After weeks of leaks, the Roku 4 finally breaks cover. As expected, new 4K and 801.11ac capabilities receive top billing, Also, not too shabby is the additional of optical output, unlike the majority of its streaming competition. And the mystery of that top port or sensor is finally solved. It’s neither. But, rather, a remote finder button used in conjunction with a small speaker grill on the back of an updated remote. To contain the upgraded tech, including a new quad core processor, the iconic Roku puck is no more — replaced with something that resembles a hotplate.
On the app side, Roku boasts more 4K content than others — beyond the requisite Amazon and Netflix, the HDCP 2.2 platform will also bring Vudu and M-Go at launch. But these app updates could end up replicating what one finds natively on their 4K televisions. And why it pains me that Roku didn’t sneak an OTA tuner or HDMI pass-thru into the larger chassis this time around. They’ve got a pleasant and efficient user interface (that already includes television support) and could keep non-DVR folks pinned to Input 1. Perhaps they disagree on the value of unifying that OTA linear and over-the-top content, like a TiVo or Xbox. Or maybe they’ve got some sort of non-compete in place with their television partners. Another missed opportunity is cleaning up that remote. Roku’s top tier streamer breaks the $100 threshold for the first time, clocking in at $130 – $30 more than the 4k Fire TV. I’d think this flagship model could easily do away with the spam buttons. And one reason why I may never upgrade from my 2014 Roku 3.
Roku indicates a significant software update is also on tap, although details (and visuals) remain light. The most compelling piece may have less to do with the interface as Roku takes a page from the Fire TV playbook:
The Hotel and Dorm Connect feature allows you to easily connect your Roku player, Roku TV and Roku Streaming Stick to Wi-Fi networks that require sign-in through a web browser like those commonly found in hotel rooms, college dorms and other public locations. Simply connect your Roku device to the password-protected network, sign-in with your login credentials using the browser on your mobile phone, tablet or laptop, and you’re ready to start streaming.
Roku OS 7 will be made available to a number of existing Roku models later this month which, incidentally, is also when the Roku 4 begins shipping. For me, Amazon may become my go-to streamer given the incoming TiVo support. With Amazon gaining steam and Apple TV finally taking this space seriously, I hope Roku has long term plans to migrate their platform to Android to ensure ongoing app availability. Roku’s platform is highly accessible to developers, given every community church has a channel, yet it seems more limited in capabilities and represents yet another platform to develop on for the big dogs.
Well, myself and others are running into quite a few bugs on Amazon Fire 4k right now so I am thinking of returning it unless Amazon gets them ironed out.
For example:
-No Netflix 5.1.
-I can stream Amazon Prime 4K but when I leave the program, the screen goes black and i have to restart my receiver (Pioneer 830k, Sony XBR 850A TV).
…. Never had any of these issues with my nVidia Shield TV.
……I know others are experiencing this ish as well.
It’s safe to assume those Amazon issues will be temporary. Companies often release products not when they’re ready, but to meet certain business objectives. For example, a lot of stuff is being released this month specifically to get in on holiday sales. I’d say bugs are likely from many of them.
I hope so! I love this box but it’s breaking my heart that I can’t fully use it without the crashes and bugs.
The fact that is has Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 is a plus. Optical is a thing of the past because of the limited bandwidth. Maybe support for HD audio (Atmos, DTS-X) using Plex will now be possible as it is on the desktop.
Like Dave, I also wish I could plug the roamio into the roku 4 and after I saw the design of the roku 4 box, quietly hoped they would include an hdmi input. To me, the combination of Roku with Tivo would be perfect. But Roku CEO Anthony Wood would probably never allow it. Dave, can’t wait for you to report on that FireTV Tivo app!
Looks like my XboxOne will remain my main streamer passed through to my TiVo. Had high hopes for roku.
I was hoping it would have bluetooth audio for headphones. I wonder if you can pair multiple remotes to get the same effect. I guess I could plug in a BT dongle on the remote but sounds like a lot of batteries.
I believe the FCC docs did indicate Bluetooth… so accessories, like wireless headphones or a traditional gamepad, could be an option at a later date.
4K is not yet a killer feature for me, so the price hike is disappointing. I’ve always been puzzled/confused as to why there’s so many crappy apps on Roku, but it takes so long for good apps to come to the platform.
