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CNET
3 days ago
- Business
- CNET
This Small Soundbar Sounds Better Than You'd Think, and It's Nearly 30% Off
I tested Roku's Streambar SE late last year and wrote about my impressions of it, but when it got a nice discount for Amazon's Memorial Day Sale, I thought I'd highlight it again. I've tested plenty of Roku's video streamers over the years, but until last year, I hadn't tried out one of its Streambars, which combines a small soundbar with Roku's entry-level 4K HDR streamer. Roku stopped making its top-end Streambar Pro speaker, but it's now selling the Streambar SE, a 2024 mini soundbar that caught my eye because of its low price. It's currently only $73, or 27% off, at Amazon. When I say mini soundbar, I really do mean mini. About the size of a small Bluetooth speaker, the Streambar SE measures 9.6 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep by 2.4 inches tall and weighs 2 pounds (907 grams). It's designed to be paired with a smaller TV in your bedroom, home office or dorm room, and not your main living room TV (unless you have a tiny living room). I hooked it up to an old 42-inch Vizio I have in my home office, and it's been a solid upgrade over my TV's built-in speakers. Roku Streambar SE specs Here are the details about this compact soundbar. Streaming Resolution: 4K HDR/HDR10+ 4K HDR/HDR10+ Drivers : Two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a single bass port : Two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a single bass port Compatibility : Works with any TV with HDMI-ARC or HDMI and optical ports : Works with any TV with HDMI-ARC or HDMI and optical ports Dimensions: 9.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches 9.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches Weight: 2 pounds (907 grams) 2 pounds (907 grams) Included: Standard Roku remote and 2 AAA batteries, power adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, optical cable Standard Roku remote and 2 AAA batteries, power adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, optical cable Wireless headphone support : Bluetooth 5.0 : Bluetooth 5.0 Expandability : Can connect to a Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer for a 2.1 setup : Can connect to a Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer for a 2.1 setup Additional features : Works with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa : Works with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa Universal remote: Included Roku remote controls most TVs My Roku Streambar SE setup Setup is straightforward: It's basically the same process as connecting any video streamer to your TV, although it helps to have an HDMI-ARC port to simplify things. (Most TVs released in the last 10 to 12 years have one HDMI port that's labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC.) If you don't have ARC, there's a workaround using an HDMI cable and an optical cable, but I didn't have to deal with that. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The Roku Streambar SE is the size of a compact Bluetooth speaker — and it does have Bluetooth connectivity. David Carnoy/CNET An upgrade over my TV speakers' sound I have Spectrum TV, and Roku has a Spectrum TV app that allows you to turn any Roku streamer into a cable TV box. For my listening test, I spent some time watching a few action movies, including Ant-Man and Nope, along with NFL Redzone, CNN and a bit of a Friends episode. I also used Roku's Apple TV app and Peacock to watch an English Premier League match. Maybe because my expectations were low, I was surprised by the amount of sound this little speaker was able to produce. While the Streambar SE doesn't offer the greatest sound -- it can output only so much bass through its dual 1.9-inch full-range drivers and single bass port -- the speaker produces better audio than you'd think given its very compact size. It's particularly strong in the midrange, producing loud, clear dialogue, and it delivers better sound than what you get from most TV speakers (by that I mean the speakers built into your TV). If you want more bass, you can link the speaker with Roku's Wireless Bass subwoofer, but that separate sub will set you back $130. I can't say that the Streambar SE has the widest soundstage or that you get a whole lot of stereo separation. It doesn't have the side-firing speakers of the step-up Streambar ($130), which earned a CNET Editors' Choice award in 2023, nor can you pair it with Roku's wireless rear speakers to create a surround system. But the quality is good enough to leave you feeling like you got a good deal, particularly if you were already going to shell out $30 or so for Roku's Express 4K Plus or Streaming Stick 4K. Enlarge Image The Roku Streambar is significantly smaller than a full-size soundbar like this Sonos Beam. David Carnoy/CNET As far as sound modes go, you get a few presets to choose from, including Dialogue, Movie, Music, Night and Standard, and the speaker will cut the volume down on loud commercials. The soundbar is also equipped with Bluetooth, so you can connect headphones to it, plus Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay support. Read more: Best Soundbar of 2025: Top Picks From Roku, Yamaha and More I should note that the bundled remote is Roku's more basic remote and not its step-up voice remote that lets you issue voice commands and voice search. However, you can download Roku's mobile app for iOS and Android, which does support voice commands. The back of the speaker (bass port on left). David Carnoy/CNET The Streambar SE offers 4K HDR10 and HDR10 Plus video streaming, but it doesn't have support for Dolby Vision. My old Vizio isn't even a 4K TV, so the Streambar SE's video streaming capabilities are more than enough. Why Roku's Streambar SE makes a great gift While Roku's step-up Streambar ($130) certainly delivers better sound quality, the Streambar SE's more compact size and affordable price give it a distinct appeal, particularly for those of us looking to upgrade the sound of a more modest-size TV, perhaps an older model like mine. The Streambar SE isn't fancy, but the price is right for what it does. For more gift ideas, here are 39 unique gifts for people who have everything. We've also put together our editors' picks for the best gifts for Father's Day and the best gifts for grads.
