Audio

[mateolevi]

I’m setting up a digital food menu and wondering if I can use my Roku Smart Soundbar to display it on a TV. I want it to look clean and modern kind of like how Chipotle shows their customizable bowls and ingredients. Has anyone used Roku for digital menu boards or something similar? What apps or tools work best for this?

[easytodobetter]

You're hoping to host the menu/chart itself on the soundbar, via an app or something?

I don't know specific apps, hopefully someone does, but I know most businesses are casting that menu from a computer, usually a thin client running windows or linux.

They're not using the soundbar/streaming device itself to host the menu and app that controls it.

Maybe that helps a little.

[AvsGunnar]

@mateolevi 

You can look at TVQue https://channelstore.roku.com/search/tvque or OptiSigns Digital Signage  https://channelstore.roku.com/search/optisigns.

Both have their own websites as well and some free plans depending on your needs.

https://www.tvque.com/

https://www.optisigns.com/

https://support.optisigns.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039566974-How-to-install-OptiSigns-as-channel-app...

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Others have created their own channels/apps like Salad House  https://channelstore.roku.com/search/salad-house.

Then there is the option to just create something (image file) on your computer/mobile device and screen mirror through your Streambar to the TV.

[easytodobetter · Accepted solution]

Well, all of that LOOKS helpful, but one of those is pricey, the other doesn't create a menu or content, just mirrors it and allows for additional control of what you're mirroring, on what device, when.

It really sounds like OP meant something that allowed them to create and control a menu, as in edit various data fields, add and remove various images, icons, banners, etc.

They're talking about wanting it to look modern, etc.

I've not seen anything that actually manages the menu as a Roku app. But there are of course plenty of options that just cast/mirror something.

Good try though, AVS. Can't get 'em every time.

[mateolevi]

@easytodobetter It's a chart made with HTML, and I want to show it on my Roku Soundbar using an app.

[easytodobetter]

@mateolevi 

I've come up with a few solutions, but I'll start with the easiest; mirroring the HTML chart in a browser, to the Roku.

https://support.roku.com/article/208754928

That guide should cover the most common ways via computer, phone, and tablet.

Do you have a computer or mobile device that can "host" the HTML, to be mirrored from?

Roku doesn't support native HTML, CSS, etc. They don't have browsers, etc. But you can use your own devices that are compatible with miracast (roku's protocol), like a computer or phone or tablet, even a chromebook from ebay to run your HTML chart in a browser and be sent to the Roku and TV.

There are also numerous apps like Web Video Cast that will cast.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instantbits.cast.webvideo&hl=en-US&pli=1

A comfortable solution would be a tablet or small notebook plugged in 24/7 nearby, casting to the Roku.

That's closest to what most businesses are doing already, with a thin client (tiny PC) running windows or linux, typically in a browser or viewer, that's displayed via HDMI or cast.

Let me know if that helps, there are other solutions/methods.

[mateolevi]

Thanks, That helps a lot. I'm using an HTML chart I want to show on a Roku Smart Soundbar. I have a computer and a tablet I can keep plugged in, so casting from a browser seems like the best way. I’ll try the Web Video Cast app you mentioned. Thanks for the clear explanation.

[AvsGunnar]

@mateolevi 

Web Video Caster is a great app and definitely recommended.👍  Free version works just fine (a couple of ads shown on the device being used but not in the content being cast) or can just purchase lifetime license for a one-time $4 or $5 charge. (removes ads and adds a few more features).

If you install on your phone/tablet, you can store your page locally and then just select "phone files" from menu to cast it.

You install the Web Video Caster (WVC) app from either the Apple/Play Stores on your phone/tablet, and then their companion receiver on the Roku device from the Roku Channel Store.  https://channelstore.roku.com/details/093f3f0ed9b4d4e3a3b6ec69f3836cfb:c06a4ef40f44089d542ea74fd71e7...

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WVC also created a desktop version which they call a 'beta' version a few years ago that is able to wirelessly cast (which is a great plus for Linux systems since not natively supported).  Available for windows, mac, linux. (initial link provided below.  Follow that to a discussion page that provides current link for files, then select most current date from available files).

When using the desktop version, you just select your local folder after connecting to your Roku to display/cast local storage files.

https://www.reddit.com/r/WVC/

The homepage for WVC is https://www.webvideocaster.com/home but need to use the reddit link to get to their desktop beta program.

Great little team over at WVC and very helpful if needed to help solve casting issues.

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Regardless if using their mobile version or the desktop version, make sure you set your 'mobile app permissions' to Permissive or Enabled under Settings/System/Advanced System Settings/Control by Mobile Apps in your Roku in order to cast content to them.

edited to add.... just need to keep in mind that an active internet connection in normally needed whenever using Roku devices.  When internet is out and device falls off network for any reason, usually cannot connect back to the Roku device until internet is restored. (or alternative used like hotspot).  Your current setup of just using the HDMI cable, computer, and the TV as an extended monitor is definitely a fail-safe method not requiring any network/internet connection.

[easytodobetter]

That's all great additional insight.