Roku’s First TV, Hot or Not? | Roku Plus Series TV Review

The first-ever Roku TVs are here, and the Plus Series is Roku's first go at a premium TV sold at an approachable price. But does Roku have TCL or Hisense TV chops, especially with their first go at making a TV? Find out if the Roku Plus Series is hot or not in this comprehensive review.
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Read our written Roku Plus Series TV review: www.digitaltrends.com/home-th...
Models in Roku Plus Series: 55-inch: (55R6A5R), 65-inch: (65R6A5R), and 75-inch (75R6A5R)
Also watch: • Roku hacks you aren’t ...
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00:00 Intro
01:18 Why this TV is important
05:00 Price
06:16 Out of the box
08:18 Performance
08:46 Brightness
11:40 White balance & color
12:51 How does it stack up?
18:04 Final thoughts
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#roku #hometheater #tech #technology #tvs #review #digitaltrends ##qled #streaming #rokuplustv #bestbuy

[@anothey93]

I love Roku os. It’s not bloated, extremely fast, and easy to use. They also update more frequently than any other OS. I have a TCL Roku tv that’s 7 years old and still receives updates.

[@seanmcbay]

Easily the best TV OS to me. The other ones you’re lucky to last a year before you need to buy a dedicated box. I also like how the Roku main screen isn’t as much of a cluttered mess in comparison.

[@scottsworld21]

I just bought an 85 in TCL Q7 w/ Google TV to replace my 75 inch TCL roku 6-series. I took it back. The Google TV OS was awful compared to Roku. It was so slow and choppy. My direct tv stream app was almost unusable. Roku is 50x better and faster. TCL sucks now

[@anothey93]

That really sucks, if I continue to buy TCL I'll make sure it's a model that offers Roku OS. Some models offer google or roku but it seems the Q series are now all Google OS.@@scottsworld21

[@Aoenz]

Thank you for this review, this takes out this tv out of my selection of 3. Currently just waiting for the u7k mini led and the review of the omni qled by amazon, one of these too will be my first upgrade for a tv in 8 years.

[@ironchef8000]

Hi Caleb, thank you for all the great videos you and Digital Trends have been making recently. They’ve helped inform (perhaps over-inform?) my recent home theater shopping. Here’s a question I don’t think you’ve answered: What exact tv(s) and sound equipment do you use in your home? At the end of the day when you leave work and go home to kick back and relax, what are you watching and hearing? Thanks!

[@ordoabchao1257]

I loved how you did that cut-in from the future regarding the price drop.

[@martinvegas1327]

Does it upscale Pluto?

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

Do they make people sign up to use the apps?

[@kevinagullana742]

Interesting, I was always pushing for hisense 65u7h but the price is not going down. July 4th sale, the roku plus 65 is at 599, 65u7h at best buy is 7.19 or 698 at amazon. Just curious if the Roku TV can be calibrated to match color accuracy of 65u7h?

[@prashantkompella5372]

@ Caleb, could you please compare this TV with TCL S555?

[@XD-cr3du]

Not related to this video, but can you give an indication of when we can expect a review from the LG G3 from you?

[@MikeAbili]

Keep Numbers for Nit-Nerds! It's great to be a Nit-Nerd! We should get shirts.

[@james42519]

What about select series? I got 50 inch 50r4a5r christmas.

[@scupking]

I'm looking for a 75 inch TV with Roku OS. What would you recommend now? I was looking at the Roku Select series and Plus Series. Doesn't seem anyone else is making TVs with Roku OS now...

[@letsroll03]

I would like a review of the plus vs the tcl roku 5 series.

[@jamesmccarty8988]

Can anyone tell me where these TVs are manufactured? What country?

[@james42519]

Why have you not done select series and pro yet? Still waiting for you to compare them and what is different and a few settings On select

[@nucks4cup75]

I actually like they idea of getting the inputs closer to center. I can't count how many times I've gone to hook up a PlayStation or cable box, only to realize the cables were not long enough to place it on the opposite side of the cabinet. This is especially problematic when you switch from Samsung TV to an LG, which tend to have their input bays on opposite sides of the TV from each other.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

I like the idea of inputs underneath incase you have to mount it really close to a wall.

