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Power source for Roku Express

We are going to be rather forced to accept our local internet and cable TV company and their new streaming internet and cable TV. The TV is through an Amazon account in some way and they are giving each household one free Fire Stick. I got a small HDMI TV and a Roku Express months ago with the plan to try Youtube TV before the local company would force us to give up our cable TV box.

Sadly I never got into it and now with maybe 2 weeks left I am trying to hook up the Roku to the TV for the purpose of having some technical knowledge before the technicians come to the home. It has a power cord and a USB cable. A video showed the cable could be connected to a USB port on the TV (our TV does not have a USB port and we are not wanting to use the small HDMI TV because it won't be the TV used with the streaming services) or on our computer. We have 4 rear USB ports and 2 front USB ports. The rear are used for mouse, keyboard and two printers. The printers have their own power source from wall outlets. The front ports on the computer are used to transfer images from cell phone or digital camera.

Which USB port should provide power to the Roku Express.

There is a plug to hook the Roku up to a wall outlet.

So choices are computer USB port or wall outlet. Thanks.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Kimputer

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SOLUTION

CompProbSolv

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nickg5

ASKER

It also ensures that the Roku device will work even with your computer off.
................but we will be required to have an Amazon account for their services. I think using some app. to use their FireStick for streaming TV. The wireless signal will be received through the computer not sure.

Kimputer

Roku devices work on their own, it's NOT a requirement to own a PC, that would lower the userbase by 90% and that's NOT what any streamer want, be it Google, Roku or Amazon.
The WiFI chip is INCLUDED in the Roku hardware, and the account info will be filled and saved in ON the device itself. No reputable streaming hardware manufacturer will ever release a device that requires a PC.

nickg5

ASKER

Forget the Roku.

Over the weekend we have to let the service provider come to our house and we open an Amazon account, then they will install a Fire Stick for streaming TV Channels (to our table top TV) and internet (to our desktop computer).
How are they going to get and control what TV channels we get in their package?
The Stick has to get a signal from some where.

Kimputer

As I said, The Fire Stick will have the WiFi chip built in! The TV channels available, depends on what Amazon is providing you. Most requires you to sign up, free channels are usually ad-supported. And some you still have to pay (HBO Max, Disney+). Others have a partnership with your cable company, and you log in with the username/password provided by your cable company.
Still curious why you start a question about the PSU of a Roku Express and end up with "Forget it".

nickg5

ASKER

You would have to read the original question at the top. It tells why I'm experimenting with the Roku.

How will the Stick receive TV Channels with the desktop computer turned off. They are selling us a package with a finite number of TV channels. How will they control that with the computer off and we are required to have an Amazon account to get the TV channels through some "app maybe" and the Stick.

SOLUTION

Kimputer

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