Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #22

Hi, everyone !!



If you read my previous post, "Roku UK Channel Store - Weekly RoundUp #21", then you may recall that my response to the launch of the new 'NFB' channel on Roku player was, "WAY TO GO CANADA !!!!!!", such was my enthusiasm for this latest addition to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. This week, after months of having hints dropped by me (for one), Roku FINALLY decided to update the banner headline for the "Official" Roku UK Website which, ideally, would have been met with a similar Roku-related response. Unfortunately, however, this was the image that greeted me...

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing !!

Granted, the figure used is far more accurate than the previous "300 channels and counting" which has been out of date (seemingly) forever. However, to update the banner headline after so long and yet STILL FALL (so far) SHORT OF THE MARK is, quite frankly, beyond comprehension. To put things into perspective, the "updated" headline figure of "450 channels and counting" was actually first reached back in May 2013, around twelve weeks ago, and (by the time it was published) their headline ought to have claimed "550 channels and counting" for it to be entirely accurate. In fact... if ever Roku or any readers of this blog would like to get a MORE ACCURATE FIGURE as to the number of channels available in the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store (at any given time) they need only take a look at my "Official Roku UK Channel Store - Overview" to do so. Those who do will always get a CHANNEL COUNT that is NO MORE THAN ONE WEEK OUT-OF-DATE in terms of the number of "Public" channels available on Roku in the UK. Meanwhile, even the quoted price bracket, "Starting from just £49.99", is too high compared with the ACTUAL PRICE of just £34.50 for a Roku LT, now being offered by 4 out of 7 RECOMMENDED RETAILERS for Roku in the UK who (currently) stock the product. A further two have the price set either side of the forty pound mark (£40 GBP) and ONLY ONE still sells it for MSRP of £49.99 suggested by Roku. Such inaccuracies have left me flabberghasted that a company, whose product(s) I have championed since owning one, can leave me thinking "WAY TO UNDERSELL YOURSELF, ROKU !!!!!!" when it comes to their operations outside of their native USA. I mean, sure, they'll take our money when they need it... but, when it comes to standing by the people who have supported them, it's a different story altogether (or so it would seem). To my mind, there's far too many companies these days whose customer service gets worse as the business grows. What should happen is the exact reverse, and we should expect customer service to improve as businesses grow - so take note Roku, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE !!


Anyway , fortunately they were able to redeem themselves (just a little) when, later in the week, Roku made THIS ANNOUNCEMENT on their "Official" Blog. If you haven't yet heard the news, you'll see from the Roku blog post that they've NOW ADDED the ability to stream video from iOS devices to Roku players, by expanding the functionality of the "Play On Roku" feature. Before you get too excited, however, I should point out that this merely enables the playback of video(s) from the 'Camera Roll' which were taken on the device (itself) and NOT FULL AIRPLAY of movies & videos from iTunes. Even so, it is a step in the right direction... as was the addition of support for the audiophile-requested FLAC and WAV file formats which can now be played via the 'USB Media Player' channel on the Roku 2 XS, provided you are using the latest firmware update to Version 5.1 on the player. Those of you with a compatible iOS device (e.g. iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) can get the FREE UPDATE for the Roku Remote App VIA THIS LINK but, apparently, Android users are going to have to wait a little longer for the update to be applied on their devices. One more thing... the latest firmware update (to Version 5.1) from Roku means GOOD NEWS for those of us with a MicroSD Card installed in our Roku 2 XS player(s) because the 'Player Info' found under the 'About' section of the 'Settings' menu NOW INCLUDES both "PERCENTAGE" and "ACTUAL" Memory USAGE INFO so you now have a visual indication as to how many more channels and/or how much additional game data can be stored on your streaming media player. Looking at my own figure(s) I am pleased to say that my 8GB MicroSD Card is in NO DANGER of filling up anytime soon - even with the ridiculous amount of channels I have installed on it since starting this blog !!

Still, let's get on with the details for the current 'Weekly RoundUp' of NEW ADDITIONS to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store. This time, there are SIX NEW CHANNELS which have been added during the past seven days. These latest additions to the Roku UK Channel Store provided FRESH CONTENT to the Games, News, Weather, Sport, Special Interest plus Screensavers & Apps genres (i.e. categories).

