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User Manual
- User Manual - (English)
- Energy Guide - (English)
- Quick Start Guide - (English)
- Connections
- Guided Setup
- The Home screen
- More Settings
- Other devices
Table of contents
User Guide Television
Connections
Connecting an antenna, cable, or satellite box
If you are using an antenna, CATV cable without a set-top box, or a cable or satellite box that has only an antenna output, connect a 75-ohm coaxial cable (not provided) from the device to the ANT/CABLE input on the TV.
Tip: If you are using an antenna with a 300-ohm twin-lead cable, you need to use a 300-to-75- ohm adapter (not provided) to adapt the twin-lead cable to a connection that is compatible with the TV’s antenna input.
Tip: If you receive your TV stations through a set top box from a cable or satellite TV provider, connect it to the TV using the best connection method available. From most to least desirable:
- HDMI® input – Digital HD and SD video
- AV input – analog SD video
- Antenna input – analog SD video using NTSC
Connecting external equipment with a composite AV video cable
If the best connection available on your device is AV or composite video output, connect it to the TV using a composite AV cable (not provided). Composite AV cables typically have three RCAtype plugs on each end, color coded as follows:
- Yellow – Video
- Red – Audio, right channel
- White or black – Audio, left channel
Connect each plug to the corresponding connector on the device and on the TV.
Note: Select models have an AV Input that looks like a headphone jack. Use the breakout cable (included) to adapt this input to the three RCA-type plugs on your composite cable.
Connecting external equipment with an HDMI® cable
If possible, connect your devices using HDMI® cables (not provided). They help to provide the best video quality and also carry audio signals, so that only one cable is needed. For better picture quality, we recommend that you use cables designated as High Speed HDMI® Cables.
Tip: You might need to configure the device to send its signal through its HDMI® connector.
The connector labeled HDMI (ARC) has the additional ability to use the audio return channel to send digital audio to a receiver or soundbar, as explained in Connecting an AV receiver or digital soundbar. Only on select models: The connector labeled HDMI (eARC) provides the same functionality as the HDMI ARC connector, plus the ability to pass through full-resolution sound formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X from and to devices that support these formats, without additional processing by the TV. Additional details are provided in Choosing an audio format.
Connecting headphones or analog soundbar
You can connect headphones or an analog soundbar (not provided) to the TV’s headphone jack.
Tip: Inserting a plug in the headphone jack disables the sound from the TV’s builtin speakers.
Warning: Loud noise can damage your hearing. When using headphones, use the lowest volume setting on your headphones that still lets you hear the sound.
Select models also have an audio line out connection that is not affected by TV volume or mute settings and does not disable the TV speakers. Use this connection when you want to use your amplifier or soundbar to control the TV volume. To turn off the TV’s built-in speakers, from the Home screen menu, navigate to Settings > Audio > TV speakers and change the setting.
Connecting headphones to the Roku Enhanced Voice remote
Select TCL • Roku TVs come with the Roku Enhanced Voice Remote or Roku Voice Remote Pro. On these models, you can connect headphones to the jack on the left side of the remote.
Tip: Inserting a plug in the remote’s headphone jack disables the sound from the TV’s built-in speakers or attached receiver or soundbar. The volume and mute controls on the right side of the remote adjust the volume level of the connected headphones.
Warning: Loud noise can damage your hearing. When using headphones, use the lowest volume setting on your headphones that still lets you hear the sound. You might notice that connecting headphones to your remote shortens the remote’s battery life somewhat.
Connecting an AV receiver or digital soundbar
You can enjoy Dolby Audio™ multichannel sound from your TV if you connect a digital amplifier or soundbar (not provided) in either of two ways:
Digital optical audio out (S/PDIF) – Connect a TOSLINK optical cable (not provided) from the TV to the Optical input on your receiver or soundbar.
HDMI® ARC – Connect an HDMI® cable (not provided) from the HDMI (ARC) connector to the HDMI® input on your receiver or soundbar. This connection uses the Audio Return Channel (ARC) feature of HDMI® to output sound from the TV to a compatible device. To use this feature, you must configure the TV to enable HDMI® ARC, as explained in Enable HDMI® ARC.
