Speaker 1: TCL the China based company best known for its Roku powered smart TVs is rolling out a bunch of new models that use Google's smart TV system. Instead, we visited the company's showcase in Manhattan where I shot this on my phone. So excuse the shakiness and terrible camera work. Anyway, let's take a look.
Speaker 1: The new TVs are part of TCLs five and six series, which have been available for the last year with the Roku operating [00:00:30] system. In fact, the TCL six series with Roku was my favorite TV in 2020 with awesome image quality for the money company. Representatives told me that the new Google power six series shown here hooked up to an Xbox series X with Microsoft flight simulator has pretty much all the same picture quality features as the Roku version complete with many LEDs and local dimming. There are a couple differences. However, speaking of gaming, the six series can handle 4k 120 Hertz signals while [00:01:00] the Roku model maxed out at 14 41 20 both include variable refresh rate and the THX game mode. I like so much last year, the new Google TVs also have a slightly different design with stand legs. You can move from the center of the panel to either side, but the biggest difference of course is their smart TV.
Speaker 1: I love the simplicity of Roku's app based homepage, but Google TV is much more ambitious. It serves up recommendations front and center in the four U section with choices powered by an algorithm or your own thumbs up thumbs down. [00:01:30] There's also a live section for subscribers to YouTube TV or sling TV. The menus are sleeker looking too. And below the app bar, you'll find more categories and suggestions based on the apps you've installed and other Google rec recommendations. And of course there's thousands of apps available on the Google play store. One is Google duo, which with an optional webcam can turn the TV into a big video chat screen. PCL will sell its own webcam seen here where the privacy shutter, although third party webcams will work too. Roku has [00:02:00] voice control, but Google TV is powered by Google assistant, which is a lot more advanced and can control other devices in a smart home.
Speaker 1: These TVs are equipped with far field mics, so you can issue, Hey, Google commands hands free and there's a physical switch to turn the mic off for privacy. The remote is relatively simple, like Rokus and includes a bunch of shortcut keys as well as a mic for Google assistant. Another Google TV extra is dedicated kids profile designed to surface child friendly apps and content. You can set up passcodes and screen time [00:02:30] limits, including weekday and bedtime schedules. You can also restrict some apps, including Netflix to show only kid friendly content and let your kids set up their own profile pictures. Of course, some users might prefer the simplicity of Roku system while Google TV is more complicated and offers a few unique features, especially Google assistant. The good news is that both versions of the five and six series, whether powered by Roku or Google will cost the same TCLs new Google TVs will be available soon. So stay tuned [00:03:00] to CNET for more details.
