TCL TV

TCL has rapidly grown to become one of the world's leading TV brands. Founded in China in 1981, it has expanded globally and is now among the top 3 TV manufacturers worldwide.

TCL TVs are known for offering great value by combining good specifications and features at affordable prices. This has made them hugely popular across many markets, especially in the US where TCL is now the 2nd biggest TV brand.

Key strengths of TCL TVs include:

• Strong display technology like QLED and mini-LED for great picture quality

• Comprehensive smart TV platform and features

• Sleek, modern designs

• Partnerships with brands like Roku

By focusing on core features and performance at budget-friendly prices, TCL TVs have won over consumers looking for good bang for their buck. The brand continues to grow rapidly as its value proposition resonates globally. TCL is now a major player in the TV space.

Display Technology

TCL TVs utilize LCD and OLED display panels to deliver excellent picture quality.

LCD (liquid crystal display) is the most common display technology used in LED TVs today. TCL LCD TVs come in various resolutions, from HD to 4K. They can also have refresh rates ranging from 60Hz up to 240Hz. Higher resolutions like 4K and high refresh rates like 120Hz provide a smoother, sharper viewing experience.

TCL also offers OLED TVs in select models. OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is an advanced display technology known for producing perfect blacks, vibrant colors, and infinite contrast due to self-lit pixels. TCL OLED TVs also feature 4K resolution and 120Hz refresh rates for exceptional image quality.

The combination of high-resolution panels and fast refresh rates enables TCL TVs to deliver clear, fluid motion with crisp detail in both bright and dark scenes.

Image Quality

TCL's TVs utilize either LCD or QLED display technology to produce vivid, accurate images. Key aspects of TCL's image quality include:

Contrast - TCL TVs have high native contrast ratios, often over 5000:1 for LCD models and 100,000:1 or more for QLED. This allows for deep blacks right next to bright highlights in the same scene. Local dimming further enhances contrast by selectively dimming LED backlights behind darker parts of the image.

Color Accuracy - TCL TVs cover over 95% of the DCI-P3 wide color gamut. This produces more vivid, lifelike colors compared to standard TVs. Quantum dot technology in QLED models provides pure, saturated color.

Viewing Angles - While LCD TVs tend to have poorer viewing angles compared to OLED, TCL's wide viewing angle technology maintains color and contrast at wider angles. So the image retains quality even when viewing from the side.

Overall, TCL TVs deliver stellar picture quality with deep blacks, vibrant colors, sharp detail, and wide viewing angles. HDR content looks particularly impressive with specs like Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and up to 600 nits peak brightness.

Smart TV Features

TCL TVs come with excellent smart TV capabilities powered by Android TV or Roku TV operating systems. This allows you to access popular streaming apps and services right on your TV.

Operating System

Most TCL TVs run on either Android TV or Roku TV. Android TV provides a customizable interface and access to the Google Play store for apps. Roku TV is a simple, easy-to-use platform with thousands of streaming channels. Both offer popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube and more.

Streaming Apps

With Android TV or Roku TV, you'll have access to all the most popular streaming apps. This includes Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, YouTube, Spotify, Pandora and many others. TCL's partnerships with these platforms means you can quickly download and start streaming your favorite shows and movies.

Voice Control

TCL TVs feature voice control capabilities with Google Assistant or Alexa. Just press a button on your remote and speak to find content, change settings, get answers on screen and control smart home devices. This offers an intuitive hands-free way to use your TCL TV.

Sound Quality

TCL TVs offer an immersive audio experience thanks to their speaker setups and support for Dolby technologies. Many models feature 2 or more built-in speakers that provide stereo or even surround sound. Higher-end TCL TVs may have up to 4 speakers with Dolby Atmos support for three-dimensional sound effects.

TCL's partnership with Dolby means many of their smart TVs support advanced audio formats like Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Atmos. This allows you to hear audio as the creator intended, with clear dialogue, accurate imaging, and deep bass. Dolby Volume helps maintain consistent sound levels across different content types.

Overall, TCL TVs provide an audio experience comparable to more expensive brands, with crisp highs, strong midrange, and powerful bass. The speakers deliver audio with decent power and fullness for most living room setups. Of course, connecting a soundbar or home theater system can further enhance the immersive audio capabilities.

Design

TCL's TVs feature sleek, modern designs that look great in any living room. The bezels around the display are quite slim, especially on the higher-end 6 and 8 series models, giving you more screen real estate and less frame.

