TCL 5-Series with Google TV Review

尽管供应链问题提高了成本，但这种5系的迭代相对负担得起，并以明亮，明亮的HDR-friendly picture, useful gaming features, and a robust smart platform that’s intuitive enough to make me forget my love affair with Roku. There are certainly more affordable 4K/HDR TVs out there, but very few of them offer this level of performance or net you gaming-centric features like Variable Refresh Rate.

Thereare购买前要了解几个缺陷：测试揭示了低于标准的运动处理，不准确的盒子颜色和狭窄的观看角度。这些疼痛点都没有hurt不过，但是，这种能力的电视会带来这些弱点，这也不会让我感到惊讶，但是如果您对图片性能很挑剔，那么在购买之前就值得知道。但是，如果您以低于平均水平的价格追求比平均水平高的表现，那么5系是您应该研究的第一批电视之一。这远胜于任何权利，这与我同在​​。

_ **更新了2022年2月2日：**我们的测试中没有任何软件问题，The Verge reported，Best Buy暂时删除了TCL的Google TV（包括TCL 5系列）的所有销售列表，并在收到Buggy软件的报告后。正如承诺的那样，TCL表示，软件更新已经解决了问题，并且电视现在已经以百思买重新销售了。TCL在给[9to5google]的一份声明中说：“通过这些更新，该产品现在代表了TCL和Google认为是电视的未来的强大性能。”

About the TCL 5-Series with Google TV

Editor's note: Although we tested the version of the 5-Series with Google TV's smart platform, we expect our performance results and data to be essentially the same for the Roku TV 5-Series models in the same year.

TCL 5系的Google TVis available in four sizes. Our review unit is a 65-inch model sent to us on loan from TCL.

Here’s how each size in the series stacks up in pricing:

• 50-inch (TCL 50S546), MSRP $599.99
• 55-inch (TCL 55S546), MSRP $649.99
• 65英寸（TCL 65S546），MSRP $ 899.99
• 75-inch (TCL 75S546), MSRP $1,299.99

Although we don’t expect there to be much of a difference between the performance of each size, it’s worth noting that the number of local dimming zones (clusters of backlight LEDs that can be directly dimmed or brightened) is different depending on panel size. This means that there may be slight variations in contrast from one size to another.

We've reached out to TCL but haven’t yet confirmed the number of dimming zones for the 55- and 65-inch models. Wedoknow that the 50-inch 5-Series features 28 local dimming zones while the 75-inch model features 60 zones.

Here’s a rundown of features shared by every size in the lineup:

• Resolution:4K (3,840 x 2,160)
• Display type:领导quantum dots
• 调光技术：188bet手机版Full-array with local dimming
• HDRsupport:Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
• Dolby Atmos:Yes (native decoding, eARC support)
• eARC support:Yes
• Native refresh rate:60Hz
• Smart platform:Google TV
• Color:DCI-P3 color space/10-bit chroma resolution
• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR):Yes
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM):Yes
• 其他特性：Google Assistant, Google Chromecast, Amazon Alexa

TCL 5系的Google TVships with a flat, ultra-slim remote control with a built-in microphone and several dedicated app buttons. It might take some time to familiarize yourself with the other buttons, as Google’s iconography is a bit hard to interpret at first, but once you figure them out, using the remote is quite easy.

电视的设计与它们一样的基础，但是如果您像我一样，您可能会很难组装电视的低调，棱角分明的脚。一旦粘在一起，他们在保持面板不含摆动方面做得很好。

The panel itself is relatively slim and its bezels are narrow, leaving the focus on the picture. It’s not a premium, eye-catching design, but it’ll blend into just about every room, and there’s nothing about the build quality that feels problematic.

性能数据

Before testing each TV, we make sure the panel is on and receiving a continuous signal for at least 24 hours, allowing the pixels plenty of time to warm up before any readings are taken.

For both SDR and HDR tests, we used TCL’s “Movie” picture mode. We’ve chosen this picture mode because of its accuracy, but performance may vary depending on which picture mode is enabled. For example, you’re likely to experience a brighter picture with different settings enabled, but it may interfere with color temperature and overall color accuracy.

为了了解电视的平均性能，我们在大多数基本的对比度测试中使用标准的ANSI棋盘格图案。我们还使用白色和黑色窗户的范围从2％到90％不等，以测试对比度在显示不同程度的亮度时保持良好状态。

Our peak brightness measurements are taken with sustained windows to represent the TV’s peak brightness over a sustained period of time. Specular highlights (like brief flashes of reflected light) might reach higher brightness levels, but not for sustained periods of time.

