Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Roku 3 launches with a faster processor, slick new interface, and even headphones, but no YouTube

By

Roku-3-with-HeadphonesWe had a pretty good feeling Roku was cooking something up when it filed paperwork with the FCC last month, and, as we’d hoped, Roku just pulled the curtains back on its new $99 Roku 3 media streamer.

Roku promises that the 3 is the media streamer to rule them all. The box now offers more than 750 channels (including the newly-added FOX NOW, PBS and PBS Kids, which are due to launch soon), a speedier processor for snappier search and navigation, a brand new user interface and a remote outfitted with a headphone output. This is all great, but where’s the built-in support for YouTube?

Recommended Videos

Roku’s new interface maintains the simplicity that Roku is known for while providing improved access to channels thanks to a grid system that displays more options at once. And the fully integrated Roku Channel Store and one-stop search helps viewers easily pinpoint what they want to watch  and get there instantly. As a bonus, this new interface will automatically roll out as a free software update in April to all current-generation Roku devices, including the Roku LT, Roku HD (model 2500R), Roku 2 HD, Roku 2 XD, Roku 2 XS and the Roku Streaming Stick.

Related

The Roku 3 enhanced remote features a built-in headphone jack with volume buttons for private listening – a handy feature for those times when turning up the TV speakers will land you in trouble. Roku tosses in a pair of earbuds, but we’re pretty sure most aftermarket headphones will sound better. Additionally, the remote doubles as a motion-sensing game controller for playing games like Angry Birds Space.  

ChannelStore_MostPopularThe Roku 3’s  rear panel features an HDMI output, microSD slot, USB port, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet jack, and power jack. Users get up to 1080p HD video, 7.1 and 5.1 digital audio via HDMI and access to MP4 and MKV video, and AAC, and MP3 audio files via USB. Those without Ethernet running through their homes will appreciate a new dual-band WiFi adapter with support for support for a/b/g/n protocols.

While the Roku’s channel selection is best in class, and even more features and content are available with simple mods, it is a disappointment that it doesn’t appear we can expect a native YouTube app anytime soon. Apparently competing with Google TV has its disadvantages, as it would seem hardware capability isn’t the reason a YouTube channel remains absent. That’s a tough break for Roku, since just about every other streaming media platform does. 

The Roku 3 is available now at Roku’s website and at Amazon. Retail stores will not begin stocking the Roku 3 until April.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Ian White
Ian White
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ian has been a full-time A/V journalist since 1999, covering the world of high-end audio, video, music, and film for Digital…
YouTube TV tips and tricks: how to get the most out Google’s live TV service
YouTube TV app icon on Apple TV.

There’s a reason YouTube TV has found itself the leader in live-streaming video. In fact, it has about twice as many subscribers to its cable-TV replacement as the next biggest platform. And. among other reasons like price, reliability, and abundance of channels, it is just packed with features.
In fact, YouTube TV has so many features tucked away in there that you’ll be forgiven if you don’t spot them all at first. But we’ve done the legwork. We’ve watched hours and hours of YouTube TV. Weeks and months, really. We’ve flipped all the buttons. We’ve pressed all the switches. (Wait — reverse that.) And we’ve put together a list of what we think are the most important — if not always obvious — YouTube TV tips and tricks. And we're not just talking about NFL Sunday Ticket.
This isn’t everything. There are still a few other places to explore in the settings menu, as well as when you’re watching shows and movies. But these are the YouTube TV tips and tricks we absolutely think you must know.

Record a show to watch later

Read more
This long-awaited YouTube TV feature is a channel-flipper’s dream
The previous channel feature on YouTube TV on a TV.

The move from cable to streaming for live TV changed a lot of things. Choice, for one. (We have more.) Price, for another. (You're likely paying less.) But not all changes were great. If you're of the channel-surfing variety — or love to flip back and forth between two channels — you've likely been missing that feature.

YouTube TV — the most popular streaming service in the U.S. with more than 8 million subscribers — has addressed the latter. After having been teased in some A/B testing for a while now (that is, some folks saw it, and most didn't), it looks like the ability to hop back and forth between two channels is now rolling out more broadly.

Read more
If you don’t see CBS in 4K on YouTube TV, try this
Super Bowl in 4K on CBS on YouTube TV.

A quick heads up if you have the 4K add-on for YouTube TV but aren't seeing the option to watch Super Bowl 2024 in 4K on CBS: It's likely because you're using a custom sort on your live channel listings. (Which is something you might have done if you want to hide YouTube TV channels that you never watch.) That'a bad enough for the game itself, and it also means you won't be able to enjoy the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 4K.

This is a known problem — and has been for years — anytime YouTube TV adds a new channel to the listing. If you're not using the default sort on the live channel listings, a new channel will appear at the bottom of the listings, which is bad enough. But worse is that it's hidden by default until you actively go in and unhide it.

Read more