Roku just announced a new feature called “Backdrops,” which transforms your TV into a canvas. Like on the popular Frame TV from Samsung and other alternatives, this free feature will showcase artwork and photography while the set is not actively showing content.
Roku says the catalog will include thousands of curated works, including famous classics, wide-ranging museum collections, and abstract designs.
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You’ll be able to create a gallery of your favorite art or cycle photos from your own collection. Pre-generated galleries will also be available, including certain artists and museums. Paintings will include the artist’s name, the year the artist created it, and a brief description. Roku says galleries will evolve as pieces are added over time.
Backdrops will be available via your TV’s settings menu or the Backdrops app on your set, automatically appearing once the feature is available. You can click the power button, start Backdrops manually through the app, or use your voice to start showing works. Settings are available to adjust the brightness of Backdrops to match the ambient light in a room and to choose how long the TV shows each image (from 10 seconds to a whole day).
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Since other sets with this feature like The Frame have anti-glare screens, the artwork feature can look almost identical to an actual canvas. Given that the quality of Roku TVs varies, it’s tough to tell if Backdrops will have that same quality. Still, it’s a nice addition that should add new life to your television.
The rollout will happen over the next few weeks, starting with Roku-branded TVs and third-party Roku TV models. Later in the fall, Roku streaming players and stream bars will get Backdrops.
Conclusion
With the introduction of Backdrops, Roku is bringing a new level of customization and aesthetics to the television viewing experience. This feature allows users to turn their TV screens into dynamic pieces of art, showcasing a wide range of curated works and personal galleries. Whether you’re a fan of classic paintings or abstract designs, Backdrops offers something for everyone.
By adding this feature to their lineup, Roku is stepping up their game in the world of smart TVs and streaming devices. With the ability to adjust settings for brightness and display time, users have full control over how they want their Backdrops to be showcased.
As the rollout of Backdrops begins, it will be interesting to see how users integrate this feature into their daily viewing habits. Whether it’s using the app to manually start Backdrops or simply letting it run in the background, this new addition is sure to breathe new life into Roku TVs.
