In a strategic move, budget-priced TV maker Element has partnered with TiVo to incorporate the TiVo smart TV OS into a new line of televisions. Element already offers TVs powered by Google TV and Xumo, but the addition of TiVo OS gives consumers another smart TV platform for accessing and managing streaming content.
So far, Element is offering two TiVo-powered models: the 50-inch E550AF50T and 65-inch E550AF65T. Both are entry-level LED/LCD TVs with 4K UHD resolution, a native 60Hz panel refresh rate with a 120Hz effective refresh rate, HDR10 support, DTS and DTS Virtual, Dolby Audio, a built-in 2 x 8-watt speaker system, headphone output, Bluetooth, and the TiVo OS smart TV platform.
What TiVo OS Adds to Element’s Smart TV Experience
According to Element and Xperi, TiVo’s parent company, TiVo OS combines live television, streaming apps, and personalized content recommendations within a single interface. The goal is to reduce the amount of time viewers spend jumping between apps and searching for something to watch.
By organizing content from multiple entertainment sources and placing discovery at the center of the experience, TiVo OS is designed to help viewers find relevant programming more quickly.
“The smart TV experience should revolve around content, not complexity,” said Geir Skaaden, chief products and services officer at Xperi. “TiVo OS is being used by millions of consumers who spend less time searching and more time enjoying entertainment, and our partnership with Element expands access to that experience for households across the U.S.”
“Consumers shouldn’t have to choose between value and a great entertainment experience,” said Vlad Kazhdan, president of Element. “With Element smart TVs Powered by TiVo, we’re bringing together trusted quality, affordability, and an intuitive content-first platform that helps viewers quickly find what they love to watch.”
TiVo OS Key Features
Content-First: TiVo OS puts movies, TV shows, and live television directly on the home screen rather than organizing the experience primarily around individual apps.
Simplicity: TiVo OS is designed to be easy to set up around individual viewing preferences, with a modern interface that provides straightforward access to available content.
Personalization: TiVo OS customizes the viewing experience with recommendations based on watchlists, trending content, and an individual user’s viewing preferences.
TiVo+: TiVo OS includes access to more than 160 free ad-supported channels and tens of thousands of hours of free, ad-supported movies and TV shows through TiVo+.
Voice Control and Search: TiVo OS includes built-in voice control that allows viewers to search for content across multiple streaming services simultaneously.
Built-In App Integration: The Element TVs include 150 preloaded apps, including major streaming services such as Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney+, and Pluto TV.
Pro Tip: The version of TiVo OS used on Element Smart TVs does not include an app store that allows users to manually add or delete individual apps. New apps can only be added by TiVo through system updates.
ELEMENT TIVO 50 and 65-inch TVs Comparison
| Element Model | E550AF50T | E550AF65T |
| Product Type | LED/LCD TV | LED/LCD TV |
| Price | $269.99 | $499.99 |
| Screen Size (diagonally) | 49.5″ (50-inch Class) | 64.5″ (65-inch Class) |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD) |
| Display Type | LCD | LCD |
| Backlight | LED – Direct Lit | LED – Direct Lit |
| Effective Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Panel Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) | HDR10 HLG | HDR10 HLG |
| Smart OS | TiVo | TiVo |
| Audio Processing | DTS Virtual: X, Dolby Audio | DTS Virtual: X, Dolby Audio |
| Speakers | 2 x 8W | 2 x 8W |
| Bluetooth Support | Yes | Yes |
| Analog/Digital TV Tuner | Yes | Yes |
| Ant/Cable | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI Inputs | 3 | 3 |
| Audio Return Channel (ARC) | Yes – eARC | Yes – eARC |
| Component Input | No | No |
| Composite Input | Yes | Yes |
| Audio In | 1 | 1 |
| Headphone Output | 1 | 1 |
| Digital Audio Output | 1 (optical) | 1 (optical) |
| VGA & PC Audio | No | No |
| USB | 1 | 1 |
| LAN | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Product Size w/ Stand (WHD) | 43.7″ x 27.8″ x 10.2″ | 56.9″ x 35.4″ x 12.9″ |
| Product Size w/o Stand (WHD) | 43.7″ x 25.6″ x 3.2″ | 56.9″ x 32.9″ x 3.3″ |
| Distance Between TV Feet | 37.0″ | 49.4″ |
| Weight w/ Stand (lbs) | 15.7 lbs | 27.6 lbs |
| Weight w/o Stand (lbs) | 15.2 lbs | 27.1 lbs |
| VESA Mount Compatible | 300 x 300mm | 300 x 300mm |
| What’s In The Box | 50-inch Element TIVO TV Remote Control Remote Control Battery Stand Power Cable User Manual | 65-inch Element TIVO TV Remote Control Remote Control Battery Stand Power Cable User Manual |
The Bottom Line
Element’s decision to add TiVo OS gives buyers another smart TV platform to consider, but the overall experience does not appear dramatically different from what Roku, Google TV, or Xumo already offer in terms of content discovery, recommendations, and voice search.
The bigger limitation is app flexibility. Element’s implementation of TiVo OS comes with a large selection of preloaded apps, including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, and others, but there is no conventional app store for manually adding or removing services. That means future additions depend on TiVo system updates, while the preinstalled apps remain part of the platform.
The hardware itself is also firmly entry-level. The first two models are 50- and 65-inch direct-lit LED/LCD TVs without local dimming, Mini-LED backlighting, or quantum-dot color. HDR10 and HLG are supported, but Element does not publish peak brightness figures, making it difficult to judge how much meaningful HDR impact either model can deliver.
Audio support is somewhat more ambitious, with DTS, DTS Virtual, and Dolby Audio paired with a built-in 2 x 8-watt speaker system. Even so, buyers looking for a more convincing movie or TV experience will still be better served by an external soundbar or audio system.
Screen-size choice is limited as well. With only 50- and 65-inch models available at launch, buyers looking for something smaller for a bedroom or larger for a primary home theater will need to look elsewhere.
Despite those limitations, the Element TiVo TVs could make sense for budget-conscious shoppers or anyone looking for an affordable second-room television with a straightforward, content-focused interface. Buyers with more room in the budget should also consider alternatives such as the TCL T7 Series, which adds QLED technology, Google TV, and a broader feature set.
Price & Availability
- Element E550AF50T 50-inch TV with TiVo OS – $269.99 at Amazon
- Element E550AF65T 65-inch TV with TiVo OS – $499.99 at Amazon
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