Is Roku TV a smart TV? In short, yes. It’s a combination of a smart TV and a Roku streaming device with traditional TV functions and an operating system/platform.

We’ll walk you through everything to know about Roku TVs can do.

The Differences Between Roku TVs and Roku Streaming Devices

A Roku streaming device communicates wirelessly with a television set to connect you to entertainment from the internet. These devices come in stick and set-top formats.

A Roku TV includes everything in the television. Roku TVs allow users to access, manage, and view internet and network-based media content straight from their television set with no extra devices.

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.

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.

How Does a Roku Smart TV Work?

There’s 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, you can turn on the TV and use its controls to download, set up, and use streaming apps.

What Does a Roku TV Do?

Roku TVs provide access to familiar services such as Netflix, Fandango at Home, Amazon, Hulu, and YouTube.

You can also find over 5,000 more official and non-official services depending on your location.

Roku also provides 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.

• Antenna: You can use this connection for reception of over-the-air TV broadcasts.
• HDMI: Use HDMI inputs to connect DVD/Blu-ray/Ultra HD Blu-ray players, cable/satellite boxes, game consoles, and more.
• Shared composite connections: 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: 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.

Roku TVs feature a modest speaker system. However, you can connect them to an external soundbar or audio system using HDM-ARC, analog and/or digital optical audio outputs if they’re available.

Roku TV screen mirroring is another option for streaming from an iPhone or casting from an Android device. Roku TVs also allow media file playback via plug-in USB drives.

How You Control a Roku TV

The primary ways to control a Roku TV are through the provided Roku TV remote or the mobile app.

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 and picture and sound settings.

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.

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.