On December 17, Roku began the process of automatically rolling out a new feature it had previously announced in October: tighter integration between the platform’s operating system and security cameras. Once the update hits your Roku TV or streaming media device, you’ll be able to:
- Automatically cycle through camera feeds on your television, using motion detection to intelligently display the correct camera.
- See additional notifications on the television when an event is detected. (You’ll need to turn this on in settings.)
- Be able to watch all your camera feeds from a website, on a computer, or on your phone or tablet.
The slate of devices that will be compatible with these features include all Roku Smart Home camera and doorbells — that comprises the Floodlight Camera, Video Doorbell, Wire-free Video Doorbell and Chime, Indoor 360 Camera, Outdoor Wire-free Camera, and the Indoor and Outdoor Camera SE.
You’ll also need a Roku TV or Roku player for any of this to work together (that includes the newest model of Roku Ultra, which was just announced this fall). And while you’ll still need a Roku Smart Home subscription for more detailed things like detecting people, packages, vehicles, pets and the like — and for storing video clips — you won’t need it for the camera carousel and notifications. If you do opt for the subscription, though, it’ll cost $4 a month or $40 a year for up to two cameras, or $10 a month or $100 a year for up to 99 cameras.
Roku got into the smart home game in 2022 as it partnered with Wyze first for cameras, a doorbell, and lights, and later on a full-home security system.
