Roku Introduces New Premium Line of Smart TVs That Will Adjust Picture Settings Based on What You’re Watching, More
Roku is also bringing rotating TV and movie-themed cars to its popular Roku City.
Whether you realize it or not, the dominant name in streaming for many Americans isn’t Netflix or even YouTube; it’s Roku. North America’s largest streaming platform note provides the hub to the most popular free and subscription streaming services, but it also offers its own content via The Roku Channel, and has its own line of streaming devices and smart TVs. Today, the company has announced substantial upgrades to both its streaming operating system as well as a new premium line of smart TVs.
Key Details:
- Roku is introducing a new premium line of TVs in sizes 55 inches, 65 inches, and 75 inches.
- A new feature will automatically adjust your TV picture settings based on what you are watching.
- Backdrops will now allow users to turn their TVs into works of art, from iconic classics to kids paintings.
What Is the New Roku Pro Series Line of TVs?
On Wednesday, Roku announced that it will be releasing the Roku Pro Series TV line, which will combine “advanced picture innovations with an elegant design, immersive side-firing audio,” as well as a new voice remote. The Roku Pro Series will utilize mini-LED backlighting with its 4K, QLED, 120Hz panel to create the most immersive and realistic viewing experience that the company has ever offered. The Pro Series TVs will also feature HDR10+ and Dolby Vision IQTM as well as a new processor and upgraded memory architecture to ensure that viewers are able to find, search, and watch TV and movies faster and easier than ever.
The new line of Pro Series televisions come equipped with a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) that powers allows the Roku Smart Picture Max technology to adjust picture settings based on what you are watching automatically, without you having to go into the TV’s menu and figure it out yourself. The side-firing speakers that are a part of Roku Soundstage Audio project the audio around the viewer to create spatial effects and deep bass.
“We’ve invested years in making the picture great for the shows and movies you’re watching — and now we’ve added the simplicity of automation,” Roku VP Chris Larson said. “Our Pro Series TVs not only look and sound beautiful; they also give our customers the best possible viewing experience, no matter what they’re watching.”
One of the most exciting characteristics of the new Pro Series is the inclusion of Roku Smart Picture. This new feature uses custom metadata from content partners to move between picture modes based on what the viewer chooses to watch. So, as your show, sporting event, or movie is loading, the Roku TV is adjusting the settings for you to watch it in the best possible picture settings.
Pro Series TVs are engineered to make TV simpler and more delightful than ever. The new Roku Voice Remote Pro 2nd edition now includes motion-activated backlit buttons, USB-C charging, and a reimagined shortcut experience to quickly access live TV or a current binge-watch show. Pro Series TVs also come with a dedicated remote finder button on the side of the TV that triggers a chime on the remote.
The new Roku Pro Series TVs are available to purchase in three sizes, 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch, with prices ranging from $899.99 to $1,699.99.
What Features Are Included in the New Roku Pro Series TVs?
- Brilliant picture: With a responsive 120Hz 4K panel, mini-LED backlight, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision IQ, Pro Series delivers strikingly accurate color, dazzling highlights, and deep blacks that make content pop off the screen.
- Sleek design: At only 1.9 inches and with a striking shadowbox frame, the Pro Series’ clean lines and architectural styling are an eye-catching complement to any home.
- Snappy streaming: All new quad-core processor and Wi-Fi 6 allow users to search, navigate, and launch content faster than ever before.
- Roku Smart Picture Max: Powered by AI, Roku Smart Picture Max automatically selects the optimal picture mode for your content, refining the color, sharpness, and motion scene by scene.
- Automatic brightness: Automatically adjusts brightness settings based on room lighting for a bright, clear picture any time of day.
- Roku Soundstage Audio: Side-firing Dolby Atmos speakers designed by Roku’s Audio Innovation team for a wide, cinematic sound.
- Wireless surround sound expandable: Pair Roku Wireless Soundbar, Roku Wireless Speakers, and Roku Wireless Bass to create an even more immersive surround sound experience.
- Headphone Mode: Connect Bluetooth headphones to enjoy entertainment at any volume.
- Game on: Automatic game mode drops you right in the action. Enjoy tear-free gaming with 120Hz refresh, AMD Freesync Premium Pro, ALLM, and VRR. - Slim-profile Wall Mount Kit: Optional accessory designed by Roku with hinge and kickstand for easy access to TV ports and cables.
