How Do I Use My Roku Device On A Laptop?

[HKF]

Hi all

Can anyone help me, please? I have a Roku device (not a USB stick). How do I use this on a laptop, please? Is it possible? I've searched for help on the internet but I end up going round in circles, with some people saying it is possible and others saying it isn't. Thank you for any help you can give me

 

[tonka]

Any help ??

Roku

Roku provides the simplest way to stream entertainment to your TV. On your terms. With thousands of available channels to choose from.

www.roku.com

 

[HKF]

Any help ??

Roku

Roku provides the simplest way to stream entertainment to your TV. On your terms. With thousands of available channels to choose from.

www.roku.com

Thank you but this only shows how to set up on a TV, which I've already done. I'm looking for how to use it on a laptop for when we're away in the MoHo

 

[kevenh]

It’s a none starter if your laptop hasn’t got an HDMI port.
If you have, how useful is this info?

 

[tonka]

Thank you but this only shows how to set up on a TV, which I've already done. I'm looking for how to use it on a laptop for when we're away in the MoHo

Whoops. Missed the laptop bit but as said above it needs a HDMI port so depends on the spec and age of the laptop I guess.

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[kevenh]

For a media device like Roku & Amazon Firestick this may not help, but a display port on a laptop also connects to an HDMI device (well, usually a monitor).
For this usage, the main difference between their specs is Display Port doesn’t have HDCP handshake but that might be key here.

 

[Nigel P]

I think most laptop HDMI ports are output only so would appear it is unlikely to work.

 

[HKF]

It’s a none starter if your laptop hasn’t got an HDMI port.
If you have, how useful is this info?

Thank you so much! I do have an HDMI port and the info looks like it might be useful I'll take a look at it tomorrow

 

[HKF]

For a media device like Roku & Amazon Firestick this may not help, but a display port on a laptop also connects to an HDMI device (well, usually a monitor).
For this usage, the main difference between their specs is Display Port doesn’t have HDCP handshake but that might be key here.

Yikes, this is a bit above my level of understanding, I'm afraid. Are you saying it can be done, please?

 

[kevenh]

Yikes, this is a bit above my level of understanding, I'm afraid. Are you saying it can be done, please?

You’ve since said your laptop has an HDMI port - you’re good to try the earlier link. Ignore the display port side issue.

After that post #4 I remembered HP used to make laptops with a display port to save money on HDCP royalties or whatever the extra cost of HDMI is

Edit: some of ^^ is right but mainly “HDMI is proprietary while DisplayPort is free” so HP did save money but eventually consumer demand meant we got HDMI on HP later…

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[HKF]

You’ve since said your laptop has an HDMI port - you’re good to try the earlier link. Ignore the display port side issue.

After that post #4 I remembered HP used to make laptops with a display port to save money on HDCP royalties or whatever the extra cost of HDMI is

Edit: some of ^^ is right but mainly “HDMI is proprietary while DisplayPort is free” so HP did save money but eventually consumer demand meant we got HDMI on HP later…

Hi again. I had a look at this info but it's only for installing a Roku Stick. I have a Roku Premier 4K. Do you have any advice for this device, please? I'd be so grateful if you could help me

 

[kevenh]

Hi again. I had a look at this info but it's only for installing a Roku Stick. I have a Roku Premier 4K. Do you have any advice for this device, please? I'd be so grateful if you could help me

I don't see the Roku Premier 4K as missing anything the Roku Stick has.

But on this site there's a handy reminder that most laptops are "Output" only for HDMI

Like Nigel mentioned:

I think most laptop HDMI ports are output only so would appear it is unlikely to work.

I wonder what those sites offering help for Roku & Laptop + HDMI are suggesting. Setup only?

Sorry for the - likely - misdirection.

 

[TheBig1]

You can't usually use an HDMI streaming stick in a laptop. You can use an app to stream from roku though, using your laptop to do the streaming and your account username and password. Basically the same way as you use netflix on a laptop

 

[HKF]

I don't see the Roku Premier 4K as missing anything the Roku Stick has.

But on this site there's a handy reminder that most laptops are "Output" only for HDMI

Like Nigel mentioned:


I wonder what those sites offering help for Roku & Laptop + HDMI are suggesting. Setup only?

Sorry for the - likely - misdirection.

No problem at all. I'm very grateful for you trying to help

 

[HKF]

You can't usually use an HDMI streaming stick in a laptop. You can use an app to stream from roku though, using your laptop to do the streaming and your account username and password. Basically the same way as you use netflix on a laptop

Can you explain very simply how I would do that, please? I don't normally use apps I have a Windows 10 laptop, if that helps

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[Lenny HB]

With win 10 just go onto there site and you can play them from there same as you do with IPlayer.
All the streaming sites will work on a laptop in a browser.

 

[TheMachMan]

Laptops have HDMI output. The Roku will need a HDMI input. TV’s have input. So wont work On a laptop.

 

[ChrisL]

Can i ask why you want to connect your roku device to your laptop? Pretty much all tv channels are available via apps you can install on your laptop, besides the 5 uk broadcasters, you can have netflix, prime video, sky go, virgin, there are also some streaming services that offer all free to air channels.

 

[HKF]

Can i ask why you want to connect your roku device to your laptop? Pretty much all tv channels are available via apps you can install on your laptop, besides the 5 uk broadcasters, you can have netflix, prime video, sky go, virgin, there are also some streaming services that offer all free to air channels.

The reason is because I don't use apps on my laptop. I don't have a smartphone, either Thank you for your reply, though