Forum Discussion

BrooklynBabe's avatar
BrooklynBabe
Newbie
4 years ago
Solved

how do I connect roku to an old tv

Hi Everyone:

I just received my Roku Express, but I've discovered right away that there's a problem which I hope has a solution.

The TV I want to connect it to is a pretty old RCA 13-inch one with only 1 place in the back to connect directly to cable (the end of the cable has the round metal end with the little "needle thing" in the center and you just put it into the opening on the back of the TV and turn the screw end until it's tightened)  Obviously, all the wires/cables that came with my Roku all have USB type ports at the ends so I am at a complete loss as to how I can connect them to this TV if at all.  I did read that you can connect a Roku to an old TV which is why I got it, but where do I go from here?

So I hope somewhere here in the community can give me step-by-step instructions as to what to do or if there's another cable connector I have to get to solve this problem that would be really AWESOME!

Thanks, in advance, and I look forward to a reply.

Warm Regards,

Brooklyn Babe

 

 

TV & Player Setup
  • RokuCarly's avatar
    RokuCarly
    2 years ago

    A very warm welcome here in the Roku Community, jasper1955!

    We appreciate you for raising your concern here with us. We'd be more than happy to assist you with this.

    While it may be possible that your Roku streaming player may work on your 1987 Sylvania Console Floor TV, the experience of streaming might be compromised as the resolution and the display size of the apps on the Roku streaming platform aren't built for this. 

    You can always go ahead and try to experience streaming on your TV and let us know how it goes. We'll be anticipating your response!

    Best regards,
    Carly

19 Replies

  • DBDukes's avatar
    DBDukes
    Community Streaming Expert
    4 years ago

    BrooklynBabe 

    The cable connection is an F-connector. Roku doesn't support it, as you've discovered.

    Those ports on the back of the Roku are HDMI.

    You'd need an adapter to convert HDMI to F-connector. That may even require a couple of adapters: HDMI to composite, and an RF adapter for the composite.

    I'm not certain how much that would run. You'd also lose HD, as that's an SD TV. And, it will letterbox the menus, as Roku expects to output as 16:9 and the TV is 4:3. With it being 13-inch, it'll be problematic seeing the screen clearly.

    It may even be worthwhile replacing the TV with a similar size, though much smaller than 19-inch is rare.

  • atc98092's avatar
    atc98092
    Community Streaming Expert
    4 years ago
    BrooklynBabe wrote:

      I did read that you can connect a Roku to an old TV which is why I got it, but where do I go from here?

    That was not accurate information. Roku hasn't offered a player with analog outputs for several years. The last model that had that support was the Express+ 3910. As DBDukes mentioned, the connector you are looking at is an F connector for the over the air TV antenna. If your TV supports connecting an external player, there will be three connectors visible: red, white and yellow. Red and white are the audio connections while the yellow is video. If your TV has such connectors, then if you can find an Express+ 3910 (be aware there are newer versions of the Express+ that don't have these connectors) you could connect it. 

    HDMI converters are available, but they seem to be hit or miss about working with Roku players. But if your TV doesn't have those three connectors I mentioned above, then that isn't an option for you. 

    • CWilliam's avatar
      CWilliam
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      The Roku is connected, shows Roku on screen, but picture rolls quickly and won't stop.

       

      • Strega2's avatar
        Strega2
        Roku Guru
        2 years ago

        Check for controls on the converter.  For example, make sure any PAL/NTSC switch is set correctly.  (NTSC if you are in the US.)

    • jasper1955's avatar
      jasper1955
      Channel Surfer
      2 years ago

      have a 1987 Sylvania floor model tv that I'm trying to hook up my Roku to. In my research I found I had to take the HDMI into an HDMI to RCA converter, then go to the RF coax. I used an old VCR and ean the RCA's in & the RF coax out to the tv.. This worked for my Direct tv, but isn't for my Roku, but if I hook the RCA's to another older tv that has 1 red & 1 yellow RCA, the signal comes through the VCR with no problem. Any idea what I might be doing wrong with the Roku? Is it worth trying an RF modulator to convert from HDMI to RF? Want to keep the tv as it works great & it was my father-in-laws who recently passed. Any help appreciated. Rod

      • atc98092's avatar
        atc98092
        Community Streaming Expert
        2 years ago

        Rod, I'm sorry but a TV from 1987 simply isn't worth trying to continue using. The image quality is terrible compared to even 525 SD on a digital set, let alone an HD/UHD display. And since the world has changed to widescreen for virtually all broadcast and online streaming, you're going to have black bars at the top and bottom for almost all content. Also, your TV is highly unlikely to be larger than 35" so the image is going to be quite small. And of course it cannot tune in any over the air stations any longer. While I can understand the sentimental value it might have to you and your family, it simply is a poor display device compared to even an inexpensive 37-43" modern TV that would cost less than $200.

        That said, if you want to continue I would try using a converter that takes the HDMI input and provides the RF output without going through a second converter. Make sure the converter accepts either 720p or 1080p input and the RF output is the NTSC format (assuming you are in the US). 

    • JulieRael's avatar
      JulieRael
      Reel Rookie
      11 months ago

      Do we need the F connector for the over the air TV antenna in addition to the the RCA to HDMI Converter?

       

      • atc98092's avatar
        atc98092
        Community Streaming Expert
        11 months ago

        The F connector is only used to connect an antenna for over the air TV reception. Depending on how old your TV is (is it a newer digital set or an older analog TV) you use the antenna to receive whatever is within range of your home. But as far as the Roku is concerned, the F connector makes no difference in the Roku's abilities. 

        If you have an older analog TV, there's nothing you can receive via an antenna. In the US the transition to digital TV was completed in June 2009. A small number of low power TV stations were permitted to continue an analog signal for a few years longer. But there's no analog TV stations still broadcasting in the US or Canada. If you have a digital capable TV, then go ahead and connect the external antenna and see what you can pick up. But again, it has nothing to do with the Roku player itself.

  • Dyllan's avatar
    Dyllan
    Newbie
    2 years ago

    I have a syvanna tv it’s not working my roku is not coming on my tv at all

    • RokuJechealR's avatar
      RokuJechealR
      Retired Moderator
      2 years ago

      Hi Dyllan,

      Thanks for your first post in the Roku Community!

      Can you please provide us with more specific information about the issue you are experiencing? Are you getting an error code or message? In addition, can you please specify the exact steps you are taking to reproduce this issue so we can investigate further?

      With more detailed information, we will be able to assist you further.

      All the best,

      Chel

      • jasper1955's avatar
        jasper1955
        Channel Surfer
        2 years ago

        I have a 1987 Sylvania console floor tv with an antenna input "F" only. I took my roku and hooked it to an hdmi to rca, then hooked that to my vcr to go into the tv as an antenna.. I get no signal from my roku. I'm waiting for a hdmi to an antenna "F" to try that. The roku does have a signal going from hdmi to rca to another tv that has an rca input on it. Thanks, Rod