- Backdrops: Scroll through a wide catalog of popular artwork or upload your own photos to transform the TV into a work of art. Coming to all Roku TVs in the coming months and to devices at a later date.
- Software updates: Featuring new IMDB integrations, enhanced ways to search and browse content, a more visually immersive mobile app, and more.
What Features Are Included in the New Roku Voice Remote Pro (2 edition)?
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- Backlit buttons: Motion-activated backlit buttons for nighttime TV viewing.
- USB-C rechargeable battery: Stay powered for months with a 50% larger battery than the previous generation rechargeable from the TV.
- Live TV Guide button: Instant access to the Live TV Channel Guide featuring 400+ free live TV channels, sports, local news, and more with just one click.
- Quick Launch button: Easily personalize two shortcuts, access Roku’s powerful global search, or enable Headphone Mode for private listening (if applicable).
- Hands-free voice commands: Perfect for quick commands like turning off the TV, launching a channel, or pausing a show.
- Remote Finder: An audible chime to help you find your remote no matter where it’s hiding. Trigger with the button on the Roku Pro Series TV, the Roku mobile app, or simply by saying “Hey Roku, where’s the remote?”
Get a Sneak Peek of the Roku Pro Series TV:
What Changes Is Roku Making to Its Streaming Experience?
The new and improved premium line of TVs isn’t the only exciting news from Roku, as the streaming giant has announced that it is making significant improvements to its operating system in order to provide a best-in-class streaming experience.
The company is introducing Backdrops as well as updates to its browse and discovery functions and mobile app across all U.S. devices. Additionally, in the beloved Roku City menu, viewers will soon begin to see cars take to the streets, and — as is custom in Roku City — these vehicles will not only change on a regular basis, but they will be themed to some of your favorite movies and TV shows.
“We want our platform to be relevant to how you watch TV, whether you purchased a device today or years ago,” Roku’s VP of Viewer Products Preston Smalley said. “With personalized Backdrops to suit your mood, Smart Picture for crystal-clear visuals, and better ways to help decide what to watch, we’re setting a new standard for streaming excellence. This is the future of TV, tailored just for you by Roku.”
What Are Roku’s New Backdrops?
Roku’s new Backdrops feature can transform your TV into a work of art at a moment’s notice. Viewers will be able to browse a wide variety of free artwork, including many iconic classics, museum collections, abstract designs, and more, in order to turn their TV into a conversation piece at the center of their homes. In addition, users can upload digital art or family photos to create their own collection.
As you can imagine, one of those conversation starters you don’t want to have is an ad showing between family photos or showing up every few minutes when your TV is on backdrop mode. When The Streamable pushed on this subject, Roku’s response was that there is no intention or plan to add advertising to the backdrop feature – meaning that, unlike Roku City or the home screen, this will be free of ads until you engage with your TV.
How Has Roku Improved Its Browse and Discovery Features?
- IMDB ratings: In the coming weeks, you can expect to see IMDb ratings across entertainment details pages, keeping you in the know on what peers have rated TV shows and movies before you dive in. Plus, we’re also populating a new row within What to Watch that will feature highly rated IMDb titles, so users can tune in with ease.
- Trailers: With trailers coming to entertainment details pages across the platform, you can seamlessly preview TV shows or movies, allowing you to feel confident in your selection.
- Save List Updates: We’ve made your Save List even smarter so you can stay up to date on the content you’re interested in. Now, when a TV show or movie on your Save List drops in price or when new seasons or episodes are available, we’ll let you know with badge updates right on the entertainment tile, bringing titles that may have been at the end of your list right to the front.
What Updates Are Coming to the Roku Mobile App?
As an extension of the Roku streaming experience, the Roku Mobile app helps you discover new content, control your TV, launch apps, and so much more. Updates to the app include:
- New navigation bar: Users will now be able to browse between five universal tabs: Home, Search, Remote, Devices, and Account.
- Top Searched TV and Movies: With the all-new “Top Searched TV and Movies” row, you can
scroll through what’s popular with other streamers and tune in. The row will be populated with daily searched TV shows and movies from across the platform. - Search Updates: With a full keyboard, searching has never been easier, and now the results will be more visually immersive while you search for what you want to watch or browse through new categories or actors, among other topics.
Roku Channel
The Roku Channel is a free live TV streaming service that provides 350+ live linear streaming channels and more than 80,000 free movies and TV shows. The library contains entertainment from several different decades, including some major hits.