[@fonkenful]

Gotta admit that the LG Zero connect box looks like a pretty good solution to the spaghetti problem at the TV. Maybe that technology will eventually trickle to screen sizes and pricing us mere mortals can accommodate. I’d not be surprised if a 65” Roku or TCL would cost less than the sales tax and delivery charges on a 97” M3

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

@@fonkenful The problem with those things if the TV is given away or sold used, that might get lost. It's hard enough to get a used TV with the remote.

[@fonkenful]

@@jeffkardosjr.3825 Fair enough, but not having yet seen any pricing on the M3 series, and since it’s debuting at the top of their TV line up, I’m not so sure any would be given away or sold used for a while. Just seems like an interesting approach to solve one of the issues with mitigation of the interconnection problems to larger TVs; in my own immediate family, only one of a total of 7 is not wall mounted. Our TV service provider’s desk top box ( Arris Xi6) is compact enough that it can be Velcroed to the back of bedroom TV is connected via WiFi and provides access to all our streaming apps. A strategically located 2x2 AC outlet can power the works (including sound bar) and all wiring is tidily hidden from view - something that’s pretty easy to get used to. The main 7.1 system downstairs is an altogether different story, and as I’m starting to window shop for a replacement for my 7yr old Vizio D series, I’m paying a lot more attention to some of those details. I happen to live in Canada, and am currently a bit constrained to brand choices, so we’ll just have to see what happens over the next few months.

[@daneg]

I had that issue going from samsung to lg as well.

[@halshaw8056]

This sounds a lot like the early offerings of the TCL 6 Series - good, but room for improvement. Should be interesting to see how much more the prices drop and how quickly.

[@JeskidoYT]

what do you mean by early offerings? Can you specify the year?

[@MrJnapkid]

Roku had a recent software update. now the 12 point settings can be done with the tv menu.

[@barrywade8303]

Looks like it going to be a good TV. Thanks for the video.

[@sknewytboy]

Super interested in getting your take on the Sharp 4TC65FS1UR OLED Roku TV. I've seen conflicting reports on which OLED panel it uses, Samsung or LG. Would love to see it reviewed and measured against the other OLEDs on the market.

[@jbarrera20]

Are tcl and Hisense moving away from Roku?

[@wgwrigel1]

did you see the new pricing??? 75 inch for $799 and the 65 inch for $599, can you revisit this??

[@chrism-m5223]

I purchased a Roku TCL tv, 55R625, series 6, over 4 years ago and I love it. I'm curious how Roku's newer TV line that they are now manufacturing compares? I think this TCL is brillant.

[@JOELTILSON]

Roku's Plus series is a hit for me. Love It!!

[@burnsyd17]

Thought during your CES coverage you hinted or outright said who makes it. Obviously Roku isn't manufacturing them, so is it TCL, or HiSense, or some other ODM?

[@jolness1]

Hey I suggested nitpicks! I never know how much creators read comments. Great content as always Caleb!

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@mario312]

Wish I had the tech of other TV's but with the Roku OS built in. I'm trying to streamline.

[@avgnfandon2]

Also NITpicking is clever or just a shorter Nits for Nerds would be perfect

[@BRad-mu6qr]

Is good for console gaming like ps5

[@Hunter116]

Does that remote charge via Micro USB? What year are we in?!

[@jocamp5]

What’s the problem? It comes with a cable anyway .

[@michaelwyckoff7593]

I'm really curious to see how well they do with sales. We already have TCL and Hisense and even Fire Tv by Amazon. I guess we will see sometime this year.

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@steveludwig4200]

Roku 75 inch costs $1000. SONY 75 inch X77L 75 inch costs $1000. Which TV is 99% of folks going to buy?

[@ltspeirs3743]

This or the Fire tv omni qled?

[@andreaswank3524]

What tv is that fire on?

[@michaelwyckoff7593]

Caleb how does the TV look with Micro Contrast enabled?

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@DamienTepps]

Did they send you a copy of their new wireless soundbar to use with the tv?

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent029😂😂

[@angelobenavidez9128]

I definitely get his point of view although there is no risk in marketing their own TV’s. Because there’s a possibility these TV companies themselves are detaching from Roku and streamlining their own Smart UI that partners with all these streaming services.

