In the North American market, TCL’s business has tripled year-over-year for two consecutive years, according to Chris Larson, TCL U.S. sales and marketing VP (Pictured at top to the far right of the TCL 65-inch 65US5800).
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TCL®, the world’s third largest television manufacturer, today announced pricing and availability of its 4K Ultra HD TCL Roku TV™ models for the US, bringing stunning UHD 4K picture quality to its smart TVs that integrate the Roku® OS.
The S-series line includes a 55-inch TV for $599.99 and a 65-inch model for $999.
TCL is kicking things off with six 4K Roku TV models.
In addition to delivering Roku and its more than 3000 streaming channels, the P-Series adds state-of-the-art connectivity to essentially the same display technology used in the existing S-Series, which have been on sale in Sam’s Club, Walmart, and similar retail outlets for the previous year or so. It remains to be seen though if price alone is able to convince buyers to opt for TCL’s TV, and if the fact that they come with Roku’s operating system built in will entice customers to put money down for these TVs. Like the Roku 4, the TVs have access to more 4K streaming services than any non-Roku device, including Netflix, Amazon Instant, YouTube, Vudu, M-Go, UltraFlix and more. “In 2016 we’ll be the fastest-growing brand in the TV space”.
Discovering 4K content is done via Roku’s 4K Spotlight Channel. (Some time in the next couple of weeks is the estimate.) These come with an “enhanced remote” that has a headphone jack for private listening, voice search, and a finder feature in case you lose it.
The TVs also offer customization options via a personalizable home screen that can group desired channels together, or side by side with other entertainment choices such as game console, cable box or Blu-ray player content. They’re TCL’s first TVs with built-in Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (dual band with MIMO).
Both the S and P130 Series TCL 4K Roku TV models feature direct back-lit LEDs without local dimming. The new TVs also include the proprietary TCL Creative Pro 4K UHD Upscaling Engine, which allows consumers to view 1080p HD content in near 4K quality. None of the 4K Roku TV models offer high dynamic range (HDR) capability at this time.
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The company’s USA marketing efforts have included Hollywood partnerships – the former Grauman’s Chinese Theatre now carries the TCL name – and product placements, such as in the Mission:Impossible film and on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
