Wi-Fi & connectivity

[Sweetsweep]

Hello,

I have an older Samsung smart tv with a limited (and thanks to Samsung decreasing) number of apps. I already have a good sound bar. I don’t have 4K HDR so I’d like to go as basic as possible (Roku Express ideally).

However I want to connect to my router via the Ethernet rather than using wifi because it is more reliable.

I’ve scoured the product pages and I really can’t work out whether any of the three possible streaming products I’ve found do or do not connect via the Ethernet or whether they can be adapted to do so and if so what I’d need to get in order to adapt them. I’ve looked at Roku Express, Roku Express 4K and Roku streaming stick plus

It would help if anyone replying answered as clearly as possible, I have tried reading through the posts but found that they were often above my knowledge level.

Thanks

[AvsGunnar]

@Sweetsweep 

The Roku Ultra is ethernet ready.  Just plug your ethernet in and ready to go.  Both the Ultra and Ultra LT (available at Walmart)  are ethernet capable but the Ultra LT is missing a USB port. (useful for playing your own media from a USB flash drive or NAS server).

The Roku Express 4k/4k+ requires you to buy an additional USB adapter that makes it ethernet capable.  Here is Roku's link of adapter compatibility.

https://support.roku.com/article/360058027813).

The standard Roku Express (non 4k/4k+) models are not ethernet capable.

The Roku Streaming sticks are not ethernet capable.

Hope that helps you a bit.

[Sweetsweep]

Dear AvsGunnar,

I will look at the Roku Express 4K plus an Ethernet adapter, which might be the answer.

I suppose the requirements for an adapter speed of 10/100mbps won’t cause any conflict with my non-4K tv?

Thank you,
Sweetsweep

[AvsGunnar]

@Sweetsweep 

Will not cause any issues.  The 4k just represents the maximum display output of the player. (up to 4k streaming ability).  Will operate just fine and as intended on both 4k and non-4k TVs.  

The 10/100 is the requirement of the player also. (Roku supports fast ethernet 10/100).   10/100/1000 adapters will not work with the Roku. (at least none that I am aware of)  

[Sweetsweep]

Thank you, that’s very helpful indeed.

[StreamerUser]

@AvsGunnar 

FYI, the support article (https://support.roku.com/article/360058027813) is inaccurate - a Gigabit adapter may be used.

One of the tested/recommended adapters is in fact a 1Gbps>480Mbps USB 2.0 ethernet adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Streaming-Including-Chromecast/dp/B07N2ZHFY9

(I use and recommend this adapter for the FS4K/Express 4K/4K+/etc...)

[Mark2706]

The Roku Ultra has an ethernet connection and it can also use wifi.

[AvsGunnar]

@StreamerUser 

Thanks for the info.  That link to the Cable Matters adapter you provided is included in the Support pages as a tested/recommended adapter (although manuf. description on Amazon says not compatible with Roku, looks very similar to Ugreen adapter specs up to 480mbps).

I think the language "not compatible with 10/100/1000" may have been a holdover from the RokuTV where only 10/100 adapters available seemed to work. (Maybe these new adapters will now work with RokuTV as well).  Could very well have been a backwards compatibility issue with the older adapters and the Roku hardware.

Could also be to avoid confusion when users expect to get over 100mbps (fast ethernet) because their adapter says up to 480 mbps (Gigabyte ethernet).

Ideally, their support info should read, "Although Roku does not yet support Gigabyte ethernet protocol, the following adapters will work using the fast ethernet protocol...."

I think the USB 2.0 and the AX8877X or SMSC95XX chipset requirement are the governing specs that will determine if any given adapter is going to work though.

@Mark2706 

Using a USB flash drive at the router, and using the ethernet adapter at the Express 4k+, you almost have an Ultra.  A little less memory, speed, and HDR formats, but close enough for the average streamer.

[Sweetsweep]

Hi,

We have decided to opt for the Roku Express 4K. My local Roku supplier are concerned that Ethernet connection is not the normal way to set it up and they will quibble if I return it having opened the packaging; so I want to check with the community that the two adapters I’ve found on Amazon are going to do the job.

Unfortunately the adapter recommended by @StreamerUser is not available. I followed the links for Ethernet adapters on the adapter compatibility page given by @AvsGunnar

https://support.roku.com/article/360058027813).

It seems that only the UGREEN and the Belker adapters are available (links below).

I can’t see what chip they have from the descriptions although in the Q&As for the UGREEN they say that the chip is either AX88772C or AX88772B (not the AX88772X Roku say I should be looking for). I’m not sure how else to find out what chip they’re using, but as I say I followed Roku’s links, are they going to work?

I’d be really grateful for your advice so that I can buy with confidence.

Best regards,

Sweetsweep
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UGREEN Ethernet Adapter for Chromecast and Fire TV Stick USB to RJ45 Lan Network Adaptor with USB 2.0 Power Cable for Power Supply https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N1X28F1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_D7YYZ901778PJ6HNCCSC?_encoding=UT...

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Fire TV Ethernet adapter,Belker Fire Stick Ethernet Adapter/Micro USB to RJ45 Ethernet Adapter,USB to RJ45 Cable for Fire TV Stick (2nd GEN), All-new Fire TV (2017), Chromecast Ultra/2/1/Audio etc. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G2CPZZ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_M7ANH88M3463B3G4EVDZ

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[StreamerUser]

You are located in the UK, so that limits device selection and accessories availability (like replacement remotes).  You only have access to the Express 4K, not the 4K+ (which includes a Voice Remote).

The links we provided are from the US Amazon site, so keep that in mind (they do work).

The same products often have a different link for the UK amazon site:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cable-Matters-Streaming-including-Chromecast/dp/B07R6P6MM8