One killer feature of the Roku (for me) has been the headphone support. But, because of the small price difference, I am going to try the Apple TV this generation. I like that it supports Bluetooth headsets and I’m betting it is going to have a better long-term app ecosystem.
I too am still hanging on to my Roku 3 though!
@PaladinTom Until Apple TV supports Plex, it is a no-go… although it could be coming soon with tvOS SDK out there.
@Zatz I also read that the spec includes bluetooth (here, actually) but I believe Roku XS2 also had BT but it was only for the remote.
Looking at the roku 4 site, I see no mention of BT. Hopefully, it is there and they will include bt audio later. This thing should have the power for it.
I’d think this flagship model could easily do away with the spam buttons. And one reason why I may never upgrade from my 2014 Roku 3.
Agreed. I still prefer your less PC term “bullshit buttons” as it better reflects the obnoxiousness of these buttons. For me that term has always stuck. I’m interested in knowing if the Roku 3’s remote works with the 4 if you happen to demo one. I have little to no use for voice search or the remote finder.
@JoeHatesCoffee Plex has already been announced for the Apple TV.
That would be a deal-breaker for me too.
@JoeHatesCoffee: The Apple TV already supports Plex quite well and has for a long time now. It involves using the Plex app on an iOS device and using AirPlay. You might already know that’s possible, and perhaps you don’t like that. But I believe that a lot of people (maybe you as well) are making an incorrect assumption about what using AirPlay means. There are two ways that AirPlay can work.
One involves the iOS device doing on-the-fly conversion and transmitting the contents of the iOS device’s screen to the Apple TV. This results in lag and noticeable PQ degradation.
But there’s another way that AirPlay can work, and that involves the iOS device essentially acting like a ChromeCast where it hands off all of the important duties to the Apple TV and the iOS device simply becomes a glorified remote control at that point. With this method, no actual video transmission is being broadcast between the iOS device and the Apple TV. Sadly, many iOS apps don’t support this method, but the Plex app does.
So with the Plex app on iOS, if I find the movie I want and start playing it via AirPlay, the Plex Media Server does its thing running on a PC in your house, and the Apple TV will play your stream at full HD quality. And MPEG4 Blu-ray rips can usually be transmitted without PMS needing to break a sweat as it can usually transmit the movie file as-is without needing to transcode the video.
Personally, the Apple TV (and most of these devices) still fell short for me for Plex usage because they lack 24fps/Hz support. I was pretty excited when I discovered that Plex on TiVo can do 24fps.
That said, I’ve moved farther away from using Plex and have been using VUDU more and more. Again, VUDU on TiVo supports 24fps, which is a big plus for me.
@Scott R I am looking for a native client. I don’t own any iOS devices. Looks like one is coming, though.
I wonder why HBO Now is dragging its feet in coming to Roku, given that it’s one of the most popular TV streaming boxes. I guess it hurts the Roku a bit that it’s a standalone platform, not part of a larger multi-device app “ecosystem” the way that Apple, Android and Amazon Fire are.
Long-term, I agree with Dave that it would probably make sense for Roku to add Android app compatibility (along with its current native OS) so that they can slowly transition over to running only Android apps by the time, say, the Roku 7 comes along in a few years. I’d bet the silicon in the Roku 4 would be strong enough to support both both types of apps in a way that’s pretty much transparent to the end user, sort of like when Macs transitioned from OS 9 to the Unix-based OS X and later from PPC to x86 chipsets.
Yeah, they’d want to run the existing stuff in an Android emulator or similar for backward compatibility and to retain that ease of access. Something like Android could also help them at the hardware level with reduced integration work I’m guessing. Then again, it looks like they already ride a certain amount of Linux:
https://roku.app.box.com/RokuOpenSourceSoftware/1/3008409149
By the way-
Amazon has confirmed that Netflix 5.1 is NOT part of the new Amazon Fire TV unit.
They say it may come in a future update.
Meaning, 4K resolution in Pro Logic!
I know it is sexy, but there seems to me to be a lot of things that Roku could have done to increase its mass market appeal rather than adding 4K support. Their doing so doesn’t bother me, but I doubt I’ll be using it anytime soon. What I would have liked to have seen are:
1. Support for a USB tuner and full, seamless integration of live OTA TV into the Roku interface.
2. An optional remote which works like the current remote, but adds programmable buttons to control basic TV functions, such as power on/off and volume.
