Roku 2 without internet Question - Computers - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

little wing · 10-13-2014, 05:24 PM

I'm hoping someone can help me because I get very confused talking technology. I was trying to find answers myself but my head was spinning.

I have moved to an area with NO internet or satellite service (except a Verizon MiFi with very high per gig prices but enough to download an app or update my Roku 2).
I have access to movies and TV stored on an external drive and hope to use Plex as an interface to my TV via Roku 2. (I also have a Wii but rather use Roku or some other media player). I read that I can create my own wifi signal from my laptop/hard drive using a USB adapter/antenna but then saw I also needed an ethernet bridge with the Roku 2. I'm willing to buy any additional hardware I need or even a Roku 3 if needed.

My ultimate goal is to use a remote to control content stored on an external drive. No internet (except for software updates). Can someone tell me what I need to buy?

10-13-2014, 07:58 PM

You should be able to set up a wireless network even without an internet connection using a wireless router that would be connected to the computer. Then you would load your media into plex via the computer. The Roku 2 would connect to the network, you would download the plex app for the Roku, login, and your media should be there.

Here is a video on that: https://www.cnet.com/videos/stream-me...from-a-laptop/

An article on wireless networking without internet: https://networking.answers.com/wifi/i...nternet-access

Dropped Cat · 10-14-2014, 03:16 AM

Does the Roku 2 have a usb plug?

BlackBuds · 10-14-2014, 03:30 AM

You may have issues trying to get it to work like this. Just trying to save you the headache.

"Video playback of personal media via the Roku® app is limited to iOS® and select Android™ devices."

I use Apple TV for this but stream from an Apple device. Or I use a wireless router and connect to that network. Look into creating an ADhoc network if your laptop can (should) do it.

https://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...#1TC=windows-7

10-14-2014, 07:37 PM

I have the roku 2 and I haven't had any trouble streaming from Windows 7 or 8.1. It works fine just like I described above.

vostok · 10-14-2014, 08:31 PM

I'd be updating to the Roku 3, just for the ethernet and usb? ie. currently I'm been using the WD media player cost a shit load and have every intention of squeezing out every cent ....lol
I now hate tech, and have very much leanrt my lesson of being the first dumbass in the Que! ....lol

Roku 2: List Price $69.99

The Roku 2 version does not include a USB, SD Card, or ethernet port; the latter means you can only connect wirelessly to your network. It also has a slower processor and does not have the motion control capability. And you can’t watch YouTube videos through it.

One of the most important benefits of the Roku 2 over the Roku 3 is that the Roku 2 does work with non-HDTVs using standard A/V (yellow/red-white) cables in addition to HDTVs.

vs the Roku 3: List Price $99.99

This is the latest and greatest model. The main advantages of it over the other models are:
It uses more advanced technologies to improve speed and performance.
The remote control includes a headphone jack, so you can watch your streaming content without disturbing other people. (Also available with the Roku 2.)
The remote can also be used as a controller for games (like a Wii).
You can use it to watch YouTube videos on your TV.
It has an ethernet port so you can connect it to your Internet router with a cable in addition to wirelessly.
It has a USB port, so if you have photos or music or videos on a thumb drive or other hardware with a USB connector, you can play that content on your TV.
It has a slot for a MicroSD card that you can store content on. This is often used for storing games that require more memory.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roku

https://techforluddites.com/roku-what...do-you-use-it/

little wing · 10-15-2014, 12:39 AM

WOW thanks for all that helpful info!!!

Looks like a Roku 3 would be a great upgrade.

Life on three gigs a month is not going to be easy. I miss Palladia, Qello and HDNet concerts.

10-15-2014, 02:53 AM

The 3 would be a nice upgrade, one correction though, the roku 2 does stream YouTube.

dddaver · 10-26-2014, 01:37 PM

Wing, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you as far as a broadband connection here. There is no cable line out here and I cut the phone lines because I would never get broadband that way anyway, until they decided to lay fiber optic lines and I ain't holding my breath for that. Cell-phone service is fine, way better than the land lines in fact. Verizon, Sprint (so Virgin) just got 4G working here but like you said, even 3G mifi is ridiculously expensive per gig. 4G is even worse. And I read an average movie usually uses up about 2 gig.

I only have the original Roku and bailed out of them when that unit would no longer connect through my wifi internet setup and immediately upon powering it on it searches for the Roku home anyway and then you can not force it to search for your own network even if you were able to set that up.

But it is easy to get lost in the technology and want to make things work, I do that all the time. But I think you may be over-complicating your original intent, which is I think, if I read that right, was to watch the movies stored on your external hard-drive?

So can't you just connect that remote hard-drive to your computer and watch the movies on that? Or if you want to watch those movies those on TV, connect your computer to your TV and watch them there?

little wing · 06-26-2015, 02:29 AM

I highly suggest a software package (cheap) called playon combined with playlater/adskip. It records in real time so you need to leave your PC near free wifi. Also youtube downloader as mentioned above. You can live off the grid and cut the cord.

Some do it for costs and some for privacy. I love my Roku 3 and the weed channels they have.

