The Hisense H8C is a budget 4k Television, with decent picture quality that is unusual for the price. It has no blur of motion and embraces a large range of inputs.
It supports certain higher-end functionality such as local dimming and motion interpolation, unlike most televisions in the price range. The smart OS based on Opera TV works really well. The main drawback is that, when viewed at a slight angle, the image quality degrades very quickly. See also Hisense H9F, Hisense H9E, Hisense H8F, Hisense H9G
Smart Features of Hisense’s H8C Series 4K TV
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- Good picture quality, especially dark scenes
- Little motion blur
- When viewed at an angle image deteriorates rapidly
Design
The design is simple, but there are a few nice touches that allow it to stand out from other budget televisions. The whole TVÂ is plastic, but there is a much nicer finish on the bottom of the Screen and the legs. The borders are pretty thin and look great.
The stand is quite wide. It is very basic but has a nice finish on the plastic.
Footprint of the 50″ TV stand: 9.6″ x 36.9″
Picture Quality
The contrast ratio is great and results in good dark scene performance even in a blacked-out room.
Although the H8C features a full-array backlight, it doesn’t have many zones and takes a while to turn regions on and off. We recommend disabling it, as it is not very effective.
A red tint can be seen preceding the white square or circle, this is due to the fact that the red sub-pixel has a different response time than the green and blue ones. It is the first time that we noticed a difference big enough that we could see it on our test video.
Also at a slight angle, the H8C’s image quality degrades very quickly. For someone who is not sitting directly in front of the TV, this is a problem.
Update:
We have altered the design methods. Since this is an old TV that we no longer have, we have extrapolated the results.
Movies:
Average for watching movies in a dark room. The clarity of the picture is fine, but local dimming does not work well to increase the performance of the dark scene. Contents of lesser quality such as DVDs or Blu-rays of 1080p look fine.
TV Shows:
Watching TV in a clear room is slightly better than normal. The image quality is good when viewed from the front, but degrades easily if viewed at an angle. It plays well with reflection and can get bright enough to fight much of the glare. For streaming or casual viewing, inbuilt applications perform well. Upscaling is good for low-quality material such as cable TV.
Sports:
Good for sports watching. Motion control is great, but when watching games, any dirty screen influence is visible. The image quality is great, but when viewed at an angle, it easily degrades.
Video Games:
Great for video games. Fast-paced motion is handled well due to the great response time. Picture quality is good and input lag is great.
HDR Movies:
Slightly under the average output of HDR. You can’t have highlights that are really bright or show a broader range of colors. To boost dark scene efficiency, local dimming does not work well. The picture quality is good.
HDR Gaming:
Good for games on HDR. For most entities, input lag in HDR is good enough. The image quality is pleasant. Unfortunately, a wider color range or displaying bright highlights does not support that as well.
PC Monitor:
A good Computer monitor. Supports a broad range of resolutions, and for clear text, supports chroma subsampling at 4k. When viewed from the front, the picture quality is good but degrades at a slight angle. The handling of motion is excellent, but the input lag is slightly greater than ideal.
Sound Quality
Response average. The frequency response is decent, but there are pumping and compression present at max volume. However, also for a Monitor, the low-end cutoff and overall loudness are poor. This TV doesn’t produce a lot of basses and also doesn’t get very loud.
The average response from distortion. At all volumes, the average harmonic distortion response is decent, even though there is a gradual increase in distortion as the volume increases.
Local dimming doesn’t work well.
Smart Features
The TV comes preloaded with some of the most popular apps, such as Netflix, Amazon Video, VUDU, and YouTube. It also provides access to the Opera TV Store to download additional apps.
The H8C features the Opera TV platform. It is very easy to use and allows downloading of apps from the Opera TV Store. It feels quite responsive but does occasionally have issues with browsing menus which requires a TV restart to fix. It is not as stable as some of the other platforms such as Android TV or LG’s WebOS. It is able to play photos or videos directly off a USB drive.
Audio Performance
The audio performance of the Hisense H8C is average for a budget TV. It is equipped with two built-in speakers that deliver a decent sound output for everyday viewing. However, it may not suffice for audiophiles or for those who prefer an immersive audio experience, especially during movies or gaming sessions.
The frequency response of the TV is reasonable, but there is some noticeable pumping and compression when the volume is set to its maximum level. The low-end cutoff and overall loudness are not particularly impressive, which means that the TV doesn’t produce a substantial amount of bass and doesn’t get excessively loud.
