-->
Save your FREE seat for Streaming Media Connect this August. Register Now!

CES '16: Roku Announces UHD Reference Design for TV Partners

Article Featured Image

Set-top box-maker Roku doesn't have a new product to show for this year's CES, but it has something almost as good: a reference design for Roku HDR TVs.

In another sign that HDR (high dynamic range) will be just as important to the future of video as 4K, Roku is getting behind the technology and aiding its partners in building UHD-compliant televisions. The spec includes support for Dolby Vision, Dolby's HDR technology, as well as the HDR-10 standard. It doesn't include Ultra HD Premium support, and Roku isn't a member of the UHD Alliance.

Roku doesn't yet create a set-top box that supports HDR, but that's not a surprise. A year ago, the company released a 4K TV reference design several months before it debuted the 4K-enabled Roku 4. A Roku representative suggested that HDR support could be added to existing Roku boxes with a firmware upgrade.

Roku's TV OS is one of the few that's broken through with consumers and become a desirable feature for connected TVs. The company notes that it now has an eight percent market share for connected TVs, and one million homes had Roku TVs at the end of 2015. Partners will release almost 60 Roku TV models in 2016.

One of the reasons Roku sets are doing well is that they're budget-conscious. That will continue with upcoming HDR models.

"The way we developed our reference design is for very low cost implementation, and that allows our manufacturing partners to deliver an affordable solution to customers," said Lloyd Klarke, Roku's director of product management.

Klarke noes that TV makers are driving the demand for HDR support.

"The biggest demand is from the content partners. HDR from the consumer perspective is still growing. Consumers know 4K more know, but they're getting to know HDR very quickly," Klarke said.

Yesterday at a CES press conference, TCL announced that it will launch the first Roku 4K TV sets this spring, and that it will soon begin selling Roku TVs in Mexico.

Streaming Covers
Free
for qualified subscribers
Subscribe Now Current Issue Past Issues
Related Articles

NAB 2016: UHD Standards Getting Clearer For Producers, If Not Consumers

Several versions of UHD still compete in the marketplace, but if the specs are clear to producers and broadcasters, the jargon remains confusing for potential UHD TV buyers

CES '16: TCL Announces QUHD HDR TVs and First 4K Roku Sets

The Chinese TV-maker is expanding from two to four lines in the U.S., with the top line offering Dolby Vision technology and 4K resolution.

Roku Will Offer $25 Special Edition Set-Top Box on Black Friday

Can a product really be discounted if it never sold for a higher price? Consider the Roku SE the Roku 1 under a different name.

Review: Roku 4 Streams 4K Video With More Powerful Model

The first set-top box with UHD support, the Roku 4 is the best streamer around right now. Learn why the Apple TV should be worried.

Roku Goes 4K With the Roku 4, Adding UHD Discovery and Playback

The more powerful (and expensive) Roku 4 supports 4K streaming, and adds helpful content discovery options in its upgraded operating system.

Apple TV Overtakes Roku for Video Ad Distribution: FreeWheel

Both the Apple TV and the iPhone posted strong video ads measurements in Q2 2015, even though the set-top box is overdue for a refresh.