CNET
6 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Post Memorial Day Deal: This Small Soundbar Sounds Better Than You'd Think, and It's Nearly 30% Off
I tested Roku's Streambar SE late last year and wrote about my impressions of it, but when it got a nice discount for Amazon's Memorial Day Sale, I thought I'd highlight it again. I've tested plenty of Roku's video streamers over the years, but until last year, I hadn't tried out one of its Streambars, which combines a small soundbar with Roku's entry-level 4K HDR streamer. Roku stopped making its top-end Streambar Pro speaker, but it's now selling the Streambar SE, a 2024 mini soundbar that caught my eye because of its low price. It's currently only $73, or 27% off, at Amazon. It's somehow kept its Memorial Day discount, but it probably won't last for long. When I say mini soundbar, I really do mean mini. About the size of a small Bluetooth speaker, the Streambar SE measures 9.6 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep by 2.4 inches tall and weighs 2 pounds (907 grams). It's designed to be paired with a smaller TV in your bedroom, home office or dorm room, and not your main living room TV (unless you have a tiny living room). I hooked it up to an old 42-inch Vizio I have in my home office, and it's been a solid upgrade over my TV's built-in speakers. Roku Streambar SE specs Here are the details about this compact soundbar. Streaming Resolution: 4K HDR/HDR10+ 4K HDR/HDR10+ Drivers : Two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a single bass port : Two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a single bass port Compatibility : Works with any TV with HDMI-ARC or HDMI and optical ports : Works with any TV with HDMI-ARC or HDMI and optical ports Dimensions: 9.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches 9.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches Weight: 2 pounds (907 grams) 2 pounds (907 grams) Included: Standard Roku remote and 2 AAA batteries, power adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, optical cable Standard Roku remote and 2 AAA batteries, power adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, optical cable Wireless headphone support : Bluetooth 5.0 : Bluetooth 5.0 Expandability : Can connect to a Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer for a 2.1 setup : Can connect to a Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer for a 2.1 setup Additional features : Works with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa : Works with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa Universal remote: Included Roku remote controls most TVs My Roku Streambar SE setup Setup is straightforward: It's basically the same process as connecting any video streamer to your TV, although it helps to have an HDMI-ARC port to simplify things. (Most TVs released in the last 10 to 12 years have one HDMI port that's labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC.) If you don't have ARC, there's a workaround using an HDMI cable and an optical cable, but I didn't have to deal with that. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The Roku Streambar SE is the size of a compact Bluetooth speaker — and it does have Bluetooth connectivity. David Carnoy/CNET An upgrade over my TV speakers' sound I have Spectrum TV, and Roku has a Spectrum TV app that allows you to turn any Roku streamer into a cable TV box. For my listening test, I spent some time watching a few action movies, including Ant-Man and Nope, along with NFL Redzone, CNN and a bit of a Friends episode. I also used Roku's Apple TV app and Peacock to watch an English Premier League match. Maybe because my expectations were low, I was surprised by the amount of sound this little speaker was able to produce. While the Streambar SE doesn't offer the greatest sound -- it can output only so much bass through its dual 1.9-inch full-range drivers and single bass port -- the speaker produces better audio than you'd think given its very compact size. It's particularly strong in the midrange, producing loud, clear dialogue, and it delivers better sound than what you get from most TV speakers (by that I mean the speakers built into your TV). If you want more bass, you can link the speaker with Roku's Wireless Bass subwoofer, but that separate sub will set you back $130. I can't say that the Streambar SE has the widest soundstage or that you get a whole lot of stereo separation. It doesn't have the side-firing speakers of the step-up Streambar ($130), which earned a CNET Editors' Choice award in 2023, nor can you pair it with Roku's wireless rear speakers to create a surround system. But the quality is good enough to leave you feeling like you got a good deal, particularly if you were already going to shell out $30 or so for Roku's Express 4K Plus or Streaming Stick 4K. Enlarge Image The Roku Streambar is significantly smaller than a full-size soundbar like this Sonos Beam. David Carnoy/CNET As far as sound modes go, you get a few presets to choose from, including Dialogue, Movie, Music, Night and Standard, and the speaker will cut the volume down on loud commercials. The soundbar is also equipped with Bluetooth, so you can connect