Streaming giant Roku is continuing its push into the UK’s budget smart TV market with the launch of a new range of Veltech Roku TV models.
These latest offerings, available exclusively through online retailer AO, represent another step in Roku’s strategy to expand its share of the affordable smart TV sector.
The new Veltech Roku TV lineup includes three models: a 32-inch and a 40-inch option in 2K Full HD, and a 43-inch version boasting 4K Ultra HD resolution.
While some smart TVs are cheap as chips these days, the new Veltech line is particularly noteworthy with prices starting at £139 for the smallest model and topping out at £209 for the 4K variant.
Roku’s UK Expansion
In recent years, Roku has been expanding its presence in the UK market, with a major focus on the Smart TV market.
The company’s journey began with its user-friendly streaming sticks, which transform traditional TVs into smart TVs, offering a vast library of streaming services and apps.
Despite facing stiff competition from Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks, Roku carved out a niche for itself with products like the Roku Express, Roku Express 4K, and the Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
But lately, the company has been increasing its range of Roku TV models, partnering with manufacturers to integrate its operating system directly into televisions.
This strategy began with collaborations with brands like Sharp, TCL, and Metz, and retailers like Currys – and even Asda.
Veltech Roku TVs: The New Affordable Option
The new Veltech Roku TV range, which officially launched this week, offers three models – all at budget prices:
- 32″ 2K Full HD Smart TV priced at £139
- 40″ 2K Full HD Smart TV priced at £189
- 43″ 4K Ultra HD Smart TV priced at £209
These are non-AO.COM member prices. Those who have an AO membership (which costs £39.99/year) can pay potentially less for the TVs.
But even without the membership discount, these competitive prices position the Veltech Roku TVs as some of the most affordable smart TV options in the UK market, appealing to first-time buyers, students, or those seeking secondary TVs for bedrooms or kitchens.
For now, however, they’re only available from AO.com.
Jonathan G Evans, UK Managing Director at Veltech, said: “This partnership will give consumers access to a vast amount of great entertainment, and our high-quality TVs assembled in the UK.”
Streaming Capabilities and User Experience
As with any Roku device, The Veltech Roku TVs offer access to a wide range of streaming services, including popular options like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and Apple TV+.
Roku’s customisable home screen and universal search function across apps are highlighted features, allowing users to easily find and organise their favourite content.
Last year, Roku also added a long-awaited “What To Watch” hub, which helps with finding what to watch across the many supported streaming services.
The Veltech TVs don’t have voice control via the remote – but you can sync Roku’s mobile app with the TV for voice commands and voice search.
Picture Quality and HDR Support
While the 32″ and 40″ models offer Full HD resolution, the 43″ model steps up to 4K Ultra HD with HDR10 support.
This provides a more future-proof option for those willing to spend a bit more, though, at £209, it’s still priced very competitively for a 4K smart TV.
That being said, while HDR10 support is a welcome feature at this price point, buyers shouldn’t expect the same level of HDR performance as higher-end TVs with more advanced local dimming capabilities or higher peak brightness.
Freeview Integration
As with previous Roku TV models, the new Veltech range includes an integrated Freeview tuner, allowing users to access live TV channels alongside streaming content.
This feature, combined with Freeview Play support, provides access to catch-up services from UK broadcasters such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5.
However, it’s worth noting that, like other Roku TVs, the Freeview Play integration may not be as seamless as on some other platforms.
Users typically can’t use Roku’s global / voice search to find Freeview shows from the EPG, for instance.
Additionally, these TVs lack built-in recording capabilities for Freeview channels due to the absence of local storage – for that, you still need a Freeview recorder like the Manhattan T4-R.
So in essence, the Freeview Play section is a totally separate platform from Roku’s own interface – which has long been somewhat of a missed opportunity in my view.
Then again, that’s where Freely is supposed to come in – combining Freeview and streaming – but the Veltech TVs (or any Roku TVs for that matter) don’t support Freely.
Veltech are cheap for a reason…. Cheap unreliable components.