Editorial StaffCan you plug an antenna into Roku? That’s a very good question, and we’re going to answer this in detail in this guide.
However, instead of rumbling for a bit, we’re going to jump right into the answer and say no. This is because TV antennas and Roku devices work very differently. TV antennas work by picking up radio frequency signals from broadcast towers and sending them to your TV.
On the other hand, a Roku device doesn’t pick up these same signals. Rokus pick up WiFi signals. This means that you can stream on popular media platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, and more.
What’s more, is that you literally cannot plug an antenna into a Roku. There’s no port to plug it in, and Roku also doesn’t have a tuner needed to browse through your OTA channels.
Now that we’ve got that covered let’s look at other aspects of this topic.
What Is A Roku Player?
A Roku is a device that allows you to stream channels on your TV. You’ll have access to 500,000+ movies and TV episodes on both paid and free channels. If you’re tired of paying for expensive cable packages, you can consider getting yourself one of these Roku devices.
Can You Use An Antenna on A TV that uses Roku?
Yes. Most TVs come with an in-built tuner to convert the radio frequencies into digital frequencies that your TV can use.
Therefore, you can switch between your antenna’s input and Roku’s interface. Use the “Source” or “Input” button on your remote control to change between these two sources.
If your TV doesn’t come with a built-in tuner, you can get a DVR or digital converter box to connect your antenna to. This is especially the case with modern smart TVs. Having the option to choose between Roku channels and TV channels can offer you more freedom.
The antenna connection can come in handy in case you cannot pay for paid channels on Roku.
Can You Plug An Antenna into Your Roku TV?
Yes. The Roku TV is different from the Roku devices because it comes with a port and the necessary hardware to accommodate a TV antenna.
Look for the “Ant/Cable In” port on the Roku TV and connect your TV antenna to it. Follow these steps to watch your TV channels on the Roku TV.
- Press “Home” on your remote control to open the main menu or go to the home screen.
- Select “Antenna.”
- After the two options appear, navigate the screen till you get to the “Start Finding Channels” option, and select it.
- You’ll see a pop-up appearing. Choose the option that says, “No, Channels 3 and four are not needed.” These two channels are suited for custom tuning, which isn’t a requirement for most people.
- Wait for your Roku TV to scan for channels within your area. This process should take about 30 minutes to complete.
- Once the scan is complete, select the “Done” option and check out the scanned channels.
- Feel free to browse and select the channel you want to watch.
Can You Stream Free Channels on Roku?
Yes. You can get free and live entertainment on Roku. However, these channels are often supported by ads. Therefore, if you don’t mind sitting through commercials, you’ll enjoy the free channels available.
The free channels include ones about sports, classic films and shows, news, and kids’ fare. So, how do you discover these free channels? Use the Live TV Channel Guide found in The Roku Channel of your Roku TV.
The Live TV Channel Guide is also available on the Home Screen. Browse through the channel guide and choose the channels you want to watch. You’ll be able to quickly switch between channels the same way you do with a traditional TV guide.
Some examples of free channels you can access on Roku include the following.
a). NewsOn
Are you a fan of the news? Or like to keep up with what is happening in the world? Well, you won’t have to pay to stay informed while using Roku.
This app is here to give you live newscasts and access to over 170 different stations on demand. If you miss out on any news, you can always catch up and stay updated.
b). Haystack TV
Here’s another app that will give you news and keep you updated on current affairs. The best part about this Roku app is that you can customize your interests.
All you need to do is to create an account and put in your interests. You’ll be provided with content that matches your interests from then on. The longer you use it, the more customized it’s going to feel.
c). Pluto TV
If you’re a fan of NBC News and CBSN, you’ll love this free channel from Roku. Get ready to watch newscasts rights after you install this app.
Final Thoughts
You cannot plug an antenna into a Roku device. However, if you get a Roku TV, you’ll be able to use your antenna with it and get access to an array of channels.