In keeping with previous installments from the 'Weekly RoundUp' series, details of these new channels have all been listed below, together with links to obtain further information {by clicking on the channel name(s) beneath the respective channel icon(s) as pictured} and to read a 'Roku Guide' review for each one:-

WEBCAM PLUS...............................COST: £1.49 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

THE OCCULT NETWORK CHANNEL.............COST: £1.49 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

ESCAPE GOAT...................................COST: £1.49 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

TODAY'S DAILY APP...............................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]

HERMAN THE HERMIT...................COST: £0.69 (ONE-OFF PAYMENT) [Roku Guide Review]

THE SNOW NETWORK......COST: FREE (2-DAY TRIAL) + $9.99 (MONTHLY) [Roku Guide Review]

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So, whether it's watching your favourite webcam feeds, playing video games, dabbling in the esoteric sciences, getting your fix of ski and snowboard movies, or catching up on all the latest mobile apps & hottest games for your iPhone or Android device, we've pretty much got all those bases covered with these latest NEW ADDITIONS to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store.

Anyway, like it or not, that is your lot for this week and, whilst it doesn't quite the match-up to the twelve channels which made it into the "Official" Roku USA Channel Store during the same time-frame, I always think it's better to have SOME NEW CHOICES than none at all, don't you ?!!

Still, hopefully everyone in the UK with a Roku player managed to find something they like within the six channels outlined above. If not, then you'll have to pay us a visit another time when, with any luck, there will be something more to your liking. Afterall, there's no point installing every channel because, as I've said before, when it comes to adding new channels to your Roku player, IT'S YOUR CHOICE and, as with all things Roku... THE CHOICE IS ALWAYS YOURS !!

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Meanwhile, spare a thought for all those poor folk who handed over their hard-earned cash for one of the NEW NowTV Boxes [Powered by Sky] and, yes, that does include me. "Why is that?", I hear you ask... well, take a look at the photo below and you might just get a clue !!

PHOTO CREDIT: HANNAH GENTILES of Observation Full & Felt Photography (Facebook)

N.B. If you'd like to purchase the ORIGINAL FULL (UNCROPPED) VERSION of the above photo, it's available from Hannah's Etsy Store VIA THIS LINK where you will also find many other fine examples of her work. Those wishing to connect with the photographer can do so either via her Twitter Feed: @observationfelt or, if preferable, through her Facebook Page (see link in photo credit).

Anyway the point I was trying to make (by using this particular photo) was that, despite the promise of "more great content" with "more apps being continually added", there hasn't been a single extra new channel anywhere in sight since the player was launched just over two weeks ago. All of which means that NowTV [Powered by Sky] have managed to produce a (NOT SO) GRAND TOTAL of absolutely ZERO NEW CHANNELS which can be added to the (already SEVERELY REDUCED) version of the Roku Channel Store that features on their NowTV Box. Meanwhile, the "Official" Roku Channel Store that features on all UK Roku players has added ELEVEN EXTRA CHANNELS during that same period of time. If the NowTV Box is to succeed, they need to show that they really are "Powered by Sky" and live up to the moniker of their device by adding those "must-see shows" from Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts and Sky Living "NOW" rather than "later this year" as per the website.

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Still, whether you happen to own a Roku player, a NowTV Box, OR BOTH, as I do... be sure to come back in seven days' time for my next 'Weekly RoundUp' and, if you can't wait that long, remember you can always keep up with all the UK Roku action (as it happens) throughout the coming week, by following the companion Twitter Feed: @ukrokuchannels where up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related (here in the UK) is posted on a daily basis (well, almost).

Until the next time, then...

That's all folks !!

Roku 3 UK - UPDATE #4

OK... Hold the front page !!



As those of you who regularly follow the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels will already know, I made a SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT earlier today following a brief exchange of messages (tweets, if you prefer) with the Official Roku Twitter Feed: @rokuplayer having spotted a comment they made concerning the rollout of the new interface (previously referred to as "The New Roku Experience" in other Roku 3 UK updates) to Roku 2, HD (model 2500), LT & Streaming Sticks.


