Forum Discussion

rambo007's avatar
rambo007
Reel Rookie
5 months ago

New to Streaming Devices - Looking for Guidance on Specific Questions

I'm trying to set up streaming for my parents and I've never had to deal with streaming sticks before, but I think that's what they're going to need. Trying to find answers to my specific questions has been harder than I thought it would.

Their setup: they have 1 tv that is a smart tv and 2 tvs that are not smart tvs. I'm sure they would only need the ability to stream 2 tvs at a time, but have the services on all 3 tvs. I'm just trying to understand what the options are.

Can I get 2 Roku devices for the tvs that aren't smart tvs, or would I need one for the smart tv as well? Other sites seem to imply you would need one for the smart tv as well, which is why I ask. Also, could you have a smart tv stand on its own, along with a Firestick on the 2nd tv, and a Roku on the 3rd, or do they all need to be the same brand? Not that I would do that, but I'm just trying to understand what I can and cannot do.

I hope that's clear enough, any direction or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

TV & Player Features

3 Replies

  • HDMIGuy's avatar
    HDMIGuy
    Roku Guru
    5 months ago

    rambo007 As indicated by the previous poster you do not have to use the same brand of device on all three TVs.  However if your parents are new to streaming it would likely be easier to have all devices be the same brand.  I have two TCL Roku Tvs, a Roku streaming stick 4k on two other dumb TVs, a Hisense TV using a google interface, two chromecast with google TV on two other TVs, and an apple streaming device on my main TV.  As for using all of the TVs at the same time the answer is yes.  I can stream on all eight of my TVs at the same time but most services like Netflix etc... limit the number of streams that can play at one time from that service.  Also an app for a streaming service like Netflix can be installed on all of your devices whether they are the same brand or not.  Perhaps just as important is what are your parents going to stream.  Are they looking to replace cable TV with a streaming service?  Are they going to continue to subscribe to their existing cable service?  Are they looking only to stream from services like Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney +, Apple TV, Peacock etc...? 

    • makaiguy's avatar
      makaiguy
      Community Streaming Expert
      5 months ago

      rambo007-

      My best advice when wanting to view on multiple platforms is to NOT subscribe to any premium sevices anywhere other than directly on each service's web page.  They can use the login credentials they establish with each service on any and all versions of that service's app they install to any platform.

      If they subscribe to premiums through third party services (Roku, Amazon, Apple, etc.) they may only be able to view that subscription via the specific third party through which they subscribed.

  • RokuEmmanuel-D's avatar
    RokuEmmanuel-D
    Community Moderator
    5 months ago

    Great to see you here in the Roku Community, rambo007!

    Thanks for sharing your inquiry here! I'd be more than happy to give you the information you need. 

    To answer your first question, yes, you can add a Roku device to your 1 Smart TV and 2 Non-smart TVs and stream through the Roku operating system as long as they have an HDMI port that you can connect with.

    Secondly, you can choose which operating system you want to use for your TV. Whether you like it streaming on your TV's native OS or the Roku OS is a matter of preference. However, for a more seamless experience, I suggest using three of the same brands of streaming devices for the three TVs.

    Hope this answers your question. Let us know if this helps or if you need additional tips to speed things up!

    Best,
    The Roku Community Team