Features, settings & updates

[valenciahugo]

I really wish that the Controller had an input button. I would not have to have 2 controllers all the time. 

[makaiguy]

@valenciahugo-

Your Roku cannot do this directly - Roku remotes cannot directly control the tv's input/source control. BUT, the tv itself may do this for you.

If your tv supports CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) over HDMI, turn on this feature in your TV settings, if not on by default. Unfortunately many tv manufacturers call this feature by their own proprietary names. Some common ones:

• AOC: E-link
• Hitachi: HDMI-CEC
• LG: SimpLink or SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC)
• Mitsubishi: NetCommand for HDMI, Realink for HDMI
• Panasonic: VIERA Link, HDAVI Control, EZ-Sync
• Onkyo: RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI)
• Philips: EasyLink
• Pioneer: Kuro Link
• Runco International: RuncoLink
• Samsung: Anynet+
• Sharp: Aquos Link
• Sony: BRAVIA Link, BRAVIA Sync, Control for HDMI
• Toshiba: CE-Link, Regza Link

Some other names shared by multiple manufacturers:
• Fun-Link, INlink, T-Link

On some TVs you may need to have the TV do a scan or search for connected CEC devices.

With CEC enabled on the tv, pressing a button on your Roku remote should switch the tv to the HDMI port to which your Roku is connected without you having to do it via the tv remote. To turn this feature on in your Roku, enable "1-touch play" via Roku menu path "Settings > System > Control other devices".

Note: If other connected devices (game console, cable box, disk player, etc) also have a CEC function, pressing a button on the their remotes may also switch the tv to their tv inputs.

[Nico69]

Yeah but the TV won’t switch back to the other input (antenna).   Most people using roku also watching local live channels through their antenna on a different input.  Please finally make the change to add an input/source button on remotes so we can finally put away our TV remotes!

[Emissary35]

This is another reason why Fire TV remotes are superior to Roku remotes. Fire TV remotes do not have an input button either, but you can hold the microphone button on the remote and tell it to switch HDMI inputs and it will do it. The Roku remote is too stupid to do that, if you try it it won't work.

It should be able to do this but the Roku remote design is very poor for many reasons. The two worst problems include the volume and mute buttons being badly placed on the right side of the remote and then the fast battery drain issue.

[shaylie]

was kinda shocked to find that this was not the case... that i'm needing to keep a second remote around.  come on, Roku.

shaylie

[bossman207]

Yeah, it's awful not having an input button.  I can be playing a game using SteamDeck on the TV, then a kid accidentally presses a button on the roku remote... now I have no way to switch back.  I have to find the tv remote or go up and press the toggle on the back of the tv to get the input to switch back.  CEC is great, but it's not perfect and doesn't work in all use cases.  If Roku can control the volume of the TV, it can control the input.  The WiiU controller can change the input of the TV

[bossman207]

CEC only works when you are turning  a device on or off.  You can switch.  Roku will switch to with CEC on if the just about any button (other than volume) is pressed.  ...but if I'm already using the output of a device that's on, like a gaming system, I can't switch back to my game using cec unless I power cycle the system.  The Roku remote is useless in this situation.

[RokuRiamie-D]

Hi @bossman207,

Thanks for posting in the Roku Community!

We understand your feedback and we truly value your input about the Roku Ultra Roku remote. We will pass this information along to our Roku team since ensuring your convenience and satisfaction is very important to us.

In the meantime, we truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we work on improvements. If there’s anything else you’d like to address, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re here to help!

Regards,
Riamie