Hisense announces 40in 4K TV for £450

The new K321 LED range has been designed for 4K streaming, and as such comes with the all-important HEVC H.265 codec on board, as well as the open-source VP9 format - and with the Netflix app preloaded.

The TVs are fitted with HDMI 2.0 ports and support 4K content from set-top boxes, Blu-ray players and games consoles. USB 3.0 Movie functionality also means users can view and listen to content, including 4K, from USB-connected devices.

The new range comprises 40in (£450), 50in (£600) and 55in (£700) models, and will be available this autumn.

MORE: Best TV deals, latest prices

“The 4K TV market is becoming increasingly competitive," says Howard Grindrod, Hisense UK's deputy managing director. "Market analyst GfK predicts sales of UHD TVs to tip one million by the end of 2015.

"Our new sub-£500 40in model makes premium UHD TV accessible to everyone without compromising on features or picture quality.”

Hisense claims to be the fourth-largest TV manufacturer in the world - it acquired Sharp America for $23.7m at the end of July 2015.

MORE: 4K TV Ultra HD - everything you need to know

Max was a staff writer on What Hi-Fi? and subsequently spent a good few years writing news and features for various technology and hi-fi publications, before jumping on a plane in search of a more fruitful life in Australia. Now based in Byron Bay, he writes about tech, health, fitness and style.