TCL on AirPlay-2 Enabled TVs: 'We Are Currently Committed to Roku'

[MacRumors]

Earlier this week, Apple announced that AirPlay 2-enabled smart TVs are coming from leading manufacturers, including Samsung, LG, Vizio, and Sony. Those four brands lead the TV market in the United States, but up-and-coming Chinese vendor TCL has made a name for itself stateside over the past few years.

When asked if TCL would be willing to work with Apple on adding AirPlay 2 support to its smart TVs, a spokesperson for TCL told MacRumors the company is "currently committed to Roku," which has a software platform for smart TVs.

TCL's partnership with Roku doesn't necessarily preclude AirPlay 2 support, but neither company is willing to promise it right now. A spokesperson for Roku said "we don't have anything to share regarding this now." We also asked Apple if it would be willing to work with TCL, but did not receive a response.

TCL describes itself as "America's fastest-growing TV brand" and the "third largest TV manufacturer in the world." The company has been able to gain market share in the United States thanks to both Roku integration and its generally less expensive lineup of smart TVs compared to the likes of Samsung and LG.

Roku OS for TCL TVs is the same software used on its standalone media players, enabling users to stream content from a wide selection of services, including Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, HBO NOW, Pandora, and Spotify.

AirPlay 2 support would allow users to stream video, audio, photos, and more directly from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to TCL smart TVs, with multi-room audio support. HomeKit is also coming to many smart TVs, enabling users to control volume, playback, and more using Siri or the Home app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

At least for now, however, those who want those AirPlay 2 features on their TCL smart TV will have to consider options from its competitors instead.

Article Link: TCL on AirPlay-2 Enabled TVs: 'We Are Currently Committed to Roku'

 

[69Mustang]

That's too bad. They make decent panels that provide an avenue for people to get into 4K without breaking the bank.

 

[Rogifan]

Is TCL the only brands that uses Roku? Bummer if this doesn’t happen. I have two TCL TVs and they’re very good for the price. And the Roku software is quite good as well. The only time I fire up my Apple TV now is to watch Apple’s keynotes. Maybe Apple should acquire Roku.

 

[Mac 128]

Does TCL not support Casting? Does Roku have any media mirroring functions from a digital device?

 

[MysteryMii215]

Is TCL the only brands that uses Roku?

There are other brands, but they're those budget brands you see at Walmart or Target.

 

[cgriffis753]

I was afraid of this ☹️ Im sure it will happen some day but may have to wait a while

 

[KPandian1]

In a way it is less complicated. Apple people can use the TCL TVs as monitors!

 

[Rudy69]

Well that’s a mistake lol.

For my next tv I was looking at them or Vizio. They made my shopping research a lot easier

 

[Plutonius]

Is TCL the only brands that uses Roku? Bummer if this doesn’t happen. I have two TCL TVs and they’re very good for the price. And the Roku software is quite good as well. The only time I fire up my Apple TV now is to watch Apple’s keynotes. Maybe Apple should acquire Roku.

A separate Roku streaming device works well.

I'm not sure I need it built into a TV.
[doublepost=1547221940][/doublepost]

Well that’s a mistake lol.

For my next tv I was looking at them or Vizio. They made my shopping research a lot easier

Wouldn't you just have to attach an Apple TV to it to get the functionality that you want ?

 

[Baymowe335]

TCL can be good a good value, but they have some major quality control issues.

They can stay "committed" to Roku until Roku is out of business.

 

[hagjohn]

I have an Apple TV plugged into a TCL 55". I like having both available as the Roku has some different apps than Apple TV has, so it's perfect.

 

[KPandian1]

Wouldn't you just have to attach an Apple TV to it to get the functionality that you want ?

That's what I said!

 

[truthertech]

A separate Roku streaming device works well.

I'm not sure I need it built into a TV.
[doublepost=1547221940][/doublepost]

Wouldn't you just have to attach an Apple TV to it to get the functionality that you want ?

You can, and a lot of people are misunderstanding the benefit. Apple TV will be a more secure, more private, more comprehensive way to watch TV than the built in app of any of these TV's.
[doublepost=1547222700][/doublepost]Very smart move on Apple to link up with the TV manufacturers and TCL will want to jump on board ASAP as it will cost them some sales. Apple TV will still be the better way to watch TV and this may actually drive sales of that as folks who care about better privacy and much smoother way to watch than the manufacturers App will prefer Apple TV.