3. A programmable sleep timer to stop streaming at a preset time for those of us who fall asleep on the couch.
4. The option to passcode channels as a crude parental control device for channels that lack parental controls.
None of that is as sexy as 4K, but I suspect it appeals to a much wider market.
It is basically a mashup of a Channel Master DVR+ sans recording capability (though that would be nice as well) and a Roku, with its 2000+ streaming channels.
By the by, sounds like Sling TV on DVR+ is nearly here.
I completely agree with GKL
GKL, the #1 thing you mentioned is something I’d love to see someone do too and I can’t believe no one has yet. Given the open-source nature of Android TV, perhaps we’ll see someone (e.g. Silicon Dust) develop the software and USB tuners necessary to get the job done to seamlessly integrate OTA tv with a robust streaming app platform.
OTA tuners without recording/storage is useless.
Storage is easily handled by a external USB drive.
@africanlivedit
WHAT?!??!
I guess I will be sending my new FireTV back. If there is no 5.1 in Netflix then I have no use for it. WHere can I get a Roku 4?
No HDR again. So it appears the only next-gen streamer that can do HDR is the Nvidia Shield TV. Unfortunately that will never do Amazon Prime which is a bummer.
@aaronwt
Actually, Amazon has confirmed that 5.1 is coming on Oct 21st.
However, there’s been no word on whether the Fire TV will be able to play the other apps like HBO in 5.1
AND! The price for the Fire TV has dropped $20.
I am returning mine. Too many issues with it.
@Eric F The NVIDIA shield doesn’t support amazon prime. I thought android supported it?
To each, their own! I’m ordering today. I feel confident they’ll work out most of the kinks in the next few weeks and I’m happy to save $20. http://amzn.to/1QZbIng
“To each, their own! I’m ordering today. I feel confident they’ll work out most of the kinks in the next few weeks and I’m happy to save $20.”
But if you wait another week to order, they’ll be down to $49…
Amazon is showing the fire tv at $99 dollars. Was the change a mistake?
Either a mistake or they had a certain quantity in mind that was reached. Also, they could have changed their minds after all the folks who pre-ordered started support requests asking for the difference. Blame AFTVNews, I guess. ;) I did have the screen up for $79.99, but it wasn’t in my cart. I just tried adding it and it reverted to $99.99. Ah well, I’m not in that big a rush given TiVo, Xbox One, Roku 3, existing Fire TV. The way I see it, I just saved myself $80 for the new Apple TV. ;)
“The way I see it, I just saved myself $80 for the new Apple TV.”
Only one problem…
“Blame AFTVNews, I guess.”
Nobody to blame but yourself. I just spoke to Bezos, and he confirmed that a single request for a refund from one @DogRoomProds was the the straw that broke the camel’s back. I wonder where the idea for that request came from?
The only thing that may get me into the amazon fire is how well and how useful the Tivo app is, especially OOH. Will wait for a zatz review on it. Roku 4 seems like a pass, as I do not have 4k and no plans for it. Apple TV is a definite buy for me, but not sure which to get. Probably the 64GB version. Wish I could order it! I have a mac mini I use as a HTPC but it is getting used less and less. May pull the mac mini and free up an HDMI spot on the AVR.
“The only thing that may get me into the amazon fire is how well and how useful the Tivo app is, especially OOH.”
Since you’re not in a rush, be aware that the TiVo dude expressed the desire to bring the app to other boxes…
Since you’re not in a rush, be aware that the TiVo dude expressed the desire to bring the app to other boxes…</i?
Good point
Of course, ‘no rush’ for TIVo starts at 18 months…
JoeHatesCoffee: Android does have a Prime app, but you have to sideload it to get it work on the Shield TV (and use mouse+keys)- no 4k support AFAIK either. There is no native app and there never will be since Amazon now refuses to sell any streaming devices but their own on their site.
And Roku, and TiVo?
Hey, Dave, can we get a definitive review of the Roku in about a week? I think that would reallyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
(Sorry, briefly fell asleep on my keyboard.)
Bought the Roku 4 and sending back the crappy beta test that is Amazon Fire TV.
I’m getting 5.1 on Netflix with the Fire TV.