Hello Charles,
This question really piqued my curiosity about this and about how other public library systems are managing this type of service for their patrons. A lot of them are renting out Roku devices to their users (an example: https://hplibrary.org/roku-devices). I know budgets are very tight across all academic, public, and state libraries right now, but if this is something you could advocate for your patrons, I think it would be a very worthwhile pursuit.
From your question, it seems you are on the right track. I found two sources that seem to be in agreement on how to best deal with a Roku without steady internet connection (my apologies if you have already seen these):
https://robotpoweredhome.com/roku-without-wifi/
https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-use-roku-without-wifi/ (this article addresses particular Roku models but is about 2 years old)
I hope this helps in some way!
Best,
Keondra
-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Kayla Abner
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2022 11:49 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Roku - TV - Over the Air
I'll chime in too as someone who lives in a state with NO air TV (Delaware).
We have a Roku with Hulu Live. It is expensive, but still cheaper than cable. This is the only way I've found to watch local news / weather.
Pluto, freevee, Roku TV, all have free national news / weather / movies etc. This of course requires a strong wifi connection though.
----
Kayla Abner
(she/her)
*Digital Scholarship Librarian*
Digital Initiatives and Preservation
Library, Museums and Press
University of Delaware
[log in to unmask]
Visit https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://library.udel.edu/continuity/__;!!OToaGQ!pHGyVbrYqdsaHirmXx4UAh0SnLqWXg4ByvEtYHPb7FAmycwlNObgEXXW7RIZNHy_mwkdtaV97AvS29p64l8eyw$ for information on library
services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
[image: University of Delaware]
On Thu, Sep 22, 2022 at 11:35 AM Cindy Bowen <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> As an over-the-air antenna and Roku user, I'll chime in.
>
> Yes, over-the-air TV channel reception is highly variable based on
> location. There are a number of sites that can help locate what
> transmitters might be in your area, e.g.
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.antennasdirect.com/transmitter-locator.html__;!!OToaGQ!pHGyVbrYqdsaHirmXx4UAh0SnLqWXg4ByvEtYHPb7FAmycwlNObgEXXW7RIZNHy_mwkdtaV97AvS29orlZDe0A$ I always have to
> put my indoor antenna up against a window to get any reasonable
> reception, and even then the channel selection and quality depends on
> where the transmitters are and any intervening obstacles (e.g. buses
> passing by, ha!).
>
> My Roku is a streaming device only, so an internet connection is
> required for it to work. I do not believe any of the Roku devices are
> intended to "download", as you mention. For folks without regular wifi
> access, a Roku isn't going to do what you want. But yes, as Mark
> mentioned, there are free Roku apps like Pluto TV that provide access
> to various shows; whether that's sufficient depends on the person.
>
> If that helps,
> ~Cindy
>
> On Thu, Sep 22, 2022 at 11:13 AM Mark Pernotto
> <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> > Hello Charles,
> >
> > This question is also valid in our community. Thank you for sharing
> > your experiences.
> >
> > Is the purpose to enable patrons to stream local & PBS channels?
> > I've had little luck with using a digital antenna for my television
> > as well. I've not used a Roku device (Amazon makes a similar Fire
> > stick) but the free
> app
> > Pluto TV provides a very healthy selection of free television
> > programming on numerous topics, including movies, classic
> > television, reality series, animation, even *regionally* local news.
> >
> > Would love to hear more about how the library is utilizing these
> > technologies to benefit their communities.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> > On Thu, Sep 22, 2022 at 7:56 AM Tim McGeary <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Charles,
> > >
> > > This is a really important issue for our communities, especially
> > > public libraries that have higher populations of underserved and
> > > low-income residents. I experimented myself with a hi-def antenna
> > > when I "cut the cord" from cable, and even with my own technical
> > > experience and
> financial
> > > privilege, I found it confusing and difficult. And, yes, the
> > > changes in signals from local stations even makes the effort I
> > > made obsolete or
> less
> > > functional.
> > >
> > > I think you are on the right track with considering how to use
> > > devices, such as the Roku stick, for your patrons, as streaming
> > > access from
> local
> > > stations increases. I am encouraged to see various state
> > > governments
> > using
> > > federal and state funding to increase broadband access in rural
> > > areas,
> > yet
> > > I know the monthly cost remains out of reach for many.
