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What we're buying: TCL 65-inch 4K 65R625
This week, Senior Editor Richard Lawler tells us of the highs and lows of his new TCL 65-inch TV.
Spotify officially returns to Roku devices
As expected, Spotify has officially returned to Roku's streaming platform. The music streaming app will be available on most Roku players and TVs running Roku OS 8.2 or higher. Access to the service starts today and will roll out to all supported device by the end of the year, according to Roku.
A line of JVC Roku TVs is on the way
There are a number of Roku TV options out there from a slew of brands and now you can add JVC to the list. Roku announced today that Shenzhen MTC will begin building a Roku TV line under the JVC brand, and the first HD JVC Roku TVs will likely ship in the US later this year. "Roku is America's #1 streaming platform because it is incredibly easy to use and offers access to countless movies and TV episodes all from the home screen," JVC CTO John Araki said in a statement. "We are looking forward to marrying our longstanding history of innovation with Roku's popular smart TV platform as we aim to improve our customers' everyday life with smartly designed products making life a little more fun."
TCL's 6-Series Roku TVs sport a metal design, 4K and Dolby Vision HDR
Building off of the success of its budget-friendly P-Series TVs, TCL is teaming up with Roku again on new 4K HDR sets for 2018. First up, the company has introduced its 6-Series premium line, which feature a slim, metal design, Dolby Vision and will be available in 55- and 65-inch models. The 6-Series models also come with a new Roku TV voice remote, 802.11ac WiFI, Ethernet and three HDMI 2.0a ports. TCL says that its latest TVs are designed to be a powerhouse in image quality, with things like a Contrast Control Zone Technology and an HDR Pro Gamma that's meant to reproduce the smallest of details in the darkest and brightest scenes.
RCA's 4K Roku TVs start at $600
When RCA introduced its low-cost Roku TV sets, there was one glaring problem: you couldn't get one with 4K support, no matter how much you were willing to pay. That won't be a problem going into the holidays. RCA has launched a line of 4K TVs that mate Roku's streaming media interface with the high resolution you'd expect from most sets in 2017. They'll offer a largely familiar experience if you've used a Roku player, although RCA is promising to update them to Roku OS 8 (which includes a Smart Guide and upgraded voice commands) by the end of the year.
Roku TVs will eavesdrop on your shows to serve up ads
Roku fans have another treat this week aside from getting Sling TV's Cloud DVR functionality. Assuming you opt in, the latest software version (7.6) will use Automatic Content Recognition to listen to what broadcast programming you're watching and suggest other stuff to watch based on that, as a way to "enhance" your couch potato session. "Additional viewing options may include the ability to watch from the beginning, watch more episodes of the same show and/or view suggestions for similar entertainment available to stream," the section about Roku TVs reads.
Latest Roku TV update makes any smartphone a wireless headset
One of Roku's smartest features was the company's decision to pop a headphone jack right into the remote, turning it into a wireless headset and saving your housemates from overhearing potential spoilers in the process. With Roku's latest OS 7.5 update, users can now get that same feature on any Roku TV model using any iOS or Android device connected to the same WiFi network.
The first 4K Roku TVs hit Best Buy for $400 and up
Roku TVs afford you all the same features and apps the dinky set-top boxes do without cluttering up your entertainment center. Last year, Roku caught up with the times by launching the Ultra HD-ready Roku 4, also setting the stage for its TV partners to build 4K sets with the platform baked-in. Chinese manufacturer TCL was expected to be the first to market, but it's been beaten to the punch by Best Buy today with the launch of the first 4K Roku TVs under the retailer's Insignia brand.
Plex's revamped Roku channel gives you a better look at your videos
To put it mildly, the Plex channel for Roku players is due an overhaul -- an interface full of dull squares doesn't exactly do justice to your extensive media collection. Thankfully, Plex is giving the channel the makeover it needs. The new version brings the Roku client up to snuff with what you get on other platforms, including rich cover art and a greater emphasis on discovering video content like movie trailers and behind-the-scenes footage. As with Plex's other recent upgrades, though, there are a few things missing at the moment. The revamped software will handle your movies, music and TV shows, but channels, photos and playlists are still "coming soon." Also, you may have to be patient. The redesigned front end is available today to Plex Pass subscribers as a preview, but you'll have to wait if you'd rather not cough up cash for early access. Update: Roku has also rolled out a faster YouTube experience with the new UI seen on Xbox One and other platforms for the Roku 3 and Roku Streaming Stick, while Roku TVs (TVs with Roku embedded) finally have access to WatchESPN.
Roku renews bid for the living room with streaming-ready Roku TVs
Up until now, Roku's bid for the living room has mainly come in the form of its puck-like streaming players and sticks. These devices, priced at below $100, are a cheap way for consumers to augment existing HDTVs and make them "smarter." But now Roku's getting into the TV hardware business directly. It's partnered up with six manufacturers, of which Hisense and TCL are the first to be announced, to produce a line of Roku TVs that come pre-loaded with the company's streaming software. These sets aren't planned to hit retail until sometime later this fall, but at CES 2014, we'll be getting a first look at what's in store.
