The TCL 5-Series (S535) 4K HDR TV emerges as a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers seeking a significant upgrade in their home entertainment experience. This television offers a surprisingly rich feature set, combining vibrant color reproduction with impressive contrast levels, especially considering its affordability. The S535 cleverly balances price and performance, delivering a picture quality that punches well above its weight class. Its smart features and seamless integration with popular streaming services further solidify its position as a strong contender in the competitive 4K TV market. We will take a deep dive into whether this model lives up to its promise and offers true value to consumers looking at the TCL 5-Series (S535) 4K HDR TV.
Setting up the TCL 5-Series is a straightforward process. The TV is relatively lightweight, making it easy to handle, even for one person. The included stand is simple to attach, requiring only a few screws. Once powered on, the Roku TV interface guides you through the initial setup, connecting to your Wi-Fi network and activating your streaming services. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes.
The TCL 5-Series boasts impressive picture quality, especially when considering its price. The 4K resolution delivers crisp and detailed images, while the HDR support (Dolby Vision and HDR10) enhances contrast and color accuracy. While it might not compete with higher-end OLED or QLED TVs in terms of absolute black levels and peak brightness, the S535 offers a noticeable improvement over standard LED TVs.
- Color Accuracy: Generally good, especially after calibration.
- Contrast: Strong for an LED TV, thanks to the local dimming feature.
- Brightness: Adequate for most viewing environments, but may struggle in very bright rooms.
Local dimming is a crucial feature that improves the contrast ratio by dimming the backlight in dark areas of the screen. The TCL 5-Series utilizes local dimming effectively, but it’s not perfect. Some blooming (light bleeding around bright objects on a dark background) can be noticeable, especially in high-contrast scenes. However, the overall improvement in contrast is significant and worth the occasional artifact.
The TCL 5-Series comes equipped with Roku TV, a user-friendly and feature-rich smart TV platform. Roku TV offers access to a vast library of streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it simple to find and watch your favorite content. The voice control functionality, accessible through the included remote, allows you to search for movies, adjust the volume, and control other TV functions with your voice.
The built-in speakers on the TCL 5-Series are adequate for casual viewing, but they lack the depth and richness of a dedicated sound system. The sound is clear and balanced, but the bass response is limited. For a more immersive audio experience, consider connecting a soundbar or external speakers.
The TCL 5-Series (S535) 4K HDR TV is a smart choice for buyers looking to upgrade to a 4K television without breaking the bank. It balances price with performance, offering a great picture with good sound and smart features. While it may not be the absolute best performer in any single category, its overall value is undeniable. If you are on a budget and seeking a great TV, consider the TCL 5-Series (S535) 4K HDR TV.
The TCL 5-Series (S535) 4K HDR TV emerges as a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers seeking a significant upgrade in their home entertainment experience. This television offers a surprisingly rich feature set, combining vibrant color reproduction with impressive contrast levels, especially considering its affordability. The S535 cleverly balances price and performance, delivering a picture quality that punches well above its weight class. Its smart features and seamless integration with popular streaming services further solidify its position as a strong contender in the competitive 4K TV market. We will take a deep dive into whether this model lives up to its promise and offers true value to consumers looking at the TCL 5-Series (S535) 4K HDR TV.
Unboxing and Setup: A Breeze
Setting up the TCL 5-Series is a straightforward process. The TV is relatively lightweight, making it easy to handle, even for one person. The included stand is simple to attach, requiring only a few screws. Once powered on, the Roku TV interface guides you through the initial setup, connecting to your Wi-Fi network and activating your streaming services. The whole procedure takes only a few minutes.
Picture Quality: A Surprise at This Price Point
The TCL 5-Series boasts impressive picture quality, especially when considering its price. The 4K resolution delivers crisp and detailed images, while the HDR support (Dolby Vision and HDR10) enhances contrast and color accuracy. While it might not compete with higher-end OLED or QLED TVs in terms of absolute black levels and peak brightness, the S535 offers a noticeable improvement over standard LED TVs;
- Color Accuracy: Generally good, especially after calibration.
- Contrast: Strong for an LED TV, thanks to the local dimming feature.
- Brightness: Adequate for most viewing environments, but may struggle in very bright rooms.
Pros and Cons of Local Dimming
Local dimming is a crucial feature that improves the contrast ratio by dimming the backlight in dark areas of the screen. The TCL 5-Series utilizes local dimming effectively, but it’s not perfect. Some blooming (light bleeding around bright objects on a dark background) can be noticeable, especially in high-contrast scenes. However, the overall improvement in contrast is significant and worth the occasional artifact.
Smart Features: Roku TV is a Winner
The TCL 5-Series comes equipped with Roku TV, a user-friendly and feature-rich smart TV platform. Roku TV offers access to a vast library of streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it simple to find and watch your favorite content. The voice control functionality, accessible through the included remote, allows you to search for movies, adjust the volume, and control other TV functions with your voice.
Sound Quality: Acceptable, But Not Stellar
The built-in speakers on the TCL 5-Series are adequate for casual viewing, but they lack the depth and richness of a dedicated sound system. The sound is clear and balanced, but the bass response is limited. For a more immersive audio experience, consider connecting a soundbar or external speakers.
Final Verdict: A Fantastic Value Proposition
The TCL 5-Series (S535) 4K HDR TV is a smart choice for buyers looking to upgrade to a 4K television without breaking the bank. It balances price with performance, offering a great picture with good sound and smart features. While it may not be the absolute best performer in any single category, its overall value is undeniable. If you are on a budget and seeking a great TV, consider the TCL 5-Series (S535) 4K HDR TV.
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