If you are familiar with the movement to allow Internet based video content to be streamed to normal televisions without the use of a computer, then you truly understand the power of this medium. There have been a number of companies that have been quick to capitalize on this opportunity and offer solutions that connect to your TV and wireless network allowing the streaming of video content directly to your TV.
Video streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu have grown popular largely due to these digital devices, which allow those who do not have significant technical knowledge to quickly set them up with relative ease. One of the largest players in this market is Roku, which was first started in 2002 in California. There are several benefits to using a device such as the Roku to stream video content to your television.
Advantages of Using Roku To Stream Video Content
- Ease of Use – Roku makes it simple to stream video content to televisions. With a user friendly interface, users are able to quickly connect to their wireless network and download content in only minutes.
- No Computer Required – With the Roku device, a computer is not required to stream video content. This removes one of the major frustrations with online video content, which is great news for video content providers looking to distribute their content to the masses.
- Inexpensive – With the Roku device starting at only $49.99, this device is a popular option to those looking for ways to stream video content to their televisions without a computer.
- Cable Alternative – Using a Roku device, users are able to finally have a legitimate alternative to cable television. With these devices, you can watch the majority of popular programming for much cheaper than your standard cable bill.
- Private Channels – One of the most interesting features that Roku devices have to offer is the ability to stream private channels from a variety of different video content providers. Many popular video content providers, like Eyepartner, allow you to create private channels that can be viewed by anyone with a Roku device. If you are producing video content, this can increase your viewing audience immensely. With over a million people using Roku set top boxes, producing video content for this platform could be what sets you apart from your competitors.
Tips When Creating a Live Streaming Private Channel on Roku With TikiLIVE
TikiLIVE is our video content delivery network that makes it extremely easy to create a private channel on Roku. Keep the following things in mind when you are looking to publish your content to the large number of users with Roku set top boxes.
Admin Configuration – TikiLIVE offers a user friendly admin page which allows you to easily setup authentication for Roku users as well as manage categories and channel settings. With just a few clicks you can allow users to authenticate to your private channel through their TikiLIVE account or through Roku’s own authentication system.
Supported Roku Video Formats – Depending on your TikiLIVE service, there are multiple options for the type of video formats that are required to work with Roku set top boxes.
If your TikiLIVE account only has uploading services then you will need to ensure that all of your videos are in H.264 format and that the audio format is LC-AAC. Finally, the container should be MP4.
If you do have encoding services through a monthly subscription then your options are much larger. TikiLIVE utilizes the Monster Encoder application to encode video into a suitable MP4 format. The Monster Encoder software allows you to take almost any type of video content and convert it into a useable format for Roku devices.
While it is entirely optional, we recommend that you purchase a monthly subscription to allow the use of the Monster Encoder application. Some users who did not purchase a monthly subscription have had trouble using MP4 videos with Roku devices that were not encoded with Monster Encoder.
Publishing Your Content to Roku
Before you can begin publishing content from TikiLIVE to Roku, you need to have a Roku Developer account. Publishing private channels through a developer account allows your video content to instantly be available to your users. If you attempt to publish content without a developer account it can take much longer for your content to be approved. Follow these steps to publish content to Roku from TikiLIVE once you have logged in with your Roku developer account.
- Once logged into the Roku site, you can click on the “Developer Site” page to view the channel administration interface.
- Click on the “Manage My Channels” link, which will open up a GUI that will allow you to add a private Roku channel.
- Click “Add Private Channel”
- Fill out the necessary text boxes that indicate which Roku stores will show your content by Country as well as other information related to your private channel.
- Next you will be able to upload images that will be featured when users search for your content through their Roku device. You are able to upload up to 4 images for these purposes.
- Now that the channel has been created, you can click on “Manage Channels” to view your new channel details.
- Click “Edit Channel” which will open up a package submission page for you to upload your content.
- Here you will complete the necessary text boxes and click “Publish” to post your content instantly to Roku.
If you are looking for ways to push your video content out to the masses, there are few better options than allowing your TikiLIVE content to be accessible through Roku set top boxes. Not very often are you literally able to increase your audience by at least a million users in a very short time.
For more information on TikiLIVE from Eyepartner, give our offices a call today at (305) 289-4557 or contact us via our online form. By combining the power of TikiLIVE with the ease of setup that comes with Roku, you can have the perfect video distribution network for your high quality content.
