Roku is a video streaming service, video content is transferred over the Internet to a Roku device or TV with an operating system from Roku. The Roku device is a media player configured to work with Roku servers or streaming video from other companies that broadcast their content through channels created on Roku. Roku has collected many channels in its library, saving the user from having to configure each individually.
History of Roku TV
Roku TV – started in 2008, although the company was established in 2002 and began to work as ReplayTV. But the ReplayTV project was unsuccessful. Since 2008, with the support of Netflix, set-top boxes have been launched that can be connected to the Internet and watch videos. At that time, TVs did not have an Internet connection and this solution was interesting and in demand. And now Roku is in demand, as it makes it possible to make ordinary TVs smart. To watch TV channels you need only access to the Internet. An extensive library of channels also simplifies the use of third-party paid services. Using your Roku account, you can subscribe to other channels.
Roku media player
To use the Roku service, you must have a Roku device. The standard Roku device is a media player that connects to the TV’s HDMI port. Roku devices come in many formats and capabilities.
Not stopping there, in 2014 Roku entered into agreements with some manufacturers for installing the Roku TV operating system in smart TVs. But such an agreement was reached only with some Chinese manufacturers like TCL and Hisense, which mainly produce budget televisions. More famous companies use other operating systems.
The operating system under the control of which the devices work is Linux distribution. For TVs, the Roku operating system is slightly modified, the ability to control the TV is added.
How does Roku work?
You need to get a Roku account. And to link your Roku device to your account, each Roku device has its own registration number and this number will be shown on the TV screen when Roku is first turned on. Registering an account and device is free.
Once connected, you can watch free channels or subscribe to paid channels. But keep in mind that nothing happens for free
Ads on Roku TV
The display of free TV channels is paid by advertisers. When watching free channels, Roku will show you ads receiving money from the show. Without ads, you can only watch paid channels or videos from services like Amazon or Netflix. Since Roky can control the amount of ads displayed to users and how many Roku devices were used to display, advertisers more accurately monitor their costs. This makes Roku a more attractive advertising platform than cable TV.
