How to Pair a Roku Remote and Choose Between an HDMI Switch or Splitter

Most modern Roku streaming sticks and boxes communicate with their remotes over Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth rather than infrared, according to Engadget. This enables features like voice control and allows the remote to work without a clear line of sight to the device. But the remote must be paired before it will function, which usually happens during initial setup. If a user has replaced a lost remote or performed a factory reset, pairing needs to be done again.

To start pairing, Engadget advises unplugging the Roku device from power, waiting about five seconds, and plugging it back in. Then turn the remote over and locate the pairing button, which is often inside the battery compartment. Press and hold that button for five seconds until the status light flashes. If the remote does not have a pairing button, users should press and hold the Back and Home buttons at the same time for five seconds.

A handy alternative is the Roku mobile app, available for Android and iOS. With both the phone and the Roku device on the same Wi-Fi network, users can open the app's Remote tab and tap Connect device when the Roku appears. The app's interface mirrors the physical remote's layout, including a D-pad, playback controls, Home and Back buttons, and a microphone for voice search. It also lets users type faster when searching and can route TV audio through headphones plugged into the phone, which is especially useful for late-night viewing.

The second guide tackles the difference between HDMI switches and splitters. While the two devices look alike, Engadget notes that they serve opposite purposes. An HDMI switch connects multiple source devices to one display, solving the problem of having more gadgets than available ports. This eliminates the need to constantly unplug and swap cables, reducing wear on the TV's ports and saving the hassle of reaching behind the television. Switches can change inputs automatically, through buttons, or with a remote, and Engadget recommends buying a model with a remote for convenience.

When purchasing a switch or splitter, Engadget advises checking the HDMI version. While HDMI 2.2 is the latest standard, it is not yet widely used, so users should choose an HDMI 2.1 model. That version supports 4K at 120Hz, dynamic HDR, variable refresh rate, and auto low latency mode. It also supports eARC for uncompressed audio. These features are especially useful for gamers, and because the boxes are inexpensive, there is little reason to buy an older model that will need replacing sooner.

An HDMI splitter does the reverse of a switch: it takes a single video output and sends it to multiple displays at once. This is useful in settings like a restaurant showing the same menu on several screens, or at home when someone wants to mirror a sports broadcast or game on multiple TVs. However, Engadget points out that a splitter is only needed when the content is limited to one device, since streaming apps on each smart TV can often do the job independently.

A key caveat with splitters is that they typically operate using the lowest common denominator. If one display is 1080p and another is 4K, both will receive a 1080p signal. To avoid that, users should look for a splitter labeled as downscaling, which automatically adjusts lower-resolution displays without dragging down the higher-resolution one.