The Roku is our favorite streaming set-top-box, but for something so simple, it packs a lot of power. Knowing how to get the most out of your Roku device unlocks a cheap, vast, and convenient world of streaming media. Here are a few tips to help you out.

Works on Roku 1, Roku 2, Roku 3, Roku TV, Roku Streaming Stick Works On iOS, Android iOS Android https://play.google.com/store/. Remote codes for ROKU TVs. If you have recently bought a universal remote control or want to use your cable remote and you need the remote codes to operate your ROKU TV, we have remote codes below for your TV. Find this Pin and more on Best Seller: by Brenda B Street.) LED Smart HDTV Roku TV at Best Buy. Here's how to add features to your Apple TV, your Roku box, or your WDTV Live. Here's how to add features to your Apple TV, your Roku box, or your WDTV Live. Hack Your Streaming Set-Top Box.

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First: Choose the Right Roku

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The first step to becoming a Roku power user is choosing your device. All Roku devices have the same basic features: access to over 1,000 channels with built in wireless and search features. Here’s the breakdown of the differences:

• The Roku Streaming Stick is $49.99 and only works on HDTVs. It has all the basic features like search, access to all the channels, and it comes with a remote. It also has dual-band wireless, and you can stream directly from Netflix and YouTube apps on your smartphone, similar to the Google Chromecast.
• The Roku 1 is the same price as the streaming stick, but lacks dual-band wireless, and you can’t stream directly from your smartphone apps. It’s main advantage: it works on all TVs, not just HDTVs. Other than that it’s the exact same as the Streaming Stick. So, if you have an HDTV, the streaming stick gives you more for the same price (in a smaller package).
• The Roku 2 is $69.99 and has a headphone jack in the remote for private listening, and dual-band wireless. It’s compatible with all TV’s, but you don’t get to stream directly from smartphone apps with this one either. Essentially, it costs an extra 30 bucks for a headphone jack on the remote.
• The Roku 3 is $99.99 and for HDTV’s only. It’s also exceptionally better than the others. You get everything the other Rokus offer, except the channel buttons on the remote. Plus, the Roku 3 is five times faster and has ethernet, micro USB, and USB slots. You can use the remote to motion-control the games you play on it, and other than the Streaming Stick, it’s the only one that can stream directly from Netflix and YouTube apps on your phone.

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You get the same giant library of streaming content with all of them, but each comes with a slightly different set of features. Make sure you’re choosing the one that fits your needs, and if you’re torn between choosing one feature over another, then it might be best to go with the Roku 3—but you can get most of the good stuff with the Streaming Stick).

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Beef Up Your Streaming Library

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Roku has a ton of streaming potential, especially if you subscribe to a few big streaming services. Here’s what you can do to tap into it.

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• Choose a TV streaming provider. There are three big players here, and they all have their own key features. Netflix has the best selection of Movies and TV shows. Hulu gives you access during season instead of waiting for post-season. Amazon Prime has HBO, and since you pay for the year up front, no monthly bill to keep track of.
• Stream your ripped or downloaded videos with Plex. You can stream more than just online services like Netflix. If you have your own videos that you’ve ripped, downloaded, or even home movies you’ve filmed yourself, you can stream them from your computer to your Roku with Plex. Check out our full Plex guide here for more info on how it works.
• Find the free channels. Roku has over 1,000 channels, and a lot of them are free. Check out this huge list to see which ones are free to add. Some of the “free” channels have paid movies and shows within them, but if you’re worried, you can unlink your credit card after setting up your Roku.
• Unlock private channels: There are a lot of channels you won’t find on your Roku, but can download manually with the right code. Check out this list for some of the best.
• Bookmark your resources. The Roku blog leaves it up to us to discover what’s worth trying out, but there are some good resources. In addition to streamfree.tv, bookmark Roku Guide, to help you see what’s new in Roku whenever you think it’s running a little dry. RokuChannels.tv is another good resource for both public and private channels.
• Add other media channels, like Pandora, Facebook, and Picasa. You can do a lot more than just watch movies and TV shows on your Roku. You can play music while you clean, show vacation pictures to friends, and a lot more.

