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How to access all the hidden features on your Roku

Updated Dec 19th, 2018 9:18PM EST
BGR

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Roku has grown to become one of the clear leaders in the increasingly popular market for streaming media boxes. With the cost of pay TV climbing ever higher, more and more people are cutting the cord and looking for more affordable home entertainment. Roku gives them access to all of the most popular services like Netflix, Amazon Video and Hulu. In fact, Roku users have access to more than 10,000 channels of streaming entertainment.

Roku’s newest streaming solutions start at just $49.99, so they’re terrific options for pay TV subscribers as well. Many people supplement cable TV with services like Netflix or Hulu, and Roku’s streaming devices provide one of the best viewing experiences available for those services and more. Everyone knows that, but what you might not know is that there are some pretty awesome secret features lurking in your Roku player.

MUST SEE: Is this why the iPhone 7 is so boring?

Did you know that your Roku has a secret menu for developers that gives you access to all kinds of otherwise hidden settings? And that’s just the beginning. Using one of several secret button combinations on your Roku’s remote that remind us of the famous Konami code, you can access a wide range of hidden menus that offer commands and features most users will never discover.

For example, you can adjust the bit rate of your video streams to increase or decrease quality and optimize your viewing experience for your internet connection. If you’re experiencing lots of hiccups during playback, this could be the greatest thing that ever happened to you.

There are also plenty more features to explore, and you’ll find out how to access all of them on the great graphic below, which was created by Venngage. Just be aware that playing with certain settings could void your warranty.

Zach Epstein Executive Editor

Zach Epstein has been the Executive Editor at BGR for more than 15 years. He manages BGR’s editorial team and ensures that best practices are adhered to. He also oversees the Ecommerce team and directs the daily flow of all content. Zach first joined BGR in 2007 as a Staff Writer covering business, technology, and entertainment.

His work has been quoted by countless top news organizations, and he was recently named one of the world's top 10 “power mobile influencers” by Forbes. Prior to BGR, Zach worked as an executive in marketing and business development with two private telcos.