Roku Ultra 2020 version in NZ

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adh1003

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#279819 11-Nov-2020 10:38

I'm currently in the Apple ecosystem for movie/music content, but after a TV upgrade to 4K, I had very bad experiences with Bluetooth failures on an accompanying Apple TV 4K unit. There were several repair and replacement cycles but each unit broke the same way and, judging from responses on Apple forums, I'm not alone in this.

Apple today have not announced any replacement for that 3-year old design, so I looked around and decided that the 2020 Roku Ultra seems a good alternative. It'll let me view the Apple content I "own" in 4K / Dolby Vision, along with giving access to various other services in 4K that my TV doesn't offer built-in. Competitors such as the 2020 Google Chromecast With Google TV don't support the Apple TV app.

I have no problem with using the NZ variant of streaming services, with no access to US-only services like Hulu. They don't interest me. NZ versions of Prime, Disney, Netflix and Apple stuff are sufficient for me. However - online guides for Roku indicate that without using e.g. a smart DNS service, that will not work.

Is it still the case today, with the 2020 Roku Ultra, that I need to use e.g. Smart DNS just to be able to see a Netflix app at all on the Roku unit? Or is it "safe" to just set up an account with no router shenanigans, provided I'm happy with the more limited NZ content offerings?

Thanks :-)

gustov

197 posts

Master Geek

#2601604 11-Nov-2020 10:57

Roku is unsupported in NZ, there are no NZ apps in the Roku library to install, for example the NZ version of Netflix is not there.

Only buy a Roku for use in New Zealand if you intend to use it with a VPN to stream overseas content, NOT local NZ content.

You have to have a Roku account registered in a country that supports Roku, I have two Roku's devices, one is registered to the USA to stream US content and one to the UK to stream UK content, and each of them have quite different versions of Netflix.

If you only want NZ content I would suggest you consider buying a VodafoneTV box as that includes the NZ versions of Netflix and Prime.

adh1003

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2601731 11-Nov-2020 12:44

Thanks, good to know. Sadly then it sounds, as you say, as if the Roku is not the right thing for now. I'd be tied into paying for some sort of DNS or VPN service on top of any other subscriptions and the up-front purchase price.

ProbablyAGeek

26 posts

Geek

#2602577 12-Nov-2020 12:00

I have a Roku Ultra and had no issues with NZ Netflix and I have never used a VPN with it... It's all the same app as far as I'm aware, it's your netflix profile (and a VPN) that determines if you get the US or NZ catalogue.

You do have to change your Iphone App store to US in order to download the Iphone Roku app but you can change it back to NZ afterwards without any issues using the app.

I haven't used it in about a year as I got a 4K Apple TV though so something may have changed..

richierich1968

92 posts

Master Geek

#2658162 17-Feb-2021 12:26

ProbablyAGeek:

I have a Roku Ultra and had no issues with NZ Netflix and I have never used a VPN with it... It's all the same app as far as I'm aware, it's your netflix profile (and a VPN) that determines if you get the US or NZ catalogue.

You do have to change your Iphone App store to US in order to download the Iphone Roku app but you can change it back to NZ afterwards without any issues using the app.

I haven't used it in about a year as I got a 4K Apple TV though so something may have changed..

What version Roku Ultra do you have? 2020?

If the 2020, have you had any issues with it crashing and freezing when in apps? I previously had the 2019 Ultra and it was great and very stable, but "upgraded" to the 2020 version in December for the Dolby Vision and Atmos, but have had nothing but problems. Lots of complaints about it on the Roku forums, but so far they don't seem to have done anything about it.

lchiu7

6470 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2658169 17-Feb-2021 12:44

Slightly relevant but I just received this unit from Amazon yesterday

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075XLWML4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Set it up last night and it worked perfectly for Netflix (US) and Prime which is all I had time for.

From memory when I set it up it asked for the timezone and NZ wasn't a choice (but some countries in Africa were) so I chose GMT+13 at the moment.

I do use as proxy server so I can watch US Netflix and possibly be able to access US Prime content.

The only issue I have with it is it cannot be programmed to control my Samsung sound bar. The Amazon Firestick 4k and Google Chromecast TV have settings for my Samsung soundbar so I can control content and volume from the one device.

Otherwise it seems fine.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

timmmay

20575 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2658229 17-Feb-2021 13:04

We have a cheaper Roku from about 18 months ago, it worked fine for NZ Netflix and such. We stopped using it though, can't remember why, but the Mi Box 4 is generally better. We run Netflix, Disney, TVNZ, etc no issues.

ProbablyAGeek

26 posts

Geek

#2659668 19-Feb-2021 13:35

richierich1968:

ProbablyAGeek:

I have a Roku Ultra and had no issues with NZ Netflix and I have never used a VPN with it... It's all the same app as far as I'm aware, it's your netflix profile (and a VPN) that determines if you get the US or NZ catalogue.

You do have to change your Iphone App store to US in order to download the Iphone Roku app but you can change it back to NZ afterwards without any issues using the app.

I haven't used it in about a year as I got a 4K Apple TV though so something may have changed..

What version Roku Ultra do you have? 2020?

If the 2020, have you had any issues with it crashing and freezing when in apps? I previously had the 2019 Ultra and it was great and very stable, but "upgraded" to the 2020 version in December for the Dolby Vision and Atmos, but have had nothing but problems. Lots of complaints about it on the Roku forums, but so far they don't seem to have done anything about it.

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roku I've potentially got the sixth generation / 2017 Ultra, it was purchased from Amazon in August 2018.

I can't find it so can't test anything for you unfortunately, will try hunt for it this weekend.

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netspanner

343 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2660386 21-Feb-2021 08:48

I too have a Roku Ultra. Maybe about 3 years old. It does have a limited amount of free and not very good channels, but it runs NZ netflix fine. I have never ever used a vpn, and never had any problems with it.

I really like it, especially being able to plug headphones into the remote, really good with my partner just wants to read.