Tag: TCL

Categories
Ξ TREND

TCL TV: This is how you set up the sound settings

  1. Adjust sound settings

  2. This is how you set up the sound settings

  3. Sound preset: sound mode

  4. Expert Settings

The sound settings of your TCL TV can be set up quickly and easily. You can then adjust the existing settings with your preferences and your program. What is important, we will explain to you in the further course.

Adjust sound settings

In order to get the best sound experience, it is recommended to adjust the sound settings of your TCL Smart TV to your viewing habits. Here you can specify, among other things, how your device is positioned in the room in order to match these settings as best as possible.

TV placement

This option allows you to specify where your TV is located exactly. This is particularly important in order to be able to place the sound of your loudspeakers correctly and reproduce them in the room.

Dolby Atmos

The Dolby Atmos technology gives you a realistic and impressive 3D sound. If your TCL television model also supports this audio format in combination with an improved Atmos surround sound, you can activate this setting to make your soundscape appear like in the cinema. Turning this setting off weakens the Atmos effect.

This is how you set up the sound settings

  1. 1

    The first step is to click on the white gear on your remote control. This is how you get to the settings on the TV screen.

  2. 2

    There you will see a list of setting options. These include picture, sound, system and expert settings. Here you click on the sound settings in the second place.

  3. 3

    Under the sound settings you then have access to various options in the mode area. Here you will find Dynamic, Standard, Sport, Cinema, Music, Voice, Game and Sport.

Sound preset: sound mode

In the sound preferences, you can set the sound mode that offers specific viewing conditions. To do this, you go to the sound mode menu selection and decide which mode is the right one. We will show you what the exact differences are in the further course.

Dynamic

The dynamic mode ensures that the sound quality on your TCL television is automatically optimized. If you’re looking for dynamic sound quality, you’ve come to the right place.

default

The standard mode is particularly recommended for everyday use, as this setting is energy efficient and offers a middle ground of all available options. You will receive this basic setting immediately after purchasing your television. If you don’t have any special requirements for the sound settings, you can simply keep these factory settings.

movie theater

The cinema mode is particularly suitable for big home cinema fans. Here you can select the sound setting in order to get a bass boost from your loudspeakers when watching films and to immerse yourself completely in the film.

Music

If you use your smart TV to listen to a lot of music, the music mode is ideal. Particularly high and low pitches are emphasized and you can enjoy the sound experience on your TV to the fullest.

Agree

Your TCL television offers a voice mode that primarily emphasizes conversations. If you watch films and series with a lot of dialogue, you can get a very clear and distinct sound with this setting. In addition, the voices are not drowned out in loud music or sound effects.

Game

With the game mode you get virtual sound effects to optimize your gaming experience. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in your game on the TV and enjoy the perfectly tuned sound.

Sports

The sports mode in your sound settings gives you the feeling of experiencing the sports broadcast of your choice directly in the stadium. Here you get a particularly dynamic and exciting sound that lets you root for it.

Expert Settings

In the expert settings you will find even more options in the area of ​​sound and audio playback. Here you can decide how the balancer or the auto volume control should be regulated. With these settings, you can connect your preferences and viewing habits even more precisely with your Smart TV and get a coordinated listening experience.

Tones menu

This setting allows you to set your remote control buttons to play a specific sound when you select different menu options.

balance

With the balancer you can set up how accurate the viewing position is to your smart TV. If this is not central to your screen, you can compensate for the connected speakers here and set them up individually. So you get the best sound when watching TV.

Auto Volume Control

The automatic volume control regulates the volume or the audio signal of your TV program for you. The ambient noise is compensated for and a noisy signal is also easier to hear and understand. In this way, you will no longer be disturbed by extremely loud advertisements or program transitions, since the volume level always remains pleasantly the same.

Are you looking for a new TV? Then we have put together a helpful buying guide for Smart TVs with important information for you. You should also not miss the latest TV deals to know all the bargains and offers.

