Roku users outraged over ‘infuriating’ issue that’s left TVs ‘ruined’ for weeks – firm says experts still investigating
ROKU customers have voiced concern over a new software update that has less them with an “infuriating” new issue.
The problem has originated from Roku OS 13, an automatic update that went live recently.
The update introduced a number of new features, one of which has suddenly brought about motion smoothing.
And there’s not way to turn it off.
A newly added feature called Roku Smart Picture aims to “automatically improves picture quality dynamically as users stream,” according to the release notes.
This feature includes something that Roku calls “action smoothing”, which is essentially motion smoothing, and appears even when the Roku Smart Picture is switched off.
Motion smoothing is often referred to as “the soap opera effect”, because it makes everything look as though it was recorded for daytime TV.
What it does is essentially take content that was created at 24 or 30 frames per second, and bump that up to 60 or 120 frames per second.
It’s typically advised to only switch on motion smoothing, a feature available on most TVs, while watching sports.
Otherwise, viewers tend to find it jarring.
‘It is infuriating!’
Customers have flocked to Roku’s community forum to share their frustration at the new feature.
“As of this morning, my TCL Roku TV randomly has motion smoothing,” one customer wrote.
“There is no setting to turn it off. I’ve had this tv for a couple years and this hasn’t been an issue. What can I do about this?”
Another replied, saying: “Having the same issue with Hisense 58 inch Roku TV.
“Been going on for a couple of weeks. It is infuriating!!!”
It’s even affecting TVs that didn’t support motion smoothing before the update, according to The Verge.
In The Verge’s report, journalist William Joel said the Roku update has made his TV “unusable”.
“If you’re someone who doesn’t notice motion smoothing or doesn’t particularly care about it, imagine if, suddenly, your ebook updated so all the fonts were three times as large,” he explained.
“Or if your phone decided all video and audio would be played at [two times the speed].
“Some folks might prefer that, but it should be a choice.”
A community moderator at Roku said that the company is investigating the issue.
What is Roku?
The company is best known as a popular provider of free, ad-supported streaming television - or SMART TV for short.
Roku, Inc. was founded in 2002 by Anthony Wood, an English-born businessman who relocated to the United States as a teenager.
Wood wanted to help TV fans watch what they wanted when they wanted and came up with the idea of a TV operating system with access to online content.
Roku released its first product in 2008 – a streaming box called the Roku DVP, which sold 10 million units in just six days.
The company’s hardware is compatible with any TV that has an HDMI connection. This means virtually anyone can access the streamer’s growing body of content.
Each player comes with a Roku remote to navigate on-screen menus and control playback.
The company also licenses its operating system to television manufacturers like Toshiba and Hisense to create Roku-branded TVs.
The streamer has steadily been expanding its portfolio on The Roku Channel.
It boasts free content from over 250 partners, including live news from networks like NBC, Fox, and CBS.
The ever-growing library boasts over 350 live TV channels and 80,000 free movies and shows.