Which Roku for TV without HDMI
I have a 19 inch Sansui LCD TV with digital tuner as a bedroom TV. Full picture size setting is 16:9. In age it seems to have been just on the verge of when HDMI came out. Has antenna (coaxial) jack...
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The Model 3 will be staying on the one it is on. That was mentioned because it is what got me to the point of actually looking for one for this TV in the bedroom.
The screen on it does have the 16:9 aspect ratio that I understand as the current expected ratio.
My understanding is that Roku models that attached directly via something other than HDMI are quite a number of years old and only available on the used market. Used is not a major turn off (the Model 3 was purchased as a used unit) but I do question how long updates will be available for the oldest ones that are still usable now. Then another consideration is that I have read of it can be tricky to get a HDMI converter to component, or whatever, to work reliably. Thus, my question to the group of what is the best way to go without breaking the bank?
I would say that what would not be a good idea would be to buy an older model that isn't supported with the current OS as there will be issues with apps not working or not working correctly and devices with older OS's that have a limited period of usefulness due to them lacking support. Most app makers are continually updating their channels, and they tend to make updates that older devices cannot handle and if that device is not updatable, then you will have a limited period before it will no longer function for most apps.
It is true some converters are better than others, but it would probably be better in the long run to get a currently supported device with the latest OS and try with a converter as converters tend to be pretty cheap 10 to 20 bucks, You could eventually grab a cheaper TV that has HDMI that would be ready for your current device as opposed to an older one that will most likely have no further support.
I am stillllll hoping some will reply with specif suggestions of what to get because they have experience with that item working well.
I pretty much agree with JWS9518 . You're in a bit of a unique situation since I don't know how many TVs support HD without an HDMI input. Most of the questions we get here ask about connecting an HD Roku to an SD TV. I think your best bet is to get an HDMI to component (make sure it goes that direction and not the other direction) from a place with a good return policy just in case you're not satisfied. Don't bother looking for any Roku older than the Roku 3. Even it is getting pretty long in the tooth and anything older just isn't worth it.
Ok...well good luck then. Hopefully someone can provide information that helps you.
If you google the Roku wiki page, there is a nice chart depicting the various models and features of each model and when they came out. The last component model is now nearly 8 years old, which in the age of modern technology is like dog years and considered pretty old.
I have run some model(s) of Roku Express through an HDMI to component converter. It works fine but there are some caveats. The converter and the component cables going from it to the TV are larger than the Roku Express. It has no power switch, and has some user reviews that said it worked for weeks or months, so I unplug it a lot. Mine still works, but I only connect it for specific situations, so it only gets around 40 hours of use in a year.
The converter cost about $40 on Amazon. You can probably find a used 40" TV for that. And if your 19" TV is sitting on a stand on bedroom furniture, a 40" TV on the wall will actually take up less space and "disappear" more when it is off, than a freestanding 19" TV will. I just hung a 40" Samsung from 2017 on the wall with a $19 mount. It was easy because it only weighs 15lbs and the mount is rated for 100lbs.
By the way, the Amazon rating on the $19 mount is 4.7 stars. The rating on the $40 converter is 4.3 stars. 4.3 stars is at a level where I am hesitant to provide a link and tell you I'm sure it will work for you.