Categories
Ξ TREND

TCL X955, first impressions: thanks to its 5,000 nits this is the most spectacular mini LED television we have tested


TCL is one of the brands that has opted most forcefully for LCD televisions with mini LED backlighting. I had the opportunity to try their first proposal equipped with this technology more than three and a half years ago, in January 2020. And it left me very good taste in the mouth. The image quality of that television, the X10 model, placed it at a level comparable to that of LG’s OLED C9 and Samsung’s Q90R. Big words.

I was able to test these three televisions simultaneously and in almost ideal conditions, and I was surprised by the audacity with which the X10 beat these two high-end models from Samsung and LG in some sections, such as maximum brightness delivery capacity or recovery of detail in shadow regions. The X955 model is TCL’s current flagship television, and it has inherited many of the qualities of that great X10. However, it has in its favor how much this brand’s engineers have refined its mini LED technology since then.

TCL X955: technical specifications

characteristics

panel

10-bit, 144 Hz, 16:9, 98% DCI-P3 color space coverage VA 4K UHD LCD

resolution

3,840 x 2,160 points

sizes available

85 and 98 inches

hdr

Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG

backlight

Mini LED with 5,184 independent local dimming zones

typical brightness

720 nits

maximum brightness

5,000 nits (peak)

contrast

6,000:1

image processor

AiPQ Processor 3.0

OS

Google TV

sound

4.2.2 channels

Total power (RMS): up to 160 watts

Dolby Atmos

DTS-HD

Calibrated by Onkyo

gaming technologies

VRR, ALLM, Game Master 2.0 and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro

connectivity

2 x HDMI 2.1 and 2 x HDMI 2.0

wireless connectivity

Wi-Fi 6

Bluetooth 5.2

dimensions

2,178 x 418 x 1,287 mm (with feet) (98 inches)

weight

69 kg (with feet) (98 inches)

price

From 4,599 euros

Its 5,000 nits are impressive, but this is not its only strong asset

At the moment this television is available in Spain in 85 and 98 inches, although an even larger version will arrive later. Its panel has been manufactured by TCL, and is a 10-bit VA type LCD matrix, with 4K UHD resolution and a frequency of 144Hz native refresh. A sheet of nanocrystals is responsible for color reproduction, which, according to this brand, is capable of covering 98% of the DCI-P3 color space. All of this sounds good, but the most impressive thing is the maximum brightness delivery capacity of this TV.

Its mini LED backlight array brings together several tens of thousands of diodes organized into 5,184 independent local dimming zones.

And TCL assures us that its backlighting system is capable of delivering peaks of 5,000 nits in a window that occupies 10% of the panel surface. This specification is impressive, but the numbers are often not supported by the actual performance of some televisions, so I am not usually intimidated by the figures. It is not the case. The images I have taken to illustrate this article do not do justice to the brightness delivery capacity of this television when it is in front of you. I assure you that it is overwhelming.

Its mini LED backlight array brings together several tens of thousands of diodes organized into 5,184 independent local dimming zones. TCL announces a 6,000:1 contrast ratio which fits well with what I have been able to perceive during this first contact. Yes, its blacks are extremely deep, not as deep as those provided by a good OLED television, which usually has a lower residual brightness, but in this section it easily rivals the best LCD televisions I have tested.

Still, its ability to recover detail in shadow regions impressed me more than the density of its blacks. The credit goes to the algorithm that is responsible for managing the mini LED backlight matrix and image processing, but the truth is that in this area this television is devastating. I would have liked to be able to try it with my own material (perhaps in the future the appropriate circumstances will arise to do so), but during this first contact it has shown me that in this area it fights head to head, for example, with the X95L of Sony, which is an outstanding LCD TV.

Its ability to recover detail in highlights (they are the most illuminated areas of each frame) does not seem as notable to me as what it offers us in the shadow regions, but here it also exhibits a high level. And when it comes to color I have nothing to object to. When the video signal it receives is up to par, this TV solve colorimetry with a lot of richness and a notable level of saturation. Nanocrystals have evolved a lot since they emerged in 2015, and the ones that TCL engineers have developed for this television are not the same ones that the X10 model had when I tested it in January 2020.

