It’s also a good place to start looking for something to watch, even if you end up watching on a more expensive or dedicated device. Using your voice compatible remote, simply tapping in or uttering the name of a show, actor, director, or genre will show you where it is available to stream for free or at the lowest cost. The included remote is useful, with quick dial buttons for Netflix, Google Play, Rakuten TV, and Spotify, but the Roku app makes things even easier, allowing you to search using your phone’s keyboard, view an entertainment guide, and send video, music, and photos to your TV. However, because this is a Roku streamer built into a soundbar rather than the other way around, it’s encouraging to see that at least equal attention has been paid to that aspect of its functionality. The Streambar conceals four 5cm full-range drivers behind its grille and compensates for its modest 35cm width by angling two away from the head-on listening position. Though HDMI unlocks the full potential of this product, the Streambar also has optical and USB inputs on the back, as well as Bluetooth for wireless streaming. All of the cables and batteries are included, so you can always experiment to see what works best for you. You can also play around with the sound settings, which can automatically quiet down loud advertisements while also providing the usual voice and bass boosts. As always, using the most natural, direct settings provides the best overall audio performance, but the Streambar is primarily a tool, and anything that helps make your TV sound more audible is a significant bonus. Roku also has an extremely simple setup procedure. It requests payment information in order to make renting and purchasing content faster in the future, but it is so simple that even the most technophobic user will reach the home screen in no time.
