Are Old Roku Models No Longer Updated
IDG / Jared Newman
Of all the companies making streaming TV devices today, Roku is the almost prolific, having released more than two dozen streaming players and sticks over the final eight years.
With and so many Roku players in the wild, the decision on when to upgrade tin can be daunting. I'm more often than not in favor of keeping what you lot have for equally long every bit you can tolerate information technology; but if you're curious what you're missing by holding out on upgrading to a new Roku, here'south a rundown.
Exercise you want the latest apps?
All Roku players that launched in 2010 or earlier are no longer receiving firmware updates, app updates, or new app releases. Past sticking with one of these "Classic" Roku models, you're missing out on countless new apps, including some major streaming services such as PlayStation Vue, Starz, HBO Now, and CW. Consider upgrading if yous're not getting all the content y'all care virtually.
Roku models missing out: Roku N1000, Roku SD (N1050), Roku Hard disk drive (N1100 and 2000), Roku HD-XR (N1101), Roku XD (2050), and Roku XDS (2100).
Do yous want universal search and watchlists?
"Archetype" Roku players aren't just lacking new apps. They're too missing new features like universal search and Roku Feed, which lets you go on track of new TV episodes and movie price changes beyond multiple streaming services. All Roku players produced afterward 2010 include these features, both on the device itself and in Roku'due south mobile apps.
Roku models missing out: Roku N1000, Roku SD (N1050), Roku HD (N1100 and 2000), Roku Hard disk drive-XR (N1101), Roku XD (2050), and Roku XDS (2100).
Jared Newman This table volition assist you decide which—if whatever—of the Roku streaming boxes is right for you
Do you lot have multiple Netflix users?
Many older Roku models—including whatever that launched in 2012 or before—run an outdated version of Netflix that doesn't back up profiles. That means users can't get individualized recommendations or access to "Kids" mode. Avid Netflix users might want to upgrade, if just to cut down on wasted time browsing through irrelevant content.
Roku models missing out: Roku N1000, Roku SD (N1050), Roku HD (N1100, 2000, and 2500), Roku HD-XR (N1101), Roku XD (2050 and 3050), Roku XDS (2100), Roku LT (2400, 2450, 2700), Roku 2 HD (3000), Roku 2 XD (3050), Roku 2 XS (3100), Roku Streaming Stick MHL (3400, 3420), Roku ane and SE (2710), and Roku 2 (2720).
Jared Newman The 2017 Roku Ultra occupies an uneasy middle ground, caught between capable lower-priced streamers and slightly more-expensive hardware that delivers a lot more.
Have you lot upgraded to a higher-cease TV?
Some older Roku players don't back up full high-definition video (1080p); they're limited to high definition (720p) or standard definition (480p). The newest players get-go at full high definition (1080p), and some support 4K (2160p) resolution and HDR (high dynamic range). If you intendance deeply about flick quality and have a television that supports these formats, information technology's time to consider an upgrade.
Roku models missing out (limited to 720p Hard disk drive or SD): Roku N1000, Roku SD (N1050), Roku HD (N1100, 2000, and 2500), Roku LT (2400, 2450, and 2700), and Roku 2 HD (3000).
Roku models missing out (limited to 1080p HD): All Roku players except Roku four, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+, and Roku Ultra. (Premiere+ and Ultra also support HDR.)
Roku models missing out (express to 4K without HDR): All Roku players except Roku Premiere+, Roku Streaming Stick+, and Roku Ultra.
Does your remote feel finicky?
Many early Roku remotes—and some electric current ones—use infrared instead of radio frequency to communicate with the box. This requires line of sight, which precludes you from mounting the Roku backside the television set or hiding it within an entertainment centre cabinet. IR can also be unreliable at long range. (The simply upside to IR-enabled Rokus: They'll work with lower-end programmable universal remotes, such as Logitech Harmony models that don't support RF.)
Roku models missing out: All Roku players except Roku Streaming Stick (3400, 3420, 3500, 3600), Roku three (all versions), Roku 4, Roku Premiere+, and Roku Ultra.
Jared Newman / IDG The 2017 versions of the Roku Streaming Stick and the Roku Streaming Stick+ both have remotes that can control yourTV, just you lot'll want to latter model if you have a 4K HDR TV.
Do you desire to heed privately?
I of Roku's neatest features is its ability to play audio through headphones, either with a supported remote control or with Roku's mobile app. It'south a nice way to watch activity films at nighttime without waking the kids.
Roku models missing out (lacking remote private listening): Roku 3 (4200 and 4230), Roku 4, Roku Premiere+, and Roku Ultra.
Roku models missing out (lacking smartphone individual listening): All Roku players except Roku Express, Roku Express+, Roku Streaming Stick (2016 and afterward), Roku Streaming Stick+, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+, and Roku Ultra.
Exercise you lose the remote a lot?
In recent years, Roku has introduced a handy feature for the forgetful: Press a button on the box, and a siren will sound on the remote to help you lot find information technology. Unfortunately, this characteristic has just been available on the priciest players.
Roku models missing out: All Roku players except Roku 4 or Roku Ultra.
Do you lot have connectivity problems?
With a dual-band wireless router, yous tin get a more than reliable connection on the less-congested 5GHz frequency band, but only if your device supports it. Many older Roku models only back up unmarried-band Wi-Fi, and even some recent ones don't support the latest 802.11ac standard. Consider upgrading if your Roku'southward streaming quality doesn't seem to match your cyberspace speed and/or your router'due south capabilities.
Roku models missing out: All Roku players except Roku four, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+, Roku Streaming Stick (2017), Roku Streaming Stick+, and Roku Ultra.
Jared Newman / TechHive The 2017 Roku Express is limited to the 2.4GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi standard. That doesn't mean it's not compatible with new 802.11ac routers, simply that it won't take full reward of them.
Could yous use a speed boost?
Roku players accept generally become much more powerful over the past few years, assuasive you to scroll smoothly through menus and load apps without delay. If you're frustrated by the performance of your current Roku, consider upgrading to i of the models below.
Roku models missing out: All Roku players except Roku iii (2015 model), Roku 4, Roku Streaming Stick (2016 and newer), Roku Limited (2017 model), Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+, and Roku Ultra.
Practise you desire built-in Television set book and power controls?
In 2017, Roku started putting TV volume and power buttons on some of its remote controls, along with a built-in infrared emitter to communicate with most televisions. Unless you take a universal remote such equally Logitech Harmony, this is an invaluable add-on that saves y'all from having to juggle multiple remotes.
Roku models missing out: All Roku players except Roku Streaming Stick (2017), Roku Streaming Stick+, and Roku Ultra (2017)
Should yous fifty-fifty buy a Roku?
Roku, of course, isn't the only streaming-device maker on the market. Although Roku's Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick+ are excellent options, y'all might also want to consider the competition. Check out our reviews of the Amazon Fire Tv, Amazon Burn Boob tube Stick, Apple TV 4K, Nvidia Shield Tv, and Chromecast for more details.
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Editor'southward note: This story was updated in its entirety on November 20, 2017 to reverberate the current competitive landscape.
Roku Premiere+
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Jared Newman has been helping folks make sense of technology for over a decade, writing for PCWorld, TechHive, and elsewhere. He as well publishes ii newsletters, Advisorator for straightforward tech advice and Cord Cutter Weekly for saving money on Goggle box service.
Source: https://www.techhive.com/article/582694/roku-upgrade-guide-should-you-buy-a-new-box.html
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