Long story short. Trying to add a Roku Express to a 1987 RCA TV.I know the TV works, I've used it for playing dvds.I know the Roku Express works, I took it into another room and hooked it up to a newer TV and it setup beautifully. Wi-fi, channel selection, live TV listings etc. No issues.I bought an: HDMI Modulator RF Converter RCA Coaxial Composite VHF UHF SDR Demodulator Adapter w/Antenna in/Out & Channel Switch for Roku Fire Stick Cable Box HD Digital AV Component Video to Analog NTSC Coax TV. (Amazon description/product title)Tried to loop the Roku through the converter to the TV, and no picture, no sound except static.Any suggestions?I really don't want to get rid of the TV and replace it with a newer type.

It appears to be hit or miss if an HDMI-Analog converter works with a Roku. Some have been successful, while others have the same issues you're having. So, it's possible another converter would work.That said, depending on the size of your TV screen, I would really suggest replacing the TV.First, your TV is analog only, so won't receive any TV station broadcasting today, since they are now all digital.Second, your TV is only standard definition, while the vast majority of content available today is HD (720p minimum).Third, your TV is the old 4:3 aspect ratio, while almost all content created since the 60s (not counting broadcast TV programs until the early '00s) is in some version of widescreen aspect ratio.Finally, TVs really don't cost a lot today. A TV set from the 80s is likely no larger than 26". You can buy a brand new 40" 1080p set at Best Buy for $100, or a 32" 720p set from Amazon for $70, and you're spending $25 or more just for a converter that may or may not work.

I threw that description into a search engine and ended up looking at a big box on Amazon with 4 buttons, 3 knobs, and a sliding switch. And it only had a 3.8 star average review. As such, I'm guessing there are many ways for things to go wrong.Even some of the 5-star reviews say that the instructions are poor and don't really match the device so it takes a while to get it working. They might be worth reading. For example one of them says regarding channel selection: "Note 03 is different than 3" which is not very intuitive. Another review says to make sure to switch it to NTSC, and another review says it is NTSC-only so perhaps they received different boxes or maybe that's another sign of how poor the instructions are.Did you really need such a complicated box? For example, TVs in 1987 usually had composite inputs so you avoid all the confusion with modulators and channels.

As someone who still uses an I-pod classic, I truly understand, however, eventually it becomes the path of lesser returns until it is no longer usable. I hope you can do what you are trying to do, but all of us here are trying to be as helpful as possible.

And there is only ONE set of composite inputs? That seems fairly unusual even for 1987 (or maybe low-end or portable). Of course, there are switch boxes you can get too - just another option. By the way, you might also check if the TV and DVD player have S-video connectors. Those were common back then and might give you another input.By the way, I wouldn't throw stuff like that away either, but I would look for e-cycling in your area. Where I live the e-cycling locations are Goodwill/thrift stores. I think if they think they can sell it, then they do, otherwise they send it off for recycling.

Sorry, I had no idea you were in Canada, and that does change the prices I was looking at.I completely understand about not wanting to simply throw something away that still functions. But unfortunately in the world of home electronics, sometimes it's simply a fact of life. When North America switched from analog NTSC to digital ATSC, it made all the old TVs worthless, and especially sets like yours with no inputs but the antenna/RF.

how do I connect Roku to an old tv using an HDMI Modulator RF Converter RCA Coaxial

16 Replies

atc98092
Community Streaming Expert
7 months ago
It appears to be hit or miss if an HDMI-Analog converter works with a Roku. Some have been successful, while others have the same issues you're having. So, it's possible another converter would work.
That said, depending on the size of your TV screen, I would really suggest replacing the TV.
First, your TV is analog only, so won't receive any TV station broadcasting today, since they are now all digital.
Second, your TV is only standard definition, while the vast majority of content available today is HD (720p minimum).
Third, your TV is the old 4:3 aspect ratio, while almost all content created since the 60s (not counting broadcast TV programs until the early '00s) is in some version of widescreen aspect ratio.
Finally, TVs really don't cost a lot today. A TV set from the 80s is likely no larger than 26". You can buy a brand new 40" 1080p set at Best Buy for $100, or a 32" 720p set from Amazon for $70, and you're spending $25 or more just for a converter that may or may not work.
- Inyx13
  Channel Surfer
  7 months ago
  The firs three points I'm well aware of.
  The fourth, is incorrect because you're looking at American prices, I'm in Canada. The difference between the box and a new TV is three times as much (minimum) than the converter.
  I'd also have to buy a stand for it since any newer TV is too large for the current TV stand I have. So we're talking 5x as much as the solution I'm trying.
Strega2
Roku Guru
7 months ago
I threw that description into a search engine and ended up looking at a big box on Amazon with 4 buttons, 3 knobs, and a sliding switch. And it only had a 3.8 star average review. As such, I'm guessing there are many ways for things to go wrong.
Even some of the 5-star reviews say that the instructions are poor and don't really match the device so it takes a while to get it working. They might be worth reading. For example one of them says regarding channel selection: "Note 03 is different than 3" which is not very intuitive. Another review says to make sure to switch it to NTSC, and another review says it is NTSC-only so perhaps they received different boxes or maybe that's another sign of how poor the instructions are.
Did you really need such a complicated box? For example, TVs in 1987 usually had composite inputs so you avoid all the confusion with modulators and channels.
- Inyx13
  Channel Surfer
  7 months ago
  The answer is, unfortunately, yes.
  The TV has only antenna or coax connectors.
  The DVD/VCR I have has only composite and coax, no HDMI.
  It's old equipment, yes, but still functions and I don't want to just throw it away. I'm just hoping for more functionality by adding the Roku Express.
  Therefore the box I chose, it met all my needs.
  Since this doesn't seem to do the job I need it to do, I have looked at another, HDMI to RF, no composite that has a slightly higher rating. I'll have to replace the DVD player but that costs less than an new TV and stand.
  If I have to replace the TV, I'll replace the Roku Express box as well and just buy either an Amazon Prime or Roku ready TV. It might simplify things, but it's a lot more expensive.
  - Strega2
    Roku Guru
    7 months ago
    And there is only ONE set of composite inputs? That seems fairly unusual even for 1987 (or maybe low-end or portable). Of course, there are switch boxes you can get too - just another option. By the way, you might also check if the TV and DVD player have S-video connectors. Those were common back then and might give you another input.
    By the way, I wouldn't throw stuff like that away either, but I would look for e-cycling in your area. Where I live the e-cycling locations are Goodwill/thrift stores. I think if they think they can sell it, then they do, otherwise they send it off for recycling.
jontalk
Roku Guru
7 months ago
Inyx13No offense but WHY would you want to watch UHD content on a TV with 420p resolution? As to the answer I have no idea since I've never heard of this kind of converter..Regardless I'd say its time to upgrade and Black Friday deals are crazy..saw a 75" for $398 today 🙂 Happy Holidays too
- Inyx13
  Channel Surfer
  7 months ago
  Why would I want to replace perfectly good equipment because it has been deemed to be no longer good enough only to be replaced by something that would have a shorter life cycle because it will work out of the box?
  I'm not willing to just throw away something because it is the easy path.
  - JWS9518
    Roku Guru
    7 months ago
    As someone who still uses an I-pod classic, I truly understand, however, eventually it becomes the path of lesser returns until it is no longer usable. I hope you can do what you are trying to do, but all of us here are trying to be as helpful as possible.

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how do I connect Roku to an old tv using an HDMI Modulator RF Converter RCA Coaxial

16 Replies

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