Roku is a popular brand known that offers digital media products.
The first Roku TV model was introduced in May 2008.
Roku TVs are known for video streaming and gaming.
TVs these days last for an average of four to 10 years, but how long do Roku TVs last?
How Long Do Roku TVs Last?
A Roku TV should last for an average of three to five years.
This can extend to even 7-8 years based on usage and care taken with the device.
In addition to this, the environment where you keep it matters a lot.
Keeping the device in a well-ventilated area will be best for longevity.
As with most electronic devices, moving it to an area that is not climate controlled can cause severe damage.
Factors Affecting Lifespan
The lifespan of Roku TV highly depends on many factors.
Roku TV has been designed by different brands, and based on the popularity of these brands, the lifespan of Roku TV may differ.
1. Electrical Issues
Electrical issues can damage devices within milliseconds.
The devices that are functioning upon electrical current highly depend on electrical voltage.
Smooth electrical voltage is necessary for the smooth functioning of devices.
Slight fluctuation in voltage results in burnout of electrical devices.
A short circuit is an unpreventable occurrence that can happen to any electrical device.
Even though it is at times not a preventable factor, you can manage it by getting your electrical circuits inspected every now and then.
2. Freeze
A Roku TV’s longevity highly depends on how fast it is working.
Sometimes Roku TVs may stop working out of the blue.
The screen freezes and you can’t do anything about it.
In such a situation, the remote control also stops working.
You may think your device has reached its end of life, which can be true.
Most devices will start freezing because they are faulty or because they have reached their life span.
The number of years you get before your screen starts freezing depends on your usage and the brand you have.
3. Firmware
The firmware version is also an essential factor that impacts the lifespan of a Roku TV.
As Roku TV is used for internet streaming and gaming, its dependence on the internet demands proper updates and connections.
If you fail to update it properly, you may not be able to get the whole package of entertainment.
The firmware version assists in proper streaming.
If you don’t update it regularly, the whole functioning of the Roku TV gets disturbed.
Roku specifies the duration after which you need to upgrade your firmware.
To check if your TV is up to date, go to settings and check for any updates.
You will also see any other required updates in the settings.
To check for updates on Roku TV, follow the steps below:
- Press the Home button on the Roku TV remote.
- Scroll down to Settings.
- Select System and click on System Update.
Check the firmware version.
You will also be able to see when the device was updated last time.
Most of the time, if there are any other updates, your Roku TV will automatically start the update and restart your TV.
However, it is always a best practice to keep checking for any new updates or outstanding issues.
4. Usage Hours
The longevity of the Roku TV depends on the usage hours.
Unlimited use of Roku TV affects its life span.
As we know, the devices that work on electricity demand some unplugged hours.
It’s fine to use the TV continuously for several hours, but try to avoid using it for the whole day as it will not be good for your TV.
You can also choose how many hours you want to watch the TV in a day.
This flexibility will allow you to limit usage and improve your TV’s lifespan.
5. Picture Mode
Picture quality is an essential part of all televisions.
If picture quality is faulty, the streaming speed and gaming become wasted.
The picture quality of Roku TV depends on several updates.
The standard picture mode is disturbed by gaming modes.
If the standard mode is distorted, the picture quality becomes faulty.
Picture quality reduces the lifespan of Roku TV.
Many users prefer to replace inferior picture quality with a new TV as this can be a deal-breaker for many.
6. Brightness
You can adjust the brightness of your TV.
Some people continue to use their TVs at a brightness level that the TV originally came with.
Different brightness levels can be used for different settings.
For example, if you are using Roku TV in a home theater setting, the brightness level should be lower.
Roku TVs at hotels may use high brightness.
While it can be fun to watch TV with high brightness, it can affect the lifespan of the Roku TV and also strain your eyes.
7. Overheating
Roku TV comes with a whole package of entertainment, and people use it to watch shows and series for hours and hours, forgetting that the usage hours affect the lifespan of Roku TV badly.
Excessive usage also results in overheating.
Different built-in sensors of Roku TV are indicators of overheating.
