Is Roku box or Roku TV redundant if you connect TV to your PC by HDMI cable?

[conceptualclari]

I'm about to buy my first smart TV, and I'm considering a TCL Roku TV. I haven't done streaming. This is all virgin territory for me.

I know getting an HDMI cable to connect computer and PC is very cheap. Does that give me all I would get with a Roku box or a Roku TV?

I was comparing a TCL Roku TV to a Hisense TV. The Hisense had a web browser, but the Roku TCL didn't. Does that make a meaningful difference?

 

[Oyeve]

I just bought a TCL Roku last night. After all the setting up and stuff I realized I would now never need my chromecast for anything nor use any of my game consoles or PC for any streaming. I also installed the app on my note 8 and can even play videos from my SD card or display pics directly from my phone. And the TV was only $419 for 55" at costco. 2 year warranty plus an extra 3 years from costos $29 extended warranty. Its not the greatest display I guess but for all the apps you can install on it and the HDR10 capabilities I figured you can't beat it. If I want to browse I could use my PC on the TV.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I know getting an HDMI cable to connect computer and PC is very cheap. Does that give me all I would get with a Roku box or a Roku TV?

Pretty much, if you are happy with streaming on your PC.

Having a low-power and silent Roku box (or built in to the TV) is nice. So is having a remote if you haven't already added one to your PC and figured out how to get it to talk to all of your PC apps.

 

[destrekor]

What it comes down to most is power consumption - streaming boxes will use hardly anything, less than a typical LED light bulb (A19-type). A computer is going to use more, much more. You're typically lucky to get under 50W for any decent HTPC unless you go with all low-power stuff.

Something you may or may not notice is also surround sound from the PC - many of the web streaming platforms do not provide 5.1 audio through a browser. If you are just using the speakers on a TV, that is unlikely a concern, but something to keep in mind down the road so you aren't left pulling out your hair trying to figure out the problem.