headphones to it, plus Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay support. Read more: Best Soundbar of 2025: Top Picks From Roku, Yamaha and More I should note that the bundled remote is Roku's more basic remote and not its step-up voice remote that lets you issue voice commands and voice search. However, you can download Roku's mobile app for iOS and Android, which does support voice commands. The back of the speaker (bass port on left). David Carnoy/CNET The Streambar SE offers 4K HDR10 and HDR10 Plus video streaming, but it doesn't have support for Dolby Vision. My old Vizio isn't even a 4K TV, so the Streambar SE's video streaming capabilities are more than enough. Why Roku's Streambar SE makes a great gift While Roku's step-up Streambar ($130) certainly delivers better sound quality, the Streambar SE's more compact size and affordable price give it a distinct appeal, particularly for those of us looking to upgrade the sound of a more modest-size TV, perhaps an older model like mine. The Streambar SE isn't fancy, but the price is right for what it does. For more gift ideas, here are 39 unique gifts for people who have everything. And if you're looking for deals on the cheap, don't miss the best Memorial Day deals still going on for under $25.
Tom's Guide
26-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
6 tips and tricks to make your Vizio TV even better
Vizio TVs are some of the sleekest value picks on the market and are packed with tons of features for HDR movie nights and gaming. But even some of the best Vizio TVs can be made better using a variety of tips and tricks to improve the picture, controls, and so much more. SmartCast, Vizio's user interface, is where all the magic happens. There's a lot you can do with SmartCast beyond simply searching up content and opening streaming apps. With the right settings enabled, you can easily turn on your TV when casting content and control your TV with your voice. So, let's get into it. Follow these several settings to get the most out of SmartCast and streamline your Vizio TV experience. Your home screen is where all your favorite content lives. It's where you'll find all of the best streaming services, but it's not always set up to your liking right out of the gate. That's why I tend to recommend changing the home screen up to better suit the content you watch on a daily basis. To customize the home screen on your Vizio TV, head to the App store and select Home screen apps. From here you can not only rearrange the order of the apps to your needs, or delete apps that you don't want on the home screen. This should make it far easier for you to get to the platforms you enjoy the most and lets you limit all the extra apps that might clog up the starting carousel. ACR, or automatic content recognition, is a new feature cropping on several smart TVs that's a huge privacy risk. It essentially reads and records the content you watch on a daily basis to better understand your viewing habits and serve up ads that aligns with your interests. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. It's a nasty play to boost ad spend and target users for even more revenue by selling user data to third parties, main among them major advertisers. That's why it's a good idea to ensure you turn this setting off immediately after buying a new TV as it sets a terrible precedent for content privacy. To turn it off, head to settings -> System -> Reset & Admin -> Viewing Data, then turn this off. It might be slightly different dependent on what specific Vizio TV or SmartCast software you're running, but you'll most often find it in "Data" or "Privacy" sections. While this won't thoroughly protect you from all the ways Vizio and others can target you specific ads, it will limit their reach in understanding the type of content you enjoy. Just look at how LG TVs are about to show you ads based on your emotions to see even more ways companies are set to abuse targeted ads. Your TV remote is disgusting, so why not switch it for simply using your voice instead? I've lost count of how many times I've lost the remote and simply resorted to using voice controls to do all the heavy lifting. Luckily, it's super easy to enable on the Vizio SmartCast platform. Simply head to Settings --> Extras and look for "Smart Home Settings." This will let you set up all of the neat voice-enabled controls to make navigation and opening an apps an absolute breeze on your smart TV. What's even better is that you can even use your Vizio TV to control all of your smart home products around the house. This will work primarily with SmartCast or Google Home supported devices, but gives your Vizio TV an extra leg up in the modern era. If you're not one to use voice controls but still want a second option to use your Vizio TV beyond its included remote, the SmartCast app is a worthy pick. It's similar to Samsung's SmartThings app, allowing you to control your TV in a variety of ways. Do note that it has a different name for Android devices on the Google Play store, called Vizio WatchFree+. It's essentially the same thing on iOS, but also gives you access to free channels that you can watch anywhere on-the-go, which isn't bad to have if you're