In case you haven't seen it, Roku made an OFFICIAL STATEMENT to the effect that the long-awaited rollout was finally going to commence THIS WEEK, before thanking us for our patience. Then came a slew of questions from assorted Roku owners, mostly enquiring as to when in May they could expect the update on their Roku player(s). This, in turn, produced a somewhat vague and (dare I say) slightly cryptic response from Roku, the essence of which was, "Starting this week, the rollout will be gradual and in random order - we expect it to be complete by the end of May".


Apparently, the rollout will be "gradual" so that Roku can monitor any feedback more easily and, if necessary, act on that feedback more swiftly. The overall idea behind this being to try and make sure that the rollout is "a great experience for everyone". Their general advice is to "hang in there, if you don't see it this week" and, when asked if there was "any way of forcing the update?", they were quick to dismiss this with a rather curt, "not currently".  So, it's still anybody's guess as to when in May things will take effect but certain(?) that it will be sometime this month. As you were then !!


Another snippet of information that I managed to glean from this flurry of tweets was that the rollout was going to be applied to Roku players in Canada. Thanks go to Patrick Bourdon (@bourdonfc) for seeking confirmation on that one. Seeing Roku's response to that particular line of enquiry, I decided it was worth a shot to ask whether we were going to be included in the rollout, here in the UK. This is what I was told:-

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing

As you can see, the GOOD NEWS is that Roku have OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED that the rollout of the new interface "will include UK Roku players" so, it would seem that my previous doubts were incorrect and I, for one, am very grateful about that - as I'm sure are the vast majority of UK Roku owners, having been told this. Obviously, since there were no Roku HD (model 2500) players, or Streaming Sticks, officially made available in the UK, the models affected here will be the Roku LT and the Roku XS (as detailed in my post: "It's Time To... Choose Your Roku !!" back in February). 

Not that it was needed, but Roku also made a separate confirmation when asked a direct question, as to whether the Roku 2 XS would be included on the interface update. Credit goes to 'Muy Buen Tema' (@muybuentema) for seeking an answer to that one. Anyway, the long & the short of it seems to be that, at the very least, we will get to try out the "New Roku Experience" on our existing Roku players while we wait & see if we are going to be honoured with an official UK release for Roku 3.

Hey... you never know !!

Still, that's about it for this update. Hope it was as much of a surprise to you, and brought as BIG A SMILE to your face, as it did to mine when I heard the news. See... it's not all bad !!!

Until the next time, though...

That's all folks !!

Roku 3 UK - UPDATE #3

Hi, everyone !!


Thought I'd better let you know about some news concerning the "new Roku experience" as featured on the Roku 3 player (that is still, shamefully, ONLY AVAILABLE in the USA, by the way) and was supposed to have been rolled out to earlier Roku models (i.e. Roku LT, Roku XS, etc.) sometime this month. It's not really a surprise (to me at least) that nothing has happened in that regard, here in the UK, but there has been A LOT OF UNEASE among our friends from across the pond, who are becoming increasingly concerned over the lack of action on Roku's part, with this particular update.


During the past few days, I came across a tweet by self-confessed "Geek Blogger", Dave Zatz, of zatznotfunny.com who announced, via his Twitter Feed: @davezatz, that the "new Roku UI" had been "pushed from April to May for older boxes" and he supported that claim by including the following image from an official email to Roku Developers by Roku, themselves:-

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing

You will notice FROM THE HIGHLIGHTED TEXT at the bottom of the image that the rollout has apparently now been delayed (yet further) and will now happen "by the end of May" and NOT simply "by May" (i.e. completed during April) as we were all led to believe previously. This additional delay has been made even more infuriating by the fact that (in the USA, at least) Roku have, for some weeks now,  been running "Teaser Ads" for the "new Roku experience" on their streaming media players, hinting that it's "Coming Soon" when, as seems likely, this won't be soon enough for most !!

This "Teaser" campaign has also prompted many remarks from owners of older Roku players, several of which were featured comments in a similar news article from engadget.com such as:- 

(i) Mark Schroeder, who says: 

It's terrible to see the tab in the menu talking about the upgraded menu like I have it already. It's just a stupid tease that they need to take down since it's still a month away.

