is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.
Philips has announced a new lineup of LCD TVs featuring both built-in immersive backlighting and the Roku TV operating system. The company’s Ambilight technology, which uses a series of color-changing LEDs on the back of the TV set to project colors onto walls mirroring what’s happening on screen, has been around for a few decades. These are the first TVs from Philips to pair Ambilight with the Roku TV OS so you’ll see the effect while using popular streaming apps, when watching over 500 live TV channels, or while sharing photos and videos to the TV from an Apple device using AirPlay.
The new Philips Roku TVs are now available exclusively through Sam’s Club online and in-store and are launching in four different sizes: 43 inches for $229, 50 inches for $259, 55 inches for $329, and 65 inches for $389. Third-party solutions like the $350 Philips Hue 8K sync box cost nearly as much as the largest TV in the new lineup and don’t come with lights. There are cheaper alternatives, like Govee’s TV Backlight 3 Pro and the $100 Nanoleaf 4D V2, but their LEDs require installation and the use of cameras positioned around your TV to capture what’s happening on screen.
The Ambilight backlighting works without the need for cameras or other additional hardware. Image: Philips
The TVs don’t feature the latest display technologies like OLED, Mini LED, or MicroLED panels, but they’re each 4K capable, support HDR10, and can automatically switch to different picture modes depending on what you’re watching. They can also wirelessly connect to Roku speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers, and are compatible with the Roku mobile app that adds voice controls and smart home connectivity, including on-screen notifications. The LED backlighting can even be used while the TV is off through a selection of color-changing Roku Backdrops or as a visualizer while streaming music.