"Can you watch iTunes on Roku?" Probably not. Why? Roku is a streaming media player, which is commonly used to connect with TV sets or other video display devices for streaming entertainment to TV. With Roku, you can enjoy paid and free content online from Netflix, Hulu Plus, etc. on your TV.
However, it doesn't support streaming iTunes movies and TV shows. Why and how to stream iTunes to Roku for playback on smart TVs? In this article, we will show you the complete steps to watch iTunes movies on Roku, including all purchased and rented movies, TV shows.

- Part 1. iTunes on Roku - Best Tool You'll Need
- Part 2. How to Convert iTunes to Roku
- Part 3. How to Play iTunes Movies on Roku
- Extra Tips: More about Roku Streaming Players
Part 1. iTunes on Roku - Best iTunes to Roku Converter You'll Need
Why Roku doesn't support to stream iTunes videos? The reason is that Apple applies DRM technology to protect the media items sold in iTunes Store. Thus, only Apple's iOS devices and Apple TV are allowed to play those DRM-protected files.
So how to make iTunes movies compatible with Roku media player? What we need is to find out a solution to get rid of the DRM lock from iTunes movies and TV shows.
Here we meet DRmare iTunes M4V Converter. It is an all-around iTunes DRM removal tool that can losslessly remove DRM protection from rented and purchased iTunes videos. And then you can play iTunes on Roku directly.
Besides, as Roku only supports playing media files with H.264/AVC (.MKV, .MP4, .MOV) formats, you can also use this program to convert iTunes movies to Roku compatible files, like MP4, MOV, as well as other common video formats.
With the help of this professional iTunes to Roku converter, it makes 'iTunes on Roku' possible with ease.
Key Features of DRmare iTunes M4V Converter
Part 2. How to Convert iTunes for Roku
The following part is about how to remove iTunes DRM and convert iTunes movies/TV series to Roku compatible MP4 format using DRmare M4V Converter for Windows.
Now let's get started. Before that, please download and install the free trial version of this smart iTunes video converter on your computer first and then follow the steps below.
- Step 1Add iTunes Movies/TV Shows to DRmare
- After launching DRmare iTunes to Roku Converter, you can drag the files from iTunes library folder to the program. Or add the iTunes videos by clicking "Add" button within the conversion window.
- Step 2Choose output format
- To play iTunes movies on Roku, you can simply click the 'Format' bar and choose "Lossless MP4" from the profile list. As the name suggests, it will losslessly retain the original quality of the iTunes movies and TV shows, including the AC3 5.1 surround sound, AAC, CC, AC, etc.
- Step 3Convert iTunes for Roku
- When everything is done, simply click the 'Convert' button to start converting your iTunes to Roku supported MP4 format. Once converted, you can click the history panel to locate those well converted DRM-free iTunes videos and then watch iTunes on Roku.
Part 3. How to Watch iTunes on Roku - Three Methods
Now it's your time to stream converted iTunes files to TV via Roku. Please check the steps below to start.
Method 1. Stream iTunes to Roku via iOS devices
Step 1. Sync iTunes movies to iOS device first.
Step 2. Download Roku player app from Apple Store and install it on your iOS device.
Step 3. Connect your iOS device to the same network with your Roku player.
Step 4. Begin to stream the iTunes movies without DRM directly via Roku player app.
Method 2. Play iTunes Movies on Roku on Mac
Step 1. Install Plex Media Server on your Mac computer. Once the Plex Server is installed successfully, it will detect all the movies, TV shows on your Mac.
Step 2. Download and install Plex Channel on your Roku account.
Step 3. Configure the Plex Server on Roku and then you can better watch iTunes movies on Roku as you want.
Method 3. Watch iTunes on Roku through USB Drive
If your Roku device have a USB port, then you could get iTunes for Roku and watch them via the USB drive. Now check the steps below to begin.
Step 1. Copy and paste the converted iTunes movies to USB drive from your computer.
Step 2. Install the Roku Media Player channel via the Channel Store on your Roku or via Roku's website.
Step 3. Launch Roku Media Player channel and choose 'Video'.
Step 4. Connect the USB drive to Roku's USB port and then select the USB drive that is attached to Roku.
Step 5. Go to the folder contains the converted iTunes movies and hit 'OK' to open the folder.
Step 6. Choose the video to watch and touch on 'Play' on the remote. Then you can watch iTunes movies on Roku successfully.
- Video Tutorial: How to Stream iTunes to Roku on Phones
- The following is the complete video tutorial to show you the whole steps to stream and watch iTunes on Roku media player from a phone. No need the Roku iTunes app.
Part 4. More about Roku Media Streamer
The Roku Streaming Player, or simply Roku, is a series of digital media player set-top boxes manufactured by Roku Inc. A Roku streaming device gets data (the video stream) via a wired or Wi-Fi connection to an Internet router.
Then it can be connected to any television set (or other video display device) with appropriate input connections. You can stream content from Amazon Video, BBC iPlayer, Google Play Movies & TV, HBO Go, Hulu, Netflix, and other online media streaming services.
Roku has 10 million active users between its streaming players and smart TVs. And they've already streamed 4 billion hours of video and music this year. The current offering of Roku streaming devices is split into 10 products, including the Roku Streaming Stick, Roku 1, 2, 3, 4, Roku Express/Express+, Roku Premiere/Premiere+, and Roku Ultra.
For more details and differences between those Roku products, you can refer to the following comparison list.
Roku Streaming Stick | Roku 1 | Roku 2 | Roku 3 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Description | Tiny stick. Big entertainment. | Works with virtually any TV. | Private listening headphone jack. | Fully loaded and lightning fast. |
TV compatibility | HDTVs only | Virtually any TV | Virtually any TV | HDTVs only |
Entertainment channels | 3000+ | 3000+ | 3000+ | 3000+ |
Built-in wireless | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Dual-band wireless | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Channel shortcut buttons | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Remote with headphone jack | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Cast to TV direct from apps | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Motion control for games | No | No | No | Yes |
Ethernet, USB & micro SD slot | No | No | No | Yes |
Price | $49.99 | $34.99 | $80.00 | $149.00 |
Roku Express | Roku Express+ | Roku Premiere | Roku Premiere+ | Roku Ultra | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $24.99 | $35.00 | $34.99 | $49.00 | $99.99 |
Video resolution | Up to 720p | Up to 1080p | Up to 4K | Up to 4K | Up to 4K |
Digital surround sound | Dolby | Dolby | Dolby | Dolby | Dolby |
Night listening mode | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Remote control | IR | IR | IR | RF | RF |
Remote with headphone jack | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
micro SD slot | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
USB port | No | No | No | No | Yes |
Ethernet | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
User Comments
Leave a Comment