00:00I'm shocked by how many people still don't know Roku makes its own TVs, but are they
00:04worth buying?
00:05I'm here with the new Roku Pro Series TV to let you know.
00:09Roku might be best known for its slew of streaming sticks and devices, but since the launch of
00:13its first-party QLED TV in the Plus series last year, it's gaining traction in the
00:17conventional TV space.
00:19This is due largely to Roku's price-to-performance ratio, with solid quality specs made for those
00:24looking to get a well-rounded display without the hefty surcharge.
00:28Enter its newest design feat, in the Roku Pro Series.
00:31Its 2024 flagship TV that's pretty impressive on paper.
00:34Like other budget TV rivals in the space, like TCL and Hisense, Roku's Pro Series leverages
00:39a QLED panel in tandem with mini-LED backlighting for superior color coverage and contrast.
00:44It comes in three sizes, including a 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch model, starting at the
00:50low $900 mark.
00:52Obviously, you won't get nearly as good clarity as you would on a more premium OLED TV, like
00:57the LG C4, which you can go check out in our full review video.
01:01But the Roku Pro still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve, namely incredible gaming coverage.
01:06It sports four total HDMI 2.1 inputs on a 120Hz panel that supports both ALLM and VRR,
01:13as well as AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for expert screen tearing coverage.
01:17While I wish it had a dedicated game bar as seen on alternative displays like Samsung
01:21and Hisense, I still had a great experience.
01:24The second reason to buy the Roku Pro Series is its use of mini-LED backlighting, a first
01:28for Roku that brings avid support against blooming and haloing.
01:32Thanks to its newly equipped mini-LEDs, the Pro Series hits far deeper dark scenes and
01:36improved brightness, which we measured at around 918 nits in a 10% window in standard
01:40mode.
01:41Impressive as its underlying specs are for the price, few truly compare to its brilliant
01:46interface.
01:47Roku has sealed a name for itself in this category by many years' worth of delivering
01:51expert streaming devices, and it shines through, most impressively on the Pro Series, which
01:56sports a snappy and fluid OS.
01:58What makes Roku so beloved is its underlying levels of personalization, allowing you to
02:02customize your home screen with varied themes and screensavers.
02:06Any Samsung The Frame fans out there?
02:08Roku's newest Backdrops mode makes it easy for you to turn your TV into a window of imagination.
02:13It's not for everyone, but definitely is a welcome addition as other TV makers, like
02:17Hisense, are jumping into the space.
02:20That's all well and good, but what about the bad?
02:22Well, the Roku Pro Series isn't exactly the best display when it comes to reflections.
02:27Without any dedicated anti-screen reflective measures, as seen on Samsung's new S95D OLED,
02:33the Roku Pro simply can't combat glare very well.
02:35Plus, ocean processing can take a major hit in certain scenarios.
02:39As with most mini-LEDs, off-access viewing invites diminished colors and some blooming.
02:44That being said, while the Roku Pro Series is priced at the lower end, there are a range
02:48of other options to consider, like the Hisense U8n and TCL QM8, both of which might give
02:53better performance at the same or lower price point.
02:57Last on our reasons you might want to skip the Roku Pro Series TV is more of an overarching
03:01Roku problem, as the firm has been the target of several successful data breaches over the
03:05past few months.
03:07While it might not be a major concern for most TV buyers, it's definitely something
03:11to consider when looking at the Pro Series.
03:13So should you buy or skip the Roku Pro Series TV?
03:17Personally, I'd skip this year's model, as I truly believe there are better budget
03:21options in the same price range, if not cheaper.
03:23However, as Roku's second TV release, the Pro Series is a serious contender in the space
03:28with ample specs and performance built on one of the most beloved interfaces.
03:33It's a serious competitor in a space that's ever-evolving and serves as a balanced budget
03:37mini-LED TV for those who love Roku's deeper personalization measures and ease of use.
03:43But what do you think?
03:44Is Roku's budget mini-LED TV right for you, or do you prefer one of the more brightness-heavy
03:48rivals out of Hisense and TCL?
03:50Let us know in the comments section below, and don't forget to subscribe for more awesome
03:54tech reviews.
03:55My name is Ryan Epps, and we'll catch you in the next one.
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