Question about Roku 3500 Streaming Stick

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Havox

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Hi All

Few quick questions I need someone to confirm/answer for me please.

I intend to use a Roku 3500 stick to stream Netflix to my TV...
So..

I assume that I simply plug my Roku into my TV HDMI, connect to my local wi-fi, setup my Netflix account on the Roku (assuming through a web interface) and stream Netflix to my TV like that?

Also, I have only been able to find a Roku 3500 on Takealot, does anybody know where else I can buy one?
And are there any Roku 3500 users out there that have comments about it?


Also, I am well aware of how to make Netflix work in my house, no need to comment on that.

Thanks
 
Have one installed at my parents place, this is my experience.

1. It's pretty much plug and play, you can manage all the apps from the web interface as well and they get downloaded to the stick a while later. Quite a lot of apps on there, unfortunately most are made for the US or require some sort of subscription. Found an app called crackle, free with advertisements, but it has a couple of new releases on there.

2. When setting up the account, make sure your unotelly is set to the right region BEFORE going to the Roku website and creating the account. I had to do it twice, because the website grabbed my region before I did the unotelly setup.

3. DNS settings - you need to follow the steps to create static routes for the Google DNS servers, as these seem to be hard coded into the NetFlix app. Once-off fiddling and just works afterwards.

4. I had to power the stick from an old cellphone charger as the TV did not provide enough amperage to start the stick, minor hassle and might not even be an issue on your TV. But keep in mind if you have a wall mounted TV or something not near additional outlets. Keeping it powered on 24/7 does help solve the speed issue - see 5.

5. It's rather sluggish loading apps and content. Not a major issue - it is very stable, haven't crashed once, but patience when loading apps/searching etc is needed. Booting the thing also takes a couple of minutes, which is annoying if you power it from the TV - needs to boot up every time.

6. I bought from Takealot, only about R100 more than importing privately and solves the delivery and warranty issue. Came with a US 2 prong USB adapter which is pretty useless and went in the bin almost immediately.

EDIT:

7. Wifi setup is super easy when not using MAC filtering on your router, haven't tested otherwise. Once connected it will pop up an unique number you need to enter online in your Roku account - this links the stick to the account to allow you to download apps remotely and also locks in your region.

8. If you mess up you can factory reset and unlink from the Roku account and start over from scratch. :whistle:

Uhm, I think that's all I can add to the matter.
 
Last edited:
heartbroken said:
Have one installed at my parents place, this is my experience.

1. It's pretty much plug and play, you can manage all the apps from the web interface as well and they get downloaded to the stick a while later. Quite a lot of apps on there, unfortunately most are made for the US or require some sort of subscription. Found an app called crackle, free with advertisements, but it has a couple of new releases on there.

2. When setting up the account, make sure your unotelly is set to the right region BEFORE going to the Roku website and creating the account. I had to do it twice, because the website grabbed my region before I did the unotelly setup.

3. DNS settings - you need to follow the steps to create static routes for the Google DNS servers, as these seem to be hard coded into the NetFlix app. Once-off fiddling and just works afterwards.

4. I had to power the stick from an old cellphone charger as the TV did not provide enough amperage to start the stick, minor hassle and might not even be an issue on your TV. But keep in mind if you have a wall mounted TV or something not near additional outlets. Keeping it powered on 24/7 does help solve the speed issue - see 5.

5. It's rather sluggish loading apps and content. Not a major issue - it is very stable, haven't crashed once, but patience when loading apps/searching etc is needed. Booting the thing also takes a couple of minutes, which is annoying if you power it from the TV - needs to boot up every time.

6. I bought from Takealot, only about R100 more than importing privately and solves the delivery and warranty issue. Came with a US 2 prong USB adapter which is pretty useless and went in the bin almost immediately.

EDIT:

7. Wifi setup is super easy when not using MAC filtering on your router, haven't tested otherwise. Once connected it will pop up an unique number you need to enter online in your Roku account - this links the stick to the account to allow you to download apps remotely and also locks in your region.

8. If you mess up you can factory reset and unlink from the Roku account and start over from scratch. :whistle:

Uhm, I think that's all I can add to the matter.
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks!

I use SmartDNS to make Netflix work, no hassles via my Xbox. Will that work for Roku or do I need Unotelly?
 
Havox said:
Awesome, thanks!

I use SmartDNS to make Netflix work, no hassles via my Xbox. Will that work for Roku or do I need Unotelly?
Click to expand...

I have no experience of smartDNS, went with Unotelly because all the cool kids where doing it. But if it works on the Xbox I think it will work just as well on the Roku, just remember to sort out the static routes for the Google DNS servers, if you haven't already.

Not sure about signing up for the initial Roku online account though, that detects your location and assigns the region, SmartDNS might work - otherwise there is a free Unotelly trial for that :whistle: Only needed when signing up, so you get assigned the, urm, "correct" region - once you have an account you can access it online from anywhere.
 
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