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Roku Explained, And Adding Bluetooth To A SmartTV

Roku Streaming Stick

Ron in Mount Juliet, Tennessee listens on SuperTalk WTN 99.7 asked:

Explain what the Roku does, as far as watching TV.

 

Roku makes streaming devices, so what they do as far as watching TV is provide access to alternative sources of content.

Rokus feature access to lots of services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, HBO Now, Vudu, Crackle, Sling, Showtime Anytime, Google Play, and hundreds of others, includes access to streaming content from TV channels.

Most services require some kind of a subscription

Most services require some kind of a subscription, whether it’s a standalone one like Netflix and Hulu’s, or a cable subscription.

As far as watching live TV, you don’t gain much if you already have cable, but if you’re a cord cutter you may be able to find a lot of quality content for less than the cost of a cable subscription. It’s also a good device to consider if you’re already paying for subscription services like Netflix and want to watch on your TV easily.

Garrett in Jackson, Mississippi listens on SuperTalk 97.3 FM asked:

I own a Samsung smart tv. It does not have a headphone jack but obviously has AV in jacks. I recently purchased a Bluetooth transmitter so I can listen to my tv via my Bluetooth headphones. Is there any way to do this?

 

Garrett, if the TV has absolutely no audio outputs, your only option would probably be to buy an amp of the kind you’d use for a home theater, connect it via HDMI, and then use its outputs.

Having said that, modern TVs are thin, and their speakers sound like thin speakers, so there usually is an audio out of some kind, even if it’s not a headphone jack. A lot of people want better sound than they can get from a modern TV, especially people who enjoy movies.

If you can see an RCA out, you can buy an adapter that will end in a female 3.5mm jack. The adapter will cost you a few dollars and will solve the problem by creating a headphone jack for you.

If you have an optical audio out, you will find adapters too, but they may not work to convert the audio to what your headphones need. An optical audio out will put out digital audio, a connector won’t make it analog, you’d need a converter for that. Those converters do exist, and they don’t cost too much money either, but they are more expensive than RCA to 3.5mm adapters and they will need to be fed power to work.

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Written by Dave Graveline

Dave Graveline is the founder, Host & Executive Producer of "Into Tomorrow" in addition to being President of the Advanced Media Network".

Dave is also a trusted and familiar voice on many national commercials & narrations in addition to being an authority in consumer tech since 1994. He is also a former Police Officer and an FBI Certified Instructor.

Dave thrives on audience participation!

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