We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

What is the Roku™ Player?

By Phil Shepley
Updated Feb 29, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

The Roku™ Player is a receiver box made for the purpose of instantly streaming video and audio to a home theater system. It comes in several different models, some of which are capable of streaming high-definition video. An Internet connection is necessary to use the device. The content that is streamed through a Roku™ Player can be free, pay-as-you-go, or part of a paid subscription service.

In 2008, the Roku™ Player was first introduced as the Netflix Player, and its primary use was streaming movies from the movie rental service. The device could be connected directly to a television with several cables. Similarly, an Ethernet cable could be used to plug the player to the user’s Internet connection. The Roku™ SD model was released in 2009.

The remote control for the device is relatively simple, and all controls for the player are operated directly on the television screen via this remote. It offers play, pause, forward, and backward buttons for controlling the video. These buttons also function to navigate the menus when the user is deciding what to watch. This content is selected directly through the player, but can be synchronized with online services.

Several features have been added to subsequent models of the Roku™ Player. The Roku™ HD player has an HDMI cable for hooking the device up to high definition televisions, and it also contains an s-video hookup. In addition, Wi-Fi is available on the SD model, which eliminates the need for an Internet cable. A person who is interested in purchasing a Roku™ player must determine which model is correct for him, based upon factors such as Internet connection speed, television type, and desired content.

A higher-end model is known as the Roku™ HD-XR. This version boasts even faster, extended-range Wi-Fi. This is advantageous for downloading fast, high-definition content. In addition, there is a USB port available for future expansions of the system. Roku™ players are designed to play on any television, but the HD-XR was designed for use with high-definition televisions that demand superior quality downloads.

There is much more content available to download on the Roku™ Player. There are websites that offer pay-as-you-go, as well as monthly subscription services, for the purchase and download of movies and television programs.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.