I’ve purposely saved the best for last. During this first contact, I have not been able to confirm with a spectrophotometer if it really delivers the 5,000 nit brightness peaks that TCL promises us, but I would bet that it does. It seems reasonable to question the impact that this monstrous brightness delivery capacity can have on our experience, and yes, if the contents are not up to par it is impossible to take advantage of these brightness peaks.

However, when we feed the panel with Dolby Vision content, its capacity for expression is spectacular. The realism that gives the images the possibility of delivering so much brightness in some limited regions of the panel is undoubted, which together with a very well-tuned image processing capable of minimize high frequency noise and reproducing foreground objects in great detail allows the X955 to shine. In my opinion this is one of the best mini LED LCD televisions on the market, although it is clear that its size and price put it out of the reach of most movie buffs.

Categories
Ξ TREND

Deal : TCL 98UHD870 in the test: Huge 98-inch television for under 2500 euros


Huge TV at a low price: The 98-inch TCL UHD870 is sensationally affordable. SamaGame tested whether the quality was right.

For film enthusiasts and sports fans it can TV in principle not big enough. Films and sports broadcasts only develop their captivating effect on a giant screen, like in the cinema or in the stadium. But what does big mean? The maximum TV screen size is currently 98 inches, which corresponds to a screen diagonal of 248 centimeters. The new TCL 95UHD870 is the cheapest television of this size; for less than 2,500 euros, it promises great viewing pleasure. Depending on the retailer, the television is also available in the store under the name TCL 98P745, it is the same model.

That’s how big the TCL 98UHD870 is

With a device width of around 2.20 meters and a height of almost 1.30 meters, you can take this literally with great pleasure with the TCL 98UHD870. The 58 kilogram colossus stands securely on two strikingly solid metal feet mounted on the outside. Provided there is a sufficiently strong wall, the 98-inch model can also be hung up. Of course, the wall mount also has to be correspondingly large; the TCL requires the VESA dimension 500×600. At 4.2 centimeters, the television is surprisingly flat, and the workmanship with a waffle-like structured back panel and a frame flush with the screen appears to be of high quality.

More colors and 100 to 144 Hertz

To ensure that the huge screen actually provides enjoyment, the TCL 98UHD870 uses an upper-class LCD despite the low price: Instead of 50 to 60 images per second, it shows twice as many at 100 to 120 Hertz. This makes details look sharper in fast movements, and large screens in particular benefit from this. Computers can even play up to 144 Hertz. In addition, the manufacturer promises a larger color gamut (“Wide Color Gamut”), so that films or games produced accordingly HDR (High Dynamic Range) the better image quality is actually visible. Technical tricks to increase contrast (such as local dimming or Mini LED) did not provide the budget.

Giant picture looks really good

Cheap price or not, such a huge television picture is definitely impressive. And it looks really good with the TCL 98UHD870: Thanks to the VA LCD technology, it achieves quite deep blacks, meaning the TCL achieves a contrast of over 4000:1. With just over 400 candelas per square meter, the image is bright enough even in daylight. And above all, the colors are right with natural skin tones and strong HDR display (Cinema picture mode). The TCL attenuates the HDR brightness peaks significantly, but it manages to adapt to the capabilities of the screen without over-exposing bright image areas and with decent clarity in dark corners. The processes support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ here. The automatic adjustment to the ambient brightness is designed to be very practical. Apart from the lower HDR luminosity, it moves TCL TV on par with that Samsung GQ98Q80C. Films and TV shows with poor SD resolution are no fun on such a large screen; you would have to stand ten meters away. The TCL, on the other hand, upscales HD material well to its UHD resolution, without pixel mud or annoying over-sharpening. The decent impression of sharpness is retained even in fast movements; annoying streaks are just as little an issue as image stuttering.

TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison

TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison

TCL

Samsung

Sony

98UHD870/P745

GQ96Q80C

KD-55X85L

resolution

3840×2160

3840×2160

3840×2160

Brightness (HDR max.)

