HARRISON, NY (January 28, 2026) - URC announced the release of Roku Integration 3.0 for its Total Control system. This release marks the third major generation of URC’s integration with Roku and reflects more than a decade of continuous development, field use, and dealer feedback.
Roku Integration 3.0 delivers faster response, richer two-way feedback, and a more refined user experience across touchscreens, remotes, keypads, and mobile apps. The integration aligns Roku control with URC’s Total Control, allowing streaming media to behave as a fully integrated system component rather than a standalone device.
The update is available through a URC software release and supports both new installations and existing Total Control systems.
A Decade of Roku Integration at URC
URC first introduced Roku integration in 2014, recognizing early that streaming media would become central to the modern home.
Roku Integration 1.0 (2014–2020)
Roku Integration 1.0 established foundational control between Roku devices and URC systems. It supported basic navigation, transport commands, and discrete channel launching. Integrators relied on a mix of IR and early IP methods to deliver dependable control.
From 2014 through 2020, Integration 1.0 saw broad deployment across residential projects. It proved reliable for single-room systems but required additional programming effort for larger, multi-room installations. Device feedback was limited, and Roku operated largely outside broader automation logic.
Integration 1.0 validated demand and shaped early workflows. It also exposed the need for tighter system awareness as streaming usage expanded.
Roku Integration 2.0 (2020 - 2025)
In 2020, URC released Roku Integration 2.0, moving fully to IP-based communication. This generation improved speed, reliability, and compatibility with newer Roku players and Roku TVs.
Integration 2.0 reduced dependence on IR, simplified setup, and improved consistency across Total Control interfaces. Roku became easier to deploy at scale, but still required special handling in advanced automation scenarios. Media states remained partially isolated from system logic.
These limitations informed the design goals for the next generation.
Roku Integration 3.0: Built for Modern Automation (2026)
Roku Integration 3.0 represents a structural upgrade. URC rebuilt the module using its standardized integration framework, placing Roku on equal footing with lighting, audio, and other subsystems.
According to the Roku 3.0 User Guide, the module now provides full two-way control of any Roku media player or Roku TV, including models from TCL, Hisense, Element, and others, across both Total Control and Total Control Flex systems.
Core Capabilities in Roku Integration 3.0
- Two-Way Control and Dynamic Feedback: Roku Integration 3.0 delivers two-way communication between Total Control and Roku devices. The system reflects real-time device state, improving accuracy across user interfaces. Transport commands, navigation, and menu actions respond faster and stay synchronized with on-screen activity. Users no longer guess whether a command registered.
- Dynamic Roku Apps Page: A major addition in Integration 3.0 is the dynamic Roku Apps Page. When accessed from the Entertainment sub-menu, the interface displays all channels currently installed on the Roku device. The list updates automatically as channels are added or removed and dynamically sorts from most-used to least-used apps. This eliminates manual channel mapping and keeps the interface current without dealer intervention.
- Direct Channel Launching: Dealers can assign discrete Roku channels directly to Main Menu or sub-menu buttons. Selecting a channel launches the app and automatically shifts the interface to Roku control. This behavior mirrors how users expect streaming systems to function and reduces navigation steps.
- Configurable Interface Display: Roku Integration 3.0 allows the user interface to display either Roku Apps or Roku Controls while the Roku Home screen is shown on the TV. This setting can be configured uniquely for each URC client in a project. Touchscreens and remotes can default to controls, while wand remotes or keypads can emphasize app access. This flexibility supports different usage patterns within the same system.
- Full Roku Controls Page: The Roku Controls Page provides complete command access and features a dynamic background that updates based on the active channel, improving visual context during use.
- Favorites and On-Screen Keyboard: Users can assign up to four favorite Roku channels for fast access. Integration 3.0 also adds an on-screen keyboard for supported Roku channels, allowing text entry and search directly from URC interfaces. Keyboard availability depends on channel support, but when available, it reduces reliance on native Roku remotes.
Cleaner Programming and System Design
Roku Integration 3.0 reduces programming complexity. By default, Roku devices and channels populate the Entertainment sub-menu automatically. Discovery, configuration, and testing align with standard Total Control workflows.
Requirements remain straightforward. Roku devices must be fully configured prior to integration and assigned a static IP address or DHCP reservation on the network router.
This consistency shortens commissioning time and reduces long-term support effort.
Media as a System Component
With Integration 3.0, Roku behaves as part of the automation environment. Dealers can include Roku actions in scenes, schedules, and conditional logic without workarounds. Media responds to context, not just button presses.
- Launch preferred news channels during morning routines
- Coordinate Roku playback with theater lighting scenes
- Power down Roku devices during whole-home off or away modes
Built From Dealer Feedback
URC developed Roku Integration 3.0 based on real-world dealer experience across three generations. Integrators asked for fewer exceptions, better feedback, and interfaces that stay current as content changes.
This release addresses those needs directly. Programming stays predictable. User experience remains consistent. Systems scale cleanly.