Users are unimpressed, eager to toss devices if test sticks.
  • selokichtli@lemmy.mlEnglish
    0·
    5 hours ago

    I was thinking about changing my Roku TV anyway. “Dumb” TVs are the future for me.

  • blazeknave@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    7 hours ago

    Almost downvoted instinctually as a reaction to the headline. Visceral reaction. I hate this beyond belief.

  • Tim_Bisley@piefed.socialEnglish
    0·
    8 hours ago

    The only reason I still use my roku is because it has sound leveling capabilities that is much better than anything else I have. I use my PC for just about everything but recently Sling stopped working on the PC or at least the DVR is directing me to download some app? Also Paramount doesn’t handle 60fps content (sports) on the PC very well, it stutters a lot.

    Windows has sound leveling but I haven’t had much luck with it when its really needed. My receiver is old and has only rudimentary sound leveling.

  • drascus@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    8 hours ago

    I have a vero-V but honestly the apps are lack luster. Its amazing if you have your own library of content. I saw my first homescreen add on roku yesterday. I am pissed.

  • danc4498@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    9 hours ago

    What’s the best alternative? I have a fire cube, and I’m getting sick of it. Apple TV? Is there a FOSS solution that’s close to the same quality interface?

    • underisk@lemmy.mlEnglish
      0·
      8 hours ago

      The best is unironically to pirate and use something like Kodi on a SBC that can run libreElec.

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      0·
      8 hours ago

      TL; DR - No. But actually maybe, depending on what you’re looking for and what you can put up with.

      Are you looking to access streaming services? Or are you okay with self-hosting?

      The FOSS solutions that support streaming services are pretty janky IMO because they don’t have support from the service, so you’re probably better off hooking up a laptop running Linux and access stuff in a browser. I had Netflix working through Kodi on a Raspberry Pi, for example, but like I said, it was super janky. Maybe it’s better now, idk, but check out OpenELEC and Kodi. You’ll need some hardware to run it on.

      If you can self-host your videos, Jellyfin is pretty great, and I think there are a couple more options. You’ll need to get the content yourself though and connect it to the TV somehow (e.g. the Jellyfin app if you have a smart TV).

  • nul9o9@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    10 hours ago

    Roku had the best smart tv ui. I was seriously bummed when the ads started rolling in a few years ago.

    I want an open source streaming client, but from what I hear DRM gets in the way of that.

  • RowRowRowYourBot@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    13 hours ago

    Im literally willing to ditch the device and cancel all streaming services because of this. When I turn on my TV I don’t want to be forced to consume ads when I haven’t been provided with anything in return.

  • spaghettiwestern@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    0·
    13 hours ago

    Not a surprise for Roku. The company has been getting progressively worse in the last few years and their enshittification is accelerating. Their recent forced download of an update that requires users to agree to arbitration to even use our TVs was intended to ultimately take control of those TVs completely away from the people who own them.

    Right now it’s possible to block Roku’s static ads and presumably the autoplaying ones using a local DNS server like Adblock Home or Pihole, but it’s only a matter of time before Roku blocks everything unless we watch the ads they are trying force down our throats. I’m already in the process of obsoleting all 5 of our Roku devices.

    It has taken Roku years to build up enough market share to allow this kind of behavior and it will take years for the market to abandon them. Their executives will claim ignorance as to why users are walking away when it finally hits their bottom line.