Rokus are arguably the most affordable and easy to use streaming devices on the market. If you don’t have a Roku TV or any kind of smart TV, or want to use this with a projector or something else, this is a no brainer investment.
I’ve purchased many of the older Express 1080p units and this 4K+ unit is basically the same with some added perks. The remote included with this unit is a voice remote and allows power control of the TV/display device all within the same remote. The old basic 1080p units did not come with this so it’s a great upgrade. If you use an external audio amplifier that integrates to your home theater via HDMI, CEC control can be used to allow the volume control to control that as well.
All necessary cables and batteries for the remote were included. Also includes VHB tape (command strip) to adhere the Roku to your TV if you choose to do so.
My application for this was a very early gen smart TV from 2013. Although it’s only 1080p it has a higher refresh rate than most TVs at that time, the picture quality is amazing, and it still works great so I saw no sense in replacing it.
My only complaints are with the Roku design and platform, not this unit in particular:
- Specific to the remote, there are a number of channel based services that would benefit from a number pad for direct dialing channel numbers. Roku does not support this, so OEM and aftermarket remotes will never be able to utilize this.
- I’m a huge fan of the purple arrow buttons. Unfortunately they are rubber, not plastic. Easier on the fingers however they get gooey and degrade over time. I’ve had to replace a handful of Roku remotes over the years because of this
- Dedicated streaming service buttons should be programmable. If I don’t subscribe to a service, I don’t want it as a remote hotkey. Interestingly enough, different remotes from different vendors all provide different variations of streaming buttons. There’s no consistency. At that rate, just get rid of them.
Despite the small issues that bother me I still would not steer away from Roku as a platform. It has a lot to offer and an excellent price.
| Manufacturer | Roku |
|---|---|
| Brand | Roku |
| Item Weight | 1.6 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 3 x 1.6 x 0.83 inches |
| Item model number | 3941R2 |
| Batteries | 2 AAA batteries required. (included) |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | Black |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Size | No Size |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 829610004624 |