HDMI® eARC – Select models only: Connect an HDMI® cable (not provided) from the HDMI (eARC) connector to the HDMI (ARC) or HDMI (eARC) input on your receiver or soundbar. If your receiver or soundbar supports HDMI enhanced ARC (eARC), the TV can pass through fullresolution sound from programs containing enhanced audio. If your receiver or soundbar does not support eARC, use the TV’s eARC port to make the ARC connection. The eARC port is backward compatible with the ARC standard.
Preparing for Internet connectivity
If you want to watch streaming content and take advantage of most of the cool features of your TCL • Roku TV, connect it to the Internet through a wireless modem/router or a wireless access point (not provided). The TV has a built-in wireless LAN adapter.
Note: The TV supports only its internal wireless network adapter—it does not support the use of a USB network adapter.
Select models have both wired and wireless network connectivity. To use the wired network connection, connect an RJ-45 Ethernet cable (not provided) from the jack on the back of your TV to your network router or switch. The wired connection automatically supports both 10 BaseT and 100 Base-T Ethernet.
AC power
Plug your TV into a power outlet. You can tell that the TV has power because the status indicator lights up when the TV is off. The topic Status indicator explains how the status indicator shows what is happening with the TV.
Roku remote batteries
Open the back of your Roku remote and insert the included batteries, observing the proper orientation as indicated in the battery compartment. Reattach the back cover.
TCL • Roku TV remote
Use the following information to identify the buttons on your Roku remote.
Note: Remote buttons and features vary somewhat by model. Your remote might not have all buttons or features listed.
- If your remote has a VOICE just below the purple pad, you have a Roku Voice remote.
- If your remote has a headphone jack on its left edge, you have a Roku Enhanced Voice remote or
Roku Voice Remote Pro. Roku Voice remotes have additional capabilities as noted in the following table.
1 Voice features support English and Spanish languages.
2 Live TV Channel Guide is available only in the United States.
Panel buttons
Your TV has buttons on its side, bottom, or back panel that perform simple control functions. The TV panel buttons are not a substitute for the remote, as they do not give you access to all TV functions.
Single button
If your TV has this style of panel button, you can perform the following functions:
- Turn TV on: short press.
- Display the Input List: short press when TV is on.
- Select the next input in the Input List: short press while the TV is showing the Input List.
- Dismiss the Input List without changing inputs: no press.
- Turn TV off: long press.
Short press = less than two seconds
Long press = more than two seconds
No press = no press within two seconds
Three buttons
If your TV has this style of panel buttons, you can perform the following functions:
- Turn TV on: middle button, short or long press.
- Volume up: right button when Input List is not active.
- Volume down: left button when Input List is not active.
- Display Input List: middle button, short press when TV is on.
- Highlight next input in the Input List: right button when Input List is active.
- Highlight previous input in the Input List: left button when Input List is active.
- Select highlighted item in the Input List: middle button, short press, or no press.
- Turn TV off: middle button, long press.
Short press = less than two seconds
Long press = more than two seconds
No press = no press within four seconds
Game-pad style joystick
If your TV has this style of panel button, you can perform the following functions:
- Press in: Toggle between power ON and Standby.
- Press up or down: Increase/decrease the volume.
- Press left or right: Switch inputs. Each press moves the highlight up or down one item. Pausing for a few moments selects the highlighted item.
Four buttons
If your TV has this style of panel buttons, you can perform the following functions:
- Power: Turns the power on and off.
- Input: Selects among TV inputs. Each press moves down one item. Pausing for a few moments selects the highlighted item.
- Volume +: Increases the volume.
- Volume –: Decreases the volume.
Five buttons (with mute)
If your TV has this style of panel buttons, you can perform the following functions. Note that the order of the buttons might vary from model to model. Examine the panel button labels to determine your TV model’s layout.
- Power: Turns the power on and off.
- Input: Selects among TV inputs. Each press moves down one item. Pausing for a few moments selects the highlighted item.
- Volume +: Increases the volume.
- Volume –: Decreases the volume.
- Mute: Mutes and unmutes the sound.
Five buttons (without mute)
If your TV has this style of panel buttons, you can perform the following functions. Note that the order of the buttons might vary from model to model. Examine the panel button labels to determine your TV model’s layout.