[@Shukla91]

“Nitpicking” is way better, Caleb and DigitalTrends! It’s way more concise. Love the videos, keep up the good work!

[@kathynetterville7892]

Why would I buy a TV that I have t o choose all the setup brightness etc?

[@CT9905.]

How long will this tv last in Longevity!

[@rodfulford4306]

I hope the remote doesn't continuously drain the battery like the ones on my 4k stick and Now stick. Perhaps thats why they changed to rechargeable batteries instead of fixing the battery problem!

[@bravowhiskeysierra6944]

I bought the rechargeable Roku remote almost 2 months ago and haven’t had to recharge it yet. Also I’ve left the listening feature on the entire time which decreases battery life. So should last even longer with that turned off.

[@rickferr1546]

Are there any mini LED lg tvs ?

[@Kenjionigod]

QNED 83, 85, 90 and 99 are mini LED

[@Angelgtrz]

Would this tv be good for gaming?, also does it go head to head with sony, lg, and samsung tvs?

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@payusavisit3482]

Please can you make a video comparism between Sony Oled A80k and A83k even 84k we would like to know the differences please❤

[@mudrucker3656]

Any chance you’ll review the onn 65” QLED tv

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent029😂😂

[@matthewvaladez8209]

Jus gonna depend on if people wanna try Roku has a brand and not a software. Cuz you already have Hisense, tcl, roku sticks. So if Roku developed a good tv screen even outside of its QLED then it will get good sales. Otherwise people may still buy other budget brands or tcl 5 series with Roku

[@cirot8779]

I’m trying to decide between this tv in 75in or the fire tv Omni qled what’s the better tv

[@bravowhiskeysierra6944]

The Roku is much better than Fire TV. Roku recently released a Pro Series TV that looks promising too.

[@TheJustina102085]

This is an easy one to figure out and on paper a smart move by Roku. Just look at how long smart TVs have been around and lately their starting to use their streaming apps rather well & efficiently. Buying a separate device that more or less does exactly what your tv does is a dwindling market. Apple TV at least has a niche as a HomeKit hub & pleases IOS fans etc. Roku needed to do something or risk going the route Lucente Technology went, aka not adapting with the times..

[@steveludwig4200]

Roku 75 inch costs $1000. SONY 75 inch X77L 75 inch costs $1000. Which TV is 99% of folks going to buy?

[@darksparda4]

I'm getting a lot of vibes of the original TCL P series, I wouldn't be surprised if it's mostly the same blueprint.

[@djmightybri]

Does it have an ATSC 3.0 TV Tuner?

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@zachtravers1]

I think the Insignia F50 would be a decent competitor to this but it's on a great sale right now, just picked up a 50" for like $250 and I've been surprisingly impressed.

[@JoseOrtiz-pp1vm]

did u think of getting extra warranty just in case?.

[@zachtravers1]

@@JoseOrtiz-pp1vm yup. I get the warranty on just about anything I buy and use it almost every time, so I never go without.

[@JoseOrtiz-pp1vm]

im tempted to get the same tv the have it for 259.99 at best buy but insignia brand doesnt have a good reputation.I hear hisense is the owner of it ,I guess with a warranty it can make up fr the worries if it fails.I know the hrd isnt that bright but does the oqled makea difference for regular programming thats not on hdr.

[@zachtravers1]

@@JoseOrtiz-pp1vm Insignia doesn't release who makes their panels, so I think that's a rumor but who knows. the F50 gets surprisingly bright, especially for the $, I was surprised I can't have the brightness all the way up at night (it's in our bedroom).

[@JoseOrtiz-pp1vm]

@@zachtravers1 How is the fire tv OS as far as speed.I bought a toshiba fire tv and it was very sluggish when moving around apps.

[@rrusie3184]

What TV stand is that?

[@TheToto4562]

Definitely tcl or hisense making these tvs. Everyone makes money in this partnership

[@blackpearl2133]

How about a cheap Samsung comparison. Like the the new CU 7000 series.

[@avgnfandon2]

Hey, 2 weeks and he back!

