Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

TiVo is Back in Sharp’s 55-inch AQUOS QLED TV For Only $299

Would you buy a 55-inch Sharp 4K TV with built-in TiVo for $299.99? Let’s take a look at what it offers.

Sharp TIVO TV Lifestyle Man View

Remember TiVo? They started off over 25 years ago (1999) making DVRs (aka PVRs) for recording cable and terrestrial TV content that was stored on a hard drive instead of tape (brand new tech at the time). Then they added streaming features to their DVRs and also made a streaming dongle (TiVo Stream 4K), similar to the Roku and Fire TV streaming sticks and Chromecast plug-in streamer. Now as part of the Xperi umbrella, TiVo is branching out by offering its streaming platform for use as a Smart TV OS

Tip: Some may recall TiVo DVRs were so popular that the brand name became a verb, with people saying, “I TiVo’d my favorite show last night.”

TiVo For Smart TVs

TiVo TV OS 2025

European buyers were first to get a taste of TiVo OS in select Panasonic and Sharp TV models, but now Sharp is making its first TiVo enabled TV (no DVR capabilities) available to U.S. customers. The first such model is the 55-inch Sharp 4T-C55GM6540U, which is being offered for $299.99.

The goal of including the TiVo OS as a smart TV platform is to provide users with a way to find the shows and movies they want to watch. 

The TiVo interface emphasizes “content first.” This is accomplished by showing viewers TV programs and movies they might want to watch while being agnostic with how you view said content. This means that it is available on several streaming apps, and it will show you each option. Other Smart TV OS’s such as Fire TV sometimes prioritize their streaming service over others.

From Geir Skaaden, chief products and services officer at Xperi: “Consumers want easy access to their content without any hassle. However, many smart TV interfaces create friction that disrupts a seamless user experience. We believe that TVs should deliver the right content to viewers at the right time, and we are doing just that through TiVo OS. TiVo OS is solving for this friction by helping viewers find, watch, and enjoy their favorite shows and movies quickly and with ease.

55-inch Sharp 4T-C55GM6540U TiVo TV
55-inch Sharp 4T-C55GM6540U TiVo TV

Additional Features of the TiVo interface for Smart TV include:

  • Personalization: TiVo provides personalized recommendations based on your watch lists, what’s trending, and your unique taste profile.
  • Simplicity: TiVo is simple to set up, with a modern design and intuitive interface that makes it easy to access all the major content apps.
  • TiVo+ Free Content: In addition to subscription-based apps. Such as Netflix, Disney Plus, etc. TiVO+ provides access to several free ad-supported streaming services, such as PlutoTV, Tubi, Tastmade, Cheddar, Newsy, FailArmy, Food52, Funny or Die, USA Today Wired, Pet Collective, and more.
  • Voice Control and Search: In addition to navigating the user interface, you can use voice control via your remote to tell your TiVo TV what you’re looking for, and TiVo will help you find it.

Specifications

Sharp TV Model4T-C55GM6540U
TV Type QLED
Price $299.99
Screen Size55-inch Class  (54.5 Inches)
Display Resolution4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Pane Refresh Rate (Native)60Hz
HDR SupportHDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
Smart TV OSTiVo
HDMI Inputs (HDMI 2.1)3
Digital Optical Output1
USB Ports2
BluetoothYes
Voice SearchYes
Audio Format Support Dolby Atmos
Audio Power Output24W (12W + 12W) 
Dimensions (HWD – Without Stand)28.19 x 48.46 x 3.58 Inches
Dimensions (HWD – With Stand)30.43 x 48.46 x 10.24 inches
Weight Without Stand 32.6 Lbs
Included in the BoxRemote Control
Stand
55-inch Sharp 4T-C55GM6540U TiVo TV Dimensions

The Bottom Line

TiVo is late to the party in terms of Smart TV OS implementation. Samung TVs incorporate Tizen, LG uses Web OS, and Google TV, Fire TV, and Roku are available on many TV models, and Sharp already has a line of OLED TVs with the Roku built-in which begs the question if they are planning to switch those to TiVo in the next model year. Also, Sharp has indicated that it will also be implementing the XUMO OS on some of its TVs. 