 

[npmacuser5]

I like the idea of a built in streaming device TV. Especially in areas other then the main TV for no better term. Bedroom, one cable to manage, one power source, one remote (physical or software), same user experience throughout.

The issue today, this article points it out nicely. For those who worry about upgrades, the new devices are much better at software updates. The TV’s are now the problem with all the hardware updates requiring a new TV. Like 1080 to 4K and onwards to 8k.

Apple needs to rethink their TV plans. Get serious about it would be a good start.

 

[jljue]

I have an Apple TV plugged into a TCL 55". I like having both available as the Roku has some different apps than Apple TV has, so it's perfect.

I do the same as well. I sometimes find this to be a good backup to DirecTV Now's buffering on the Roku side, since I typically don't have this issue with the AppleTV. The AppleTV WatchESPN app also allows for quad-mode view of 4 events while the Roku App does not. We mainly use the Roku because the Apple TV is too hard to use for most people while they also sometimes forget to turn off the Apple TV (or at least return it back to home) before turning off the TV, which is one reason why I bought the TCL Roku 4K 55" when we had to replace the old 50" plasma.

 

[yanksfan114]

Even though I knew it was likely, that sucks. I’ve been loving my 55” 4K TCL and AirPlay 2 support would’ve kept me as a customer of their brand for a long time.

Was going to instantly buy the same TV for another room in my house I need to upgrade. TCL’s decision now made it a bigger question as which brand I’ll go with.

 

[macpro2000]

Cheap stuff. I would never buy a TCL display. It’s like buying a Hyundai.

 

[lunarworks]

Most consumers honestly won't know the difference (when I show people AirPlay on my Apple TV they're amazed like it's a magic trick), but TCL's leaving money on the table here.

 

[Kanyay]

not gonna lie i was about to get a TCL 4k tv for my sister for xmas but when i went to bestbuy and saw it next to a samsung 4k panel for the same price... it was no question. samsung >>>>>>

 

[nighthawk67]

Apple - "Hey"

TCL - "I have a boyfriend"

 

[ignatius345]

Yawn. I honestly couldn't care less what's installed on a TV because I'm going to bypass all of it and plug the inputs of my choice (currently Apple TV, a blu-ray player and a PS4) through the HDMI and never touch the crapware the thing comes with. I'd rather my purchase dollar go toward the quality of the display instead. WAY easier to just plug in new devices from time to time as they're upgraded than buy a new TV.

 

[ikramerica]

Sharp also uses Roku rather than android, TVOS, or Sony platforms. (I think Toshiba uses Roku too).

We have 3 sharp Roku TVs. They are good Tvs and cost less than LG or Samsung. The interface is easier than Android TV and Sony proprietary (we have one of each) and about the same as TVOS (we have an LG with that).

I think it’s really on Apple to make a deal with Roku to add Airplay 2 support. Then Roku would add it to Roku embedded versions. I’m hoping my non-Android Sony TV gets Airplay 2 support but who knows if Sony will bother updating it. I won’t hold my breath for the Android Sony TV we own.

 

[ignatius345]

Cheap stuff. I would never buy a TCL display. It’s like buying a Hyundai.

Not for nothing, but the last rental car I got was a Hyundai and I was quite impressed. It drove better than some of doggy Fords I've gotten recently.

 

[ipedro]

Maybe Apple should acquire Roku.

That’s not a bad idea. If Apple were to acquire Roku, they could run them independently as their low cost TV brand with features like the TV app, iTunes, Apple Music, AirPlay and the App Store built in. Apple’s TV business would get instant market penetration.

Valued at about $2B, it would be an instant value worth far more than that to Apple who is spending $1B/year on tv content alone and expecting to earn $50B a year on services by 2020.

 

[Alan Wynn]

not gonna lie i was about to get a TCL 4k tv for my sister for xmas but when i went to bestbuy and saw it next to a samsung 4k panel for the same price... it was no question. samsung >>>>>>

That is too bad, as what you were probably seeing was poor content and an improperly adjusted device. If the TCL set had Dolby Vision, it is substantially better than the HDR 10 (and the barely supported HDR 10+) in the Samsung device.