425 cd/m2

1146 cd/m2

 781 cd/m2

contrast

 4320:1

 50000:1

 34364:1

Color deviation dE

 1.7

 2.6

 2.6

color temperature

 6626K

 6945K

 6791K

Color space DCI-P3

 94.4%

 92.0%

 94.6%

Latency (60Hz)

 14 ms

 13 ms

 18 ms

Entrances

 4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV

 4x HDMI (4 to 120Hz)

 4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV

TCL 98UHD870 gives projectors no chance

In practice, a viewing distance of four to five meters is perfect for the TCL 98UHD870. For high-quality UHD playback with films or games, it can also be two to three meters – with an enormously immersive effect. Because then the viewer’s field of vision is largely filled by the screen, which would otherwise only be the case projector and canvas is possible. In a direct comparison, video projectors of a similar price range have no chance: brightness and contrast are much lower, so that the images look duller even in perfectly darkened rooms. And with every glimmer of light from the window, for example, the impression of the image deteriorates. This makes televisions much more suitable for everyday use than projectors.

Built-in subwoofer for rich sound

You shouldn’t expect too much from the sound in this class, but the TCL 98UHD870 does its job there too. This is visible in the saucer-sized woofer in the back wall, which supports the two speakers on the bottom with bass. In this way, the TV giant achieves a comparatively full, if not particularly detailed, sound. For better sound there is about one Sound bar can be easily connected. If a sound bar under the television looks too puny for you, go for it Stereo speakers with HDMI and places them to the right and left of the screen.

Also a big one when it comes to connections

The ports of the TCL 98UHD870 are arranged on the back in such a way that they are easily accessible from the side. The clear labeling makes wiring easier, especially since nothing is missing:

  • HDMI: The TCL has four HDMI inputstwo of which correspond comprehensively to the version HDMI 2.1 and can process UHD resolution at up to 120 Hertz including variable frame rates – good for game consoles. One even accepts up to 144 Hertz when a correspondingly powerful computer is connected. The delay in the video signals (latency) is uncritically short in game mode at 14 milliseconds. Of the two remaining HDMI ports, one serves as a sound output for soundbars and AV receivers (eARC, enhanced audio return channel) if required and also provides 3D surround sound Dolby Atmos out of.
  • TV reception: As usual, you can watch television with the P745 via cable, satellite and antenna. There is HDTV in all reception types, and a few UHD channels via satellite. For cable reception, it depends on the regional network operator, but UHD is also possible in principle.
  • CI+: A CI module can be plugged in to unlock encrypted TV programs. This is available, for example, for private HD programs from the local cable network operator or from Freenet for antenna reception.

  • USB: The TCL has two USB ports for photo and video playback, one of which is easily accessible on the edge of the case. The most common multimedia formats including DTS sound can be played.

  • Optical output: The fiber optic digital output supplies old home cinema systems, for example wireless headphones with the television sound.
  • Headphone output: Classic headphones with a cable can be connected to the TCL, and the TV speakers then switch off automatically.
  • Bluetooth: Also a Bluetooth headphones can be coupled. This is used instead of the TV speakers.

  • Network connection and WLAN: The connection to the home network is made as usual via cable or radio.

Stream easily thanks to Google TV

The TCL 98UHD870 uses the current version 12 of the Android TV operating system with Google TV. This means that the apps of all popular streaming providers are available, including: Media libraries The TV channels can be used in the same way as commercial platforms Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to Apple TV and Disney+ to Paramount+. The Google TV home screen clearly shows the most used apps in a row and tabs for other apps as well as film and series recommendations – this has been the case with others Android TVs Proven by Philips and Sony, for example. Alternatively, content can be searched for in smartphone apps and then played back on the giant screen using the Chromecast function. AirPlay 2 is also available. You quickly get used to the operation, which is helped by the handy remote control with its sensibly arranged buttons. In addition, there is voice control with the Google Assistant possible, the remote control is equipped with a microphone and a talk button. TCL adds small quick menus that can be used to select sources more quickly.

