[Jeffhs]

Most Roku players (except the Roku 3) will work with almost any TV. The player (Roku 1 and 2) ships with a standard analog cable that has RCA pin plugs, so you can connect the player directly to your mother's TV without using an adapter. In most cases it will not matter whether the TV is a flat screen or a 4:3 CRT set; however, if you have a Roku 3 it will have only an HDMI port, so I'd steer clear of that one if your mother's television only has RCA inputs. If her set was built in 2003 it probably, almost certainly, does not have HDMI ports.

There is an app available online for all Roku players that will allow them to be controlled using a smartphone, but for the best results I'd recommend using a universal remote such as the RCA RCR313BR, which will control not only the Roku player but a TV and DVD or VCR as well. The only drawback is the remote will operate either a DVD player or a VCR (the remote must be programmed for one or the other), but not both. The Logitech Harmony line of universal remotes will also work; they can be found on eBay for very reasonable prices.