Streaming Services.
Premium:
Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Vudu, Hulu, CinemaNow, M-Go, HBO Go, Google Play Movie and TV, HBO Now, Showtime, CBS All Access, Disney Movies Anywhere, MLB.TV, NHL, WWE Network, NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL, MLS, UFC.TV, Tennis Channel Everywhere, Sling TV
Other:
YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, Picasa, Flickr, Facebook, Watch Disney Channel, Watch Disney Junior, Watch Disney XD, Fox Now, FX Now, Watch ESPN, NBC, Starz Play, Nick, Crackle, Vimeo, Plex, Slingplayer, Showtime Anytime, TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, Rdio,Vevo, Slacker, Epix, and more
Description. The Roku 4 is one of the bigger streaming-media players we've tested and a departure from Roku's normal style. It's a slim (just about an inch high), 6.5-inch square with curved bottom edges. It has a glossy black finish on the sides and bottom while the top is matte black with a glossy 4 in the middle, a small rectangular remote finder button on the left, and, of course, the familiar purple Roku tag is hanging off one side. The Roku 4 is noticeably heavier than the other Rokus, so it was less prone to being pulled backwards by a heavier HDMI cable. It has an HDMI 2.0 out, an optical digital audio output, a microSD card slot for expanding its built in memory, a side-mounted USB port, and a wired Ethernet port for connecting to a home network. Like the Roku 3, it comes with a motion-sensing game-centric remote control that operates via WiFi Direct rather than infrared (IR). Like the other players' remotes it has dedicated buttons for accessing Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Rdio, and Sling TV as well as A/B game buttons (and purple navigation controls). It also has a standard headphone mini-jack that automatically shuts off the sound to a TV or A/V receiver, allowing you to listen privately even when others are in the same room. The Roku 4's remote also adds a built in speaker which is used for their new lost remote finder feature.
Setup. This player is generally easy to set up, though it was one of only a few tested models that require you to register the device using a computer. All the connections are well labeled, so you can easily see where to connect the HDMI and other cables. It has an onscreen guide that automatically scans for available WiFi networks, but it does not support an easier WPS connection, which doesn't require entering a password. We found updating the firmware for the box is easy because it will automatically prompt you if there is a firmware update.
Ease of use. For everyday use the box is easy to use:
Interface. The main home screen uses graphic tiles for all the available apps and content, and it can be customized for easier access to your favorite apps. It has a search function that will search several of the available video streaming services for content. It also has a very responsive voice search function which makes searching a lot easier than when trying to type in search terms with the on screen keyboard. Thanks to a new, faster processor, we found this Roku's response to be noticeably faster than most other players, which made navigating the menus and content more pleasing. It also loads apps faster than other players.
Remote control. The provided remote is very simple, with few buttons that are well sized and labeled, with high enough contrast that they can be seen in a room with low-light conditions. However, some buttons are labeled with non-standard icons, which could be initially confusing. It uses a WiFi Direct connection so it doesn't require line-of-sight to control the box. It is a motion-sensing remote that is only used to play certain games. It also has a built in mic and a dedicated voice search button. A unique feature is its built in headphone jack, with volume controls right on the remote. When a headphone or earphone is plugged into the remote, it cuts off the sound from the TV. You can also download an iOS, Android, Windows, or Fire OS app that lets you use a phone or tablet to control the player, and use the device's QWERTY keyboard to enter text, making it easier to enter passwords. The app also lets you search for content and use the device's built in mic to do voice searches, access channels directly without navigating the player's menu, and beam photos and music stored on the device to the player via its "Play on Roku" feature. New for the Roku 4 is the remote finder feature. Simply press the button on top of the player and the remote will start playing an alarm sound -which is selectable in the menu--until you press a button on the remote.
Picture quality. This player supports 2160p (UHD) output. In general we found the streaming picture quality for both HD and UHD to be very good. HD content is better than standard DVDs but not quite as sharp or detailed as from a Blu-ray disc, and UHD content matches what we see with streaming content on the best UHD Smart TVs. However, you will need an UHD TV in order to stream UHD content, and the quality of the video you'll get is largely dependent on the speed of your wired or wireless network. (We tested all the players using a wired Ethernet connection.)
Audio. This player will output multichannel digital audio via its HDMI and optical outputs.
Connections. It has an excellent number of connections, including one HDMI 2.0 output, an Ethernet port, DLNA support, a microSD card slot for memory expansion, and one USB port (that can be used with an external hard drive) so you can play images, videos, and music. It supports the latest WiFi standard (802.11ac), which supports dual-band 5GHz networks, and the remote has a headphone jack. It supports "casting," which allows you to load content from YouTube and Netflix onto the player and control the video from the app on your mobile device. It also supports Miracast, so you can mirror the screen of any Android, Fire OS, or Windows device on to your TV via the player.
Miscellaneous. It supports 2160p or Ultra HD resolution output and will play UHD content from several streaming services including Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon and personal photo and video files via the USB ports, though; you need to have an Ultra HD TV to be able to view the 2160p output. While this box does not have a traditional standby mode, it does have a sleep mode that will reduce the power consumption after a certain amount of time. The player also comes with a pair of earbud headphones.
Firmware Version. All players are evaluated using the latest firmware version available at the time of testing.
Firmware version for the Roku 4 is: 7.0 (build 8792)
About Firmware Version. Our test results are valid for the version of firmware indicated above. If your player's firmware differs from the one shown you either have an older or a newer version of firmware. Manufacturers may periodically upgrade the players’s firmware to enhance operation, fix bugs, or add features. Firmware upgrades may be downloadable directly to your player via a wired or wireless network, USB port, or memory card, depending on your player’s capability. You can check your player’s firmware version, or upgrade to the latest firmware by pressing the menu button on your remote and navigating to the appropriate submenu, typically under settings. Consult the user manual or manufacturer’s website if further guidance is needed.