Overheating can certainly damage your Roku TV as wires and other circuits of Roku TV can get damaged by overheating.
Such overheating reduces the lifespan of the Roku TV.
8. Brands
The lifespan of Roku TV depends on the brands that are manufacturing Roku TV.
These brands can vary from lower to higher qualities.
Popular brands like Philips provide highly reliable Roku TVs.
Popular and reliable brands can offer you a reliable product.
However, these high-end brands can be heavy on your pocket.
If your budget can be stretched, it’s best to go for a good product as it will last longer compared to a cheaper product that can break within a year.
9. Rebooting
You may notice that your Roku TV starts rebooting on its own quite often.
This is a sign that your TV needs replacement.
However, this may not always be the reason, as sometimes delays in updates can cause rebooting.
Rebooting is a manageable issue if it is not due to a system problem.
Try factory restore to get back up to speed.
If your TV is rebooting because it has reached its life, then you may have to replace it.
Sometimes Roku TV burns out because of rebooting
To factory reset your Roku TV, follow these steps:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Go to the System option.
- Select Advanced System Settings.
- In this option, you will see the Factory Reset option.
- Select Factory Reset Everything.
Follow on-screen instructions to complete the factory reset process.
Roku TVs Pros And Cons
Like all other devices, the Roku TV has many pros and cons as well.
Pros and cons can be a deciding factor for many when considering buying a new product.
Let us look at some of the pros and cons of Roku TV.
Pros
1. Variety Of Content
Roku TV offers users a variety of content to choose from.
Roku was made in collaboration with Netflix.
Ordinary TVs don’t usually offer a wide range of internet streaming and cable streaming choices, so this factor makes Roku TV desirable among users.
The cable box is not expensive.
A lot of apps are available including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV, HBO, and Roku’s own channel, The Roku Channel.
Just like on Netflix, you can save the content you intend to watch later.
You can also share photos and videos with your family and friends.
Roku TV also offers a variety of games to choose from. You can use external devices with the TV.
The video streaming experience is quite theatre-like.
All these features make Roku TV popular and desirable.
2. Memory
Memory is an important issue to consider when buying a device.
Low memory can affect speed, and similarly, the overall performance of a device is affected by memory.
As the Roku model contain a significant content of games, movies, and channels, better memory is a fundamental requirement of Roku TVs.
Low memories create problems with channels loading and games also get disturbed by insufficient memory.
The more we focus on the latest models, the better and better versions we get from their brands.
Usually, the Roku TV has a vast memory.
No matter where we want to see, everything is available here.
Roku TV is a considerable resource of entertainment with huge memory, and such products are a go-to choice for customers.
3. Reliability
Roku TV is a reliable device.
It can meet all your needs, provide you with a high-quality experience, and can last you for three or four years.
Roku TVs are made using Linux as the operating system.
If you are buying a Philips, Hitachi, or JVC Roku TV, it will last you longer compared to cheaper models.
4. Setup
Roku TV can be set up quite easily as the whole process is straightforward compared to other TV setups.
The power adapter directly connects to your Roku TV.
In addition to the Roku TV power adapter, you will also have to plug an HDMI cable into the Roku TV.
The other setups of Roku TV are also free of pain.
To set a password on your Roku TV, you have to go through an effortless system of settings.
- Go to the Setting section of your Roku TV.
- Select WiFi network.
- Enter your password.
This password can be entered with the help of a remote or from a letter-picker.
In addition to this setup, you can avail yourself of the service online by purchasing different programs.
For this, you have to enter the details of your credit card and create a Roku account in which you can put all the relevant and affordable channels.
You can entail the streaming services from your Roku TV once you authorize your account.
5. Voice Search
Voice search is a useful option for kids and people who are weak in spelling or who just don’t feel like typing.
It is a massive advantage for the manufacturers that are offering voice search.
If you want to watch a movie but do not know how to spell it, you can use the option of voice search.
If kids want to see cartoons, they can search the desired video by voice search.
Remember to always supervise kids when they are watching TV.