Another question is whether TiVo offers smart TV buyers something substantially different from what other smart TVs offer in terms of ease of use and content offerings.  

On Sharp’s end, they are only offering one model to start for the US market (several models are available in Europe), with no indication if more US models are forthcoming. Perhaps they’re playing a wait-and-see game based on the intense competition right now from brands like TCL and Hisense.

Also, Sharp doesn’t seem to be hyping the video and audio capabilities very much, except making general statements that it is a QLED TV and incorporates Dolby Atmos audio. More specifics on blacklight implementation such as direct or full-array with dimming zones and light output capability for HDR support would be helpful. 

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The real kicker is the $299.99 price for a 55-inch 4K QLED TV which is likely to attract the attention of budget-conscious buyers looking for a new TV right now. The other issue which may impact how well this TV sells are the new tariffs that were just announced last night on China, Korea, and Japan. Will this TV suddenly see a 20-30% increase? We shall find out soon enough.

TiVo’s goal is to have 7 million TiVo-based smart TVs in the global market by the end of 2025, obviously with only one US model, Europe will be carrying most of the load.

Pricing & Availability

The 55-inch Sharp 4T-C55GM6540U is priced at $299.99 and is available through Sharp USA.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Anton Yelchin

    April 4, 2025 at 9:57 pm

    TiVo? They’re about as relevant as Napster. Which some fool purchased last week for $200M.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

JL Audio C6-653cs Speakers for Ford F-150

Car Speakers

Upgrade your Ford F-150's audio with Garmin's new JL Audio C6 three-way speakers and Stealthbox subwoofer. Experience powerful sound and custom fit for your...

Bowers and Wilkins Px7s3 headphones in Indigo Blue and Anthracite Black. Bowers and Wilkins Px7s3 headphones in Indigo Blue and Anthracite Black.

New Products

Some of our favorite over-ear wireless noise cancelling headphones are getting a major update. But will tariffs make these practically unaffordable in the United...

Andover Audio SpinBase Max 2 Wireless Speaker under Turntable in Black Andover Audio SpinBase Max 2 Wireless Speaker under Turntable in Black

New Products

Designed to sit under any turntable, the $549 SpinBase MAX delivers room-filling sound with minimal footprint—ideal for vinyl lovers seeking performance and convenience in...

Roku New Products Unveiled - 2025 Roku New Products Unveiled - 2025

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

New Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus are Around 35% slimmer than the competition and can be powered by a TV's built-in USB...

LG xboom with Will.i.am 2025 Bluetooth Speakers and Buds LG xboom with Will.i.am 2025 Bluetooth Speakers and Buds

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

LG adds "abracadabra" to their xboom product line with the Grab, Bounce, and Stage 301 bluetooth speakers and Buds, tuned by will.i.am

Chord Suzi Pre and Suzi Chord Suzi Pre and Suzi

Headphone Amps

Suzi by Chord Electronics delivers compact, modular high-end audio with a built-in phono stage, ULTIMA tech, and flexible DAC/streaming integration.

Gift Ideas?

Cost-no-object Audiophile Gear

Floorstanding Speakers

When money is no-object in building a high-end audio system, this is the audiophile gear you'll want to check out first.

You May Also Like

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

New Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick Plus are Around 35% slimmer than the competition and can be powered by a TV's built-in USB...

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

We can tell you how much Samsung's latest OLED and Frame Pro TVs and new soundbars cost. But don't ask us how they look...

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Last month, we got a sneak peek at Sony’s new BRAVIA 4K TVs. Here’s what’s coming down the pike this year.

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

With economic markets in turmoil, Sony just announced pricing for their new 2025 BRAVIA TVs and the news isn't great.

Ask an Expert

If you can't get picture or sound from your TV or projector don't despair. Here are some debugging tips from our resident home theater...

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

DTS support has disappeared from 2025 LG TVs. Is there something else afoot to replace it that might be better?

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Will LG's new quad stack Primary RGB Tandem OLED panel make the G5 the best TV of 2025? And what should we expect from...

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

At 85 or 98-inches, the top-of-the-line 2025 TCL X11K 4K TVs boast 6,500 nits, 14,000 dimming zones and HALO Control Technology.

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers