Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

News

Disney+ Parts Ways with the Roku 4 Streaming Player

Roku’s original 4K streaming player soon won’t be able to stream Disney+ videos, following Roku’s decision to end OS updates for the aging hardware.

Roku 4 Streaming Player with Remote Control

Time flies. It’s hard to believe that 4K steaming content started to trickle into the home entertainment landscape almost a decade ago. Roku introduced its first 4K streamer, the Roku 4 (model number 4400X) back in 2015. However, it is now 2023 and Roku has decided to begin the Roku 4’s retirement.

Roku began informing Roku 4 users that OS and “feature” updates will be ending in March 2023 with this message:

Dear Roku Streamer,

Thanks for being such a loyal Roku user! You’ve been streaming with us for a long time and we’re glad you’ve been enjoying your Roku player even after all these years. While your current player will continue to stream and receive critical updates, it doesn’t have the latest capabilities and will soon stop receiving feature updates.

You can keep using your Roku player to stream the channels you currently have. However, this device will no longer get new features or streaming channels, updates to existing channels, or other software-related updates. You may lose access to some channels over time as those channel partners make updates.

Disney+ and Roku 4

As a result of Roku’s move, if you’re a Roku 4 owner and subscribe to Disney+, enjoy all of those Star Wars and Marvel movies and shows by May 30, 2023, because Disney+ is also ending its support for the retiring device. 

Disney+ Logo

When you open the Disney+ app and use a Roku 4 you should be seeing the following displayed message:

Disney+ will no longer be available on this Roku model after May 30, 2023. To continue using the Disney+ app, along with all of its newest features and functionalities, please upgrade your device to a newer model.

What This Means for Roku 4 Users

This means that going forward, a growing number of streaming channels and apps may stop working on the Roku 4 as providers stop making updates to work with the older Roku OS. Disney+ appears to be the first major provider to take this approach. 

The last OS update that the Roku 4 received was version 11.5 which was provided in September 2022. Roku did not include the OS version 12  update for the Roku 4. Going forward, the Roku 4 will only receive critical background updates, but no more feature updates. 

For Roku 4 users, the streamer will work as long as content providers support it. However, as time goes on, some favorite apps may stop working. 

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Roku Ultra Streaming Player
Roku Ultra

Tip: If you own the more recently released Roku Ultra, you don’t have to worry, it will continue to receive updates and is compatible with the recently released Roku 12 OS. Also, Roku has not replaced the Roku Ultra in its product line as of 2023.

Roku 4K Streamer Comparison Chart

If you are looking for a 4K video streamer as a replacement for the Roku 4 or buying your first plug-in Roku, they several convenient and affordable options:

ModelUltra (4802R)Streaming Stick 4K+ (3821R2)Streaming Stick 4K (3820R2)Roku Express 4K+ (3941R2)Roku Express 4K (3940RW)
MSRP$99.99$69.99$49.99 $29.99$34.99
TV Resolution Compatibility720p, 1080p, 4K UHD720p, 1080p, 4K UHD720p, 1080p, 4K UHD720p, 1080p, 4K UHD720p, 1080p, 4K UHD
Upscaling and DownscalingYesYesYesYesYes
HDRDolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLGDolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLGDolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLGHDR10/10+ and HLGHDR10/10+ and HLG
WiFi802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi®️ (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)/802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi® (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)802.11ac dual-band MIMO Wi-Fi® (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi® (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi® (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)
EthernetYesNoNoYes – via optional adapterYes – via optional adapter
HDMIVer 2.0bVer 2.0aVer 2.0bVersion not indicatedVersion not indicated
USB3.0 (media playback)Mini USB (power or long-range WiFi dongle only)Mini USB (power or long-range WiFi dongle only)Micro USB Micro USB
Audio featuresDigital Stereo, Dolby Digital Surround, Atmos, DTS Digital SurroundDigital Stereo, Dolby Audio, DTS Digital SurroundDigital Stereo, Dolby Audio, DTS Digital SurroundDigital Stereo, Dolby Audio, DTS Digital SurroundDigital Stereo, Dolby Audio, DTS Digital Surround
Remote controlVoice RemoteVoice Remote ProVoice RemoteVoice RemoteIR Remote
Works with Roku Mobile AppYesYesYesYesYes
BluetoothYesNoNo NoNo
Apple CompatibilityAirplay and HomekitAirplay and HomekitAirplay and HomekitAirplay and HomekitAirplay and Homekit
Works with Google Home YesYesYesYesYes
Works with AlexaYesYesYesYesYes

Tip: For a more detailed specifications comparison go to the Roku Product Comparison Page.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

New Products

HiBy R4 DAP Green

DAPs

At $249, the HiBy R4 DAP makes a strong case featuring a 4-DAC design, single ended and balanced outputs with class A amplification.

AVID Acutus Dark Iron Turntable AVID Acutus Dark Iron Turntable

New Products

With new darker iron finish along with mat and clamp upgrades, AVID was able to lower the price of its Acutus turntable to $17,000.

VIZIO SV510M08 5.1 Soundbar with Surround Speakers and Subwoofer VIZIO SV510M08 5.1 Soundbar with Surround Speakers and Subwoofer

New Products

For 2024 VIZIO is introducing seven new soundbars priced from $99 to $499 that easily attach to the bottom of a TV.

Hisense U9N Mini LED QLED 4K TV Lifestyle Hisense U9N Mini LED QLED 4K TV Lifestyle

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Hisense's best TV for 2024 will arrive this Summer in 75-inch and 85-inch screen sizes for gamers and home entertainment enthusiasts.

Gryphon Audio PowerZone 3.10 and 3.20 Power Conditioners Gryphon Audio PowerZone 3.10 and 3.20 Power Conditioners

New Products

Utilizing proprietary, Patent-Pending Hafner Tech Modules, Gryphon PowerZone Power Conditioners proclaim a higher level of performance than typical power conditioning products.

Atlantic Technology Nexa 1 portable Bluetooth Speaker Lifestyle Atlantic Technology Nexa 1 portable Bluetooth Speaker Lifestyle

New Products

At only $199, Atlantic Technology's first portable Bluetooth speaker sports a robust 60-watt amplifier and 15 hours of battery life.

You May Also Like

A/V Receivers & Preamp/Processors

After nearly 30 years, the surround sound format war enters a new chapter next month when DTS:X soundtracks launch on Disney+.

News

Roku OS 13 brings a major update to the brand's TVs and streaming players. Find out what's new.

News

Roku users can access NBA content all in one place, including re-airs of basketball games, highlights, original series, G league and in-market live games.

News

Disney+ subscribers will be able to watch 3D movies on Apple Vision Pro upon its release, but Netflix is taking a wait and see...

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

In 2024 Roku will introduce its best 4K TVs ever. New Pro Series models feature QLED and Mini-LED technology in 55", 65" and 75"...

News

As predicted, Disney is already taking steps to integrate Disney+ and Hulu into one streaming platform.

News

2023 has been a year of disruptions and price increases for the major streaming platforms. What exactly is going on at Netflix, Disney, and...

New Products

The new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and 4K MAX both support Dolby Atmos, Alexa, 4K HDR, and WIFi 6, while the 4K MAX...

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers