Roku made a splash at last year’s CES when it announced its first self-branded TVs, the budget-focused Roku Select and Plus Series. While those models got the company’s acclaimed smart TV software into more living rooms, their picture quality left something to be desired compared to competitors.
This year, Roku looks to change that narrative with the unveiling of its 2024 Roku Pro lineup of televisions. The new Pro sets will come in 55, 65, and 75-inch screen sizes with price tags “under $1,500 retail.”
The TVs’ standout feature? Mini LED backlighting with local dimming for heightened contrast and inky blacks. Roku claims the new Pro Series will also sport a unique mount allowing the TVs to lie nearly flush on your wall.
In keeping with 2023’s AI trend, Roku says its new Pro sets will leverage artificial intelligence to tailor picture and sound settings based on what you’re viewing. Over 90% of Roku customers never change default picture modes, so its new Smart Picture technology aims to handle that grunt work for you.
Roku says its algorithms have crunched billions of streaming hours to optimize video processing. When Smart Picture detects a cinematically shot movie, it will even turn off smoothing effects that can make films look strange.
As with its initial TV lineup, Roku’s latest models will be manufactured by an unnamed OEM partner. And the company is keeping further technical specs close to the vest until the new Pro Series starts shipping this spring.
With the “Pro” designation, one would expect creature comforts like 120Hz refresh rates and VRR support, but it remains to be seen if Roku delivers those bells and whistles.
The biggest question hanging over these TVs is how they’ll compare to rival budget offerings, and even Roku’s own first OLED TV announced back in November. But with a 55″ OLED Roku starting at $1,500, the company seems focused on undercutting competing models when its Pro Series drops in a few months.
Discover more from GadgetBond
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
