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kpluck's avatar
kpluck
Binge Watcher
6 years ago
Solved

Turning off display on a Roku TV

I am considering the purchase of a TCL Roku TV but have a question.

If I use a Roku remote with headphone jack with the TV, am I able to listen to what is playing through the remote with the TV screen turned off on a Roku TV? Basically, I would like to start something playing (audio or video) but then I want to turn the display off while the content keeps playing.

-kp

  • dee_shaw's avatar
    dee_shaw
    6 years ago

    kpluck I have a Roku TV, and it does give me the option to turn off my display when listening to music (I've only tested it out using the Spotify app). When I cut off the display, my music still plays.

47 Replies

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    • voodoochild's avatar
      voodoochild
      Newbie
      6 years ago

      You just hit the "Options" * and you will see a "turn off display" tab.  Music keeps playing. (At least, when using an amp with separate speakers; not sure what happens with the tv speakers, but if you're listening to music with those, you're better off turning everything off (lol).

      • ecc77sd's avatar
        ecc77sd
        Binge Watcher
        6 years ago

        Which Roku TV model do you have? I have a TCL Roku TV, but don’t see the option to turn off display.

        Edit:  Never mind, just found it!

  • atc98092's avatar
    atc98092
    Community Streaming Expert
    6 years ago
    Some TVs will allow turning the screen off while continuing to play the audio. You're not actually turning the TV off, just blanking the screen, so it's not like it saves much power. I'm fairly sure that no Roku TV has such a function, however. I know my Samsung does, but that's the only one I know of for certain. 
  • kpluck's avatar
    kpluck
    Binge Watcher
    6 years ago
    Bummer. I read a Roku support note that indicated this is possible listening through their wireless speakers so I was hoping it was possible through the remote as well. I guess the worst case scenario would be to do it like I do know, just use an external Roku box connected to the TV, start my content, then turn the TV off.

    Thanks for the feedback.

    -kp
    • dee_shaw's avatar
      dee_shaw
      Reel Rookie
      6 years ago

      kpluck I have a Roku TV, and it does give me the option to turn off my display when listening to music (I've only tested it out using the Spotify app). When I cut off the display, my music still plays.

      • nilay's avatar
        nilay
        Newbie
        6 years ago

        Unfortunately, It stopped working after the recent update (in TCL TV).

  • blade_005's avatar
    blade_005
    Roku Guru
    6 years ago
    "kpluck" wrote:
    Bummer. I read a Roku support note that indicated this is possible listening through their wireless speakers so I was hoping it was possible through the remote as well. I guess the worst case scenario would be to do it like I do know, just use an external Roku box connected to the TV, start my content, then turn the TV off.

    Thanks for the feedback.

    -kp

    It is not possible for most content. I believe there may be a few Audio apps (Pandora, TuneIn, etc.) that might have an option from within the app that will allow you to blank the screen and still allow audio to play. It is something that my previous Vizio set allowed for all content and I submitted a request years ago to have this feature added with no response.
  • Guterritter's avatar
    Guterritter
    Newbie
    5 years ago

    When playing music with Spotify and Pandora I use the remote mic command "display off" or "on".

    • gr4v1ty's avatar
      gr4v1ty
      Channel Surfer
      5 years ago

      I get "Unable to turn display off" whenever I do the voice command thing. I've got TCL Series 6.

      EDIT : I just got it. Fast start needs to be enabled AND then the turn display off command will work.

  • kc410's avatar
    kc410
    Reel Rookie
    4 years ago

    I just (7/21/2021) spoke to TCL Tech Support about turning off the picture on the TCL 55R635 television when listening to music. As of today this feature has not been implemented. Maybe a software update could fix the problem, but in the mean time, no sleeping to music with this TV in the loop.

  • Jlouis54's avatar
    Jlouis54
    Newbie
    3 years ago

    Yes as of 2022 it does work this way: 

    1) stream Spotify to your Roku tv (mine is a TCL)

    2) bring up Roku app on your phone, go to Remote

    3) press the microphone button and say “display off”

    Voila! And press “OK” button to get it back on.  

    • ecc77sd's avatar
      ecc77sd
      Binge Watcher
      3 years ago

      Jlouis54 

      We’re not talking about Spotify here, but to turn the display off regardless of whichever app one might be using. For example, if I’m listening to some music on YouTube but want the display off, it *used* be possible, but no longer since quite some time now.

      Which is what this thread is about!

      • kc410's avatar
        kc410
        Reel Rookie
        3 years ago

        On my TCL 55R635 television there is a "Picture off" option that appears in the list on the left when pressing the * button. I don't believe this was present on my TV before one of the software updates that were made available. The screen goes dark, but the sound is unaffected.