(i) John M. Bergman, who adds: 

I completely agree.  When it first downloaded, I thought it was the actual interface update. I was really excited, but quickly became equally as upset when I found out it was merely a teaser channel that I would prefer to not have at all.

and;

(iii) TBSteph, who summed it all up by saying that:

The coming soon upgrade tease on the Roku 2 Menu is already stale let alone if it is delayed for another month.  At this point it's kind of like waiting for paint to dry - a boring exercise in futility.   

However, there was also a suggestion that these people may have been getting themselves all worked up over nothing because, as pointed out by another engadget.com reader:-

Anjenaire, who commented:

I like the new layout but it isn't really that much quicker than scrolling side to side. Now you get to scroll up and down. It does scroll smoother, and you can hold the button down and it will rotate through without the audible noise, but in the end it is very, very evolutionary rather than revolutionary. 

Although, in fairness, he did finish by saying:

I do like it and will enjoy the interface update when it hits the other boxes but not worth checking every day for.

Before adding:

I too am peeved by the update channel tease. Just roll it out already. 

So, from what I've read elsewhere, it seems like the general opinion is that Roku have been dragging their heels for WAY TOO LONG over this particular matter and, despite their best efforts to reassure people via their own comments on the Official Roku Twitter Feed: @rokuplayer, they really ought to GET THIS SORTED as soon as possible or else risk alienating their existing loyal fanbase.

Overall, from the looks of things, the news is... THERE IS NO NEWS, ONLY DELAYS... which means we'll have to wait AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH until we know if UK Roku players are going to benefit from this "new Roku experience", or not (as I suspect will be the case). 

And there you have it... that's as much as we've been able to find out thus far. Needless to say, we'll continue to keep our ear to the ground and our eyes on the computer screen for any further Roku 3 UK update or details of any software rollout that may materialise and, rest assured, you will hear about it right here if & when it happens.


Meanwhile, remember that you can keep up-to-date with all things Roku-related in the UK via the companion Twitter Feed to this blog: @ukrokuchannels where (as always) you'll find up-to-the minute information being posted on a daily basis (well, almost).



Until the next time, then...



That's all folks !!

Roku Tips, Tricks & Tweaks - #2 Faster Menu Scrolling

Hi, everyone !!


In the two months since it was published, there has been a lot of interest in the original post from this series, "Roku Tips, Tricks & Tweaks - #1 Adding A MicroSD Card", so I figured it was about time to offer you another little tidbit of information to help make the use of your Roku player(s) even more enjoyable... dare I even say, pleasurable?!!


Anyhow if, like me, you have more channels installed than the average user... then you've probably noticed that it can take quite some time to get from one end of the main channel list menu to the other, or even to somewhere in the middle, if you've been hesitant with your channel "pruning", as I have on several occasions. So, if I told you there was a way you could scroll through your channels FIVE TIMES FASTER, meaning you would get to your desired channel in a fraction of the time it took before, I bet you'd love to know about it, right? Of course you would !!


For starters, to properly TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE of this particular Roku Tip/Trick, then you will need to "Know Your Roku Remote" as per the 'Quick Start Guide' for your Roku player(s). For those of you that may not have immediate access to those guides, here are some links to view the online PDF's of those guides for both the Roku LT and the  Roku XS which, as I've explained before, are (currently) the ONLY TWO OPTIONS AVAILABLE to Roku purchasers in the UK:-



Roku LT Quick Start Guide (UK)


AND


Roku XS Quick Start Guide (UK)



For ease of reference, viz the purpose(s) of this article, I am also going to include some image scans for the relevant pages from the 'Quick Start Guide' for each of the two models outlined above. This, I hope, will enable you to quickly identify which button(s) to press in order to scroll through your channel list FIVE CHANNELS AT A TIME, instead of repeatedly advancing by just one channel, in either direction. So, if you're not already acquainted, prepare to "Know Your Roku Remote"...



