Element adds a Roku TV to its 4K line-up
After the release of the Element Amazon Fire TV Edition, the company is jumping on the Roku bandwagon.
You've got plenty of choice if you're seeking a new Roku TV. The company's software is built-in to a bunch of budget to affordable televisions from TCL and RCA (and soon Philips), among others, several of which pack a 4K picture. Now, you can add Element to that list of manufacturers as well. The firm behind the Fire TV Edition is branching out to offer Roku support on its latest set: A 50-inch 4K TV with HDR.
If that sounds familiar, it's because it veers closely to the specs offered by TCL's well-received P-Series model, which now only comes in a 55-inch version with Dolby Vision HDR for $650. Meanwhile, the Element Amazon Fire TV Edition costs $550 for the 50-inch model. Element didn't provide a price for its Roku TV, but we know the ball park figure it should be eyeing if it wants to compete. The company's new set is due on November 27th at Walmart.
By now, you should be familiar with HDR: It stands for High Dynamic Range and boasts more intense brightness, deeper blacks, and a wider range of colors in between. The competing Dolby Vision standard (available on the TCL P-Series) vaunts a a future-proof 12-bit color range and maximum 10,000 nit brightness, but only AV nerds obsess over the technical details. Everyone else can just sit back and enjoy the glorious visuals.
As for Roku's OS, the latest version comes with a smart guide for local TV programming. Enhanced voice controls also let you search for more movies, shows, actors, and directors. Plus, there's a 4K spotlight channel that should give you quick access to the 4K, HDR, and Dolby Vision content for your brand-spanking new Ultra HD TV. And, if you can stomach the ads, there are free channels to peruse too.
