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Get more from your Roku with these 10 tips

You've bought a Roku and set it up in the best possible way. You have added the best private channels. 20 Private Roku Channels You Should Install Right Now. 20 Private Roku Channels You Should Install Now. Here's how to add private channels to your Roku, along with some of the best Roku private channels you can install right now. Read More Here are 10 of the best... Read More And now that? As with any piece of technology, there is always more to learn.

In this article, we'll show you 10 tips to help you squeeze every last bit of utility out of your Roku. So even if you think you know everything there is to know about Roku, you should probably keep reading just in case.

1. Change Netflix streaming quality

Netflix is ​​one of the biggest draws to using a streaming device. Gadgets like Rokus and Chromecasts Chromecast vs. AppleTV vs. Roku:Which Media Streamer Is Right for You? Chromecast vs. AppleTV vs. Roku:Which Media Streamer Is Right For You? Media streaming devices are simply awesome. Those little boxes that plug into your TV can add a host of entertainment options to your living room. But which device is best for you? Learn More Take the hassle out of watching on your laptop or using an HDMI cable; they make the use of the service more similar to a “traditional” television experience.

Changing Netflix's streaming quality can give you cinema quality on your 75-inch TV or, if you're working within a data cap, reduce the app's bandwidth.

To change the quality, sign in to your account on the Netflix website and go to Your account> My profile> Playback settings . If you increase the quality of the stream, you will get a sharper and clearer picture. And if you lower the quality, you will reduce the bandwidth demands.

Get more from your Roku with these 10 tips

2. Play games on your Roku

Roku devices don't have the gaming power of some of their rivals, but they still have a lot to offer. There are almost 200 games on the platform, more than enough for all tastes.

You can download games from the Roku channel store on the device. Go to Channel Store> Games To find the complete catalog. You'll find everything from retro classics and brain teasers to strategy sims and board games. The five games with the highest scores are Executioner , Mah Jongg , Galaxy , Muffin Knight , and Little Bird .

If you're looking for something more powerful, the current best in class is the Nvidia Shield. It runs on Android, so it has access to the Google Play catalog and allows PC gamers to cast content to their TV screen and use the Nvidia Shield controller to play.

Get more from your Roku with these 10 tips

3. Stream your own content using Plex

Because Roku apps rely on C/C++ code, Kodi is not available on the platform. However, if you want to stream your own videos 3 Great Ways to Enjoy Your Own Media on the Roku 3 3 Great Ways to Enjoy Your Own Media on the Roku 3 Regular TVs are a thing of the past. These days, if you're setting out to get a new TV, it's probably a smart TV. That TV will be 'smart' in the same way as your… Read More

The Roku Channel store has a Plex app and it works fine. To get it working, install Plex Media Server on your computer and download the Roku app. From within the app, go to Preferences> Connect Plex Account and enter your PIN when prompted.

Get more from your Roku with these 10 tips

4. Get local news despite cutting the cord

Would-be cord cutters repeatedly state that losing sports and news channels are their two biggest concerns about making the jump. 7 Cable Pitfalls to Consider First 7 Cable Cutting Hazards to Consider First Before you cut the cable to save yourself some money, there are a few things to keep in mind. Read more.

However, news lovers who own a Roku need not worry. The excellent (and free) NewsON app will give you access to local broadcast news from across the country. Several TV stations have invested in it, and you now have access to 118 individual channels in more than 90 markets.

Fans of the NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB can use the official apps to access live sports games and associated content, but all require a paid subscription.

Get more from your Roku with these 10 tips

5. Record live TV

Are you going to miss the start of the big game next week? Don't worry, Roku can record live TV like old-school cable boxes and VHS cassettes.

However, Roku doesn't support the feature natively; you will need to buy an external box and download a third-party app.

The best service available right now is Tablo TV. The set-top costs $180 while the accompanying app is free.

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6. Add subtitles to instant replays

We have all been there. You've sat through two and a half hours of a terrible movie when the doorbell or your phone rings and you miss the last five minutes. Thanks to Roku's Instant Play feature, this will never bother you again.

But did you know that you can also add subtitles to your instant replays? It's useful if you can't understand what a hard-to-understand character is saying.

To activate the feature, navigate to Settings> Closed Captions> Instant Replay .

Get more from your Roku with these 10 tips

7. Make the most of “My feed”

Roku's “My Feed” feature allows you to “Follow” the different types of entertainment you're interested in. It can extract information from all apps on your device.

You'll be automatically notified when new movies are released or new episodes of your favorite TV shows are available. You can also use it to track your favorite actors and directors.

It'll even alert you when content drops in price or when something you're interested in becomes available for rent.

You can find “My Feed” by selecting it on the Roku home screen. Select the movie, actor or director from the menu on the right and press OK on your remote to start tracking. The source is displayed on the home screen when you highlight the menu option. You can also access the feed on your smartphone by downloading the iOS or Android app.

8. Hide your device from view

The rokus are already aesthetically pleasing. But if you're a minimalist, you can hide yours from public view with a TV mounting kit. Most models on Amazon work with all Roku boxes released. Which Roku Media Streamer Should You Buy? Which Roku Media Streamer Should You Buy? The current offering is divided into five products:the Roku Streaming Stick and the Roku 1, 2, 3, and 4. This article looks at what each product can offer and tries to determine which... Read More TV.

Your ability to use the remote will not be affected as the devices use Wi-Fi Direct so you don't need direct line of sight like an IR blaster.

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9. Use universal search to find content

One of the biggest drawbacks of cutting the cord is that it makes it more difficult to find new and interesting content. How do you know if your favorite show is on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Google Play, or another service?

Roku Universal Search lets you discover which services offer which movies and TV shows. All results are listed in order of price.

Search works on over 50 streaming channels and even includes news channels. Big players like ABC, VH1, CBS, Fox, Disney, and Time Warner are included, in addition to the typical video-on-demand apps.

Get more from your Roku with these 10 tips

10. Change the theme of your Roku

Even if you have the best product on the planet, you're not going to like it very much if it's a little shocking to the eyes. The answer to this, at least as it applies to Roku, is to change the theme.

The Roku menu is purple by default. If purple is not your thing, you can go to Settings> Themes Change another color. If you download themes from the Channel Store, you can find them in Settings> Themes> Custom Themes .

Tell us your tips!

If you use these 10 tips along with our 10 tricks above, you'll be well on your way to becoming a Roku expert. Roku has many hidden layers waiting to be pierced, so be sure to experiment to get the most out of this fantastic device.

If you're an experienced Roku user, you probably know of more cool tricks and hidden features that we can add to this list. If so, we'd love to hear about them. So what nifty tricks, nifty shortcuts, or underused features do you rely on every day?

Please let us know in the comments below!