Forum Discussion

buckstream's avatar
buckstream
Reel Rookie
4 years ago
Solved

how to use my ROKU device to replace my DVR/Spectrum Box

I was told that I could use my ROKU device to act as a DVR by using Apple Play or Google and thus eliminating the need to rent a Spectrum DVR cable box.  Does anyone know how to do this?

  • cwcheese's avatar
    cwcheese
    4 years ago

    I am a Spectrum subscriber, and use the streaming app on my Roku devices to be able to view their cable channels on the various TVs in my home.  I've never seen a DVR capability in the streaming app, only if you agree to rent the Spectrum cable set top device will you get DVR.

    In my experience with the app, there is no provision to record any programming in DVR fashion, nor to access the DVR of a set top box if you should choose to have one; Spectrum provides On Demand to view the content they choose to store and make available. There is also a My Library which is where you can tag some programs in a Watchlist.

     

  • TrooperDada326's avatar
    TrooperDada326
    Roku Guru
    4 years ago

    A Roku is a streaming device. Not a DVR. Whoever told you this in incorrect or you misunderstood them. There is no such thing as Apple Play. Only Apple AirPlay. You can use your iPhone's AirPlay feature on your Roku device. You can mirror your Andorid's phone screen to your Roku device. None of that has anything to do with DVR. If you are looking to cut the cord and get rid of Spectrum you can do that by signing up for YouTube TV, Hulu with  live tv, Sling or FuboTV. All of which use a cloud based DVR. Spectrum as a Roku channel also. 

    https://www.roku.com/how-it-works/stream-and-save/how-to-cut-the-cord

    https://channelstore.roku.com/details/99564b2547ed970e603a8a2624804263/spectrum-tv?utm_medium=rokublog&utm_source=organic_social

    https://www.spectrum.net/support/tv/spectrum-tv-app-roku

    https://clark.com/technology/tvsatellite-cable/spectrum-streaming-service/

    https://www.spectrum.com/cable-tv/spectrum-tv-app

  • atc98092's avatar
    atc98092
    Community Streaming Expert
    4 years ago

    You were mis-informed. Your Roku cannot act as a DVR. It can replace a cable box, as Spectrum has a channel for Roku devices. But DVR functionality requires storage space, such as the ability to plug in an external hard drive. While some Roku devices do support adding a USB drive, it is for the sole purpose of playing media from that drive, and does not have the ability to write files to it. Roku TVs can use a USB storage device to pause live TV, but they too have no DVR capability. 

    Since I don't have Spectrum, I have no idea if their channel has some sort of cloud DVR capabilities. That is a question you'd have to ask Spectrum. They developed and provide support for their channel/app on Roku devices. 

    • DBDukes's avatar
      DBDukes
      Community Streaming Expert
      4 years ago

      atc98092 

      Might OP's source have been referring to Spectrum's own DVR setup? I've never used Spectrum, but I've dealt with Comcast/Xfinity and their Roku app. A family member could set a limited number of recordings and watch them via Roku. Essentially, Xfinity DVR functionality was in the app, similar to how Sling TV, YouTube TV, and the like have it. I wonder if Spectrum does this, and that have been what OP's source was talking about. Essentially replacing the cable box, as Xfinity app does, and the service having DVR functions in the app.

      • cwcheese's avatar
        cwcheese
        Roku Guru
        4 years ago

        I am a Spectrum subscriber, and use the streaming app on my Roku devices to be able to view their cable channels on the various TVs in my home.  I've never seen a DVR capability in the streaming app, only if you agree to rent the Spectrum cable set top device will you get DVR.

        In my experience with the app, there is no provision to record any programming in DVR fashion, nor to access the DVR of a set top box if you should choose to have one; Spectrum provides On Demand to view the content they choose to store and make available. There is also a My Library which is where you can tag some programs in a Watchlist.

         

  • Old_Fart_61's avatar
    Old_Fart_61
    Reel Rookie
    3 years ago

    You can't use the Roku device to replace the DVR box. What you can do is to sign up for Cloud DVR and with that replace the DVR box. If you get the Cloud50 you can record 50 shows at once and keep the 50 shows for 6 months. Then the oldest one will be deleted.