Roku Ultra: Ensuring Maximum Compatibility with JubileeTV
Overview
As of 2025, Roku has discontinued the Roku Express and Roku Express 4K+. While these were previously the primary models recommended for use with JubileeTV, they are no longer sold directly by Roku.
Note: If you already own these models or find them through third-party retailers like Amazon or eBay, they remain fully compatible with JubileeTV.
For new setups, we recommend the Roku Ultra.
Why the Roku Ultra?
The Roku Ultra is the only model that includes a dedicated power brick and infrared (IR) control.
The importance of dedicated power
The Roku Ultra uses a standalone power adapter that plugs directly into a wall outlet. This is a critical advantage over the Streaming Stick models, which draw power from your TV's USB port.
Why TV-based power causes problems
The reliability of your Roku depends heavily on how your TV handles its USB power. While some TVs provide "Always-On" power to their USB ports, many others cut power the moment the TV is turned off.
If your TV cuts power to the USB port, you can experience two major pain points:
- Network Instability (IP Address Shifts): Every time the TV turns off, the Roku loses power and disconnects from your Wi-Fi. When the Roku reboots and reconnects to your Wi-Fi, your router may assign it a different network address. Sometimes this can break the connection between JubileeTV and the Roku, potentially resulting in loss of control.
- Startup Frustration: Every time the TV turns on, the Roku has to "cold boot." This forces the TV End User to wait through a loading screen before they can start streaming, creating a disjointed and confusing experience.
By using the Roku Ultra, your device stays powered on and ready to go 24/7, regardless of whether the TV is on or off. This ensures the TV End User has a seamless, frustration-free experience every time they sit down to watch.
If you're using a new Roku Streaming Stick
If you already own a newer Roku Streaming Stick (Streaming Stick, Stick Plus, or Stick 4K), you can bypass the dedicated power issues mentioned above by changing how the the Roku gets its power:
- Use a Wall Outlet: Instead of plugging the Roku’s USB cable into the TV, plug it into a standard USB power brick (like a phone charger) and connect it directly to a wall outlet or power strip.
- USB-Enabled Outlets: If your wall outlet or extension cord has built-in USB ports, you can plug the Roku cable directly into those.
The Importance of Infrared (IR) Fallback
JubileeTV primarily controls your Roku over your home’s Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. During setup, JubileeTV ensures that both the Console and the Roku are communicating on this shared network for the fastest possible response.
However, network connections can occasionally be interrupted. When this happens, JubileeTV uses Infrared (IR) Fallback to maintain control.
Why it's best to have IR support
- Reliability: If there's an issue with your connection, IR allows the JubileeTV Console to send commands directly to the Roku, just like a traditional remote.
- Seamless Experience: This backup system ensures the Roku remains controllable even during network hiccups.
Compatibility Note: The Roku Ultra includes a built-in IR receiver, making it fully compatible with this safety feature. The newer Roku Streaming Sticks do not support IR commands, meaning that if the network connection drops, JubileeTV loses the ability to control the device entirely.