How to Enjoy Your Roku TV Without the Annoyance of Ads
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the number of ads popping up on your Roku TV? You’re not alone! As a tech-savvy viewer, I sought a way to escape this advertising frenzy while still enjoying the high-quality display that my Roku provides. Let me take you through my journey and reveal how I transformed my viewing experience by using an external streaming device instead.
Why Consider Alternatives to Roku?
With Roku’s business model increasingly centered around advertising, the experience can quickly become frustrating. For instance, just this month, Roku announced a new type of ad — "pause ads," which appear the moment you hit pause on your movie or show. This level of intrusiveness is enough to make anyone cringe.
Performance Issues with Older Devices
Aside from the ad invasion, my Roku TV was aging (around 8 years old) and, let’s face it, technology moves fast. The internal CPU struggled with modern applications, leading to frequent crashes and an overall sluggish experience. I love my HDR-enabled 4K panel; the image quality is still stunning, but the app experience had become unbearable. Thus, the quest to enhance my Roku experience began.
The Trade-Offs You Should Know About
Switching to a different streaming device isn’t without its drawbacks. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Remote Control Dependency: You’ll still need your Roku remote for sound and picture adjustments. If you’re someone who frequently tweaks these settings depending on the content, this might be a hassle.
- Ads from Other Streaming Services: While switching to devices like Google TV may reduce ad intrusion, you’ll still encounter ads from the streaming services themselves. However, many users find Google TV’s ads to be less intrusive compared to Roku.
Before You Dive In: Check Your Subscriptions
Before making any changes, verify how you’re managing your subscriptions. If you’re currently subscribed to services via your Roku account, consider cancelling those subscriptions and re-subscribing directly through the services. Note that you can’t access a Roku-managed account outside of the Roku ecosystem.
Step 1: Disconnect Your Roku TV from the Internet
Once your streaming device and subscriptions are in order, the first step is to disconnect your Roku TV from the internet.
- If you’re connected via Ethernet, simply unplug it.
- For Wi-Fi users, navigate to Settings > System > Advanced System Settings > Network Connection Reset and reset your connection. This action will often trigger a reboot.
Optional: Perform a Factory Reset
For the most seamless experience, consider performing a factory reset. This will log you out of your Roku account and clear any apps and caches that may be bogging down performance. To do this, go to Settings > System > Advanced System Settings > Factory Reset > Factory Reset Everything. Just remember, doing this can be a hassle if you decide to revert to the Roku platform later.
Step 2: Plug in Your Streaming Stick
Now it’s time to introduce a new streaming stick. I chose the Google Chromecast, mainly due to its sale price and the appealing Google TV interface.
Plug the device into an available HDMI port and follow the prompts to get it up and running, customizing it with all your favorite apps.
Step 3: Optimize Your TV Settings
To create an efficient setup, you’ll want to tweak some settings:
Enable HDMI-CEC: This feature allows your streaming stick to control your TV’s power status, so you don’t need multiple remotes. Look for HDMI-CEC settings in your streaming stick’s menu. In Google Chromecast, go to Settings > Display & Sound > HDMI-CEC.
Streaming Device Control: This allows your Roku TV to automatically switch to the Chromecast whenever stream playback begins. Find this under Settings > System > Control Other Devices (CEC).
- Simplify Your Home Screen: If you’re using Google TV, enable Apps Only Mode for a clutter-free experience with fewer promotional interruptions.
By following these steps, I successfully minimized the ad-related annoyances while still enjoying my Roku TV‘s impressive visual quality. If you prefer living in Roku’s ecosystem, consider checking out this guide on making your Roku device more private.
So, are you ready to reclaim your streaming freedom?