[@einsp227]

Did you guys stop doing the unboxing altogether?

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent029😂😂

[@tunzjnky]

My current is 120hz. I’m afraid to change to 60 hz

[@curtbrackenrich7883]

Our TCL 6 series already has burn-in, that will probably be my last TCL set. I'm a fan of Roku's OS, so I'm grabbing one of these today, I just want a decent set with decent sound that runs the Roku OS. This will be our main living room TV for a few years until Roku releases their own OLED.

[@tinarodgers5929]

What do you think of the tv?

[@penultimatename6677]

Unless I missed it no mention of hdmi 2.1 or if this has a Nextgen tuner. Excellent picture is a must but as a streaming centric device one might expect HDMI 2.1 and a Nextgen tuner.

[@hnnotyy]

Only one

[@Flor-ian]

Just bought the 55” G2 for ~$1,500 with tax; I am happy and no buyers remorse; MLA can wait :)

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent029😂😂

[@valueofnothing2487]

If it stays at 600, It's much more expensive than the TCL 5 series. I'd have to see the stats on exactly if it can remove judder from 60 Hz sources, response time and upscaling to compare with U7H. There's also the 43-in Sony x85k which doesn't have local dimming but is much better at lower resolution sources.

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent🤣🤣

[@vanceshepherd1618]

Back connection panel is laid out a lot like Walmart's Onn 4K. By the way, that might be a fun review, especially since the 65inch is on sale for under $300. Maybe you'll be surprised, maybe you can explain why people shouldn't buy such a cheap TV?

[@oruwatching]

Onn is a Roku TV.

[@taps4615]

Just picked up 65inch @ $599 pretty good deal here.

[@jamesmccarty8988]

Are you satisfied? I’m thinking of getting one?

[@THE7BEAST_MADRID]

We want to compare lg g3 vs Samsung s95c

[@csxtrainman95]

If they make a 85 inch version and fix some things I would totally buy this!

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent029😂😂

[@Roguesheepdog]

What do you expect for such a low price? It's a great tv. You wouldn't go to buy a lamborghini with 10k to spend and expect a Lamborghini, would you?

[@csxtrainman95]

Yes I would expect a Lamborghini…

[@GalaxyChris640]

Is it a Va panel or Ips

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

It looks alot better than my Samsung Q60AA!

[@roxtonpascoe3131]

Who manufactures the Roku Plus TV's? Looks similar to TCL.

[@michaelbeckerman7532]

I read on another site that these TVs are being manufactured for them by TCL.

[@kkit8629]

Amazon Fire Tv & Roku Tv both manufactured by TCL.

[@xavierlaster]

The new pricing makes this a very attractive offer. $799 for a new 75 inch tv with my Preferred OS and more modern than my 6 year old tcl is a huge value proposition. I only wish it was 120hz

[@steveludwig4200]

Roku 75 inch costs $1000. SONY 75 inch X77L 75 inch costs $1000. Which TV is 99% of folks going to buy?

[@xavierlaster]

@@steveludwig4200 my local Best Buy had them for $799 at the time of my post. At $1000 I can see where you’re coming from. I’d wait until Black Friday and compare deals since it’s around the corner.

[@ashishpatel350]

Who makes this tv for Roku? I'm assuming tcl or Hisense

[@jocamp5]

Roku made it. Didn’t you watch the video ? That’s the whole point.

[@ashishpatel350]

@@jocamp5 they don't make the panels or internal parts theirs another manufacturer. Roku is just buying the parts from someone else

[@kylebookout1789]

Surprised they didn't go with HDMI 2.1 and 120hz since they've put it out before. Still a great deal!

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

This is their first stab at it!

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@GreenZombie]

I rather have a cheaper tv. I have a Xbox Series X and 120hz in my gam room. The 120hz has been pretty pointless. A few games take advantage but I usually just go 60hz cause the visual downgrade isnt worth the 120fps

[@RonnRicco]

Caleb looking like a Zaddy in each new video.

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent029😂😂

[@bravowhiskeysierra6944]

Better than Vizio TVs and the crappy OS those come with.

[@surferd69]

Does it have vrr?

