Philips Roku Ambilight 4K TVs Launch in the US

Roku and Philips have launched the first Philips televisions with Ambilight for sale in the United States, introducing a lineup of Roku-powered 4K TVs in 43, 50, 55 and 65 inch sizes that include Philips' signature backlighting system. The sets are available through Sam's Club and Philips' online store, with Philips listing prices at $229, $259, $329 and $389 for the 43, 50, 55 and 65 inch models respectively.

Ambilight uses a ring of LEDs built into the rear of the television to project colors onto the wall behind the set, synchronizing in real time with the onscreen image. Roku described the effect this way: "Ambilight uses intelligent LED lighting built into the back of the TV to project colors onto the wall in real time, matching the action on screen." Manufacturers say the lighting is intended to expand perceived screen size, increase immersion and reduce eye strain during viewing.

The new Philips Roku TVs offer 4K UHD resolution and support HDR10. They do not include Dolby Vision. The sets incorporate the Roku operating system, giving access to the Roku Channel, the Backdrops feature for decorative or themed screensavers, thousands of streaming apps and integration with...