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There’s a lot to take advantage of with Roku’s extensive selection. Make sure you check out all the channels it has to offer, including private ones. Then, if you feel yourself getting bored, remember the bookmarks I recommended to keep you up to date with new content.

Upgrade Your Remote with Smartphone Apps

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The remote that comes with your Roku has some cool features, like primary channel buttons at your fingertips, so you don’t have to scroll to find Netflix or Amazon Prime. The Roku 2 and 3 remotes also connect to your headphones for private listening. However, if you use your smartphone you might be able to upgrade to something even better—whether you’re using the official remote app or something else entirely.

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We recommend checking out:

• Roku (iOS/Android/Windows, Free) is the official Roku app and remote. It has channel icons, an amazing universal search feature and a “play on Roku” feature so you can stream photos and music directly from your phone.
• Dijit (iOS/Android, Free) is packed with features and supports a lot more than just Roku. The buttons are customizable, you get movie recommendations for Netflix, gestures, built-in social networking for sharing, YouTube video clip search and more.
• Rokumote(Android/iOS, Free) is ideal for Netflix junkies, with a special Netflix interface and automated Roku streaming when you select a flick to watch—all in addition to the regular Roku remote controls.
• RoMote(iOS/Android, Free) is more for the basic user, but has a dark mode to help you see in a dark room.
• RoByte(iOS/Android, $2.99) is one of the most popular Roku remotes because it has voice search, you can pair it with multiple Roku players with no special setup, and you have the option of keeping the Wi-Fi from sleeping.

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Roku offers a lot in a tiny package, and now you know how to not let it go to waste. After choosing your device and grabbing a remote upgrade, explore the channels you can watch. Remember that there are private channels to look out for too, so just because one isn’t offered on your Roku doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Roku is one of the more experienced brands when it comes to dedicated streaming devices, and it's still one of the best. Between boxes, sticks and built-in smart TV operating systems, Roku devices are everywhere. If there's one in your home, you're probably aware of the device's great potential for both entertainment and confusion.

There's a lot of stuff you can do with a Roku, and while that's mostly a blessing, it can often be a curse, too. Whether you're troubleshooting a faulty remote, searching for a hard-to-find channel or simply learning about some of Roku's best-hidden features, read on to learn how to get the most out of your device.

How to Set Up a Roku Box or Streaming Stick

Setting up a Roku device is both quick and intuitive, but if you run into any snags, here's a start-to-finish guide on how to do it.

How to Add Public and Private Channels to Roku

Each Roku system comes with a handful of channels built in, including Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Video. Here’s how to find and install others.

How to Customize Your Roku Home Screen and Feeds

You can move or delete just about anything from your Roku home screen and even get alerts when movies and shows become available. Here’s how.

How to Use Roku Search

If you can master Roku's Search intricacies, you'll have more hundreds of the device's most popular channels at your disposal.

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How to Mirror Your Android or Windows Screen With Roku

Roku has a screen mirroring protocol that works about half of the time. Here's how to play with it.

How to Cast Netflix and YouTube from Phone to Roku

If you decide a video needs the big-screen treatment ASAP, you can cast from Netflix or YouTube directly onto your Roku.

How to Stream Content to Roku via Plex, PlayOn and More

Your Roku can stream your collection of movies, TV shows and albums by using a media server program like Plex, PlayOn or Roku Media Player.

What to Do If Your Roku Remote Is Lost or Broken

You can probably fix your Roku remote without having to call tech support, or, you can replace your remote by using Roku’s mobile app.

How to Reset Your Roku Box or Streaming Stick

Resetting a Roku to factory settings is easy, and you won't lose much, since all of your apps are stored in the cloud. Here’s how to do it.

How To Use Roku

How to Get Kodi (Formerly XBMC) On Roku

The short version: you can't. Kodi doesn't have a Roku app, and probably won't get one. There's a workaround, but there are also much easier ways to use the app.

How To Crack Roku