10-13-2014, 05:24 PM	#1
little wing Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 66	Roku 2 without internet Question I'm hoping someone can help me because I get very confused talking technology. I was trying to find answers myself but my head was spinning. I have moved to an area with NO internet or satellite service (except a Verizon MiFi with very high per gig prices but enough to download an app or update my Roku 2). I have access to movies and TV stored on an external drive and hope to use Plex as an interface to my TV via Roku 2. (I also have a Wii but rather use Roku or some other media player). I read that I can create my own wifi signal from my laptop/hard drive using a USB adapter/antenna but then saw I also needed an ethernet bridge with the Roku 2. I'm willing to buy any additional hardware I need or even a Roku 3 if needed. My ultimate goal is to use a remote to control content stored on an external drive. No internet (except for software updates). Can someone tell me what I need to buy?
	Quote

10-13-2014, 07:58 PM	#2
OGShaman Guest Posts: n/a	You should be able to set up a wireless network even without an internet connection using a wireless router that would be connected to the computer. Then you would load your media into plex via the computer. The Roku 2 would connect to the network, you would download the plex app for the Roku, login, and your media should be there. Here is a video on that: https://www.cnet.com/videos/stream-me...from-a-laptop/ An article on wireless networking without internet: https://networking.answers.com/wifi/i...nternet-access
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

10-14-2014, 03:16 AM	#3
Dropped Cat Six Gummi Bears and Some Scotch Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 2,615	Does the Roku 2 have a usb plug? __________________ "So we're just done with phrasing, right, that's not a thing anymore?."
	Quote

10-14-2014, 03:30 AM	#4
BlackBuds Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 287	You may have issues trying to get it to work like this. Just trying to save you the headache. "Video playback of personal media via the Roku® app is limited to iOS® and select Android™ devices." I use Apple TV for this but stream from an Apple device. Or I use a wireless router and connect to that network. Look into creating an ADhoc network if your laptop can (should) do it. https://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...#1TC=windows-7 __________________
	Quote

10-14-2014, 07:37 PM	#5
OGShaman Guest Posts: n/a	I have the roku 2 and I haven't had any trouble streaming from Windows 7 or 8.1. It works fine just like I described above.
	Quote

10-14-2014, 08:31 PM	#6
vostok Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Far East Posts: 1,513	I'd be updating to the Roku 3, just for the ethernet and usb? ie. currently I'm been using the WD media player cost a shit load and have every intention of squeezing out every cent ....lol I now hate tech, and have very much leanrt my lesson of being the first dumbass in the Que! ....lol Roku 2: List Price $69.99 The Roku 2 version does not include a USB, SD Card, or ethernet port; the latter means you can only connect wirelessly to your network. It also has a slower processor and does not have the motion control capability. And you can’t watch YouTube videos through it. One of the most important benefits of the Roku 2 over the Roku 3 is that the Roku 2 does work with non-HDTVs using standard A/V (yellow/red-white) cables in addition to HDTVs. vs the Roku 3: List Price $99.99 This is the latest and greatest model. The main advantages of it over the other models are: It uses more advanced technologies to improve speed and performance. The remote control includes a headphone jack, so you can watch your streaming content without disturbing other people. (Also available with the Roku 2.) The remote can also be used as a controller for games (like a Wii). You can use it to watch YouTube videos on your TV. It has an ethernet port so you can connect it to your Internet router with a cable in addition to wirelessly. It has a USB port, so if you have photos or music or videos on a thumb drive or other hardware with a USB connector, you can play that content on your TV. It has a slot for a MicroSD card that you can store content on. This is often used for storing games that require more memory. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roku https://techforluddites.com/roku-what...do-you-use-it/
	Quote

10-15-2014, 12:39 AM	#7
little wing Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 66	WOW thanks for all that helpful info!!! Looks like a Roku 3 would be a great upgrade. Life on three gigs a month is not going to be easy. I miss Palladia, Qello and HDNet concerts.
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

10-15-2014, 02:53 AM	#8
OGShaman Guest Posts: n/a	The 3 would be a nice upgrade, one correction though, the roku 2 does stream YouTube.
	Quote

10-26-2014, 01:37 PM	#9
dddaver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: uh...yeah Posts: 2,345	Wing, I'm pretty much in the same boat as you as far as a broadband connection here. There is no cable line out here and I cut the phone lines because I would never get broadband that way anyway, until they decided to lay fiber optic lines and I ain't holding my breath for that. Cell-phone service is fine, way better than the land lines in fact. Verizon, Sprint (so Virgin) just got 4G working here but like you said, even 3G mifi is ridiculously expensive per gig. 4G is even worse. And I read an average movie usually uses up about 2 gig. I only have the original Roku and bailed out of them when that unit would no longer connect through my wifi internet setup and immediately upon powering it on it searches for the Roku home anyway and then you can not force it to search for your own network even if you were able to set that up. But it is easy to get lost in the technology and want to make things work, I do that all the time. But I think you may be over-complicating your original intent, which is I think, if I read that right, was to watch the movies stored on your external hard-drive? So can't you just connect that remote hard-drive to your computer and watch the movies on that? Or if you want to watch those movies those on TV, connect your computer to your TV and watch them there? __________________ my gggeneration DAV - I can't decide which I like better: either, arguing on the internet is like winning in the Special Olympics, you might win but you're still retarded; or never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level, and beat you with experience; or you can't fix stupid, so why argue with it? They all are funny, and all are true too. "Well, da Nile ain't just some big river in Egypt neither." "No reason to get excited," the thief, he kindly spoke, "There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke. But you and I, we've been through that, and this is not our fate, So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late. -Bob Dylan: All Along the Watchtower Rights aren’t rights if someone can take them away. -George Carlin "The fool thinks himself to be wise, but the wise Man knows himself to be a fool" -William Shakespeare Long signatures suck. -dddaver
	Quote

06-26-2015, 02:29 AM	#10
little wing Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 66	I highly suggest a software package (cheap) called playon combined with playlater/adskip. It records in real time so you need to leave your PC near free wifi. Also youtube downloader as mentioned above. You can live off the grid and cut the cord. Some do it for costs and some for privacy. I love my Roku 3 and the weed channels they have.
	Quote