Test conclusion TCL 98UHD870

The TCL 98UHD870 or 98P745 is not only huge, but also really good: the features leave practically nothing to be desired, and the Android television is very versatile in terms of connections and streaming options. There are no problems with operation and the workmanship leaves a solid impression. And the image quality is impressive: brightness and contrast are fine, the image scaling works without annoying side effects, and the UHD870 reproduces colors beautifully and naturally. Anyone who has seen this will hardly think about a projector as an alternative.

TCL provided the test device in Warsaw and supported participation in the product presentation trip with subsequent independent testing. Our standards of transparency and journalistic independence can be found at www.axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit.

Categories
Ξ TREND

Deal : TCL 98P745 in the test: 98-inch television for under 2500 euros

Huge TV at a low price: The 98-inch TCL P745 is sensationally affordable. SamaGame tested whether the quality was right.

For film enthusiasts and sports fans it can TV in principle not big enough. Films and sports broadcasts only develop their captivating effect on a giant screen, like in the cinema or in the stadium. But what does big mean? The maximum TV screen size is currently 98 inches, which corresponds to a screen diagonal of 248 centimeters. The new TCL 98P745 is the cheapest television of this size. For less than 2,500 euros, it promises great viewing pleasure.

That’s how big the TCL 98P745 is

With a device width of around 2.20 meters and a height of almost 1.30 meters, you can take this literally with great pleasure with the TCL 98P745. The 58 kilogram colossus stands securely on two strikingly solid metal feet mounted on the outside. Provided there is a sufficiently strong wall, the 98-inch model can also be hung up. Of course, the wall mount also has to be correspondingly large; the TCL requires the VESA dimension 500×600. At 4.2 centimeters, the television is surprisingly flat, and the workmanship with a waffle-like structured back panel and a frame flush with the screen appears to be of high quality.

More colors and 100 to 144 Hertz

To ensure that the huge screen actually provides enjoyment, the TCL 98P745 uses an upper-class LCD despite the low price: instead of 50 to 60 images per second, it shows twice as many at 100 to 120 Hertz. This makes details look sharper in fast movements, and large screens in particular benefit from this. Computers can even play up to 144 Hertz. In addition, the manufacturer promises a larger color gamut (“Wide Color Gamut”), so that films or games produced accordingly HDR (High Dynamic Range) the better image quality is actually visible. Technical tricks to increase contrast (such as local dimming or Mini LED) did not provide the budget.

Giant picture looks really good

Cheap price or not, such a huge television picture is definitely impressive. And it looks really good on the TCL 98P745: Thanks to VA LCD technology, it produces quite deep blacks, meaning the TCL achieves a contrast of over 4000:1. With just over 400 candelas per square meter, the image is bright enough even in daylight. And above all, the colors are right with natural skin tones and strong HDR display (Cinema picture mode). The TCL attenuates the HDR brightness peaks significantly, but it manages to adapt to the capabilities of the screen without over-exposing bright image areas and with decent clarity in dark corners. The processes support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ here. The automatic adjustment to the ambient brightness is designed to be very practical. Apart from the lower HDR luminosity, it moves TCL TV on par with that Samsung GQ98Q80C. Films and TV shows with poor SD resolution are no fun on such a large screen; you would have to stand ten meters away. The TCL, on the other hand, upscales HD material well to its UHD resolution, without pixel mud or annoying over-sharpening. The decent impression of sharpness is retained even in fast movements; annoying streaks are just as little an issue as image stuttering.

TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison

TCL 98P745: Technical data in comparison

TCL

Samsung

Sony

98P745

GQ96Q80C

KD-55X85L

resolution

3840×2160

3840×2160

3840×2160

Brightness (HDR max.)

425 cd/m2

1146 cd/m2

 781 cd/m2

contrast

 4320:1

 50000:1

 34364:1

Color deviation dE

 1.7

 2.6

 2.6

color temperature

 6626K

 6945K

 6791K

Color space DCI-P3

 94.4%

 92.0%

 94.6%

Latency (60Hz)

 14 ms

 13 ms

 18 ms

Entrances

 4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV

 4x HDMI (4 to 120Hz)

 4x HDMI (2 to 120Hz), AV

TCL 98P745 gives projectors no chance

In practice, a viewing distance of four to five meters is perfect for the TCL 98P745. For high-quality UHD playback with films or games, it can also be two to three meters – with an enormously immersive effect. Because then the viewer’s field of vision is largely filled by the screen, which would otherwise only be the case projector and canvas is possible. In a direct comparison, video projectors of a similar price range have no chance: brightness and contrast are much lower, so that the images look duller even in perfectly darkened rooms. And with every glimmer of light from the window, for example, the impression of the image deteriorates. This makes televisions much more suitable for everyday use than projectors.

