After years of being exclusive to Europe, Philips‘ Ambilight TVs have finally arrived for US buyers. The immersive lighting technology, which casts an adjustable, dynamic halo of color onto the wall behind the screen, is now available in a new line of Smart TVs powered by the Roku OS.
Philips Ambilight TVs arrive in the US market
Ambilight has long been considered one of the most effective built-in features for enhancing the home viewing experience. The tech uses a system of intelligent LED lights built directly into the TV’s rear panel. These lights project colors onto the wall in real time, matching the action happening on the screen.
Watching a high-action movie might bathe your room in explosions of red and orange. Streaming a concert pulses the lights to the beat of the music. This effect serves two purposes: it creates an immersive atmosphere that makes the TV appear larger than its physical size, and it is easier on the eyes, softening the contrast between the brightness of the screen and a dark room.
The technology is particularly convenient because it’s built directly into the set. This eliminates the need for expensive third-party light strips or sync boxes to achieve a similar effect. Since the lighting is integrated, it works seamlessly with everything you connect to the TV, from streaming apps and 4K Blu-Ray players to gaming consoles.
Pricing and platform choices
The new Philips Roku TV featuring Ambilight is available in four sizes. You can find it in 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch. Pricing is positioned to be competitive, starting at just $229 for the smallest model and topping out at $389 for the 65-inch set.
All four sets are available immediately through the Philips website and at Sam’s Club.
These first US models run the user-friendly Roku TV OS. The latter provides access to thousands of streaming channels and apps, along with features like Apple AirPlay. This is a departure from the European models, which primarily use Google TV. It remains unclear whether Philips plans to introduce Google TV-powered Ambilight sets in the US later on.
The sets themselves offer 4K UHD resolution with HDR10 support. However, they do not include features like Dolby Vision or 120Hz support. Even so, the inclusion of the sought-after Ambilight technology at an affordable price point makes these sets a notable addition to the US market.
A complex partnership
The US launch required a creative partnership due to complex licensing agreements. Ambilight technology belongs to TP Vision, the company that licenses the Philips brand for TVs in Europe. Because TP Vision does not sell in the US, the new sets are reportedly manufactured by TP Vision but distributed locally under a partnership with Skyworth, which currently licenses the Philips name in the States. This collaboration has successfully brought the long-awaited light show across the Atlantic.
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Source: ndroidheadlines.com