Home Entertainment ANALYSIS: TV
Panasonic’s Z95A Fire TV 26
The Roku user interface is seamlessly integrated with Freeview Play, so navigation feels slick and uncomplicated, and all the main UK catch-up TV players are available. Perhaps the brand to watch, though, is Hisense, as it’ll be the first major manufacturer to introduce televisions running Freely, the IP delivered free-to-air channel platform from the makers of Freeview Play. Created by Everyone TV (formerly Digital UK), the joint venture owned by BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, Freely hopes to appeal to a younger demographic. It’s also likely to woo those wanting an additional TV for a room not currently served by an aerial or dish. According to research released by the group, more than half of UK homes will watch TV exclusively over broadband by 2030. ERT has had a preview of the Freely service, and has been impressed by its apparent ease of use. Much like Sky Glass/Sky Stream, you can switch between live linear channels and on-demand TV. The platform is fully integrated into existing catch-up TV players and features a familiar looking seven-day programme guide, accessed via a dedicated button on the remote control. A MiniGuide pop-ups whenever the user switches channels.
Not to be left behind, LG is introducing an updated iteration of webOS (pictured above), with a more customisable and personal smart TV experience. Users will be able to create up to 10 individual profiles. The brand says that the new screens will even be able to recognise users’ voices based on profiles.
Full stream ahead
A new entrant in the UK TV market, Metz, hopes to curry favour with a Roku-powered 4K range. Roku is a strong alternative to Amazon’s Fire TV platform, distinguished by its ease of use and reliability. Much like Fire TV, it offers a huge variety of streaming service apps, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
German brand Metz won’t be a familiar name to UK buyers, but the brand has been a regular at the Berlin IFA show, and in 2015 its TV business was acquired by Chinese TV giant
Skyworth. The current star of the Metz Roku line-up is the 50MRD6000. This affordable 4K model looks smart enough, and offers a trio of HDMI connections, one of which is eARC ready.
While Hisense looks likely to be first to market, it won’t be alone. The Vestel stable is also on board, so you can expect Freely TVs from JVC and Toshiba, and Metz has also indicated support. The TV market is looking brighter than ever in 2024, but smart TV developments hold the key to bumper sales.
March 2024
ertonline.co.uk
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