Built-in subwoofer for rich sound

You shouldn’t expect too much from the sound in this class, but the TCL 98P745 does its job there too. This is visible in the saucer-sized woofer in the back wall, which supports the two speakers on the bottom with bass. In this way, the TV giant achieves a comparatively full, if not particularly detailed, sound. For better sound there is about one Sound bar can be easily connected. If a sound bar under the television looks too puny for you, go for it Stereo speakers with HDMI and places them to the right and left of the screen.

Also a big one when it comes to connections

The TCL 98P745’s ports are arranged on the back in such a way that they are easily accessible from the side. The clear labeling makes wiring easier, especially since nothing is missing:

  • HDMI: The TCL has four HDMI inputstwo of which correspond comprehensively to the version HDMI 2.1 and can process UHD resolution at up to 120 Hertz including variable frame rates – good for game consoles. One even accepts up to 144 Hertz when a correspondingly powerful computer is connected. The delay in the video signals (latency) is uncritically short in game mode at 14 milliseconds. Of the two remaining HDMI ports, one serves as a sound output for soundbars and AV receivers (eARC, enhanced audio return channel) if required and also provides 3D surround sound Dolby Atmos out of.
  • TV reception: As usual, you can watch television with the P745 via cable, satellite and antenna. There is HDTV in all reception types, and a few UHD channels via satellite. For cable reception, it depends on the regional network operator, but UHD is also possible in principle.
  • CI+: A CI module can be plugged in to unlock encrypted TV programs. This is available, for example, for private HD programs from the local cable network operator or from Freenet for antenna reception.

  • USB: The TCL has two USB ports for photo and video playback, one of which is easily accessible on the edge of the case. The most common multimedia formats including DTS sound can be played.

  • Optical output: The fiber optic digital output supplies old home cinema systems, for example wireless headphones with the television sound.
  • Headphone output: Classic headphones with a cable can be connected to the TCL, and the TV speakers then switch off automatically.
  • Bluetooth: Also a Bluetooth headphones can be coupled. This is used instead of the TV speakers.

  • Network connection and WLAN: The connection to the home network is made as usual via cable or radio.

Stream easily thanks to Android TV

The TCL 98P745 uses the current version 12 of the Android TV operating system. This means that the apps of all popular streaming providers are available, including: Media libraries The TV channels can be used in the same way as commercial platforms Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to Apple TV and Disney+ to Paramount+. The Google TV home screen clearly shows the most used apps in a row and tabs for other apps as well as film and series recommendations – this has been the case with others Android TVs Proven by Philips and Sony, for example. Alternatively, content can be searched for in smartphone apps and then played back on the giant screen using the Chromecast function. AirPlay 2 is also available. You quickly get used to the operation, which is helped by the handy remote control with its sensibly arranged buttons. In addition, there is voice control with the Google Assistant possible, the remote control is equipped with a microphone and a talk button. TCL adds small quick menus that can be used to select sources more quickly.

Test conclusion TCL 98P745

The TCL 98P745 is not only huge, but also really good: the features leave practically nothing to be desired, and the Android television is very versatile in terms of connections and streaming options. There are no problems with operation and the workmanship leaves a solid impression. And the image quality is impressive: brightness and contrast are fine, the image scaling works without any annoying side effects, and the P745 reproduces colors beautifully and naturally. Anyone who has seen this will hardly think about a projector as an alternative.

TCL provided the test device in Warsaw and supported participation in the product presentation trip with subsequent independent testing. Our standards of transparency and journalistic independence can be found at www.axelspringer.de/unabhaengigkeit.