- Power: Turns the power on and off.
- Input +: Selects the next TV input. Each press moves down one item. Pausing for a few moments selects the highlighted item.
- Input -: Selects the previous TV input. Each press moves up one item. Pausing for a few moments selects the highlighted item.
- Volume +: Increases the volume.
- Volume –: Decreases the volume.
Guided Setup
Starting Guided Setup
To start Guided Setup, press POWER on the remote to turn on your TV.
Note: Guided Setup normally runs only once, the first time you turn on your TV. If you need to run Guided Setup again, you must perform a factory reset as explained in Factory reset everything.
When you first turn on your TV, it will take a few seconds to get itself ready. You’ll notice the following things happening:
- The status indicator blinks every time the TV is busy doing something; in this case it’s powering up and getting ready for you.
- The splash screen appears and the status indicator blinks slowly for a few more seconds. The power-on screen shows a brand logo while the TV starts up.
- After a few seconds, Guided Setup starts.
Guided Setup
At this point, you should be seeing the Language screen.
- Only on models that have a Roku Voice remote: A few moments after the Let’s get started screen appears, Guided Setup starts the pairing process for the Roku Voice remote. (You’ll know if you have this type of remote because it has a VOICE or SEARCH button just below the purple directional pad.) If the Roku Voice remote does not pair automatically, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the pairing process.
Accessibility: On TVs sold in the United States, if you are blind or visually impaired, you can activate Audio Guide, a text-to-speech screen reader to help you navigate the TV’s menus and commands. To enable the Audio Guide, press STAR * four times in rapid succession. Repeat to disable Audio Guide. (STAR * is located directly below the purple directional pad on the right side of the Roku remote.)
If you enabled Audio Guide, choosing any language other than English disables it. - Press DOWN on the purple directional pad to highlight your preferred language, and then press OK.
- Some models have a country selection screen: If you don’t see this screen, skip ahead to the next step.
If you see this screen, select your country, and then press OK.
Accessibility: If you enabled Audio Guide, choosing any country other than United States disables it. - Press OK to select Set up for home use. This is the right choice for enjoying your TV at home. It provides energy saving options as well as access to all features of the TV.
Note: Set up for store use configures the TV for retail display and is not recommended for any other use. In store mode, some features of the TV are missing or limited. To switch from one mode to the other, you have to perform a factory reset as explained in Factory reset everything, and then repeat Guided Setup.
Network connection
After you select Set up for home use, the TV prompts you to make a network connection. If your TV has both wired and wireless connections, you’ll see the following screen. If your TV has only wireless connectivity, skip the following step. - Only on models that display the Connect to the Internet screen: Make a selection:
- Wireless connection – Highlight Set up new wireless connection and press OK. The TV prompts you through wireless setup. Skip ahead to the next step for help with the process.
- Wired connection – Highlight Connect to wired network and press OK. The TV immediately attempts to connect to your wired network, your local network, and then the Internet. Go to Step 9 to continue with Guided Setup.
- Connect to the Internet later – If you don’t want to connect to the Internet right now, you can select this option, and then press OK. You can still use the TV to watch live TV channels, and connect your devices to play games, watch DVDs, or watch channels from a cable box or another streaming device. When you’re ready to connect, it’s easy. We’ll show you how in Benefits of connecting.
Note: If you decide not to connect, Guided Setup skips ahead to setting up the devices that you’ve connected to your TV. Jump ahead to Connect your devices to complete Guided Setup.
- On models that have wireless only, and models with both wired and wireless when you’ve selected Wireless: The TV scans for the wireless networks within range and displays them in order, with the strongest signals first. In addition to your own wireless signal, the TV might pick up signals from your neighbors.
Press UP or DOWN to highlight the name of your wireless network, and then press OK to select it.
Note: Some networks, such as those often found in dorm rooms, hotels, and other public places, require you to read and agree to terms, enter a code, or provide identifying information before letting you connect to the Internet. If your TCL • Roku TV detects that you are connecting to such a network, it prompts you through the connection process using your smartphone or tablet to provide the needed information. For more information, see Using your TV in a hotel or dorm room.
