Features, settings & updates

[CharlieJade]

I know Roku dropped support for the Roku 1 in October of 2022, but it was still useful for watching a few channels that still worked and for using the Roku Media Player. Unfortunately, Roku didn't have the good sense to exclude the Roku 1 from the ridiculous "channel" updates that are no more than annoying advertising or seasonal sites that pop up on the home screen. The latest one, late last week, caused both of the Roku 1 devices I was still using to hang.  Nothing works now.

Thanks a lot, Roku!😡

[andyross]

The only Roku 1 I see in the Wikipedia article on models is the Roku 1 SE. It is over 11 years old, released in September 2013. It may be time to update to a newer model. There are alot of good sales going on right now.

[JWS9518]

Unfortunately, that is the nature of electronics today, with planned obsolesce.  With that being said, most apps have evolved quite a bit since the Roku 1 and it most likely doesn't have the capacity to handle what apps are doing today. 

[JackDemus]

Same issues with both my roku 1 devices as well...if you go to SEARCH and type in the channel you want, then it will send you there. I use CRTs and wish the roku people would simply add RCA OUTS to their devices...my Roku 3 still works great, but if I use a hdmi to rca converter, the aspect ratio is always wrong, so I am forced to only use it on my hd monitor. Hope the issues get fixed as I love the roku 1 for my radio stations, you tube, and other channels. At least the Roku 1 and 2XS still work great as stand-alone media players (usb and sd cards) without even needing to be connected to the net.

[CharlieJade]

@andyross 

As for "it may be time to update to a newer model", I do have newer Roku devices -- both a Roku Ultra and a Rolu Streambar -- but the Roku 1 was great for TVs that only had RCA input.

[CharlieJade]

@JackDemus 

"a hdmi to rca converter, the aspect ratio is always wrong" -- So true. I tried connecting a Roku Ultra using a converter and had to guess when trying to get to menu options on the left part of the screen.

My Roku 1 does not have slots for USB or SD cards. How does that work? Do you use some kind of adapter with your Roku 1?

[renojim]

@CharlieJadeand @JackDemus , if you have the issue with not being able to navigate the Home Screen, try going into Settings->Home Screen and hiding anything that was recently added.  In my case it was something like "All about food" that caused the problem.  Hiding it restored normal operation.

[andyross]

@CharlieJade 

HDMI converters take an HDMI output from a newer device, and can convert it to composite (yellow/red/white.) As noted, they can have issues.

To be honest, it may be time for a new TV. What size is that old CRT? Some smaller new TV's can be under $100, and will have a much better picture, too. Most are Smart TV's, so you may not need a Roku device. The only issue would be for any subscription billed through Roku. For that, you would need a Roku TV, or a separate Roku device.

[JackDemus]

Yes, I forgot only the 2 and above have the usb, those have the media player.

[JackDemus]

Sorry, I forgot the 1s do not have the usb port, only the 2s and above have the media player capability.