Features, settings & updates

[cordcutternewbi]

I want to hit Verizon in the wallet!

I've spent hours on YouTube & Google researching Fire TV, Apple TV 4K, Nvidia Shield, Google TV & Roku.

I have 2 TVs that I want to connect to Roku. Neither one is 4K. I want to future-proof my purchase.

I don't want Fire TV because of all of the sponsored content, ads, recommendations, suggestions & Prime Video in my face.

Nvidia Shield remotes don't have a volume mute button on a $200 streaming device.

Apple TV 4K & Nvidia Shield cost more than I want to spend. Apple TV 4Ks are $180 or $200. Nvidia Shields are $150 & $200. I don't want to spend $300 to $400.

The New Google TV UI is almost as bad as Fire TV with suggestions, ads & recommendations in my face.

I read online that Android TV will be upgraded to Google TV on all of the players & TVs.

I don't want the home screen on my TV cluttered with Prime Video, ads, sponsored content, suggestions & recommendations.

I like the simplicity of the Roku home screen. It's easy to navigate & easy to learn one's way around. There is only one ad & there are no suggestions & recommendations cluttering the home screen. Roku has suggestions & recommendations but they aren't on the home screen. Get with it, Fire TV & Google TV!

I've narrowed my choices down to the Streaming Stick+ HE or the Ultra.

Anyway, the Ultra is the only Roku with Bluetooth.. I know that Bluetooth is wireless audio. I guess that the Ultra sends the wireless audio to a smartphone or tablet, correct? But then both the Streaming Stick+ & the Ultra come with earbuds.

[StreamerUser]

If Dolby Vision, full (NetFlix) Dolby Atmos, Dolby decoding, IR Remote Control, USB media playback, along with wired ethernet support matter to you, then get the 2020 Ultra (the SS+ has none of those) - its also on sale until tomorrow at roku.com/etc for $70.

[cordcutternewbi]

HMMM!

The Ultra would be more future-proof than the SS+.

A thought occurred to me after I sent the post. I don't have a Bluetooth headset but I want to get one. I'm tired of untangling the cable every time before I plug in the earbuds. Only the Ultra allows me to take advantage of Bluetooth.

I know that the sound comes from the TV speakers or soundbar if the headphones are not plugged into the remote. When the headphones are plugged into the remote the TV/soundbar  sound is turned off & the sound comes from the earphones. Does one need to enable Bluetooth on the Ultra or go into the settings & set Bluetooth? Do the headphones automatically pair with the Ultra when the headphones are turned on?

[cordcutternewbi]

HMMM!

The Ultra would be more future-proof than the SS+.

A thought occurred to me after I sent the post. I don't have a Bluetooth headset but I want to get one. I'm tired of untangling the cable every time before I plug in the earbuds. Only the Ultra allows me to take advantage of Bluetooth.

I know that the sound comes from the TV speakers or soundbar if the headphones are not plugged into the remote. When the headphones are plugged into the remote the TV/soundbar sound is turned off & the sound comes from the earphones. Does one need to enable Bluetooth on the Ultra or go into the settings & set Bluetooth? Do the headphones automatically pair with the Ultra when the headphones are turned on?

[cordcutternewbi]

Sorry for the duplicate post. You can delete one of them.

[StreamerUser]

The bluetooth connection is for incoming (not outgoing) connections.

You connect devices (tablets/phone/PCs/etc) to send audio data to/through your Roku for output (your Roku is the bluetooth speaker for devices).

https://support.roku.com/contactus/contact-options

You can however use headphones connected to your remote (via the headphones jack) or connected to/paired with your phone (if using the Roku Remote app).

[cordcutternewbi]

HMMM, that's not what I expected.

So, let's see if I understand this. If I want to use Bluetooth headphones, I have to connect them to my smartphone thru the Roku Remote app?

I wonder why Roku does that.

[StreamerUser]

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@cordcutternewbi wrote:

HMMM, that's not what I expected.

So, let's see if I understand this. If I want to use Bluetooth headphones, I have to connect them to my smartphone thru the Roku Remote app?

I wonder why Roku does that.

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Yes, they'd need to be paired with the phone/tablet/device you are using the Roku Remote app on.

[cordcutternewbi]

Fascinating, as Spock would say!

I guess that Roku decided to pair Bluetooth headphones with the Roku Remote app instead of thru the Ultra itself.

[StreamerUser]

You'd pair it with the phone (OS UI), not the app - the app just gets the benefit of the phone pairing.