Other options- Scan again / Scan again to see all networks – The name of this option depends on the number of wireless networks within range.
- Scan again appears if the list already shows all available wireless networks within range. If you don’t see your wireless network name in the list, you might need to adjust the location of your wireless router or the TV, turn on your router, or make other changes. When everything is ready, select Scan again to see if your network name now appears in the list.
- Scan again to see all networks appears if there are more wireless networks than the strongest ones it initially listed. If you don’t see your wireless network name in the list, this option displays the complete list. If you still don’t see your network name, you might have your router configured to provide wireless service as a “private network.”
Note: Highlighting either of these options displays an informational panel with the unique media access control (MAC) address of your TCL • Roku TV. You will need the MAC address if your wireless router is configured to use MAC address filtering.
- Private network – If your wireless network name is hidden, it won’t appear in the list. Select Private network and then press OK to display an on-screen keyboard. Use the keyboard to enter your network name. Unless you changed the factory-set network name, you can find the name (also called SSID) on a label on the router.
Tip: Wireless networks that are password-protected display a “padlock” icon adjacent to the name. This icon enables you to know that you are going to be prompted to enter a password after you select that network.
- Scan again / Scan again to see all networks – The name of this option depends on the number of wireless networks within range.
- Only if you select a password protected wireless network: An on-screen keyboard appears. Enter your wireless network password by using the purple directional pad to navigate the keyboard, and pressing OK to select a highlighted letter, number, or symbol. When you finish, press DOWN to select Connect, and then press OK.
After you select Connect, the TV displays progress messages as it connects to your wireless network, your local network, and the Internet. - Only if your TV cannot get the correct time zone and current time from your network service provider: The Choose your time zone screen appears. Press UP or DOWN to highlight your time zone, and then press OK.
Tips: Your TV needs to know the local time zone so that it can correctly display information about the program you are currently watching.
Your TV automatically checks for updates periodically. These updates provide new features and improve your overall experience with the TV. After an update, you might notice that some options have moved, and that there are new options or features. This User Guide describes version 10.0. To determine your current TCL • Roku TV software version, go to Settings > System > About after you complete Guided Setup. You can download an updated User Guide that matches your TCL • Roku TV software version from the TCL • Roku TV web site.
Activation
After the TV restarts, it prompts you through activation.
9. Use a computer, tablet, or smartphone with an Internet connection to link to a new or existing Roku account.
Note: Roku does not charge for activation support – beware of scams. For detailed information, see How do I protect myself from activation and technical support scams?
Connect your devices
Next, Guided Setup helps you set up the external devices that you want to use with it, such as a cable box, Blu-ray™ player, or game console.
10. Press OK to proceed:
11. Connect all the devices you plan to use with your TV, turn them all on, and then select Everything is plugged in and turned on. The TV now takes you step by step through each of its inputs and asks what kind of device you have connected. For each input that has a connected and active device, you can see its picture and hear its sound.
12. Press UP or DOWN to highlight the label you want to associate with the input, and then press OK. If you are not using the input, select Nothing, and the input won’t appear on the Home screen.
13. While setting up your devices, rather than using the predefined names and icons, you can set a custom name and icon. To do so, scroll up or down to highlight Set custom name & icon, and then press OK. Follow the instructions on the screen to enter a name and select an icon for the input. See Rename inputs for more information.
Note: If you specify a custom name for an input, voice commands will not reliably switch to that input. Voice commands typically can only switch among inputs that use built-in names, such as “AV,” and “Cable Box,” and “DVR.”
14. Repeat the previous step for each input.
You’re done with Guided Setup.
Note: Some TCL • Roku TVs, depending on where you live and other factors, show you an introductory video filled with some great hints and tips. If you’re not interested in viewing this video, press HOME on the remote to go to the TCL • Roku TV Home screen.
Whenever you press HOME , the Home screen greets you.
From here, you can explore everything your TV has to offer. Use the purple directional pad to move around, and then press OK to select a highlighted item. We’ve designed the TV to encourage you to explore, and you can probably figure out most of the capabilities and settings on your own. If you have any questions or difficulties, you can find answers and solutions in this guide.