Sometimes people are lazy or tired, and they do not want to go through the fuss of typing, so they prefer to choose voice search for any content.
Other than entertainment content, several applications on Roku TV work with voice search.
The sleep timer can be adjusted with the help of a voice searcher.
You can command Roku TV through voice to turn off after a specific time and it will turn off automatically after that time.
The voice feature is available on various Roku TV models.
6. Affordable
Roku TV contains several channels and gaming content.
Purchasing these channels one by one can be very expensive.
Roku TV provides all these entertainment channels in one place, free of cost.
You can use Roku TV for free except for buying a few channels.
Roku TV itself replaces a few subscriptions.
Once you purchase any subscription, it will last forever.
There is no need to buy it again.
In this way, you can save money and helps you to manage the finances related to cables and other TV settings.
Cons
Nothing is perfect.
While Roku TV has an extensive list of pros, its cons are also undeniable.
Here is a list of cons that the customers of Roku TV most commonly experience.
1. Updates
Because Roku TV works using the internet, such devices require proper updates.
Showing carelessness in updating your Roku TV can create problems.
Delay in updates damages the picture quality of Roku TV.
Moreover, the working speed of Roku TV depends on proper updates.
Different software needs appropriate updates, and other than that, content stored in it also requires a WiFi connection for proper working.
For this reason, Roku TV is suitable only for customers who are conscious of its maintenance and upgrades.
This may not be a desirable option for people who don’t have the time or energy to take care of updates and maintenance.
2. Dependency On High-Definition Internet
Roku TV works better on high-definition internet.
Only a few devices can handle and manage high-definition internet.
Most devices are too weak to support a high-resolution picture quality such as 1080p quality.
If high-definition internet is not available, the content quality will be distorted.
Such demands of Roku TV make it limited to few users, and may be due to these demands; the customers may prefer another brand or another TV.
3. Mobility Restrictions
The location of your Roku TV also matters.
Moving it unnecessarily can cause severe damage.
Make sure to leave it in one place rather than pushing it from one place to another.
Frequent and unnecessary jarring may be a source of monitor damage.
Unnecessary moving can also contribute to decreasing the lifespan of your TV.
If you move a lot, then Roku TVs are not for you as they may not be able to withstand frequent transportation.
4. Remote Control Issues
Users of Roku TV have often complained about remote connectivity issues, specifically, the remote control can just stop working.
When troubleshooting the remote control, remember which type of remote you have before proceeding to the troubleshooting option.
Roku TV remotes come in two types: infrared and Bluetooth.
To check which type of remote you have, open the battery cover of your remote and check if there is a pairing button.
Having a pairing button would mean that your remote control has Bluetooth.
If there is no pairing button, then your remote works on infrared.
Try taking out the batteries and leaving them out for a few minutes before putting them back in.
The remote should work again.
If it doesn’t, reach out to Roku customer care as they will be able to better assist you.
Roku TV Vs. Smart TV
Roku TV and smart TV both use online streaming services.
They are famous for online streaming, but in terms of finances, Roku TV is cheaper than smart TV.
Roku TV is more reasonable and available at affordable prices than smart TV.
Thus, looking at their cost, the latest model of Roku TV is much cheaper than the smart TV.
If you are torn between buying a smart TV or a Roku TV, the latter may be easier on the pocket.
Should You Buy Roku TV?
Roku TV is getting more popular day by day.
The reason behind their popularity is the wide range of choices they are providing in streaming.
At this time, internet streaming and cable streaming are available on a few platforms, and Roku TV is one of them.
Financially, it protects the money that we spend on the cable box.
You can also save the list of content you intend to watch.
A group of your favorite apps is accessible, too.
A cheap subscription to Netflix is available on Roku TVs.
Roku TVs are also reliable and can last a long time.
Conclusion
Roku TV is a long-lasting giant package of entertainment.
Buying a good quality TV will last you a good amount of years.
Also, you won’t have to go through a cycle of buying subscriptions as most apps are pre-installed on Roku TV.
Before buying it, do consider internet connections, and make sure that you can control the risk factors that affect its longevity.
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