“Awful”: Roku tests autoplaying ads loading before the home screen

Can i pleace find a decent TV without smart-capabilitys? I just want HDMI thats it

I only ever tried using a Roku so I could stream my PC to my smart TV, but it turns out there's MASSIVE latency. Of course I returned it. If I had to deal with that AND ADS, I would have set that shit on fire

this is the worst, next they're gonna put ads on cars

It’s 1000% worth it to spend a little extra on a TV to get one that runs Google TV. Android is just superior compared to Roku in this regard. I actually have an Apple TV 4K as well, and regularly switch between the two.

isn't their a foss os you can flash on your tv?

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

So glad I ditched Roku. My modified Onn box (with an open source, ad-free launcher) is so much better.

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

They're working hard to make sure piracy provides the best experience.

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.

Shit. I got a Roku TV. That's one big fucking stick to toss.

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.

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.

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.

For years I was a big fan of Roku. It represented a better value alternative from the big corporations pushing their own agenda like Google, Apple, Samsung, and Amazon. They made products that were intuitive and user oriented and carved out a very nice and stable market share for themselves because of it. Now they're just leveraging their hardware relationships to transform the software into something terrible.

I used to look for tvs with Roku built in. Now I've disabled Roku features from my smart TVS and use a separate streaming device.

Don't connect your Roku to the internet.

Looking around Roku's site, I found this email address: AdsPR@roku.com

I'm planning on giving them a brief but firm "oh hell no" letter. I wonder how many others will do the same 🤔

They just did this to me. How can I tell them they failed this test?

If you force Ads then I will replace your equipment. The only reason I use Roku is to avoid the Ads built into "smart TVs"

Won't hurt my feelings to throw their shit tv right in the trash.

Apple TV for the win

I'm just glad I've still got my MythTV running.

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.

Whomp whomp. You get what you pay for.

My vizio tv auto plays shows, ads, and light music if you leave it idling too long after you turn it on. Moving the remote down just once disables it till the next time your on home screen.

Guess it's time to either flash my Roku with something that isn't shit or just make a dedicated media box myself.

thank goodness pi hole can block the majority of roku ad sources

none of this is a big deal, simply never connect your TV to the internet