We do have Video On Demand with our Verizon FIOS bundle but our den HDTV with internet apps had phased out most apps while we were using Netflix so I was searching for another simple option for my tech phobic husband.
I either use my laptop screen or mirror its screen through a HDMI cable to a nearby HDTV to watch videos, either stored files or online streaming.
I got a Roku Express to use on a HDTV in another room not near a laptop, mostly for Netflix which we ironically stopped using enough to be worthwhile but may resume in the future. Then I got an inexpensive smartphone but not the kind that easily enables mirroring its screen on the ROKU. After researching, I added an android app on both the phone and the ROKU that enables casting of web videos as well as videos stored on the phone:
Web Video Caster.
This app has to be used carefully because the free version has ads.
Since the one time $3.99 fee for a premium upgrade removes ads and enables bookmarking and playlists, I may give that option a try if I find myself .using this set up often enough.
Previously, I could use a tablet for mirroring, either with a micro HDMI cable or with the ROKU but usually was too lazy to set that up and my husband was too tech phobic to do it himself.
The TV with the ROKU has a USB that plays most video files and the ROKU can access my laptop files as well as stream most online content apps or channels. I just had the challenge of trying to find a solution for others who want to stream web videos with a ROKU and smartphone. Not all web content enable ROKU apps for casting.
ETA:
The Tibio app which was suggested by Refit works well for casting to ROKU too.
Both of the apps have their own browser to enter websites.
Unfortunately, WOW on vhx.tv does not seem to work with either app
but vk.com works with both.
the Web Video Caster app now casts WOW to ROKU!
I either use my laptop screen or mirror its screen through a HDMI cable to a nearby HDTV to watch videos, either stored files or online streaming.
I got a Roku Express to use on a HDTV in another room not near a laptop, mostly for Netflix which we ironically stopped using enough to be worthwhile but may resume in the future. Then I got an inexpensive smartphone but not the kind that easily enables mirroring its screen on the ROKU. After researching, I added an android app on both the phone and the ROKU that enables casting of web videos as well as videos stored on the phone:
Web Video Caster.
This app has to be used carefully because the free version has ads.
Since the one time $3.99 fee for a premium upgrade removes ads and enables bookmarking and playlists, I may give that option a try if I find myself .using this set up often enough.
Previously, I could use a tablet for mirroring, either with a micro HDMI cable or with the ROKU but usually was too lazy to set that up and my husband was too tech phobic to do it himself.
The TV with the ROKU has a USB that plays most video files and the ROKU can access my laptop files as well as stream most online content apps or channels. I just had the challenge of trying to find a solution for others who want to stream web videos with a ROKU and smartphone. Not all web content enable ROKU apps for casting.
ETA:
The Tibio app which was suggested by Refit works well for casting to ROKU too.
Both of the apps have their own browser to enter websites.
Unfortunately, WOW on vhx.tv does not seem to work with either app
but vk.com works with both.
the Web Video Caster app now casts WOW to ROKU!
