Roku setup

[db29127]

I purchased a Roku streaming stick 4k model 3820x 2 or 3 years ago. The latest model of the streaming stick is 3820r2. I googled it and get contradicting results. What is the real difference between the streaming stick 4k 3820x and the 3820r2. Will their end of life support  timeline be the same?

[volleydrummer]

@db29127    Thank You for this post!  I would like to know the answer to your question as well.  In fact, I have the 3820R and a relative has the 3820r2.   I have been helping this relative[& spouse] with questions &/or issues related to using their Streaming Stick.   Any insight from those more knowledgeable would likely be helpful to both of us, and indirectly my relative.   Sincere Appreciation in advance for any info from anyone...

[RokuEmmanuel-D · Accepted solution]

Hey, @db29127 and @volleydrummer.

Thanks for inquiring about this.

Please be informed that there is no difference between the two. Roku uses 3820X as the Universal Stock Keeping Unit (USK) for this product. However, our partner retailers use their own Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), such as 3820r2, to uniquely identify and track products. Retailers use SKUs to efficiently manage inventory, retrieve purchases from the stockroom, organize merchandise, and categorize items. 

Also, this is the current model of the Roku Streaming Sticks; it will still be supported, and its life will not end soon. 

I hope this clarifies everything. Let us know if you need more help.

Roku Community Team

[kssupermex2020]

how old is the 3820R2? When was it first available?

[volleydrummer]

@kssupermex2020 My relative purchased the 3820R2 new approximately 1-1.5 years ago; I do not know how long the R2 version had been available before that.  The only obvious difference I can detect is the 4 Preset buttons are not exactly the same.   We are long distance so I have only seen pics.   My 3820R is approximately 3-4 years old and therefore possible the R2 communicates a little faster with the remote via a firmware update?   That is purely a guess on my part.

I regret I cannot exactly answer your question, but thought I should contribute what information I can.   I am not very tech-savvy and appreciate every little piece of information I receive to a question...Take Care, volleydrummer.

[kssupermex2020]

roku says it the newest one, however, I keep asking myself now, why so cheap...my last ultra started having a lot of problems and after researching , found out that many users were having problems with the same model...Tech people are thinking that they are trying to get these sold quick as that there maybe another model coming out and or too many bugs with this version and like mine, cannot figure out why. If they are actually even looking into the problems? I have decided to sit back and wait now, Ive paid around $79 to $99 before for an ultra and have been very happy until my current version which is a 2022 version...I hope this isn't a hint of whats to come, I will give them one more shot when the time is right....I have a roku 4k stick that is flawless and fast, but just not as fast as the ultra...Roku is also not releasing details on the newer version and its specs?? I wonder why? I ve seen this in company reviews and testing of the product. Thanks for your input!!

[atc98092]

As @RokuEmmanuel-D mentioned, the four digit number is what's relevant here. Any letter/number after the first four numbers is related to the distribution chain. A 3820 is a 3820. And the 3820 is still listed on the Roku home page as a current model.

Roku is currently streamlining their product line, with all Express models being dropped for two new versions of the Roku Stick: the Streaming Stick Plus (3830) and Streaming Stick (3840). Note that the 3840 is the replacement for the Express, as it's 1080p max. The 3830 is a replacement for the Express 4K+. The 3820 continues as the Streaming Stick 4K. 

Pay attention to the model name. There's a current Streaming Stick 4K+ (3821), but it's not the same as the new 3830. The Wiki doesn't have the hardware specs available yet for the 3830 or 3840, nor does the Roku developers documentation, so I can't speak to the differences between the old and new devices. I do see that Roku will no longer offer a Roku player with an IR remote, and since everything but the Ultra and Streambar are in the Stick form factor, only the last two will even work with an IR remote. 

As far as the Ultra, I have the 4640, 4670, 4800 and 4850. All of them work exactly as expected, with no real issues. The 48xx versions have faster WiFi, and also have faster CPUs than the older devices. The latest versions also have more operational memory and channel storage space. 

[kssupermex2020]

model numbers understood more now..thanks to all who reply or replied....but when one model tends to have more bugs in it all of sudden, then that's a concern...troubleshooting is so time consuming.

[Pentti]

@atc98092  I noticed the new models due in June too. They are a bit confusing as it would appear that the existing 3820 will still be the "Top" model, better than both the new 3830 & 3840. As you point out there are no processor specs available, 3830 & 3840 are cheaper also. Do you agree that the 3820 still appears to be the "best" stick or maybe a replacement is in the pipeline?

[atc98092]

Well, "best" depends on your needs. If you don't have a 4K TV, then either the existing Express 3960 or the upcoming 3840 provides everything you might need. If 4K is desired, then you have the choice of the current 3820 or the new 3830. The one difference they show on their web page is the 3820 supports Dolby Vision, while the 3830 is "only" HDR. The Ultra remains at the top of the pile with a Fast Ethernet connection, USB port, and it comes with the top rechargeable remote. 

One item to note with the 3820 compared to the two new models: the 3820 has the WiFi antenna built into the USB power cord. If you damage or lose that power cord, the Roku cannot be used as it won't have any WiFi and the remote won't work. The two new models have gone back to a standard USB power cable, so any USB cable with the correct connectors will work and the WiFi remains functional.