Before we delve into the TCL 4 Series, let us take a look at some of the pointers that will help you get the right screen monitor for your home or any other use.
There are several types of TVs out there and it is easy to get all tangled up in deciding what’s best. So we are here to take away the fluff and help you decide. Here are just some of the rules you should know:
Expect to pay $500+ for good 4K TV.
A good TV has at least 3 to 4 HDMI ports.
Ensure that you get a good warranty period.
If the Hz refresh rate is less than 120, don’t take that TV home.
Go for an HDR-compatible TV Set. this is so that you can get better contrast and realistic colors.
Leave the 8K TVs alone. Hollywood has not even deviated to 8K footage so take it easy.
Don’t buy a TV that offers less than 4K resolution. Why postpone the future? Eventually, 4K TVs will be the main thing and if you never bought one, you will be forced to and you can be certain that the prices will be higher then.
The screen size of TCL 49 4K UHD
One of the biggest factors you will consider will be the screen size. Think about the number of people in your household plus the size of the room. Choose a screen size that will fit comfortably into your space and your budget.
To get the best screen size, think about how close you sit to the TV. if you normally see the pixel dots then you know that you are seated too close to the screen.
When it comes to an HD Screen, you should sit at a distance three times more than its height. For a 4K UHD TV, you can sit twice as close. Remember, no expert advice comes as close to your comfort and personal experience so choose wisely. See more here
According to the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) research, the ideal viewing distance is 3 times the screen height for HD (High Definition ) and 1.5 times the screen height for UHD/4K (Ultra High Definition (UHD) TV).
The resolution TCL 49 4K Tv
We already know that resolution is the number of pixels that make up the images viewed on the screen. The more the pixels, the sharper the image. For many years we went by Full HD as the standard but now with 4K details, things are looking sharper ( pun not intended).
4K TV offers more detail and sharper text no matter the size of the image on the screen. This also allows you to view the screen from a shorter distance making it more comfortable to view larger TVs at home.
UHD is now becoming the norm and you should see it as an option if you want to future proof your home’s entertainment package.
TCL 49 4K UHD TV Performance
The TCL Roku 49S405 is an Ultra HD set with HDR support, but beyond the 3840 x 2160 resolution, it keeps things basic, with support for HDR10 but no other HDR formats (like Dolby Vision or Technicolor HDR).
Read Also:
Why Are Curved Monitors Better For Gaming
It also lists “120Hz CMI,” which refers to TCL’s Clear Motion Index, but that’s only an effective refresh rate achieved through processing to make the picture look smoother. The panel itself has a basic refresh rate of 60Hz, which isn’t a surprise in this price range.
Lots of connections
The modern TV set supports HDMI and more specifically, HDMI 2.0. There are three HDMI ports, including one with ARC support for use with external audio without the need for a separate receiver. You’ll also discover a coaxial connector for antenna, a single USB 2.0 port and a digital audio port. Note that HDMI 2.0 can accommodate future UHD sources.
8K content is not so far away and this has seen the development of the HDMI 2.1. On the back panel, you’ll find inputs for composite video and sound. The set has built-in 802.11 Wi-Fi, but there’s also an Ethernet port if you’d rather opt for a wired connection.
Getting more colours
High dynamic range, HDR, refers to the ability to deliver more colors, more brightness and more contrast levels. This a 4K upgrade. This TCL Roku 49S405 also had issues with flaring in dark scenes from verified users review.
Faster refresh rates
This is how many times per second a picture is refreshed on the screen. 60Hz is the standard refresh rate but this is still not the best since images can still appear to be blurry. For something more solid, a refresh rate of 120Hz and above is preferred. Gamers will be enthusiastic about high refreshing rates.
Now that you know what to consider when buying a TV, let’s take a look at one of the major names when it comes to manufacturing televisions that are contributing to a whole new viewing experience.
The TCL 4 Series
The TCL S425 is a member of the 4 Series. The picture quality is decent just don’t view the television in a bright room. It has great response time and there is very little blurring even with fast-moving content.
This is good news for gamers since they can look forward to responsive gaming performance. The low input lag will perform accordingly and though there is zero support for advanced gaming features, the gaming experience is above average.
This is a budget-friendly series and is a replacement of the S Series S405.
The TCL 4 Series TVs have pretty similar features and the main difference could only be the inches, some improvements here and there, and of course prices.
Features of the 4 Series
Mobile app
Game mode
Roku smart TV
Digital TV tuner
Easy to use remote
Easy voice control
Screen class- 43, 49″, 55″, 65″, 75″
Network connection- WiFi
High Dynamic Range-HDR10
Motion performance- 120 CMI
Sound technology- Dolby Digital
Premium gloss black design
Resolution- 4K Ultra High Definition
Backlight technology- Standard LED
Design of the TCL 49 4K UHD
The S425 75 inch 4K TV is not curved. That is the first thing you should note. All TCL 4 Series TVs have a decent design. The TV has a wide plastic stand for support but this does not make it less susceptible to wobbling.
