Getting Started - Setup & How-to

[LieseU]

I just got the Stream Stick 3810R, I used the HDMI connection, plus the included USB extension cable, but to reach the electrical outlet it is still about 5 inches too short. (The TV sits pretty high on the wall)  Can I add an additional USB extension to the extension that I am already using?  Sort of like a USB extension daisy chain? Or is there a better way?  I do not have a USB port on this Sanyo TV from 2008.

[watcher200]

Absolutely. A better solution would be to get a USB cable which reaches the full distance and then you won't have a connector in-between, just my preference. Be sure to get a USB extension rated for carrying power. Some have really wimpy conductors and are for signal carrying only.

One thing you can't do, however is remove the WiFi receiver which connects with a short length of USB cable directly to the streaming stick. This is needed by the stick to pick up WiFi signals. That has to stay in the USB power path next to the stick.

[CedarSam]

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@watcher200 wrote:

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One thing you can't do, however is remove the WiFi receiver which connects with a short length of USB cable directly to the streaming stick. This is needed by the stick to pick up WiFi signals. That has to stay in the USB power path next to the stick.

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Ah ha! This just answered my question. I tried putting a mini USB extension between the stick and the wifi receiver, so I could move the receiver higher for better signal, and now the Roku is not working. I guess I will have to try an HDMI extension cable instead.

[watcher200]

Correct. You can place a USB extension on the power supply side of the WiFi receiver, but not on the ROKU side where it plugs into the stick, and there isn't a limit as to how long that extension is as long as it delivers 5V to the WiFi receiver (and the stick). I have a small USB extension line switch in mine so I can turn off my ROKU when I'm not going to use it for a time.

[CedarSam]

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@watcher200 wrote:

Correct. You can place a USB extension on the power supply side of the WiFi receiver, but not on the ROKU side where it plugs into the stick, and there isn't a limit as to how long that extension is as long as it delivers 5V to the WiFi receiver (and the stick). I have a small USB extension line switch in mine so I can turn off my ROKU when I'm not going to use it for a time.

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Thanks. I think what I actually need is an HDMI extension so I can move the stick and receiver on top of the TV and get better wifi signal. The HDMI port is on the side away from the router, so the TV (and mounting frame) are interfering with the signal, judging by the numbers on my wifi meter.

[watcher200]

That works too, but if you're having HDMI issues, a stronger WiFi signal won't help.

Be sure to get a quality (but not heavy as battery jumper) HDMI cable. Monoprice is a good source of different low cost HDMI cable options and there are others.

[LieseU]

Hi Watcher200,

Thank you for the excellent advice. So I have ordered an additional Roku usb extender cable PW10 for the Streaming Stick plus because I wasn't confident I was choosing the correct USB cable on Amazon, none of their offerings that I found seemed to adequately specify the exact type and specifications of the cables. Though, I would have preferred to have one long line but at least I'll know that it'll work! Thank you.

[watcher200]

You're very much welcome. Hope all works out for you

[CedarSam]

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@watcher200 wrote:

That works too, but if you're having HDMI issues, a stronger WiFi signal won't help.

Be sure to get a quality (but not heavy as battery jumper) HDMI cable. Monoprice is a good source of different low cost HDMI cable options and there are others.

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Thanks. I think the problem is just wifi because I set up an old router temporarily as a repeater and it solved the issue I was having with signal strength. If I move the Roku receiver up higher it should get a strong enough signal from my main router. If I'm lucky I'll get 5GHz! Cheers.