Can a Roku device replace or override the homescreen on a smart TV?

Posted by SignificantCricket@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 17 comments

Software update on the TV has made the home screen really irritating. When people complain about home screen displays, one of the suggestions often seems to be to get a RokuTV (or an Apple TV) instead. The TV is good otherwise, so I'm wondering if just plugging in a Roku device would give a way to have a more customisable display. Thanks.

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17 Comments

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colin_staples@reddit

I have a Roku stick. It plugs into a HDMI port. I have a Panasonic TV which has its own Home Screen and interface etc But by default the TV goes to HDMI port number 1 when turned on, and it displays whatever is being input into that port. I suspect that most TVs default to do the same (or can be set to do the same) So yes it would bypass the TV's own user interface etc But it cannot be fully customised, you can only change the apps that are installed etc. You'll still get the standard Roku interface, which is not too intrusive.

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nathderbyshire@reddit

If you use the CeC port it should auto turn on to that one whenever you wake the Roku, TVs can be buggy with it though. If I turn my switch on, it'll wake the CeC device which is my shield, switch over then I have to switch to my shield again. If the TV is already on though it works first time

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colin_staples@reddit

CeC ?

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nathderbyshire@reddit

HDMI CeC, look for it in your settings, usually only one port has it https://www.howtogeek.com/207186/how-to-enable-hdmi-cec-on-your-tv-and-why-you-should/

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SignificantCricket@reddit (OP)

Does it have any autoplays that can't be switched off? Or displays and thumbnails of popular shows or searches which are visible without scrolling down, and which can't be moved or hidden?

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colin_staples@reddit

The Roku homepage looks [like this](https://image.roku.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Roku-Capture-Screen-Shot-3-21-22-12.39-PM.png), but it only shows the apps that you have installed If you don't do anything for a while it goes to a [screensaver](https://www.geekslop.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/roku-screensaver-roku-city-1536x469.jpg) which does have very small status ads in it (like on a movie poster) but they are silent and very unobtrusive. It certainly doesn't auto play full screen ads. Sometimes when you pause a programme you get a half-screen static ad, but that can be dismissed. And it never happens on iPlayer so I guess it's just on the commercial TV catch-up services. Not much you can do about that then Check out some YouTube reviews to see if it's right for you.

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SignificantCricket@reddit (OP)

The autoplays in question on the current display aren't ads, but shows I don't want to know about, and which are quite often on topics people might not want to hear about if they are switching on the TV for some escapism –news, real life crime, or just really trashy lifestyle shows

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nathderbyshire@reddit

Any streaming box will overtake the TV homescreen, there might be a home button on the remote to go back to it if needed from time to time If you currently have android TV on, there's a Google TV steamer which would replace and function/look more or less the same, but you can choose any device you want, if you're just steaming from apps it shouldn't make much a difference which is which. GoogleTV performs best with an android if you want remote playback and use android fast pair earbuds, AppleTV will be a good option for an apple phone and earbuds

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uncertain_expert@reddit

You won’t be able to watch live free-to-air TV through Roku, but all the common streaming services are there.

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HenshinDictionary@reddit

No. It'd connect just like any other HDMI device that you have plugged in, no different to plugging an Xbox in. That said, my TV lets you choose what it defaults to when you turn it on. I have mine set to default to Freeview, but you could easily set it to default to the HDMI port that the RokuTV or AppleTV is connected to.

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YourStupidInnit@reddit

If the shitty TV interface is a kebab at 2am, AppleTV is like the finest steakhouse in the world. It's not even comparable.

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CautiousCapsLock@reddit

I have an Amazon fire stick that is the default input so it always loads that up when you start the TV and the fire stick remote can turn the TV on

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2Spot68@reddit

Same here. TV loads straight to the Fire Stick interface. We never use the TV interface now, everything can be done via the Fire Stick and Fire Stick remote control.

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thecuriousiguana@reddit

It works as an input device, like switching to your DVD player. But you can basically ignore the TV interface once you've switched to it. Also it's likely if you don't switch away that it'll just be there as soon as you turn on in future.

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ReddyBlueBlue@reddit

I don't think so. Depending on the model you could be able to set it to switch to the Roku/ATV input whenever you turn it on, but you might need to jailbreak it.

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pencilrain99@reddit

It won't effect the television user interface or operating system

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