Ah, yes. Roku.
The reason why I’m never going to buy a smart TV.
After all, it’s packed with features that suit all my needs.
But do you know what it doesn’t have?
The ability to share.
Or does it?
Keep reading to discover:
- Why you need an HDMI splitter to share Roku with no display loss.
- What is a Quattropod, and how you can use it to share Roku display.
- 5 easy ways to work around the single Roku streaming device in your home.
- And so much more…
Do I need a Roku for each TV?
You need a Roku for each TV in your home–unless you have an HDMI splitter or a Quattropod. You can also bypass this by sharing a Roku streaming device between your TVs. Otherwise, you’ll need to buy a Roku TV or a different Roku device.
Roku for multiple TVs: 5 workarounds
#1: HDMI splitter
First, let’s take a look at HDMI splitters.
If you don’t know what a splitter is, that’s okay.
Unless you have a job in production, you wouldn’t know.
Here’s how it works:
You take your external source, say a Roku Stick, and you plug it into the splitter’s main port.
Next, take a look at what’s next to your main port. There should be 2 to 6 other HDMI ports there as well.
Go ahead and try to connect 2 of your TVs to it.
If it works, your TVs should be sharing the same Roku TV display.
Now you can enjoy watching live streams with Roku on 2 separate devices.
Note: Use the proper HDMI cable at all times.
Why?
So you could prevent the HDMI handshake glitch.
The handshake glitch happens when 2 devices that are connected with a cable are incompatible.
And this glitch could manifest in ways like:
- Black screen.
- Screen discoloration.
- Intermittent flickering.
To prevent this from happening, check the specs of your Roku device.
Done? Now, buy an HDMI cable with the same specs as your Roku using this list as a reference:
- Category 1 (Standard): 720p to 1080p at 60 Hz.
- Category 2 (High Speed): 1080p at 60 Hz and 4K at 30 Hz.
- Category 2 (Premium High Speed HDMI Cable): 4K at 60 Hz.
- Category 3 (8K HDMI Cable): 4K at 120 Hz and 8K at 60 Hz.
Do you want to see someone demonstrate how to use an HDMI splitter? I got you:
#2: With a Quattropod
Here’s the problem with HDMI splitters…
It’s too many cables.
And I don’t know about you…
But I have terrible wire management when it comes to my electronics.
So, if you’re like me, what can you do?
Get a Quattropod.
It’s a device that allows you to share a display between devices through Wi-Fi.
You might be wondering:
“Wait, isn’t that the same as screen mirroring?”
A little bit.
Let me explain…
When you’re screen mirroring, your devices rely on software to show your displays.
On the other hand, a Quattropod uses hardware: a receiver and a transmitter.
Furthermore, Quattropod also allows you to share 1 display between 2 TVs wirelessly.
Now, say you already have a Quattropod. What now?
Don’t worry. I’ll teach you how to use it. Just:
- Connect any Roku device on 1 of the TVs.
- On the TV with Roku, connect 1 end of the transmitter’s HDMI cable.
- Connect the other end on the transmitter.
- On the other TV, do the same for the HDMI cables.
- Now, open the network settings of the receiving TV.
- Look for the network coming from the transmitter. By default, this should be “Quattro.”
Then wait for a few seconds.
Your displays should be the same by then.
Note: While this may be more practical, HDMI splitters are still more reliable as they’re connected to each other.
That also means that there’s less loss between devices, meaning they’ll retain more of their true resolution.
#3: Get a TV with Roku
Are you on the market for new TVs?
If so, take a look at the following brands:
- Onn.
- TCL.
- JVC.
- RCA.
- Sanyo.
- Philips.
- Hitachi.
- InFocus.
- Hisense.
- Element.
- Magnavox.
- Westinghouse.
Why those brands in particular?
Because they have built-in Roku.
“Wait, what? They have those?”
Yes. They do.
Some TVs are made to run with Roku as their primary operating system (OS).
Getting a Roku TV is a great way of getting Roku without the extra dangling devices.
And it also allows you to share your extra Roku device with another TV.
Which brings us to…
#4: Share your Roku
Another thing you can do is simply share your Roku device.
Don’t worry. This isn’t like Netflix or other streaming devices.
Roku is totally fine with sharing your device.
After all, you paid for it.
You might ask:
“But Peter, wouldn’t it be too tiresome to carry our Roku devices all the time?”
Well, yes, if you have something like a Streambar.
However, for most Roku devices? It’s no hassle at all.
In fact, here’s a list of all Roku devices, arranged by weight:
- Roku Streambar: 1089 G (34.8 ounces).
- Roku Ultra and Ultra LT: 167.2 G (5.9 ounces).
- Roku Express, Express 4K, and Express 4K+: 44.6 G (1.6 ounces).
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K and Streaming Stick 4K+: 26 G (0.9 ounces).
See? Besides the Streambar, you can carry all Roku devices with 1 hand.
You may also be interested in: Does Roku Work On Any TV? 5 Surprising Answers
#5: Get another Roku device
Lastly, why not invest in a different Roku device?
I know. Doing this needs you to spend more money.
But hear me out.
Despite what you might think, Roku devices are affordable.
Especially for what features they give you? It’s a great deal.
Which ones should you get?
I recommend the following:
- Roku Ultra.
- Roku Express 4K.
- Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
Now, why those 3 in particular?
Because I believe that they have the best value-to-price ratio among Roku’s products.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at this table.
| Device | Express 4K | Streaming Stick 4K | Ultra |
| Price | $49.99 | $49.99 | $89.99 |
| Picture Quality | HDR10+, 4K, HD | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 4K, HD | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 4K, HD |
| Network | Fast Wi-Fi | Fast, Long-Range Wi-Fi | Roku’s best Wi-Fi and ethernet |
| Audio | Dolby Audio | Dolby Audio | Dolby Audio |
| Bluetooth | No | No | Yes |
| Voice Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
With that, if I were you, I’d snag a Roku device now.