Roku has announced its latest media player for $129. The Roku 4 is the first player with support for 4K video. It also features faster WiFi (ac), HDMI, optical audio out, a new remote, and an updated operating system.
Roku 4 supports 4K
The living room war has only just started and major players have placed their bets. Apple has unveiled a new Apple TV, Amazon a new 4K Fire TV, Nvidia the Shield, and Google a new Chromecast.
Today, Roku has announced its latest media player, Roku 4. The most significant change is support for 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, unlike Amazon’s new Fire TV, which only supports 4K at 30fps. 60fps support suggests that Roku’s box comes packed with HDMI 2.0 but Roku has yet to confirm that detail. The new box also has faster WiFi based on the “ac” standard, USB ports and an optical audio out. Presumably the new box supports HEVC decoding but Roku has yet to release a full specifications list.
Roku says that you will have access to 4K entertainment from Netflix, M-Go, Amazon Instant Video, ToonGoogles, Vudu and YouTube.
Roku 4 is significantly larger than the other Roku boxes. Roku says that the bigger size is to accommodate the faster hardware and to keep the box cool. There is also a new “Find me” button on the box designed to find the remote. Once pressed, the remote control will start pinging. The remote still has a headphone out port.
Roku is updating its operating system and mobile app. The new OS 7 supports 4K video, has an improved “My Feed” and a new “Follow” feature. My Feed can now alert you when new movie releases are available or when movies or TV shows drop in price. A new 4K app has been added for finding 4K video.
There is also a new Hotel Connect feature built in for easier setup at hotels. The new mobile app incorporates the Follow and My Feed features but Roku continues to lack a solid Airplay/Cast-like feature. The updated operating system will hit current Roku players between mid-October and November.
Roku now offers 3000 apps/channels. More than 2.5 billion hours of video and music have been streamed to Roku boxes in the first half of 2015, says Roku. In the whole of 2014, 3 billion hours were streamed.
Roku 4 will be available for pre-order today on www.roku.com and will ship later in October for $129.
Specifications
| Support for 4K UHD and HD |
| Quad-Core processor, up to 60 fps 4K streaming, HDCP 2.2 and Optical Audio Out |
| 1080p home screen and user interface |
| 802.11ac MIMO Wi-Fi |
| 4K entertainment from Netflix, M-Go, Amazon Instant Video, ToonGoogles, Vudu and YouTube |
| Curated 4K Spotlight channel exclusive to Roku 4 offers instant access to 4K movies, TV shows and more |
| Remote control with voice search, headphone jack for private listening, and Remote Finder |
| Roku mobile app for Android and iOS offering full device control, personalized screensavers for the Roku 4 and soon, on-the-go access for following entertainment when away from home |