The Home screen
The following illustrations show typical Home screens, which vary depending on location, connected mode, selected theme, number of TV inputs enabled, and streaming channels and apps added.
Note: A paid subscription or other payments may be required for some channel content. Channel availability is subject to change and varies by country. Not all content is available in countries or regions where Roku® products are sold.
Typical connected Home screen
- Home screen menu—shows options available to you when you are on the Home screen.
- Highlighted option—press OK to select.
- TV input tiles—select an input to watch the connected device.
- Streaming channel and app tiles—select a tile and press OK to go to the indicated streaming channel or application. You can add any number of channels from the Roku Channel Store.
- Direct access tiles – shortcuts to often used features.
- Options hint—press STAR * to see options when this symbol is present.
- Next screen hint—press RIGHT to see the next screen.
Typical non-connected Home screen
- Home screen menu—shows options available to you when you are on the Home screen.
- Highlighted option—press OK to select.
- TV input tiles—select an input and press OK to watch the connected device.
- Direct access tiles – shortcuts to often used features.
- Options hint—press STAR * for options when this symbol is present.
- Next screen hint—press RIGHT to see the next screen.
Personalize your Home screen
There are many things you can do to personalize your Home screen and make it just right for you and your family:
- Only in connected mode: Add streaming channels by using the Streaming Channels menu option or the Add Channels shortcut to browse the Roku Channel Store.
- Only in connected mode: Change the screen theme by going to Settings > Themes to find and pick one to suit your mood.
- Customize the Home screen. Hide or show the shortcut tiles that appear at the bottom of your Home screen grid. Only in connected mode, hide Featured Free or hide Movie Store and TV Store.
- Remove a tile by highlighting it and pressing STAR *. Then highlight Remove input or Remove channel and press OK.
- Move a tile by highlighting it and pressing STAR *. Then highlight Move input or Move channel and press OK. Use the purple directional pad to move the tile, and then press OK to lock it in its new location. Move the shortcut tiles within the shortcut area only. Shortcuts are designed to always appear at the very bottom of the grid, so you can access them quickly by pressing UP once when you’re at the top of the grid.
- Only on channels that you have subscribed through your linked Roku account, manage your subscriptions by highlighting a streaming channel tile and pressing STAR *. Then highlight Manage subscription and press OK. Select Cancel subscription and then follow the instructions to confirm your cancellation.
- Rename a TV input tile by highlighting it and pressing STAR *. Then highlight Rename input and press OK. Highlight a new name in the list, and then press OK to assign that name to the tile. Rather than using the predefined names and icons, you can set a custom name and icon. To do so, scroll up or down to highlight Set custom name & icon, and then press OK. Follow the instructions on the screen to enter a name and select an icon for the input.
Note: If you specify a custom name for an input, voice commands will not reliably switch to that input. Voice commands typically can only switch among inputs that use built-in names, such as “AV,” and “Cable Box,” and “DVR.
More Settings
Restart the TV
You can restart the TV when necessary. Restarting has the same effect as unplugging the TV power and then plugging it in again.
To restart the TV, navigate to Settings > System > Power, and then select System restart. Highlight Restart, and then press OK to confirm restart.
While the TV restarts, the screen goes dark for a few seconds, and then displays the startup screen for a few more seconds. When the restart operation completes, the TV displays the activity you selected in Power on settings.
Reset the TV
You can choose to reset only the TV picture and audio settings to their original values, or perform a full factory reset to return the TV to the state it was in when you first unpacked and turned it on.
Reset audio/video settings
To reset only the TV picture and audio settings to their original values, navigate to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset, and then highlight Reset TV audio/video settings. Read the information on the screen to make sure you understand what the reset operation does.
To proceed with the reset operation, press PLAY/PAUSE three times in a row.
Factory reset everything
A full factory reset returns the TV’s settings to their original state and removes all personally identifiable information from the TV. When finished, you must repeat Guided Setup, reconnecting to the Internet, re-linking your Roku account, and reloading any streaming channels. You also must repeat live TV setup and input configuration.
Factory reset is the recommended choice if you want to transfer the TV to another owner, and it is the only choice if you want to switch from Store mode to Home mode (if you inadvertently selected Store mode during Guided Setup).
