5 things you didn’t know you can do with your Roku player or Roku TV!

“You can do that with your Roku player!?”
“There’s a Roku streaming channel for everything!”
“Your mobile app is a lifesaver.”

We hear comments like the three above from customers every day. While we know the super Roku streamers out there are using these features, some of you may not realize all the cool things you can do on the Roku platform.

Let us know in the comments if we’re missing any of your favorite tips or features, super streamers!

1. Say it, stream it. Conduct a voice search through the Android and iOS mobile apps

Voice search adds a fun, fast way for you to search for what you want to watch. Search for movies, TV shows, actors and directors and receive all available results listed by price from nearly 20 top streaming channels, including Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Video.

This new feature is available through the Roku mobile app for Android and iOS (version 3.2.0 or later) on current-generation Roku players and Roku TV models. If you have the Roku Ultra, Roku 4 or Roku 3 (model 4230) you can use the search button on the remote as well.

From the Roku mobile app, simply select the search icon in the top right of the Channels or What’s On screen, then “Voice” to get started. Click here for step-by-step instructions.

Happy voice searching!

2. Meet instant replay – your new best friend!

One of my favorite Roku features is instant replay. You know when you’re watching a TV show or movie and no matter how many times you go back you just can’t understand the character’s last line of dialogue? Instant replay to the rescue!

A perfect example of this is Snoop’s character in The Wire who is notorious for mumbling. Simply press the replay button and the subtitles will appear for those lines of dialogue you missed.

You can also access this feature when using the Roku Mobile app for iOS and Android phones.

Go to Settings > Captions > click on “Instant replay” to enable the feature. Note: the feature is not available on all streaming channels.

3. Record your antenna content

If you watch TV programs over-the-air through an antenna you’ve probably found yourself reaching for the remote wanting to replay or pause whatever is on your TV. Enter Simple.tv and Tablo TV. These streaming channels enable you to watch, pause and record live TV through your Roku player or Roku TV model. Note: additional hardware is required.

Visit simple.tv or TabloTV.com/Roku for more info.

4. Screen mirror from select Windows and Android devices

 As you browse the web at home on your tiny smartphone screen, enhance the experience and mirror it on your big screen! Our screen mirroring beta for Microsoft Windows and Android devices gives you a quick and easy way to mirror videos, apps, web sites, and more from your mobile device to a TV via your Roku Ultra, Roku Premiere+, Roku Premiere, Roku Streaming Stick and select Roku TV models.

Mirror that video from your friend’s Facebook page or listen to that rare music mash-up on Soundcloud so the entire room can enjoy it together. Learn how to get started with our screen mirroring beta here.

5. Get your education on!

On summer break? Keep your mind sharp with these free educational streaming channels in the Roku Channel Store.

TED features hundreds of talks from the most inspiring minds. Each speaker presents a great idea in 18 minutes or less, covering a wide range of topics – from global issues to the newest technologies to the mysteries of the brain.

MIT Opencourse offers hundreds of free lectures from the esteemed Massachusetts Institute of Technology – all without the hefty tuition fees! You can find courses in architecture, biology, chemistry, engineering, history and much more.

Lynda.com is an online learning company that helps anyone learn software, creative, and business skills. The video tutorials are taught by great teachers who are also working professionals.

What Roku feature pleasantly surprised you?

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