I’m a sucker for easy-to-use merchandise. There’s nothing like one thing you possibly can simply unbox, plug in, and activate with out cracking a handbook or downloading a PDF.
So why am I nonetheless so obsessive about TCL’s 6-Series? In the previous I’ve stated that the 6-Series was the best TV for most people based mostly largely on how effectively the display appears to be like to your {dollars}. It wasn’t for TCL’s appears to be like or smooth interfaces and apps—there have been, and are, loads of different mid-tier choices from Vizio, Hisense, and others that get that job performed proper.
But the newest 6-Series now wins out for sheer bodily simplicity. It comes with a center pedestal stand, and also you barely have to the touch a settings menu. You can simply place it anyplace, and it routinely reads issues like game consoles, disc gamers, and soundbars (and room brightness and plenty of different issues) with out you doing something.
Moreover, it nonetheless has a wonderful Roku interface, isn’t too costly, has quantum dots and mini LED backlighting, and appears genuinely unbelievable taking part in every thing. If you’re out there for a brand new TV, you need to nonetheless begin right here.
Last Year’s Model?
The TCL 6-Series I’m writing about is the 2022 mannequin R655, and it is principally brand-new. It launched late final 12 months, so it stays the present mannequin you should buy in shops. At CES earlier this month, TCL introduced a brand new naming construction for fashions (and their specs) that may arrive later in 2023. If that appears complicated, it’s. But you’re not studying the flawed assessment. This is the newest mannequin, which is available in sizes starting from 55 to a whopping 85 inches.
Things that make this completely different from the 2020 6-Series embody the addition of that middle pedestal mount, a quicker 144-Hz refresh fee, and considerably improved mini-LED backlighting efficiency that makes for brighter scenes and higher distinction.
I didn’t have an opportunity to have a look at the 2 fashions aspect by aspect, however I can inform you the highlights on the newer 6-Series appeared noticeably brighter and colours popped greater than I recall on the final mannequin. Light blooming—the place vibrant objects on darkish backgrounds can appear to be they’re being weirdly illuminated by inner TV angels—was additionally improved to my eyes, although you may nonetheless see some.
Automatic Everything
Between voice search constructed into the distant and easy accessibility to each main streaming app through Roku’s smooth interface, there’s basically nothing on-line you can’t find and begin watching in minutes on this TV.
Plug in a Nintendo Switch, HD Blu-Ray participant, and soundbar, as I did, and the TV practically immediately acknowledges what each is and adjusts its settings once you swap to that enter (additionally straightforward to see on the high of the Roku interface). It’s awesomely easy and simple.
Gamers will like that it has a 120-Hz refresh fee at 4K, which is the utmost {that a} modern Xbox or Playstation 5 will put out—that means the smoothest attainable gaming and sports activities viewing usually.
Other manufacturers aren’t far behind on smooth and simple integration between streaming interface and a TV’s settings menu, however I haven’t seen every thing this straightforward anyplace else. Hisense’s Google TV interface comes closest, and I like the straightforward casting from my Android telephone, but it surely isn’t this streamlined. Still, in case you are coming to Roku for the primary time, there’s a small studying curve, although essentially the most annoying half is logging in to all of your accounts the primary time.
The Right Footprint
Speaking of easy: Thank God for the middle pedestal. It makes the unit a lot simpler to mount on current TV consoles, particularly when you select a bigger mannequin TV. I like how easy it’s to put a soundbar under or in entrance of the display. The stand isn’t deep (about 13 inches), so I used to be in a position to simply match a soundbar in entrance, however you may additionally place one on the entrance of the pedestal, permitting you to suit the TV on an excellent smaller desk or stand.
I additionally like that ports are straightforward to entry on the proper aspect of the TV. You get 4 HDMI connections (one labeled for eARC to your soundbar), a cable connection, an ethernet connection, an optical audio output, and an antenna enter (good for sports-loving twine cutters).
