Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Roku 4 release likely imminent, 4K streaming is a possibility

Competing directly against Amazon and Apple for streaming set-top box dominance in the living room, there are multiple signs pointing to a fall 2015 revision of the Roku set-top box line along with a new model called the Roku 4 added into the mix. A barrage of filings went through the FCC today, an indication that revisions to existing hardware will roll out for the holiday shopping season.

Regarding the Roku 4, streaming company CinemaNow accidentally pushed a customer service page (cached here) live this week detailing a promotion that offered four free high definition movie rentals with the purchase of the Roku 4. This promotion is specific to “participating warehouse club retailers” that are selling the Roku 4. The promotion is scheduled to start on October 1, 2015 and run through April 30, 2016.

cinemanow-roku-4
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If this promotion is accurate, Roku will likely announce the Roku 4 within the next week, specifically on or before Thursday, October 1. While Apple and Amazon make consumers preorder revisions of set-top boxes, Roku has taken a different approach with previous releases. New hardware is usually available on the same day of the announcement or very close to it. It’s likely the Roku 4 and other hardware revisions will appear on Roku’s retail site first, then be distributed to retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

Recommended Videos

With Amazon announcing Ultra HD support on the new Fire TV, 4K streaming on one or more of the new Roku boxes is a definite possibility. Interestingly, a 4K showcase channel was spotted by Roku enthusiast site UK Roku Channels, but that page was quickly removed from the channel store after being publicized on Twitter. In addition, we already know that Roku has been working on support for 4K Ultra HD streaming on future Roku TV models; an announcement that was made at CES 2015.

Roku-4K-Showcase
Image used with permission by copyright holder

As a company, Roku has always been aggressive about upgrading set-top box hardware. Creating a set-top box that’s 4K capable would keep Roku competitive with Amazon and retain a strategic edge over Apple. There’s also a significant volume of UHD streaming content being published by companies like Amazon and Netflix, much greater than a year ago. Just today, Amazon announced six new shows that will be filmed and eventually streamed in Ultra HD resolution. Netflix is doing the same with original programming as well as popular shows like Breaking Bad.

In addition, the consumer electronics industry is at more of a tipping point with Ultra HD hardware this holiday season. HDMI and HDCP requirements have been finalized for all new Ultra HD devices, including the Ultra HD Blu-ray players that are rumored to hit retailers prior to Christmas or by early 2016 at the latest. In addition, studios are prepping to release films on Ultra HD Blu-ray when the players are released.

It’s also likely that prices on Ultra HD televisions will hit all time lows during November, specifically during Black Friday weekend. LG, Panasonic and Samsung are predicting that Ultra HD television sales will quadruple in the United States this year, according to Twice. If that holds true, any company that releases a player capable of streaming 4K content will be in a great position to take advantage of new UHD television owners this holiday season.

Available at: Amazon

Mike Flacy
By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…
Formovie’s Cinema Edge is an affordable 4K UST projector
Formovie Cinema Edge 4K UST projector.

Projector maker Formovie Technology today announced a new, more affordable ultra short throw (UST) projector to its lineup. The Formovie Cinema Edge is a reasonably priced $2,500 projector with solid brightness and color specs, as well as Google TV with native Netflix built in. Formovie is offering the Cinema Edge at a special preorder discounted price of $2,200 starting today.

The Chinese company, which also sells projector screens and compact projectors under its Xming sub-brand, launched its Formovie Theater UST projector in September 2022 to wide acclaim. The Cinema Edge takes some of what the $3,500 (at launch) Formovie Theater offers, makes some improvements, and dials a few things down to make for a capable and much more affordable projector.

Read more
Sling TV begins some limited streaming in 4K resolution
Sling TV app icon on Apple TV.

Sling TV — the third-largest of the live-streaming services in the U.S. — announced today in a blog post that it will stream some live sports in 4K resolution. It joins the likes of YouTube TV and Fubo with that feature, though it has limitations that the other services do not.

All of the services are limited in what they can stream in 4K — it's ultimately up to the source material. But Sling TV has an added limitation in that the higher resolution is only available in certain locations.

Read more
Nit Nerds News: Exciting new Apple TV 4K features, new Xbox consoles
Nit Nerds News

Exciting New Apple TV 4K Features, New Xbox Consoles | Nit Nerds News

Today on Nit Nerds News: New Apple tvOS features that will freshen up existing Apple TV 4K boxes. Updated Xbox consoles are a bit of a letdown for home entertainment. Asus has unveiled some eye-popping new PC monitors.

Read more