For the stand, TCL TVs typically come with two V-shaped plastic feet that can be positioned at the edges of the TV or brought inwards for use with a shorter TV stand. The stands provide decent stability but are somewhat basic plastic.

All TCL TVs have standard VESA mounting holes on the back so you can wall mount them if desired. Just be sure to get a mount that can handle the weight of the larger screen sizes. Wall mounting allows for an ultra clean, bezel-less look since you won't see the stand.

Gaming Performance

TCL TVs offer an excellent gaming experience thanks to their low input lag, fast response times, and VRR support.

Input Lag

Input lag measures how long it takes for a TV to process and display image signals from a gaming console or PC. Lower input lag results in a more responsive, real-time gaming experience. TCL TVs have very low input lag, ranging from 10ms to 20ms depending on the model. This is on par with dedicated gaming monitors and ensures minimal delay between controller input and on-screen actions.

Response Time

Response time indicates how quickly a TV's pixels can change from one color to another. Faster response times reduce motion blur in fast-moving scenes for sharper visuals. TCL TVs have response times as fast as 4ms, enabling smooth, blur-free gaming.

VRR Support

TCL TVs support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technologies like AMD Freesync and Nvidia G-Sync. VRR matches the TV's refresh rate to the console's graphical output for tear-free visuals. This prevents stuttering and screen tearing during gameplay for a fluid experience.

With the combination of low input lag, fast response time, and VRR support, TCL TVs deliver an exceptional gaming experience with smooth visuals and real-time responsiveness. Gamers will appreciate their competitive edge when playing on a TCL TV.

Extra Features

TCL TVs come with some great extra features that enhance the viewing and listening experience. One of the key extras is support for HDR, which stands for High Dynamic Range. HDR allows for greater brightness levels and more vivid colors compared to standard dynamic range. Many TCL TVs support HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which are two of the major HDR formats. This allows you to get the best picture quality from HDR content.

In addition to HDR, many TCL TVs also have Bluetooth connectivity. This allows you to pair Bluetooth headphones or speakers directly to the TV. So you can enjoy your shows, movies or games with wireless audio. Some models also support Bluetooth keyboards, mice, and game controllers. Having Bluetooth built right into the TV is very convenient compared to using wired connections.

Overall, TCL packs great extra features into their TVs beyond just the display. HDR support and Bluetooth connectivity are key additions that enhance the experience in meaningful ways for viewers. These extras help TCL TVs compete with more premium brands at more affordable price points.

Prices

TCL TVs come in a wide range of sizes, from small 32-inch models to massive 98-inch screens. The pricing varies considerably based on the size you choose.

• 32-43 inches: The smallest TCL TVs start around £200-300. These budget-friendly models offer decent performance for secondary rooms or small spaces.

• 50-55 inches: For most living rooms, the mid-size 50-55 inch TCL TVs are ideal. Expect prices from £300-500 for these. They offer a good balance of size and value.

• 65-75 inches: Large TVs with 65-75 inch screens cost between £500-1500. This is where you'll find TCL's higher-end models with premium features and performance.

• 85 inches and up: The massive TCL TVs with 85-98 inch screens are priced from £1500-4000. These extra-large models are targeted at home theater enthusiasts looking for an immersive viewing experience.

Overall, TCL TVs offer competitive pricing across all sizes. Even the cheapest models provide good quality, while the larger premium sets give you advanced features and performance at relatively affordable prices compared to other brands. TCL's great value helps explain its popularity among UK consumers.

Conclusion

TCL TVs offer a compelling mix of features and performance at an affordable price point. Here's a quick summary of the pros and cons:

Pros

• Excellent image quality with QLED and mini-LED displays

• Smooth gaming performance with low input lag

• User-friendly Roku TV interface

• Support for latest technologies like Dolby Vision and HDR10+

• Sleek, minimalist design

• Great value for money

Cons

• Audio quality could be better

• Limited viewing angles on cheaper models

• Fewer HDMI ports than competitors

Overall, TCL TVs are great options for budget-conscious buyers who want good picture quality without breaking the bank. The Roku TV platform makes streaming content easy with thousands of apps. Gamers will appreciate the low lag times. Picture quality is excellent for the price thanks to quantum dot and mini-LED technology on higher-end models. Those looking for the best audio may want to consider soundbars. But for shoppers focused on display performance and streaming features, TCL TVs offer outstanding value. We recommend comparing models to find the right balance of price and features for your needs. The 6-Series and up are solid choices that make high-end technologies more affordable.