The top half of the TV is metallic while the bottom and remainder of the body are plastic. The television is just the right size and not so thick so even when mounted, it won’t protrude much.
We have just mentioned the wide stands for support. These stands are made of plastic and offer good support. A word of caution, do not nudge the TV or else, it won’t be able to stand it.
The television has a plain back. Just pure black amounts of plastic. The borders are plain too and have an average thickness. This translates into zero distractions while watching anything. This is not a premium look TV but it still does the work. As for the build quality, there are no loose ends so you can write off any issues you think you might experience.
Picture Quality of the TCL 49 4K UHD
Viewing the TV in a dark room is a rich experience since the native contrast ratio has really improved as compared to that of the S405. Well, this is as good as it gets since there is no local dimming feature to further improve dark room performance.
The SDR peak brightness is still performing at the level of the S405. This means that when you buy this television, do not place it in a bright room. A moderately lit room will do.
The HDR peak brightness isn’t too good either and the same case with SDR, the brightness remains constant no matter the scene. Do not fret, the picture mode should be able to sort you out. The different settings may help you get a brighter picture.
The grey uniformity is decent. Some bit of vignetting at the corners but nothing distracting. The dirty screen effect might be annoying gaming enthusiasts but still, it can beat the uniformity especially the centre. There is decent black uniformity. The only issue is the backlight bleed at the edges but this is only seen when watching dark scenes in a dark room.
The semi-gloss finish ensures that the TV has good reflection handling. This does not mean that the television won’t reflect when you place it across a large window. When it comes to matters calibration, the accuracy might be disappointing.
The color error is quite visible and can be corrected by lowering the contrast but don’t lower it too much. After calibration, you will see that the TCL 4 Series is accurate and it’s impossible to spot any white balance inaccuracies.
Motion of the TCL 49 4K UHD
One of the best features when it comes to the TCL 4 Series is that it has excellent response time. There is only a small blur trail for fast-moving content. Darker shades might have a longer transition period and this could result in some smearing.
There are no flickers present. You cannot reduce the flicker frequency to 60Hz for crispy images but you can lower the brightness levels to correct this and make motions look clearer.
TCL 49 4K UHD Inputs
The TCL 49 4K UHD supports a good number on inputs. These inputs are:
HDMI-3, USB-1, Digital Optical Audio Out-1, Analog Audio out 3.5 mm-1, Composite In- 1, Tuner Cable-1, Ethernet- 1
Sound Quality of the TCL 49 4K UHD
There is no beating around the bush with this one. The 49S405 has two-channel audio, with a pair of 8-watt speakers driving all of the sound. If you love to turn up the volume while streaming a live concert, you will be utterly disappointed.
On the other hand, if you hate noisy environments and just want to watch TV without any loud sound then here is your kind of television. Bass levels were predictably poor at lower volume, but once the volume came up, the built-in speakers provided a surprisingly good thump for a low-end TV. The distortion performance is decent.
Smart Features
Let’s just have a quick look at the interface features:
● Smart OS-Roku TV
● Version 9.0
● Very smooth
● Easy to use
● Several advanced options
● Takes for 4 seconds to change backlight and to select Youtube
The Roku interface is quite impressive. Thanks to its quick response, smooth running and almost zero lag. The navigation menu is a walk through the park. The remote size is small and easy to use with everything clearly labelled.
The TV controls are found on its underside at the centre but you can only adjust the volume, change the input source and power on or off the TV. what do get in the box?
● A manual
● Remote
● Batteries
● Composite in adapter
Pros
● Fairly accurate colours
● Lots of features as availed by Roku
● Affordable
Cons
● Colour range is not wide
● Dim panel
The Verdict
The TCL 4K TV is an affordable, feature-rich smart TV that offers you nothing but the best. Just note there are a few flaws here and there such as only 3 HDMI ports while the best recommended Smart TVs have four. The speedy response is very much appreciated.
Compared to other TVs, the TCL S405 is in a class of its own. You should also not forget that this television set is sold at a pocket-friendly price and so far. We tested it and found it worthy to be used in every household that does not want to be left behind in television’s golden age.
And as always, we value your feedback. Kindly let us know what you think about TCL TVs.
Like this article? Then you would definitely love our other article About Wireless Charging
You said and I quote “sit at a distance three times more than its height”. I thought it was the diagonal and not the height. Could you expound in this.
The optimum viewing distance depends on the screen size and resolution. The calculation is simple. Hope you know your screen size, resolution, and optimum viewing distance are related. According to the ITU (International Telecommunications Union), the optimum viewing distance is 3 times the screen height for HD and 1.5 times the screen height for UHD/4K.
On this I will add an image to make it more clear..soon to be update.