[@JeskidoYT]

the big gamechanger is seeing APPLE TV PLUS on a NON APPLE tv remote!!

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@continentalcosplay1243]

Welp on the Plus side? We get more memory for apps. That 512mb stuff just isn't enough on them sound bars. Truly roku like a prop with two combined.

[@lotterynj]

Ow explain. Vizio please

[@randytyson755]

Caleb is a TCL loyalist and we all know this, too bad TCL 2023 line up isn’t good!

[@midengineZ06]

The setting menu looks like TCL one

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent029😂😂

[@zuti071]

Amazing... If ROKU could be able to export this tv with this dirt cheap prices in EU market it would be 50% cheaper than extremly overpriced models with similar specs from TCL and Hisense. And it would destroy seles of entry level models from Samsung (AU, BU, CU 7000&8000 series) and LG (UQ 7000, 7500, 8000) since they cost arround $600 for 55" size and arround $750-800 for 65" across Europe.

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@BRad-mu6qr]

We should be able to map like Disney plus, Netflix to something else on the remote

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@JAMinerViews]

Nitting circle

[@computerenthusiast402]

What’s the Best Value TV under $800 in 2023 ?

[@zuti071]

Where ? In Indonesia, Africa or Europe ?

[@computerenthusiast402]

@@zuti071 California USA

[@zuti071]

@@computerenthusiast402 55" Hisense U8H or 65" U7H

[@Static_Age]

I vote numbers for nit nerds.

[@stephenwakeman3074]

I had a Roku 2 and later a 3 back in the day and they both suffered from the HDCP warning issue where intermittently you would need to reboot the Roku to watch anything. This was a software issue that, to my knowledge, was never fixed and was widespread. Roku never admitted to the problem and their official advice was always that it was a problem with your HDMI cable - which was a blatant lie because if it were true, it would never work and you would always have the HDCP warning. Since that, I don’t think I would ever consider buying anything Roku branded again because in my eyes, they’re untrustworthy.

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@jocamp5]

Never had that issue. And All Roku TVs and products are rock solid now. Stop living in the past.

[@-JonnyBoy-]

The tv looks allot like a TCL series 5 with Roku logo slapped on it...

[@wxman2003]

Good tv for the kiddies.

[@AdamJakowenko]

Nit picking FTW

[@ryanw8664]

Not to be nit-picking here but neither one. I hereby put forward as an alternative “The Nitty-Gritty”. Numbers for Nit Nerds is, well, nerdy. Nit-Picking implies that one is being fussy and looking for faults in a pedantic way. The Nitty-Gritty implies getting into the details, the substance, the fundamentals of something.

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@neonquill5555]

Did you know that NOKIA makes TVs these days? xD

[@Maipenrai55]

Found it impossible to connect Roku tv to a surround sound system…neither HDMI nor optical cables work. Absolutely aggravating, and their support is a joke.

[@steveludwig4200]

Roku 75 inch costs $1000. SONY 75 inch X77L 75 inch costs $1000. Which TV is 99% of folks going to buy? Price the Rohu at $600 and maybe 50% would buy.

[@jgskleres]

Not Picking

[@TheMainCal]

Aww no airwolf and a team.....I PITY THE FOOL......

[@Joshua-xh6bm]

Nit Picking is a far, far better name and I implore you to stick with it.

[@kathynetterville7892]

Seems too complicated to me

[@AudiophileTommy]

The thing is : ROKU does not manufacture TVs ,they have someone make them FOR them and then put the ROKU name on it .

[@ofcourseimfullofit]

@Josh_laurent😂😂

[@nickspeck]

I'd say if we're directly comparing to the U7H, the U7H would get the win here, especially if you're gaming at all. The native 120Hz panel and VRR are game changers. If I were in the market I'd try and stretch my budget just a bit to the U7H personally. I also really like Nit-picking. Simple and easy to remember. Simplicity wins.

[@hnnotyy]

Hisense is trash also CS sucks to boot good luck when you need support.

[@mikec3955]

May I suggest "Pickin' Nits"? (re: 8:47 )

[@bos6268]

Numbers for nit nerds is way better😂

[@decaf77]

Numbers for nit nerds!