Roku To Launch First 4K UHD TV Through TCL Brand

By Steve Pak / 1451968680
(Photo : Roku) Roku

4K Roku TVs will be available spring 2016 courtesy of the Chinese brand TCL, eliminating the need for consumers to purchase a streaming box. The new TV sets will feature the myriad of 4K apps included in the Roku 4 box, including Amazon Video, Netflix, UltraFlix, and YouTube. Roku's smart TV system has helped it to survive tough competition from tech giants including Samsung, Apple, and Amazon.

One of the main features Roku has been able to offer is a 4K channel. That is due to the little 4K resolution content that is available.

Other brands besides TCL might offer 4K Roku TVs. The company's current partners including LG (limited time), Sharp, Hisense, Haier, and Insignia have given it a self-reported 8 percent United States market share in smart TVs.

Roku 4K televisions will be available in the US5800 and UP130 series. The US5800 will include a regular Roku TV remote control, while the UP130 will have features of the Roku 4 including voice search, unique remote finder, and headset jack, according to CNET.

New 4K Roku TVs will be available in various sizes, including 43, 50, and 55 and 65-inch versions. Price points have not been officially announced. However, a TCL representative told CNET that the US5800 series will likely have a retail price under $600.

In addition, High Dynamic Range (HDR) tech will be incorporated into future 4K Ultra-High Definition (UHD) Roku TV models. They will include the HDR 10 and Dolby Vision standards.  

Last year HDR was basically unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and is projected to be a big theme at this year's CES 2016 like 4K was last year, according to The Verge.  HDR basically provides sharper pixels than standard 4K resolution.