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Netflix, Streaming Videos & DVDs

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RandomNumbers

(18,286 posts)
Sat Jan 11, 2025, 12:14 PM Saturday

Roku question - preprinted channel buttons on remote [View all]

I just got a Roku because %&*$## Netflix* won't work with my older "smart" TV (which is so old that apparently Netflix thinks it's senile. Prime still works just FINE on it).

ANYWAY, the pictures on Amazon showed the remote with and without the printing on the buttons. (the "what's in the box" shows WITHOUT the printing - the shortcut buttons are blank). So I assumed (yeah I know) that I would be able to program the buttons and they came with labels for the major services.

But the remote I received seems to have the buttons pre-printed. A quick google took me to the Roku forum and it sounds like I can't even change these labels or program the buttons. (I have not yet created a Roku account and can't find an actual product manual on their site. I am starting to wish I hadn't bothered with them.)

Anyone have experience with this? Do ANY Roku models have programmable buttons? If no, do you think the free services available with Roku are worth it anyway?

I am tempted to return it because the product is not as shown on Amazon.


* I upgraded my internet and got a "free" year with Netflix. I expected to use my Chromecast, but NOOOOO, %&*$## Netflix doesn't even work with Chromecast now. Weird that Amazon - who SELLS TVs and might profit from forcing me to buy a new one - doesn't force me to buy new equipment, but %&*$## Netflix does. And to be clear, they've pissed me off so much by trying to force me to replace perfectly good gadgets, that I just want to use the free trial and then be done with them again. I thought Roku would solve this and be useful in other ways. Grrr.

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I have been using Roku since 2010 UpInArms Saturday #1
Thanks for your reply and good wishes RandomNumbers Saturday #2
The buttons might vary from location to location, including country to country. eppur_se_muova Saturday #9
I never saw an ad prior to getting it UpInArms Saturday #14
Been streaming since WAY before it was cool. Have had 3 'smart' TVs & remotes Attilatheblond Saturday #3
It actually has a Netflix button RandomNumbers Saturday #5
Think of the Roku homescreen as the desktop LearnedHand Saturday #7
I hate "me too" replies, but me too. mahatmakanejeeves Saturday #12
I've had Roku for years claudette Saturday #4
Thanks for the info RandomNumbers Saturday #6
Yes claudette Saturday #8
I never use the remote on my Roku 3 anyway. mahatmakanejeeves Saturday #11
Which model Roku did you get? mahatmakanejeeves Saturday #10
Express 4K+ RandomNumbers Saturday #13
That's exactly the ones I bought. mahatmakanejeeves Saturday #15
I've not yet found my ideal streaming device. hunter Saturday #16
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