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.
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.
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?
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?
Sorry for the duplicate post. You can delete one of them.
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).
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.
@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.
Yes, they'd need to be paired with the phone/tablet/device you are using the Roku Remote app on.
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.
You'd pair it with the phone (OS UI), not the app - the app just gets the benefit of the phone pairing.