looking to kill some time. If you have a supported soundbar, particularly a Vizio one, you could also control that device along with the TV through the SmartCast app. You'll even have some Chromecast functionality, making it far easier to cast content to the screen. Although Vizio models aren't often found among the best gaming TVs, that doesn't mean we can't tweak them to give them some better picture performance. If you head to the picture settings, you'll find an option dedicated to "Game," and from there we can make some minor adjustments. For starters, you'll want to make sure ALLM and VRR are both set to on if not already. Some Vizio TVs will even come with an "HDMI 2.1 mode," which is adequate more for both modern consoles and some of the best gaming PCs. You might even also have to enable "Game HDR" in the advanced picture settings, but some consoles (namely the PS5) might look slightly better without it. And, while the "Game" picture setting does often net you good-enough quality for gaming, I'd also recommend switching to "Vibrant" for slightly better colors. (Though, we often avoid this setting for shows and movies, as it tends to over-saturate the image). No one likes waiting to enjoy they love to watch. If you're like me and a bit impatient when it comes to jumping right into that new episode or movie release, you'll want to enable Quick Start within the Power settings on your Vizio TV. As the name implies, this essentially makes the TV boot up faster. You'll dive into the home screen quicker and you can even customize which HDMI port or menu to prioritize when the Vizio TV powers on. Another awesome feature this enables is automatic power-on when costing content from a mobile device to the screen. This makes it so much easier and faster to enjoy the content you love and you don't even need a remote. With a faster boot time, quicker access to your favorite apps and voice control through your choice of smart home device, you should be able to get to the content you want to watch faster than ever before.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How you can watch free movies and entertainment this Memorial Day
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – This Memorial Day, you can entertain your family for free. We spoke with a representative from Vizio, who revealed that you might have been overlooking a free streaming option that has been available to you all you own a Vizio smart TV, you're in luck! WatchFree+ is a digital streaming app accessible directly from your home screen and completely free. 'There are very few things in this world that are truly free, and this is one of them,' said Chris Woolsey, Associate Director of Communications at Vizio. 'All you have to do is click on the WatchFree+ icon and you're off to the races.' The app has thousands of movies and television shows, all accessible from home, and is updated monthly with a new selection of fan-favorite entertainment and holiday-themed content. From kids shows to classics, there is a little something for everyone. The Even 50 Cent got in on the action. Through a recent partnership with Lionsgate, he launched 50 Cent Action, a channel dedicated to delivering action-packed movies and television series, including his hit show, Power. Now, the channel is available on WatchFree+ as well. '50 Cent just announced the 50 Cent Action Channel on WatchFree+, and we could not be more excited,' Woolsey said. 'His fans will have free access to an incredible lineup of up to a thousand movies, all handpicked by 50 himself.' 50 Cent takes top spot exactly as he predicted, teases upcoming projects after streaming channel success If you do not have a Vizio TV, you can still enjoy the free selection of shows and all it has to offer right from your mobile device. All you have to do is go to your app store and download the WatchFreePlus+ app. The app is 100% free all year long, so whether entertaining your family this holiday or snuggling in bed after a long day of work next week, WatchFreePlus+ has you covered. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNET
22-05-2025
- CNET
This Compact Soundbar Sounds Better Than I Ever Thought It Would, and It's Nearly 30% Off Right Now
I tested Roku's Streambar SE late last year and and wrote about my impressions of it, but now that it's seeing a nice discount for Amazon's Memorial Day Sale, I thought I'd highlight it again. I've tested plenty of Roku's video streamers over the years, but until last year, I hadn't tried out one of its Streambars, which combines a small soundbar with Roku's entry-level 4K HDR streamer. Roku stopped making its top-end Streambar Pro speaker, but it's now selling the Streambar SE, a 2024 mini soundbar that caught my eye because of its low price. It's currently only $73 at Amazon for Memorial Day, or 27% off. That's almost double the discount we saw during Amazon's Big Spring sale. When I say mini soundbar, I really do mean mini. About the size of a small Bluetooth speaker, the Streambar SE measures 9.6 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep by 2.4 inches tall and weighs 2 pounds (907 grams). It's designed to be paired with a smaller TV in your bedroom, home office or dorm room, and not your main living room TV (unless you have a tiny living room). I hooked it up to an old 42-inch Vizio I have in my home office, and it's been a solid upgrade over my TV's built-in speakers. Roku Streambar SE specs Here are the details about this compact soundbar. Streaming Resolution: 4K HDR/HDR10+ 4K HDR/HDR10+ Drivers : Two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a single bass port : Two 1.9-inch full-range drivers and a single bass port Compatibility : Works with any TV with HDMI-ARC or HDMI and optical ports : Works with any TV with HDMI-ARC or HDMI and optical ports Dimensions: 9.