable the mode.
This is one of Roku’s most popular features, as it lets you enjoy your shows at full volume, even when you’re watching content late at night or in a shared space. It’s perfect for those moments when cranking the volume up isn’t an option.
Wi-Fi 5 Plus Ethernet
To ensure a smooth 4K streaming experience, Roku equipped the Express 4K with a Wi-Fi 5 that allows for high-speed and, perhaps more importantly, stable and efficient internet connection.
But if you really want to make sure you don’t get that dreaded buffering message, you can also connect the Roku Express 4K to your home network via Ethernet cable. This way, you’ll know there’s no chance of your connection dropping out at an inopportune moment.
A Little Rain – Cons
Of course, no product is truly perfect, and Roku Express 4K is no exception. So, here’s a couple of points to ponder on:
Basic Remote
The included remote might not wow you with features. It’s not voice-enabled, meaning searching for your favorite show might take a bit longer than with fancier Roku Express 4K Plus (read: pricier) models which haven’t made it to local Canadian stores yet.
Limited Advanced Features
The Roku Express 4K keeps it snug and simple, which means some advanced features available on pricier models, such as Dolby Audio, might be missing here.
The Little Brother – The Roku Express (Non-4K)
If you’re trying to update a 1080p TV from years ago, chances are it isn’t technically capable of playing 4K content. If this is the case, then you can save a couple of dollars by going with the base Roku Express at $29.
It’s a 1080P streaming device that will be able to stream just about every streaming service you can think of, including Netflix and Hulu. The only downside is that it only has Wi-Fi 4, so it can’t handle high-speed data transmission as well as the 4K version.
But this slower internet module shouldn’t be a problem because it maxes out at 1080P, which doesn’t exactly need much data.
So, What’s the Verdict?
When all’s said and done, the Roku Express 4K definitely has a lot going for it. It’s a solid choice for those of you who want great streaming quality without putting a dent in your bank account. Sure, it’s not perfect, but honestly, what is?
At the end of the day, it’s not about chasing the most expensive tech products but finding what works best for you and your wallet. So, if the Roku Express 4K fits your bill, it seems like a steal of a deal. Happy streaming!
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