Trying to set up ROKU to run HULU live TV.
Running into wifi connectivity problems.
Of interest, I can download HULU to my MacBook with zero connectivity / download problems... but if I turn off my MacBook and try to run ROKU I get nothing but error prompts about bad connectivity / download speeds.
Would a hard wire connection from my MacBook thunderbolt port to the TV / monitor via HDMI cable be more dependable?
The HDMI cable cannot provide a network connection. If your Roku doesn't have an Ethernet jack (for current models, only the Ultra has one, as well as many Roku TVs), WiFi is your only option to connect.
Now if you mean using your laptop to connect directly to the TV with an HDMI cable from the Thunderbolt port, then yes that would work fine. Your Roku wouldn't be used at all in that scenario.
But you could also attempt to improve your WiFi connection on your Roku. Since you didn't list your Roku model, I can only offer some general guidelines. try moving either the Roku or the router a short distance. Try using a different wireless channel in the router. Move the Roku further away from the TV if possible.
MANY THANKS ! I had hoped the hdmi cable direct to tv would be more stable connection...
Now I just have to figure out why my Roku connectivity test is showing " excellent " wifi connection... but a download speed that is 10% of what the speedofme system test showed.
Are you looking at the DIRECT-roku- in lists of wifi networks? That is your remote communicating with roku itself you can not get internet access from that link.