For users who desire an enhanced audio experience, it is recommended to invest in external audio solutions such as a soundbar or a home theater system. These devices can greatly improve the audio quality by providing deeper bass, clearer dialogue, and a more immersive surround sound experience.
Comparisons with Similar Models
When comparing the Hisense H8C with other similar models in its price range, it is essential to consider factors such as picture quality, audio performance, smart features, and overall design. Some comparable models include the TCL 4-Series, Vizio D-Series, and the LG UM6900.
- TCL 4-Series: The TCL 4-Series offers a comparable picture quality, with a slightly better contrast ratio than the Hisense H8C. However, it lacks the local dimming and motion interpolation features. The TCL 4-Series comes with the Roku smart platform, which is more robust and user-friendly than the Opera TV platform of the H8C.
- Vizio D-Series: The Vizio D-Series has a similar picture quality to the Hisense H8C but does not include local dimming. The Vizio D-Series features the SmartCast smart platform, which offers an extensive selection of apps and content. The audio performance is also similar to that of the Hisense H8C.
- LG UM6900: The LG UM6900 has an IPS panel, which means it has better viewing angles than the Hisense H8C but a lower contrast ratio. The audio performance is comparable, and the LG UM6900 features the WebOS smart platform, which is more intuitive and feature-rich compared to the Opera TV platform on the H8C.
Customer Reviews and Testimonials
Customer reviews and testimonials for the Hisense H8C are generally positive, with users praising the TV for its good picture quality and value for money. Many customers are satisfied with the performance of the TV, especially considering its budget-friendly price.
However, some users have pointed out the limitations of the Hisense H8C, such as the rapid deterioration of image quality when viewed at an angle and the average audio performance. Some customers have also reported occasional issues with the Opera TV platform, which may require restarting the TV to resolve.
Overall, the Hisense H8C is well-received by customers who are looking for an affordable 4K TV with decent performance. While it may not be perfect, the TV offers a good balance of features and value, making it a suitable choice for budget-conscious consumers.
FAQ
What is the price range of the Hisense H8C?
The Hisense H8C is a budget 4K television, with a price range of approximately $300 to $500, depending on the screen size.
Does it support HDR?
Yes, the Hisense H8C supports HDR content, but the output is slightly below average. It cannot display very bright highlights or a broader range of colors. Local dimming is also not very effective in boosting the performance of dark scenes.
 What smart features does the Hisense H8C have?
The Hisense H8C comes with the Opera TV platform, which provides access to popular streaming apps such as Netflix, Amazon Video, VUDU, and YouTube. It also allows for downloading of additional apps from the Opera TV Store. However, the platform is not as stable as some of the other smart platforms available on other TVs.
Is the sound quality good?
The sound quality of the Hisense H8C is average for a budget TV. It is equipped with two built-in speakers that deliver a decent sound output for everyday viewing. However, it may not suffice for audiophiles or for those who prefer an immersive audio experience, especially during movies or gaming sessions.
What are some comparable models to the Hisense H8C?
Some comparable models to the Hisense H8C include the TCL 4-Series, Vizio D-Series, and the LG UM6900. Each of these models offers a different balance of features and performance, and customers should consider their specific needs before making a purchase.
What are the drawbacks of the Hisense H8C?
The main drawback of the Hisense H8C is the rapid deterioration of image quality when viewed at an angle. It also has some limitations in terms of local dimming and audio performance. Additionally, the Opera TV platform can sometimes have stability issues.
Is it a good TV for gaming?
Yes, the Hisense H8C is a great TV for gaming. It has a fast response time, low input lag, and decent picture quality, making it suitable for a wide range of games.
Does the Hisense H8C have any advanced features?
Yes, the Hisense H8C supports certain higher-end functionality such as local dimming and motion interpolation, unlike most televisions in the price range. However, these features are not very effective in improving the overall performance of the TV.
What is the screen size of the Hisense H8C?
The Hisense H8C is available in multiple screen sizes, including 50″, 55″, and 65″. The price may vary depending on the size of the screen.
Does it have a good contrast ratio?
Yes, the Hisense H8C has a great contrast ratio, which results in good dark scene performance even in a blacked-out room.
Conclusion
A good television for a wide range of uses. The quality of the image is good when viewed directly from the front, but it degrades quickly at an angle. It has a small motion blur that is ideal for use in sports, video games, or PCs. Also, input lag is good.
