I could be mistaken, but I believe the HDMI cable goes to the TV and the Roku receives the programming via a WiFi router.

It is a very old TV. Has no HDMI port. I know someone who had this issue and connecting router to roku helped. The TV is already connected to Roku. Need to connect router to Roku.

You can connect the router to the Roku box by either an ethernet cable or by wi-fi setup. If you do it by wi-fi, you just need to enter the router serial number and the password which is usually found on the bottom of your router unit! Take a picture of it with your smartphone is the easiest way to get it and print it out! If you use a hard connection; just plug the ethernet cable into the Roku box and then go to settings, setup, network and choice ethernet.

My roku doesn't have a port for ethernet connection. It is connected to the TV with RCA cable. (it is a very old TV) I want a hard connection because streaming is not that great. However, streaming is ok with my laptop. Could I connect my laptop to the TV? It only has RCA port. Another question: Is it possible to get a usb hdmi adapter so I could connect one end into roku (with hdmi port) and the other end to router (with usb port)?

You should provide what router you have (brand and model), what ROKU (model) device you have for better responses. I have 2 ROKU devices that work fine with my wi fi router (Netgear). One ROKU came with an HDMI to RCA cable, the other only HDMI. Power to both ROKU devices is from the USB cable provided and a power brick. A Direct TV salesman told me that they now provide 20MBPS internet download capability over their dish; you could check that out.

The router is Actiontec model GT784WMV. Roku 1. The box says "turns HD and older models into smart TVs. It has hdmi port and RCA ports which connects to my older TV.

LaurenJay,

You seem to be confusing the Internet connection from the router to the Roku with the Roku's connection to the TV. Entirely different things.

I'm not an expert on all things Roku but the one I have supports only WiFi (wireless) connection to the router/Internet to receive TV programs. There's no way to connect it to a router by ethernet cable, which apparently is the same for yours. Perhaps there are other Roku models that can connect to a router via ethernet cable.

The HDMI and the RCA ports on the Roku are only for output from the Roku to the TV. They are not for input into the Roku. No matter what you do, you're not going to get a connection from your router into the Roku with either of them.

DSL is a type of broadband connection.

I was talking about two different ways of tackling the problem of constant buffering I am getting when streaming from Amazon. I was told the I might remedy that problem if I hard wire the modem to the router. However, the modem has a port for hdmi and the router has a usb port. I thought I could get a converter to be able to make the connection. The other remedy I thought might work is if I connect my laptop to the TV because I don't get the buffering problem when streaming from the laptop. If I do that I won't need the roku. Will either of these remedies fix the problem?

"However, the modem has a port for hdmi and the router has a usb port. I thought I could get a converter to be able to make the connection. "

You are confused. Modems establishes Wi-Fi connection - like a highway. Hdmi is a video input/output video signal to a monitor or TV is like a car. They are completely different things.

So what about connecting the laptop to the TV. I'm not getting all that buffering streaming from the laptop? If there's no buffering on the laptop, would there be no buffering on the TV?

Also I know that wired is more reliable than wireless. Now I am wireless. Connecting router/modem (it is one unit) to roku would provide more stable connection and may help with buffering. Is that not correct?

The only Roku product at the moment is the Roku Premiere+ $90, or the Roku Ultra $110. Both of these have an ethernet hard wire capability. You could also try the free part of Hulu to see if the streaming is better. If the problem is with Amazon streaming, a hard-wired Roku may not help at all. If other streaming works fine, check with Amazon and talk with them. Because of being DSL, you may be reaching the capability of the DSL connection. Also try having the Roku the only device active on your connection.

"So what about connecting the laptop to the TV. I'm not getting all that buffering streaming from the laptop? If there's no buffeting on the TV?"

It could be that your laptop has recent wi-fi hardware (a.c. vs. n) then you Roku box. Go to BB or Costco and buy a current Roku and set it up and see if works for you. If not, return it with the 14 days or sooner back to the store.

Connecting the laptop to your TV might work. How would you connect it? You need composite video out from the laptop and separate audio to the TV or you would have to listen to the audio on the laptop. Or, does the TV have a VGA input and the laptop have a VGA output?

How big is tv? What is its resolution? If its as old as you say, its resolution is probably less than the laptop's screen. I suspect you won't be satisfied with the picture quality using the composite (RCA) video connection. You can now get a smallish (32") full HD (1920x1080) smart tv in the $200 range. I got a Samsung one from Costco which has HDMI, Ethernet (and other) ports and can also pick up a WiFi signal. Being "smart", it also has a web browser.