For those of you with a Roku LT player, here is a key to the layout of your remote control:-

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing

If, on the other hand, you are the owner of a Roku XS... then your remote layout is like this:-

HINT: Click on the above image to ENLARGE IT for easier viewing

Now, if you've owned your Roku player for a short while then you'll already know that the Roku Remote feels right at home in your hand. You will, no doubt, also be aware that you can move left and/or right (one channel at a time) using the "[LEFT]" and "[RIGHT]" directional button(s) to navigate through your list of channels. If you are still unsure, take a look at the relevant remote control layout (above) for your particular model of Roku player (See Ref. 'D' for Roku LT players and Ref. 'C' for Roku XS players). What is not quite so obvious, perhaps, is exactly what is meant in the Quick Start Guides by, "scroll... one page at a time" or when, where, how and why this function may prove to be useful. Observe, if you will, the "[FWD SCAN]" button (See Ref. 'G' for Roku LT players and Ref. 'I' for Roku XS players, in the respective remote control layouts above). In addition to performing the "Fast Forward" function when playing back media on your Roku, it is this little button which holds part of the secret to the "Faster Menu Scrolling" referred to in the title of this post...


Just try it for a moment... go to your list of channels on your Roku player and, instead of pressing the "[LEFT]" or "[RIGHT]" directional button(s) to navigate through your list of channels one at a time, use the "[FWD SCAN]" button and look closely at your television screen (while you do) so that you notice what happens. At first, you may not believe it, but the simple action of using the "[FWD SCAN]" button in this way will allow you to advance to the right FIVE CHANNELS AT A TIME through your Roku channel list... INGENIOUS !!!


Anyway, you've probably already guessed it by now but, it's the "[REV SCAN]" button which holds the other part of the secret to the "Faster Menu Scrolling" referred to in the title of this post. Yes, indeed, using the "[REV SCAN]" button (normally reserved for the "Rewind" function during media playback) will permit "Faster Menu Scrolling" in the other direction (i.e. to the left). Again, if you are unsure, take a look at the relevant remote control layout (above) for your particular model of Roku player (See Ref. 'E' for Roku LT players and Ref. 'G' for Roku XS players). Similar to before, this will (again) advance you FIVE CHANNELS AT A TIME through your Roku channel list but moving the opposite way to the "[FWD SCAN]" button... EQUALLY INGENIOUS !!!


But, wait, that's not all... oh, no... far from it, because this 'secret' for "Faster Menu Scrolling" can be used within the sub-menus for (as far as I know) ALL OF THE CHANNELS that are installed on your Roku player at any time, too. This proved to be a revelation to me when I first discovered it (by accident, if I remember correctly) and I've been using it ever since. I mean, think about it... with only 20% of the button presses needed to reach any channel on your menu it's not only going to SAVE YOU A LOT OF TIME, but it's also going to make the BATTERIES in your Roku remote LAST A LOT LONGER, and reduce the chances of Repetitive Strain Injuries (R.S.I.'s) from all the button presses associated with moving through the menu, one channel at a time, using the "[LEFT]" and "[RIGHT]" directional button(s). I can virtually guarantee that, ONCE YOU HAVE TRIED THIS particular Roku Tip/Trick, YOU WILL ALWAYS USE IT - unless, of course, you need to move less than five channels in either direction, that is !!


Still, that's about it for this post. Hopefully this little pearl of wisdom was news to some of you, at least, and I'll be sure to offer up more of my Roku knowledge & advice by bringing you additional Roku tips, tricks and tweaks as I continue this series of posts over the coming months. Meanwhile, stay tuned to this blog for more UK-related Roku news and information, as well as the 'Weekly RoundUp' of all the new additions to the "Official" Roku UK Channel Store and details of more Roku Private Channels that can be added to your UK Roku streaming media player(s).



Until the next time, then...



That's all, folks !!

Roku 3 UK - UPDATE #1

Hi, everyone !!


A few days ago, on Monday 8th April 2013 (to be precise), there was an official announcement about an Update for Roku 3 posted on the Official Roku Blog. However, this particular Roku news bulletin amounted to little more than a heads up concerning the first firmware update for the new streaming media player since the Roku 3 launch (for the USA market) on Tuesday 5th March 2013.