All of our tests are created with a Murideo Seven signal generator and tabulated viaPortrait Displays’ Calman Ultimate color calibration software. I'll expand on our test results throughout the review, but for now, here are some key takeaways:

• HDR contrast (brightness/black level):463.7 nits/0.061 nits (ANSI checkerboard)
• SDR contrast (brightness/black level):410.9 NIT/0.048 NIT（ANSI棋盘）
•HDR峰亮度（持续）：550.3 NIT（20％白窗）
• HDR color gamut coverage (DCI-P3/10-bit):93%
• SDR color gamut coverage (Rec.709):98％

During testing, the TV’s advanced picture settings were kept in their default state: “Dynamic Contrast” and “Black Stretch” were disabled, “Local Contrast” remained on “High,” and the TV’s gamma setting was set to 2.2. In addition, the TV’s color temperature was set to “Warm,” and the motion enhancement settings—“Motion Clarity” and “Nature Cinema”—were disabled.

Connectivity

TCL 5系为大多数用户提供足够的连接灵活性，但是希望着陆的人们HDMI 2.1functionality will need to look elsewhere. That said, unless you consider yourself a power user, the 5-Series offers an acceptable array of inputs.

Here’s what you’ll find in a cutout on the back of the panel:

• 3x HDMI 2.0 (1xeARC)
• 1x USB 2.0
• RF connection (cable/antenna)
• Ethernet (LAN) input
• Composite input (with mini 3.5mm audio connector)
• Digital audio output (optical)
• 3.5mm headphone jack

我们喜欢什么

足够明亮的hdr发光 - 墨水的黑色水平，启动

这是一个好消息：TCL 5系的这种迭代比previous version去年我了。尽管你会有spend more to get a TV thatreallyshines in brightly lit environments, the 5-Series is more than capable of getting bright enough to make HDR content pop.

在发送5系HDR信号的同时，我始终测量了500至600列之间的峰值亮度水平。这些5系对这些可观的亮度测量结果，令人印象深刻的黑色水平在0.04到0.06之间，具体取决于您是观看SDR还是HDR含量。为了进行比较，在5系的最后一个版本中，您只能依靠300至400-NIT范围内的HDR亮度读数。

I watched a couple of episodes of my go-toDolby Visionshowcase,Our PlanetNetflix, 5 s给我的印象很深刻eries’ ability to deliver bright, punchy specular highlights, like reflections of sunlight on cresting waves. Despite the TV's somewhat limited number of local dimming zones, our 65-inch 5-Series did a heck of a job limiting light bloom (halos of light surrounding bright-on-dark picture elements). Shadowy areas of the picture maintain their detail thanks to the TV’s consistently deep black levels.

Curiously, the 5-Series is almost as bright in SDR as it is in HDR—I routinely clocked its peak SDR brightness between 400 and 450 nits. While a lack of distinction between SDR and HDR peak brightness is usually an indication that a TV’s HDR capabilities will be limited, the 5-Series gets much brighter in SDR than most TVs in this class, and its base-level SDR brightness in comparison to HDR is more of a luxury than a problem.

Google TVis flexible and easy-to-use

Thelast version of the TCL 5-Serieswe reviewed was aRoku TV, meaning its software suite is more or less what you’ll find on anyRoku流媒体设备.

This model, however, uses Google TV like the newerGoogle Chromecast with Google TVstreaming device. While Roku is still my favorite smart platform, Google TV is nevertheless a breath of fresh air when compared to most of the competition. It’s essentially a smoother, easier-to-navigate version of Android TV, complete with easy access to a vast library of installable apps. The software is zippy and rarely did I experience any sluggishness. In fact, the only aspect of the platform that left me disappointed was the initial setup process, which involved a great deal of licensing agreements and software updates. If your internet connection is rather slow, the setup might take you a while.

By default, the Google TV home screen prioritizes recommended content—some live, some on-demand. The good news is that the promotional stuff doesn’t dominate the experience, and the platform itself seems far more interested in helping you find content across all of your available channels than it does putting sponsored content in your face.

If you’re coming over to Google TV from Roku, it might take a day or two to adjust, as the Google TV experience—its menu software, its integrated search, and so forth—is more hands-on than Roku's. If you’ve used Android TV in the past, you’ll probably have an easier time making the adjustment.