> > >
> > > I wish I could offer you more substantive feedback, but at least I
> > > can cheer you on and say that I believe you are on the right
> > > track. I hope
> > that
> > > as you work through potential solutions, you consider giving a
> lightning
> > > talk or submit an article to the Code4Lib journal to report on
> > > your
> work.
> > > It is vitally important that we do all we can to make information
> > > as
> > fully
> > > accessible as possible, especially in this era of misinformation
> > > and disinformation.
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Tim
> > >
> > >
> > > Tim McGeary
> > >
> > > Associate University Librarian for Digital Strategies and
> > > Technology
> > >
> > > Duke University Libraries
> > >
> > > [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> > >
> > >
> > > Request a meeting:
> > > https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://outlook.office365.com/owa/cale
> > > [log in to unmask];!!OToaGQ!pHGyVbrYqdsaHirmXx4UAh0S
> > > nLqWXg4ByvEtYHPb7FAmycwlNObgEXXW7RIZNHy_mwkdtaV97AvS29qPnCM1nQ$
> > >
> > > ________________________________
> > > From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of
> > > ander kierig <[log in to unmask]>
> > > Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2022 10:22 AM
> > > To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
> > > Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Roku - TV - Over the Air
> > >
> > > Dear Charles:
> > >
> > > IMHO, this is not an appropriate use of this list. Roku support is
> > > online at
> > >
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://support.roku.com__;!!OToaGQ!sCxKt9
> jtSQd49-LU545H7H6Rv-3PCticYppiH7za9auqkE8GBaz9ur_OtBxexbC7zbXGE_sjOWy7
> tv_0h20NbL1a0Zb6SmeZEw$
> > > . Please don't send questions like this to a list with 4000 people
> > > on it.
> > >
> > > respectfully yours,
> > >
> > > ander kierig
> > >
> > > --
> > > ander kierig
> > > Application Development
> > > University of Minnesota Libraries
> > > [lib.umn.edu](
> > >
> >
> https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.lib.umn.edu__;!!OToaGQ!sCxKt9j
> tSQd49-LU545H7H6Rv-3PCticYppiH7za9auqkE8GBaz9ur_OtBxexbC7zbXGE_sjOWy7t
> v_0h20NbL1a0ZbRM7us1w$
> > > )
> > > they/them
> > >
> > > On 2022-09-22 at 09:13 (-0500) charles meyer wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi my esteemed listmates,
> > > >
> > > > We seem to generally broach more advanced tech questions than
> > > > this
> but
> > > > we
> > > > have some patrons visiting with simpler needs.
> > > >
> > > > I was trying to help patrons locate any outdoor TV antenna or
> > > > tower climbers who could help with their outdoor antennas but it
> > > > seems they have all retired aso trying to receive over the air
> > > > TV (as programs assert can be done with a TV antenna) is not
> > > > available for a lot of areas.
> > > >
> > > > Just to experiment, I bought the best indoor antenna for my
> > > > house and placed it on almost every square inch of evereye all
> > > > in every room
> ang
> > > > received about 4-5 TV stations, no local PBS just mostly 1960 TV
> > > > shows.
> > > >
> > > > My thought was tey could buy a Roku ($50 Amazon, Walmart) and
> > > > with a library hotspot connect that Roku to their digital TV
> > > > (not analog
> even
> > > > with
> > > > a digital converter box) and then use the Roku device to
> > > > downloads
> PBS
> > > > and
> > > > local TV stations via their hotspot.
> > > >
> > > > Some patrons need hand holding so once you plugin the Roku will
> > > > it search for the hotspot and then you type in the hotspot name
> > > > and password and the Roku connects to the net to download those
> > > > TV stations?
> > > >
> > > > I hear the over the air signal are all going 4K soon so does
> > > > that
> mean
> > > > you
> > > > need a particular Roku, not just any Roku.
> > > >
> > > > Thanks so much,
> > > >
> > > > Charles.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Charles Meyer
> > > > Charlotte County Public Library
> > > > Port Charlotte, FL
> > >
> >
>
>
> --
> Cindy Bowen
> Systems Librarian
> Georgetown University
> [log in to unmask]
> she/her/hers
>
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