Unfortunately there was still no information given regarding an official Roku 3 UK release and, although they did confirm that the minor software update for Roku 3 (Version 5.0, Build 7070) would be pushed to all Roku 3 players within 48 hours, there was no further news about the general rollout of the much touted "New Roku Experience"as featured in their video intro to Roku 3 last month.


Personally, I'm not convinced that we'll ever get such an update for Roku UK players, due to the incompatibility of the built-in "Search" function as mentioned in my post on "Roku 3 For The UK...". My concerns have since been reinforced by the experiences of one Roku Forums member, called 'Batnun', who recently imported a Roku 3 player to the UK and announced "Just got the Roku 3 in the UK - works great", only to find out subsequently that the 'search' option was missing.


So, if you have considered importing a Roku 3 player from the USA, you would be wise to hold off for an official Roku 3 UK release which, if it ever happens, will at least be for a Roku player that has been designed fully for use in the UK. Aside from which, if you do import one now, you'll be paying over the odds for something which will not be completely functional when paired with a UK Roku Account. In other words... BUYER BEWARE !!!!!!!


Elsewhere in the online forums, speculation has arisen concerning the manufacture of a new Roku box for the UK which will be exclusive to NowTV [Powered by Sky] and branded accordingly. In other words, there will be no Roku branding on the player (despite being manufactured by Roku) and, instead, there will only be brand markings for Sky's NowTV service. The fact that the owners of Sky and NowTV invested heavily in Roku last year opens up the possibility that the 'Roku 3' for the UK might actually appear to be more of a 'NowTV' player, at first glance, even if the design is essentially that of the 'Roku 3' with a re-badge. Still, with that in mind, it might just make more sense to "wait & see" if there is a Roku 3 UK release in the offing before shelling out the BIG BUCK$ on an import.


If only Roku knew just how much interest there is to bring Roku 3 to UK users, then I'm certain they would adopt a different marketing strategy. That way, instead of "Celebrating 5 million Roku players" in the USA, they could be boasting about shipping their ?? millionth Roku streaming player in the UK!


Until Roku themselves wake up to that fact, however, we are still (currently) limited to the Roku LT or the Roku XS in the UK (as outlined in my post, "It's Time To... Choose Your Roku !!"). Unless, of course, the rumours about the 'NowTV' styled Roku 3 for the UK turn out to be true !!


Needless to say, we will keep you informed of any and all Roku 3 UK news, including a Roku 3 UK release date (when it happens),  any Roku 3 updates and (ultimately) a Roku 3 channel list just as soon as they wise up and bring Roku 3 to UK purchasers so that we can get hold of one to actively compile it. Meanwhile, the Roku 3 UK search will continue on a daily basis until we can bring you the news that we've all been waiting for... the Roku 3 UK launch !!


Fingers crossed, it's coming sometime... maybe ??!!!


Anyway, that's all there is to tell you for now.


So, until next time...



That's all folks !!

Roku Tips, Tricks & Tweaks - #1 Adding A MicroSD Card

Hello again, everybody !!


I'd like to start by extending a warm welcome to recent visitors from both Malaysia and Austria who, according to my audience figures, have graced the pages of this blog during the past week. It's good to know that interest in the Roku streaming media player stretches far beyond the shores of this fair island and is not just limited to the USA, Canada & Ireland which, if you recall, are the main regions that the Roku player has been marketed thus far.


Anyway, one of the other bits of information you can glean from the stats on blogger are the most common search terms used by people who come to your blog and, this week, a new search appeared in my list for the first time. Now, if you read my last post...


It's Time To... Choose Your Roku !!


... and you read as far as MY TWO CENTS WORTH, towards the bottom of the post, then you will know that I championed the benefits of adding a MicroSD Card to the Roku XS player. Coincidentally the new search keywords, which I referred to above, were "How To Reformat Micro SD Card Roku" and so I decided to make that the subject for this post.


First and foremost, if you are about to add a MicroSD Card to your Roku player, I suggest you read this  very useful help article, entitled "How Do I Install A MicroSD Card For My Roku 2 Player?", taken from the support centre on the official Roku website.


