Roku legacy products

[Rocky714]

Hi,

I need a Roku recommendation.  Here is what I need.  I have an old, but large, well functioning CRT TV (with composite and audio connections) in a guest room used for the occasional friend or daughter coming home for a visit.  It's not worth buying a new TV, nor even a used TV for the room since it will be used so infrequently but it would still be nice to have a working TV there.  Normally, I have cable for the rest of the house but I'm not going to rent another box for the room for these infrequent visits.  (I'm looking for ways to rid myself of boxes, really).

I'm aware of the 2016 and 2018 versions of the Roku Express+ (3710RW/3956 respectively) which had support for composite video but these are rarer then hen's teeth on eBay/Craigslist.  Folks are either doing what I'm trying to do with them, or that's why Roku discontinued composite video support on new models - there just aren't that many of them.  Can someone recommend a model or two besides those two (please be specific with model numbers) that's not too old (i.e. obsolete) that has composite video support for which I'll be able to find a few models for sale on eBay for relatively cheap?  I tried searching the Roku web site for archived model material and there's not much here.  Ideally, it needs to run the Spectrum app since that's the cable service I've got, Netflix, Prime and HBOMax.  The full function of apps would be nice but they're in the more the better category.  Longevity of support/updates and resistance to obsolescence is the next consideration.

Thanks in advance.  i very much appreciate your time and recommendations.

-Rocky714

[StreamerUser]

The Express+ (3910) is the most recent model with composite output support.

https://www.ebay.com/b/Roku-Express-3910-Home-Internet-Media-Streamers/168058/bn_97012658

[Rocky714]

So here are the issues: 1) Seller's on eBay aren't that careful about the model numbers - they claim one model number and it's really another and 2) eBay's fuzzy matching algorithm doesn't return just 3910 models but 3910, 3910X, and 3910RW models, only the last two of which may have composite support (do I have that right?).  For example, this post claims to be selling a 3910RW but claims no composite support in the detail and the pictures don't show a composite output port:

https://www.ebay.com/p/240134117?iid=254568713838

Meanwhile, this post sells a 3910RW, does appear to have composite support but is $75 and he is among the cheaper ones:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Roku-Express-PlusHD-Media-Streamer-3910RW-HDMI-RCA-Composite-Open-Box-Rare/...

Meanwhile, this 3910X seems to have composite support but is $89!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ROKU-EXPRESS-3910X-wth-HDMI-and-COMPOSITE-VIDEO-yellow-plug-cables/14392875...

Meanwhile, this plain old 3910 (yes it claims to be an Express+) doesn't appear to have composite support at all but is $45.  It's dizzying.

In any case, it seems like composite support commands quite the premium.  At those prices, I might as well go out and get a used non-smart HDTV and an HDMI Roku.  Is there an older model that's not quite obsolete but still supports composite video?

Again, thanks in advance.

-Rocky714

[Rocky714]

Sorry, that missing last link should have been this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Roku-Express-HD-Streaming-Media-Player-incl-Voice-Remote-HDMI-cable-2019/40...

and was $48 not $45.

-Rocky714

[StreamerUser]

To repeat, the 3910 is the latest/last model with composite output (there are no newer models and they dont manufacture the 3910 any more)

However, I think you are misreading the first link:

https://www.ebay.com/p/240134117?iid=254568713838

Product Identifiers

• Brand: Roku
• MPN: 3910RW
• UPC: 0829610001890
• Model: Roku Express+ 3910
• eBay Product ID (ePID): 240134117

This first link specifically says its a 3910, shows a 3910 in the first pic, but shows other models in the next two, but they are all stock photos (simple mistake).

If you also look at the reviews, they are very clearly for the 3910.

You can even message the seller if you are concerned.

[Rocky714]

Thanks and sorry, I don't mean to be hard-headed about this.  I've already had to return an eBay-purchased 3710RW-advertized-but-really-a-3931 model.  I've sent the seller a request to confirm that it is the model he says and that it supports composite video.  I'll see what he says.  That'll probably take care of it.

Thanks for the clarification.

-Rocky714

[Rocky714]

... and I just got a reply from the eBay seller and it is NOT the composite supporting model.  It turns out it is a 3931XB, he just confirmed.  So, you can see why I'm so suspicious.

-Rocky 714

[Rocky714]

Any other suggestions or ideas?

Thanks in advance.

-Rocky714

[StreamerUser]

You'll either have to pay whatever premium for a guaranteed 3910, or acquire an HDMI>Analog converter.

[Rocky714]

Yeah, you're right.  I think I will have to go the converter route.  It doesn't pay for what is going to be such an infrequently used unit to pay such a premium.  Anyway, I appreciate the help.  Thanks, StreamUser.

-Rocky714