A good pick-up for casual gamers

The 5-Series isn’tquite作为游戏的优化的一些竞争对手, but it’s still a great option for casual-to-regular gamers who don’t necessarily need a high-octane gaming display. In fact, to get a more robust gaming experience, you’d almost certainly have to pay more for something like theHESENSE U7G.

The 5-Series is not equipped with full-bandwidthHDMI 2.1inputs and its native refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, so 4K gaming at 120fps is out of the question. However, the 5-Series supports both Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)—two sought-after features that improve the gaming experience by limiting input lag and frame rate-related artifacts.

Hardcore gamers will most likely miss 120Hz gaming, but if you want to pair anXbox Series XorPlayStation 5with a budget-friendly TV, there aren’t very many options that do more for the price. Ultimately, securing HDMI 2.1 and a better refresh rate will cost you more.

What we don’t like

颜色不像我希望的那样丰富和准确

Likelast year's 5-Series Roku TV，Google TV版本配备了quantum dots- 嵌入在高度饱和的红色和绿色的面板中的纳米晶体。曾几何时，量子点代表了电视展示技术的CrèmeDelaCrème。188bet手机版如今，您会在5系之类的中档产品中找到它们，但它们是戴上帽子的不错的硬件功能。

While the 5-Seriesdoesoffer decent color production, its colors aren’t as impressive as what we’ve seen on similarly priced quantum dot TVs this year like theVizio M系列. Our lab tests indicate that the 5-Series is capable of covering about 93% of the HDR color gamut (DCI-P3) and 98% of the SDR gamut (Rec.709)—decent for the price, for sure, but not as good as we’ve seen in this class. Thetop QLED and OLED TVs覆盖大约95-97％的HDR色彩空间，这是您在HDR内容期间真正可以看到的东西。

The bigger issue has to do with the 5-Series’ out-of-the-box color calibration, which features a white point that skews heavily toward blue, even in the TV’s most accurate picture mode, and even with the TV’s color temperature set to its warmest setting. The cooler hues were noticeable to my naked eye while simply watching TV, but to be completely fair, I stare at TVs all day. Your mileage may vary.

For most folks, the inclusion of quantum dots and the 5-Series all-around decent color production will be perfectly acceptable, especially if they favor brighter, inherently cooler picture modes. If you’re a stickler for color accuracy, the TCL 5-Series cries out for professional calibration. That said, if you’re thinking you can calibrate out this excess coolness, keep in mind that it may mean sacrificing some of the TV’s brightness.

Lackluster off-angle viewing and motion handling

Like most contemporary TVs with VA-style panels, the 5-Series’ viewing angles are pretty limited. Sitting just a couple of feet away from a direct, head-on viewing angle will result in a loss of contrast and color fidelity—something to consider if you’re shopping for a crowd-pleasing 75-inch TV. Fortunately, the TV’s limited number of dimming zones (70 or lower, depending on the size) actually help when it comes to off-angle viewing. Often times, while watching a TV with a ton of dimming zones, you can see them “working” (dimming/illuminating) when viewing the panel at an off-angle. This is not the case with the 5-Series, though it's viewing angles are nevertheless quite narrow.

A worse issue to my eye is the 5-Series' motion handling, which can be distractingly juddery during fast-paced films. Camera pans in particular bring out some unfortunate motion judder, and while some of the motion enhancements found in the 5-Series’ “Motion Clarity” submenu can alleviate the issue to a certain extent, there’s only so much you can do to smooth out fast-paced motion on a 60Hz TV. If you intend on watching a fair amount of cinematic content, you’ll probably want to enable the 5-Series’ “Nature Cinema” option and fine-tune the motion clarity. This might also be a reason to spring for a 120Hz TV, which can play 24fps content without frame interpolation.

Should you buy it?

Yes—it's one of the best options in its price range

Between its more-than-respectable HDR performance, its terrific incorporation of Google TV, and its gaming chops, the 5-Series is a fantastic TV for its price range.

You could certainly spend a bit less on a competitively priced mid-range TV—(theVizio V-Seriescomes to mind)—but you won’t be spendingthatmuch less, and what you’d leave on the table is probably worth the extra dough.

Alternatively, if you jump up a price bracket, TVs like theTCL 6-Seriesand theHESENSE U7Gdeliver a better picture and more gaming flexibility, but casual viewers will most likely notice the price hike more than they notice the added benefits that come with it.

If you simply want a great 4K TV that's a step or two above the baseline options, the 5-Series with Google TV is an excellent compromise—especially in a marketplace where TVs like this are hard to come by.