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches 9.6 inches by 3.5 inches by 2.4 inches Weight: 2 pounds (907 grams) 2 pounds (907 grams) Included: Standard Roku remote and 2 AAA batteries, power adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, optical cable Standard Roku remote and 2 AAA batteries, power adapter, high-speed HDMI cable, optical cable Wireless headphone support : Bluetooth 5.0 : Bluetooth 5.0 Expandability : Can connect to a Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer for a 2.1 setup : Can connect to a Roku Wireless Bass subwoofer for a 2.1 setup Additional features : Works with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa : Works with Roku Smart Home, Apple AirPlay, HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa Universal remote: Included Roku remote controls most TVs My Roku Streambar SE setup Setup is straightforward: It's basically the same process as connecting any video streamer to your TV, although it helps to have an HDMI-ARC port to simplify things. (Most TVs released in the last 10 to 12 years have one HDMI port that's labeled HDMI ARC or HDMI eARC.) If you don't have ARC, there's a workaround using an HDMI cable and an optical cable, but I didn't have to deal with that. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The Roku Streambar SE is the size of a compact Bluetooth speaker — and it does have Bluetooth connectivity. David Carnoy/CNET An upgrade over my TV speakers' sound I have Spectrum TV, and Roku has a Spectrum TV app that allows you to turn any Roku streamer into a cable TV box. For my listening test, I spent some time watching a few action movies, including Ant-Man and Nope, along with NFL Redzone, CNN and a bit of a Friends episode. I also used Roku's Apple TV app and Peacock to watch an English Premier League match. Maybe because my expectations were low, I was surprised by the amount of sound this little speaker was able to produce. While the Streambar SE doesn't offer the greatest sound -- it can output only so much bass through its dual 1.9-inch full-range drivers and single bass port -- the speaker produces better audio than you'd think given its very compact size. It's particularly strong in the midrange, producing loud, clear dialogue, and it delivers better sound than what you get from most TV speakers (by that I mean the speakers built into your TV). If you want more bass, you can link the speaker with Roku's Wireless Bass subwoofer, but that separate sub will set you back $130. I can't say that the Streambar SE has the widest soundstage or that you get a whole lot of stereo separation. It doesn't have the side-firing speakers of the step-up Streambar ($130), which earned a CNET Editors' Choice award in 2023, nor can you pair it with Roku's wireless rear speakers to create a surround system. But the quality is good enough to leave you feeling like you got a good deal, particularly if you were already going to shell out $30 or so for Roku's Express 4K Plus or Streaming Stick 4K. Enlarge Image The Roku Streambar is significantly smaller than a full-size soundbar like this Sonos Beam. David Carnoy/CNET As far as sound modes go, you get a few presets to choose from, including Dialogue, Movie, Music, Night and Standard, and the speaker will cut the volume down on loud commercials. The soundbar is also equipped with Bluetooth, so you can connect headphones to it, plus Spotify Connect and Apple AirPlay support. Read more: Best Soundbar of 2025: Top Picks From Roku, Yamaha and More I should note that the bundled remote is Roku's more basic remote and not its step-up voice remote that lets you issue voice commands and voice search. However, you can download Roku's mobile app for iOS and Android, which does support voice commands. The back of the speaker (bass port on left). David Carnoy/CNET The Streambar SE offers 4K HDR10 and HDR10 Plus video streaming, but it doesn't have support for Dolby Vision. My old Vizio isn't even a 4K TV, so the Streambar SE's video streaming capabilities are more than enough. Why Roku's Streambar SE makes a great gift While Roku's step-up Streambar ($130) certainly delivers better sound quality, the Streambar SE's more compact size and affordable price tag gives it a distinct appeal, particularly for those of us looking to upgrade the sound of a more modest-size TV, perhaps an older model like mine. The Streambar SE isn't fancy, but the price is right for what it does. For more gift ideas, here are 39 unique gifts for people who have everything. And if you're looking for deals on the cheap, don't miss the best Memorial Day deals under $25.