If you follow those steps, as I did when installing my own MicroSD Card, then you should be able to complete the task without any problems. The one thing which I would emphasize when it comes to 'Step 3', where you insert the MicroSD Card into the slot on the back of your Roku 2, be sure to push the MicroSD Card firmly and push it all the way in (as far as you can) until it clicks into place. The first time I tried, I thought it was fully inserted but, having failed to see the dialog "MicroSD card detected" on my TV screen, I realised something was wrong. Closer examination revealed that the card was still protruding slightly too much so, after another firm push, it stayed securely in place within the card slot and the dialog then appeared on my TV screen as I had expected.


Another piece of advice which I would give to those of you who have yet to invest in a MicroSD Card for your Roku XS is to not go overboard with the size of the card (i.e. the available capacity) because it can be problematic if you opt for too big a memory. Roku, themselves, suggest a 2GB capacity and most people find that 4GB will suffice for their personal needs. I, myself, went for an 8GB MicroSD Card because I knew that, with the number of channels I'd be installing in relation to my posts on this blog, I wanted to have as much expanded memory as was reasonable yet still reliable.


I have read tales of woe from several people who have attempted to install 32GB, 64GB and higher MicroSD Cards which have then failed to format correctly, often stalling at 99% complete, simply because they were not fit for purpose. So, PLEASE HEED THIS ADVICE and choose a lower capacity MicroSD Card (e.g. 2GB, 4GB or 8GB) which have been widely proven to work.


As regards the specific 'Class' of MicroSD Card to go for, I would suggest either 'Class 4' or ''Class 6' for trouble-free operation. Roku, themselves, advocate a minimum of 'Class 2' or upwards. However, I have heard more tales of woe from users attempting to install 'Class 10' MicroSD Cards which, as with the larger capacity cards, proved to be problematic when it came to installing them into a Roku 2 streaming media player. Again, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED and would be strongly advised to stay within the realms of what is already known and proven to work well in these devices.


Now, when it comes to how you actually format the MicroSD Card, you should find that the Roku player takes care of all the necessary formatting for you as soon as the MicroSD Card has been correctly inserted into the MicroSD Card Slot, on the back of the Roku streaming media player. However, should you encounter any problems during the formatting stage, I would first double-check that you are using both a suitable 'Class' of MicroSD Card and 'Size' (i.e. capacity) of MicroSD Card - as outlined in the previous paragraphs of this post. Assuming that you are using a suitable product, then I would try repeating the procedure, as set down in the afore-mentioned Help Article on the official Roku website, entitled: "How Do I Install A MicroSD Card For My Roku 2 Player?" and see if that works. If not, then there may be a problem with the particular MicroSD Card you are using. In which case, I suggest trying another one. Failing that, I recommend checking the Roku Forums or the Roku (UK) Help & Support pages for further assistance.


Finally, I would like to draw your attention to the specific function & use of the MicroSD Card in relation to the operation of the Roku streaming media player. PLEASE REMEMBER:-


1. The MicroSD card slot IS NOT designed for the playback or recording of media (e.g. video, audio or photos) either to or from a MicroSD card that is inserted into it;

2. The expanded memory capacity afforded by the insertion of a MicroSD card into the MicroSD slot is for the storage of Channel Information and Game Data ONLY and, as such, merely serves to improve the speed and functionality of the User Interface (UI) on the Roku player, and;

3. The addition of a MicroSD card is best suited to those Roku owners who either have, or intend to have, installed a large number of channels and/or games onto their Roku player. Anyone who does not use their Roku player for gaming, or who has only a small number of channels actually installed from the large choice of channels available to watch WILL SEE LITTLE OR NO BENEFIT from having a Micro SD card installed.


So, there you have it... pretty much all the info you will need if you intend to install and format a MicroSD card using the corresponding slot on the back of your Roku XS. If anyone has any further questions, in relation to this matter, then please feel free to leave a comment and I will try my best to answer your question(s) or, failing that, to point you in the direction of a support centre or Roku forum where other users may have experienced similar situations as you.


If you happened to be one of the people who came to my blog via a search for "How To Reformat Micro SD Card Roku", then I hope that this post has answered some if not all of your questions on the subject.


Anyway, that's about all I have to say on the matter.


So, until next time...


That's all folks !!