How does Roku work?

A lot of the cable providers have an app, so just search for the app, download it, and log in with your credentials.

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I'm a major tech newb

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well there is a tech board.

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I called the cable company to run a cable to the room they told me it's way easier and cheaper to just get a Roku or Firestick.

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I highly doubt the the money hungry cable company turned down the opportunity to charge you out the arse to run coax to your new room.

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So I got a Roku and hooked it up. Can I just watch any of these channels for free? Am I supposed to connect it to my cable with an App or something? What am I doing?

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are you dumb?

For Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu etc. you need an account with those services. For traditional TV channels, whether it's broadcast channels or ESPN or Disney or HBO etc. you need your TV subscription information.

So it goes like this:

1. Connect your Roku/Firestick to your internet connection
2. Use the Roku/Firestick to download the channels or services you want to watch
3. Use your login credentials to access content on those channels i.e. you will be asked to login with email and password to your Netflix account, or provide your cable TV credentials to access the online offerings of your various cable channels

You can install all of the apps for free but some require a paid service (some are free). It sounds like your cable company has a streaming app. You'll be using internet data vs the cable connection to use it though.

Yeah, I couldn't work in IT tech help.

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This is why the cable companies are failing.

Tell them to get their lazy fricking asses out there and run a cable.

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I mean I agree with you they suck, but they aren't wrong. Easier and cheaper for him to just do the roku instead of getting another cable box in the house. As much as they suck, they gave him the right information. Considering all they'd be doing was pay a contractor to go do it anyways.

so let me see if I understand this Roku thing. I have a cabin in NC. Was going to hook-up Direct TV like all the neighbors, but was not thrilled with paying for tv service that I will not use 45 weeks out of the year. So with Roku I can have my Xfinity in NC (assuming my wifi signal is strong enough), plus Netflix, Amazon Prime ?

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So with Roku I can have my Xfinity in NC (assuming my wifi signal is strong enough), plus Netflix, Amazon Prime ?

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I don't know about the Xfinity part. If they allow you to watch live TV on your phone and whatnot then probably so. But to the other stuff, yes. As long as you have internet and subscriptions to all those services you can hook up the Roku to any internet service + TV and watch your stuff. For a cabin, that sounds like the ideal solution since you're likely not going to be watching TV all day. Also when you go to the cabin you can always get Sling TV which streams live TV over the internet. Get it for a month for like $20, then cancel when you head home.