Hisense and TCL launch Roku TV models

Electronics manufacturers Hisense and TCL have each launched TVs with web-streaming set-top box maker Roku’s operating system built in.

The new Roku TVs, which were first announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January, will be available in the US starting from in the coming weeks.

Announcing the launches on the Roku blog, company founder and CEO Anthony Wood said the new smart TVs would offer “exceptional streaming experience” and “endless entertainment choices.”

“We didn’t just stick a Roku player inside the TV. We enhanced the Roku operating system to power the entire TV experience,” said Wood.

“That means we’ve applied our philosophy of simple and powerful across the entire TV – from the home screen to the remote control to picture settings.”

The smart TVs will include a personalised home screen, “simple” remote control with fewer buttons than on traditional remotes, access to more than 1,700 streaming channels, integration with the Roku mobile app for iOS, Android and Windows, and Roku Search that will cut across the top 13 streaming channels.

“Consumers will love the personalised home screen which places their favourite entertainment options like the cable TV box, game console and streaming channels front and centre. There’s no more flipping through inputs or wading through complicated menus to select entertainment,” said Wood.

The Hisense Roku TVs will be available in 40-inch, 48-inch and 50-inch screen sizes and will be available from US retailers starting in late September.

TCL Roku TVs will be available in 32-inch, 40-inch, 48-inch and 55-inch models, will go on sale in the coming weeks and will be priced from US$229 for the smallest set.