To perform a factory reset, navigate to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset, and then highlight Factory reset everything. Read the information on the screen to make sure you understand what this reset operation does.
To proceed with the full factory reset, use the on-screen number pad to enter the code displayed on the screen, and then select OK to proceed.
When the factory reset operation completes, the TV restarts and displays the first Guided Setup screen.
What if I can’t access the Factory Reset option?
It is possible for your TV to get into a state where you cannot access the various menus, including the menu option that lets you perform a factory reset operation. If that happens, you can force the TV to reset by following these steps.
Models with a RESET button
- Using a straightened paper clip or ball-point pen, press and hold the recessed RESET button on the TV connector panel.
- Continue to hold the RESET button for approximately 12 seconds. When the reset cycle completes, the status indicator comes on dim.
- Release the RESET button. The TV is now powered off.
- Turn on the TV and proceed through Guided Setup. See Guided Setup.
Models without a RESET button
- On the TV panel (not the remote) press and hold down the MUTE and POWER buttons.
- Unplug the TV power, and then plug it in while continuing to hold down the MUTE and POWER buttons.
- When you see the startup screen appear on the TV, release the buttons.
- Turn on the TV and proceed through Guided Setup. See Guided Setup
Network connection reset
If you want to remove your network connection information without disturbing other settings, navigate from the Home screen menu to Settings > System > Advanced systems settings > Network connection reset, and then select Reset connection.
When you select this option, the TV removes your wireless network information, including the name of the connection (its SSID) and your wireless password, if any, and then it restarts.
After restarting, your TV retains all of its other settings including its association with your Roku account. After resetting your network connection, navigate from the Home screen menu to Settings > Network > Set up new connection to set up your network connection and enjoy all of the benefits of your connected TV.
Other devices
Mirror your phone or tablet
Only in connected mode, your TV has a feature called screen mirroring that lets you mirror your compatible smartphone or tablet on your TV. Share videos, photos, web pages, and more from compatible devices.
By default, your TV’s screen mirroring mode is set to Prompt. In this mode, when your TV receives a screen mirroring request, it prompts you with the following options, unless you have previously selected Always allow or Never allow for the device:
- Always accept – Always accept mirrored content from the mobile device without additional prompting in the future for this device.
- Accept – Accept mirrored content from the mobile device this time only. Prompt again next time this device attempts to mirror content.
- Ignore – Do not accept mirrored content from the mobile device at this time. Prompt again next time this device attempts to mirror content.
- Always ignore – Never accept mirrored content from this mobile device.
Note: You can manage and change the list of devices that are set to Always allow or Never allow by navigating from the Home screen menu to Settings > System > Screen mirroring > Screen mirroring devices.
- If you prefer to always allow all screen mirroring attempts without prompting, go to Settings > System > Screen mirroring, and then change the Screen mirroring mode to Always allow.
- If you prefer to never allow screen mirroring from any device, change the Screen mirroring mode to Never allow.
For information on which devices may work with screen mirroring and instructions on how to use it, go to the following link on the Roku web site: go.roku.com/screenmirroring
Roku mobile app
Roku makes the Roku mobile app free for compatible iOS® and Android™ mobile devices. The Roku mobile app is an alternative control center for your TCL • Roku TV, plus a way to stream Roku content while you are on the go.
The Roku mobile app helps you find and add new Roku Channels, more easily search and find something to watch and even use your voice to search without typing.
Find more information and get the Roku mobile app by using the following link to the Roku web site: go.roku.com/mobileapp
Private Listening on the Roku mobile app
Only on compatible Apple and Android devices, the Roku mobile app enables you to use headphones connected to your device to listen to streaming programs and live digital TV channels. Make sure you have the latest version of the Roku mobile app before using this feature.
For more information, go to the following link on the Roku web site: go.roku.com/privatelistening
Universal remotes
In many cases, you can program your cable or satellite universal remote to also control your TV. You will need to have instructions for programming the remote handy. Check with your cable or satellite provider for instructions.
For details on how to set up the TV to work with universal remotes, go to the following link on the Roku web site: go.roku.com/universalremote
See other models: 50S431 55S431 5102 TDW40E20 TDW20E20