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Sceptre bolsters its Roku-ready line with an energy-efficient 50-inch LED HDTV

Despite the “budget brand” reputation of California-based electronics producer Sceptre, the company has been packing a bit more value into their products than we’re used to seeing, as with the SoundPal, a versatile Bluetooth speaker. Now the company has upped its own ante with a 50-inch LED HDTV that is so energy efficient, you’ll only spend about $17 each year to power it, according to the company’s press release.

Such a release gives Sceptre a push of momentum that could help propel the company forward and contribute to making the brand a more recognized name.

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In spite of its unwieldy name, the 1080p X505BV-FMDR TV really is a bargain at $700.  The set doesn’t appear to be particularly thin, but it can be easily wall-mounted, and sports a budget-buy defying three HDMI ports.

The fully-integrated “Roku-ready” feature means users won’t need to purchase a full-on Roku set-top box; Roku’s $50 Streaming Stick will work just fine via the X505BV’s MHL-enabled HDMI port, allowing control of the Roku’s funtions through the television itself. Sceptre appears to have opted for a Roku-ready television instead of packing its own apps and Wi-Fi capabilities inside – likely a wise move for a company with little experience in developing smart TV software. 

This new Sceptre TV’s $700 price-point will likely go down as we approach the back half of the year, meaning it should compete nicely against similarly priced models with fewer features. 

Alex Tretbar
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex Tretbar, audio/video intern, is a writer, editor, musician, gamer and sci-fi nerd raised on EverQuest and Magic: The…
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