How can we test Roku application

Question

I'm new to Roku development (in R&D phase actually). I read that we can't test Roku app on simulator and need real device. If we develop an application, how will we test it?

I checked Roku developer site and different links on internet, but could not find anything that answers my questions

As per my info, Roku sells 5 devices so:

• Can we do one app that supports all 5 devices?
• Do we need assets in multiple resolutions?
• Do I need to buy all devices?

Answer 1

Can we do one app that supports all 5 devices?

Yes. Roku is trying hard to keep their platform coherent, though there are performance issues between the OpenGL and non-OpenGL devices. The "legacy" models (<2222) are no more supported, the firmware is kept current for the others.

Do we need assets in multiple resolutions?

Theoretically yes, practically - not really. You can make-do with assets in only one resolution, if you RTFM and pre-plan carefully. You'll need 3 sizes of app icon, no sweat. For the real UI though, you can either do HD (720) or FHD (1080) and leave it scale accordingly - the thing is TV is very forgiving to scaling graphics because of 10ft watching distance (60" 1080p screen is "Retina" beyond 8ft). Can largely snub SD.

Do I need to buy all devices?

No. And there are much more than 5 devices that are in use - see https://forums.roku.com/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=86471&start=15#p536994 for some statistics (RokuCo does not publish statistics, so that's about the best info available). If you buy only 2 devices, i'll say get

1. a #42xx (Roku 3 or current Roku 2) as reference model with OpenGL
2. a #27xx (Roku 1 or SE) or #5xxx RokuTV as reference for "slower", non-OGLES

As 3rd model i'll say the "new HDMI stick" #3600. You can get that one as the only device, its performance is somewhere between (1) and (2) above... but i don't think developing with only 1 device is a good idea.

One thing you may not have noticed is that there are also these "Roku TV" things under Hisense/TCL/Sharp/Insignia brands, models #5xxx. These are proper TVs with proper Roku smarts - meaning can run your Roku app. And one can be had for as little as... (skimming BestBuy web) $130-150 for 24-32" screen.

And i haven't even mentioned the 4k/HDR craze here, nor the new 37xx/46xx models that will be out for the holiday season (i only expect minor, evolutionary changes there).